What Makes a Business Run Successfully in 2023

Written by Peter Minkoff (UK correspondent)

Running a successful business in today’s fast-paced and competitive business landscape
requires more than just hard work and determination. Businesses must keep up with the
latest trends and technologies while also adapting to changing market conditions. With that
in mind, here are a few key factors that will help businesses succeed in 2023:

Embracing Technology
Adopting technology not only allows businesses to increase their efficiency and productivity,
but it also enables them to collect and analyse data in order to make more informed
decisions. Furthermore, incorporating technology into various aspects of a business, such as
marketing and customer service, can help to improve the overall customer experience.
Following the latest technological trends and tools can also assist businesses in remaining
competitive and relevant in their industry. To fully reap the benefits of technology,
businesses should also prioritise cybersecurity measures to protect against data breaches
and cyber attacks that can harm both the company and its customers.

Investing in Employee Development
Investing in employee development benefits not only the employees but also the overall
success of the business. Employee job satisfaction, motivation, and productivity can be
increased by providing opportunities for learning, growth, and career advancement.
Moreover, a learning and development culture can help businesses attract and retain top
talent, as well as create a more skilled and versatile workforce. Businesses can build a
stronger and more resilient organisation by prioritising employee development. Businesses
that invest in employee development should regularly assess their employees’ skills and
provide customised training programs that align with their career goals and the needs of the
company.

Seeking Expert Advice
Running a successful business is a complex endeavour, and businesses may require
outside expertise to achieve their objectives. For instance, expert marketing consulting is
one area in which businesses can benefit from outside assistance. Marketing consultants
can offer businesses a fresh perspective on their marketing strategy, as well as insights and
best practices, and can assist them in optimising their marketing efforts to reach their target
audience. Businesses can gain a competitive advantage and achieve their marketing
objectives more efficiently and effectively by working with the right marketing consultants.

Focusing on Customer Experience
Providing excellent customer service is only one aspect of creating a positive customer
experience. Businesses must truly understand their customers’ needs, desires, and pain
points in order to tailor their products, services, and interactions accordingly. Businesses that
invest in collecting and analysing customer feedback can gain valuable insights that can help
them make better decisions and improve the overall customer experience. What’s more, a
strong focus on customer experience can help businesses differentiate themselves from
competitors and build a loyal customer base. In addition to providing excellent customer
service, businesses should focus on social media in order to create an emotional connection
and foster loyalty.

Emphasising Sustainability
Sustainability is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic business decision.
Businesses that prioritise sustainability can reduce operational costs, improve their
reputation, and attract customers who value environmentally friendly practices. Furthermore,
sustainability can spur innovation and create new markets and revenue streams. Businesses
that are proactive in their approach to sustainability can position themselves as industry
leaders and contribute to a more sustainable future. Businesses that prioritise sustainability
should also communicate their efforts to their stakeholders in a transparent manner in order
to build trust and credibility. Moreover, businesses should continuously evaluate and
improve their sustainability practices to ensure their long-term viability.

Staying Agile
Being agile means being able to change with the times and seize new opportunities. Agility
is more important than ever in today’s rapidly changing business environment. Businesses
that are willing to experiment, take risks, and pivot quickly in response to market trends and
customer needs can gain a competitive advantage. To remain agile, businesses must be
open to new ideas and perspectives, learn and improve on a continuous basis, and stay
connected to their customers and the broader market. Businesses must be agile not only in
responding to market changes, but also in anticipating them through scenario planning and
risk management strategies. Businesses can also foster agility by cultivating an innovation
and experimentation culture.

To summarise, running a successful business in 2023 necessitates a mix of technological
savvy, customer-centricity, employee development, sustainability, agility, and expert advice.
Businesses can stay ahead of the curve and succeed in an increasingly competitive market
by embracing these key factors.

What is Management Accounting?

What is Management Accounting?

Management Accounting involves financial and non-financial ‘decision-making’ information provided to managers and stakeholders within an organisation.

It is an accounting method that creates statements, reports and documents to help businesses make better-informed decisions with performance.

It provides operational business metrics and market analysis that help to forecast future purchases and investments for company growth.

What are the typical duties associated with Management Accounting?

