NZ Business – Individual Issues

NZBusiness June 2013

COVER STORY
The rainmaker
Leanne Graham has the Midas touch. The vivacious 42-year-old entrepreneur and cloud investor has fast-tracked a number of business successes over the years. Now at the helm of job costing app provider GeoOP, the future’s looking even more promising.
Leanne talked to NZBusiness about her career so far and the true potential of GeoOP – another standout opportunity in the growing and lucrative Software-as-a-Service sector.

FEATURES
If the business fits...
Eyeing up a business opportunity? Heard the horror stories, but still keen to give it a go and be your own boss? This special guide walks you through the issues faced when going into business for the first time.

Business supermodel
The franchise business model is still responsible for kick-starting business careers all over the country. Patricia Moore has an update for franchise buyers.
Business secrets SMEs can learn from global giants
A clear marketing strategy and ongoing sales and communication skills training are two areas Kiwi SMEs need to place greater priority on. Ambrose Blowfield says it’s time to learn from the big multinationals.

Q&A: Ahmad Jubbawey, Vensa Health
Ahmad Jubbawey is founder and CEO of leading mobile health (mHealth) solutions provider Vensa Health. If you’ve received an SMS from your doctor, physio or hospital, there’s a good chance Vensa was responsible for its delivery.

ACHIEVERS
It’s a juggle out there
Richard Horne has posted a colourful work career. But now the Renters host has found his true passion in business – managemyproperty – a Wellington property management company he’s looking to franchise.
Bootstraps and belief
Plenfy is a cloud-based customer reward and engagement programme that went from concept to market launch funded almost entirely by its creator Shane Price.
His bootstraps are looking decidedly thin.

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NZBusiness May 2013

COVER STORY
Brave heart
Being crushed by a tree gave him courage. Going bust, gave him experience. But it was values that ultimately saved Jacob Kajavala and his business, Kawerau forestry company KFL. Now he’s on a mission to make us all brave. Lesley Springall caught up with the inspiring logger turned entrepreneur – a man who has instilled a bravery-based culture within his organisation.

FEATURES
Blueprints for growth
Dunedin has an ambitious ten-year plan for economic expansion. It is also head office to Business of the Year Southern Hospitality – which is demonstrating its own remarkable growth plan. Claire Grant profiles both.

Step away from the paper
Finding document management too hard? It’s worth persevering because cost-savings and efficiency will be your reward. Kevin Kevany reports.

Outlook cloudy
The online hosting and delivery of key business services is well on the way to becoming mainstream. But how did it all happen so fast? Glenn Baker tracks the remarkable rise of cloud-delivered services.

Trust the outsourcer
Outsourcing has steadily grown into a standard business approach for firms of all sizes. So why is it so popular, and how should it be managed? NZBusiness consults Lume MD Richard Cheeseman.

Engage and sell
Content marketing is all the buzz in the digital sphere, trouble is it’s not new. Neither is it just for online selling. But it does work, as BrandWorld’s Mike O’Sullivan explains.

ACHIEVERS
Interior motives
Spaceworks’ Lizzi Hines is a risk-taker. Putting everything on the line to buy her commercial interior design business prior to the GFC, she has gone on to design her own blueprint for success. By Glenn Baker.
Zipping up success
Literally built from the ground up, Rotorua Canopy Tours is a young company that’s succeeding in the highly competitive tourism sector – and it’s all thanks to careful planning, the right timing and a belief in the outcome. Patricia Moore spoke to its founder James Fitzgerald.

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NZBusiness April 2013

COVER STORY
Lean and keen
Pet nutrition specialist ZiwiPeak is one of a cluster of Bay of Plenty firms embracing lean thinking to achieve optimum business performance. The cluster’s success is obvious, and it proves that lean is not a process just confined to the ‘big boys’ of business. If emulated around the nation, could this be the long-term productivity booster our economy so desperately needs? Editor Glenn Baker went to the BOP to gather evidence.

FEATURES
Money matters
Much has changed in the world of business finance. Lenders have become more flexible, more involved with their clients – and the options for growth finance are more extensive than ever. Patricia Moore reports.

Finding structure and accountability
Brolly Sheets’ Diane Hurford was the winner of last year’s NZBusiness ICEHOUSE Owner Operator Programme Scholarship. After six months on the programme we get a progress report to see how the programme has impacted both her and the business.

Online on a budget
Looking to optimise your online marketing spend? Get the basics right but be prepared to think outside the box as well. Kevin Kevany consults some experts on the subject.

