The Better SMB Podcast

In this episode, Rob and David sit down with Patrick McKibbin, Chief Executive of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, to explore how one region is redefining what local business leadership can look like. Patrick shares how the Chamber has evolved from being a traditional networking body into a hub for innovation, collaboration and advocacy, supporting a $10 billion economy with the ambition to grow by 35% by 2035 through the “35 by 35” initiative. From connecting SMEs to government and industry opportunities, to showcasing world-leading manufacturing and research at the Hutt Valley Manufacturing & Innovation Expo, Patrick’s passion for his region is clear, and contagious. In this episode, we discuss: 

• Why Chambers of Commerce still matter in a modern business ecosystem 

• The power of local collaboration and shared purpose 

• How the “35 by 35” plan is driving measurable growth 

What SME leaders can do to lift their game and tap into networks that deliver real results Highlights: 

•  “We’re not a relic of the past, we’re a platform for innovation, talent, and connection.” 

•  “The Hutt Valley may be small, but it’s a $10 billion economy... and it’s just getting started.” 

•  “Business success doesn’t happen in isolation. Collaboration is our competitive advantage.” 

Thank you for tuning in to The Better SMB! Don't forget to like, subscribe and leave a review. --------------------- The Better SMB Podcast is sponsored by SetSeed, the all-in-one platform that redefines what a website can be. Smart, secure and AI-tailored to reflect your brand. No plugins, no patchwork, no problems. Just world-class software and support in one subscription. Discover more at setseed.com --------------------- Connect with Rob and David on LinkedIn Rob Bull David Altena Learn more about New Zealand Lean Academy and the mission Rob is on to make NZ the best place in the world to do business  Download David's NBR-featured report "Boosting Productivity in New Zealand SMEs" by joining the mailing list on the Altena Solutions website and start your journey to a more productive business today

In this episode of The Better SMB, Rob Bull and David Altena go behind their NZ Manufacturer article “Leadership from the Top: How Government Must Reflect What It Asks of Business.” They explore what genuine leadership across the system looks like, from the Beehive to the boardroom, and why consistency, accountability and execution matter more than ever. Building on their conversation with Minister Chris Penk, the hosts discuss where government is showing signs of progress, where leadership gaps remain, and how small and medium businesses can lead the productivity movement themselves instead of waiting for permission. Highlights: 

• Government acts as a monopoly, so who holds it accountable for performance? 

• The “easy button” approach: why raising taxes and levies undermines innovation 

• Lessons from top-performing countries like Singapore and Norway 

• The case for a public sector performance dashboard, transparency that builds trust 

• Leadership isn’t about authority, it’s about consistency, clarity and execution 

--------------------- The Better SMB Podcast is sponsored by SetSeed, the all-in-one platform that redefines what a website can be. Smart, secure and AI-tailored to reflect your brand. No plugins, no patchwork, no problems. Just world-class software and support in one subscription. Discover more at setseed.com  ---------------------  Connect with Rob and David on LinkedIn  Rob Bull  David Altena  Learn more about NZ Lean Academy and the mission Rob is on to make NZ the best place in the world to do business   Download David's NBR-featured report "Boosting Productivity in New Zealand SMEs" by joining the mailing list on the Altena Solutions website and start your journey to a more productive business today

In this episode of The Better SMB Podcast, we sit down with Katia Holland, Associate at McCaw Lewis, to explore how Māori worldviews and tikanga reshape how businesses in Aotearoa think about success. We unpack what it means to prioritise intergenerational responsibility over short-term wins, and how principles like whakapapa, manaakitanga, and kaitiakitanga can be applied to strategy, governance and partnerships. Katia shares her experiences supporting Māori businesses and iwi, and challenges all SMB leaders to pause and ask: What am I building — and who am I building it for? Highlights: 

• The 2050 Test: Would you still be proud of today’s decisions in 25 years? 

• Why authentic partnerships with Māori organisations require respect and patience, not just transactions. 

• How Treaty settlements catalysed growth in the Māori economy, now worth $126 billion.

