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 
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    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 
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    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 
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    45 m
  • Work on it, not in It: The SMB growth playbook

    Work on it, not in It: The SMB growth playbook
    Apr 7 2025
    In this episode, we dive deep into the book "The E Myth Revisited" by Michael Gerber, exploring key insights about business roles and growth. Hosts Rob and David discuss the three critical personas in business: the technician, manager and entrepreneur.Highlights:
    • "Most businesses are started by skilled technicians who get trapped doing technical work instead of growing the business."
    • "Create a business manual as if you were going to franchise it, even if you don't plan to franchise."
    • "The owner often becomes the bottleneck by not letting go and systematising the business."
    Key Takeaways:
    • Understand how you transition between technician, manager and entrepreneur roles
    • Create systems and processes that allow your business to scale
    • Develop a strategic plan that supports your business vision
    • Invest time in working on the business, not just in the business
    By being intentional about developing your business, creating clear organisational structures on focusing on continuously improving business systems the e-Myth is a great blueprint to move through the phases of business maturity.Thank you for tuning in to The Better SMB! Please help us spread this message by subscribing, sharing the show with people in your network and leaving a review.---------------------Connect with Rob and David on LinkedInRob BullDavid AltenaLearn 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 higher performing business today
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    46 m
  • No More Excuses: Manufacturers Need to Lead NZ Productivity Shift

    No More Excuses: Manufacturers Need to Lead NZ Productivity Shift
    Mar 17 2025
    In this episode, hosts David Altena and Rob Bull dive into New Zealand’s longstanding productivity crisis and why waiting for government intervention won’t solve it. Instead, they argue that manufacturers must take the lead, turning challenges like labour shortages and rising costs into opportunities to innovate and improve efficiency. Drawing from their recent column in NZ Manufacturer magazine, David and Rob unpack:
    • Why government policies alone won’t be enough to lift national productivity.
    • How 15,000 manufacturers prioritising business performance over the next five years could reshape the economy.
    • The execution gap—why most businesses fail to act, and how to start making real progress today.
    • Simple, no-cost actions that any manufacturer can take to start improving their efficiency and competitiveness.
    Key Takeaways: 🚀 “If we want to see real economic progress, we need at least 15,000 manufacturing businesses to make improving business performance their top priority over the next five years.” 🔧 “You don’t need money to start this journey—just time. Small changes, like reducing meeting times or organising workspaces, can have a compounding impact on your productivity.” 💡 “Stop making excuses and start taking control of your business's performance. The time to act is now.” Join us for a no-nonsense, action-packed discussion on how businesses can break free from stagnation and start driving real change today. Tune in, subscribe, and leave a review to help us keep these important conversations going! --------------------- 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 higher-performing business today 
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    47 m
  • What if 100,000 businesses started taking action to improve their performance and productivity

    What if 100,000 businesses started taking action to improve their performance and productivity
    Feb 26 2025
    In this episode, David hosts solo while Rob takes a well-earned break. He shares a recording of his recent talk at the Mahi Tahi Collective 2025 TechFest. This event brought together leading tech companies—including Optimation Group, Silicon Systems, Montage, Team Cloud, Xtracta, Zen Consulting, and SmartSpace—to explore how technology and collaboration can drive business performance and productivity.David dives into why productivity has been a longstanding challenge for New Zealand businesses, why GDP isn’t the best measure for business owners and introduces his Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG): helping 100,000 businesses take action to improve their performance. He also outlines a practical approach that businesses can start using immediately to improve operations and drive better results.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ Why productivity is a critical challenge for SMBs in New Zealand✅ Why GDP isn’t the best measure for business owners and operators✅ The vision behind helping 100,000 businesses take action✅ A structured roadmap for improving productivity—starting as soon as tomorrow✅ How technology and leadership go hand in hand in driving business successKnow a business owner or leader who could benefit from this conversation? Share this episode with them! Let’s help more businesses take real action on productivity.🎧 Thanks for listening to The Better SMB Podcast! Keep pushing forward and making your business better.---------------------Connect with Rob and David on LinkedInRob BullDavid AltenaLearn 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
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    34 m
  • What Are You Aiming At in 2025? Setting Goals That Drive Real Results

    What Are You Aiming At in 2025? Setting Goals That Drive Real Results
    Feb 18 2025
    In this first episode recorded in 2025, The Better SMB Podcast kicks off the year with a deep dive into goal setting and making meaningful business progress.Hosts David Altena and Rob Bull reflect on their journey over the past year—celebrating wins, acknowledging challenges, and sharing key lessons learned from unexpected opportunities and connections that have come from launching and growing the podcast.They break down the long-term vision for The Better SMB Podcast and how that translates into goal setting, lead and lag measures, and accountability structures to drive success. The discussion highlights ambitious plans, including securing high-profile guests, attracting sponsorship, and raising the podcast’s profile over the next 12–18 months—with a bold goal of becoming a leading voice for SMBs in New Zealand’s next election cycle.Listeners will gain practical insights into:•Reflecting on the past year to learn and grow•Setting an inspiring vision that drives motivates and action•Identifying and track key productivity metrics for meaningful progress•Building an action plan with structured milestones•Use Rob and David’s approach as a blueprint for applying these principles to your own businessBeyond just listening, this episode presents a practical approach you can apply directly to your business—just in time for the new financial year in New Zealand.Whether you're refining your existing strategy or setting bold new goals, this conversation will equip you with the mindset and tools to make 2025 a transformational year for your business.🚀 Tune in, take action, and make this year your most productive yet!---------------------Connect with Rob and David on LinkedInRob BullDavid AltenaLearn 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
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    31 m
  • Navigating Technology Trends with Anthony McMahon

    Navigating Technology Trends with Anthony McMahon
    Jan 19 2025
    Anthony McMahon, Technology Strategist, Public Speaker and founder of Target State Consulting, joins David and Rob for this episode. Anthony shares his insights on how technology can empower SMBs to innovate, streamline operations, and stay competitive in an ever-evolving landscape. The discussion aims to demystify key technology concepts, such as the role of an enterprise architect, the differences between generative AI and machine learning, and the implications of adopting Industry 4.0 for New Zealand manufacturers. Anthony emphasises the importance of aligning technology investments with business goals, cautioning against jumping on trends without clearly understanding potential benefits and risks. Key Takeaways: Start with Problems, Not Solutions: Identify your business's pain points before exploring how AI or other technologies can address them. Invest Wisely: Consider engaging a business analyst to assess needs, prioritise challenges, and propose tailored solutions. Understand Industry 4.0: It’s more than automation—it's about connectivity and smarter systems, but it’s not a silver bullet. Avoid Technology for Technology's Sake: Effective technology adoption hinges on clear processes and a focus on business outcomes. Be Curious and Seek Help: SMBs should explore real-world examples and collaborate with experts to make informed decisions. The episode closes with practical advice for SMB leaders: Take time to define success before embarking on a technology journey and remember the value of curiosity and collaboration in navigating today’s fast-moving tech environment. A must-listen for business owners looking to leverage technology to build smarter, more resilient operations. --------------------- 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 .
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    45 m
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