Cash provides growth stimulus
When Canterbury business Aarn Design took out the $15,000 MoneyWorks Business Angel Award last year, it was perfect timing. Directors Aarn Tate and Devi Benson were poised to expand their sales and marketing initiatives substantially. NZBusiness checks on progress.

ACHIEVERS
Social services for dogs
Dog day care is a relatively new business sector. On Auckland’s North Shore, Louise O’Sullivan is setting the pace on service and standards.
Working the dream
Samantha Gadd comes from a family of business owners. Launching her own HR consultancy business seemed like the natural thing to do.
Invasion of the robot inspectors
Invert Robotics, winner of last year’s ANZ Flying Start Business Plan Competition, is a business of high achievers.
Innovating in paradise
The Abel Tasman National Park is the setting for a genuine tale about a Kiwi ‘can do’ family.

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NZBusiness March 2013

COVER STORY
'B’ is for basics
John “Mac” Macpherson despises pomp and pretension. When it comes to good business, it’s all about the basics – except when it comes to technology. Macpherson set up Advintage in 1999 to get away from all the pretension surrounding wine at that time. Today the business sells several thousand cases of wine every week, 85 percent online. Lesley Springall uncorks an interesting business progression.

FEATURES
Grow how?
Business owners need money, markets and management to get ahead, but without connections you’re not going to get anywhere. Lesley Springall presents the second of two articles drawn from the Angel Association’s annual summit to help bridge the gap between investors and get ahead entrepreneurs.

Dealing with the slow payers
If your business has cashflow or debtor problems it’s probably your fault. Kevin Kevany gets the lowdown on sound debtor management and credit control from the experts.

Fighting food fraud
Oritain Global is leading the battle against food fraud and helping protect New Zealand’s food exporters, by scientifically certifying the origins of food.

In safe hands
If you’re serious about growing your business, you’ll need to surround yourself with trusted advisors. Patricia Moore talks to the professionals about how best to find and maintain key business partnerships.

ACHIEVERS
Breaking stereotypes
Wendy Roigard is an entrepreneur who relishes being thrown in the deep end. She also happens to know how to turn out a legendary drop of boutique ale.
The business built on word of mouth
After almost six years of reinvesting profits, Builderscrack co-founder Mark Dickson says his online trades services business has finally come of age.
A glass act
Peter Raos has a long association with glass artistry in New Zealand and overseas. This talented artist also has a sharp business mind.

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NZBusiness February 2013

COVER STORY
Riding The Waves
For low profile Hamilton serial entrepreneur Neil Richardson, business is all about enjoying what you do, getting the structure absolutely right and learning a heck of a lot along the way. There has also a strong element of good timing when it comes to his business endeavours. Lesley Springall has Richardson’s inspiring story and shares his top eight business principles.

FEATURES
Invest in who?
Ever wondered what goes through an investor’s mind when they scope out a company? Lesley Springall listened in at the annual Angel Association Summit and came away with a pretty good idea.

Save as you pay
Writing for our annual Payroll Systems & Services Guide Kevin Kevany discovers that when it comes to choosing a payroll system the range of options is wider than ever.

Know how, Can do
It can be lonely at the top – not to mention frustrating and just a little overwhelming. But thankfully an increasing number of owner-operators are finally recognising that if they’re going to grow their business they first have to grow themselves. But where to start? Who to see? Patricia Moore reviews the education marketplace for business owners.

ACHIEVERS
High flyer
Nelson technology company Flightcell International exports high-tech avionics to defence clients worldwide. Founder John Wyllie spoke to Colin Bass.
Pet project
A simple natural pet care product has quickly catapulted Jules Smith and Pete Gregory’s WashBar business into a serious revenue earner.
Brand reconstruction
Nathan and Karen Mumby knew they had to rebrand and refocus their Taranaki construction business. Luckily along came a programme to fast-forward the whole process.
In cruise mode
Superyacht Support’s Jeanette Tobin believes New Zealand is missing out on a major market opportunity. Glenn Baker investigates.

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NZBusiness December 2012

COVER STORY
Building culinary bridges
Sachie’s Kitchen is a business that got off to a sizzling start, driven by the passion of its visionary creator Sachie Nomura for Asian food and her desire to build bridges between the East and West. NZBusiness went to meet the supreme winner of the 2012 David Awards and discovered a fired-up business owner with an exciting international business in the making.