Although it varies from organisation to organisation, some of the essential duties associated with management accounting include:

  • Budgeting and reporting
  • Completing all tax paperwork
  • Producing financial statements such as income statements
  • Analysis, risk assessment and forecasting
  • Overseeing internal audits
  • Identifying areas for financial savings
  • Identifying areas for economic growth
  • Advising senior personnel and decision-makers on strategic planning

What are the 7 Functions of Management Accounting?

Essentially, the 7 typical functions of a management account encompass the below:

  • Forecasting and Planning
  • Organising
  • Performance Variances
  • Coordinating
  • Communication
  • Analyses and Interprets Data
  • Business Asset Protection
  • Tax policies

What is the difference between Financial Accounting and Management Accounting?

Financial Accountants record and report spending and transactions related to business operations.

Management Accountants help managers with decision-making.

It requires strong leadership skills combined with a sound knowledge and understanding of various topics.

These include market trends, compliance, and risk management.

A good Management Accountant ensures the future growth and profitability of a company.

Are you ready to talk to an exceptional and professional accountancy firm about your business financial needs?

Howick Office

Phone: 64 9 534 4382

Email: office@dnaca.co.nz

Address: 69 Ridge Road, Howick, AKL

Tauranga Office

Phone: 64 7 576 2194

Email: admin@dnaca.co.nz

Address: 152 Waihi Road, Judea, Tauranga

Entrepreneurs and businesses find strategic support with Business Connect

Phillip Quay at the latest Business Connect Event

Business Connect is fast providing New Zealand businesses and entrepreneurs with a community that is designed to encourage each other and help to achieve their strategic goals.

A collaboration of products and services, Business Connect is a platform for entrepreneurs and businesses in both the in-person and online space.

A place to mingle, learn and socialize with each other, “Business Connect is an entrepreneur hub, a greenhouse, where you find inspiration, where you don’t feel alone with doubts and struggles,” says Phillip Quay, founder of Business Connect.

“Business Connect is ideal for any business which likes to get their business seen, needs help with sales, clients, barriers or would like to connect with like-minded people to help them achieve bigger goals faster and succeed in their business,” commented Phillip at a Business Connect meeting on Tuesday.

Business Connect is an open and free platform without judgement and is not restricted by age, gender, or profession. “We can help you find products and services that you might not know are available to you,” adds Phillip.

Business Connect gives you the opportunity to seek advice and support. “We have key speakers and mentors, and we encourage you with activities that will assist you in achieving your goals and overcoming roadblocks,” says Phillip.

Since its inception last year, Business Connect has fostered new collectives, seen new clients signed up, products sold, new ideas and opportunities opened up as well as countless referrals.

Believing that businesses are stronger when they work together, Business Connect wants to help businesses grow and people flourish, “We are all connected through our roots and together we can achieve greater things,” says Phillip. Business Connect offers you a fantastic opportunity to interact in person, make new friends and get ideas to achieve your dream and live the life you deserve.

Contact

Phillip Quay

Business Connect

Phone: 0274 587 724 Email: phillip@nzbusinessconnect.co.nz

Website: www.nzbusinessconnect.co.nz

Drumm Nevatt & Associates, Tauranga, Auckland – Tax Compliance

Tax Compliance – a taxpayer complies (or fails to comply) with the tax rules.

  • By declaring income
  • Filing a return
  • Paying tax due promptly

Tax Obligations – Filing in a cost-effective timeframe
Governments are increasingly putting pressure on tax administrations – our global economic environment has resulted in businesses facing challenging times in managing tax compliance.

Why is tax compliance important?
Failure to file returns and report income and transactions subject to tax is likewise punishable by law. 
Tax compliance has three dimensions – filing, payment, and reporting.

What does compliance mean in the workplace?

  • Workplace compliance means complying with local laws and regulations.
  • Every business, respective of size, must adhere to compliance regulations. They must also meet specific mandates for data security, privacy, and workplace security.
  • You won’t necessarily have to pay all the different taxes. 
  • What you pay and when you pay are dependent on your earnings. Your
    business structure and whether or not you have employees are also factors.
  • You will be required to pay some taxes yourself and some for your business. If you have employees, you’ll collect and pass on some taxes on their behalf.

