Latest news with #DaveAnderson
Scoop
06-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Petdirect Named On 2025 Best Places To Work™ Awards Shortlist
Press Release: Petdirect Petdirect, New Zealand's number one Kiwi-owned pet supply retailer, has been named on the 2025 Best Places to Work™ Awards shortlist, recognising its standout culture, strong leadership and people-first approach. Launched in March 2020, Petdirect has grown rapidly to become a category leader in the pet speciality space. In just five years, the business has scaled to over 100 employees, operates distribution centres in Auckland and Christchurch, and now has a growing physical retail presence. Its first store opened in Takapuna in late 2024, with two new locations in Mt Roskill, Auckland and Tower Junction, Christchurch set to open in the coming months. More stores are planned as part of Petdirect's national expansion. What Makes Petdirect a Best Place to Work People-First Culture: 88 percent of team members say they feel connected to and supported by their immediate colleagues, and over 93 percent feel supported by their manager. Employees consistently highlight a sense of trust, collaboration, and genuine care across all levels of the business. Clear Purpose and Shared Values: A remarkable 93 percent of team members say they understand how their work connects to Petdirect's broader mission — to make life better for pets and the people who love them. More than 86 percent say they see the company's values being lived every day. Growth and Innovation: 84 percent of the team feel encouraged to explore better ways of doing things, and employees speak positively about the abundance of opportunities to grow, contribute ideas, and make a meaningful impact. Wellbeing and Flexibility: From autonomy in daily work, to fully stocked kitchen pantries and wellness allowances, Petdirect puts real action behind its belief in supporting the whole person, not just the job title. A Culture of Recognition: Over 77 percent of employees say they are regularly recognised for their contributions. With initiatives ranging from shout-outs to performance rewards and team celebrations, recognition is part of the company's everyday rhythm. "We are proud of the culture we are building," says Dave Anderson, CEO of Petdirect. "Being shortlisted is a moment of real pride and a reflection of the talented, passionate team behind everything we do." "We've worked hard to create a workplace where people feel supported, valued and excited to grow," adds Brooke Riley, Head of People and Culture. "Our people are the heart of Petdirect, and this recognition proves we're on the right track." The Petdirect Difference Whether it's free snacks and pet-friendly offices, or approachable leadership and a strong focus on mental wellbeing, Petdirect stands out for putting employee experience at the centre of its strategy. One survey respondent shared: 'The culture is unmatched - it's like one big family. We support and celebrate each other, and our leaders genuinely care.' With continued investment in leadership development, digital skills, and team connection across its growing store and distribution network, Petdirect is proving that a high-growth business can still be a great place to work. A Customer-Led, Innovative Future Petdirect's purpose is simple: to make life better for pets and the people who love them. From personalised advice to a wide range of trusted products, everything the business does is designed to support healthier, happier pet lives. Petdirect also supports several national and community-based charities, including the SPCA, Saving Hope Foundation and Save the Kiwi, with regular product donations and awareness initiatives. Customers can access expert guidance every step of the way, from nutrition to supplements and beyond. Petdirect offers more than 100 expert-authored blogs, personalised recommendations based on pet profiles, and complimentary 15-minute bookings with its in-house Pet Expert Team to help customers make confident, informed choices. These services sit alongside a growing range of digital tools, including a mobile app, flexible Autodeliver subscription options and Airpoints rewards. Winners of the Best Places to Work Awards will be announced later this year.
Scoop
02-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Petdirect's Autodeliver Subscription Services Scores Sky-High with 90 NPS in Q1
Press Release: Petdirect 2 July 2025, Auckland, NZ – Petdirect's Autodeliver subscription service has reached a significant milestone, achieving a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 90 from a survey on over a 1,000 customers between 1 March and 30 June 2025. As New Zealand's leading online pet retailer, Petdirect holds more than half of the specialty online market. Its Autodeliver service is fast becoming a customer favourite, providing a smarter, more rewarding way to shop. With exclusive Pet Perks pricing, Airpoints Dollars earned on every order, and dependable delivery, it's clear why so many pet parents are making the switch. Why Pet Parents Love Autodeliver Here's what customers highlighted: 95% say it is super convenient 85% value how easy it is to adjust or skip deliveries 79% report their orders always arrive on time 65% appreciate the helpful reminders 62% say they value and pricing is excellent They also benefit from: Fast and free shipping on orders over $79 No additional charges for rural delivery A massive range of trusted pet products, always in stock But Petdirect's support goes far beyond delivery. Customers can access expert guidance every step of the way — from nutrition to supplements and beyond. Petdirect offers over 100 expert-authored blogs, personalised recommendations based on pet profiles, and complimentary 15-minute bookings with its in-house Pet Expert Team to help customers make confident, informed choices. 'Since launching Autodeliver in May 2020, our aim has been to make pet care as effortless as possible. Our customers are telling us we're on the right track,' says Dave Anderson, CEO of Petdirect. 'We're focusing on what matters most to pet parents: convenience, rewards and fast, reliable delivery.' About Autodeliver Up to 25% off your first Autodeliver order Up to 15% off every ongoing order No cancellation fees Full flexibility to change or skip deliveries at any time About Petdirect Petdirect is New Zealand's number one Kiwi-owned online pet retailer, proudly supporting cats and dogs with everything they need to live happy, healthy lives. From nutrition to toys and everything in between, Petdirect offers expert advice, top brands, and unmatched convenience. With a growing community of loyal customers, Petdirect continues to lead the pack through innovation, customer care, and a genuine love for pets.