FEATURES
New Year Business Resolutions
The changing of the calendar is a great opportunity to turn over a new leaf with your business. But are you struggling for ideas and motivation? NZBusiness asked a selection of owners and entrepreneurs what their New Year business resolutions and goals are for 2013. And what’s on their wish-list.

The X-Port File: Hello world!
For a little country at the bottom of the world, New Zealand punches above its weight on exports. But 2012 has been one of the more challenging years for exporters, as Patricia Moore reports in this special export guide, complete with inspiring exporter success stories.

Predicting the unpredictable
Got some questions regarding online marketing for 2013? This month Kevin Kevany interviews several leading crystal ball gazers on the rise of ‘effectiveness’, ‘responsive design’ AdWords Express, YouTube, email’s survival and a whole lot more.

ACHIEVERS
Three cheers for the chocolatiers
It’s been 21 years since Devonport Chocolates began creating its delectable delights. NZBusiness has the story behind one of this country’s most loved chocolate brands.
Labour of love
Scott and Ida Tristram are in the rare business of handcrafting quality sports cars and it’s a responsibility they don’t take lightly. Glenn Baker discovers a remarkable business, and manages to muss his hair up in a classic Fraser!

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NZBusiness November 2012

COVER STORY
Business in the eye of the beholder
Whether its politics, business or sport, for serial entrepreneur, iron man and brand boffin Geoff Matthews it’s all about perception… and having the courage to get the job done. For Matthews, business is all about brand strategy, which in turn, is about how the world sees your business, your products, and your place in ‘their world’. Lesley Springall offers a rare insight into how this entrepreneur ticks.

FEATURES
Controlling the cashflow cycle
How would you prefer your cashflow? An intermittent trickle or a steady stream?
Patricia Moore consults the experts to help business owners improve their cashflow management.

Gathering mobile momentum
The smartphone is altering tomorrow before it even arrives – changing forever the way businesses connect and communicate. Kevin Kevany looks at the new age of business communication in a world of mobile workforces and anytime, anywhere connectivity.

Learning from success
At the Tomorrow’s Business Forum in Queenstown in September, Dick Smith and 2011 Young New Zealander of the Year Sam Johnson questioned established norms holding back business progress. Simon Harvey reports.

Mentoring by design
Peter Boyes talks to the owners of boutique Auckland design agency Mount Deluxe, who are sold on the power of business mentoring.

ACHIEVERS
Transitional times
Splice Group is a Wellington-based business that’s growing fast – so fast they’ve just appointed a new CEO to manage the pace and direction.
Sticking to the game plan
Twelve-year-old company Total Sport is booming from the effects of better planning and bolder decision-making. Glenn Baker asks founder Aaron Carter why it took so long.
By invitation only
Once’It is an online shopping site that launched just over two years ago and is on track to turn over $3 million this year.

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NZBusiness October 2012

COVER STORY
Can it fly?
About to start a business? Wondering if you have all the bases covered? Looking to learn from the example of others? NZBusiness presents a beginner’s guide to starting a business; featuring the wisdom of Ken Erskine, director of start-ups at The ICEHOUSE and ATEED’s Ngaio Merrick, and the inspirational stories of three gutsy young businesses.

FEATURES
Keeping the books
The sky’s the limit, it seems, with many of the latest accounting software packages now hosted in the cloud. In our 2012 Accounting Software Guide Patricia Moore reports on this trend as well as other considerations when it’s time to upgrade your system – plus we profile the various software options in the market.

myBiz Expo 2012
The first myBiz Expo takes place from October 14 to 16 at the ASB Showgrounds in Auckland. NZBusiness previews the event and showcases key exhibitors – and we’ll see you on Stand 2067!

Ready, willing and focused
Altus Enterprises is an outsourcing solutions centre that also operates as a social enterprise employing 250 disabled people.

A marketing state of mind
Marketing in 2012 is about getting the basics right before ‘moving into your client’s pocket’. Kevin Kevany has top advice from some of the country’s leading marketing advisors. And there’s a chance to win a $15k marketing makeover with Nicole Crump of Tactix.

ACHIEVERS
Fine, French and fabulous
Meet the brains behind the new TOMeTTe range of ready-to-eat French meals.
From flicker to flame
Nicola and Steven Farrant have built their candle business on innovative new variations and their marketing nous.
Objects of desire
Chaos & Harmony’s Rebecca Anderson shares her secrets on designing and marketing boutique shoes.
Your eco-friendly paper man
Geoff Arden’s on a mission to convert businesses to a more sustainable choice in hand paper and toilet paper.

