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by David Altena
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- 1 weeks ago31 min
2026 The year ahead for the BSMB
It might be a bit late in posting, but David and Rob came back after the summer break to kick off 2026 with a look under the hood — reflecting on what's worked, what's ahead, and how you can help shape the conversation.With 31 episodes now in the wild and a growing audience, the highlights from the past year include some standout guests, a government minister on the show, a top-rated episode with Dave Bunting becoming compulsory listening at a local marketing firm, and a column in NZ Manufacturer Magazine.But this episode is really about what's coming. The guys share their BHAG — getting 100,000 New Zealand SMBs on a high-performance journey — and the practical tools being built to make that happen. Backed by Setseed, a new online diagnostic capability was launched on March 4th at the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, giving businesses a way to benchmark their performance, compare themselves to industry peers, and chart a roadmap for growth.There's also a new team member — Danielle Hancock — joining as General Manager, plus exciting guests already locked in for the first half of the year and a push to get all major political parties on the show ahead of the election.The message? New Zealand's productivity problem is real — and the solution isn't coming from Wellington. It starts with businesses getting better, one decision at a time.Got a guest suggestion? Know someone who should hear this? Share it with three business owners you know. The rising tide lifts all boats.
- Apr 18, 202652 min
You're Building Two Assets — Are You Tracking Both?
Every construction project generates thousands of documents, drawings, decisions, and specifications. Then the project ends — and most of that intelligence disappears, buried on USB sticks or lost in SharePoint folders nobody revisits. In this episode, hosts David and Rob sit down with Jon Sinclair of Performance Building Technologies to explore why the construction industry's data problem is costing New Zealand dearly, and what businesses of any size can do about it today. Jon's path is anything but conventional — environmental scientist turned London developer turned managed services specialist — and it gives him a sharp eye for where the industry is leaving value on the table. His solution is something he calls "asset memory": a shared, searchable intelligence that carries the story of a building long after the project team has moved on. What You'll Learn The scale of the problem. Construction professionals spend roughly 35% of their time on non-value-added work. A 3,500-page specification that takes 3–4 weeks to manually review can be processed by AI in under two hours — more accurately. New Zealand's productivity gap is stark: it costs us 50% more to build infrastructure than the US, and up to 900% more than countries like South Korea and Finland. The handover cliff. The biggest performance loss in construction doesn't happen during a project — it happens the moment it ends. Operational teams inherit a curated subset of project data; the rest vanishes. Jon makes the case that handover should be treated as a critical project phase, not a loose end. Why you're building two assets. Every project creates a physical asset and a digital one. The physical asset is visible; the digital one is usually ignored. But the digital asset compounds in value over time — informing maintenance, resolving disputes, proving compliance, and affecting resale. Jon shares a real example where a commercial owner discovered their building was 20% larger than they'd been leasing it for, simply because no one had ever checked. What asset memory looks like in practice. Rather than curating a subset of information into a structured system, Performance Building Technologies captures everything and lets AI do the filtering. Their approach layers a small language model trained on New Zealand building codes and construction terminology on top of all project data — so facility managers can ask "What's behind the wall in Ward 3?" or "What are the warranty conditions on the specialist lighting?" and get answers in seconds. The rework revelation. 70% of health and safety incidents on construction sites happen during rework. When teams are under pressure to redo work, that's when accidents occur. Solving the data problem is a safety issue as much as a productivity one. Practical first steps. Jon's three starting points for any construction business: (1) build a visual record of your work on site — LiDAR-equipped phones and apps like Polycam make it simple; (2) use AI to understand the specs you're signing before you sign them; (3) think about how you hand over information, because retained payments are often tied to digital deliverables. Key TakeawaysThe organisations that treat data as an asset — not an afterthought — will be the ones that close New Zealand's productivity gap and set a new benchmark for the industry. Start small, capture everything, and remember: the digital foundation matters just as much as the physical one.Connect with Jon Sinclair and Performance Building Technologies to learn more about asset memory and digital transformation in construction.Rapid Fire QuestionsBooks: The End of the World Is Just the Beginning by Peter Zeihan . The Mandibles by Lionel Shriver — a fictional collapse of the US economy in 2028 that's feeling a little too real right now.Weirdly competitive hobby: Sourdough baking — bread, pita, waffles, pizza. All of it.Best spot in Grey Lynn, Auckland: Honey Bones — great food, great vibe.
