The #WhatsNext Podcast

The businesses making offers are seeing things move. The ones sitting on their hands are still struggling.We cover shifting consumer confidence, the wealth effect, and how business owners are changing from survival mode to growth mode. Plus what the data is really telling us about where New Zealand's economy is heading in 2026.Are we finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel?

Someone once told me to focus on my strengths. I said how. They showed me the Gallup’s StrengthsFinder to figure out what I’m actually good at, and what to stop wasting time on. Then the maximiser in me wanted to go deeper on this so I linked up with an incredible human.In this episode, I’ve convinced my secret strengths coach, Suze Oh, to join me for a deep dive into how understanding your natural talents can change the way you work, lead, and live.It certainly did for me. We unpack my Top 10 strengths (yep, the real list), talk about how they show up in business and life, and how you can use your own strengths to make more progress with less burnout.If you’ve ever wondered why you’re wired the way you are, this one’s for you.If you're interested in working together:Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nzLet's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/

Luke and Phil are down in Queenstown doing their quarterly business planning. Here's how it's going. If you're interested in working together:Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nzLet's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/

Luke and Phil are down in Queenstown doing their quarterly business planning. Here's how it's going. If you're interested in working together:Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nzLet's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/

Luke and Phil are down in Queenstown doing their quarterly business planning. Here's how it's going. If you're interested in working together:Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nzLet's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/

Grow your business with our 90 day business planning: https://nextadvisory.nz/90-day-business-planning/From April 2026, Kiwisaver contributions are jumping from 3% to 3.5%. By 2032, it could be as high as 6% from you and 6% from your employer. Business owners need to start planning now.Luke and Phil break down what's really happening: 1.4 million Kiwis (40% of members) aren't contributing anything to their own retirement, government contributions are being means-tested away, and the $130 billion pot is getting serious attention from politicians.We can't afford to keep paying gold-plated pensions to baby boomers while younger generations get nothing. Business owners will face increasing payroll costs every year until 2032. A half percent increase annually might not sound like much, but multiply that by your entire workforce.We cover why it should be compulsory for everyone, the temporary reduction options (that defeat the whole purpose), and why people who understand money are excited about 6% matching.The rules are changing. Adapt or get left behind.If you're interested in working together:Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nzLet's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/

Visit https://nextadvisory.nz for more information on working with usMost business owners would rather go broke than say no to a bad client. Then they act surprised when they're working 60-hour weeks for peanuts. Phil and Luke break down why Kiwi business owners are addicted to saying yes: scarcity mindset, fear of missing out, and the belief that every job leads to something bigger. We cover why your $100 clients bring 80% of your problems, how to filter out time wasters, and why having cash in the bank gives you the power to choose.The pattern is always the same... Say yes to everything, get stuck doing work you hate, then complain about difficult customers while your margins get crushed.You've got an unfair advantage as a small business owner, you're agile. But only if you actually use it. If you can't say no, you don't have a business, you have a job with extra stress.Make the tough calls before someone else makes them for you.If you're interested in working together:Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nzLet's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/

Thinking of buying a business? Speak with Phil first: https://nextadvisory.nz/buying-a-business/Most business owners couldn't tell you when they last followed up with an inquiry, then they wonder why their cash flow is unpredictable.Phil and Luke break down why pipeline management separates successful businesses from struggling ones. We cover how to track leads properly (even with a pen and paper), why speed kills deals, and how one client nurtures prospects for 3 years before they're ready to buy.The reality? You're in complete control of your business destiny, but only if you stop letting business happen TO you and start making it happen FOR you. While others wait for the economy to improve, smart business owners are filling their pipelines and creating their own opportunities.Stop being reactive. Start being proactive.If you're interested in working together:Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nzLet's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/

Buying a business? Book a call with Phil first: https://nextadvisory.nz/buying-a-business/December is only 3 working weeks this year. The 20th falls on a Saturday. Good luck getting paid between then and February. Phil and Luke break down the December disaster every SME business faces: customers disappear to Pauanui, decision-making stops, and your cash flow gets crushed while bills keep coming. We cover why you need to chase money NOW, not send emails, and how to set payment deadlines before everyone checks out.You'll still pay wages, rent, GST, PAYE, and provisional tax in January while revenue flatlines. Meanwhile, the big corporates keep taking their direct debits and the government wants their money on the 15th. We cover annual leave costs, the Christmas gift pressure, and why employees don't understand the stress business owners face. If you're interested in working together:Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nzLet's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/

Looking for more clarity and growth in your business? Book a call with us at https://nextadvisory.nz The RBNZ has once again dropped the OCR rate a further 25 basis points down to 2.25% to provide some repreive to New Zealand, but whats next? Phil & I discuss the recent drop, some positive economic data starting to shine through the cracks and whats next for the country heading into what could be a very important summer.If you're interested in working together:Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nzLet's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/