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NZBusiness September 2012

COVER STORY
The accidental entrepreneur
Every business owner has their challenges, especially in the highly competitive café world. Kim Evans’ first café left her passion crushed, her trust in people shot and her finances in the red. But there is no holding this woman back and just a few years later Kim’s Little & Friday business is booming and she’s far wiser. Just don’t call her a café owner. Lesley Springall has her inspiring story.

FEATURES
Degrees of flavour: 2013 MBA Guide
Choosing which MBA programme to run with in New Zealand is a bit like selecting your favourite ice cream flavour: they’re all good. Kevin Kevany reviews the MBA landscape and meets some of the people putting in the hard yards. And our comprehensive guide lets you compare the programmes on offer.
Cloud computing demystified
Cloud computing saves businesses time and money, but, as Bill Bennett explains in this straight-forward guide, they are not the only reasons why you should consider it.

Speed Interview
Tenby Powell, highly successful entrepreneur and the driving force behind the New Zealand SME Business Network, faces our ten questions. Learn about the Network’s objectives, and Tenby’s thoughts on business and the way the Government is handling the economy.

ACHIEVERS
Staying responsible
Rachel Taulelei is a change-maker in our fishing industry. Her Wellington-based business is built on the values of sustainability, responsibility and consideration for future generations.
Lessons on survival
Cheap furniture imports have taken their toll on New Zealand’s furniture manufacturers. Basement’s Glenn Hogg shares his survival lessons.
On the buses
In just under six years Hamish Nuttall’s nakedbus.com has turned New Zealand’s city-to-city bus transport market on its head. He shares the view from the driver’s seat.

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NZBusiness August 2012

COVER STORTY
Change or Die
Adapting to the new market realties. By Glenn Baker.
If necessity is the mother of all invention, the ‘great recession’ has been the mother of all business reinvention. The new reality is upon us, there’s no returning to the ‘good old days’ of buoyant markets and easy money. So how have New Zealand’s SMBs coped? How can they reinvent themselves in order to grow? NZBusiness went in search of some ‘new thinking’ and practical advice, and discovered some businesses working hard to adapt to this post-recession business world.

FEATURES
Staying open for business
Risk management in business is not just about ‘mitigating’ and choosing policies. There is much more to it. Kevin Kevany reports.

Fleet smarts
‘Smart’ is a word that gets a lot of mileage when you’re talking to New Zealand’s business vehicle leasing firms – as Patricia Moore discovered.

Giving start-ups a helping hand
Fledgling business owner Kelly Fry is taking advantage of a new initiative between the BNZ and Business Mentors New Zealand.

Speed Interview
Ian Taylor is founder of three groundbreaking technology businesses in Dunedin: Taylormade Media, BookIt and Animation Research Limited. He also won the
Creative Category in the 2012 World Class New Zealand Awards. Fielding ten questions he reveals his insights on business innovation.If necessity is the
mother of all invention, the ‘great recession’ has been the mother of all business reinvention.

ACHIEVERS
Making fashion sense
Redhead’s Kylie Tate has proven she has the commercial eye to weather all economic storms.

It’s a dirty man’s world
How does an aircraft engineer end up running a mens skin care business? DirtyMan founder Mike Orange explains.

Exquisite jewellery, clever marketing
Diamonds is proof that you can operate a world-class e-commerce jewellery business from New Zealand.

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NZBusiness July 2012

COVER STORY
Digital dreams
Jenene Crossan’s business life would have a Hollywood mogul panting. She hasn’t stopped since her very first taste of success telemarketing as a 16 year old schoolgirl. Five digital businesses and loads of heartache and jubilation later she’s almost ready to step back for a quieter life. And she’s still only 33.
Lesley Springall tracks the life and times of this live-wire entrepreneur.

FEATURES
Cash to work with
Debt factoring products and services are steadily gaining traction in a market that has traditionally viewed them with a degree of scepticism. For many businesses factoring can be the difference between stagnation and growth. By Glenn Baker.

Have device, will manage
Smart, sophisticated mobile office tools and faster mobile broadband are pushing business productivity to new levels. Bill Bennett has been reviewing the marketplace.

Supermarket leads on energy saving
Apply a little inspiration, motivation, common-sense and smart technology in a supermarket setting and there’s potential for a great energy-saving outcome. NZBusiness has a special report on the 2012 EECA Awards.

