8 minute read
Views from the Beach with TBBA
Talking Takapuna
We make no secret of it – but just in case you didn’t know - we LOVE our local businesses!
As we all start to settle in to the new normal of life in lockdown, we think it’s a great time to remind ourselves to just how important our locally owned and operated businesses are to our community.
We see ‘buying local’ as not only a more convenient way to shop, but also as an investment into your community, and it can be as simple as picking up a loaf of bread and some milk from the dairy down the road, or visiting New World Metro Shore City, the locally owned and operated supermarket. While the rest of Takapuna’s physical stores and services are closed for now, there are many that you can still support through online purchasing. Some are still operating with contactless deliveries, while others offer E-Gift Card purchases and we have started to compile a list of these businesses in the What’s Hot section on our website: www.ilovetakapuna.co.nz.
It’s important to remember to take care of yourself and your loved ones during these unprecedented times. One way you can do this is by getting out for a walk within your neighbourhood – and we think we are lucky to have our wonderful Takapuna Beach on our doorstep! While you’re out and about, please remember for the safety of yourselves and others, please practise social (physical) distancing, only go for walks with the people inside your “bubble”, and try to avoid touching anything others may have touched – for example, park benches and playgrounds – and most importantly, wash your hands before leaving the house, and when you return.
Don’t forget to follow us @ILoveTakapuna on Facebook and Instagram too! We also love to see what you get up to in and around Takapuna and what you’re keeping busy with during the lockdown, so if you’re posting on social media, don’t forget to tag us, or use the hashtag #ilovetakapuna.
Alexander Sykes – IWG (BizDojo, Takapuna)
Alexander Sykes is the New Zealand Country Manager for IWG, operator of BizDojo, offering flexible workspace in Takapuna. He is responsible for enhancing IWG’s strong market position. A strategy of engagement and investment has seen the company expand in just a few years from six to 18 locations in New Zealand under the Regus, BizDojo and Spaces brands, including two new locations – Karangahape Road now open and Commercial Bay opening later this year.
Alexander, who has also worked as a personal trainer with elite athletes and sports clubs, moved to New Zealand seven years ago with his wife Sarah. Sarah was originally from New Zealand and was on her OE in London when they met. After four years together in the UK they decided to move to New Zealand and start a family. They are now a family of three, with a four year old son, Campbell. Despite living city-side, they enjoy the Shore beaches where they teach Campbell to be confident and respect the water. Alexander Sykes.
CM: What do you love about working at BizDojo and in Takapuna? AS: I am lucky enough to work out of all our flexible workspace locations on a regular basis, including BizDojo Takapuna. I love the community and stunning sea views at BizDojo Takapuna and the choice of coffee shops and eateries that the area has to offer are second to none.
CM: What do you enjoy doing outside of work hours at Takapuna Beach and how will you be making the most of that in the last of the warmer months? AS: I love the water and spending time up in Northland, whether it’s a surf at Forestry or taking the family up to Waipu Cove for the weekend. Bizdojo Takapuna is great location to work from on a Friday to get the jump on the traffic and on a Monday to squeeze an extra day/night in and avoid the bridge commute.
CM: What advice or trends would you share to anyone considering starting a local business on the Shore? AS: Consider working from BizDojo Takapuna. This type of flexible workspace plays an important role in reducing overheads, such as empty desks, for businesses. Naturally office rental prices are based on location, type, size and term. Flexible office space can be increased or reduced according to staff movements, therefore reducing the underutilised portion of space and the associated costs. With traditional workspace being used at only 55% there is a 45% saving potential for businesses who embrace the flexible workspace revolution. From a business owner’s perspective, it makes it a lot easier to sleep at night since you are not signing for years of lease commitments. It just makes businesses a lot more agile and change ready particularly if you are just starting out.
Contact: alexander.sykes@iwgplc.com
PRINCIPAL SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSORS: The Takapuna Beach Business Association appreciates the support of our Gold sponsors…
Philip Buys – BNZ
Philip Buys is a Senior Partner with long-time Takapuna Beach Business Association sponsor and supporter, BNZ. Philip lives in the Bays with wife Anaya and their two sons. He grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa and moved to New Zealand 10 years ago. As Senior Partner with BNZ he is responsible for a team of business partners that holds small to medium enterprise relationships. Philip’s banking career started in 1997 with a South African Bank where he was originally a currency trader. His focus changed to relationship banking and he has spent the last 10 years as a commercial partner focussing on medium enterprise business relationships. Philip Buys.
CM: What do you love best about working and living on the North Shore and the Takapuna Beach area. PB: I enjoy working on the North Shore as the area has some incredibly diverse businesses ranging from technology to manufacturing. The Shore has a real good progressive feel to it with growth and new enterprise a constant focus. The new BNZ destination centre currently being developed in Albany is a prime example of such growth as the existing partners centre is simply too small for all the growth that the shore has shown.
CM: What do you enjoy doing outside of work hours and how will you be making the most of that in the last of the warmer months. PB: Being a keen tennis player the current summer weather is great and allows me to have a lot of court time representing Mairangi Bay in various leagues. I have been fortunate enough to compete at National and International level with a couple of medals under the belt. My family is also active with sports such as hockey and equestrian activities. This leads to us being busy, but I could not think of a better destination than the North Shore to do all of this.
CM: What are your predictions about business locally and in a wider economic context for the coming decade? PB: The North Shore keeps growing and the current infrastructure spend is an example of the growth. More business entities opening offices along with large residential developments on the Shore bodes well for the future.
Contact: Philip_Buys@bnz.co.nz
Peter Hall – Simpson Western
Peter Hall.
Peter Hall is a partner at Simpson Western (Lawyers) in Takapuna. He’s spent most of his life living on the Shore and currently lives in the Bays with his wife and one year old son. Peter attended school at Rosmini College and after completing a law degree joined Simpson Western as a Law Clerk and became a barrister and solicitor later that year. He became a partner effective April, 2020. Outside of work and family he loves playing guitar, soccer, squash and watching English soccer and Formula 1 motorsport.
CM: What do you love about working at Simpson Western and in Takapuna? PH: I've been working at Simpson Western for 11 years and everyday I'm driven by the interesting work that I'm involved in and by the quality and professionalism of my colleagues. We have a great environment within the firm where everybody works hard for our clients while at the same time leading balanced lifestyles where family and fun are prioritised. I think working in Takapuna (with its great cafes, bars, vibes and beach) helps make a good work/ life balance an easy thing to achieve. I'm grateful to be working in such a neat part of Auckland, which inspires me to work hard yet constantly reminds me to get out and enjoy our backyard.
CM: What do you enjoy doing outside of work hours at Takapuna Beach and how will you be making the most of that in the last of the warmer months? PH: I really enjoy walking on the beach which acts as a "reset button" for me. I find that a walk on the beach helps me to immediately focus and get a clearer perspective on things no matter what else is going on. I really like the fact that the beach is almost never empty, as it's great to see Takapuna's finest asset being used so extensively. I'll definitely be getting out for more walks with my family in the last of the warmer months.
CM: What advice or trends would you share to anyone considering starting a local business on the Shore ? PH: I would strongly encourage them to get in front of other business owners/staff and build relationships. I learned very quickly that business connections on the Shore can be immensely valuable and rewarding. While it can certainly take some time to build relationships, I have found that great commercial opportunities can flourish if business owners make the effort to grow a good network on their own patch. Get connected!
Contact: PeterH@simpsonwestern.co.nz