Everyone who earns money in New Zealand must pay income tax, including:

      • Businesses
      • Contractors
      • Self-employed

      Taxable income can come from various sources, including:

      • Wages
      • Salary
      • Profit
      • Interest payments
      • Dividends

       If you are a:

      • A sole trader, you file an individual income tax return (IR3)
      • In a partnership, each partner needs to file their return, and your business needs to file two income tax returns (IR7)
      • Set up as a company, your business needs to file a company’s income tax return (IR4).

      Ignorance in failure to pay taxes on time will have consequences – it is your duty as a taxpayer to educate yourself on all tax obligations you must fulfil on time.

      Tax compliance can be challenging for small business owners, and requires a thorough knowledge of various tax laws – it also involves much time and follow-up work. In addition, deadlines are crucial and must meet with accuracy.

      The Drumm Nevatt & Associates team are professional, highly skilled Chartered Accountants based in Tauranga and Auckland.
      They can provide help with all your tax accounting services, including annual accounts, GST legislation, tax facts, tax legislation changes and critical dates. The knowledgeable and experienced accounting team will provide tailored advice and firm solutions to help your business get the best results and ensure you only pay as much tax as you need.

      Are you ready to talk to an exceptional and professional accountancy firm about your business financial needs? Then let’s chat.

      Drumm Nevatt and Associates Limited
      Howick Office
      E: office@dnaca.co.nz
      Ridge House
      69 Ridge Road
      Howick
      Auckland 2014
      PO Box 54 060
      The Marina
      Auckland 2144

      Tauranga Office
      P: +64 7 576 2194
      E: admin@dnaca.co.nz
      23 Myres Street
      Otumoetai
      Tauranga 3110

      Improve the Quality of your Soil

      Author: Sharon Dean

      Soil testing and soil sampling is critical to improving the quality and mineral balance of
      your soil.
      The vital point of soil testing is to determine if there are sufficient levels of the essential
      elements for plants and livestock to grow at their best.

      All physical things in the universe are made from 92 naturally occurring chemical
      elements. Living things such as plants and animals are mostly made of certain elements,
      depending on the life form. These are known as the essential elements of life, meaning
      that if all the other elements are present, but if one of these elements is missing, then
      the organism will fail.
      There are 13 elements were needed for plant and animal growth, not just nitrogen (N),
      phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). A further three elements (cobalt, selenium and
      iodine) are essential animal health and nutrition. If your soil is deficient in one or more
      nutrients, your livestock and plants are not going to be able to receive enough of those
      nutrients to grow properly.

      If farmers are injection or bulleting animals for any deficient nutrients such as Cobalt,
      Selenium , Iodine or any nutrient it is a soil borne disorder. Injecting, bulleting or
      supplementing nutrients to animals overcomes the problem short term rather than fixing
      the cause, which is a soil borne disorder. Its equivalent to taking medication rather than
      fixing the root cause.

      Testing of soil, pasture, clover only or animal bloods is relatively cheap. Coming in at
      less than 1% of your total fertiliser costs, it is a cost-effective investment in the health
      and wellbeing of your plants and livestock.
      When it comes to your livestock, if the pasture they are eating does not contain correct
      amounts of the right nutrients they will not grow in a healthy manner, or worse, become
      sick.
      Most dairy farms probably need only about 13kg/ha of P per year to maintain their
      phosphate levels, but more than 70kg/ha is sometimes applied, leading to massive
      expenditure. This money could be diverted to overcome any deficient nutrient.
      Accurate soil testing also provides a significant management tool in creating an efficient
      soil fertility programme, as well as watching out for potential soil issues.

      Gordon Rajendram Soil Scientist

      Email: rajendram@xtra.co.nz

      Phone: 021 466 077

      Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GordonRajendramSoilScientist

      Website: https://gordonrajendramsoilscientist.co.nz/

      LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-soil-scientist

      Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesoilscientistnz/

      Award-Winning Business Splintas Firewood Hikutaia, Thames Coromandel, Launches New Product

      Little did Janella Munns know that a passing comment made to her husband one day about feeling the cold would see her husband buy her a wood splitter and develop into an award-winning business.

      Splintas Firewood launched in 2018 in Kerepehi, selling bulk firewood to customers.

      The business snowballed quickly, and Janella has just launched a new product, ‘Smoking Blocks’. The smoking blocks are proving to be very successful.