- Feb 26, 202633 min
From Compliance to High Performance: Rethinking Governance with Peter Crow
Most small and medium businesses think of governance as box‑ticking, compliance, or something only “big corporates” need. But what if governance was actually your competitive advantage?In this episode, we sit down with Dr Peter Crow, an internationally recognised governance advisor and director, to unpack what governance really means for SMBs — and why almost everything business owners think about governance is wrong.Peter makes governance accessible, practical, and deeply human. He shows how the right conversations, the right people, and the right focus can shift a business from drifting like a “cork in a washing machine” to intentionally steering towards performance, resilience, and growth.Whether you’re a founder wearing 14 hats or an ambitious SMB preparing to scale, this conversation reframes governance from compliance to capability — from structure to strategic enabler.HighlightsGovernance is not compliance — it’s performancePeter challenges the biggest misconception in SMBs: that governance is about slowing things down, following rules, or meeting obligations. True governance is about steering, guiding, and enabling growth.The moment an owner should consider governanceFrom generational succession to new markets, or simply not wanting to make decisions alone — Peter explains the real triggers for adding governance capability.Why structure matters less than behaviour and capabilityBoards don’t perform because of frameworks. They perform because of people — how they think, behave, and challenge each other.“You cannot comply your way to performance”Peter’s seven‑word myth‑buster reframes governance as a game plan, not a checklist.--------------------- The Better SMB Podcast is sponsored by SetSeed, the all-in-one platform that redefines what a website can be. Smart, secure and AI-tailored to reflect your brand. No plugins, no patchwork, no problems. Just world-class software and support in one subscription. Discover more at setseed.com --------------------- Connect with Rob and David on LinkedIn Rob Bull David Altena Learn more about NZ 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 higher performing business today
- Jan 14, 202651 min
Innovation Is a Choice: Moving from Comfort to Courage
Innovation isn’t just about technology or government policy, it’s a leadership choice. In this episode of The Better SMB Podcast, we sit down with Sean Doherty, former Callaghan Innovation leader, to unpack why New Zealand’s prosperity depends on the decisions business leaders make today. Sean shares insights from decades in engineering, manufacturing, and national innovation programmes, challenging SMB owners to step out of their comfort zone and start building capacity for growth. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why New Zealand is “poor because it chooses to be” The real difference between R&D, innovation and adoption How leadership, not funding, is the biggest barrier to progress Practical steps to shift from cost-cutting to growth Episode Highlights: “Innovation isn’t a destination—it’s a daily choice.” The three barriers holding SMBs back: funding, lack of strategy, and comfort Why waiting for government support is a losing game How small acts of leadership courage, like listening to staff ideas, can unlock big breakthroughs --------------------- The Better SMB Podcast is sponsored by SetSeed, the all-in-one platform that redefines what a website can be. Smart, secure and AI-tailored to reflect your brand. No plugins, no patchwork, no problems. Just world-class software and support in one subscription. Discover more at setseed.com --------------------- 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
- Dec 29, 20251h 2m
Scaling with Purpose: Ray Everest on Leadership, Innovation & Impact
In this episode of The Better SMB Podcast, hosts Rob Bull and David Altena sit down with Ray Everest, educator, entrepreneur and co-founder of Future Focus, to explore what it takes to build a business that thrives without you. From humble beginnings in Tokoroa to leading six early learning centres in Papamoa, Ray shares his journey of scaling with purpose, removing ego from leadership, and creating deep societal impact through innovation. Ray’s story is one of resilience, vision and continuous improvement. He discusses how he and his wife Courtney built Future Focus from the ground up, the importance of leadership development, and how their new AI-powered platform, Auro, is transforming early childhood education by helping teachers intervene earlier and more effectively with children needing behavioural and learning support. Whether you’re an SMB owner, educational leader or someone passionate about building high-performing teams, this episode is packed with insights on sustainable growth, leadership behaviours, and creating scalable impact. Highlights: How Ray scaled Future Focus to six centres in seven years with over 120 staff supporting 550 children Why removing your DNA from the business is key to sustainable growth The genesis of Oro, an AI-driven platform set to revolutionise early learning support and the education industry Ray’s leadership philosophy: empowering people to exceed expectations and make mistakes safely --------------------- The Better SMB Podcast is sponsored by SetSeed, the all-in-one platform that redefines what a website can be. Smart, secure and AI-tailored to reflect your brand. No plugins, no patchwork, no problems. Just world-class software and support in one subscription. Discover more at setseed.com --------------------- Connect with Rob and David on LinkedIn Rob Bull David Altena Learn more about NZ 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 higher performing business today
- Dec 5, 202547 min
