News & Views

First up and best dressed – business etiquette

  • Posted by Graham Dockrill
  • On September 4, 2019
Citrus Tree Consultants works with companies and their customers throughout the world. In the last year, I have worked with many cultures and locations, all with their nuances and peculiarities. Business etiquette is an integral part of a country’s business culture. It encompasses the accepted code of thoughtful behaviour and can be thought of as […]
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How to Build a Disruptive Sales Model

  • Posted by Graham Dockrill
  • On April 24, 2019
Working with technology start-ups constantly challenges the status quo.  At Citrus Tree Consultants we ask the five questions below before deciding to work with a client: Are you disruptive? Is your offering unique enough to remove the incumbent?  Is it a new way of thinking that leaves your competitors scrambling to catch up?  Are you […]
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The mystery of the missing umbrella – idea validation

  • Posted by Graham Dockrill
  • On November 26, 2018
Not all ideas make good businesses.  One of the most important tasks to undertake in any start-up or established company going into a new venture is validating your market. The sharing economy has disrupted the taxi industry, the accommodation sector and is now being applied to other verticals, some with more success than others. A […]
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What it takes to be an entrepreneur – myth busting!

  • Posted by Graham Dockrill
  • On October 29, 2018
The world of entrepreneurship and start-ups is one of excitement, achievement and… disappointment. Comments are often passed as to how ‘lucky’ we are as entrepreneurs; we have financial freedom, mobility and are in control of our own destinies.  The reality is the smarter we work, the luckier we become! The most important attributes of any […]
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Going Global – the good, the bad and the ugly

  • Posted by Graham Dockrill
  • On October 21, 2018
Deciding to take your business global is courageous, challenging and at times can seem outright foolish. I was recently invited by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) to participate in a round table discussion. The panel was formed to challenge the status quo, identify consistent themes and challenges that New Zealand technology companies face when […]
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How not to offend a Texan: Business Etiquette 101

  • Posted by Graham Dockrill
  • On September 20, 2018
Every culture has it’s subtle nuances and peculiarities. Citrus Tree Consulting works with companies and their customers throughout the world in many cultures and locations. Business etiquette is an integral part of business culture. It encompasses the accepted code of thoughtful behaviour in various societies. Being aware of the prescriptive elements of culture can help […]
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Failing your way to business success

  • Posted by Graham Dockrill
  • On August 20, 2018
Failure. It’s painful, it hurts, and it’s also a very important part of life. In business, failure is necessary to grow and prosper. I have failed more times than I’ve succeeded. Some of these weren’t small failures, they were the kind that put my businesses and finances on the edge.  On more than one occasion, […]
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Joe Parker and me: we’re not that different!

  • Posted by Graham Dockrill
  • On July 26, 2018
I recently had the privilege of meeting boxer Joseph (Joe) Parker.  During our time together, we discussed his upcoming bouts and ambitions.  What surprised me were the parallels between his discipline and mine, and what constitutes success. By way of background, Joe was born in 1992 and is a New Zealand professional boxer. Joe held […]
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When London calls – and how to answer

  • Posted by Graham Dockrill
  • On July 24, 2018
Several months ago I wrote a blog on the ten things you need to know when setting up a business in the United Kingdom. In this article I’ll delve a little deeper and focus on the legal frameworks and commitments required to be successful in the UK. London is now recognised as the FinTech capital […]
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Six key lessons on founding businesses in the USA

  • Posted by Graham Dockrill
  • On June 27, 2018
Founding a business is never easy.  Navigating your way through the administrative and bureaucratic process can be cumbersome and daunting.  There are common misconceptions and traps to be aware of when setting up a business in the United States of America. You can make it big in America, you can also fail big.  Based on […]
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A view from Big Ben – London’s tech scene

  • Posted by Graham Dockrill
  • On June 18, 2018
London is one of the world’s leading technology cities and is known as the global capital of innovation. There are more European company headquarters in London than in any other European city, giving young start-ups unbeatable access to major international contracts and projects. London is also the world’s number one financial centre. This great city […]
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Hacks for the business traveller

  • Posted by Graham Dockrill
  • On May 29, 2018
There is a perception that business travel is glamorous and glitzy with endless networking events where the champagne is flowing and the canapes come with caviar.  The reality is long flights, a nomadic lifestyle and hard graft. Networking to ensure you’re working at your peak performance is often fuelled on club sandwiches and warm beer. […]
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