      “The smoking blocks are a huge success already. We are servicing all of Thames Coromandel and Hauraki, and there is room for expansion with contacts already showing interest for 2023”, says Janella.

      Splintas Firewood sells three key products;

      • Smoking blocks
      • Bulk firewood
      • Smoking chips.

      Splintas Firewood is a kiwi owned and operated local business.

      “We are a small, friendly local business. We have a unique product with a strong brand that keeps evolving into new products”.

      Janella prides herself on staying in business this long. She has created a brand with her travelling mascot, ‘Ted’. Ted appeals to people of all ages and is a talking point with the customers.

      Excellent customer service, a great work ethic, and a family/work balance are core values Janella holds in high regard.

      Splintas Firewood is very community focused and supports many local events, including:

      • Positive Paeroa
      • Thames Valley Sports Club
      • Hikutaia School Fishing Competition
      • Westpac Helicopter
      • ‘I am Hope.’ (sponsored an auction in Paeroa)
      • Paeroa Youth Rugby Club – sponsorship towards t-shirts

      Splintas Firewood has room for expansion moving forward.

      If you ask Janella Munns where she would like to see her business in five years, she would tell you to have products available throughout New Zealand.

      ” I would love a giant warehouse for storage, to be a good year ahead of ourselves, and to eventually sit back and not be the person doing everything within my business”, comments Janella.

      With a growing brand and a positive ‘get stuck in’ attitude, my money is on this savvy rural woman business owner achieving her goals much sooner than she thinks.

      Splintas Firewood

      Janella Munns

      Hikutaia

      Thames Coromandel

      splintasfirewood@gmail.com

      0800 7754 6827

      Devonport 7 Day Pharmacy Is Holding Their Anual Christmas VIP Night

      Due to popular demand in previous years, the Devonport 7 Day Pharmacy will be holding its Christmas VIP Night on December 16.

      Invitees will have the opportunity to do their Christmas shopping with the following on offer for the evening:

      • 20% off all gifts
      • Free gift wrapping
      • Nibbles and drinks
      • Raffle draw entries with every purchase – the raffle will be drawn a week later
      • Goddie Bags

      Invites will be sent via SMS and email. Please RSVP.

      Devonport 7 Day Pharmacy

      31A Bartley Terrace

      Devonport

      Auckland

      https://www.devonport7daypharmacy.co.nz

      Fertiliser or Lime?

      With the high fertiliser prices this year it will be prudent to soil test, in particular to measure soil pH, and correct deficiencies by liming as lime prices have stayed relatively similar to last year.

      A lot of farms in New Zealand’s Hill Country have low soil pH levels. Dairy pastures that do not perform are usually associated with low soil pH.  As it stands, there has been more emphasis on fertiliser at the expense of liming. However, both can be achieved within the farmer’s budget.

      Pasture species do not like low pH soils as there is increased Aluminium in the soil solution which retards root growth, which in turn leads to less growth of herbage on top. Soil pH levels below 5.5 tend to have soil solution Aluminium levels >3.0 mg/kg, ideally you want the aluminium levels < 0.1 mg/kg. One of the cheapest ways to alleviate this issue is liming.  

      There is scientific evidence to show that as soil pH increases up to ~soil pH 6.5 there is an increase in microbial activity.  Microbial activity plays a major role in nutrient cycling in the soil.  You may have 3 (500 kg) cattle running on top of your dirt, but you have about the equivalent (in weight) of 25 cattle or 250 sheep, in underground fauna, running below ground.

      MAF’s recommendation is for soil pH to be between 5.8 and 6.0 based on the dry matter production.  The ideal pH is around 6.2 – 6.4 if you consider quality of feed, more clover growth, greater earth worms (which aerate the soil), more calcium in the diet, and phosphate less tightly held by the soil.

      Because of the cost of flying lime on Hill Country, a lot of farmers are put off from trying it. Lime is normally $30 -$35 per tonne, cartage is typically ~$20 – 40 per tonne (depending on how far the farm is from the lime pit), but flying is ~$120/tonne.  There is not enough in the farmers’ budget when a normal Hill Country farm fertiliser and lime budget is ~$120 -$150 /hectare/per year. However, there are solutions to address this price issue.

      Normally it takes 1 tonne of lime to lift soil pH by 0.1 unit, but much depends on the Cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the soil. A low CEC soil, such as a sandy soil, requires much less lime to lift pH by 0.1 unit.

