The Latest News from PlanA

So, you've got the vision, the drive, and maybe even a few loyal customers. You're building something awesome! But let's be real, as your business grows, so does the stuff. More decisions, bigger risks, and suddenly you're juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle (and your pants are on fire!). That's where governance comes in.

Using ChatGPT at Work? Here’s What You Need to Know – AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity are everywhere. They're helping people write faster, think clearer, and find better answers. But are they safe for business use? Here’s a quick look at what you should — and shouldn’t — do if your team is using AI tools.

We heard a lot of ‘Survive to 25’ and ‘Thrive in 25’ last year — catchy, but the reality in Hawke’s Bay is that it’s still tough going. Across the sectors I work with, the message is clear, there’s a light out there, but it’s still on the horizon. So, as we head into the new financial year, IT’S TIME TO GET SHARP!

“What would happen to Sweet Spot Confectionery if a major supplier shut down tomorrow?” The question hit Sophie Sweet like a splash of cold water. She had spent years growing her lollipop business, scaling from a modest $1.5 million in sales to pushing towards $10 million. But until now, she had been focused on growth—expanding into new markets, streamlining production, and strengthening her brand.

Managing enterprise risks is something every business owner must face, but quite often it’s something they ignore.   It might be dealing with supply chain disruptions or ensuring compliance with ever-changing regulations. For Sophie Sweet, the owner of a successful confectionery business, the key to building a risk-proof organisation was not about avoiding risk altogether but managing it effectively.   She had to take her lollipop making hat off & put her Director’s hat on.

As a business owner, the thought of liquidation can be overwhelming. We don’t go into business to go into liquidation, but it can & does happen.  However, it's important to know that many businesses face similar challenges, and with the right approach, you can navigate these turbulent times effectively.

Sophie Sweet had always been determined, but when her lollipop business reached $1.5 million in sales, she knew it was time for a change. A small but mighty company, Sophie had big dreams – she wanted to scale and go beyond that $10 million mark. But how? What did it take to transform her success into something sustainable and larger than life?

Stories have a unique power to connect with us, teach us, and inspire action. In business, storytelling can often convey lessons in a way that facts and figures alone cannot. That’s why I’m excited to take a different approach to the information I share this year. I’m going to have a storytelling approach in a series of blogs, following the journey of Sophie Sweet and her lollipop business, Sweet Spot Confectionery.

Business should be pretty easy, but we do tend to over complicate things at times! I was chatting to someone the other day who seems to have found the ‘sweet spot’ when it comes to their business. They have a great team, sell something that customers want and have sufficient cash to make the wheels turn around (plus they are highly profitable).

Leadership is not just about holding a title or managing a team, it's about inspiring, guiding, and fostering growth within your business. I came across this image on Linked In and it struck a note with me. For some, it may be a bit challenging!