Pro Experts

Fractional work – hiring a part-time specialist to help grow your business

Over 2024, high interest rates and inflationary pressures have made it harder than usual for Kiwi businesses to thrive. At the same time, many businesses still see an opportunity to grow but may be reluctant to spend money on hiring a new person (especially at a senior/ executive level) who could play a key role in unlocking that growth opportunity....

Bayleys championing businesses with scale

Bayleys is the largest full-service real estate agency in New Zealand and has also been actively assisting business owners to sell their businesses through its team of specialist brokers. In January 2024, Bayleys made the strategic acquisition of bespoke brokerage and advisory firm Rede, which had a track record of transacting sizable unlisted business enterprises valued between $5m to $50m....

Unearthing the SharePoint Goldmine: How Microsoft Copilot Supercharges Data Discovery

A few years back, my friend Johnathan, who was working as a Principal Solution Architect for AWS, visited EIT to spend some time with our students. He told me about this new thing called Alexa for Business. What he told me was futuristic ... imagine a CEO in a board meeting orally asking Alexa for financial projections based on data...

Positive mood to the fore in Hawke’s Bay real estate market – Fraser Holland

Our Napier and Havelock North teams are feeling good, armed with knowledge, skills, and terrific marketing tools they are performing really well in a property market that is active and transacting an increasing number of properties. But you won’t read that in the media. I can bet you a dollar that as the May real estate statistics are released in...

Lift in 2024 possible for commercial property activity – Danny Blair – Colliers Hawke’s Bay

The number of commercial and industrial property sales was subdued in 2023, as both vendors and purchasers adopted a cautious approach after a record-breaking couple of years. Uncertainty regarding the level at which interest rates would peak, given the inflationary backdrop, and concerns about a cooling economy, all weighed upon sentiment surrounding the property market. Sales data tracked by the...

How Hawke’s Bay business leaders can navigate economic and financial pressures

New Zealand business leaders and owners are encountering a variety of challenges in the current market, from economic pressures and financial concerns though to workload issues. Unfortunately, business leaders are now feeling more negative than ever when it comes to their business performance – so what can they do to navigate the challenges facing them right now? The latest BDO...

Whether it’s rising costs or claims an insurance broker is your best bet

Let’s be honest, insurance premiums are going up and for many businesses and homeowners already feeling the pinch it is not easy to absorb the cost. If you have your insurance direct with insurers, do you have the time to be going around the traps and getting quotes? Not only that, but to compare each of the policies they provide...

Finding your Ikigai on the road to Death Valley

Ikigai (生き甲斐, “a reason for being”) is a Japanese concept referring to having a direction or purpose in life, providing a sense of fulfilment, and towards which the person may take actions, giving them satisfaction and a sense of meaning. Understanding your Ikigai is the key to waking up like a kid on Christmas morning, inspired to go to work, feel safe...

Managing your business wellbeing in 2024

As we mark one year on from Cyclone Gabrielle affecting homes and businesses throughout the Hawke’s Bay, it’s an important time to take stock of how we have collectively coped and responded to challenges in 2023 and what we can do to manage business wellbeing in 2024. The November 2023 BDO Business Wellbeing Index is one way to understand how...

Get ready for Windows 11: Better hybrid work with more convenience

Even good things must end and so it is for Windows 10. With end-of-life scheduled for October 2025, now is the time for planning the upgrade to Windows 11: you don’t want the date sneaking up on you, resulting in a rush job and potential disruption. Of course, the good news is that Windows 11 is an evolutionary shift from...