| |||
Membership Corner
 Gold Partner : BNZ Partners - New Technology SeriesTechnology Valley Series In last month's article I wrote about Technology Valley and, to a very high level, I explained what the concept is and what it could, over time, produce for not only the Hutt Valley but for the wider Wellington region in terms of economic and social returns. Technology Valley is real, it is happening and, day by day, it is taking shape - but as they say 'Rome wasn't built in a day'. The point I wanted to stress the most in my October article was the need to lift the level of awareness of the 'why' and the 'what' of Technology Valley - not only within the local and regional business community but also across the wider community as a whole. Technology Valley is as much about the companies that produce products and services as it is about the people who will secure employment and bring skills to these firms. It is with the above in mind that I am pleased to announce that starting in the New Year, BNZ will sponsor a new Technology Valley Series which will be structured around a quarterly BA5 which will showcase three to four local technology firms and their respective products. The BA5's will allow these firms to explain what they do, how they do it and why they do it and attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and inspect the product/s being presented and explained. We have many companies in mind for the Series and we are really looking forward to getting the Technology Valley Series underway. As I highlighted in my previous article, the Hutt Valley is home to many first-class companies who are producing products which are just as good, if not a great deal better, than what is manufactured (and/or designed) offshore. So, to create some noise we are going to Partner with the Chamber to cast some light onto these companies and hopefully through the Technology Valley Series lift the general level of awareness of their existence and who knows, we just might make a few connections which helps/supports their growth both domestically and offshore. We encourage you to keep an eye out for the first Technology Valley Series BA5 and look forward to seeing you there. Chris Bagley Senior Partner BNZ Partners - Hutt Valley, Porirua, Kapiti  Gold Partner: Gibson Sheat - Succession planning and exit strategy
Jenny Woodward is an Associate with Gibson Sheat in the commercial team. In this article Jenny covers some initial considerations when planning to exit your business. For more in depth information please contact Jenny. E: [email protected] P: 04 916 7496. It is never too early (or too late) to start planning for the day you will no longer be running your business. A few things to think about and discuss with an independent advisor: Who will take over? Many baby boomers are looking to sell their business so there could be competition due to the number of businesses at the succession/exit strategy stage. Identify your target market as soon as you can. Talk to your family - do they want to take over? Do you want them to? If so, consider the effect on other family - you might need to revise your will or do some estate planning to make things 'fair' amongst your children. Is your business in good health? Pretend you are buying your own business. Do a due diligence investigation. This will highlight any areas that need to be remedied. Do you have written contracts with your suppliers, your landlord, your employees? Are your terms of trade up to date? Are there key positions held by competent staff? Do you have a comprehensive customer database? Is your plant and inventory on its last legs? Is your relationship with customers personal to you? If so, how will you transfer that personal relationship? Any intellectual property (maybe a trademark) to protect? Do you need to train someone in what you know? Are the financials in order? Get a valuation done so you have a realistic idea of the value of your business. Ask your accountant about the tax traps. What about afterwards? Are you planning to live off what you earn from exiting your business? When do you want that to start? Consider how long you might live and what sort of lifestyle you want in retirement. With some specific planning, and taking advice from your lawyer, accountant and business mentor now, you might avoid a stressful handover and instead have a smooth run to retirement or a planned exit.  Gold Partner Drake International - Make Your Staffing Strategy as Flexible as the Market is Unpredictable- BRUCE TULGAN With the economy in turmoil, now is a good time for business leaders to remember something they seemed to have forgotten in the last several years. The solution to the staffing crisis is not - nor was it ever - to be found in filling open positions on the organisation chart. Staffing needs are always in flux. The person you need today is probably not the person you will need tomorrow. That's why successful companies in today's economy will maintain very strong, but very lean core groups, while using more flexible staffing options to get most of the work done every day. Create a broad network of talent Many geographically diffuse organisations have, in recent years, created internal employee databases to enable managers in one location to utilise the company's employees regardless of geography. But that's not enough. To meet today's varied and unpredictable staffing needs, managers need access to larger, more diversely skilled talent pools than any one company can possibly afford to keep on its payroll. The killer solution is a huge network of talent a proprietary talent database indexed by skill and performance ability and linked with up to date contact information- including a wide range of individuals and firms. Consider temps, independent contractors, consultants, part-timers, flex-timers, some-timers, telecommuters, outside firms, former employees and job applicants who receive but don't accept offers. Build your own reserve army Your best former employees can quickly become back bones of your fluid staffing strategy. They already know how to do business in your organisation. You've already trained them. They already know you and many of your colleagues, and probably plenty