FYI March 2016

Together Stronger What’s behind the BID expansion Pg 9

Are you as good as your brand says you are?

Who’s Who? Meet the award winning Flintfox International team Pg 10

Health & Safety What you need to know about the new Act Pg 24

MARCH 2016 — MEMBER NEWS AND INFORMATION

businessnh.org.nz

Accelerating success.

Reach more people - better results faster.

colliers.co.nz

FROM THE CHAIR

From the chair Hard though it is to believe in these days and nights of hot, sticky, sultriness, but summer is over. It’s dark in the mornings when we start for work and in just a few short weeks the barbeques will be packed away and the beach gear forgotten in a corner.

It’s been a summer of change for us too. Most obvious is the change of name to Business North Harbour, a name that better reflects the focus and philosophy of our organisation.

We’re here to encourage business, within and into, the area and to make it easier and more profitable for them in many ways – every day.

In order to do this we, like all of our members, need to evolve and adapt to the changing physical, legislative and commercial imperatives of 21st Century business. This is the rationale behind a second major change that we have embarked upon since the New Year.

We are about to seek an endorsement from the businesses that fringe our northern boundary to join Business North Harbour. The reasons for this have been well documented previously and were ratified by our existing members at our 2015 AGM. But in essence we believe this is a common sense expansion

to include an area that has a commonality of interest both positive and challenging.

Bringing them into the fold will benefit both the expansion area and our existing members by delivering economies of scale and further affirmation that we speak for business in North Harbour when we negotiate on your behalf with local and central government and their agencies.

We would ask that if you have contacts in the expansion poll area you encourage them to VOTE YES in the poll that starts at the end March. Voting closes midday 20 April 2016.

Finally it is not just a changing of the seasons that is upon us. It is a changing of our city. The Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan review process is nearly complete. The fat lady has had the throat gargle and soon we will see the final act of this long drawn out opera.

Business North Harbour made our final

submission to the review panel in February.

Included in our submission was evidence and opinion from many of you who attended our series of meetings on the Plan late last year.

Thank you all for your contributions.

Our submission focused mainly on two key elements; the absolute necessity to change the permitted office allocation from per site to per tenancy and greater clarity and flexibility around the “Grandfather Clause” that council has already compromised on. We will be presenting to the Review Panel in April so more on this in our next FYI. In the meantime enjoy the balmy weather.

Long may it last.

Regards, Kevin Moore Chairman

In this issue 3 4 6 7 8 9

From the Chair In Brief Dates for your Diary Events Review 10 minutes with...

Expansion Ballot

10 12 14 17 20 22

Who’s Who Innovation How Good is your Brand?

Transport Roundup Crime Prevention Property

24 25 26 27 29

Health and Safety New Interest Group Website Development Fleet Management Gold Sponsors

NHBA GOLD SPONSORS 2015 – 2016

Contact FYI Magazine Business North Harbour General Manager Janine Brinsdon janine.brinsdon@businessnh.org.nz

Editor Anne Gray annegray@xtra.co.nz

Advertising Shirner Kenny comms@businessnh.org.nz

Design Lewis Hurst lewis@hcreative.co.nz

Printer Trade Colour Print tradecolour@orcon.net.nz

Business North Harbour, 12 Parkway Drive, North Harbour, 0632. PO Box 303 126, North Harbour 0751 office 09 968 2222 web businessnh.org.nz The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of the publishers.The publisher does not endorse any person, company or organisation that advertises in this publication.

MARCH 2 0 1 6 F YI BUSINE SS N H . O RG. N Z

3

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WAIRAU PARK

Pinehurst School celebrates 25 years

Pinehurst

Sunday 20 March

11:00am - 3:00pm

Pinehurst School grounds 75 Bush Road, Albany Entrance Bush Road and Rosedale Road

4

Auckland Transport

Gills Rd

Shared path

1 km approx 2-6 mins cycling

or cycling to work,

ALBANY

Walkways

1 km approx 10-15 mins walk

are keen on walking

Junip

Business North Harbour can come over and discuss options for your team with Personalised Journey Programmes – a personal travel plan with transport options to suit each of your staff – walking, cycling, public transport and carpool options.

