Transforming small businesses with empathy and strategy.
One of the key steps I needed to take before helping you identify your purpose, was pinpointing mine. After applying my own processes, I came to the realisation that my life goal was to be a significant moment in yours and Think Nudge was born.
Think Nudge is a significant moment in a business owner’s life. a distinguishable turning point, a spark of realisation, a defining moment they will undoubtedly acknowledge forever.
I do this by working to six core values I walk, talk and wear with pride - diligence, emotional intelligence, honesty, trust and keeping things interesting.
I am constantly learning and developing my skills to better serve you and deliver my product to the highest standard. I see the person behind the business and work with insight and empathy. I don’t beat around the bush or tell you what you want to hear, as to significantly change one’s life you can’t hide from the truth. I have your best interests at heart and am very respectful of the trust you bestow upon me.
Lastly, I like to keep things exciting and positive. I’ll create a business plan that is engaging, effective and fun to deliver, as well as making every interaction as enjoyable as possible.
Chris Lanigan
I am not your typical business consultant. I share the reality, not the highlight reel.
My first real taste of business was 25 years ago at Red Bull, where I learned how to think big, move fast, and not just follow the rules. Over the years that followed I built the finance and operations infrastructure for Red Bull's expansion across markets spanning Oceania, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. I completed an MBA during the chaos of the GFC. I have sat inside businesses at every stage of growth and seen what separates the ones that scale from the ones that stall.
When I returned to New Zealand I founded ThinkNudge on a simple observation: the business improvement principles that scaled Red Bull across four continents were exactly what growth-stage NZ businesses needed and rarely had access to.
Since 2017 I have delivered strategic business plans and financial frameworks to 35 plus businesses across manufacturing, retail, distribution, trades and services. Two of those engagements grew into multi-year embedded partnerships. Those are the ones I am most proud of.
I do not beat around the bush or tell you what you want to hear. I have your best interests at heart and I am very respectful of the trust you place in me. If something is not working, I will tell you. If something is holding you back, we will name it.
Our Mission
To be a business owner's best kept secret.
Giving them back their most valuable resource... time. Through empathy, experience and strategy, we identify challenges and meet them with effective solutions to carve a renewed life path for the owner-operator..
Our Purpose
Think back to when you started your business. You had a skill, you saw an opportunity and you took the bold step of investing your precious resources, time and energy in a venture that would eventually improve your life.
You’ve worked hard, seen some ups and downs, but have ultimately reached a point where you could use some assistance - a bright spark, with a fresh perspective that will delve into your operation, streamline your systems and smack your company with purpose.
Values
What we walk, talk and wear with pride.
Diligence: We do the work properly. No shortcuts, no templates.
Honesty: We tell you what you need to hear, not what is easiest to say.
Empathy: We see the person behind the business.
Trust: We are respectful of what you share with us and take it seriously.
Curiosity: We keep learning so we can keep delivering at the highest standard.
EmerTech
AI Partner
EmerTech is a software consultancy based in Southland, serving clients across NZ. We go to EmerTech to streamline tasks, automate processes, and unlock insights, through AI installations.

