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 productivity has been a longstanding challenge for New Zealand businesses, why GDP isn’t the best measure for business owners and introduces his Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG): helping 100,000 businesses take action to improve their performance. He also outlines a practical approach that businesses can start using immediately to improve operations and drive better results.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ Why productivity is a critical challenge for SMBs in New Zealand

✅ Why GDP isn’t the best measure for business owners and operators

✅ The vision behind helping 100,000 businesses take action

✅ A structured roadmap for improving productivity—starting as soon as tomorrow

✅ How technology and leadership go hand in hand in driving business success

Know a business owner or leader who could benefit from this conversation? Share this episode with them! Let’s help more businesses take real action on productivity.

🎧 Thanks for listening to The Better SMB Podcast! Keep pushing forward and making your business better.

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Connect with Rob and David on LinkedIn

Rob Bull

David Altena

Learn more about Plexus Consulting 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