Do you have problems with parking? Do your staff come to work unhappy that they had to park “miles away” or are they sometimes late to work? Or are there just not enough parks for the team?

If you or your team

Food Stalls, Face Painting, Chocolate Coin Toss, Bottle Stall, Little Trikes, Sports Equipment, Splash ‘Em, 4 in 1 Bungy, Hurricane Thrill Ride, Climbing Wall, Wax Hands, Bumper Balls, Sizzler Ride, Prizes, Quick Fire Raffles, Silent Auction, Bargains, Bric-a-Brac, Pre-loved Clothing, Toys & Games, Books & CDs, Garden, Cakes & Sweets, and much more!

Albany’s Pinehurst School welcomed the 2016 year in anniversary mode, celebrating 25 years since it was founded.

The school will commemorate the anniversary with a range of celebratory events including a Community Anniversary Gala on Sunday, March 20.

A statement from Pinehurst says that for 25 years it has provided families on the North Shore, Rodney and Western regions with an educational alternative; successfully combining academic learning, sport and pastoral care.

The school was founded in 1991 by a small group of committed parents and staff and its

MAR CH 2 0 1 6 F YI B US I N ES S NH. ORG. NZ fun for the whole family - all welcome

original roll was a mere 34 students. With its guiding principles and values still applying today, the school grew rapidly as it expanded through the compulsory education years to a full primary and secondary co-educational school and today has a role of more than 750 students.

Pinehurst was also one of the first schools in New Zealand to introduce the Cambridge International Examinations Curriculum and has since established the system across all levels.

For further details on the Anniversary Gala see www.pinehurst.school.nz

IN BRIEF

Introducing Sarah de Zwart

Introducing Shirner Kenny

Sarah de Zwart is Business North Harbour’s new relationship manager and her role encompasses ensuring all members are aware of what the association provides and what it can do for their business.

Since starting in November, Sarah is working through the traffic and congestion issues affecting the region and is busy promoting Bike February month with three events already under her belt.

North Shore born and raised, Sarah qualified in marketing and business and has since worked in a variety of industries within both SMEs and multinational companies.

As well as achieving a number of top sales awards, she has also owned her own business and still owns several industrial properties.

Meaning, she says, that she understands the issues property owners face.

Her two children attend local schools and she sees now as a good time to give back to the community through both her work and other charitable work.

When she is not spending time with her children and husband, she likes to keep fit running and playing touch rugby “and trying really hard not to embarrass my two daughters by being the worst dancer on the North Shore”.

Shirner Kenny joined Business North Harbour late last year as communications and marketing manager.

She has a BA in Business Psychology from Massey University meaning she understands the need to incorporate the “people factor” in all of her business dealings and believes that having “the right people creates the fundamental building blocks for business success”.

Shirner’s background includes working in member services where she focused on building membership engagement and creating communication channels to improve membership benefits.

At Business North Harbour Shirner has implemented the new branding along with the new website and social media platforms and the new look for FYI. She also oversees the events and the economic development functions.

An online and digital marketing native Shirner enjoys browsing social media platforms to keep on trend with new developments and plans to bring fresh ideas and thinking to her role.

On a personal level she enjoys spending time with her family, travelling and photography.

Shirner can be contacted on comms@businessnh.org.nz

You can contact Sarah on transport@businessnh.org.nz

Albany Highway retail is still open Business North Harbour is calling on local businesses to help support your neighbouring retail businesses affected by the road works during the upgrade of the Albany Highway between the Upper Harbour Motorway (SH18) and Albany Expressway.

The association’s relationship manager, Sarah De Zwart, says that despite the road works it’s business as usual for the retail outlets along the upgrade route and she is encouraging locals to support the businesses along the route.

The works are now half way through and once completed will ease the flow of traffic and cater for the projected growth in the area.

Mayor visits local business Local North Harbour business SelectaDNA welcomed His Worship, Mayor Len Brown at its offices recently to update him on the company’s progress since he last met with them in 2013.

