Business strategy stories

New research finds 85% of firms trial AI but only 17% use it daily, with weak knowledge governance blamed for stalled adoption.

Australian tech leaders shift AI from trials to daily operations, but warn a gap in skills and infrastructure risks stalling productivity gains.

As Kiwis increasingly ‘ask AI’ before buying, leaders must learn to shape algorithm answers or risk losing control of their brand story.

AI agents are rapidly transforming sales teams in Australia and New Zealand, slashing grunt work and reshaping how sellers prospect and close deals.

As AI reshapes marketing, leaders say careers will depend less on tactics and more on systems thinking, judgement and commercial clarity.

Aerospike Database 8 now embeds default dynamic data masking, tightening PII protection while easing compliance and operational overhead.

CFOs are funnelling 2026 budgets into tech, AI and sales, while easing back on hiring, HR spending and rapid pay growth.

AI is reshaping PR, but leaders warn the winners in 2026 will be those who keep strategic communications firmly human-led.

AI-powered tools are rapidly reshaping UK retail as most shoppers embrace chat-based assistants and retailers ramp up investment for 2026.

AI rollouts are lifting UK staff engagement, but new research warns unapproved ‘shadow AI’ use is outpacing employers’ controls.

Avanade has appointed Chris Howarth as CEO, succeeding Rodrigo Caserta, who departs after 11 years to lead SME and channel for Microsoft.

Zendesk promotes Craig Flower to chief operating officer, tasking him with accelerating its AI-first customer service and operations strategy.

Australian small firms race to use AI in design, but research shows most still insist on human hands to shape trusted, distinctive brands.

Amazon, Temu and Shein are forcing Australian retailers to speed up delivery, fix fulfilment bottlenecks and rethink toughened returns.

AI disruption, cyber threats and inflation now rank as top concerns for Australasian CEOs, even as most still plan to expand in 2026.

Mercury Analytics says AI will turn open-ended feedback into measurable insight by 2026, reshaping how organisations use qualitative data.

LG posts record 2025 revenue of AUD 88.6 trillion but operating profit slips on U.S. tariffs, EV slowdown and one-off restructuring costs.

Analytic Partners named a Leader in Forrester’s 2026 marketing measurement Wave after topping current offering and scoring highly on strategy.

New Zealand’s IT distributors clock over NZD $2.1b in 2024 turnover, with Ingram Micro, Dicker Data and TD Synnex leading the pack.

Gender equity in tech is no longer a moral sidebar but a core performance lever, boosting execution, innovation, retention and resilience.