Field Notes
Practical writing on strategic planning for New Zealand small and medium-sized businesses — trade-offs, workshops, and year-ahead choices.
15 July 2026
Strategic planning when the board is also the family
Ownership emotions and commercial choices share a table in many NZ SMEs. Separate the conversations without pretending they are unrelated.
3 June 2026
Why the first ninety days matter more than the vision paragraph
Vision statements age poorly without a near-term board of work. Build the short horizon while energy is high.
28 April 2026
Setting the room for a planning workshop
Furniture, time boxes, and ground rules that keep co-owners focused on decisions instead of slide theatre.
12 March 2026
Choosing what not to do this year
A planning cycle fails quietly when every idea stays on the list. Here is a simple cut process we use with SME leadership teams.