They have bushy beards, a preference for loose-fitting robes, hundreds of millions of devotees - and a line of consumer products.

COMMENT: What are you going to do differently to make 2017 your best year in business ever?

New Zealand shares were mixed with Orion Health Group and Tower dragging the index lower on their first-half earnings.

There has been more bad news for embattled All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith.

The Government's new plan to get help for obese kids is proving a turn-off to many parents.

COMMENT: A simple gratitude marketing strategy you might like to use in your own business.

COMMENT: The $500,000 proposal to change Auckland's slogan received predictable criticism, writes John Drinnan.

New Zealand shares dipped, led lower by Orion Health Group and Metro Performance Glass, while New Zealand Refining Co gained on improved margins.

COMMENT: What are you going to do in your business so you get off to a fast start in 2017?

COMMENT: With the US election race so tight we don't know what kind of world we will be wake up to on Thursday.

AIG has renewed its contract with New Zealand rugby, retaining its central spot on the All Blacks jersey.

NZ Herald Focus: This 23-year-old Kiwi is set for life after making herself rich selling an obscure product.

COMMENT: What can you do in the next 30 days to make your business stand out from the crowd?

Ad executives have solved many "problems" people didn't know they had.

COMMENT: To create a memorable market niche is to have a 'special way of doing business'.

A marketing expert says it will be very difficult for Dreamworld to rebound from the incident that claimed four people's lives.

COMMENT: Marketing with group talks is a way for you to quickly establish a relationship with a number of prospects fast.

The Commerce Commission filed 19 charges against mobile trader Bestdeals 4 You relating to layby sales agreements.

Samsung's exploding Galaxy Note 7 ranks among some of the biggest PR headaches ever.

COMMENT: Focusing on selling to a niche market may not work for every business, but is something to think about.

Steinlager has stepped down as the sponsor of the New Zealand Rugby Awards, with ASB Bank taking the reigns.

COMMENT: What can you offer potential clients that would position your business as a helpful resource?

A new range of coconut cheese in the UK has sparked a social media rant of epic proportions.

The explosion of the lower-case "i" prefix in the wake of the Apple revolution is over. So what trend will be next?

WATCH: Audi's new ad could be one the strangest ads around.

Hansen compares team's reputation with that of major NZ real estate agency

COMMENT: What can you do to encourage customers to choose your business over many of your competitors?

The distributor of Nurofen is accused of misleading the public about its specific pain products.

The sweet maker's response: "Skittles are candy. Refugees are people".

Last night's episode of the Real Housewives of Auckland took a commercial blow following Julia Sloane's controversial comment.