June 26th, 2009
Accounting and business advisory firm Grant Thornton says despite the recession it’s not all gloom for retailers - here’s why:
?Recessions, even deep ones, come to an end.
?Some retailers are performing well as they take advantage of more price-conscious consumers, they are gaining market share.
? The strong will survive so the sector will be more robust [...]
June 26th, 2009
Older workers are becoming a crucial component of the labour force as employers continue to battle a skills shortage. But these older staff members can be a management challenge. Managers must create a climate in which older workers will remain engaged and productive. Here’s How:
Throw out all your assumptions. Get rid of your stereotypes. Your [...]
June 26th, 2009
Massey University Agricultural trade policy specialist Professor Allan Rae says the US decision to reintroduce export subsidies on dairy products is disappointing and could prompt the EU to further increase its subsidies. But the US move, prompted by falling dairy prices, was foreshadowed in last year’s Farm Bill, which outlined plans to use dairy export [...]
June 19th, 2009
Many important qualities good leaders possess become even more critical during tough times. Demonstrate personal integrity and maintain personal credibility. When faced with unpleasant tasks like downsizing, many leaders lose sight of these and give into the temptation to cut corners.
To combat this, you must tell the truth. Talk to customers, engage staff, [...]
June 19th, 2009
Accounting and business advisory firm Grant Thornton says despite the recession it’s not all gloom for retailers - here’s why:
?Recessions, even deep ones, come to an end.
?Some retailers are performing well as they take advantage of more price-conscious consumers, they are gaining market share.
? The strong will survive so the sector will be more robust [...]
June 19th, 2009
Poor work culture and a lack of workplace leadership are costing NZ businesses more than $2.6bn a year. Culture & leadership expert Paddy Steinfort says Kiwi companies are flushing money down the toilet through low productivity. Research shows less than half of employees trust their bosses, and 25% simply don’t care about their jobs. Steinfort [...]
June 12th, 2009
The success of books about business and the economy has been as much of a surprise to the publishers as to many of the authors. Books such as The Economic Naturalist, by Robert Frank, have sold hundreds of thousands of copies. Nielsen Book-Scan says the specialist non-fiction market was the only publishing area to grow [...]
June 12th, 2009
A new book with contributions from some of the world’s leading economists, challenges the myth the recent banking crisis was caused by insufficient statutory regulation of financial markets. The book “Verdict On The Crash,” finds statutory regulation failed, and market participants took more risks than they should have done, but statutory regulation made matters worse [...]
June 12th, 2009
A new report on life in NZ, called ‘Attitude New Zealand’ has a few lessons for businesses. It shows widespread concern for household finances. Following the release of poor retail sales figures for the March quarter comes news most NZers are not planning to buy anything costing more than $2,000 in the next six [...]
June 5th, 2009
All Chief Financial Officers of top companies exhibit most of these habits:
1. Take a seat at the strategy table. The CFO should be involved in strategy as an independent arbiter, providing “staff” advice on strategic options.
2. Define and manage earnings expectations for brands within a company.
3. Manage the portfolio. Brands make up a portfolio and [...]
June 5th, 2009
Economic forecasters are tipping the US economy will begin growing in the second half of this year, while the jobless rate is expected to peak in the first quarter of 2010. The Blue Chip Economic Indicators newsletter for May has questioned a panel of economists who say economic growth, as measured by real GDP, will [...]
June 5th, 2009
The Reserve Bank is calling on trading banks to keep lending to “creditworthy” borrowers. As signs of improving confidence appear, the Reserve Bank warns credit growth has slowed in recent months. RBNZ Deputy Governor, Grant Spencer, says NZ has been fortunate its banking system has not experienced the “distress” seen in some countries. But [...]
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