How good storytelling can help NZ both boost business and save lives
News from the New Zealand startup ecosystem, straight to your inbox.
Good morning Caffeinators.
We’re kicking off today with a Friday Feature with one of the funniest and most fascinating people in NZ Tech, CEO of NZ Story, David Downs.
And alongside your Daily Shot we’ve got our curated ‘Weekend Fuel’ list, including some non fiction for those wanting to learn something this weekend and something spooky for those already gearing up for Halloween.
On a personal note, I’m off to the US for the next few weeks to soak up some election madness and watch the potential series finale of America live. I will be back mid-November but am leaving you in Lauren and the team’s capable hands!
Keep an eye out for some big news next week on some exciting new changes coming to Caffeine 👀
Finn & the Caffeine Team
‘Genetically Modified Optimist' David Downs on how good storytelling can help NZ both boost business and save lives
From working at Microsoft, being a published author and professional comedian, to surviving terminal cancer by becoming a literal genetically modified organism, it’s fair to say David Downs has a more interesting story than most.
Now, as CEO of NZ Story, Downs is on a mission to help Kiwi businesses and organisation’s tell their stories more effectively, informed by his life experience and cultural heritage.
“My parents are Irish, and in the Irish tradition, very much like the Māori tradition, most wisdom is passed down orally,” Downs told Caffeine.
“Stories explain the world. The Māori history and legends are not just made up things, they’re actually an attempt to explain the world and carry knowledge through the ages. In thousands of years of telling each other stories and it’s still a visceral part of our core being and who we are.”
According to Downs, telling a good story about your business or service is also core to success. On the other hand, not being able to tell a compelling story can doom even the most promising product.
While Kiwis’ reflexive humility and dislike of arrogance are generally good things, Downs says sometimes we take them too far.
“You’ve got to bring a level of ambition and confidence to your storytelling, that isn’t arrogance,” says Downs.
“I’ve got so many stories of seeing New Zealand businesses who have genuinely world-leading or game-changing technology that often undersell, and either they’re shy about it or they’re trying to be too humble, and they sometimes shoot themselves in the foot.”
Part of building that confidence is not shying away from tying your startup’s story to the broader New Zealand story. Downs says we sometimes forget how much of an asset, not a liability, coming from down under can be and how fascinated overseas markets are by Kiwis.
“A few years ago, every New Zealand business in the tech sector used to literally get a PO box in the USA and try to adopt a slight American accent and they answer the phone because they all thought that no one would want to work for a New Zealand tech company,” Downs laughed.
Deloitte report expects billions in productivity gains from UFB fibre: When hearing about technology unlocking ‘billions in productivity gains’ you likely immediately start think about Artificial Intelligence but one of the great unsung heroes of our tech infrastructure is getting some love in a new report from Deloitte. As Chris Keall writes, “The report sees a “productivity uplift” from fibre over the next decade that could add a cumulative $163b to NZ’s gross domestic product (GDP) over the next decade as GDP benefits reach $33.2b per year by 2033. Read more.
Agritech Scaleup Onside recognised as one of fastest growing Tech Company in Christchurch and Upper South Island: Congratulations to Onside for being named in The Deloitte Fast 50. The program honours the most innovative businesses that have achieved remarkable revenue growth over the past three years. Onside has stood out as the leader in Christchurch and upper South Island, alongside other agribusiness and tech innovators across New Zealand including Halter, SpringSheep and Mastaplex. Read more.
New Advisory Firm Targets Underserved Tech Founders: We love to see new services launching to help foster new founders, so congrats to Voluntas Group for launching ‘Voluntas Elevate’, designed for early-stage founders, those with momentum and ready to scale, and those stalled between growth phases. Voluntas Elevate's core services are designed for growth and scaling, planning and governance, capital acquisition, and talent development and acquisition. Read more.
Media isn’t easy, and to keep going, we need your help.
If CAFFEINE matters to you, here’s how you can back us:
Readers: Subscribe for $15 a month. Every bit helps. If you're not in a position to support please consider sharing the free feed with friends or family.
Founders: Become a CAFFEINE patron and help others achieve what you have. Make a donation of your choice on the button below or drop us a line.
Startup leaders: Buy a discounted subscription for your team to keep them informed and inspired. Click the ‘group’ plan on the subscribe page.
Corporates & Brands: Partner with us and show your commitment to our startup ecosystem. Buy a day, run an event, create some paid content, back our pods.
🚀 Together, let’s fuel the next wave of New Zealand startups.
Here’s what’s on our radar. Hit us with your own recommendations.
Pivot with Kara Swisher and Scott Gallaway: I know, I already told you to listen to legendary tech journalist Kara Swisher’s other podcast but for those who prefer a chattier format that’s still incredibly informative, check out Pivot. She hosts with serial entrepreneur Scott Gallaway, who was was memorably described as “Gordan Gekko with a social conscience”. Between them they have an insane level of knowledge about the startup and tech ecosystems but the real reason to listen is just how much goddam fun they seem to be having together ~ FH.
Book: The End of the World is just the Beginning - Peter Zeihan, Geopolitical strategist and man with the coolest job title on Earth is one of the most fascinating people you can read. He argues that 2019 was the last great year any of us will experience, as it was the peak of a global economic and political system which is now unravelling. He speaks in bombastic terms and makes sweeping predictions (China will stop existing as a country within decades, for example) but also backs himself up with some cold hard data which will inform you as much as it will scare you. ~FH
Cuckoo: Anyone sad they don’t have more Euphoria to watch or wanting an early Halloween flick, I very much recommend Hunter Shcafer’s latest, Cuckoo. It combines a genuinely frightening monster with an emotionally resonant story about grief, spectacular cinematography and scorching pair of lead performances to make this a perfect choice for anyone getting into the spooky spirit. Side note, Dam Steven’s of Downtown Abbey plays the villain and honestly that man needs to be given every sinister role on Earth from here on out ~ FH
Something to sip on: The Last Word
A cocktail that lives up to its name, this is a drink with a fresh, complex flavour that is still incredibly simple to make. I am not usually a fan of Chartreuse but I will bet good money that anyone making this will not be disappointed ~ FH.
Ingredients
20 ml gin
20ml ml green Chartreuse
20ml ounce maraschino liqueur
20ml ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
Garnish: brandied cherry (optional)
Method:
Add the gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur and lime juice into a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.
Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Garnish with a brandied cherry.
Enjoy!
That’s it for today, thanks for reading. Want to get in touch with a news tip, bit of feedback or just to chat? Email hello@caffeinedaily.co. Look after yourselves and each other this weekend and we’ll see you Monday.