of your vendors and customers. Whose skill and performance abilities do you know better than the people who have already worked for you? When they come back, you'll probably have to fill them in on some new developments, but they'll get up to speed much more quickly than a brand new employee. Of course, in many organisations, this will require an overhaul of your approach to departing employees. No longer can you treat those who leave as disloyal job hoppers. They are your reserve army. Treat them with respect. Outsource everything you possibly can If you're not great at it whatever it is stop doing it, or else outsource it to a vendor that is truly great. The financial reason is diversification of risk and cost. But there is a much more important reason: diversification of excellence. You can only be truly great at just so many things. So you must also become known for integrating the core competencies of other truly great vendors into your day to day work process and ultimately into your final products and services. Tips & techniques The way out of excessively authoritarian structures begins with leadership. Take the focus off finger pointing and discover the dynamic relationships in your organisation. Permit widespread intelligence to emerge.  Silver Partner - Gaylene Hughes and Associates - What Challenges Have You Faced As An Emerging Leader?I attended an interesting workshop at the end of October - a panel discussion for women lawyers, engineers and accountants - all interested in taking on roles on Boards or Advisory groups. A number of reasons were given for the challenges encountered by historically under-represented groups and ways to overcome those obstacles were many. It's not necessarily about speaking up - in fact , if the loudest duck in China gets shot, but the squeaky wheel gets the grease in other parts of the world, there must be a way for the two different approaches to come together. Essentially the message was for anyone wanting to step up into a leadership role, there is a need to back yourself and be very clear what skills you bring to that leadership role, new job or Board. Some keys identified were: competence, integrity (the ability to do the right thing) and professionalism, given Directors or any Advisory Group are there to create value + sustainability for shareholders. A second message was to have a coach or mentor - someone who can give independent comment, advice or suggestions and help you clarify your goals + gaps in skill set. The issue of having more women on Boards or leadership roles generally, makes people think, which is always a good thing. If you'd like to discuss this matter further please get in touch ...
 Silver Partner: Go Fi8ure - 10 years of blood, sweat and tears & still going strongIt was 2002 when Lisa Martin realised her calling: Lisa wanted to help small businesses with the thing they needed most - the need for more time. So she started Go Fi8ure, a mobile bookkeeping company to help businesses create the time to get themselves ahead and not worry about the financial aspects of the business. This allowed them to work on their passion, their business. Making it to that 10 year mark in business has not been easy in fact it has been quite the opposite. If there is one thing Lisa have learnt while being in business, it is that you will be tested, setbacks and obstacles will happen but never give up. Growing a business takes time, persistence, consistency, dedication and most importantly the ability to cope with change. Remember the first few years in any business will be hard, but with the right help and support you can get through those tough times and grow your business. Never be afraid to ask for advice and help from like minded people who know about business, that is what they are there for. If you want your business to be successful you need to focus on what drives you! Your passion and drive are sparked daily by your creative ideas and the excitement of doing what you do best! There is nothing more of a kill-joy than spending time on business efforts that, whilst are necessary, sap your energy and take twice as long as an expert, because you would rather be spending time on more creative pursuits. If you are determined and believe in yourself you will succeed. A lot of people forget how important marketing is for your business. Marketing is the key driver for producing new clients and growing your brand. It is important to choose a professional who understands your business vision and brand ensuring your desired results are achieved. When marketing your business be consistent the whole way through, if not your marketing strategy can be compromised. This will create a negative effect on your business, resulting in all the hard work of building the business brand going to waste. There is nothing more frustrating than a business or staff member saying one thing and doing another. Create a plan which is realistic, manageable and adapted to suit your business needs. If the plan is not working or things have changed within the business, it is time to revisit the goals and outcomes you want to achieve. 10 years on Lisa's team has tripled and business is booming. It hasn't always been easy but helping businesses get on top of their finances makes the hard work worth it. It is definitely something worth celebrating!  Silver Partner: Mobilize Mail - Email and Social Media Marketing Planning When we talk about marketing plans it is important to start the process with a clear understanding of the difference between sales and marketing, as they are not same thing. Sales Vs Marketing click here. Marketing is essentially the ground work that allows you to get to a point where a sale can be negotiated and sealed. You could say that sales are an activity of marketing. So while Sales is a fairly quick process, Marketing enjoys is a much longer lifecycle. A marketing plan with regular milestones will help you stick with the process and a close relationship with the sales team will ensure the marketing effort is realised through to revenue for the Business. Tips for your marketing plan The initial step is to review how your company has performed to date with whatever marketing strategies it has utilised.
