The Better SMB Podcast

The Better SMB Podcast

Join hosts David Altena and Rob Bull as they delve into the subject of small and medium- business productivity in New Zealand. With a focus on driving operational excellence and business improvement, The Better SMB Podcast is your go-to resource for strategies, insights, and success stories from the front lines of the SMB sector. Despite New Zealand’s historical challenges with productivity compared to our OECD peers, David and Rob are on a mission to turn the tide. Tune in to discover actionable tips, expert interviews, and innovative ideas that will help your business thrive in today’s competitive landscape. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, The Better SMB Podcast will equip you with the tools you need to enhance productivity and achieve your business goals. Connect with us on LinkedIn: @DavidAltena and @RobBull

Episodes

Working at human speed: Reducing stress and burnout for sustainable success

June 10, 2025 • 55 mins
In this episode, we explore the hidden dangers of working at an unsustainable pace and why "being busy" is not the same as being productive. Our guest, executive coach Rachel King, shares powerful insights on the causes of burnout, why New Zealanders are particularly affected, and how leaders can shift towards sustainable, thriving work environments. Highlights: 
  • How stress impacts health, engagement, and life satisfaction. 
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Own It or Lose It: Why SMBs Can’t Ignore Intellectual Property

May 28, 2025 • 55 mins
We’re diving deep into intellectual property (IP) protection, exploring key insights and perspectives from Ben Cain, Partner at James & Wells and former marketing executive turned IP specialist. We discuss how small businesses can safeguard their innovations, build brand value, and create competitive barriers through strategic IP management. We cover: 
  • Why early-stage IP strategy is mission-critical for future valuation and ...
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Skills Shortage or Leadership Gap? Rethinking the Talent Narrative

May 3, 2025 • 45 mins
In this episode, we explore the so-called “skills shortage” in New Zealand manufacturing. David and Rob unpack their NZ Manufacturer article, arguing that talent shortages are often a smokescreen for deeper issues in leadership, workplace culture, and internal systems. Rather than chasing unicorn hires, they challenge business leaders to rethink how they structure work, engage teams and build inspiring environments people want to b...
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    Work on it, not in It: The SMB growth playbook

    April 6, 2025 • 45 mins
    In this episode, we dive deep into the book "The E Myth Revisited" by Michael Gerber, exploring key insights about business roles and growth. Hosts Rob and David discuss the three critical personas in business: the technician, manager and entrepreneur.Highlights:
    • "Most businesses are started by skilled technicians who get trapped doing technical work instead of growing the business."
    • "Create a business manual as if you w...
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    No More Excuses: Manufacturers Need to Lead NZ Productivity Shift

    March 17, 2025 • 47 mins
    In this episode, hosts David Altena and Rob Bull dive into New Zealand’s longstanding productivity crisis and why waiting for government intervention won’t solve it. Instead, they argue that manufacturers must take the lead, turning challenges like labour shortages and rising costs into opportunities to innovate and improve efficiency. Drawing from their recent column in NZ Manufacturer magazine, David and Rob unpack:
    • Why gover...
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    What if 100,000 businesses started taking action to improve their performance and productivity

    February 26, 2025 • 34 mins
    In this episode, David hosts solo while Rob takes a well-earned break. He shares a recording of his recent talk at the Mahi Tahi Collective 2025 TechFest. This event brought together leading tech companies—including Optimation Group, Silicon Systems, Montage, Team Cloud, Xtracta, Zen Consulting, and SmartSpace—to explore how technology and collaboration can drive business performance and productivity.David dives into why productivi...
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    What Are You Aiming At in 2025? Setting Goals That Drive Real Results

    February 18, 2025 • 30 mins
    In this first episode recorded in 2025, The Better SMB Podcast kicks off the year with a deep dive into goal setting and making meaningful business progress.Hosts David Altena and Rob Bull reflect on their journey over the past year—celebrating wins, acknowledging challenges, and sharing key lessons learned from unexpected opportunities and connections that have come from launching and growing the podcast.They break down the long-t...
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    Navigating Technology Trends with Anthony McMahon

    January 19, 2025 • 45 mins
    Anthony McMahon, Technology Strategist, Public Speaker and founder of Target State Consulting, joins David and Rob for this episode. Anthony shares his insights on how technology can empower SMBs to innovate, streamline operations, and stay competitive in an ever-evolving landscape. The discussion aims to demystify key technology concepts, such as the role of an enterprise architect, the differences between generative AI and machin...
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    Innovating on purpose: Turning ideas into action for SMB success

    January 9, 2025 • 32 mins
    In this episode of The Better SMB Podcast, hosts David Altena and Rob Bull break down the concept of innovation, distinguishing it from invention and explaining how SMBs can approach innovation purposefully rather than accidentally. They explore the challenges business owners face in prioritising innovation amidst day-to-day operations, the cultural barriers in New Zealand that stifle acknowledgment of innovation, and the importanc...
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    Is the election of Donald Trump the wakeup call NZ SMEs need?