SelectaDNA says in a statement that over the years, Mayor Brown has been involved with the company across a number of initiatives including the original launch of the crime deterrent initiative in 2009 in South Auckland, when he was the Mayor of Manukau. This project involved more than 1,000 homes and businesses receiving Forensic Marking Kits, and resulted in a 61.8 percent reduction in burglary over a six-month period.

Since then he has been a keen advocate of the results achieved by SelectaDNA including the

work done with its Safer Schools Programme.

The Mayor also helped launch of the Business North Harbour crime prevention kit which included a SelectaDNA marking kit which was distributed to every business within the area.

SelectaDNA says its “Safe as Houses” programmes, which include several projects funded by Auckland Council, have seen dramatic reductions in burglary and theft.

See selectadna.co.nz.

LET US KNOW: If you have had a recent business success contact comms@businessnh. org.nz and we will include it in our new website section promoting local success stories.

John Perham (Chairman of Crimestoppers); David Morrissey (Director SelectaDNA); Mayor Len Brown; Graham Zuill (Director SelecDNA).

MARCH 2 0 1 6 F YI BUSINE SS N H . O RG. N Z

5

54

IN B RIEF

6 3 By the numbers

Half of New Zealanders expect we will no longer be using cash in 10 years’ time according to new research from MasterCard.

49%

of those surveyed expect that

we will not be using cash in 10 years’ time, but of those, over a third think retailers need to do more to embrace new payment technologies.

41%

of people say they would

already consider using contactless technology on their smartphone.

44%

think mobile payments will be

the next thing to take off in New Zealand. This was followed by biometrics/facial recognition/

(21%) and wearable technology including smartwatches (18%). fingerprints

New Zealanders were paid

$1.132 billion for personal insurance claims in the year ended December 2015 according to the Financial Services Council (FSC). The payout

Diary Dates March 1 Auckland Feet Beat Challenge Business North Harbour, in association with Auckland Transport, is offering our members a challenge starting March 1.

Companies enter a team and compete against other teams by taking a virtual walk around New Zealand. Register your team and be in to win.

See at.govt.nz/driving-parking/ commute/cycle-or-walk-to-work/ walk-this-march/

2 Certificate in Money Management (level 3) 18:00 - 21:00 2 William Pickering Drive, Albany. Free.

The Certificate in Money Management (level 3) NZQA approved course is for people who wish to manage their money and grow their personal wealth.

CMM covers banking, insurance, estate planning, property ownership, sharemarket investment, buying a business and is free for all NZ residents.

CMM is fun, practical, informative and is enrolling now for a start in March and finish in July this year. The programme runs one night a week at 6pm for 20 weeks and all resources are provided. www.pennysworth.co.nz

15 H&S Reform Bill 7.30-9.00 Spencer on Byron Hotel, 9 Byron Avenue. Takapuna Beach The New Health and Safety Reform Bill – how will this affect your business? Drake

by FSC members of the insurance industry income protection insurance has consistently 2011. Life insurance products comprise about

60% of personal insurance premiums but 4% a year,

they are growing more slowly, at

than income protection insurance products at

7% a year.

Retail spending using electronic cards was in

(5.2%)

from January 2015, (Statistics New Zealand).

The largest retail movements in January 2016

(1.2%); durables, up $10 million (0.8%) and fuel, down $12 million (2%). were: hospitality, up $10 million

6

MAR CH 2 0 1 6 F YI B US I N ES S NH. ORG. NZ

17 &18 Inorganic waste collection.

Business North Harbour has negotiated a discounted rate for the collections.

Abilities Group, which will perform the collections for us, will invoice each business directly. You will need to register online to utilise this service.

See www.businessnh.org.nz

24 Business After Five: Launch of North Shore Commercial Property Group 17:00 - 19:00 at AUT Millennium, 17 Antares Pl, Rosedale. Free to members A new special interest group aimed at Business North Harbour members with an interest in commercial property. The objective is to get together with likeminded people who have an interest and/ or business in commercial property such as commercial property owners, tenants, property managers, lawyers, body corporates, consultants, banks, valuers on the North Shore. Guest speaker: Alan McMahon, national director of research and consulting at Colliers International.

