Europe took the financial world on a stomach-churning ride in 2011.

A new report calling the Rugby World Cup an "overwhelming success" has revealed fewer than 10 per cent of Auckland businesses believe the sporting event had benefited them.

"Thinking outside the box", "blue-sky thinking" and "hit the ground running" top the list of the most-hated management-speak.

For most New Zealanders, the next few days will be devoted to last-minute Christmas shopping and finishing up at work. For the two young women behind the Dollop Puddings brand, Christie McCarthy and Julia Crownshaw, this is the biggest week of the year for their Vanilla Bean Custard and they are up to their elbows in it.