    December 1, 2024 • 36 mins
    This episode dives deep into the implications of the recent US election and what it means for New Zealand’s SMBs, exploring key insights and strategies from hosts David Altena and Rob Bull. With tariffs on exports potentially rising under a Trump presidency, Rob frames this as a wake-up call rather than a crisis, emphasising how such challenges can spur innovation, productivity improvements, and strengthen New Zealand’s position in...
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    Is it time to rebrand productivity?

    November 2, 2024 • 17 mins
    David and Rob dive into productivity misconceptions and political posturing around the term. They discuss recent government statements suggesting that increasing speed limits and returning to in-office work will improve productivity and argue that these superficial comments confuse the subject and ignore the real issues impacting workplace effectiveness.
    From the misuse of "productivity" in politics to the economic cost of poor pr...
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    Building a Productive Business with Grant Johnson, CEO of Rocketspark

    October 19, 2024 • 42 mins
    In this episode, hosts David Altena and Rob Bull sit down with Grant Johnson, founder and CEO of Rocketspark, to discuss the journey from a small startup to a successful SaaS business. Grant shares insights on how he and his team bootstrapped Rocketspark during the 2008 financial crisis, the evolution of their vision, and the importance of community over competition. Key lessons included staying close to customers, leveraging advis...
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    What the Truck is Productivity? Unpacking Lean and Continuous Improvement

    September 21, 2024 • 37 mins
    In this episode, hosts David and Rob discuss the intricacies of productivity, focusing on the benefits of lean methodology and continuous improvement in both large corporations and small-to-medium businesses. Rob explains how lean was born out of necessity at Toyota and how these principles can be adapted to any business environment. The conversation reveals the cultural barriers that often hold back SMEs, particularly in New Zeala...
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    Getting the Basics Right in Local Government with Sean Wallace

    September 1, 2024 • 45 mins
    In this episode, hosts David Altena and Rob Bull sit down with Sean Wallace, Director of Product and Partnerships at Flowingly, to explore the intricacies of process improvement within local government. Sean, who has extensive experience in the sector, shares his insights on the challenges and opportunities councils face in managing their broad range of services. The conversation delves into the complexity of local government opera...
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    Boosting Productivity: what immediate actions can our SMBs take

    August 11, 2024 • 50 mins
    Co-host David takes a turn in the guest seat as Rob interviews him about his recent MBA research on productivity in New Zealand's SMB sector. David's work, which has received attention from the National Business Review, dives deep into the challenges and opportunities facing SMEs when it comes to enhancing productivity. David shares key findings from his research, highlighting the importance of strengthening leadership and manageme...
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    Embracing Ambition and Excellence with Simon Walker

    July 20, 2024 • 37 mins
    In this episode, hosts Rob and David sit down with Simon Walker, former CEO of Proposition Group. Simon shares his insights following his recent exit from the company after nine successful years. The discussion starts with Simon’s reflections on his journey and the intriguing concept of ID 2070. He elaborates on creating a long-term economic vision for New Zealand, inspired by Ireland’s transformative progress over 50 years. Simon ...
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    Productivity reports: what do they tell you as an SMB owner

    July 2, 2024 • 43 mins
    David and Rob dive into the intricacies of various productivity reports, including the Xero Small Business Insights Report, BNZ Manufacturing Snapshots, OECD Economic Survey on New Zealand, and the NZIER and ASB Business Productivity in New Zealand Report. They critique the relevance and utility of these reports for SMB owners, questioning the practicality of metrics and data presented. The hosts discuss the disconnect between the ...
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    Better SMB Pilot

    June 13, 2024 • 41 mins
    Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Better SMB Podcast, where we dive deep into what it takes to boost productivity and elevate performance for New Zealand’s small and medium-sized enterprises. In this pilot episode, hosts David Altena and Rob Bull share their insights and of experience in the tech and business improvement sectors.David discusses the pivotal role of innovation, in transforming business operations. Meanwhile, R...
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