I think I would be really hard pushed to find anyone on the planet who wouldn’t like to attend fewer work meetings.

Complaints about ‘meeting overload’ and the trials of a day of back-to-back meetings must echo around offices across the globe.

But there could be a answer in sight… (more…)

Traditional thinking in business is being turned on its head day in day out as technology allows us to work from anywhere anytime.

These new dynamics mean that every day, new jobs are invented that we have never heard of before.

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There are a number of signs that the long talked about green shoots are starting to show a hint of blossom in the post-economic crisis environment.

There are quite a few challenges yet to come, but some key indicators such as business confidence surveys, employment rates and increased business activity are looking positive.

But I have noticed that a (more…)

Just a couple of years ago, the headline above would have made absolutely no sense to anyone. In fact even today, a great number of people would still think it is gobbledegook. But the world is moving fast and what is one day a word or term that only makes sense to geeks, can almost overnight become everyday language.

We now “Google” things, and “Facebook” people rather than research things or write letters, and suddenly we are accustomed to it.

So let me explain today’s heading…

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As we head into a new decade and optimism increases as the green shoots of economic recovery grow leaves, there is going to be some exciting new thinking needed for doing business.

It is increasingly an era of customisation, where people have more and more say about the goods and services they buy, and how, where and when they get them.

In my area of expertise – commercial property leasing – the (more…)

Where and what people have for lunch can be a really interesting indicator about getting the location of business premises right.

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As New Zealanders we pride ourselves on our DIY can-do attitude and it gets us a long way.

But for a while now, business commentators have been challenging this approach saying the downside, particularly on the world stage, can be that a DIY approach is detrimental.

Our top businesses have it mastered, and in (more…)

A government select committee has this week started to listen to submissions on Auckland’s governance and how people view the plans and legislation for a Super City.

It is going to be fascinating to see the impact it will have on the region once the changes are implemented.

In the commercial property lease market, the way the councils throughout the region are reorganised could have a range of impacts. (more…)

To steal a line from the well-known telco ad, now is good for having a close look at reviewing commercial leases across New Zealand. There are a number of reasons why now is good.

Firstly, I think it’s time we moved on from a wait and see attitude about the markets and international economic conditions.

Secondly, there are very few new leases being drawn up at the moment. Many new building projects are on hold, and the majority of Parallel Direction’s work with tenants right now is getting better outcomes on renewals and rent reviews. (more…)

I love it when great ideas collide, offering far reaching solutions.

One such idea I just came across was the concept of a 14 Hour Working City from James Calder reflecting on new solutions for efficiency in London. (more…)

Don’t blame the recession for all those empty commercial properties you see. The recession is merely a short-term trend with a severe short-term impact on commercial property vacancy rates. But the digital age is a longer term trend with an even more profound impact on vacancy rates. (more…)

Now like never before, businesses need solid information for decision making.

There is certainly no lack of information around with Google at our fingertips. But the trick is to be able to discern the real oil; what’s accurate, and doesn’t have hidden agendas or bias.

The other thing is that people need that solid information fast, without spending hours researching.

Realising this need was part of my motivation to prepare Parallel Directions’ first e-book special report. The topic is: What You Should Be Aware of Before Relocating Commercial Premises. (more…)