The Better SMB Podcast
Episodes
From Compliance to High Performance: Rethinking Governance with Peter Crow
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most small and medium businesses think of governance as box‑ticking, compliance, or something only “big corporates” need. But what if governance...
Innovation Is a Choice: Moving from Comfort to Courage
14 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Innovation isn’t just about technology or government policy, it’s a leadership choice. In this episode of The Better SMB Podcast, we sit down...
Scaling with Purpose: Ray Everest on Leadership, Innovation & Impact
29 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Better SMB Podcast, hosts Rob Bull and David Altena sit down with Ray Everest, educator, entrepreneur and co-founder of Futur...
Panic to Platform to Partnership: Chris Parnell’s Bold Journey with SetSeed and The Better SMB
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Better SMB Podcast, we welcome Chris Parnell, Co-Founder and CEO of SetSeed, as both our guest and announce their official...
The Power of Community: Danielle Hancock on Strengthening Local Business in North West Country Business Association
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we spend some time with Danielle Hancock, General Manager of the North West Country Business Association, to explore one of Aotear...
Beyond the BA5: Redefining What a Chamber of Commerce Can Be With Patrick McKibbin
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 re...
No Easy Button: The Real Leadership we Need From Cabinet to the Shop Floor
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 R...
Beyond the Quarter: Tikanga Māori, Values and Long-Term Success with Katia Holland
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 resh...
Expect to Win: Building a Culture of Excellence in Your Business
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Better SMB Podcast, sponsored by SetSeed, David and Rob reflect on their recent interview with Dave Bunting of Architectural Gl...
Beyond Productivity Reports, Again: Revisiting the Leadership Imperative
06 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Leadership from the Top: Hon Chris Penk on Aligning Government and Business
09 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 b...
Reflect, Refocus, and Keep Shipping – The Better SMB Mid-Year Review
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 g...
Behind the article: Own it, why your business can’t outperform your leadership
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The Deliberate Path to High Performance in Manufacturing: Lessons from AGP Managing Director Dave Bunting
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
David and Rob are joined by Dave Bunting, Managing Director of Architectural Glass Products in Cambridge. They dive deep into operational excellence ...
Working at human speed: Reducing stress and burnout for sustainable success
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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....
Own It or Lose It: Why SMBs Can’t Ignore Intellectual Property
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’re diving deep into intellectual property (IP) protection, exploring key insights and perspectives from Ben Cain, Partner at James & Wells an...
Skills Shortage or Leadership Gap? Rethinking the Talent Narrative
04 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we explore the so-called “skills shortage” in New Zealand manufacturing. David and Rob unpack their NZ Manufacturer article, argu...
Work on it, not in It: The SMB growth playbook
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we dive deep into the book "The E Myth Revisited" by Michael Gerber, exploring key insights about business roles and growth...
No More Excuses: Manufacturers Need to Lead NZ Productivity Shift
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, hosts David Altena and Rob Bull dive into New Zealand’s longstanding productivity crisis and why waiting for government interventio...
What if 100,000 businesses started taking action to improve their performance
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 TechF...
What are you aiming at in 2025? Setting goals that drive real results
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 pr...
Navigating technology trends with Anthony McMahon
19 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Anthony McMahon, Technology Strategist, Public Speaker and founder of Target State Consulting, joins David and Rob for this episode. Anthony shares hi...
Innovating on purpose: Turning ideas into action for SMB success
09 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Is the election of Donald Trump the wakeup call NZ SMEs need?
01 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 strateg...
Is it time to rebrand productivity?
02 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
David and Rob dive into productivity misconceptions and political posturing around the term. They discuss recent government statements suggesting that...
Building a high performing business with Grant Johnson, CEO of Rocketspark
19 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 star...
What the truck is productivity? Unpacking Lean and continuous improvement
21 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, hosts David and Rob discuss the intricacies of productivity, focusing on the benefits of lean methodology and continuous improvement ...
Getting the basics right in Local Government with Sean Wallace
01 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, hosts David Altena and Rob Bull sit down with Sean Wallace, Director of Product and Partnerships at Flowingly, to explore the intrica...
Boosting Productivity: the immediate actions SMBs can take
11 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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. Davi...
Embracing ambition and excellence with Simon Walker
20 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Productivity reports: what do they tell you as an SMB owner
02 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
David and Rob dive into the intricacies of various productivity reports, including the Xero Small Business Insights Report, BNZ Manufacturing Snapshot...
Better SMB pilot
13 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 Ne...