‘Tis that time of the year. The time that bills are mounting, wish lists are being written, and you are managing to justify expenditure that at any other time of year would blow your mind. And that’s before Boxing Day arrives. So, on the basis of the ambulance being better placed at the top of […]

For many growing New Zealand businesses, the first big step in expansion to overseas territories will be a move into the Australian market. Australia’s similarities to New Zealand mean that a great deal of a business’s marketing experience and capital will carry over, as opposed to the likes of India or Singapore. The same is […]

Having a mix of shareholders is important as a company grows and develops. As you raise capital (and once you get over the joy and excitement that someone has agreed to invest in you and your business), you need to recognise that as you progress, shareholder behaviour and expectations change. Not all shareholders are created […]

Over at least the last decade, Succession has been topical in business advisory. Largely the focus has been on getting a business ready for sale or exit, and addressing the importance of intergenerational businesses to address interfamily expectations, and on strategies for finding an heir or successor. Most people are naturally averse to considering mortality, […]

Part of my responsibility at Gilligan Sheppard is to recruit, hire and train new administration team members. The recruitment process is something I find relatively easy, especially by being located in Auckland city. Once I’ve made the decision to hire the person I believe is right, I then take on the responsibility of being accountable […]

I am often asked “What’s the multiple for my business?”, “What’s the valuation formula?” or “Do I multiply my profit by three?” Unfortunately, business valuation is not this simple. Business value does not stand independent of the market it operates in, nor is the value just based on the profits generated by a business. I […]

Common Reporting Standard (CRS) and Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) From 1 July 2017, New Zealand financial institutions are required to undertake due diligence on their account holders, including the controlling person of certain entity accounts. The purpose of the due diligence, is to identify non-resident account holders and controlling persons, and once identified, the […]

“I’m bored.” How many times as a child did you say that to your mum or dad? And I’m sure their response was never the answer you wanted or was never something exciting to do. My mum’s answer went something like this… “If you are bored how about you go clean your room or why […]

The business is earning more revenue, work is flying in the door, but for some reason this revenue is not reflected in margins or the bottom line. Everyone’s HAPPY? No, not everyone is happy. The staff and clients are starting to complain. Managers are trying harder to control margins, and the finance team are cutting […]

As Practice Manager for Gilligan Sheppard, I am speaking from experience on the subject. This article describes the method I used to get to a better place – hopefully it helps you as well. The old saying “fake it ‘til you make it” requires effort, consistency and time. But what happens when it’s just too […]