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
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.
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
Xiaoying Fu is senior manager – Asia New Zealand Relationship Banking, ANZ National Bank How would you describe the New Zealand identity? I see New Zealanders as people who are
I am often being asked by people about the ‘attractiveness’ of investing in start-up companies given the world is in recession. I say tough times are actually the best time
Does performance pay work? We are thinking of implementing bonus scheme but lot of the research I have done seems to tell me it doesn’t work. The first thing to
Just as the Government had signalled it would do, the 2009 Budget stopped making fixed annual payments into the National Superannuation Fund (now $12.5 billion nest-egg). It did not tinker
I was kinda lucky in having parents with in-built positivity meters – if anyone can spot the upside of bad tidings, it’s them. Even heart attack can be re-framed as
In these dark days of recession, there is doom and gloom everywhere. Mass redundancies and even receiverships are commonplace. The rules relating to redundancy entitlements and procedures are well known,
There’s plenty of talk about tough economic times, making it easy to be distracted and even despondent. Leaders who remain focused and positive can help themselves, their staff and their
Why do councils keep digging up the same roads? And why does it take so long to process a simple building consent? One New Zealand local body is busy discovering the answers to such vexing questions.
One in four New Zealanders who have been unemployed in the past six months has already found employment, according to recent SEEK survey. SEEK Employment New Zealand general manager Annemarie
New Zealand’s office occupancy costs are among the lowest in the world, recent international survey has revealed. Annual occupancy costs for the plushest offices in the world’s most expensive office
Inefficient irrigation practices lead to 38 percent loss of mean annual water yield each year and the amount of water used for irrigation in New Zealand doubles every 10 years.
With companies battening down to weather tough economic times, work flexibility tends to get put on the back burner and that’s not good either for organisational health or employee motivation,
Organisations that ignore the health of their employees are putting productivity and profits at risk, with new research revealing close link between organisational performance and wellness. Right Management’s Wellness &
Mark D’Arcy, president/chief creative officer, Time Warner Global Media Group What prompted you to seek work outside New Zealand? Curiosity. Can you provide brief sketch of your current role? I
Kyle Cameron, Stefan Collins, David Levin, Brett Tomkins Professional services firm Deloitte has welcomed four new partners to its New Zealand partnership. Cameron joins the company’s accounting and advisory practice
The recruitment sector in Australia and New Zealand is looking up as business confidence levels begin to recover from all-time lows, with 49.8 percent of recruiters now confident in business
Despite challenging economic times, there are always new and established companies performing fantastically in their particular niche – and it’s time to celebrate those enjoying the fastest growth. The ninth
A New Zealand engineer who became the first outsider in the University of Oxford’s 900-year history to be appointed its vice-chancellor has earned the coveted Blake Medal – New Zealand’s
Do you think National should have promised tax cuts during the last election in view of the local and global economic conditions known at that time? ALL RESPONDENTS:Yes 25% No
It seems only about third of New Zealand’s privately owned businesses would introduce environmental practices if they were to negatively affect the financial bottom line. That’s according to Grant Thornton
New Zealand’s first completed 5-star “green” office complex, the Meridian building on Wellington’s inner city waterfront, has picked up further accolades as winner in the Sustainable Architecture category in the
New Zealand is only three years away from facing major issues in every significant water catchment, according to Peter Neilson, chief executive of the NZ Business Council for Sustainable Development.
How do you inject it into the DNA of workplace culture in a way that generates ongoing benefit? Answering those questions started a journey that’s resulted in a comprehensive self-management training programme which is already receiving rave reviews – though it isn’t quite finished.
Recession or not, strong companies are purposefully facing the future. And they are driven by strong leadership, ethical practices with good communication and by creating innovative cultures, NZIM Southern chief executive Kevin Vincent told a recent gathering of Canterbury’s young professionals. Here are highlights from his speech.
Faris Azimullah leads enterprise risk services at Deloitte. In the last part of our “volatile times” series, he speaks with NZ Management about the importance of pricing and segmentation in the current economic climate.
Are newspapers being swept into oblivion by the internet? Ian Grant explains why the rumour of their imminent death has been greatly exaggerated.
