Ten tips to help improve your business

23 May 2023

The past few years have been rocky for business. More recently, the impact of inflation, increased shipping costs, and minimum wage rises have meant running a business has become trickier than before.

 

Here are ten tips to help you improve your business so you can drive business growth and achieve your purpose, vision, and goals.

 

1. Eliminate distractions

Time is our scarcest resource and is the biggest killer for most businesses. When we get busy, we can also get distracted and focus too much time and energy on the wrong things. Be brave - slash standard meeting times, reduce unnecessary administration, and delegate roles and responsibilities.


2. Say goodbye to bad customers

If possible in your business, get rid of ten time-wasters, bad payers, or customers/clients who cause you pain. You will feel instant relief and free up your time to be better spent elsewhere.


3. Invest more

Having freed up time and headspace from implementing the two tips above, make sure you ring-fence your time, your key people, and money for some of the initiatives below. Implement with passion!


4. Get a plan

You don't go on a journey or trip without a map or any idea of where you're headed - so why are you flying blind in your business? Develop a planning process, create a great plan – and execute it.


5. Surround yourself with positivity

Make sure the people in your business understand and share your vision. Bring them onboard, listen to them and give them ownership. Don't let people who don't ‘get it’, or don't care, weigh you down. If they're not right, do them a favour and free up their futures.


6. Use technology

Technology can help you decrease administration, improve communications, improve reporting, and accountability. Whether it's for team communication or cloud-based tracking, reduce paper use and automate where possible.


7. Keep on top of the numbers

Do you have enough information to monitor business cash flow and see emerging trends? We can help you track your cash flow on a regular basis, so you can run your business efficiently.


8. Be different

Break the mould and position yourself to attract ambitious, growing, and engaged clients and employees.


9. Start marketing

Create a simple marketing plan and set aside a budget. Start by making sure you really understand your customers. Keep existing customers happy as it’s easier and cheaper to retain customers than attract new ones. The more you know about your customers, the easier it will be to attract more of the same.


10. Take a break

Don't underestimate the benefit of time away from your business. Plan mini-retreats or team planning/building days. Time away allows you to come back refreshed and look at things with a new perspective and refuels your enthusiasm and inspiration for the future.

15 October 2025
How to attract great people to your business and how to keep them. Three tips to help you rise to the challenge to become an employer of choice.
10 October 2025
As an employer, there are several obligations and expectations set by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) that you must adhere to. Understanding these requirements is essential for maintaining compliance and avoiding any potential penalties. Let's take a closer look at what the IRD expects from you as an employer. Register as an Employer Before you hire your first employee, you are required to register as an employer with the IRD. This is a crucial first step in ensuring that you can meet all tax and payroll obligations. Accurate Record Keeping The IRD requires you to keep accurate and detailed records of all employment-related transactions. This includes: Employee personal details Wages and salary paid Payroll dates and methods PAYE deductions and remittances Details of benefits or allowances provided to employees Maintaining proper records helps ensure that you are reporting and remitting the correct amounts to the IRD. Deduct PAYE Tax You are responsible for deducting PAYE (Pay As You Earn) tax from your employees' pay. This involves calculating the correct amount of PAYE and ensuring it is deducted from each employee's salary or wages before their net pay is provided. Pay Employer Contributions In addition to PAYE, you may also be responsible for contributing to your employees' social security and retirement benefits, depending on the country you operate in. These contributions are typically paid in conjunction with PAYE tax. Issue Statements and Forms At the end of the tax year or upon employment termination, you should provide each employee with a statement showing their total earnings and PAYE deductions. Additionally, filing the appropriate end-of-year PAYE schedules with the IRD is required. File Employer Returns Employers are required to file regular returns with the IRD, which could be monthly, quarterly, or annually, depending on specific regulations. These returns should accurately report all payroll activities, including PAYE deductions. Handle Tax Codes and Changes It's crucial to apply the correct tax codes for each employee's circumstances. Any changes in employment status or tax code must be updated promptly to ensure accurate tax withholdings. Comply with Audit Requests The IRD may audit your business to ensure compliance with employer obligations. As such, being prepared to provide all requested information and records in a timely manner is vital. Adhering to these expectations from the IRD is not just about compliance; it's about fostering a transparent and trustworthy relationship with your employees and the tax authorities. If you need assistance with understanding or managing your obligations as an employer, consider reaching out to a professional accountant. Our team is here to help you navigate these responsibilities seamlessly, ensuring peace of mind and allowing you to focus on growing your business. Feel free to contact us for further information or assistance.
7 October 2025
Thinking of starting your own sole trader business? The Sole Trader Toolkit from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has all the basic advice you might need.
SHOW MORE

To discuss all your account matters please call us on 09 438 1001