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 actionable
tips, 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
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 actionable
tips, 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
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 success
Know 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.
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Connect with Rob and David on LinkedIn
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