Move over PayPal, Kiwipay’s here
Since attending his only year at Uni in 2000, Galen King has learnt a lot about business. He’s now poised to bring to market a Kiwi alternative to a phenomenally successful international online business.

ACHIEVERS
Mainstream green
Earthwise was founded in the cottage industry of the 60s and is now on track to becoming Australasia’s leading environmental brand.

Aviation in the blood
Colin Bass traces the dynasty of a leading aviation company.

Process driven
Desi Lorand’s business delivers automated supplier invoice processing to save enterprises money, time and storage.

Towards world domination
Metal tile manufacturer Metrotile brought its manufacturing back to New Zealand and is now set to achieve big things in export markets.

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NZBusiness June 2012

COVER STORY
Selling science
Barnaby May is a poster-boy of New Zealand’s biotech sector. Helping build Mesynthes from the ground up, the 2012 Young Biotechnologist of the Year wears a research hat, but contributes to many aspects of business including quality, regulatory, marketing, clinical studies, business development and securing funding. Above all, he’s driven by the desire to develop new products for export return. By Glenn Baker.

FEATURES
The lure of the franchise
The franchise industry took a hit during the GFC, but in recent times interest has been picking up again. Patricia Moore reviews the market and obtains advice for both franchisors and franchisees.

Bankers lend an ear
Business bankers are no longer the people who just provide loans and overdrafts. As Steve Hart reports, they now also offer advice, bring businesses together and open doors.

Keeping up with customers
CRM in 2012 is about ‘customer intimacy’, ‘coherency’ and a buffet of options from the Cloud to hybrids. Kevin Kevany investigates the changing world of customer relationship management.

NEW SERIES: The exit factor
Business mentor Laura Humphreys believes every business owner can build a business that will lead to financial freedom. Each month she shares key strategies and invites guest entrepreneurs to share their success tips. This month: Xero CEO Rod Drury.

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NZBusiness May 2012

COVER STORY
A touching tale
Al Monro’s journey with touchscreen company NextWindow started with a mid-life crisis and the end of a safe corporate career. But ultimately the business won through because of lessons learnt from failure. Monro shares his somewhat roller-coaster story with Lesley Springall.

FEATURES
MUM’S THE WORD
For ‘mumpreneurs’ Jo Bond and Jo Keall, strong financial management and the willingness to listen to expert advice has helped fuel an impressive growth in sales.

Digitising documents
An effective electronic document management system and process can be the key to reducing costs for organisations, large and small. Glenn Baker does a little investigating.

A brand is born
Launching a new green-luxury brand into the US has taken a big leap of faith for small, family-owned Christchurch business Tréology. Sandy Galland has the story.

Protecting your information assets
Thanks to cloud computing, storing and managing business data has never been easier or cheaper. So why aren’t all businesses doing it? Bill Bennett offers a guide to data security.

ACHIEVERS
WOWing the consumer
Click Suite develops a number-one iPad ‘app’ and becomes an international award winner.

Smile please
Have your photo taken at a tourist attraction and chances are Magic Memories is part of the picture.

Feeling the heat
HeatBox is a business that has had to claw its way to success.

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NZBusiness April 2012

COVER STORY
The business planner
Laura Humphreys is a Wellington-based entrepreneur who not only knows how to start and grow businesses, but also how to plan for an exit with profit. And she’s fired up about sharing her knowledge with other business owners through her online mentoring programme Liber8me. Glenn Baker has her story.

FEATURES
Part accountant, part advisor
Today’s business accountant wears two hats – ‘bean counter’ and ‘business advisor’. This new breed of accountant can deliver good all-round advice on a wide range of business issues, as Patricia Moore reports.

Judged outstanding:
The 2012 NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AWARDS WINNERS
The New Zealand International Business Awards pay tribute to the work of our outstanding export companies and the ambitious individuals who drive them. Meet this year’s winners in this special 11-page review.

Show us the money
Looking for funding to grow your business? You must get smart if you want to get the money. Kevin Kevany reviews the funding landscape and gathers advice from the financiers.

Outlook cloudy
Bill Bennett offers a no-nonsense, beginner’s guide to cloud computing and its benefits for business.

ACHIEVERS
Windows (and doors) of opportunity
Renalldoors is a family-run Carterton business that has always harnessed cutting-edge technology to stay ahead of its competitors. Its latest acquisition is a major new initiative, as business owner Cameron Shaw explains to editor Glenn Baker.

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Adrenalin

NZ Business – Individual Issues

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