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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

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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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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

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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

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Advice and governance

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Importing and exporting
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Importing and exporting

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

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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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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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Planning & growth

Expert tips for starting a business

10/01/2019

There’s no magic formula for starting a successful small business, but the more good decisions you make early on, the better your chances.

News article

New Zealand Business Performance Panel launched

28/03/2018

This week Small Business Minister Stuart Nash launched the New Zealand Business Performance Panel, a resource to help Kiwis improve their management practices.

News article

Work Smarter, Not Harder: Productivity Week 2018

06/03/2018

We’ve been working with experts from around the world to help Kiwi business owners get more time in their lives. Join us for the first ever Productivity Week.

Planning & growth

How to set goals for your business

09/02/2018

Early each year is a great time to look at where your business is at, and where it’s heading. It will help you get the business – and the lifestyle – you want.

Planning & growth

KiwiSaver tips if you're aged 55+

13/10/2017

What will you live on when you stop work or dial back on hours? Here’s how to make the most of your KiwiSaver as you get closer to dipping into this nest egg.

Expert view

2017 roadshow: Get face-to-face time with government experts

17/03/2017

The government is hosting 10 events that give businesses the inside view on how to deal with government agencies and get support.

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.

Planning & growth

Rev up your business planning

04/01/2017

New Year is a great time to reflect on the past 12 months and plan for the new one. Follow these steps and use our free business planning templates.

Cash flow

Beat the Christmas cash flow blues by planning ahead

18/11/2016

For small businesses, Christmas can be one long cash flow headache. Here are expert tips from Deloitte to stop it turning into a full-blown New Year hangover.

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?

Cash flow

How to negotiate personal guarantees — without putting your home at risk

03/10/2016

If landlords or suppliers ask for your personal guarantee — a common business practice — your house or other personal assets might be on the line.

Health & safety

Health and Safety lessons from Pike River — for all businesses

24/08/2016

The type of failures that led to the Pike River mine tragedy can be found in many businesses and in many industries.

Expert view

2016 Roadshow of government support for businesses

22/06/2016

From law changes to help finding funding and R&D support, the government is hitting the road to give business owners up-to-date information.

Planning & growth

4 steps to get your growth moving

25/05/2016

Small business owners are the heroes of our economy, but many struggle to grow. The challenge is getting them to believe they can, says an expert.

Tax time

Owed money? Tips for chasing debtors

25/05/2016

Getting paid is essential for business success, so don’t let unpaid invoices and debts build up. These tips will help you keep the cash flowing. Find out how...

Risks & ops

Natural disaster + being prepared = better for business

22/01/2016

Earthquakes, fires and floods may not be such a disaster for your business, if you think ahead. Find out more…

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.

Cash flow

ANZ explains profit and loss statements

23/11/2015

Your profit and loss statement is a key business tool. Here's how it can help you understand your business performance.

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.

Cash flow

The ins and outs of equity crowdfunding

01/11/2015

The new equity crowdfunding regime provides an exciting new way for start-ups and small businesses to raise finance.

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