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Why Doing Less (the Right Way) Could Be Your Best Move in 2025

"I don’t really have an end to my year.” Those words from a client hit me hard this week—and the truth of them is undeniable. As the year winds down, there’s a lot of talk about resetting, refocusing, and taking a breather from the chaos of the past twelve months. But let’s face it: if you’re an entrepreneur, there’s no real pause button. No neat ending. No clean slate. Maybe a couple of days off over Christmas—if you’re lucky—before it’s back to the grind. Sound ...

Mānawatia a Matariki

I hope you made the most of the long weekend by gathering for feasting and storytelling, strengthening bonds, and passing on traditions. You know I love the summer months, but winter brings its own goodness, like snuggling up with loved ones around a fire! There's something mesmerizing about watching flames dance and hearing the crackling of wood. This ambiance encourages introspection and contemplation. The quiet moments around a fire allow you to slow down, reflect on your thoughts and fe...

Your star burns bright. Happy Matariki!

Kia ora  to the winter months and the dazzling beauty of our southern skies! I hope some of you were lucky enough to catch the Aurora Australis. WHAT a precious curtain raiser to the magic of Matariki! I wanted to do something a little different this time and offer some personal reflections on Ngā Mata o te Ariki Tāwhirimātea ('The eyes of the god Tāwhirimātea') as Matariki offers such a rich tapestry of cultural, astronomical, and ecological significance for Aotearoa. It also got...

Eating frogs and clearing fog

Kia ora,This month I’ve mostly been consuming amphibians. OK, let’s clear that up.“Eat the frog” was coined by motivational speaker Brian Tracy and means dealing with difficult and tedious tasks before doing the ones you’d like to do. And it works!Maybe it’s the time of year. I’m seeing people feeling a bit messy, too many tabs open, struggling to find order. For many, the clocks going back is like a bell of doom, and while it’s tough out there, we can’t let this derail us from...

The Icehouse Podcast A Seat At The Table: Kim HIll

Episode 20 of A Seat at the Table is with guest, Kim Hill, Founder of Stratigi, Coach, Marketing Expert and Māori Business Leader.Kim is a passionate business owner and mentor supporting businesses in leadership. Kim unpacks the mountain top moments and deep valley challenges, her purpose to see Māori and Pakeha businesses succeed and her philosophy for meaningful impact....

Unleash Your Summer Vibes! Sizzle, Chill, and Thrive!

Well, here we are whānau! Nearly at the end of 2023! What a ride! This last quarter has been filled with traveling all around the motu, making the Māori Women’s Development business awards – where I was proud to see several of my clients as nominees/winners– and just last weekend the beautiful wedding of one of my three sons. So I’ve been surrounded by love, laughter, and moko cuddles and giggles.  I also had a rebrand. Head to stratigi.com to check out the new look, som...

That's a wrap!

Thank you for all the great feedback I have received in response to my posts over the last 20 days, and for all your support over the last 20 years.  Hopefully you’ll all know now that I eat, sleep, and breathe strategy and fill my cup equipping and inspiring others.You have one last chance to win a free 60 minute consult with me by liking or commenting on any of the posts from my 20 days of content and I will announce the winner next Wednesday 6th December.  Movember is almost done ...

Stratigi is 20! And we have 20 days of content for you, a must to read and get amongst it!

20 years ago I started my own business consultancy Stratigi Turning 20 in business has been very reflective for me. Only 25% make it beyond 15 years and there’s been plenty of blood, sweat and tears along the way – and not always my own! So I’m a little bit older than Facebook, and a little bit younger than Fonterra!I’m really proud of what I’ve done, what I do and the amazing people I’ve worked with along the way. Some things haven’t changed:My passion for helping K...

Matariki 2023: The Making of Stars

Chilly days are here, but how gorgeous has the sunshine been? Mother Nature is still dealing out some tough times to many Kiwis and my heart goes out to you all. This is the time to rug up and get cosy. A bit restrictive for a summer bunny like me, but I’m embracing it because all the seasons serve a purpose. Despite the weather, I remain a member of the 5am club, a habit I have loved for many years. It ensures I start everyday right and at my best. Three of those days you will find ...

A GOLDEN time to get ahead

Clocks turned back, firewood stacked, winter blankets unpacked?Yep. Winter. Is. On. Its. Way. So summer was a dead loss, but believe me, there is PLENTY to get excited about over the next few weeks. I love this time of year for soooo many different reasons. Matariki coming up fast, a KING’S birthday public holiday to look forward to, and I bet plenty of you were happy to wave goodbye to tax season and the end of the financial year?!Secret. Another reason I love this time of year is becaus...