Apply for our 12 month business planning: https://nextadvisory.nz/the-winning-formula/ Today we cover the all important question of what to do when your employees are bored or without much to work on, it may be daunghting hiring nowadays only to end up paying a salary whilst not having enough work on them, so Phil and I cover a few key things you can do when they have spare time. Hope this helps If you're interested in working together:Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nzLet's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/

Book a call for our 90 day business planning program: https://nextadvisory.nz/90-day-business-planning/6.1% unemployment, commercial vacancy rates are up, retail sales are down and yet we've got ministers and mayors who are supposed to be fixing this.Luke and Phil break down the reality of whats happening, why Queenstown is buzzing and the city of Auckland that was once a powerhouse, is now deflated.The data is brutal. The problems are obvious. But where are the solutions from the people in charge?If you're interested in working together:Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nzLet's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/

Buying a business? Book a call with Phil first: https://nextadvisory.nz/buying-a-business/Phil and Luke share real examples from business owners within our community who are winning work right now.The pattern is clear, successful businesses are getting off their ass and doing something. They're not waiting for the economy to improve or hoping their website will magically bring customers.We cover relationship building, asking for referrals, leveraging existing client bases, and why speed beats perfection every time. Plus the mindset shift from "what do I want to do" to "what problems can I solve."Stop being a victim. Start taking action.If you're interested in working together:Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nzLet's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/

Book a call with Phil to discuss gaining clarity on your business: https://calendly.com/philsmithMost business owners would rather find a magic solution than do the boring work that actually gets results.Phil and Luke break down why changing accountants won't fix your cash flow problems, why there's no shortcut out of debt, and why the answer is always the thing you don't want to hear: do the work. We share the story of someone who went from $60K debt and on the benefit, to earning $265K by working 85 hours a week. No magic. No shortcuts. Just relentless action.Stop looking for the easy way out. The path through your problems is doing what you already know you need to do.If you're interested in working together:Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nzLet's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/

Grow your business with our 90 day business planning: https://nextadvisory.nz/90-day-business-planning/Your suppliers are sneaking in price rises while you're still charging last year's prices. Meanwhile, you wonder why your business has no cash.Phil and Luke break down why business margins are getting their margins crushed and what you can do about it to protect yours.The businesses thriving right now are the ones protecting their margins.The ones going broke are hoping things get better. Stop guessing. Start measuring. Check your margins monthly or watch your business slowly bleed out.If you're interested in working together:Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nzLet's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/

Most business owners just pick a random ACC classification code when they set up their company. Then they wonder why their ACC bill is so high.The problem? It's ridiculously easy to get this wrong. You set up a company, they ask for your business industry classification code, and you go "I don't know, that one looks close enough." Meanwhile, there are dozens of subcategories with wildly different rates.We cover why the classification system is so confusing, how to check if you're in the right bucket, and what questions to ask ACC to make sure you're not overpaying. Plus the real reason ACC might be making losses - hundreds of thousands of businesses probably have the wrong codes.If you're interested in working together:Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nzLet's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/

Labour just announced a 28% capital gains tax on rental properties, Phil and Luke break down what this actually means.If you're interested in working together:Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nzLet's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/

Looking for help buying a business? Book a call with me at https://calendly.com/philsmith/Most business owners would rather go broke than make the hard decisions. Then they act surprised when they lose everything.Today Phil and I break down why Kiwi business owners are too scared to right-size their businesses even when their family home is on the line.We cover the tough conversations you're avoiding: restructuring staff, negotiating rent relief, and protecting your business asset before someone pulls the rug out.If you're interested in working together in other ways:Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nzLet's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/

Looking for help with your accounting to create clarity & better decisions? Go to https://nextadvisory.nzIRD debt has exploded from $4 billion to over $10 billion in just 5 years. Now they're getting serious about collecting it.Phil breaks down what's really happening, the new collection powers IRD are using, why 500,000+ Kiwis owe money, and how penalties are racking up faster than people can pay them back. Plus the reality check every business owner needs to hear.Don't bury your head in the sand. The money you owe belongs to other taxpayers, not you, it's time to get compliant before they make the decision for you.If you're interested in working together in other ways:Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nzLet's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/

Book a call with Phil to discuss buying/valuing your business: https://calendly.com/philsmith/buyingMost business owners are doing cash flow completely wrong. Then they wonder why they're always stressed about money. You do the work, send an invoice, then wait 20+ days to get paid. Meanwhile, you've already paid wages, materials, and overheads. That's backwards.Phil breaks down the real cash flow hacks that work: taking deposits upfront, charging site visit fees to filter time wasters, and getting paid the day you finish the job. We cover why your balance sheet is like a wet sponge soaking up cash, and how to wring it out.Cash flow isn't the problem, your systems are. Fix the systems, fix the cash flow. Your business success depends on cash moving through it, not getting stuck in it.If you're interested in working together in other ways:Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nzLet's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/