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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 What is sustainable business 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 Strengthening your 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

Types of advice you’ll need How business advisors can help Getting financial advice Boards and directors Questions your board will ask

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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

Marketing and sales Exhibiting at trade shows Tips for tendering

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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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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

How to reduce your tax bill Claiming expenses

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Tax time tips
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Tax time tips

How to make tax time easier Keeping tax records Systems that can help at tax time How to fix tax mistakes

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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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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 Domestic violence 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 Breaks Handling bonuses and benefits Flexible working arrangements Policies and procedures Managing misconduct Managing age-diverse workers

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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

Performance appraisals Training and development Assess skills in your business Government help with training Handling poor performance Resolving employment issues Team restructuring

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Tips on keeping track of employee performance

Ending employment
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Ending employment

Employee resignation Employee retirement Employee redundancy Dismissal or termination Employee exit checklist

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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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Do business online
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Do business online

Get tailored e-commerce advice Planning to do business online Optimising your online business Building your website or online store Advertising to online customers Strengthening relationships with customers Orders and deliveries Digital Boost
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 Mental health in the workplace Mental health for you and your staff Mental health and wellbeing support

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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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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

Strategic finance overview How to read financial statements Use numbers to analyse your business Financial models: Step-by-step guide Advanced finance: 7 key concepts Find the right type of funding for your business

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Operations strategy
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Operations strategy

Operations strategy overview 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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Directors and governance
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Directors and governance

Governance overview What governance is and why it’s important Laying the groundwork for good governance What it means to be a good director Governance: Key things to review if you do it yourself Structured governance — boards

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Business strategy
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Business strategy

Business strategy at a glance An introduction to business strategy Looking outwards at your market Looking inwards at your business Creating your own space Turning strategy into action

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New Zealand Business Performance Panel Other topics coming soon
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Build employment agreements

Tailored to your business and everyone you employ

Mature workers toolkit
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News article

Boosting small business digital capability

24/09/2020

Small Business Minister Stuart Nash and Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis have announced details of a $20 million digital capability package for small businesses.

Planning & growth

Business plans up in the air? Tools to help you pivot

23/09/2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended plans for 2020 and beyond. Changing the way you do business can help you survive the crisis and build long-term resilience.

Staff & HR

Negotiation tips when hiring

07/02/2020

Think beyond money to find the best candidate. Flexibility, personal development and culture can be huge draws.

Staff & HR

Make your next hire a new graduate

13/01/2020

Graduates compete for good jobs, and employers compete for good candidates. It helps to understand their needs and what they’re looking for in a job.

Staff & HR

Migrant workers: Getting visa applications right

18/11/2019

If you’re hiring someone from overseas, they’ll need to apply for visa. Here are six tips for employers to speed up the process.

Risks & ops

Trade marks: Do you own your brand?

18/11/2019

If you haven’t taken steps to protect your name, slogan or logo, they may not be yours. Check them now with a free online tool.

Customers

Start selling online

18/11/2019

Opening an online store extends your market. It’s a chance to connect with customers and build your brand. Get tips for selling products or services online.

Staff & HR

How to attract great summer staff

18/10/2019

Spring is the summer hiring season. Get a head start with these tips on recruiting top-notch seasonal staff – and the paperwork you’ll need.

Expert view

Hawke’s Bay: Free business events this November

14/10/2019

Give your business a boost with free one-on-one expert sessions, workshops and inspiring stories from small businesses.

Tax time

R&D tax incentive: Enrol now

08/10/2019

Check if your R&D activities are eligible for a 15% tax credit and enrol now.

Planning & growth

Giving back as a business mentor

06/09/2019

If you’ve got experience in business, there are others out there who want to learn from you.

Planning & growth

The benefits of networking

02/08/2019

No matter what stage you’re at with your business, networking can be hugely beneficial and open you up to new opportunities.

Staff & HR

Busting five myths about disabled employees

02/08/2019

There are some misconceptions that keep employers from considering them when hiring. We debunk five of them.

Planning & growth

Tariff-finder tool for importers and exporters

02/08/2019

Compare and assess opportunities in 150+ markets. Plus support and help from MFAT to help you do business overseas.

Planning & growth

Test your business idea

12/07/2019

Before you invest a lot of time and money into any new venture, it’s helpful to test your idea first.

Tax time

R&D tax incentive: What’s eligible and how to claim

11/07/2019

Money your business spends on research and development (R&D) from the 2019/20 income year may be eligible for a 15 per cent tax credit.

Tech talk

Scale-Up NZ: Platform to help businesses connect

14/06/2019

Callaghan Innovation is looking for businesses to join its free online platform to connect New Zealand’s innovation ecosystem to the world.

Planning & growth

Get your business running more efficiently

14/06/2019

Focusing on your business’s operations may help you reduce costs, lift cash flow and save time. Here’s how to get started.

Planning & growth

Mentor, coach or advisor?

14/06/2019

Finding the right support for you and your business can make a big difference. We outline the options so you can make the right decision.

Cash flow

Getting paid: Invoicing tips for prompt payments

17/05/2019

The sooner an invoice is paid, the better. Here’s how to make sure you get what you are owed.

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