There’s a good reason why such a large percentage of the workforce is disengaged. They lack the essential sense of belonging that humans need.
What gets National party people out of bed in the morning? Power. Other parties have purpose for power. For National the purpose is power. That focus is reason why National
Rod Carr might be legally blind, but keeping up with the new vice chancellor of Canterbury University is a challenge – both physically and intellectually. Why is he so at home in the factory of ideas?
Which companies are doing well despite the general economic gloom and why? NZ Management profiles some good news examples of businesses that embrace that old adage – that change brings opportunity. Seems there’s no shortage of either.
What’s crucial to multitasking in a time-poor business world and updates itself exponentially? Technology. It’s hard to keep up, never mind get ahead of the curve. NZ Management brings you up to speed with what’s crucial, what’s useful and sometimes, what’s simply status enhancing.
These days major advertising campaign without an online presence is like TV commercial without sound. According to Nielsen, an estimated 84 percent of Kiwis have internet access, close to 75
How will a focused proposal help Skywalker Systems survive the recession? And who ends up being the star in these star wars? A mythical case study.
In the 1970s there was this public debate on whether smoking was bad for you. New research would come out and say it was. Other research would say there’s no
There have been marked changes in the dynamics of the property market which have strengthened tenants’ bargaining powers. NZ Management surveyed the market’s analysts to find out what these changes mean for businesses.
July 2009 • Vol 56 No 6 1Editor’s Letter 5In Touch: News; Managers Abroad: Mark d’Arcy 14On the Move 15Executive Development 24NZIM: Looking Beyond The Headlights Kevin Vincent Just Good
War in the boardroom Why left-brain management and right-brain marketing don’t see eye-to-eye – and what to do about it. By: Al & Laura Ries Publisher: Harper Collins Business RRP:
Want a government board appointment? Then check out the lie of the land. The geography has changed and the National Government is stamping its own colour across a more conservative, financially focused landscape. Colin James checks who’s now in the frame.
More years ago than I care to remember, I wrote cover story for this magazine about “Receivers – are they death to company?” It was another time, previous recession, and
It seems the downturn hasn’t grounded business travellers – recent survey reveals that it’s been pretty much business as usual for business folk who were on the move during the
Payroll clerks are less busy, feeling threatened by redundancy and hunting jobs in greater numbers while credit managers and auditors are working longer hours and feeling the pressure. Signs that
It seems they’re reading our magazine over there – in Papua New Guinea. The photo of NZIM Life Fellow Ron Rowe (left) with colleagues comes courtesy of Volunteer Service Abroad.
Despite tighter markets, salaries have been holding steady over the past year – but that picture could change over 2009, according to recent research by consultancy firm Mercer. In its
Ryan Bohm is general manager of Domino’s Pizza New Zealand How would you describe the New Zealand identity? New Zealanders are seriously lucky to be living in one of the
• Malcolm Gladwell • Penguin Group • $37.00 The man who introduced populist phrases like “tipping point” and “blink” into the corporate lexicon is at it again, this time with
The credit crunch has placed new urgency on boards of directors to grapple with business risks. Clearly such risks are growing rapidly – especially reputational and business continuity risks. Risk
Travel budgets might be shrinking but airlines are still firmly focused on giving top-flight customers a service that meets their needs for minimum-hassle, maximum-comfort journeys.
Social media appears to be becoming all-pervasive. Alongside the now ubiquitous YouTube (a clip of Susan Boyle on Britain’s Got Talent had had some 54 million views at the time
I have been told that I need to be stronger in my communication and more assertive. My company is sending me on an assertiveness course to improve my skills. I
Build an infrastructure and the money will follow? When it comes to broadband, we may be focusing too much on the structural piece of the plot and forgetting how we might best use it. Does our national debate on broadband need to switch tack?
Unemployment would continue to rise this year, Employment Minister Paula Bennett said after the March-quarter household labour force survey showed the latest rise in unemployment. Thus “the focus of this
After nine-year run of Labour-led governance, the political hue of those being chosen to head state-owned enterprises is gradually shifting across the colour spectrum in terms of ideological outlook and
The importance of maintaining your business’ competitive edge is particularly acute in today’s challenging market. That edge can be compromised when you lose key senior-level staff to your competitors. Not
It may be hard to measure intangibles but there’s little doubt that passion provides the beating heart of not-for-profit organisations like Victim Support – and that, says CEO Tony Paine, is their strength.
