August 3, 2009

A combination of customer focus, smart design and a drive to prove that plastic doesn’t need to become waste after one use has helped put Auckland company Jakaar on track for sustainability – literally.

Business people overwhelmingly back the policy that government agencies should procure sustainably – based on whole-of-life costs, rather than day-one price alone. Sustainable procurement by government agencies in June became

North Shore City Council’s innovative sustainability initiatives led to savings of more than $1.2 million last year, and that figure is likely to increase by half as much again this

Future leaders of the supermarket industry are learning what it takes to run top-performing business following introduction of the inaugural Foodstuffs Academy Management Programme last month. The Academy is first

Linley Watson Managing director, Peak Performance International, chapter leader Kea Melbourne What prompted you to seek work outside New Zealand? Peak Performance has worked with number of leading New Zealand

The New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation has appointed Vero Insurance chief executive Roger Bell as its new chairman of the board of trustees. Having led his workforce at Vero to

New Zealand cities are getting cheaper to live in and operate from – making them more attractive to multinationals looking to contain the cost of mobile workforce in tighter economic

Kevin Jaffe Simpson Grierson’s new chairman Kevin Jaffe says his appointment reflects the firm’s focus on corporate/commercial law as well as his involvement in the leadership team. He says the

They’ve pioneered a market-led, close-knit supply-chain model that hits all the right buttons in terms of quality, transparency, integrity and sheer smart thinking.

Managers have put so much emphasis on cost cutting and delivering bottom-line efficiencies that they’ve taken their eye off the ball and forgotten how to manage their greatest asset –

OfficeMax is the first office products company – and one of only 11 companies in New Zealand – to be awarded Diamond certification in the Landcare Research Enviro-Mark programme. It’s

After starting his working life as boat builder, 31-year-old Dave Larsen has proved he can capably take the helm when it comes to running sales team – an accomplishment that’s

While some wonder if green business and policies are luxury during global downturn, the evidence mounts that sustainable businesses are performing better. They’re also more in tune with what consumers

Rainwater recycling and chilled beam energy-efficient air conditioning are among the sustainable features of the building that took top honours in the Green Building Award category at the recent 2009

Wellington’s largest taxi firm, Wellington Combined Taxis, is claiming the honour of being first cab off the rank when it comes to carbon neutrality. Last month, it received certification from

You’d have to be colour blind not to spot that “red” is colour du corps at Vodafone’s Auckland HQ. But where does it fit in its value spectrum? And what does that have to do with its long-running leadership programme?

Non-compliance with technical and mundane Companies Act procedures means some directors and shareholders do not have the limited liability protection they thought they had. Kensington Swan’s Rodney Craig and Campbell Featherstone outline the steps that need to be taken to avoid this predicament.

Non-compliance with technical and mundane Companies Act procedures means some directors and shareholders do not have the limited liability protection they thought they had. Kensington Swan’s Rodney Craig and Campbell Featherstone outline the steps that need to be taken to avoid this predicament.

That’s the rating from the NZIM’s latest annual survey of the country’s management capability (MCI). So – is it improving against previous surveys? And just where are local managers falling behind their overseas counterparts?

How local is local? How much governing should local government do? Rodney Hide has strong ideas on both. But will he carry the cabinet? A fashionable 1990s’ theory was that

As result of greatly reduced demand for products and services, organisations globally, regionally and locally are revisiting their business strategies and models as well as their operating models, before restructuring

We’re all getting older. Yes, folks, it’s truism time. And there does seem to be point where the gleeful upward romp through life’s significant markers becomes more gravity afflicted –

Is it time to re-think the fundamentals of corporate governance? Reg Birchfield talks to AUT’s associate professor in management, Coral Ingley.

Is it time to re-think the fundamentals of corporate governance? Reg Birchfield talks to AUT’s associate professor in management, Coral Ingley.

• By Jeff Jarvis • Collins Business • RRP $40.00 Watch Google! Like tsunami warning, this commercial, technological and social phenomenon threatens to sweep all before it. There might be

Risks to businesses are growing but budgets are shrinking. Is there a danger that more Kiwi enterprise will fall through the risk gap?

How do you rescue an organisation that isn’t servicing its million-dollar debt, hasn’t had an AGM in years, and lacks governance policies, strategic planning, business plan and budget? Plus – it’s in a poor African country.

I had quiet moment at work yesterday and suddenly saw how I was feeling. I had general aches and pains, my heart was racing, and I felt jumpy. I don’t

Editor’s Letter In Touch: News; Managers Abroad: Linley Watson On the Move Executive Development NZIM: How Capable Are Kiwi Managers? Doug Matheson Just Good Business • News • Sustainability: Smart

Editor’s Letter: Colour Blind Cover Story: Shape-shifting SOEs – Boards Of Different Hue Want government board appointment? Then check out the lie of the land. The geography has changed and

At a time when unemployment is rising and redundancies are rife, it’s hard to imagine a future where New Zealand’s skillbase is patchily stretched over workforce needs – with gaping holes appearing in some sectors and within specific age groups. But that’s a reality highlighted by recent research. Where will the problems occur – and how best to fix them?

John Walley is expected to rail against monetary policy and the effects of its singular targeting of inflation. He is chief executive of the Manufacturers and Exporters Association, after all,

How would you describe the NZ identity? New Zealand’s identity is simple. It’s all about accent and I don’t just mean the way we sound, but the way in which

For those who think a phone is just for calling people, think again. Whether you want to track time or appointments, consult a map or a strategy guru, your smart phone is a useful management tool. We track 10 useful apps on Apple’s iPhone 3G.

Once you’ve crossed “run country as New Zealand’s first female Prime Minister” off your list of goals, where to next? For Jenny Shipley, the end of her political career started a whole new story.

This new series interviews senior management from the international arena, either in transit as they fly through New Zealand, or on their own stamping ground. We quiz Ola Nilsson about snap decisions and multicultural management.

James Lockhart explores the governance requirements of organisations where outcomes other than profit are the primary means through which performance is measured.

James Lockhart explores the governance requirements of organisations where outcomes other than profit are the primary means through which performance is measured.

A healthy workforce is vital to recovering economy – and there’s no better time to look after staff than when the pressure is on. With fewer staff on the job,

The Australian government has awarded further A$13.4 million worth of grants to 22 businesses under its Climate Ready Programme – taking the total number of projects being funded under the

Bigger firms in New Zealand – as in other English-speaking countries – pay higher wages than smaller firms. But why? Research by two New Zealand economists shows that there is

Companies in the Asia-Pacific region are slowly starting to spread their wings to resume long-haul travel, according to an analysis of travel trends by FCm Travel Solutions. While demand on