      With the greater rainfall this spring there will be greater leaching occurring and soil nitrates that leach below the root zone will take a positive ion such as calcium with it.  Generally, ~150 kg/ha/yr of Calcium is leached if no nitrogen is applied as fertiliser but increases as more nitrogen fertiliser is applied.

      The problem with New Zealand farms is that farmers are not applying lime because of the above, so many soils are getting very acidic (< 5.5 pH), with soils getting down to as low as 5.0 pH.  This has a significant detrimental impact on pasture production and clover growth, which ultimately leads to substandard animal performance.

      The solution lies in having proper soil and pasture testing as without testing you cannot know what minerals need to be added to your soil and in what amounts. Otherwise, it becomes a guessing game.  Expert advice is needed at the right time, with a plan to address the issue within the budget allocated.

      If these steps are taken, there is enough in the farmers’ budget to both lime and fertilise in order to reduce soil acidification. 

      Written by Gordon Rajendram – The Soil Scientist https://gordonrajendramsoilscientist.co.nz/

      Introducing the Devonport 7 Day Pharmacy Team.

      Sleep Consultant:

      Their Sleep Consultant Asma has 20+ years of experience in healthcare.

      Asma started the sleep clinic in 2020 at Devonport 7 Day Pharmacy and has helped many people get their sleep under control.

      However, due to Covid restrictions, the sleep clinic was paused. Devonport 7 Day Pharmacy is now relaunching with a special offer for their customers, offering 50% off sleep tests until the end of November.

      Amsa herself has found benefit in the programme with an immense improvement in focus and deeper sleep.

      Natural Health Consultant:

      Shaheena is Their Natural Health Consultant.

      In December, Shaheena will speak about Post Covid recovery and being Sun Smart.

      Podiatry:

      Registered Podiatrist and consultant Mrs Narges Kanani joined the Devonport 7 Day Pharmacy team on November 7th.

      Mrs Kanani has over ten experience in clinics all around the North Shore.

      Podiatry Clinics are every Monday from 9 am -4 pm.

      Spaces are limited, get in touch here or call 09 445 4000 to book now.

      The Importance of Business Budgeting and Forecasts with Chartered Accountants Drumm Nevatt & Associates.

      Futureproofing is a necessity for your business in a world of uncertainty. Plan for everything and be ready for anything!

      So, what are budgeting and financial forecasts, and what is their importance in future business planning?

      Budgets are tools companies use to establish goals like growth, future trends, or experiences of a company. It allows management to assess where the business is heading and quantifies future expected revenues for achievement. Budgets are set for a specific period, once, twice, or quarterly.

      In contrast, financial forecasting estimates the amount of revenue/income more frequently and examines whether the proposed timeframe set in the budget will be met or not.

      How does a more challenging economy affect your business?

      • Current customers stop buying
      • Fewer enquiries or leads
      • More challenging to make a sale
      • Customers return less often
      • Customers spend less on each visit
      • Increase in cost of stock

      Whether collaborating on accurate forecasts, fine-tuning your budget, or planning predictive business modelling, you will face daily business challenges.

      Budgeting and financial forecasting should work in tandem with each other – the budget creates the baseline to compare actual results and determines how far those results vary from a business’s expected performance. Financial forecasting determines how companies should allocate budgets for future periods.

      What is involved with setting budgets and forecasts?

      • Profit and loss – annual and periodic
      • Working capital – debtors, stock and creditors
      • Finance – asset purchase and loan repayments
      • Cashflow – allow for drawings and tax

      Ever wished you could look into a crystal ball and see what the future holds for your business?

      Your business is your most powerful asset, so why not future proof it today by contacting registered chartered accountants Drumm Nevatt & Associated Limited?

      Call the team at either their Howick or Tauranga office for your initial one-hour complimentary consultation today.

      Howick Office

      Phone: 64 9 534 4382

      Email: office@dnaca.co.nz Ridge House

      69 Ridge Road Howick Auckland 2014

      PO Box 54 060

      The Marina Auckland 2144

      Tauranga Office

      Phone: 64 7 576 2194

      Email: admin@dnaca.co.nz 23 Myres Street

      Otumoetai

      Tauranga 3110