For further hints and tips on Strategies from Mobilize Mail Click Here. Donna Richardson Phone 04-902 9251 email: [email protected]  Bronze Partner: IPayroll - Christmas Leave ManagementChristmas is looming large on the horizon. Christmas leave management and robust compliance maybe a headache for a small business running payroll on a spreadsheet or some software packages. Maybe, it's time to talk to iPayroll about a service that takes a lot of the worry out of compliance, allowing you to enjoy the festive season. The Westpac Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, 30 October, were an excellent affair. The Hutt provides us with a significant number of small, medium and large clients. It was good to see many at the business awards. We sat next to a company MD from Upper Hutt who distributes products nationwide. He told us about new tools his employees have to automate formally paper processes. At our table was a sales manager from a communications giant. Another table friend is a Hutt business that thrives on networking. The awards brought together individuals representing a diverse range of businesses. There was always enough in common to talk about. iPayroll operates in the Hutt Valley, our headquarters are in Wellington. We have offices in Christchurch, Hamilton, Auckland and Melbourne. In Auckland we replicate ourselves operationally to ensure continuity of service. Our market is the huge number of SMEs that make up the bulk of New Zealand businesses. Some of our clients pay just one person! Our marketplace is essentially the world as we have oversea clients that need to pay their employees in New Zealand and Australia. A payroll can be run from Belgium, or Singapore! Being a web based service means you can run, or view, a payroll whilst you cruise the Mediterranean. We interface with Xero. Likewise, Xero can give an insight into your financial position from anywhere there is access to the internet. As a precursor to more established cloud services, internet banking has been a wonderful tool for travelers, or those working and residing away from their home base. We now rely on the web for more than just banking, communication and information. The web helps us do work formally done in just one place like a bank or office on a piece of paper. This years Westpac Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Awards were attended by considerably more than last year. A bigger venue was required. This attendee remembers joining a city Chamber in 1987, when one or two events a year might have had more than a handful of attendees. The Hutt Chamber has been an effective catalyst for creating synergies in the business community. We are better being in common spaces than just our own. You can understand the market better by listening to others. Giles Crisp [email protected] Ph +64 (04) 472-2997  Bronze Partner: Grant Thornton - Following a structured approach to succession planning
To get a handle on the complexities associated with succession planning, it helps to start by taking one step at a time. Although different approaches to succession planning exist, private businesses are more likely to reach their goals by following a proven process. The following process is recommended by Grant Thornton and is designed to help you uncover your real goals and objectives: Collect and analyse information In this first phase, you (or your advisers) would conduct a series of confidential interviews with business owners, key management and/or family members to uncover both your immediate and long-term objectives. From an operational perspective, this allows you to identify potential obstacles to your intended succession plan and put processes in place to resolve them. From a personal perspective, it ensures that current wills, shareholder agreements and financial resources reflect your aims. This phase also affords you the opportunity to "meander through your mind" to uncover the factors that truly underpin your business philosophy, family relationships and personal concerns. Assess strategic and wealth enhancement opportunities The second phase involves brainstorming a range of potential solutions with your advisers which will address your succession planning goals. Through strategic planning sessions with your key personnel and/or the creation of a family council, you can solicit input from all your stakeholders to ensure your plans take everyone's varying needs into account. This second phase also helps you consider opportunities to improve the value of the business over the short, medium and long terms by identifying the actions you can take to improve cash flow and reduce perceived or actual business risk. In the next newsletter I will cover designing, developing and implementing your plan, and how to review and monitor it. Further enquiries, please contact: Tania Bailey Partner, Privately Held Business T +64 (0)4 474 8500 E [email protected] www.grantthornton.co.nz  Update from Upper Hutt