Join the North Shore Commercial Property Group (NSCPG) on LinkedIn. RSVP www.businessnh.org.nz/ calendar

17 Women in Business: Karen Silk – GM of commercial, corporate & institutional at Westpac 10:30 - 12:30. AUT Millennium, 17 Antares Place, Rosedale. One representative per Business North Harbour member is free, with additional guests $35+GST. Non-members are welcome, at $45+GST per guest.

Karen Silk has more than 20 years’ experience in institutional and middle markets banking in both New Zealand and Australia. Business North Harbour will give the first 80 ladies who book a goodie bag.

exceeded $1 billion a year since 30 June

January 2016, up $238 million

RSVP khayward@nz.drakeintl.com

May

for personal insurance including life and

$4.9 billion

Albany is holding an information seminar so you can stay ahead of changes.

Complimentary for up to 2 employees per company. Further registrations will cost $25 per head.

Karen Silk – GM of commercial, corporate & institutional at Westpac

RSVP www.businessnh.org.nz/ calendar

PROFILE

Committed to helping business in the harbour region Ten minutes with Insurance and Lending Group (ILG) director, Greg Frittelli.

Tell us a little about yourself?

I am passionate about helping businesses in our region. That is why I am a board member of Business North Harbour, and for the last 13 years my business has been located on the Shore. I am a proud supporter of organisations such as the North Shore Hospice and the North Shore Golf Club. We also sponsor events like the British High Commissioner’s event for Business North Harbour.

What excites you about business in our region right now?

We’ve introduced a first-of-its-kind insurance product called North Cover that delivers peace-of-mind for business owners on the shore all the way up to Warkworth.

North Cover started a few years ago when ILG lobbied for favourable insurance premiums for North Shore clients by proving to insurance giant Vero that businesses on the North Shore should be rated differently from those in the greater Auckland region.

It makes sense, our region had a far lower crime rate, with fewer big manufacturing plants there were fewer fires and with good crime

prevention there were less burglaries – Vero agreed with us and that started North Cover.

While many of ILG’s clients have enjoyed some of the benefits (including lower premiums) over this time, ILG is now launching North Cover that protects your business even more.

What makes North Cover so special?

The cherry on top is that for any business which insures with us everyone in the business automatically gets a no questions asked $25,000 life insurance. When a sudden tragic event happens in a small business, the results can be catastrophic for both the family and the business. With North Cover, this $25,000 life insurance could give an employer the opportunity to provide the family with a financial boost and also have funds to ensure the business can continue.

Another benefit is that if you lose a laptop or mobile phone it is now covered by replacing the up to 3-year-old one with a brand new one. Also included is business interruption insurance. Another benefit is substantially reduced excesses including what customers

must pay on any items lost through burglary and theft.

North Cover provides general insurance (office contents, motor vehicles and public liability) and also brings in personal insurance.

www.ilg.co.nz

EVENTS

Your business and the UK The UK economy is the fifth largest in the world with a record high employment rate, a reducing deficit and it has had the fastest growth amongst the G7 members for the last three years. So, how is Britain and New Zealand’s modern relationship looking?

Speaking ahead of his February 24 address to Business North Harbour members, the British High Commissioner to New Zealand, Jonathan Sinclair, told FYI the UK’s relationship with New Zealand continues to grow and links continue to deepen. But, he says, it would be risky to rest on the laurels of the relationship, as it is with any relationship.

The High Commissioner says what makes the relationship special is that it has an underlying story of very strong people-topeople links and that the relationship goes back a very long way.

In a recent opinion piece in the Dominion Post he also pointed to the fact that the UK remains New Zealand’s largest trading partner in the European Union and the strongest supporter for the EU-NZ Free Trade Agreement.

After Australia the UK has the largest stock of investment in New Zealand ($55bn) – far in excess of the United States in 3rd ($33bn).

