Waikato Business News April/May 2023

26 WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS, APRIL/MAY 2023
PwC’s annual CEO survey
Over the past few years, adapting to change and volatility
has become a constant and we’ve already seen that play
out this year, with the disruption caused by the Auckland
floods and Cyclone Gabrielle. These events are set against
a backdrop of other immediate issues such as higher
inflation, the threat of recession, continued supply chain
challenges and ongoing labour and skills shortages.
Results from PwC’s
annual CEO Survey
show that these
concerns are dominating the
CEO agenda as leaders look to
drive profitability in the face of
numerous headwinds.
To help navigate this we
can use insights from the
2023 PwC CEO survey, which
collected data from almost
5,000 CEOs in 105 countries
and territories, including 142
Aotearoa New Zealand CEOs.
Here we explore key areas of
prioritisation identified in the
survey and how businesses can
apply the insights.
Digital Transformation
Survey results show that CEOs
are investing in technology
to transform their businesses
and ensure long-term growth
and prosperity. In Aotearoa
New Zealand there is a particular
focus on new technologies,
such as cloud, automation
and artificial intelligence (AI).
When it comes to technology,
the majority of business leaders
are making investments
with an emphasis on reinventing,
rather than just maintaining
their current business
(63% compared to 37%).
Sustainability & ESG
When the survey was conducted
in late 2022, CEOs in
Aotearoa New Zealand were
more focused on their economic
environment with only
8% feeling extremely or highly
exposed to climate change.
When asked about actions their
company has taken to prepare
for climate risk, the focus is
firmly on implementing initiatives,
innovating products
and processes, and developing
a strategy. Applying an internal
price on carbon in decision-making
is at the bottom of
the table, with 61% saying they
have no plan to do it. However,
companies need to understand
the importance of factoring an
internal price on carbon, which
is essential for organisations
to adequately anticipate and
manage the risks of the transition
to a zero carbon economy.
Innovation
Businesses are adopting a culture
of innovation to continue
to be ahead of competitors and
respond to customers’ changing
needs. The survey shows
that CEOs are investing in
research and development,
collaborating with partners
and leveraging emerging technologies
to achieve this, driving
growth and differentiation.
Talent and Culture
This remains an ongoing challenge
for businesses, particularly
in the tech space and
healthcare industry, with a
high demand for skilled workers.
There is an opportunity for
CEOs to think about how they
can best use technology, such
as automation, alongside their
employees to ease the pressure
BUSINESS IN
THE WAIKATO
BY MARK MCCABE
Managing Partner, PwC
and drive longer-term transformation.
The survey showed
that 86% of NZ CEOs are
investing in upskilling their
workforce in the next year, and
92% are developing leadership
and talent to drive the productivity
of their workforce in the
next 12 months. A further 83%
are planning to upskill and
reskill their employees.
Learn more about what’s on
the minds of CEOs in Aotearoa
New Zealand at www.pwc.
co.nz/insights-and-publications/ceo-survey/
ceo-survey-2023
Waikato Business Awards launch
event showcases last year’s winners
The Waikato Chamber of
Commerce Business Awards
recently opened at an official
launch at 2022 supreme winner
Profile Group’s PPL site in Te Rapa.
Applications for the prestigious
awards are now open, and aspiring
businesses and individuals have until
midday Friday, June 30 to submit
their written entry highlighting the
strengths and achievements of their
business. Attendees at the launch
event heard from 2022 winners
including Supreme Award winner
Profile Group and Emerging Leader
winner Jo Franzen.
Chamber CEO Don Good says he
was always impressed by the region’s
innovative and high-performance
business spirit that shone through in
the awards.
“The awards are a superb opportunity
for businesses to increase their
exposure, and receive professional
insights and recommendations on
their strategy.”
Entrants receive detailed feedback
from the judge's assessment, which
can then be used to grow, develop and
improve their business.
“Every year we hear from entrants
about how beneficial that feedback is
from the judges,” Good says.
The judging team of more than
30 Waikato business leaders, headed
by the University of Waikato’s Dr
Heather Connolly, reviews each application
before selecting who will progress
to stage two.
Stage two involves a two-hour site
visit with judges asking questions
about the application and the business.
Finalists will then be selected,
with the winners of each category
announced at a Gala Dinner on Friday,
November 17.
The chamber will host drop-in info
sessions for people wanting to know
more about the entry process. These
will take place on Friday, May 26 and
Friday, June 23 and are open to everyone.
Attendees will receive guidance
on how to write an impressive application
and learn what stands out to
the judges.
For more information about
entering the awards or to register
to attend the drop-in sessions,
visit www.waikatochamber.co.nz/
business-awards-2023/
Barry Soper
Lunch with Barry Soper
They say politics and
business don’t mix.
But it’s election year,
and chances are the 2023
General Election - scheduled
for Saturday October 14 -
will impact us all, one way or
another.
There is the excitement of
the campaign, the spectacle
of waving signs on the side of
the road and live debates, new
policy statements and bold
promises, and a lot of media
coverage.
Then the result, with the
potential to change people’s
lives and livelihoods.
What can the business
community expect from this
election?
To get some insights into
the process, veteran political
journalist Barry Soper is coming
to Hamilton for an exclusive
lunch event on Wednesday
May 31, organised by the Public
Relations Institute of New
Zealand (PRINZ) and the Institute
of Directors (IoD) Waikato
committees.
As the longest serving
member in the Parliamentary
Press Gallery, Barry has
a unique behind-the-scenes
view on politics gleaned from
decades of reporting on prime
ministers, world leaders and
politics.
Barry is currently political
editor at NewsTalk ZB, and is
a frequent political commentator
on television.
He began his career in the
1970s working for The Southland
Times, and has also
worked for Otago Daily Times,
Waikato Times and APN. He
moved to broadcast media,
then parliamentary reporting
and served an unprecedented
three terms as chairman of the
press gallery.
Through his work, Barry
has got to know and travelled
with many of our Prime Ministers,
starting with Sir Robert
Muldoon, followed by David
Lange, Geoffrey Palmer, Mike
Moore, Jim Bolger, Jenny
Shipley, Helen Clark, John
Key, Bill English, Jacinda Ardern
and current PM Chris Hipkins
(Barry’s 11th PM).
So, what can we expect
in the lead up to the October
elections?
Come along and hear
from Barry as he dishes up
his opinions and insights
over lunch in a light-hearted
presentation.
Astute and witty, with a
great sense of humour, Barry’s
event is a must-attend for
Waikato business people and
community leaders and is open
to anyone.
The event, 2023 General
Election: insights and observations
from Barry Soper, will
be held at the FMG stadium,
from 11.30am to 1.30pm on
Wednesday, May 31.
The ticket price of $89+GST
includes delicious grazing
platter food, with all dietary
requirements catered for.
There will be a cash bar available,
and free parking on site.
Please register either
through the PRINZ website
(www.prinz.org.nz) or via the
Institute of Directors website
(www.iod.org.nz) under the
Events tab.