Business Mentors Blog

Word of mouth remains the most trusted form of marketing available to small businesses, with 92% of people trusting a recommendation from someone they know over any paid advert1. This matters because loyal customers do more than buy again: they talk. And when they talk well, they become your most affordable and most convincing marketing channel. ...

If you run a small business, you rely on repeat customers and word-of-mouth more than big ad budgets. A customer journey map is a simple tool that helps you see your business through your customers’ eyes, so you can make small changes that keep people coming back and talking positively about you.

Skills, products, and team all matter, but one of the most practical tools you have costs nothing to build: your business network. Whether you’re just starting out or running an established business, the right connections can open doors that hard work alone cannot. Referrals, advice, honest feedback, new customers, a supplier introduction: these things often come through people, not an online search. Here’s how NZ business owners can grow and use their network well.

AI tools have progressed at lightning speed. Keeping up means being deliberate and curious. Below you'll find a few ideas to ensure you're staying ahead. This article pulls together the most useful information available right now, so you can make clear-headed decisions for your business.

Fuel prices are continuing to fluctuate. Nearly nine in ten business owners expect reduced activity in the coming months. And 83 per cent of business owners across New Zealand are reporting some level of stress. This article pulls together the most useful information available right now, so you can make clear-headed decisions for your business.

Case Studies

In 2005, Midge Hand and her husband, Mike Morgan, co-founded Whippet Digital with a vision to help businesses achieve better results through digital marketing. Today, Whippet Digital has become a leading agency, renowned for its expertise in SEO and content marketing. Based in Ohope Beach, the agency has worked with 100+ businesses across New Zealand and Australia, earning the distinction of ...

Not everyone has to scale up to succeed. As a small business owner, one of the most powerful choices you can make is deciding deliberately what kind of business owner you want to be. In New Zealand, 97% of Kiwi businesses employ fewer than 20 people. That means staying small is okay. In fact, it can be your strategy for building a more resilient and sustainable future. The conversation around productivity often suggests that bigger is better. But in 2026, many ...

You can boost productivity without hiring anyone new. Smart use of technology, strategic focus, and better systems are some of the secrets to unlocking increased output while keeping your business lean. About 97% of Kiwi businesses employ fewer than 20 people, so increasing productivity without growing headcount is a smart strategy.

What can small businesses in New Zealand expect from 2026? These 2026 predictions for NZ small businesses come from leaders across the BMNZ network and partner ecosystem to share their predictions for what will matter most. Here's what they see.

You can complete your full 2026 business strategic plan using affordable AI tools in just a few hours. This guide shows you exactly how, with step-by-step instructions, realistic timeframes, and cost breakdowns.