Select an issue:
Sam speaks: Idealog #26, on sale from February 25 at good stores everywhere.
Interact
8 Editorial
No fear
12 A new angle on angels
Bill Payne, one of America’s leading angel investors, is in New Zealand for three months to share his 25 years’ experience with angels and entrepreneurs—and you can meet him for free.
16 Wiggs' way
Lance Wiggs helps with your tricky business problems.
Now
21 Small, but perfectly formed
Think of it as anti-bling: John Watt can make precious metal really, really small.
22 True detective
Leigh Hart’s perfect pitch.
23 New note
Mistreated by the music biz, Hollie Smith says she almost gave it away. But she’s back—and funky.
24 Green and mean
Supercar buyers usually want a fast ride and that’s all. Will they compromise for a beautiful hybrid?
26 Trade aid
Sam Morgan has put his fortune to use investing in Kiwi startups, funding a string of philanthropic ventures and helping environmental initiatives at home. It’s been a learning experience—but not, he says, a taxing one.
The Idealog Guide to Commercialising Your Ideas
34 It’s business time
If you’ve read part one of this guide you might be thinking, ‘I think I’ll just get started.’ Woah, there.
36 So far, so good—so what?
How do you know when your idea is really taking off, and what you need to do next?
38 Beyond organic growth
Kokako is getting accounting advice beyond the numbers
40 Putting other people’s money where your mouth is
You’ll need more money—much more. And a watertight business plan is the best way to get investors onside. Plus meet an angel.
44 Sporting chance
How a Kiwi web company protected its IP
46 A formula for secrets
If you are relying on trust, it’s because you haven’t done the right paperwork. Plus IP help on the cheap.
50 Let’s get personal
Create personalities for your products and your business.
52 Stand and deliver
“People think that the biggest hurdle is getting investors. It isn’t. It is getting customers.”
54 Shining light
When James Madelin developed and marketed new photographic equipment, BNZ was behind him all the way
56 Growing without the pain
To attract investment, think big.
58 Playing with the big boys
Kiwi businesses have too often been timid, flightless creatures. Plus the risk and our export checklist.
62 Dutch courage
A Fonterra partner turns to Accolade for innovation
64 Cashing in, selling out (& getting away with it)
“Art is never finished, only abandoned.” An exit strategy should be part of any business plan worth its salt. Plus what you’re really selling and the sale of the century.
68 Cool charm
iMonitor has a good idea licked into shape
70 Make change, not just money
There are easier ways to turn a dollar. Plus the fundamentals.
Features
76 Eight years and ‘7 days’
From humble beginnings living on expired two-minute noodles to the heady heights of TV3 comedy 7 Days, the founders of production company thedownlowconcept have built a business out of taking the piss. By Florence Noble.
82 Think small
There’s something odd about the very small: weird physics and some very big money. Bette Flagler meets the New Zealanders making giant strides at a nano scale.
90 Northern exposure
As Yogi Berra once said, “You can observe a lot by watching.” Dean Poole and Ben Corban, co-founders of Alt Group, would agree. On a European jaunt to pick up a coveted grand prix prize at the red dot design awards, they kept a detailed travelogue. Here are their top five observations and predictions for the year ahead.
96 Smile, you’re in New Zealistan
Catch those upstart Aussies by 2025. That’s the aim of John Key and his young Turks. Dream on, John. Government inaction and the biggest recession in 70 years are conspiring to bring us level with the home of Borat by 2025. Vincent Heeringa reckons we need a better plan to avoid becoming New Zealistan.
Workshop
117 Books in brief
Design we can believe in and marketing drivel.
118 History as it is rewritten
Our radical history
120 Overpaid and over here?
Our ads are getting ever more Kiwi. Our agencies, not so much.
120 Beyond 2010
The future doesn’t quite look how we imagined it would. Be grateful.
122 Pure propaganda
The World Expo should showcase Kiwi ideas—but Shanghai 2010 is a missed opportunity.
123 iThink iCan, iThink iCan
We want to buy, publishers want to sell, vendors want to ship. So where are our e-readers?
124 Alone in the dark
The internet knows no boundaries. Oh, wait …
126 A thrifty turnaround
Kiwis may be more confident—but they’re not voting with their wallets.
127 Miracle minnows
Films get made where the taxpayer lends a hand.
128 Parting shot
Big science
Plus
31 IdealGear
Idealog’s pick of design-led delights
104 Creative showcase: Web business
Web business | Viva la revolution! With the nature of business changing almost before our eyes, it’s time to take it online—or be left behind.
