INTHEBLACK November 2025 - Magazine - Page 9
“We need to spark growth through investment and competition — the best way
to do that is to reform our company tax system.”
AUSTRALIA’S PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION DEPUTY CHAIR DR ALEX ROBSON, ANNOUNCING DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS
IN THE COMMISSION’S INTERIM REPORT, CREATING A MORE DYNAMIC AND RESILIENT ECONOMY.
Closing the
NEW ZEALAND
digital divide
Digitalisation enhances how
businesses operate, innovate
and compete, but digital adoption
among New Zealand SMEs remains
fragmented, according to findings
of the Going digital in 2025 report.
Published by Xero and the
New Zealand Institute of Economic
Research, the report notes that while
the country’s productivity levels
“have historically lagged behind other
advanced economies” (based on data
from the Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development),
digitalisation presents a strategic
opportunity for SMEs to overcome
this issue. It shows that while many
New Zealand SMEs use digital tools
such as websites and email, fewer
adopt advanced technologies such
as cloud enterprise solutions,
e-commerce platforms or AI analytics.
Accelerating digitalisation among
SMEs presents a major economic
opportunity and has the potential
to boost New Zealand’s GDP by
up to NZ$8.6 billion (A$7.84 billion)
in 2025. To seize the opportunity,
the report recommends New Zealand
introduce a number of initiatives,
including scalable financial
incentives, stronger digital advisory
support, sector-specific initiatives,
digital skills training, investment in
SME-focused innovation hubs and
systematic tracking of progress.
Read the report
Asia supports new work week
A four-day work week model has received strong support from
employees in Asia, with a survey from recruitment firm Hays showing
respondents believe it would boost their productivity.
Almost 70 per cent of Hong Kong professionals believe they would
be more focused if required to complete work tasks within a four-day
timeframe. Meanwhile, 73 per cent of professionals in China say
they would maintain focus and productivity under a shorter
work-week model.
“As more data becomes available on the benefits of four-day
work weeks, the focus will shift to how organisations can strategically
implement this model,” says Sue Wei, managing director at Hays
Greater China. “The real challenge will be developing a clear road map
to adopt this change while staying competitive in an era in which
the skills in demand are evolving faster than ever before.”
Read the survey
intheblack.cpaaustralia.com.au 9