• What all businesses can learn from a values-first approach that builds legacy, not just profit

Thank you for tuning in to The Better SMB Podcast, sponsored by SetSeed, the all-in-one platform that redefines what a website can be. Smart, secure and AI-tailored to reflect your brand. No plugins, no patchwork, no problems. Just world-class software and support in one subscription. Discover more at setseed.com --------------------- Connect with Rob and David on LinkedIn Rob Bull David Altena Learn more about NZ Lean Academy and the mission Rob is on to make NZ the best place in the world to do business  Download David's NBR-featured report "Boosting Productivity in New Zealand SMEs" by joining the mailing list on the Altena Solutions website and start your journey to a more productive business today

In this episode of The Better SMB Podcast, sponsored by SetSeed, David and Rob reflect on their recent interview with Dave Bunting of Architectural Glass Products (AGP) and connect it to a recent NZ Manufacturer column: Expect to Win: Raising the Bar and Aiming at Excellence They explore how AGP became one of New Zealand’s most operationally excellent manufacturers, and, more importantly, how any SMB can apply the same principles to their own business. This conversation cuts through the myth that excellence requires massive capital investment, proving instead that discipline, daily habits and a clear vision make the difference. Highlights: 

• Excellence isn’t sexy, it’s built on discipline, dedication, and daily habits 

• Why world-class performance is possible without expensive tech. Stopwatches and clipboards are enough to start 

• How to launch your own 90-day performance sprint with simple tools like scoreboards and morning huddles 

• The importance of humility, ownership and measuring what truly matters in your business. 

Thank you for tuning in to The Better SMB, sponsored by SetSeed.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review.  -------------------------🔗 Connect with Rob and David 

• Rob Bull 

• David Altena 

👉 Learn more about NZ Lean Academy and the mission Rob is on to make NZ the best place in the world to do business. 
👉 Download David’s NBR-featured report “Boosting Productivity in New Zealand SMEs” by joining the mailing list on the Altena Solutions website and start your journey to a higher-performing business today.

In this episode, David and Rob dive back into the world of economic reports and ask a tough question: who are they really for? They take some time to revisit one of the first and most popular topics, they ever covered on the show and explore what’s changed over the past 12 months. The discussion covers: 

• Why reports from Stats NZ, MBIE, and MFAT fail to provide practical value for SMBs 

• How productivity has become New Zealand’s biggest economic challenge, and why we’re still asking the same questions decades later 

• What meaningful support for SMBs should look like, including leadership development, actionable data, and incentives that actually drive performance 

Highlights include: 

• “You cannot improve productivity by measuring and coming up with numbers. We’ve got to improve productivity by lifting  how our businesses perform” 

• “Until one of those reports is written in plain language with a one-pager of concrete actions, SMB leaders won’t find them useful” 

• “Don’t settle for the BMW, the batch, and the boat; carry on and play for the win” 

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of The Better SMB! Please support us by liking, subscribing and leaving a review. --------------------- Connect with Rob and David on LinkedIn Rob Bull David Altena Learn more about NZ Lean Academy and the mission Rob is on to make NZ the best place in the world to do business  Download David's NBR-featured report "Boosting Productivity in New Zealand SMEs" by joining the mailing list on the Altena Solutions website and start your journey to a more productive business today

In this episode, we dive deep into the role of leadership from the top, exploring how government can model performance and create the conditions for business to thrive. Our guest, Hon Chris Penk (Minister for Small Business, Manufacturing, Building & Construction, and more), shares his perspectives on aligning public and private efforts to lift New Zealand’s productivity. We discuss: 

• Why leadership from the top is about clarity, consistency, and execution 

• How the government can move from a prescriptive approach to an enabling one 

• The importance of hearing solutions directly from businesses and building shared outcomes 

Highlights: 

• "The closer to the coalface that the solutions come... the more likely it is that it's going to be politically palatable" 

• "As long as you can build to high quality, it doesn't matter how you do it" 

• "We need to be as enabling of businesses as possible" 

• "The most productive businesses and nations don't succeed by accident. They choose to align, to act and to raise the bar." 

Thank you for tuning in to The Better SMB! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review. --------------------- Connect with Rob and David on LinkedIn Rob Bull David Altena Learn more about New Zealand Lean Academy and the mission Rob is on to make NZ the best place in the world to do business  Download David's NBR-featured report "Boosting Productivity in New Zealand SMEs" by joining the mailing list on the Altena Solutions website and start your journey to a more productive business today

In this episode, David and Rob take stock of The Better SMB's podcast's progress halfway through the year. It’s an honest look at what’s gone well, what’s been challenging, and where they’re heading next in their mission to become the go-to voice for small and medium business owners in New Zealand. They share real numbers, like a 50% growth in Spotify followers and 65% increase in episode plays, and reflect on what’s driving that momentum: consistent content, strong guest insights, and a shared goal of making business success more accessible for SMBs. But this episode isn’t just about them, it’s packed with relatable lessons for business owners too. Key insights for SMB owners: 

• Planning matters: Set a clear target, track your progress, and adjust regularly—don’t let your business plan gather dust. 

• Just ship it: Don’t wait for perfect. Consistency and iteration beat perfection every time. 

• Know your data: Look at the numbers to spot trends, make decisions, and push performance forward. 

