New Zealand Top And Bottom Of The World In Global Business Survey Findings
New Zealand businesses have more concerns than elsewhere in the world about Government regulation and red tape, and have
fewer exporters than the global average, but they do lead the world in turning to technology to improve profitability.
These are among the key New Zealand findings from the International Business Owners Survey (IBOS) carried out by
chartered accountants and business advisers Grant Thornton and released globally today. It is the first time New Zealand
firms have been included in the global survey.
Other findings included the fact that New Zealand is among four countries with a particularly positive employment
situation, and a nation where bills are paid relatively quickly by international standards.
But on the export side, New Zealand falls down badly in linguistic ability ? it is at the bottom of the class when it
comes to having the ability to negotiate in more than one language.
The international survey covered 6,900 independent, medium-sized* businesses, including 150 in New Zealand.
Grant Thornton New Zealand chairman Peter Sherwin said today: "The New Zealand findings overall provide serious food for
thought.
"The issue of Government constraints remains at the top of business owners' minds, which translates to more solutions
needing to be found in this area. >From an economy point of view, this negative perception is not helpful.
"It is also obvious that more needs to be done on the export promotion and education front. It is disappointing to see
the lack of second-language skills, and this of course can be a factor in our export performance."
Mr Sherwin said it was heartening, however, to see confirmation of the uptake of new technology as a profitability
improvement tool.
He said the survey provided valuable information for New Zealand businesses because, for the first time, they could see
how they fared against other countries in vital areas for success.
"Through this international benchmarking they can see where the shortcomings are. These comparative measurements are
important in New Zealand improving its commercial competitiveness."