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Taking the first steps
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Taking the first steps

Questions to ask yourself before you start 9-step guide to starting a business How to research your market and competitors Buying a business or franchise Registering with government agencies

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Create a business plan

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Choosing the right business structure
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Choosing the right business structure

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Business planning tools and tips
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Business planning tools and tips

Introduction to business planning How to write a business plan When business planning is right for you Getting business planning advice Keeping track of key metrics How to be environmentally sustainable Common business milestones – and how we can help

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Income and provisional tax in a nutshell

Building a brand
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Building a brand

Creating your brand Choosing a business name Developing your unique selling point Getting an online presence

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Funding your business
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Funding your business

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Advice and governance

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Advice for contractors

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Businesses structures

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How to grow
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How to grow

Boosting sales
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Boosting sales

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Operating at a loss?

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Growth and innovation
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Growth and innovation

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Quick-focus planning for growing businesses

10 step business plan template

Quick-focus planning for growing businesses

Getting government grants
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Getting government grants

What can I get help with? Grants and help for your new business Grants and help for your established business Free government support and services

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Advice and governance

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Importing and exporting
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Importing and exporting

Questions to ask yourself before exporting International market research Advice on export planning Trade agreements, exporting rules and barriers to trade Manufacturing overseas 10 tips before you import Importers and the Customs Service Biosecurity for importers

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How to protect your IP overseas

Planning to exit
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Planning to exit

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Operating at a loss?

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NZTE Capability development voucher

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Tax and accounting
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Tax and accounting

Basic tax types
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Basic tax types

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Tax when you have employees
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Tax when you have employees

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Business finance basics
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Business finance basics

Introduction to business finance Finance tips to help your business Getting paid on time Cash flow forecasting Depreciation: how to spread the cost of your assets What to do if your business is operating at a loss Business finance tools

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Reducing your tax
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Reducing your tax

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Tax time tips
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Tax time tips

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Insights and articles on the latest business topics

Closing down
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Closing down

Warning signs of trouble ahead Is closing your business the right choice? Closing your business Insolvency and involuntary closure

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Operating at a loss?

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Income and provisional tax in a nutshell

Hiring and managing people
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Hiring and managing people

Deciding to hire
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Deciding to hire

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Hiring people
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Hiring people

Overview of the hiring process Advertising and interviewing Government help with recruitment Minimum pay rules Making a job offer Creating an employment agreement Trial periods and probations Hiring fixed-term and casual employees Hiring someone from overseas Employing your spouse or partner To-do list before your employee starts

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Use the Employee Cost Calculator to estimate costs

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Use the Employee Cost Calculator to estimate costs

Handling holidays and leave
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Handling holidays and leave

Introduction to holidays and leave Paying employees for leave Annual leave Public holidays Sick leave Bereavement leave Parental leave Unpaid leave

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Managing people day to day
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Managing people day to day

How to set up a new employee Your employee's first day/week Personnel files and record-keeping Paying employees Handling bonuses and benefits Flexible working arrangements Policies and procedures Managing misconduct

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Guide to keeping people healthy and safe at work

Getting the best from people
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Getting the best from people

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Tips on keeping track of employee performance

Ending employment
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Ending employment

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Businesses structures

Advice on choosing the best one for you

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Build employment agreements

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Risks and operations
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Risks and operations

Health and safety
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Health and safety

Health and safety basics How to assess health and safety risks What is 'reasonably practicable' Plans, tools and learning from incidents Worker engagement and participation Great toolbox talks How to approach workers about a health and safety issue Preparing for health and safety advice What to expect from WorkSafe visits

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Insights and articles on the latest business topics

Intellectual property protection
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Intellectual property protection

What is intellectual property Types of intellectual property Why intellectual property is important Simple steps to protect your intellectual property When to consider intellectual property Preparing for intellectual property advice Defending your intellectual property Protecting your intellectual property overseas

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Insights and articles on the latest business topics

Planning for the unexpected (BCP)
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Planning for the unexpected (BCP)

Emergency planning for businesses Continuity and contingency planning Insurance

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IT risk and avoiding scams
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IT risk and avoiding scams

Storing and backing up data Protecting business data Protecting customer and employee information Avoiding scams and fraud What to do if you've been hacked

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Dealing with customer complaints
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Dealing with customer complaints

When customers complain Understanding consumer laws Reducing risk of complaints Fair returns and complaints policies What you need to tell customers Training staff to handle complaints

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Equipment, premises and assets
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Equipment, premises and assets

Choosing where to work Leasing or buying premises Common business assets checklists Introduction to managing assets Resource Management Act for business

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Manufacturing
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Manufacturing

Exploring manufacturing options Importing and exporting laws

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Use our Compliance Matters tool to find out

Which laws apply to you?