He also pointed FYI to cooperation in scientific and innovation areas. One example is the Cawthron Institute which is working closely with a British company on a joint initiative developing nutritious pet food and with two British universities on another project.

This is an example of a leading edge New Zealand institution looking to get into the high end, value-add part of the value chain, and there are many British organisations looking to do likewise, he said. In 2011, the two countries signed a joint declaration on science and innovation.

The two countries are also close allies on the UN Security Council and work together in

British High Commissioner to New Zealand, Jonathan Sinclair

Afghanistan and very recently in Antarctica.

The High Commissioner also touched on recent moves by the UK to introduce a health surcharge for Kiwi visa applicants and said in the Dominion Post opinion piece that this is not the same thing as the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement. “We will shortly have only two such agreements: with New Zealand and Australia.

“At the heart of the recent misunderstanding is the belief that all Kiwis visiting the UK will now be faced with a cost for going to the doctor…

The UK remains New Zealand’s largest trading partner in the European Union and the strongest supporter for the EU-NZ Free Trade Agreement.

Kiwis staying in the UK up to 6 months will continue to get free access to GPs and the National Health Service. This is actually a better deal than Brits receive in New Zealand. Only those staying for more than six months, will pay the surcharge. In exchange they will then get access to all NHS services.”

In turn he pointed to the Youth Mobility Scheme visa which allows young Kiwis to work for two years (it used to be one) in the UK and the number of spaces for New Zealanders has been increased under this scheme in 2016 to 12,000.

For frequent travellers to the UK, the new Registered Traveller Scheme allows Kiwi visitors, for a small fee, to bypass queues at Heathrow and use the e-passport gates.

Business North Harbour members turned out in force for the business lunch with the British High Commissioner, Jonathan Sinclair.

8

MAR CH 2 0 1 6 F YI B US I N ES S NH. ORG. NZ

TOGETHER STRONGER

Together Stronger In the coming months, business tenants and commercial property owners in the proposed new membership area, within Mecari Way, Elliot Rose Avenue, Kaipiho Lane, Data Way, McClymonts Road, William Laurie Place and Corinthian, Oracle, Don McKinnon and Cornerstone Drives, will receive an invitation to join North Harbour Business Improvement District. It represents an important opportunity and outlines why the business and property owners are encouraged to vote in support of joining their neighbouring commercial property and business owners as members of the North Harbour Business Improvement District.

The ballot paper is not a circular. If you receive it please make time to read – it will affect you. You have a choice – so please have your say.

The North Harbour Business Improvement District Expansion Ballot will create an even stronger business district. Approximately 350 businesses and commercial rate payers will be invited to join the current 4000 business and commercial property owners located south of Albany Expressway. A combined Business Improvement District will deliver additional benefits to both groups.

Parking a hassle this morning?

We can help.

businessnh.org.nz/togetherstronger

Want local networking opportunities?

We can help.

businessnh.org.nz/togetherstronger

Here’s why: Business North Harbour manages the delivery of member programmes and services, providing one point of contact for all issues which impact members. Business North Harbour general manager Janine Brinsdon says that a successful poll will give businesses in both areas a bigger voice, which is critical under the new Auckland Council structure.

“A stronger voice will enable Business North Harbour to lobby Council for returned investment in economic benefits and improved infrastructure, which reflect the needs of local

Want your voice heard?

We can help.

businessnh.org.nz/togetherstronger

Want more investment locally?

We can help.

businessnh.org.nz/togetherstronger

Want less crime?

Want more profit?

We can help.

We can help.

businessnh.org.nz/togetherstronger

Want to make it easier to get from A to B? We can help.

businessnh.org.nz/togetherstronger

business and support continued commercial property development and investment.

“The businesses on both sides of the motorway share many of the same challenges. We all want to continue to attract good calibre of personnel, and that means efficiency in terms of transport, and providing a safe and desirable environment for staff and trade visitors. It doesn’t matter whether a company is on the north or south of the Albany Expressway, we can all benefit through a single voice, stronger representation.”

Janine Brinsdon says the combined strength of 4350 members would create a sustainable and powerful voice for business.

