SMEs are the backbone of global economies.

90% of businesses

70% of jobs

70% of GDP

"But despite their tremendous global impact, SMEs all around the world are frequently challenged by economic shocks and turbulences in environments that are often not favourable to their survival and expansion. Many have to prioritise their immediate existence over investing in business capabilities that can pay off in the longer term."

World Economic Forum Future Readiness of SMEs Report (2022)

And they dominate the New Zealand business landscape.

97% of businesses

30% of jobs

25% of GDP

"However, less than 30% of small businesses (0-19 people) and less than 50% of small-medium businesses (20-49 people) survive for 10 years +."

MBIE Small Business fact sheet (2022)

GEOGRAPHICAL SCOPE

AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND

The initial research focus is on the Aotearoa New Zealand SME ecosystem and is open to SMEs and startups from all regions, places, cities and towns.

BEYOND OUR SHORES

People from other countries are also invited to participate because all of the data and insights captured will begin to inform the development of a platform for expanding this project globally. The nature and timing of this will be determined by what we learn from the data collected in this initial phase.

PROJECT LENSES

SOCIETAL SHIFTS

NEW BUSINESS MODELS

ETHICS & PRINCIPLES

EMERGING DISTRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES

These four learning foundations from the Master of Technological Futures Programme are being used as research lenses through which to look at the sustainability of the SME ecosystem. Understanding the degree to which they are helping or hindering SMEs is a critical goal of this research.

WHY GET INVOLVED?

Simple. Despite all the expert advice and marketing hype we are drowning in these days, your long-term sustainability and success ultimately comes down to one thing. You. So this project is an opportunity to quieten all the noise and to begin exploring new and different ways of growing and sustaining not only your business, but also yourself and the things that most matter to you.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

This phase is open to any SME owner (or anyone *contemplating a startup) who is interested in contributing to, and learning from, discussions about how we might better sustain the long-term social, environmental and economic impact of the SME ecosystem.

WHAT'S THE FOCUS?

There are three areas we are exploring during this first phase of the research and they are deliberately broad in nature. This is because we don't want to restrict or confine the perspectives and experiences that participants might want to bring to the discussion during this early phase.

*If you are contemplating a startup, the value in your participation will be in getting a deeper understanding of what has brought you to this point and getting some fresh perspectives on your future expectations.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?

To make participation as flexible and accessible as possible, there are currently three options:

Group Discussion: For those who prefer a vibrant group conversation with a diverse range of people and personalities from equally diverse professional and personal backgrounds. This is a 45 minute zoom session for up to 6 people per group.

Individual Conversation: For those who prefer a more personal one-to-one chat. This is a 30 min private conversation on zoom.

Written Response: For those who prefer a bit of reflection before putting their thoughts out into the world. This is an online form designed to help you share your perspectives at your own pace and in your own way.

JOIN THE SEARCH

Phase one of this research is now complete (as at the end of June 2024). I am currently planning phase two for which the information will be available from mid-July onwards.

• Research information, ethics and consent

Kia ora and welcome!It’s so encouraging to know that you’re interested in reimagining not only your own future, but also that of the critically important SME ecosystem.My name is Brett Oetgen and having spent many decades working in SMEs across the professional services and social enterprise sectors in both Aotearoa New Zealand and overseas, this project has been a lifetime in the making. It has now also become the centrepiece of my study for a Master of Technological Futures degree at academyEX. This real-world programme has become a platform to bring this venture to life in ways I never imagined possible.The research component is being guided by academyEX academic and project advisor Dr Sylvia Hach. A scientist and clinician, Sylvia has an immense depth of experience in the fields of applied and theoretical research which continues to transform my approach to the project.The overall aim of the work is to learn how to better sustain the long-term growth, impact and survival of SMEs; something the sector has long struggled with. As we don't yet fully understand why that is, the research focus is becoming increasingly critical - both to the requirements of the study programme and to the real-world project outcomes. So your participation is vital.In choosing to participate in this project you will be providing direct input into better understanding the real-world opportunities and challenges that SMEs face. You will be contributing to the ground up development of potentially revolutionary new ways to better sustain and nurture the SME ecosystem.DATA COLLECTION
GROUP DISCUSSIONS & INDIVIDUAL CONVERSATIONS:
These sessions are zoom recorded and after each session, participants can ask for a written transcript of the audio and can withdraw all or any portions of their data within 3 days of receiving the transcript.
WRITTEN RESPONSES:
Participants who take this option receive a copy of their responses and can withdraw all or any portions of their data within 3 days of receiving it.All recorded and written data is *anonymous and is used purely for the purposes of analysis to identify insights, commonalities, differences and patterns across different participants and SME groups.

Your name and any information that may identify you will be kept completely *confidential. All information collected from you will be stored on a password protected file and only you, myself and my advisor will have access to this information.Neither you nor your organisation will be identified in any of my project outputs unless I receive permission from you beforehand. The results of the research activity will not be seen by any other person in your organisation without the prior agreement of everyone involved.If you agree to participate, you will be asked to confirm that you have read this Research Information, Ethics and Consent page. This does not stop you from changing your mind if you no longer wish to participate and you can withdraw at any point. You can contact the Project Lead at brett.missingdots@gmail.com if you have any questions, concerns or wish to withdraw.DUE DILIGENCE
As lead researcher, I will take every reasonable action to ensure that neither you nor your organisation (if applicable) will be identified in any report, publication or other output of this research project. This includes avoiding attributing any idiosyncratic comments that would obviously expose your identity. I note however that I cannot completely exclude the risk that participants may be identifiable to those who know them by their views. The results of the research activity will not be seen by any other person in your organisation without the prior agreement of everyone involved. You are free to ask me not to use any of the information you have given, and you can, if you wish, ask to see the relevant sections of the report before it is submitted for assessment.This study has been approved by academyEX Research, Enterprise and Ethics (REE) Working Group so if you have any complaints or reservations about the ethical conduct of this research, you may contact the REE through the chair, Dr David Parsons (david.parsons@academyex.com). Any issues you raise will be treated in confidence and investigated fully, and you will be informed of the outcome.THANK YOU.Brett Oetgen
Project Creator