Boy we have some fabulous businesses in Upper Hutt and so many have been experiencing success and accolades lately there is not enough room to talk about them all so I will just mention a few. Firstly congratulations to all the finalists and winners of our Westpac Hutt Valley Chamber Business Awards. With 10 finalists in 8 of the award categories Upper Hutt businesses were well represented in the awards. Wellington Region's Top Shop A huge congratulations to Rasha and Steve from Rasha Taylor Couture based in Main Street in Upper Hutt. Rasha Taylor Couture was named the Wellington region's top shop when they won the Supreme Award at the Wellington 2012 Top Shop Retail Excellence Awards. They also won the Start Up award for a new business. I know that Rasha and Steve have put a lot of hard work into their business and as with all new businesses they have had to work through challenges along the way. The end result is a strong and successful business that sells high quality ball gowns, wedding and bridesmaids dresses, outfits for the mother of the bride and groom, and offers specialist design and styling advice. I am absolutely thrilled for them to have received this well deserved recognition. Real Steel It was also great last month to see and celebrate the success of Real Steel in Upper Hutt when they officially launched their new $800,000 steel press they have had installed in their premises in the South Pacific Industrial Park complex. The launch was attended by the Prime Minister John Key as it is a major achievement for a New Zealand business being that it is the largest machine of its type in New Zealand and will enable the manufacture of larger and stronger pieces of steel that can spin off all sorts of efficiencies for their clients. This is another family business that started small and has grown through hard work and smart decisions. In the last 2 years the staff numbers at Real Steel have almost tripled. Real Steel were a finalist in the manufacturing category of our Chamber Business Awards this year. My Day Spa We held a fabulous Business After Five at My Day Spa in Brentwood Street last month. With over 100 people attending it was a great opportunity for Annie and Neville to show off their award winning business as well as the B&B at the Chapman Taylor heritage home on the same grounds. My Day Spa is another Upper Hutt business that has grown exponentially over the past couple of years. South Pacific Industrial Park A quick cruise around the South Pacific Industrial Park reveals a vast array of interesting businesses now housed in this complex, including Chamber members James Henry. Flooring and Dunlop Café & Function Centre. A good reminder that much of the business that takes place in Upper Hutt is not based out of Main Street but is spread across various parts of the city and is often not obvious to the general public. Many of Upper Hutt's most successful and award winning businesses are based in industrial areas of the city. Enjoy the sunshine.
LSV - Employers willing to give young people opportunities Trentham Military Base may seem like an interesting location for a Hutt Valley Chamber Business After 5 event but it was the perfect place for members to learn more about the Limited Service Volunteer programme. Chamber member Graham Burke, owner of Workzone Scaffolds, was the patron of the September/October intake of unemployed youth on the LSV programme. Graham is passionate about helping young people achieve success, making him the ideal patron for LSV. "Holding a networking event at Trentham was a great way to bring together local employers and show them the skills the trainees learn and how these young people are turning their lives around", says Graham. LSV is a six week residential programme for unemployed youth carried out at the Youth Development Unit at Trentham. The programme is funded by the Ministry of Social Development and provides youth aged 17-25 with life skills, motivation, a work ethic and self-discipline. The aim at the end of the course is for graduates to either have secured full-time employment or be engaged in work-based training that will lead to a job. Employers play a crucial role in the success of LSV, without employers who are willing to take on these young people the programme wouldn't achieve its goal of getting youth off the benefit and into sustainable employment. Some employers, like Graham, have taken on several LSV graduates over the years with positive results. Many LSV graduates are eligible for a subsidy payment, which can help employers with training costs of bringing in a new employee who has limited work experience. "I've employed seven LSV graduates and they have turned out to be a great asset to my business because they're willing to learn and they want to prove to me that they can do the job. Hiring a graduate isn't right for every employer but for those that could take on one of these young people, I would encourage them to seriously consider it", says Graham. Graham is enthusiastic about how the Business After 5 event went and says he has received positive feedback from Chamber members. "Lots of members didn't know about the LSV programme and being able to hold the event on the