Northland Business Coaches & Board Facilitators
Join other business owners like you to take your business to the neXt levelThe Alternative Board – Northland
Provider of business owner advice, mentoring and coaching to business owners, CEO’s and managing directors in NZ. Our Business Owner Advisory Boards and virtual boards expand your thinking beyond your particular industry providing new perspectives to spur new ways of doing business based on real-world experience, we encourage and empower our members to achieve their business and personal visions.
Business Coach & Facilitator for Northland
WARWICK TAYLOR
– leading The Alternative Board Northland
Pre-COVID19, Northland’s regional growth was running at 1.6% with 21,395 business units* – that’s a lot of business owners that need support and Warwick Taylor who runs The Alternative Board in Northland knows more than most what they need.
He’s lived in Northland all his life, understands the community and its culture and firmly believes business owners hold the key to local and regional success. A highly experienced business person, Warwick sold his award-winning company Waste Works Ltd in 2009, moving on to a variety of leadership roles with Northland businesses and organisations and he is acknowledged as a talented, innovative business leader with many awards to his name.
Warwick is determined to help Northland’s business succeed. He said: “Northland has its share of economic challenges which have been heightened thanks to COVID19 but they can be overcome. Innovation and sheer hard work are the hallmarks of Northland businesses and with the right support, advice and resources they will grow and The Alternative Board is the right place for them to find what they need”
Outside work, Warwick’s passion for sports will see you find him playing golf, fishing, watching rugby and speedway.
What our clients say
We achieved our Champagne Moment for 2021!
Business Articles
Becoming a good coach and a successful business owner
In today’s world to be a successful business owner you must also be a good coach. With complexity everywhere, owners need to have a team of agile...
Skills Shortage Bites and Business Confidence Wanes Among Business Owners
Autumn chills have crept through the economy with current conditions eroding confidence among business owners.
How to re-engage your employees
How to re-engage your employees. Businesses with highly engaged teams report higher profitability and productivity, better health outcomes, better customer engagement, fewer accidents and better retention.
Fleet-Footed Profitability
For many businesses, cashflow will be tight in the coming months as consumers and other businesses spend less due to the combination of: higher...
Starting a new business? 12 things every business owner should think about first.
Do you have a great business idea or opportunity and want to start your own business? Read our 12 top tips from experienced professionals on what to think about before you begin.
The price is right ….. or is it?
Throughout some of the recent conversations I’ve been having with other business owners here in South Auckland, I’ve noticed one topic that seems to...
Stay Interviews
With the tightening labour market and increasing pressure on businesses to retain staff, a greater emphasis needs to be placed on developing...
Hard Thinking
There are many challenges in business that are hard. Many of the challenges facing the owners of small and medium business enterprises (SMEs) are...
What is your cash target?
Rising input costs are biting into cashflow for many businesses and, as we know, if the cash dries up, other problems follow thick and fast.
How to keep your best people on board
Unintentionally, many of us allow our good people to resign. And then resort to recruitment to find other good staff. At times like this, when it is...
Small Businesses Stay Calm and Carry On
Keeping calm and carrying on – that’s the current steady stance of small business owners despite the backdrop of rocketing Omicron cases, disruptive...
Worried how you’ll weather the storm?
The past two years have been very challenging for everyone, particularly for businesses. But also for our customers, our suppliers, and our employees. And for their families, and our families.
Inflation will be a significant business challenge in 2022
There can be no doubt now that we are in for an inflationary period. Quarterly inflation for the period ended 30 September 2021 is the highest...
Top Reads for Summer
Taking some time off this summer? Here's a list of the best books I've consumed over the years - and those which I've recommended most to my...
Challenging Realities Ahead For Small Business Sector
Falling confidence, fragile operating conditions and the shadow of inflation are just some of the economic challenges stacking up for small business...
Why EQ is more important than ever
Tight margins, decreased profitability, increased stress, labour shortages, and supply chain disruptions – these are just some of the issues that business owners have …
Formalising Business Systems
If as a business owner you think you're working too hard for fewer rewards it might be time to invest in documenting your processes. Founder...
Confidence Plummets as Delta Blues Batter Business
Delta blues have left our business owners battered and bowed, weighed down by months of lockdown and prolonged restrictions across the country. The...
Great, Grumpy or Grim – it’s time to tell us how you feel about your business
In all the uncertainty, one thing that is certain is many business owners are doing it tough. Our Spring Pulse Check – Spring Pulse 21 – which gives...
Seven Secrets for creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
When John Warrilow, world-renown author and founder of The Value Builder System*, comments on something it's worth taking notice. In a recent...
Unlocking New Zealand with Cameron Bagrie
Economist Cameron Bagrie provided members with some keen insights into current operating conditions at our recent Tuesday Team Talk. Cameron's theme...