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Business performance
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Business performance

Management and leadership
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Management and leadership

Assess your management and leadership skills Improve your management and leadership: Overview How to communicate and give feedback How to be a good leader Leadership styles and when to use them How to motivate your staff Managing people's performance Performance issues: What to check Shaping your work culture

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Strategic finance
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Strategic finance

Assess your business finance skills How to read financial statements Use numbers to analyse your business Financial models: Step-by-step guide Finance modelling: results and concepts Strategic funding with investors and lenders

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New Zealand Business Performance Panel Other topics coming soon
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Tax time

Short-term rentals: What you need to know

30/11/2017

If you’re renting out your home or holiday house over summer, make sure you know the rules on taxes, holiday rental agreements, claiming expenses and more.

Tax time

Using the Companies Register just got better

17/11/2017

It’s now easier to use online services and find tips on how to register a company, search the Companies Register, or keep your company’s details up to date.

Risks & ops

Retail crime: Simple ways to reduce your risk

17/11/2017

Hi-tech cameras and round-the-clock guards are beyond the reach of many shop owners. Here are ways you and any staff can protect your business and stay safe.

Tech talk

Two-factor authentication: Quick security for email and data

17/11/2017

Add extra security to your accounts and devices by turning on two-step verification. It takes just a few minutes to set up — and stop hackers in their tracks.

Tech talk

Cyber security: Is yours up to scratch?

13/10/2017

Cyber crime is rising and many businesses make these common mistakes. Take a self-assessment to see how your cyber protection stacks up — plus pick up tips.

Health & safety

Hazard alert: Bakeries and collision repair workshops

11/10/2017

Bakery and collision repair workshop workers face a high level of work and health-related risks. They’re now included in WorkSafe’s Around the Block tool.

Tech talk

Vodafone email shutdown and your business

02/10/2017

Common email addresses, eg Paradise and Clear, will not work after 30 November. Follow these steps to keep your business running smoothly with a new account.

Customers

Customer loyalty: How to build it

15/09/2017

It’s not just what you sell that brings in loyal customers. Good customer service is key, including how you handle returns and complaints.

Staff & HR

Health and safety: Workplace bullying

14/09/2017

Bullying at work can affect your workers’ health, and damage your culture and profit. Find out what you must do by law to keep your workplace healthy and safe.

Risks & ops

Are you under insured?

16/08/2017

Holding back on insurance can be tempting when money’s tight. But allowing for risk could mean the difference between going under and thriving.

Cash flow

Save on power: new online tool for business

16/08/2017

Could your energy use be eating into profits? EECA’s new tool tells you where you use most power and how to use less. Get custom results and easy ways to save.

Customers

Customer complaints: Fixing delivery problems

15/08/2017

Step-by-step advice for sellers on what to do if a customer complains about damaged parcels or delayed deliveries.

Risks & ops

Relocation: Is it the right move?

12/07/2017

New business premises can unlock new opportunities, but can also cause disruptions. Make sure you know why you’re moving and have a plan.

Risks & ops

Guard your business against cyber attacks

12/07/2017

A few easy practices will lower your risk of being exposed to a cyber security threat. These will also help keep important business data safe and secure.

Customers

Protect customer information: Free online training

12/07/2017

Many businesses collect personal information about customers or employees. Find out your privacy responsibilities with a new 30-minute training module.

Tech talk

Webinar: Keeping your small business safe online

04/05/2017

Tips and resources recommended by our panel of experts to protect your business from scams and hack attacks.

Tech talk

Switch on to Techweek

07/04/2017

From hi-tech to ag-tech, cloud computing to co-working, 100+ events will be held across New Zealand. Expos, meet-ups, workshops and webinars run 6-14 May.

Expert view

2017 Roadshow of government support for businesses

01/03/2017

A series of events, hosted by Minister Jacqui Dean around New Zealand, giving business owners the chance to talk directly to the agencies they deal with.

Risks & ops

Protect your email account from invoice scams

20/02/2017

Emailing invoices is the easiest way to get them to clients — but an invoice scam targeting New Zealand business could see them not getting paid.

Customers

Guarantees: Why goods must be fit for purpose

20/02/2017

There are rules on what you can claim about a product and service you sell — it must fit the purpose customers tell you.

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