Blog Archives

Great – now we can try and compete with China, or India, or Pakistan…

February 3, 2008

Economic Development, Governance, IT, Manufacturing, New Zealand, Society, Strategy

I wrote a few days ago about Humanware closing down its New Zealand operations. Interesting to read this morning then that three Christchurch manufacturers look set to approach Humanware to seek a continuation of some manufacturing in this country.…

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The story of stuff…

January 27, 2008

Business and the Environment, Manufacturing, Society

A friend sent me a link to this site which headlines an animated movie looking at our collective mass consumerism model. While a diatribe against consumption is somewhat outside of the usual subject matter of this blog, and arguably…

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Should government funding be here?

November 23, 2007

Business, IT, Manufacturing, My businesses, New Zealand, Strategy

Papers inadvertently released today tell the complex and inefficient story behind ICT-NZ the government set up industry group tasked to further the aims of the ICT industry here in New Zealand. ICT-NZ is funded via a complex chain of…

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Tablets are cool, Apple is cool…

November 7, 2007

Business, Design, IT, Manufacturing

And an Apple tablet would be uber cool. Reports here that Asus is prototyping a tablet for Apple. Imagine coverflow and touchscreen goodness on a 15inch and in a full size OS. I’m excited…….

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Competitive advantage… how?

November 6, 2007

Business, Design, Economic Development, Efficiency, Manufacturing, My businesses, New Zealand, Society, Strategy

I’ve just been interviewed by a researcher from the University of Otago. Otago has undertaken a long-term research programme looking at how New Zealand firms derive world class competitive advantage from their geographical location, the networks they utilise, industry…

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Well done Leon and team…

November 6, 2007

Business, Design, Economic Development, Governance, IT, Manufacturing, My businesses, New business, New Zealand, Strategy

Surveylab was founded by Leon Toorenberg, a Wellingtonian and some-time Cactus acquaintance. Cactus is now a supplier to Surveylab and it’s great to read how they’re starting to cross the chasm. On a personal level it’s really nice to…

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The dollar and tech companies…

October 15, 2007

Business, Design, Economic Development, Efficiency, IT, Manufacturing, New Zealand, Society

David and I had a lengthy dialogue over the weekend regarding the appropriateness or otherwise of actually making things in New Zealand. Those interested can read it here. Basically (and to paraphrase David’s comments) he felt that manufacturing in…

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Je suis en film star…..

October 11, 2007

Business, Economic Development, Efficiency, Manufacturing, My businesses, New Zealand, Society

Last last year film student Nicholas Hudak made a short film profiling some players in the New Zealand apparel scene. The film, entitled Triple Bottom Line sought to show the changes that occur when an industry moves to offshore…

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Another one (maybe) bites the dust….

October 2, 2007

Business, Manufacturing, New Zealand

News this morning that Norsewear may be sold and moved offshore. Now while i understand the factors that fource a brand to consider a move to offshore manufacturing, I do somewhat cringe when there website says things like “We’re…

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Back home again….

September 13, 2007

Business, Design, Manufacturing, Strategy

Back in sunny (well dark actually) North Canterbury after a couple of days in Napier. I’ve been doing some consultancy work through designindustry for FPG, a world leader in retail cabinet and store improvement solutions. This is a real…

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