Some 75 percent of business people think the economy will recover in the next two years or sooner, compared with 63 percent of New Zealanders who think the same. Within
New Zealand has improved three places to 15th out of 57 on the world economic competitiveness scoreboard, according to the just-released IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook. The improved ranking has helped
Pity the 12 percent of New Zealand business people who still think climate change is problem for later. Their competitors – 77 percent of New Zealand business decision makers who
New Zealand’s home-grown greenhouse gas certification scheme has become first in the world to receive international accreditation under the auspices of the International Accreditation Forum (IaF). That elevates carboNZero, developed
The push to reduce carbon emissions is shifting global economic strategies – and New Zealand needs to move fast to realise the economic benefits, says Peter Neilson, CEO NZ Business
Its recent achievement of small enterprise carboNZero certification is hailed as great step forward for taxi expense management solution provider TaxiCharge NZ, both environmentally and in terms of business positioning.
Green Economics by Molly Scott-Cato argues that all the major problems facing the world have their root in the dominant economic system. This book is comprehensive introduction to green economics
A smart management strategy If there was ever a time when New Zealand enterprise needed to cultivate and encourage its young management talent, it is now. So how can organisations extract the most from their talented young managers and leaders?
As Joan Welsh famously said – “influence is what you think you have until you try to use it”. So just how can and do subordinates seek to influence their managers?
The immediate issue for tax in the May budget was the 2010 and 2011 personal tax cuts promised before – and after – the election. There is bigger work ahead.
Going glocal … it’s a new variation on the “act global, think local” axiom and according to one international headhunter, it will bring a more diverse range of people to Kiwi boardrooms.by Vicki Jayne
The current economic conditions are creating challenges for everyone. In these market conditions, it is particularly important to take care when selling goods or providing services to customers on credit.
Corporate culture is listed as key ingredient of success when times are good. It is rarely discussed during tough times as executives move to their managerial disciplines of strategy, planning
In the fourth instalment of Deloitte’s five-part series on how best to ride out the recession the focus is on counting costs. Matthew Hitch discusses the role of the supply chain and looks at approaches to extract more from your business – despite having fewer resources … AND Thomas Pippos speaks about some of the taxation themes his team is observing in the current market.
Hear the term ‘productivity’ and in your mind’s eye you see boffins in white coats with clipboards and stopwatches examining and recording how long it takes someone to carry out
For more detailed diary listings, visit Management‘s website www.management.co.nz
A government department that introduced raft of world-first innovations that greatly increase certainty in doing business and raise the attractiveness of investment in New Zealand on the world stage has
More than 70 companies from around the country have qualified for the second stage of the New Zealand International Business Awards. That puts them one step closer to being awarded
Expansion is still byword for exporters attending recent forum in Auckland where the mood was one of cautious optimism despite the challenge of current economic times. Reflecting findings from the
The NZ Institute of Management has announced the winners of its 2009 Foundation Scholarships. Their prizes include travel to Sydney for one week this month to attend the Australia Human
The Kiwi DIY gene was well and truly outed at an entrepreneurial summit held late last month to – in the words of its instigator Chris Simmonds – “fire up
The world of business doesn’t engender lot of trust amongst New Zealanders but standouts, according to recent survey, include The Warehouse and Kiwibank – and it seems the vast majority
When it comes to planning, it seems Kiwi companies are at least slightly ahead of the global game with some 60 percent of privately held businesses claiming to follow one-to-three
A New Zealand-designed commercial light fixture which results in power savings of over 40 percent is set to make big impact on local energy consumption – thanks to the development
John Allen Currently NZ Post CEO, Allen has been appointed as chief executive and secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade, the first such appointment to be made
When you preside over a company that occupies some 70 hectares of prime waterfront real estate in New Zealand’s biggest city, some negative attention is inevitable. Add the result of a downturn that’s slashed Ports of Auckland profits and things could look grim – so why does managing director Jens Madsen describe his as a “dream job”?
