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Getting started

Taking the first steps
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Taking the first steps

Questions to ask yourself before you start 10-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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Get geared up for a successful launch

Create a business plan

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Choosing the right business structure
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Choosing the right business structure

Business structure overview Becoming a sole trader Starting a company Starting a partnership Other business structures

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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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Simple steps to protect your IP

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Funding your business
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Funding your business

How much money do you need to start a business? Choosing the right types of funding Borrowing money Getting investors on board

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Advice and governance
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Advice and governance

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Advice for contractors
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Advice for contractors

What to think about before you start contracting Managing your finances Insurance cover for contractors What to watch out for in contracts Finding contracting work What you need to know if you have multiple jobs Government help for sole traders

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Business structures

Advice on choosing the best one for you

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

Test if you are ready to grow Fostering innovation Teaming up with other businesses

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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

Selling your business Stepping back from your business

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Operating at a loss?

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NZTE Capability development voucher

Co-funding to grow your skills.

Tax and accounting
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Tax and accounting

Basic tax types
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Basic tax types

Introduction to taxes and levies Income tax and provisional tax GST ACC levies

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Tax when you have employees
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Tax when you have employees

Payroll deductions PAYE KiwiSaver Employer superannuation contribution tax (ESCT) Fringe benefit tax (FBT) Employee allowances

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Which laws apply to you?

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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

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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

When to hire staff Hiring the right staff types Checking the cost of an employee Becoming an employer Alternatives to hiring an employee

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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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Thinking of hiring?

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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Business structures

Advice on choosing the best one for you

Tailored to your business and everyone you employ

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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Operations strategy
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Operations strategy

Understanding your operations Improving operational efficiency and innovation Ensuring capacity matches demand Managing inventory Quality matters: understand and improve quality Knowing your networks: supply and distribution

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New Zealand Business Performance Panel Other topics coming soon
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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.

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.

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.

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

New tool takes businesses on digital readiness journey

04/05/2017

This new business.govt.nz digital assessment tool has been co-designed and co-developed with social enterprise Digital Journey. Start your digital journey now.

Staff & HR

Career tool boost for jobseekers and employers

07/04/2017

Whether you’re looking for a job or to hire someone, finding out key information about a career, eg how much it might pay, just got easier with a revamped app.

Planning & growth

Video marketing: Funding and workshops

07/04/2017

If you’re looking to export goods or services, there are free resources and money available to help you tell customers your story. Here’s how to get them.

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.

Tax time

Go online to manage your GST

27/02/2017

If you’re GST registered, managing your returns just got a whole lot easier — you can now file online. Here’s how it works.

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.

Tech talk

Facebook for business: Tips for your page

22/12/2016

If your business is on Facebook — or plans to be — it pays to stay up to date with new features and best practice. Here’s how to get the most from your page.

Tech talk

How to handle customer feedback on social media

03/10/2016

If someone posts a complaint on your business’s Facebook page, would you a) delete it b) discuss it via comments or c) thank them and make contact privately?

Customers

Total recall: What to do when your products need to go back

22/06/2016

If a product you make or sell needs to be taken off the market because it’s potentially dangerous, what must you do?

Staff & HR

Free recruiting tool brings world’s workers to NZ

26/05/2016

If you’re a small business unable to find the skills you need in New Zealand, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has a free online tool.

Staff & HR

Build easy, legal staff contracts

27/04/2016

Our new online tool has all you need to create legal employment agreements — and in plain English.

Tax time

Filing GST just got simpler

27/04/2016

File GST direct from your accounting software now Inland Revenue has teamed up with online accounting firms MYOB and Xero.

Tech talk

Scammers never go on holiday, so always be alert

26/01/2016

You may have had a nice holiday, but scammers never take a break. Look out for dodgy activity to avoid being caught by out. Read on…

Staff & HR

Six ways to fine-tune your payroll

22/01/2016

Whether you have a staff of hundreds or just hired your first employee, these tips from MYOB can help make it easier to pay your workers.

Tech talk

Spark’s advice for growing your business online

18/11/2015

Easy-to-use online guides can help your business set up a great digital presence for your business – or improve what you’ve already got.

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