Should your business go ‘remote-first’?
accelerateonline • February 28, 2023
Since the last of New Zealand’s lockdowns, many businesses have ditched remote working for good. But what are the benefits of taking a ‘remote-first’ approach?
Around the world, an increasing number of companies are making remote working the default option for staff, abandoning the office completely in favour of a more flexible model.
With a ‘remote-first’ approach, employees can work when and where it is most convenient for them. Each member of your team can perform their duties remotely, and the needs of remote workers are prioritised.
In a remote-first workplace:
- All employees can work 100% remotely if they want to
- There’s a small office or hub available for those in similar locations to socialise and collaborate
- The needs of remote employees come first
- All meetings are online
The benefits of going remote-first:
- A broader talent pool: There are no restrictions on where your staff members can be based when you adopt a remote-first strategy.
You could hire the best talent from across New Zealand or overseas. If staff are working from overseas, please do talk to us to manage both overseas and New Zealand tax considerations.
With the net cast wider, your talent pool could increase tenfold, giving you the edge as you look for the best staff. - Happier staff: Remote working can improve your team’s work/life balance. Placing more trust in your employees can lead to improved performance.
Accelerate - December 2023
Accelerate August 2023
Inland Revenue have recently announced this year’s livestock Herd Scheme Values and we think this is a great opportunity to update you on the latest movements. The Herd Scheme Values are the National Average Market Values, determined by a process involving a review of the livestock market as at 30 April.
The values for Dairy this year have seen a fall in values across all female classes, but increases across all male classes. The fall in R1 heifer values can be attributed to the prohibition of live export by sea commencing from 30 April 2023. For the first time the National Average Market Value for R1 Heifers is less than the National Standard Cost of breeding and rearing an R1 Heifer.
In contrast to Dairy values Beef values have increased on average 9% and are almost at record values for all classes.
Sheep values have all fallen from the high of 2022, slipping back an average of 10.2%. Whilst values have fallen, they are still either the second or third highest that they have ever been depending on which class of sheep you are looking at.
Goat values have increased on average 7.8% with almost all classes of fibre and meat producing goats at record highs. The value of milking goats continues to be well down from historic highs, except for breeding bucks which are at their highest value.
Like the rest of the world, New Zealand has reeled from the aftermath of Covid, rising inflation and interest rates, and the cost-of-living crisis. This year we also have a massive storm damage repair bill.
Any tax cuts, or changes to the tax thresholds were vetoed in Budget 2023 as this was viewed as worsening inflation.
Budget 2023 builds on the $889m already provided in response to this year’s storms. A further $6b is allocated for a National Resilience Plan , for rebuilding after weather events. $71b is committed to new and existing infrastructure projects: not only storm damaged communications, power and roading, but schools, hospitals, public housing, rail and road.