base, talk with the trainees and with employers who have supported past graduates really gave members a new understanding about how important these programmes are to get our local youth into work". An Employer Evening is held in week five of each LSV intake and new employers are always welcome to attend. If you are interested in finding out how an LSV graduate could fit into your business email Jodie Fono ([email protected]). Advisory Boards Workshops Popular Many business owners are exploring the idea of using Advisory Boards to move their business ahead. Advisory Boards prove an effective tool in strategic planning, managing growth and overcoming challenges for a business. Chamber President Helen Down from Synthesis Marketing has been running Introduction to Advisory Board Workshops at the Hutt Valley Chamber since May this year and these workshops are proving so popular that additional workshops have had to be scheduled before the end of the year. The next workshop is being held at the Chamber on Thursday 15th November 10.30am - 1.30pm. For more information contact Sue Trueman at the Chamber DDI 527 9812 or email [email protected]. The workshop covers helping business owners or CEOs to decide whether using an Advisory Board is right for their business, how they go about deciding upon their Advisory Board's objectives and choosing the right kinds of people to have on their board. It includes hearing from current Advisory Board members. The Hutt Valley Chamber is also currently putting together a database of potential Advisory Board members. We are looking for highly experienced and skilled business people who are interested in helping other CEO's and business owners to improve their businesses. Advisory Board members are remunerated for their Advisory Board positions. If you are interested in knowing more about this call or email Sue at the Chamber. 
Rasha Taylor - Hutt Valley Business Wins Wellington Top Shop 2012The Wellington round of the NZ Retailers Association TOP SHOP Awards for 2012 has just been held, and a Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce member has taken out the supreme award. Rasha Taylor Couture, a designer bridal boutique from Upper Hutt, went into the awards night as a finalist in the START UP category, for retailers that started up after January 1st 2011. On the awards night, owners Steve and Rasha Taylor were thrilled to win their category, but stunned to find out they also won the OVERALL TOP SHOP AWARD 2012. "It is most unusual for a Start Up business to win the supreme Top Shop award," says business owner Steve Taylor, "especially as we were very much an underdog going into the awards night. Our choice to open on Main Street, Upper Hutt certainly raised a few eyebrows amongst other entrants - but our focus on customer experience and high quality products means our clients travel from all over New Zealand and beyond to buy from us." Rasha Taylor Couture is open by appointment only. "Purchasing designer dresses is not like purchasing normal clothes, so our customers seek us out specially. By being open by appointment only, we know Rasha can give each customer the attention they deserve, and ensure they have the privacy to select a special dress in an exclusive setting." Rasha Taylor, already an award winning designer, does all the customer consultations, providing an exclusive designer made-to-measure service. "We offer our clients the choice to have their garments made either in New Zealand or in China. All imported garments are fully quality controlled by us and adjusted in fittings to ensure the perfect fit. We also stock a range of ready made garments that can be purchased off the rack. Customers are given the opportunity to order these to their own measurements and choice of colour." "The greatest challenge for us has been competing with online trash. Every week we get numerous enquiries all with the same question - 'I've bought a dress online, and it doesn't fit - can you fix it?'. With few consumer guarantees when purchasing from offshore, the amount of knock offs and cheap 'junk' flooding the market is disconcerting -so we aim to educate our clients as to why they should from us. Buying dresses blindly online is Russian Roulette - and you get what you pay for. Often we have customers whom have bought online and been so dismayed by the dress when it finally shows up, they end up rushing to us and purchasing only days or hours before an event, wishing they had just come to us in the first place. We know we have a top product at the best price, and the service and shopping experience to match - but for the peace of mind, there really is no price tag." Rasha Taylor Couture sells wedding dresses, evening wear, ball gowns, and cocktail dresses. It is at 208 Main Street, Upper Hutt and is open by appointment only. For an exclusive appointment, contact Rasha Taylor on (04) 977 5949 - or visit www.rashataylor.co.nz |
Contact details
GOLD PARTNERS:
SILVER PARTNERS: 
BRONZE PARTNERS 
 Lead Magnet Vouchers this month! Training and Events Coming Up! Below is our QR code for scanning 
|