Kiwi resilience

Kia ora First of all, my heart goes out to the North Island, Hawkes Bay and everyone affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. Summer is hitting us with everything but those beautiful sunny days we know and love. Please stay safe and look after each other.  As I watched the devastating footage of the flooding, people were rolling up their sleeves, kicking off their shoes and getting on with helping others or making the best of their situation. I was in awe as I saw that little word in full effect...

Hunker down, sure. But don’t hibernate your purpose

Kia Ora, Well, we’ve certainly had a fair taste of winter haven’t we? Winter is great for hibernating, hunkering down and appreciating all your creature comforts. Does anyone really complain about sitting around a fire with the lights dimmed, snuggling up to your significant other or mokopuna?  But… but… but… when I started out as a business owner (more than a few spring tides ago!) I was given such a cool piece of advice. Never waste a winter!  Why? It’s a g...

Lighter and brighter. Why Matariki 2022 matters

Kia ora tatou,  Ngā mihi o Matariki, te tau hou Māori!Now’s the time to reflect on the year that has passed and plan for the year ahead.   Lighter and brighter. Why Matariki 2022 matters “Significant”. That’s my keyword for Matariki 2022. Yep, significant that it’s now recognised as a public holiday in Aotearoa – that’s cool. But much… MUCH… more importantly, it’s a chance to understand and appreciate life through the lens of Te Ao Māori –  wheth...

Must read from Kim Hill - People, people, people!

Kia Ora, It’s March. Just going to let that sink in with you for a moment. March. Only last night I was chatting to a life-long hoa and wahine business owner, and absolutely one of the most driven people I know. She was in tears; ‘to-do’ list looking like Mount Cook, and desperately seeking her post-Christmas mojo. She just needed to talk to someone. But she’s not the only one. So many not-just-business-folk tell me they’re waiting for their 2022 oomph to kick in, and it just ain’t h...

Nga mihi o te tau hou - The year of magical mindsets

Nga mihi o te tau hou  The year of magical mindsets Happy New Year, fab people! I hope you had a great break. I love how us Kiwis meet the challenge of each new normal head on. We’ve got this!  First up is to carry on doing all the things that we enjoyed doing over the holidays. I guarantee your year will be brimming with purpose, intent and positivity. Nurturing our hauora (wellness); our mind, body and soul, puts us in a great place to set our personal, whānau and business minds. ...

Embracing the F word in 2022...

Embracing the F word in 2022... Noooooo, not that one... My power word for now and the next twelve months is... “FOCUS”! As businesses, entrepreneurs, leaders, and yes, humans, we have had to adapt, pivot, remain agile, navigate through the ‘new normal'. Honestly, did any of us use any of those words two years ago? Now they live at the front of all my convos with business owners and their teams.  But hold tight! The holiday season is nearly here and we will get to share in some downti...

Big growth… for a little change

I often say that starting up is a whole lot easier than the growth stage. That’s where the real challenges come. Why? To achieve growth, you must have a desire to adapt to change. ‘Change’. Such a little word that comes with a whole lot of baggage and a whole lot of misconceptions. When I say that six-letter word to clients, one of two things happens. They go running for cover, or they say, ‘Sure. What can we change?’ It’s hard to move forward when you’ve been in business for a wh...

Last lockdown brought out amazing resilience, innovation and strength in us.

Kia ora tatou, I wanted to send you all some kia kaha vibes, virtual hugs and reassurance that we are in this crazy space together!  So – here we go again, same old show again… I’m sure there’s a song...  But it is of course different this time because, apart from the variant, we do know what to do (sort of) and it’s not such alien territory. We are better equipped – we have a toolbox this time whereas last time we had to build it from scratch. It may al...

Our mindset is core

Kia ora koutou katoa, Well, the roller coaster ride continues... Here’s to holding on and finding things to enjoy while we’re strapped in! With the constant uncertainty that has become our new normal, you don’t need me to tell you that now more than ever it’s a time for being agile and able to pivot – constant reset, in other words. Learn to roll with the punches and always have a backup plan. I believe that our mindset is core. I started to write that we need to embrace the pandemic b...

Must read from Kim HIll

Someone needs to pinch me – how on earth did we get to May so soon? Now we’re well into the new financial year! And brrrr… those cooler mornings and leaves falling. However, much as I am a summer fanatic, I recognise the importance of the seasons in nature and in our lives. So, on we go into winter, finding ways to keep warm and to keep laying solid foundations for our businesses. As I write this I am so conscious of the ravages COVID-19 is causing in India. My heart goes out to ...

Mānawatia a Matariki!

We’re certainly not alone in celebrating this year – from Bluff northwards, lights are being paraded in the darkness of winter while connections are made with fellow Kiwis and with the concept of Matariki itself. Hope you have been part of something awesome, or plan to be. There’ll be no excuse for any of us next year! Matariki has always been an important time for me, and I feel naturally attuned to Maramataka (the Maori lunar calendar), right down to what to plant whe...