You have built up a great business that you are ready to exit. You have even planned succession—you have identified a successor (or successors) who are as keen and passionate about the business as you have been and bring the right energy to take it to its next phase. The funding dilemma Most internal succession […]

There has been a lot going on over the last five years, all of which has and continues to affect the domestic and global economy. Add into the mix the trajectory of AI (artificial intelligence) development. Many businesses have closed their doors. Others have opened their doors, and many continue to either survive or thrive. […]

At Gilligan Sheppard (GS), we take our purpose seriously. Enriching lives is our guiding factor in every interaction with our clients, our people, and I would like to say in all interactions in and out of work. It fits. This is why in our dealings with clients and our network, we promote purposeful business. Purposeful […]

As Bruce has done, I will start by summarising my journey so far. I began my career in Chartered Accountancy at a large mid-tier firm in 2003. I worked across two offices for two partners for nearly ten years. Looking back, I was lucky to have worked for the first partner (and manager), as I […]

Conflict is a natural part of any workplace involving people with diverse personalities and backgrounds. However, when conflict occurs, many aspects of the business are affected, so we must understand how to actually manage it. Differences in opinions, beliefs, or perspectives can often lead to conflicts in any team environment. While they can create disruptive […]

We’ve all planned holidays at some point in our lives. We envision what it will look like and anticipate how it will feel. That vision gives us something to look forward to and an incentive to do what we need to get there. In a business context, the vision is where you want to be, […]

It’s around this time when I start thinking about next year, and reflect on the past year. Below are some random reflections that popped into my head while writing. Overcoming Overwhelm Trying to think through the day, the week, the year, and everything that needs to be done is the worst psyche out for me. […]

1. Focused growth For businesses generating over $2m in revenue and achieving solid profits (or, even if not), regular valuations could help boost your bottom line even higher. A good valuation identifies the drivers of value in your business. These are identified by researching the industry and by asking relevant questions to the directors and/or […]

An owner and director of a 150-year-old Auckland iconic business, an Auckland accountant who has been building, guiding, and governing businesses for at least 35 years, and two second-generation (G2) owners who, through tragic circumstances, suddenly found themselves at the helm of their family businesses. They all walk into a bar… Well, not into a […]

Eighteen months ago, I became 25% owner of a business… and guess which one? I was given the opportunity to join three of my colleagues who I had worked with for the previous eight years. I respect and admire all of them in different ways. We are also fortunate in that each of our key […]