A recent survey conducted by the Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce has revealed that the majority of local businesses expect their productivity to remain stable or improve this year, with only 10% anticipating a decline.
The Chamber’s annual survey includes 140 predominantly small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), primarily operating in professional, scientific, and technical services, followed by financial and insurance services, manufacturing, and healthcare/social assistance sectors.
Half of the respondents predicted improved business productivity in the next six months, 40% expected no change, and 10% foresaw a decline.
Meanwhile, enhancing operational efficiency has been identified as the primary challenge for businesses in Hawke’s Bay.
Additional challenges involve effective marketing and brand development, along with workplace wellness.
“We’ve increased the number of networking events based on feedback to provide businesses more chances to connect, share ideas, and grow together,” Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce CEO Karla Lee said. She noted that the survey results clearly underscore the critical role of networking and collaboration within the business community.
“Attendance opens the door to new business leads, potential partnerships, and access to the support networks that underpin business growth and resilience,” Lee added.
Survey Background
- Businesses involved in the survey were mainly small enterprises, including 30% with 2-5 employees, 25.7% with 11-50 employees, and 15% sole traders.
- The majority of responses came from business owners (40%), followed by managers (33.6%) and directors (11.4%).
- Demographically, 82.1% of respondents identified as non-Māori/non-Pasifika, while 10% reported Māori ownership and 2.9% Pasifika ownership.
- 53.6% of the surveyed small businesses primarily target local customers, 35% focus on the national market, while 11.4% cater to international clients.