Episode Details

Every three years, New Zealand business hits pause and waits for political clarity before it moves. David and Rob call time on that habit. In 2026, hesitation isn't caution — it's a competitive disadvantage, and the data on productivity, closures, and unemployment backs them up.In this episode:

• Why election years trigger a "wait and see" mindset — and why it's mostly noise, not strategy
• The uncomfortable truth about NZ's business closures, inflation, and where we actually stand against the OECD on unemployment
• The real problem isn't the election — it's that most SMBs don't plan, don't set 90-day sprints, and end up purely reactive
• Four practical moves to build momentum now: benchmark your reality, lock in capital plans early, double down on customers, and run 90-day sprints
• The Warren Buffett lesson: be greedy when others are fearful — why the quiet ones now are positioning to jump ahead

Key quote: "There's three types of people in this world — people who make things happen, people who watch things happen, and people who go, 'what just happened?'" — David Altena

📊 Know where you stand before you plan where you're going — benchmark your business with PerformIQ: www.thebettersmb.com/35-by-35/🌐 The Better SMB: www.thebettersmb.com🎙️ The Better SMB Podcast: open.spotify.com/show/0VmzaRqeU5g94kzfPRKQlqProudly sponsored by Setseed — www.setseed.com