Int'l Business Times
20-06-2025
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Building Trust Before Code: Rethinking Cyber Risk for Growing Businesses
More and more small to mid-sized enterprises are discovering a hard truth about cybersecurity: it's not just about preventing breaches, it's about winning business. "If you are a new company trying to close deals, especially with mid-market or enterprise buyers, not having a security program is often the reason those deals don't happen," says Dave Anderson, founder of TSC Security. Anderson knows this problem intimately because he has lived it. Before founding TSC Security, he built and ran security programs inside fast-growing startups. In both roles, he helped shape the security posture not just for protection's sake, but as a vital sales tool. "I worked with sales teams closely to put our security front and center. It gave buyers confidence in what we were doing, and that's what kept the momentum going," he says. That insight became the foundation of TSC. His consultancy exists because too many startups either underestimate the importance of security or get overwhelmed by it. "Most small businesses are not avoiding security because they don't care. It's usually a lack of knowledge. They don't realize what's involved or what's actually needed at their stage," says Anderson. That gap between what's necessary and what's excessive can be costly. Many companies delay putting even basic controls in place, assuming they will cross that bridge later. But in Anderson's world, later often means lost revenue. "Statistically, small businesses are more vulnerable to ransomware and breaches. And while we don't hear about those incidents as much, the damage is often irreversible," he explains. "They are the low-hanging fruit, easy targets for attackers because they have not invested in basic protections." But perception is another side to the equation. Even before a breach ever happens, a lack of security protocols can stall a company's growth. "You may never get the chance to prove yourself if a buyer sees you don't have SOC 2 (Systems and Organizational Controls) or similar audit reports," says Anderson. "They don't want their name in the headlines because a vendor got hacked and leaked sensitive data." TSC Security steps into that gap with a hands-on, realistic approach. Instead of selling sweeping, one-size-fits-all security packages, they start with what Anderson calls "cyber hygiene", foundational practices that make a real difference without overwhelming founders or draining their budgets. "We focus on the basics first. Things like governance, access controls, and change management. These are the pieces that move the needle when it comes to sales blockers," he says. The goal is not perfection; it's progress. TSC helps its clients become defensible, both from a technical and a reputational standpoint. That might mean guiding a team through SOC 2 audits or preparing them to answer detailed security questionnaires from prospects. "We help them get what they need to win deals now, and then we grow with them. As their clients get bigger and start demanding more, we evolve their security program to meet those expectations," Anderson says. This long-term mindset is paying off. In just three years, TSC has built a loyal client base, some of whom have been with the firm since its earliest days. "I have got clients that have been with me for two, two and a half years," says Anderson. "They stick around because we're not trying to throw everything at them at once. We adapt to where they are and what their customers are asking for." That adaptability is especially crucial for SaaS startups, which make up the majority of TSC's clients. "There is no sense in applying a security framework designed for a financial services firm to a two-year-old product company," Anderson says. "We help our clients avoid wasting money on things they don't need yet, and avoid skipping the essentials they can't afford to miss." The market is catching on. Anderson notes that even smaller buyers are starting to demand proof of security controls. "I have got a client that builds AI meeting bots. They used to get scrutiny only from big enterprises. Now, even 10-person companies are asking about how their meeting data is protected," he says. "The sensitivity around data is rising across the board." That's why Anderson believes small businesses can't afford to treat cybersecurity as an afterthought or a someday priority. "It's not just about protecting yourself once you have made it. It's about being able to grow in the first place," he says. "Without basic security in place, you are limiting your own opportunity. Partners, investors, even early customers, they are not going to engage if they can't trust you." TSC was built on that insight. And its approach is tailored, practical, and growth-oriented, reflecting Anderson's lived experience. "I have been the startup guy, trying to juggle product deadlines, sales pressure, and security all at once. I know that sometimes, good enough really is good enough, if you have got the right roadmap." In a landscape where flashy solutions often outpace actual need, TSC is proving that a grounded, right-sized approach to cybersecurity is not just a technical decision; it's a business advantage. For the founders building the next generation of tech, it might just be the difference between scaling and stalling.
