Pro Experts

Let’s talk leadership – a journey that doesn’t have a final destination

Author: Andrea Stevenson The working environment has become ever more complex in recent years and now, more than ever, leaders in organisations need to be stepping up to the plate. In a world that has thrown a lot at us over the last few years, now is the time, more than ever, for leaders to step up to the plate...

2024 will be at tricky year to navigate

Let’s hope that this year does not mirror the tumultuous start of 2023, marked by cyclones and market uncertainty as market conditions have a direct bearing on the property’s market value. Economic predictions and their outcomes, and impacts, specifically on the property market, remain an exercise in crystal ball gazing. However, Williams’ Harvey accumulates a library of research from numerous...

What the ‘everything rally’ did to markets in 2023

The investment market in 2023 was strong – unlike the year prior – largely thanks to an impactful December quarter. It’s a great example of the need for patience and a reminder of the importance of a long-term view when investing. The positive returns were driven by what we’re calling the “everything rally” – a perfect storm of equities rallying...

The Parkerian Hexad: Elevating Information Security Beyond the CIA Triad

While you may or may not be aware of the CIA Triad, it is a well-known set of fundamental principles of information security – Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability. It clearly defines the relationship between information and security. Confidentiality: Often considered the most fundamental principle of the CIA Triad, this involves protecting information from unauthorised access. It ensures that sensitive data...

Is the Fast-track consenting process faster?

Author - Clare Price BRP (HONS) MNZPI Senior Planner Stradegy New Zealand’s Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga, raised concerns in July 2021 regarding the significant escalation of resource consenting costs for infrastructure projects. Their research revealed a 70% increase in direct consenting costs and a 150% extension in consent timeframes between 2014 and 2019. Notably, for smaller projects under $200,000, consenting...

12 months on from Gabrielle – the impact on claims and insurance premiums

It is hard to believe that a year has already passed since Cyclone Gabrielle devastated our region. What has happened a year on regarding insurance claims, and how will it affect your premiums moving forward? As at 13 December 2023, insurers had settled 99,798 of 115,353 claims (about 87%) from the Cyclone Gabrielle and Auckland Anniversary events, according to the...

Is your business performance meeting your plan?

While completing a business plan clarifies and outlines your goals and objectives for the future, the key to making sure you are achieving your goals is to effectively measure and monitor your performance. We like to think all Businesses, regardless of size or industry have a Business Plan (and if you don’t then now is a great time to work...

Addressing staffing gaps with a virtual CFO

Staffing has been a major talking point for many of our clients in the past few months, and we know businesses right across Hawke’s Bay are having similar issues. The market is tough, and businesses are having to manage competing priorities for their time and resources. A permanent staff member might not be a priority, or the scope of the...

Semiconductors: The AI beneficiary

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is a global fixation – one that has driven the Nasdaq to outperform every other major world equity index this year. AI is having its moment, and a knock-on effect of its popularity is that semiconductor companies have reemerged in the spotlight as one of AI’s crucial initial beneficiaries. Semiconductors are the elements that conduct electricity...

The beauty of a well-run meeting

Well-run meetings are an amazing thing but when poorly executed, they can be extremely frustrating. Meetings are a key touchpoint for our teams, and they provide an overt and visual display of our leadership. However, few people feel they are time well spent. Meetings are often poorly planned and ineffective and get in the way of work done. Research suggests...