“Our operational costs wouldn’t increase significantly. It’s about business efficiency gained through greater economy of scale.”

Business North Harbour is committed to encouraging effective networking strategies throughout its membership. Widening the pool of member companies who support each other directly and through business referrals would be a huge benefit of expansion. “The more members, the greater the opportunities for working together,” Brinsdon says.

A positive vote in the forthcoming expansion ballot, will increase the impact and influence local business and commercial property owners can exert across issues which are important to their financial success.

Please make sure you are informed and have your say.

Vote between 31 March and midday 20 April 2016. www.businessnh.org.nz/togetherstronger

businessnh.org.nz/togetherstronger

MARCH 2 0 1 6 F YI BUSINE SS N H . O RG. N Z

9

WHO’S WHO

Who’s Who: Flintfox Recently when Flintfox CEO Mike Ridgway was in a meeting with Microsoft leaders in North America they referred to the company as a butterfly. But Ridgway was quick to suggest the company is more like an ant colony; quiet in going about its business, uncompromising in the pursuit of its goals, and pervasive in its market presence. The Flintfox team share their story.

Tell us a little bit about Flintfox?

Flintfox, first known as Quality Systems, was founded in 1987 by Paul Coote. Paul’s uncompromising attitude towards ensuring software engineering excellence remains a cornerstone driver for our development team to this day.

Building a successful software publisher however takes much more than great software and Mike Ridgway’s introduction to the business in 2008 underpinned the company’s growth and ensured a rapid growth in awareness of who we are, and what we do.

Flintfox has grown rapidly in recent years

establishing offices in Singapore, Malaysia, USA, and England while maintaining healthy profitability.

Record performance metrics are being achieved with monotonous regularity. The company values the individual and the potential they hold for the business as well as the experience they bring to the role.

Our employees hail from all corners of the world and are committed to the culture, set of values, and vision that is Flintfox, and enjoy being part of a Kiwi company with a global focus and enterprising spirit.

Tell us about what the company does and who your customers are?

Flintfox International designs, develops and implements a trade and revenue management technology platform for global trade and enterprise organisations. Our suite of products addresses business challenges with pricing and trade promotions, rebates and fees, and deduction settlement. Our customers are in the consumer goods, manufacturing and wholesale distribution industries, located across the United States, Europe and Asia.

Could you describe the company’s journey to date?

Flintfox has a performance-based culture with heavy emphasis on executing The Plan. Flintfox has already had its share of

success but the potential is extraordinary and the team recognises the integral role they need to play for us to reach our potential. The demonstrations of the company’s success are seen constantly but the “organisational feet” are firmly rooted to the ground.

Six years ago, under Mike’s then new leadership, we remodelled the Flintfox ‘go-to-market’ strategy setting the objective to become a Microsoft strategic partner.

Now Flintfox is one of 26 Global Independent Software Vendors (GISV) with whom Microsoft has a strategic partnership.

Our CEO is one of six CEOs globally to sit on the Microsoft Partner Advisory Board. We now have products for Dynamics AX, NAV and CRM as well as an nPrice solution to address the challenges of advanced pricing in omni-channel environments on a global scale.

As a New Zealand company, what challenges have you faced being primarily in international markets?

The lack of a local presence in-market and the inherent difficulties associated with trying to provide service and support to overseas customers from New Zealand (specifically, time zones) has been a key growth inhibitor.

The establishment and investment of key personnel in North America and the UK has been required to address this. We also

WHO’S WHO

extended the time availability of our NZ-based technical services team to ensure support can be accessed throughout the business hours in North America. In addition we have formed a close relationship with the core Microsoft teams in the US, utilising Microsoft senior executives as required to provide validation of Flintfox technical R&D design and strategic direction. We also leverage the extensive Microsoft partner ecosystem to ensure local representation for customer engagement.

What are you most proud of achieving?

Our greatest achievement is most certainly the creation of the culture, values, team, and opportunity that is Flintfox itself.

It is through this achievement that we have been able to develop disruptive technologies and deliver a solution set that our enterprise level customers depend on.

