Lessons in managing major corporate change and fixing trampolines, a CEO speaks

Listening to people who think differently to you is essential to managing major change, says former Manawa boss David Prentice. (Image: Supplied)

Ian Llewellyn

Mon, 23 Oct 2023

When managing major corporate change, do not underestimate the need to keep talking and listening to the people being affected and the time it takes to complete the process, says the former boss of Trustpower, now Manawa Energy, David Prentice.First as a board member and then chief executive, Prentice shepherded Trustpower through the split of the business with the sale of its retail arm as it moved to solely being an electricity generation company.The move raised eyebrows across the sector, with the main corporate tactic and thinking in the in...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.
Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Technology

Ministry of Awesome's startup lessons

Big business is recognising it needs to get better at innovation.

Greg Hurrell 5:00am

Infrastructure

Peters slated to meet Hyundai Mipo

The South Korean shipyard had the cancelled contract to build two new rail ferries.

Oliver Lewis 5:00am

Markets

Genesis interested in buying SolarZero

SolarZero's complicated arrangements would have to be sorted.

Ian Llewellyn 5:00am

Sponsored

A taste of NZ luxury at 40,000ft

Singapore Airlines upgrades in-flight dining with Sid Sahrawat.

Singapore Airlines

Sponsored

Study NZ’s top MBA – on your terms

A world-class master's that fits around work and family life.

University of Aukland Business School

More Markets

Economy

NZD is at fair value, others not so sure: RBNZ

Weak NZD makes exports competitive but imports more expensive.

Rebecca Howard 5:00am

Markets

Genesis interested in buying SolarZero

SolarZero's complicated arrangements would have to be sorted.

Ian Llewellyn 5:00am

Markets Market Close

Spark share collapse leads NZ sharemarket down

The S&P/NZX 50 Index closed down 0.99% or 127.78 points.

Tom Raynel 21 Feb 2025

Markets

Spark valuation plummets $1 billion as profit crashes

Spark has reported a 78% fall in net profit to $35 million in the first half of its 2025 financial year and reduced its full-year operating earnings guidance. However, it has maintained its revised full-year dividend guidance.Shares – already down 42% over the past year after two...

Staff reporters 21 Feb 2025

Lessons in managing major corporate change and fixing trampolines, a CEO speaks

More Markets

Your company has a subscription

Team