Panic to Platform to Partnership: Chris Parnell’s Bold Journey with SetSeed and The Better SMB
In this episode of The Better SMB Podcast, we welcome Chris Parnell, Co-Founder and CEO of SetSeed, as both our guest and announce their official sponsorship of The Better SMB podcast. Chris shares his inspiring journey from Rotorua to building a global Customer Experience Platform that simplifies websites, CRMs, e-commerce, and email marketing for businesses worldwide. We dive into why SetSeed chose to partner with The Better SMB, explore Chris’s entrepreneurial story, and uncover practical lessons for SMB leaders who want to lift performance and embrace bold moves. Highlights SetSeed + The Better SMB: Why this partnership matters and what success looks like. From panic attacks to global impact: How Chris turned challenges into opportunities and built SetSeed from the ground up. Customer Experience vs. CMS: What makes SetSeed different and why it matters for SMB productivity. Actionable advice for SMB leaders: Mindset shifts, tech as an enabler, and the bold moves that drive growth. Chris’s story is a powerful reminder that bold decisions shape better businesses. If you enjoyed this conversation, share it with another business leader who could use some inspiration, and subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next. --------------------- The Better SMB Podcast is sponsored by SetSeed, the all-in-one platform that redefines what a website can be. Smart, secure and AI-tailored to reflect your brand. No plugins, no patchwork, no problems. Just world-class software and support in one subscription. Discover more at setseed.com --------------------- Connect with Rob and David on LinkedIn Rob Bull David Altena Learn more about NZ 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
- Nov 26, 202530 min
The Power of Community: Danielle Hancock on Strengthening Local Business in North West Country Business Association
In this episode, we spend some time with Danielle Hancock, General Manager of the North West Country Business Association, to explore one of Aotearoa’s most connected, community-driven business regions. We talk about what makes the North West so unique, the generational businesses that continue to thrive, and the deep sense of collaboration that sets this region apart. We also unpack the partnership between The Better SMB and the North West Country Business Association, including the launch of the Better SMB High-Performance Award – supporting SMEs with benchmarking, insights and practical next steps for lifting business performance. We discuss: What defines the North West Country business community The small-town collaboration and multi-generation businesses shaping the region Challenges facing “mum and dad” SMEs and why decision-making can feel lonely Why North West Country partnered with The Better SMB to lift productivity How performance reporting can strengthen business confidence and capability Listen out for some of these highlights: “This is the only community where everyone walks into the awards hugging each other.” “Mum and dad businesses make decisions quickly — they just need the right support.” “We want to create a bit of FOMO — we want others to say, ‘How do we get what they’ve got?’” Thank you for tuning in to The Better SMB! Don't forget to like, subscribe and leave a review. --------------------- The Better SMB Podcast is sponsored by SetSeed, the all-in-one platform that redefines what a website can be. Smart, secure and AI-tailored to reflect your brand. No plugins, no patchwork, no problems. Just world-class software and support in one subscription. Discover more at setseed.com --------------------- Connect with Rob and David on LinkedIn Rob Bull David Altena Learn more about NZ 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
- Nov 10, 202552 min
Beyond the BA5: Redefining What a Chamber of Commerce Can Be With Patrick McKibbin
In this episode, Rob and David sit down with Patrick McKibbin, Chief Executive of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, to explore how one region is redefining what local business leadership can look like. Patrick shares how the Chamber has evolved from being a traditional networking body into a hub for innovation, collaboration and advocacy, supporting a $10 billion economy with the ambition to grow by 35% by 2035 through the “35 by 35” initiative. From connecting SMEs to government and industry opportunities, to showcasing world-leading manufacturing and research at the Hutt Valley Manufacturing & Innovation Expo, Patrick’s passion for his region is clear, and contagious. In this episode, we discuss: Why Chambers of Commerce still matter in a modern business ecosystem The power of local collaboration and shared purpose How the “35 by 35” plan is driving measurable growth What SME leaders can do to lift their game and tap into networks that deliver real results Highlights: “We’re not a relic of the past, we’re a platform for innovation, talent, and connection.” “The Hutt Valley may be small, but it’s a $10 billion economy... and it’s just getting started.” “Business success doesn’t happen in isolation. Collaboration is our competitive advantage.” Thank you for tuning in to The Better SMB! Don't forget to like, subscribe and leave a review. --------------------- The Better SMB Podcast is sponsored by SetSeed, the all-in-one platform that redefines what a website can be. Smart, secure and AI-tailored to reflect your brand. No plugins, no patchwork, no problems. Just world-class software and support in one subscription. Discover more at setseed.com --------------------- 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
About The Better SMB Podcast
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 actionabletips, 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 @RobBull
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