In the PC world I generally knew the answer. Here I knew nothing. I was a fish out of water and up a creek without a paddle, writes Chris Barton.

Benchmarks are relatively important to investors: without them the performance figures churned out by fund managers dissolve into random floating numbers, writes David Chaplin.

It could be a better way of making a sales presentation, creating repeat sales, generating referral business or resolving customer concerns.

Tom Hartmann takes a moment to look at a fundamental of investing: how soon you need your money back.

Two autopilot tricks you can set up so business opportunities come to your inbox daily, writes Debbie Mayo Smith.

Should we be dismayed or relieved at the disarray the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations are in? Sorry, but on the information to hand it is impossible to say.

The tide has turned on the economic boom. The slump in dairy prices has once again laid bare the vulnerabilities of a commodity-dominated economy.

Is an overseas Kiwi student entitled to the Govt tax credit of $521.43 each year if making a minimum voluntary contribution of $1,042.86?

Net migration is increasing our population by more than 1 per cent a year and that's not counting natural population growth, writes Bernard Hickey.

Diana Clement looks at the six biggest life insurance mistakes that Kiwis make.

Kiwis are better off than you might have thought, suggests a study of teens' living conditions.

How long before one super-agency promotes film and TV alike?, asks John Drinnan.

Jock Anderson on play-acting in London, real judging for Simon Moore, trustworthy-looking lawyers and more.

David Chaplin, editor of financial services industry website Investment News looks at growing old and retirement funding.

Time and motion study helps us not waste time by majoring in minor things, writes Robyn Pearce.

Playing the TPP soft cop cannot be allowed to blind Groser and his senior negotiators to NZ's own interests.

Just one year ago, it seemed unthinkable that officials in Wellington and Sydney, more typically known for their hawkishness and stubborn independence, would join the global race towards zero.

Pressure is building on Fonterra chief executive Theo Spierings as the dairy industry faces up to a winter of discontent, writes Liam Dann.

Tim Groser shared a rare insight into the unique partnership that New Zealand forged with the United States on the TPP at a recent forum.

Chuffed because you can easily see your KiwiSaver balance with your other savings accounts? They're actually radically different.

Your database can be used to increase sales but many businesses make a crucial mistake. Debbie Mayo Smith explains.

The reason the Chinese are singled out is because of a handful of well-publicised transactions, writes Christopher Niesche.

Jamie Gray writes: For Fonterra's farmers, investors and employees the severity of the dairy downturn will become clear early next month.

It's encouraging to see the govt is entertaining the idea for "Special Economic Zones" in an attempt to deal with our so-called zombie towns, writes Bernard Hickey.

Getting your first home got a bit easier with some changes to KiwiSaver. It's now possible to buy an unbuilt home, opening up the possibility of buying off the plans.

The Finance Minister punctures dairy denials but needs an eye on recent boom and bust, writes Fran O'Sullivan.

Bad credit ratings happen to people in all walks of life. Sometimes a catastrophe such as business failure, divorce or illness leaves an erstwhile financially healthy member of the public in dire straits.

Investors must be sure they won't be forced to sell at some point, because that's when hefty losses can hit.

Having its main office in Auckland is a big part of the dairy giant's problem, writes Brian Gaynor.