‘Click-ready’ projects?
The government has allocated NZ$3 billion to ‘shovel-ready’ infrastructure projects. What would a click-ready project look like? How many billions are set aside for them?
Positive signs for New Zealand
Of the four points in this piece on Stuff, the first is the most powerful: A software developer in Hamilton commented to me recently that major international prospects had got used to doing business via video conference, and had simply stopped caring that he was based in New Zealand. Think of the miles that Kiwi …
Remote working opportunities?
This article on Stuff highlights the advantages of not having to physically present in an office. Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Miro, and other online tools have helped many teams to work remotely. In my unscientific sample, I see some people choosing to work from home and some glad to have an office to escape to. Some …
Increasing productivity
BNZ economist Paul Conway says the overarching objective of rebuilding the economy in the wake of COVID-19 must be to improve productivity and ensure the benefits are widely spread Interest.co.nz , 24 May 2020 An excellent statement of an ambitious direction for New Zealand. Next I’d like to see a discussion of the specific policies that …
Businesses see opportunity
From this article published in Stuff: “[Callaghan Innovation’s] survey of 775 businesses showed nearly 60 per cent thought the pandemic provided the possibility to accelerate their work or seize new opportunities (40 per cent reported cash flow was their biggest barrier)”. For examples of businesses with good work ready to be accelerated – and receiving …
Five point plan for digital inclusion
Internet New Zealand has released a five-point plan for digital inclusion in the post COVID-19 environment. This is important because all predictions are for high levels of unemployment. Many Kiwis, particularly those in the tourism sector, are about to find themselves “low-income New Zealanders”. Connectivity, devices, skills, and infrastructure in the very rural areas that …