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Putting responsible business practices in place is often an overlooked opportunity to invest in the future of your business. ESG expectations and obligations are rising. Unfortunately, this can be perceived as a negative: a cost to be faced, a risk, and an annoying box-ticking exercise. However, it’s time to flip the script and seize this opportunity to build a better, more resilient enterprise.

“It feels like sales are falling off a cliff” - or words to that effect – are an all-too-common occurrence in a business community battling high costs as households continue to tighten the purse strings. If you’re experiencing stagnant or declining sales, there are some practical steps you can take to help your business stay the course during tough economic times. The following tips will not only help you navigate a downturn, they’re also part of good hygiene practices you should revisit on a regular basis to improve your business’s performance and build resilience throughout your organisation.

Major public sector agencies have been instrumental in driving lasting benefit through strategic procurement and broader outcomes. Think hydro dams, railways and hospitals built by the previous generation. This approach has lifted the quality and resilience of public services, the capability of a range of suppliers and also set a precedent for addressing the burgeoning issue of infrastructure technical debt.

The US is the bastion of capitalism – and yet it is committing to building a greener, more sustainable future. It has recently done something revolutionary, investing in transforming its economy for the better. Biden’s signature piece of policy, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, is a powerful tool for positive change. It provides $500 billion in new spending and tax breaks that will boost the green transition, encourage investment in R&D, and support its manufacturing and agricultural sectors.

Sustainability is a business imperative: Embrace it or fall behind

The Budget is an exercise in resource allocation – trying to divvy out a limited pool of money across an almost endless list of New Zealand’s needs and wants. Nearly infinite demand but restricted resources: it’s the underlying challenge for all economics. But with some creative thinking and ideas, Budget 2023 can deliver meaningful outcomes for people and the planet.

Degrowth is a concept that’s rapidly gaining traction, and put simply, it’s a planned reduction and change in the way we use materials and energy.

We’re constantly chasing growth – in our businesses, our economies and even our personal lives. But at what cost?

Circular revolutionaries share their insights into creating a low carbon economy

Welcome to the Q2 2022 edition of our procurement index, which analyses the buying conditions facing businesses.

If the Budget genie sprung from its lamp and asked me what I’d like delivered in Budget 2022, I would ask for: The Public Finance Act to be reformed, more Jobs for Nature, and a ceiling on our carbon emissions.

Construction plays a big part in an economy, being one of the biggest in our industries but it's broken. With rising prices of material costs, inflation, and shortages, we have five ways to tackle exorbitant construction costs.

Take a look into the future of the climate crisis and what New Zealand could do to achieve a sustainable future.

The new Waste Minimisation (Information Requirement) Regulations 2021 make it mandatory for waste management facilities to keep records about the waste they’re receiving and where it’s going. Signpost of the direction the Government is taking with waste management – something that will have an impact on not only every local council, but every Kiwi household as well.

Building resilience through technology is something that all businesses should have started thinking about or better yet, actioning, yesterday. As we come into the digital age, businesses have to take the leap in letting go of the status quo.

Welcome to the first edition of the Grant Thornton Procurement Index which analyses the buying conditions facing businesses.