The Better SMB Podcast Podcast Por David Altena arte de portada

The Better SMB Podcast

The Better SMB Podcast

De: David Altena
Escúchala gratis

Acerca de esta escucha

 Join hosts David Altena and Rob Bull as they delve into the subject of small and medium- business productivity in New Zealand. With a focus on driving operational excellence and business improvement, The Better SMB Podcast is your go-to resource for strategies, insights, and success stories from the front lines of the SMB sector.

Despite New Zealand’s historical challenges with productivity compared to our OECD peers, David and Rob are on a mission to turn the tide. Tune in to discover actionable

tips, expert interviews, and innovative ideas that will help your business thrive in today’s competitive landscape. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, The Better SMB Podcast will equip you with the tools you need to enhance productivity and achieve your business goals.

Connect with us on LinkedIn: @DavidAltena and @RobBullCopyright David Altena Economía Gestión Gestión y Liderazgo
Episodios
  • Working at human speed: Reducing stress and burnout for sustainable success

    Working at human speed: Reducing stress and burnout for sustainable success
    Jun 10 2025
    In this episode, we explore the hidden dangers of working at an unsustainable pace and why "being busy" is not the same as being productive. Our guest, executive coach Rachel King, shares powerful insights on the causes of burnout, why New Zealanders are particularly affected, and how leaders can shift towards sustainable, thriving work environments. Highlights:
    • How stress impacts health, engagement, and life satisfaction.
    • Why clearing more emails doesn't mean you're achieving more.
    • The four pillars of shifting from burnout to thriving: Awareness, Filter, Understand Yourself, and Manage Energy.
    • Practical strategies to manage physical, mental, and emotional energy at work.
    Thank you for tuning in to The Better SMB! Please support us by liking, subscribing and leaving a review. --------------------- Connect with Rob and David on LinkedIn Rob Bull David Altena Learn more about New Zealand Lean Academy and the mission Rob is on to make NZ the best place in the world to do business  Download David's NBR-featured report "Boosting Productivity in New Zealand SMEs" by joining the mailing list on the Altena Solutions website and start your journey to a more productive business today 
    Más Menos
    56 m
  • Own It or Lose It: Why SMBs Can’t Ignore Intellectual Property

    Own It or Lose It: Why SMBs Can’t Ignore Intellectual Property
    May 28 2025
    We’re diving deep into intellectual property (IP) protection, exploring key insights and perspectives from Ben Cain, Partner at James & Wells and former marketing executive turned IP specialist. We discuss how small businesses can safeguard their innovations, build brand value, and create competitive barriers through strategic IP management. We cover:
    • Why early-stage IP strategy is mission-critical for future valuation and investor confidence.
    • Budgeting for trademarks, designs, and patents - what real-world costs look like and how to prioritise them.
    • Sector-specific IP pitfalls and opportunities in FMCG, food & beverage, professional services, and tech.
    Highlights include:
    • “If you delay securing IP protection, it becomes too easy for somebody to copy you.” - Ben on the high price of procrastination
    • “Investors always look for IP rights as evidence of a protected, valuable business” - why a clean IP register boosts your multiple
    • “Cast your mind forward. Where do you want to be in three years, then work back to plan your IP strategy.” - Ben’s blueprint for proactive founders
    Key Takeaways:
    • Grasp the differences between trademarks, registered designs and patents, and when each matters.
    • It’s not as expensive as you may think, NZ $200 to NZ $5,000 may cover a lot of your initial needs; map these into your growth budget early.
    • Strong IP positions raise market value, deter copycats, and shorten investor due diligence cycles.
    Thank you for tuning in to The Better SMB! Don't forget to like, subscribe, leave us a review and share this with a friend --------------------- Connect with Rob and David on LinkedIn Rob Bull David Altena Learn more about Plexus Consulting and the mission Rob is on to make NZ the best place in the world to do business  Download David's NBR-featured report "Boosting Productivity in New Zealand SMEs" by joining the mailing list on the Altena Solutions website and start your journey to a more productive business today 
    Más Menos
    55 m
  • Skills Shortage or Leadership Gap? Rethinking the Talent Narrative

    Skills Shortage or Leadership Gap? Rethinking the Talent Narrative
    May 4 2025
    In this episode, we explore the so-called “skills shortage” in New Zealand manufacturing. David and Rob unpack their NZ Manufacturer article, arguing that talent shortages are often a smokescreen for deeper issues in leadership, workplace culture, and internal systems. Rather than chasing unicorn hires, they challenge business leaders to rethink how they structure work, engage teams and build inspiring environments people want to be part of. Drawing on a compelling case study from Jones and Sandford Joinery, they show what’s possible when leaders focus on trust, coaching and continuous improvement. Listen to the discussion on the pitfalls of relying on outdated leadership models, how onboarding sets the tone for long-term retention and why the ultimate test for any workplace is: Would you want your kids to work here? Key Takeaways
    • 40% of manufacturing roles are low-skilled, but businesses still blame talent shortages instead of fixing internal systems.
    • Leadership is the real shortage, not people. Most owners are still acting as technicians, not coaches.
    • Culture is built through daily actions: trust, transparency and communication are the foundation.
    • Case studies like Jones and Sandford prove you can triple output without hiring more staff if you focus on the right things.
    • Hiring for potential beats chasing perfection, use personality and communication profiling to build better teams.
    • Effective onboarding is an investment, not a task to rush through in panic mode.
    • Ask the ultimate question: Would I want my kids to work here?
    Highlights "If you're blaming the market, you're probably not fixing the things you can control." "Create an environment where people say, 'I get to go to work today', not 'I've got to go to work.'" "A highly engaged workforce is around 20% more productive, why aren't we designing for that?" Our Mission We want to support 100,000 businesses to lift their performance by focusing on what’s within their control: building leadership capability, improving systems and creating workplaces where people thrive. Please help us by liking, subscribing, leaving a review and sharing the show --------------------- Connect with Rob and David on LinkedIn Rob Bull David Altena Learn more about Plexus Consulting and the mission Rob is on to make NZ the best place in the world to do business  Download David's NBR-featured report "Boosting Productivity in New Zealand SMEs" by joining the mailing list on the Altena Solutions website and start your journey to a more productive business today 
    Más Menos
    45 m
adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_webcro805_stickypopup
Todavía no hay opiniones