Stellaris

24/07/2024

Can't argue with science

09/04/2023

YOUR STRATEGY IN THE CURRENT ECONOMY

Happy New (Financial) Year!

This month we do a deep dive into some key economic indicators that will inform what you need to do in your organisation to stay resilient over the next 18 months or so.

I also report back on my first six months as a counsellor on the Regional Council. Happy to get your comments about whether I am making progress for you.

https://www.stellaris.co.nz/index.php/6600-2/

01/02/2023

ECONOMICS

Happy New Year to you all!
The year ahead is full of opportunity for strategic decision making.

Yes, there has been some disturbing news in recent weeks: the lowest ever business confidence rating, the highest inflation since last century, the government passing 400 pages of amendments to a law they passed just 48 hours earlier, 40% increase in violent crime, a war in Ukraine etc.

At the same time there has been some good news:
I was elected to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council
Scientists have found cationic nanomaterials that can target specific areas of fat (https://www.engineering.columbia.edu/news/positively-charged-nanomaterials-treat-obesity)
146 new species were discovered in 2023 (https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/146-new-species-added-in-2022)
Retail spending fell $166 million in December and House prices are becoming more affordable.

This month I start a short series on the basics of economics. Understanding economic theory will make you better at strategy.
Enjoy!
https://www.stellaris.co.nz/index.php/6600-2/

28/01/2023

07/09/2022

This week I was interviewed by Ross at Sunlive about running for the BOP Regional Council. He asked me about my background as an economist (and the only candidate with a finance related degree). We discussed the challenges and also the opportunities I see for Tauranga.
Have a listen and tell me whether you agree that we need some Common Sense on Council.
https://buzzworthy.co.nz/podcast/8/ron-scott---bay-of-plenty-regional-council-candidate

04/09/2022

The big announcement this month is that I am standing for the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. If you are in Tauranga I would appreciate your vote. It is a postal vote so you have to find a postbox but I will aim to make it worth your while.

Please log on to my page at https://www.facebook.com/ronscottJP or have a look at my personal website: https://www.ronscott.co.nz/ to learn more.

UNDERSTANDING INFLATION
“Inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon, in the sense that it is and can be produced only by a more rapid increase in the quantity of money than in output.”

That famous quote from Milton Friedman basically says that if you keep printing money, or people keep borrowing money, but the amount of stuff to buy doesn’t keep up then prices will rise. On the other hand, if production really explodes, or people start to repay their borrowings then prices might even fall. (That is one of the reasons we track credit card debt in our statistics table every month).

It's all there in this month's Strategic Newsletter from Stellaris.
https://www.stellaris.co.nz/index.php/6600-2/

29/06/2022

BACK TO BASICS -BORING OLD SWOT ANALYSIS

This month we go back to basics: the boring old SWOT analysis. But why has this 50 year old strategic tool stood the test of time? Find out in today’s newsletter.

Then in the statistical conundrum I ask if you are the chicken or the Man! Don’t blame me -it's all Bertrand Russel’s idea…

And then, of course, we have the stable of statistics updated for this week’s GDP numbers.

It's all there in this month's Strategic Newsletter from Stellaris.
https://www.stellaris.co.nz/index.php/6600-2/

11/05/2022

Mike is a client of Stellaris and has created an incredible business which lists accommodation options for those who have difficulty accessing standard options when travelling.
Check it out:

A home for everyone. Michael Lloyd is the innovative and creative mind behind Accommodationz. For him, it’s about “getting people to think about what they would love their next accommodation experience to be like while also working together with them to achieve a common goal.” And what exactly...

30/04/2022

WHERE ARE THE MISSING BULLET HOLES IN YOUR BUSINESS? -IT’S WHAT YOU DON’T SEE THAT MATTERS

This month I tell a story about World War II and how it relates to your business. Clue: It has to do with the holes you don’t have.

Then I ask if New Zealand is really the great trading nation that we have come to believe.

As always I have a bank of statistics for you to have a look at. Are the Australians arriving yet? How many business closures have there been this month? Have kiwis opened their wallets to spend on credit cards?

It's all there in this month's Strategic Newsletter from Stellaris.
https://www.stellaris.co.nz/index.php/6600-2/

22/03/2022

"DOES HISTORY REPEAT? HOW TO PREPARE YOUR BUSINESS FOR THE FUTURE?"

This month we look at a theory which explains why each new generation behaves the way they do and why that is important for your business strategy.

I also ask some questions about the statistics that are showing up on our radar. And there is some reader feedback.

https://www.stellaris.co.nz/index.php/6600-2/

17/03/2022

Want to know things before everyone else?
Tonight TV3 had an item on the news about rising coffee prices. This is my post from December 3rd last year.
If you want to be three months ahead of the news follow my page and sign up for my Strategy Newsletter.
https://www.stellaris.co.nz/index.php/6600-2/

Is this the scariest picture you've ever seen?