Business health and motivations research
Better for Business’ annual Business Health and Digital Monitor considers the health, motivations, development goals and resilience of New Zealand businesses.
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New Zealand business health and motivations insights 2024
Our latest New Zealand business health and motivation insights are summarised in a short report.
This is based on the feedback of 2,356 businesses that have told us about how they were coping and their motivations for being in business during November 2023 to January 2024.
Our report shows:
- 58% of businesses express some level of ongoing challenge, such as struggling to maintain cashflow or experiencing a slowdown in growth.
- Many businesses (36%) are experiencing a squeeze on profitability due to rising costs and declining customer acquisition.
- 25% of businesses are making operational adjustments to streamline operations and improve efficiency.
- 1 in 4 businesses expressed concern about the rise in operating costs and its impact on their operations.
- 1 in 5 businesses reported struggling with compliance costs and regulatory burden.
- 28% of businesses are focusing on growth.
- 18% of businesses have “become more digital” as one of their priorities.
- The top three types of support requested by businesses are: Tax breaks/ incentives (47%), One-to-one mentoring (32%), and Online courses (29%).
Business health monitor key findings and update — May 2024 [PDF 1.2MB]
Published: May 2024, based on data collected between November 2023 to January 2024.
Published: July 2024, based on data collected between November 2023 to January 2024.
New Zealand business health and motivation insights 2023
Our New Zealand business health and motivation insights are summarised in a short report.
This is based on the feedback of 2,702 businesses that have told us about how they were coping and their motivations for being in business during late November 2022 to March 2023.
Our report shows:
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75% of businesses report an increase in the costs of running their business compared to a year ago, including 1 in 3 who say their costs have increased by 20% or more.
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37% of business owners and managers report being ‘frequently frustrated and stressed’. In some sectors, particularly retail and hospitality, this is likely to have been the case for a prolonged period.
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Almost half (47%) of businesses have experienced revenue reductions, whereas 30% of businesses have seen their revenue increase.
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Wellbeing and work-life balance is a key motivation for entrepreneurs starting their own business.
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The main barriers to businesses achieving their goals are cost, time and uncertainty.
Published: April 2023, based on data collected during November 2022 to March 2023.
New Zealand business health insights 2021
Our latest New Zealand business health insights are summarised into a printable 1-page factsheet of what 2,212 businesses told us about how they were coping during November 2021; just prior to the shift to the COVID-19 Protection Framework.
Our reports show:
- Significant deteriorations in business owner wellbeing and confidence from earlier in the year.
- High levels of concern about the impacts of restrictions, the clarity of the protection framework and supply chain disruptions.
- Considerable employer concern about staff wellbeing and the ability to access skilled labour.
Results are provided in a printable 1-page factsheet, as well as a more detailed report.
Published: December 2021, based on data collected during October to December 2021.