Saturday, November 07, 2026
NZIER's September survey shows firms far more upbeat while actual trading was flat. Here is what that gap means for an NZ owner, and three numbers to check this week before you spend a dollar.
Most owners do not have a strategy problem. They have a doing problem: the plan exists, the whiteboard is full, and the month still disappears into urgent work. Making It Happen is the Simple-Growth program built for that gap. It is a self-paced video masterclass, priced at $297 (one payment, instant access), with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Last updated 10 November 2026.
Disclosure. Simple-Growth sells this program. Everything about its contents and price below comes from the live sales page, read on 9 November 2026. Results vary and are not guaranteed.
The sales page lists six areas: beating procrastination, productivity systems, prioritizing, implementing strategy, building accountability, and getting things done. It includes pre-made templates, a key points summary, real-world examples and Kevin's tips. It is written for ambitious small-business owners in the United States and New Zealand.
Business owners now have more tools than ever. The US Census Bureau's Business Trends and Outlook Survey found that 19.8% of US firms reported using AI as of May 3, 2026, and that less than 20% of firms with four or fewer employees reported using it. The point is not about AI. It is that having access to something and building it into a weekly routine are different things. Implementation is a skill, and it can be learned.
| It may suit you if | You may want something else if |
|---|---|
| You know what to do but keep not doing it | You are not sure what the real constraint is (start with a free call, or Know Your Future at $497 to define destination and roadmap) |
| You run your business solo or with a small team and have no one holding you to account | You need a team-wide operating system with a coach on site |
| You want templates and a repeatable weekly routine | You want live, one-on-one feedback (book coaching instead) |
| You prefer to learn at your own pace for under $300 | You have already used a productivity method for 90 days and it works |
| Option | Typical shape | Best when |
|---|---|---|
| A productivity book | Low cost, self-directed | You are disciplined and need ideas |
| Making It Happen ($297) | Video masterclass, templates, summary, 30-day guarantee | You need a structure for execution |
| Quick Wins ($97) | 15 fast ways to grow sales | You need quick sales ideas first |
| Know Your Future ($497) | Vision, workbook, roadmap | You need direction before speed |
| One-on-one coaching | Scoped to your business | You want accountability and judgment on your own numbers |
If it has not been useful, the page says to ask for a refund within 30 days.
Quick answers
How long does it take? The page does not state a total running time. It is self-paced.
Is it only for US owners? It is written for ambitious owners in the US and New Zealand.
Is there a guarantee? A 30-day money-back guarantee. Results are not guaranteed.
Not sure it is the right step? Book the free 30-minute call.
Source: US Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey: AI use by US businesses (May 2026). Program page: Making It Happen.
Not sure if Making It Happen is your next step? Start with a free conversation.
Friday, September 25, 2026
Most SME owners plan Q4 revenue without planning the capacity to deliver it. Here's the one-hour Capacity Reality Check that catches the gap before October does.
Friday, September 25, 2026
Waiting to hire a coach until you're "big enough" doesn't save money — it delays the point where the advice starts compounding. Here's the payback framework.
Friday, September 25, 2026
Fewer than 0.5% of businesses ever reach $10M. Here's why growth stalls again at $5-10M, and the infrastructure audit that breaks through the second plateau.
Friday, September 25, 2026
FMCG value grew 3.4% in 2025 — but innovation volume fell 5.8%, propped up entirely by price. Here's the three-question test to run before your next product launch, so growth is real, not just repriced.
Friday, September 25, 2026
Most SME owners build next year's budget before locking next year's strategy — then wonder why the numbers don't add up. Here's the sequence that fixes it before Q4 planning starts.
Friday, September 25, 2026
Holiday spending has already shifted to October — and SME owners still planning a November launch are chasing demand that's gone. Here's the 10-week runway that gets ahead of it.
Friday, September 25, 2026
Most sales teams default to the same easy offer every time, leaving your highest-margin products unsold. Here's the Full Menu Selling framework that fixes it without a new script.
Friday, September 25, 2026
Recurring meetings that never resolve aren't a communication problem — they're a decision backlog costing your business real money. Here's the 3D Decision Rule that clears it.
Friday, September 25, 2026
Calling a coach only when something breaks isn't coaching — it's crisis management with a label on it. Here's why the Proactive Coaching Cadence delivers a stronger return.
Friday, September 25, 2026
Most SME growth ceilings are self-imposed, not market-imposed — built by founder control, outdated systems, and internal structure. Here's the Ceiling Test that reveals it.
Friday, September 25, 2026
Small business AI adoption hit 74% this year, with real ROI: $4,100 saved annually on scheduling and payroll alone. But the smallest businesses, who need the time back most, adopt it least.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
NZ business confidence just held near a multi-year high — but ANZ's own August data shows profit expectations posted their sharpest monthly fall on record. Here's the three-step Cost-Profit Scissor test to check if your margin is keeping pace with your optimism.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Two businesses can grow 30% the same year and end up in opposite positions. Here's the Funding Source Audit that shows which kind you're building.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Hired a coach, saw a spark, then stopped renewing? The problem usually isn't the coach — it's the switching. Here's why coaching compounds.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Eleven hours worked, exhausted by 7pm — but how much of it actually moved the business forward? Here's the two-question Impact Filter.