Meghshyam Prakash | Ricketts Kupe Leadership Scholar

Masters of Commerce

Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are a significant component of everyday life. They make up 70% of the Global GDP worldwide and 99% of all our Business in New Zealand. However, constant labour, capital, and innovation shortages plague our operators from reaching their full potential. The constant threat of external factors makes running an SME in our dynamic world a continuous risk. Growing up in one of Northland's most iconic family businesses has taught me many life lessons, and a proper understanding of the grit it takes to run a business. However, has it become time to change how we operate SMEs? Have the gruelling hours, shrinking profit margins, and constant staff shortages signalled a new era of SMEs? One that can innovate not only to survive but scale and thrive without exhaustion of physical and mental wellbeing?
 
Our rangatahi make up 33% of our population, but 100% of our future. They will become our next business leaders and deserve a less abrasive way of operating. My passions lie in the intersections of start-ups, supply chains, and SMEs- intertwined with a common why.

Make. Te. Tai. Tokerau. The world's most prosperous, and happiest region.
 
Manaaki whenua, manaaki tangata, haere whakamua!

Sponsor: Fran and Geoff Ricketts, CNZM

Mentor: Bruce Aitken, Former President and Chief Executive of Methanex, former chair at the University of British Columbia's Centre for CEO Leadership, Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Auckland Business School.