Is Employee Wellbeing the Key to Skills Shortages?
As we bubble along in this ongoing stew of uncertainty, business owners are finding operational challenges are heating up on several fronts, not...
Business Mentoring vs. Business Coaching: Which is Best for Your Business?
A question that business owners often ask, is: " What will work best for me, a business coach or business mentor?” The difference between the two...
Beating the Lockdown Business Blues
There’s no doubt about it - things are tough. Several weeks of lockdown have done nothing to ease the mounting pressures on businesses and we can...
What is working capital?
When you start your business some of the language used to describe aspects of the financial operations can be mystifying to say the least. In this...
Lockdown wellbeing and trusting your team
Employee wellbeing was top of my mind when I started to write this post earlier in the week – then suddenly lockdown was announced and our working...
When the going gets tough – the wise get moving
Listening to an audiobook this week, I found myself reflecting on some of the issues raised in our Winter Pulse Check, particularly the reports of...
What’s your Stress Quotient® – and how can you keep it under control?
Our Winter Pulse Check results showed that while many business owners remain confident their businesses are doing well, there has been a marked rise...
Winter Pulse Check – Small businesses warn of shocks ahead
"We're going to have to put the prices up"- that's the message from more than half the small business owners in the Winter Pulse Check. Pressures...
Warm up your winter – take the Pulse Check and inform government policy
It’s time for our Winter Pulse Check which means it’s time for you to tell us how you are and, in the process, take the opportunity to inform...
Stressed? You’re not alone. Time to seek support.
There’s no doubt that the shifting economic sands are eroding resilience among business owners. Insights from our members show that mental wellbeing...
Six steps to beat the skills shortage
The most talked about subject at recent board meetings has been the skills shortage that has really started to bite in New Zealand.
What do a well-managed team and a well-run business have in common? Plenty as it turns out.
Standing on the side-line of my 16-year-old son’s school rugby team last week I was really impressed with what I saw, and I’m not just talking about...
Let the team lead – insights from a coaching legend
We’re deep into rugby season and, just as the first All Blacks team of 2021 was announced, I had the good fortune to find myself sitting with...
Discover your working genius to manage rapid growth
What’s best is to understand what’s needed, what we want from the role, define that and then find the right genius for the job.
Head to Head with Hon. Stuart Nash – Pulse Check findings inform Government Policy
Minister for Small Business Hon. Stuart Nash took time out to discuss The Alternative Board’s Autumn Pulse Check with Wayne Baird and offer advice...
Three steps towards business balance
I had one of those weeks last week where you just don’t stop - I’m sure you know the sort of week I mean. It’s not uncommon for small business...
Motivation flagging? Take your lead from the All Blacks
We all know the All Blacks epitomize great team play and great team support – even on those rare occasions when they lose a game or, even more...
Covid Aftershocks and Supply Chain Woes Rattle Motivation
The Autumn Pulse Check is out – and it looks like business owners are getting tired and their motivation is...
Are we heading towards a winter of discontent?
Shipping delays, rising input prices, employment issues - you flagged them all and your insights into business challenges - and opportunities - have...
Reshaping Recessions – Reinventing Behaviours
Ripples of relief are running around the world this month even though the pandemic rages on. Here, the much talked of travel bubble has begun and...
Cultivating company culture in the time of COVID19
Employment issues were top of mind for business owners in our most recent Pulse Check report and those issues come in all shapes and sizes. Every...
Do you plan to not lose, or plan to win?
Often in business, we size up a situation and become determined not to be worse off but in so doing we lose focus and miss out on creating...
Privacy Act 2020 Webinar
On Friday 19th March, we are pleased to host Steve Conti, joint owner of a Christchurch based business, New Zealand Business Tools (NZBT). NZBT...
Why every year-end should be a beginning
'Year-end' - just who is it good for? Absolutely no one - except perhaps the IRD and accountants. ‘Year-end’ exists for tax purposes only, is set by...
Tackling the stressors – great minds make good progress
We’re not immune to employment issues here in Northland and one of the areas we frequently discuss at our peer board meetings is how to overcome the...
Summer’s bright but there are clouds on the horizon
Confidence is high among our business owners as they come to the end of the summer rested and ready to tackle the significant challenges ahead. Our...
Hands-on business at the heart of community support
‘The heart of the economy’ - that’s the description frequently applied to New Zealand’s small businesses but what’s often overlooked is how those...
Ready to get back to business with the Pulse Check
It’s time to get back to business and discover how you are getting on. Our February Pulse Check – the first one of the year – is now live and aims...
Hot tips to keep your business cool
Heading into the last long weekend of summer we were all rattled by the COVID19 cases that popped up in Northland and North Auckland. We’ve not been...