Scoop
11-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Petdirect Wins Loyalty With Local Service Kiwis Trust
Press Release – Petdirect In a crowded eCommerce market, our edge isnt just what we sell its how we deliver it, says Dave Anderson, CEO at Petdirect. Kiwis want confidence that their order will arrive on time, that support is easy to reach, and that their … As highlighted in the NZ Post eCommerce Market Sentiments Report 2025, 72% of New Zealand's online shopping spend remains with local retailers — and Petdirect, Aotearoa's #1 Kiwi-owned online pet supply store, is proud to be part of that loyalty. The report confirms what Petdirect sees every day: when delivery is fast, service is personal, and shopping is seamless, customers come back. 'In a crowded eCommerce market, our edge isn't just what we sell — it's how we deliver it,' says Dave Anderson, CEO at Petdirect. 'Kiwis want confidence that their order will arrive on time, that support is easy to reach, and that their pets are in good hands.' The data speaks for itself Recent Petdirect Net Promoter Score (NPS) feedback shows how aligned the business is with the behaviours highlighted in NZ Post's report: 71% of repeat customers say they return to Petdirect because of its fast and reliable delivery 70% say it's why they like Autodeliver, the brand's subscription service for hands-free pet supply refills This mirrors NZ Post's findings that: 91% of shoppers seek free delivery 85% say it makes them feel better about a retailer 57% would abandon a purchase without delivery tracking visibility Designed around pet parents — not just transactions Petdirect delivers on what matters most: Fast & free delivery NZ-wide on orders over $79 — including rural Reliable tracking, proactive updates, and a 7-day NZ-based support team Pet Perks loyalty programme with exclusive discounts and Airpoints Dollars™ Autodeliver service for effortless replenishment of trusted favourites 'We don't believe shoppers should have to choose between great value and great service,' says Anderson. 'We've built Petdirect to offer both.' A local brand going the extra mile Petdirect's growing customer base trusts the brand not just for its product range, but for its responsiveness, expertise, and genuine passion for pets. With the launch of its first store in Takapuna and an expanding focus on pet wellness, Petdirect continues to innovate — while staying proudly local. ABOUT PETDIRECT Petdirect is New Zealand's leading locally-owned online retailer for dog and cat products, offering nationwide delivery, expert-backed support, and rewarding loyalty through Pet Perks and Airpoints™. In 2025, Petdirect opened its first retail store and continues to expand services for pet lovers across Aotearoa.
Scoop
11-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Petdirect Wins Loyalty With Local Service Kiwis Trust
Press Release: Petdirect As highlighted in the NZ Post eCommerce Market Sentiments Report 2025, 72% of New Zealand's online shopping spend remains with local retailers — and Petdirect, Aotearoa's #1 Kiwi-owned online pet supply store, is proud to be part of that loyalty. The report confirms what Petdirect sees every day: when delivery is fast, service is personal, and shopping is seamless, customers come back. 'In a crowded eCommerce market, our edge isn't just what we sell — it's how we deliver it,' says Dave Anderson, CEO at Petdirect. 'Kiwis want confidence that their order will arrive on time, that support is easy to reach, and that their pets are in good hands.' The data speaks for itself Recent Petdirect Net Promoter Score (NPS) feedback shows how aligned the business is with the behaviours highlighted in NZ Post's report: 71% of repeat customers say they return to Petdirect because of its fast and reliable delivery 70% say it's why they like Autodeliver, the brand's subscription service for hands-free pet supply refills This mirrors NZ Post's findings that: 91% of shoppers seek free delivery 85% say it makes them feel better about a retailer 57% would abandon a purchase without delivery tracking visibility Designed around pet parents — not just transactions Advertisement - scroll to continue reading Petdirect delivers on what matters most: Fast & free delivery NZ-wide on orders over $79 — including rural Reliable tracking, proactive updates, and a 7-day NZ-based support team Pet Perks loyalty programme with exclusive discounts and Airpoints Dollars™ Autodeliver service for effortless replenishment of trusted favourites 'We don't believe shoppers should have to choose between great value and great service,' says Anderson. 'We've built Petdirect to offer both.' A local brand going the extra mile Petdirect's growing customer base trusts the brand not just for its product range, but for its responsiveness, expertise, and genuine passion for pets. With the launch of its first store in Takapuna and an expanding focus on pet wellness, Petdirect continues to innovate — while staying proudly local. ABOUT PETDIRECT Petdirect is New Zealand's leading locally-owned online retailer for dog and cat products, offering nationwide delivery, expert-backed support, and rewarding loyalty through Pet Perks and Airpoints™. In 2025, Petdirect opened its first retail store and continues to expand services for pet lovers across Aotearoa.