• Adapt as you grow: What worked at the start might not be enough now—refine your tools and systems to stay on track. 

• Think long term: Whether it's business planning or engaging with politics, don’t just chase short-term wins, build for the future. 

Highlights: 

• “Don’t try to polish it. Ship it.” — The power of consistent action over perfection. 

• Their New Zealand Manufacturer article made the front page—a big milestone. 

A growing pipeline of high-impact guests and a call for more stories from the SME world. This is a rare behind-the-scenes look at building something from scratch, and why the same principles apply to any small or medium business looking to grow. Whether you're reviewing your own business plan or thinking about how to better measure performance, there's something in here for you. Tune in. Reflect. And keep moving forward with us. --------------------- Connect with Rob and David on LinkedIn Rob Bull David Altena Learn more about NZ Lean Academy and the mission Rob is on to make NZ the best place in the world to do business  Download David's NBR-featured report "Boosting Productivity in New Zealand SMEs" by joining the mailing list on the Altena Solutions website and start your journey to a more productive business today

In this episode, David and Rob break down the themes from their latest NZ Manufacturer column, Own It: Leadership is a personal responsibility, not a title.This candid and practical conversation explores how business performance is inextricably linked to leadership quality and why many SMB owners unknowingly hold their teams back. They dive deep into the cultural, structural and behavioural shifts needed to lead high-performing, sustainable teams and challenge listeners to take a long look in the mirror. Highlights: 

• “You can’t scale a business by working harder; you scale it by leading better.” 

• Why reactive leadership creates chaos and burnout and how intentional leadership builds resilient, thriving teams. 

• The power of standardising work, designing your “perfect week,” to shift from hustle to high performance 

• How to create psychological safety and team ownership, so leaders stop playing hero and start creating more leaders 

• Real-world lessons from Toyota’s team structure and problem-solving culture and how NZ manufacturers can adapt the same principles 

This episode is a must-listen for any business owner or leader ready to move from burnout to strategic impact. The bad news? Your business is a reflection of you. The good news? You have the power to change it. 🎧 Tune in, share with your team, and take the first step toward sustainable leadership. Thank you for listening to The Better SMB. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review. --------------------- Connect with Rob and David on LinkedIn Rob Bull David Altena Learn more about New Zealand Lean Academy and the mission Rob is on to make NZ the best place in the world to do business  Download David's NBR-featured report "Boosting Productivity in New Zealand SMEs" by joining the mailing list on the Altena Solutions website and start your journey to a more productive business today

David and Rob are joined by Dave Bunting, Managing Director of Architectural Glass Products in Cambridge. They dive deep into operational excellence and manufacturing leadership, exploring Dave’s key insights and perspectives on planning for and expecting excellence. Listen to the discussion centred on the power of a continuous improvement mindset, the importance of building a high-performing culture and how New Zealand manufacturers can transform their approach to leadership and high performance. Highlights:  

• "Anyone can buy the equipment. It's culture and operational excellence that set you apart." - Dave Bunting on creating competitive advantage in manufacturing 

• "Leadership is about taking teams to places they didn't think they could go before. It's not always a nice journey, but it's about channelling problem-solving skills in the right way." 

• "What gets measured gets worked on. Being deliberate with discipline is key - you can't just do it for a week and then forget about it for six weeks." 

Key Takeaways:  

• AGP's approach to operational excellence includes a flat organizational structure, daily 8:30 meetings, and a focus on data-driven improvements 

• The importance of hiring for cultural fit and training employees in continuous improvement 

• Insights into leadership development and the need to make manufacturing a more attractive career path 

Thank you for tuning in to The Better SMB! Don't forget to like, subscribe and leave a review. --------------------- Connect with Rob and David on LinkedIn Rob Bull David Altena Learn more about NZ Lean Academy and the mission Rob is on to make NZ the best place in the world to do business  Download David's NBR-featured report "Boosting Productivity in New Zealand SMEs" by joining the mailing list on the Altena Solutions website and start your journey to a more productive business today

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. 

• Why clearing more emails doesn't mean you're achieving more. 

• The four pillars of shifting from burnout to thriving: Awareness, Filter, Understand Yourself, and Manage Energy. 

• Practical strategies to manage physical, mental, and emotional energy at work. 

Thank you for tuning in to The Better SMB! Please support us by liking, subscribing and leaving a review. --------------------- Connect with Rob and David on LinkedIn Rob Bull David Altena Learn more about New Zealand Lean Academy and the mission Rob is on to make NZ the best place in the world to do business  Download David's NBR-featured report "Boosting Productivity in New Zealand SMEs" by joining the mailing list on the Altena Solutions website and start your journey to a more productive business today