Managing a business boom
All successful businesses want to grow. However, rapid growth can be a mixed blessing, and unbridled growth can quickly become a burden with...
Avoid the urge to rush – don’t ruin your business engine
It’s a horrible feeling. That sudden realisation that the wrong fuel has gone into the car. I’ve done it myself - in fact, I did it the other day. I...
How to boost productivity through labour efficiency
New Zealand has one of the OECD’s lowest levels of productivity and to stand alone in an uncoupled world this is something we need to improve – and...
A Christmas reflection
As the year draws to a close and we get to take a much-needed break, it may be worth taking a moment to fully appreciate what we have individually...
Americas Cup shows innovation is a process
As we marvel at the speed and agility of the four America’s Cup teams on Auckland’s harbour this weekend, it is interesting to reflect on how they...
Small Business Pulse Remains Strong As Global Pandemic Progresses
Yes – it’s been a very hard year. Yes – we have all been touched by the tragedies and difficulties presented by COVID19. Yes – there are still some...
Credit issues are on the rise
Our recent Business Pulse Check showed 7% of respondents have experienced more late payers and defaults, while 4% are struggling to pay creditors....
Unsettled Spring brings supply chain disruptions
Issues concerning working capital and supply chains have emerged in the Spring Pulse Check, with members flagging problems with orders, disruptions...
How’s your future looking?
Have you started planning for 2021? How’s your confidence now New Zealand’s election is done — and what’s worrying you about business right now? Our...
How the Important but Not Urgent can catch you out.
As business owners we all undertake activities every day that loosely sit under one of four categories-: Important and UrgentImportant and Not...
A great look inside a meeting of The Alternative Board Hawkes Bay
Damon Harvey editor and publisher of The Profit took some time out recently to discover what really goes on inside a board meeting of The...
How do we treat our employees?
Have you ever considered that the way we treat our employees has similarities to how we bring up our children? If we don’t guide our children,...
Small businesses look beyond COVID-19 with confidence
For the third month in a row, small-to-medium size businesses outside the hard-hit sectors of retail, tourism and hospitality are proving confident,...
Small businesses look beyond COVID-19 with confidence
For the third month in a row, small-to-medium size businesses outside the hard-hit sectors of retail, tourism and hospitality are proving confident,...
Changes to the Business Finance Guarantee Scheme
Gordon Stuart takes a look at the recent changes made to the government’s Business Finance Guarantee Scheme. The eligibility criteria for a Business...
Five Ways to Seize the Day
Change happens. Take control. We’re all caught in the flux of COVID19. Levels change, challenges arise and we rise to overcome them. Expert at...
Brave Small Businesses Buck The Trend
Confident and determined to get through - that’s the verdict from members this August when we checked in to see how you were all doing Contrary to...
We’ve Done It Before – We Can Do It Again
A sudden slip into Alert Level Three, the blast of the emergency ‘COVID’ warning through our phones and once again we’re into the balancing act of...
Kiwi Businesses Ready To Reinvent The Future
Pulse check shows members are tackling the challenges of COVID19 head-on We asked you how you were doing and you told us loud and clear — New...
Working with ‘What If’ – Scenario Planning for Stronger Business
Many businesses just go with the flow but what happens when unpredicted things happen? First reactions are often fear and uncertainty, then...
Help us take the pulse – tell us how you are
Everyone is talking about New Zealand’s small businesses – but we want to listen. We want to check the pulse and see how everyone in this vital...
The Changing Face of Company Credit Risk Management in the Wake of Covid-19
As we move back down through the Covid-19 alert levels and more businesses commence trading, it is clear that it will not be 'business as usual' for...
How do you navigate through these uncertain times?
When our world is predictable, we plan with confidence. But what do we when our world is not predictable – as it is now? First, we acknowledge that...
Turning disasters into opportunity – the case for planning and the lessons learnt
The thing about business planning is that it presents options that are available at some future point. Having...
Do you want a solution or clarity on what you need?
“The first secret of getting what you want is knowing what you want” Arthur D. Hlavaty The call came through one February afternoon during a break...
Business Growth – Is It A Struggle?
5 reasons why you might consider an alternative to growing your business organically: growth by acquisition.
January/February is the time to plan
Great sports teams and coaches set clear goals and plans, but remain accountable at all times. Business owners are accustomed to wearing many...
Business Success Stories
Paul Denton
"You don't need to go it alone."Paul Denton - Scott PHS “Prior to joining TAB the opportunity to share my ideas and day to day issues was limited to...
Barbara Rivers
“I felt quite lost and drowning in my weekly responsibilities, that is, until I became a member of The Alternative Board”
Lee Dewerson
Lee Dewerson has put in the hard graft and for many years has worked 60-hour weeks relentlessly, learning all there is to know about the...
