New Zealand is a country of SMEs, with many opportunities to grow. To do so successfully involves the same factors, regardless of industry: turnover is vanity, profit is sanity, and cashflow is reality.To ensure progress, Dr Christine Woods proposes the notion of disciplined entrepreneurship: a toolkit for sustainable business growth. She will discuss the role of owner-managers, recognising opportunities in the market, and exploring the economic environment — all within the context of progress for SMEs.Both theoretical and practical, these principles are drawn from reflections of her work in the retail, agribusiness, tech, and manufacturing sectors, as well as lessons learnt along the way with businesses from India, Africa, and beyond. This presentation intends to be the start of a conversation, a direction, and a vision for those who are looking to take their SME further.

Dr Christine Woods is an Associate Professor at the University of Auckland Business School and a member of the ICEHOUSE directing team. Her research interests and consultancy work often involve SMEs, family businesses, Māori entrepreneurship, and social enterprises. The second edition of the book she co-authored, Changing Gears: How to Take Your Kiwi Business From the Kitchen Table to the Board Room, is due to be released later this year.