ASB/ Main Report Regional Economic Scoreboard - March 2009 Quarter
May 29th, 2009
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How hard is recession hitting your region?
Archive for May, 2009
Don’t Be Scared To negotiate For A Better Deal
May 28th, 2009
Despite the fact there’s a recession on, people looking for a move to a new position shouldn’t be scared to negotiate on salary. Specialist recruitment firm Robert Half says when a candidate is presented with an offer is the time to make a play for a better deal. Robert Half director Tim Hird says a [...]
Help For Organisations To Develop Standards
May 28th, 2009
Standards NZ has just published a new standard - a compliance programmes standard. It helps organisations develop compliance programmes which demonstrate adherence to legislative requirements, industry codes, organisational standards and standards of good corporate governance, ethics and community expectations.
NZS/AS 3806i will be of particular interest to:
• Company directors and CEOs responsible for their organisation’s governance.
• Accountants who [...]
US Index Bodes Well For Recovery
May 28th, 2009
An index developed decades ago by the US Independent Economic Cycle Research Institute suggests the US economy, and thus the world, may recover before the end of the year. The growth rate of the Weekly Leading Index, composed of forward looking indicators for jobs, sales, income and output, has improved by a third from its [...]
NZ Online Marketing Innovations
May 21st, 2009
Two innovative online services have been launched for the benefit of local businesses. Wellington’s Synthesis Marketing has developed a service which gives business owners access to practical marketing assistance for just over $1 a day. The site is packed with “how to” information and is easy to access.
Christchurch firm Fried has launched Texsys, a [...]
Businesses Highlight Employee Deficiencies
May 21st, 2009
While employment conditions have changed considerably since Statistics NZ did its Business Operations Survey in 2008, it reveals some telling facts about the way businesses see workers today.
In the survey 47% of businesses reported skilled vacancies were hard to fill, but the reasons they gave are the most interesting factor - rather than actual skills [...]
Look East For The New Economic Future
May 21st, 2009
David Mahon, MD of Mahon China Investment management says NZ businesses must look to China for impetus to bring about much needed economic change. He says the FTA negotiated with China, the world’s first, gives this country unparalleled opportunities there, but with other nations already knocking on the door, the time for vacillation is over. [...]
Education Spending Most Effective For Economy
May 15th, 2009
A new Australian study claims putting money into higher education will yield greater benefits for an economy than spending on industry and general tax cuts. A report by KPMG, commissioned by Aust’s 38 universities says real GDP could increase by an extra $1.6bn pa on average over the next decade, then to an average $38bn [...]
Promotion A Health Risk?
May 15th, 2009
Most people who are in work would welcome the extra money and responsibility which comes with a promotion - but a new study suggests it can be bad for your health. Researchers at Britain’s University of Warwick say when people get promoted they suffer about 10% more mental strain on average, and are also [...]
Banks Pull Plug On Job Summit’s $2b fund
May 15th, 2009
John Key says the banks “pulled the pin” on the job summit’s proposed $2 billion equity fund. It was to have been co-sponsored by the banks and the Govt to take shareholdings in struggling companies. The banks are blaming the Govt for the collapse, saying Treasury officials got cold feet worrying the scheme could have [...]
How To Get The Best Deal From Suppliers
May 8th, 2009
Many growing companies consider certain supplier relationships to be above review. This removes any incentive for suppliers to give you the best deal. Take these steps to encourage suppliers to revisit their prices.
• Get better data. Before beginning your next business development plan, find out as much as you can about what other companies of [...]
Customer Service - Absolute Focus Is The Key
May 8th, 2009
We all know successful organisations are about engaging people, employees, partners, and customers, but many businesses find it difficult to convert this knowledge into action. To genuinely make things different and create a sustainable change, managers have to change their way of looking at themselves relative to their work. In the words of Gandhi [...]
De-Floating The Dollar Back On Agenda?
May 8th, 2009
Arguments over whether to de-float the NZ dollar have picked up. BERL Chief Economist Ganesh Nana says the kiwi dollar is one of the top ten most traded currencies in the world, which subjects the country to unnecessary volatility. Exchange rate volatility hurts exporters who are meant to lift the economy out of recession. [...]
Customer Service - Absolute Focus Is The Key
May 1st, 2009
We all know successful organisations are about engaging people, employees, partners, and customers, but many businesses find it difficult to convert this knowledge into action. To genuinely make things different and create a sustainable change, managers have to change their way of looking at themselves relative to their work. In the words of Gandhi [...]
Unequal Pay And Perks Crucial For Productivity
May 1st, 2009
Treating top performers the same as weaker ones is being called “strategic suicide.” HR researchers at America’s Rutgers University say the current vogue of slashing perks and pay is managerial insanity. They say the tendency to treat everyone the same is “misguided and absolutely the wrong approach.”
They argue it is like an airline sticking its [...]
De-Floating The Dollar Back On Agenda?
May 1st, 2009
Arguments over whether to de-float the NZ dollar have picked up. BERL Chief Economist Ganesh Nana says the kiwi dollar is one of the top ten most traded currencies in the world, which subjects the country to unnecessary volatility. Exchange rate volatility hurts exporters who are meant to lift the economy out of recession. [...]
