Episode Details

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 with Sean Doherty, former Callaghan Innovation leader, to unpack why New Zealand’s prosperity depends on the decisions business leaders make today. Sean shares insights from decades in engineering, manufacturing, and national innovation programmes, challenging SMB owners to step out of their comfort zone and start building capacity for growth. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 

• Why New Zealand is “poor because it chooses to be” 

• The real difference between R&D, innovation and adoption 

• How leadership, not funding, is the biggest barrier to progress 

• Practical steps to shift from cost-cutting to growth 

Episode Highlights: 

• “Innovation isn’t a destination—it’s a daily choice.” 

• The three barriers holding SMBs back: funding, lack of strategy, and comfort 

• Why waiting for government support is a losing game 

• How small acts of leadership courage, like listening to staff ideas, can unlock big breakthroughs 

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