As a New Zealand owned company, up against much bigger software providers, we’re one of only 26 leading Microsoft GISVs. GISVs are chosen from the thousands of

Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) in the Dynamics ecosystem based on their extensive industry knowledge. Microsoft view us as being strategically important to their business.

That’s pretty cool.

What have you learned?

• The need to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the individual and through that the role they play in the team.

• The people we employ are much more capable than they think they are.

• There is no secret to success.

• There is greatness in everyone here and it comes in many forms.

• Obstacles are usually just opportunities to challenge ourselves.

What advice would you have for smaller businesses starting out?

From a leadership perspective, the most important thing is around integrity in terms of the message, it needs to come from the heart.

It’s also often about doing the basics right that differentiates you from everybody else.

What is your future vision?

• To ensure we are relevant in our industry on a global scale.

TIME TO SELL? TIME TO BUY? TIME TO RELOCATE YOUR BUSINESS? Ryan offers honest, fact related, unbiased advice.

•

To be seen as the best of breed solution for revenue management and pricing solutions as it relates to manufacturers and wholesale distribution companies globally.

• To be recognised as one of the best employers on the North Shore with a reputation for bringing the best out in people and providing a great work environment.

• To demonstrate “habitual success” in our development, delivery, and financial performance.

Tell us about your recent award wins.

In 2014 we were recognised as Microsoft’s Asia Pacific ISV Partner of the Year for a second time, inducted into the President’s Club (top 5 percent of partners worldwide) and hand-selected to participate in the elite Inner Circle programme (top 1 percent of partners worldwide).

In 2015 we were recognised at the Westpac Auckland Business Awards North for Excellence in Exporting, Excellence in Business Leadership (for our CEO Mike Ridgway) and we took out the top award of the night – the Westpac Supreme Business Award. We also received the Consumer Goods Magazine “Readers’ Choice Award” for 2015 and 2016.

LE

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For the last twelve years, he has consistently been one of the industry’s top performers and has been involved in some of the larger sales, leases and design build projects throughout Auckland.

AS

AS

ED

ED

> Owner occupiers wanting to cash in on a strong market

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> Family trust needing to divest Industrial assets > Needing a larger warehouse > Considering a design build > Free property appraisals – with no obligations > Industrial specialist

To acheive above market expectations contact Ryan on 021 575 001 ryan.dezwart@colliers.com

“Thanks once again; your hard work is acknowledged and very much appreciated.”

Noel Reid, AMS Ltd

colliers.co.nz

LD

INNOVATION

Managing kids more easily A “childhood management” booking system, developed by a local company looks set to take the out-of-school childcare sector by storm.

Dean Payn and Ray Lu have developed a booking engine, known as aimy Plus, for providers of after-school care, child academies, sports clubs and out of school tuition.

Payn says that it offers an industry specific, web-based software system to provide a full end-to-end (almost and soon to be paperless) solution.

He says it runs everything from online bookings (and availability) to roll call, programme planning, billing and gives parents their own portal to book online, review programmes and information and pictures of their child(ren).

It also stores information on any medical conditions a child may have, emergency contacts and dietary requirements – so this child safety information is available on a staff member’s device at a push of a button.

He believes the system is a “game changer” for the industry and will save businesses providing out-of-school care, education and groups significant amounts of time and money. “They can run their whole business on it.”

And it is off to a very good start. The software was developed working with a major New Zealand after-school care provider, SKIDS, which has 143 franchises nationwide.

The platform went live eight months ago and already has another 57 providers signed up.

Payn says in the eight months it has turned over $12.5 million of bookings and has 15,500

Ray Lu and Dean Payn

children and 12,000 parents registered.

Payn and Lu have big plans for the business with aspirations to go global and are already having conversations with Queensland Scouts and Australian Army Cadets. For now their action plan is to consolidate their position in New Zealand, get that base growing and next year work hard on moving into Australia.

Providers pay a monthly fee and the company, which employs 20 developers and eight testers, is providing a continually improving product.

Aimy Plus works on four fronts. First off is the platform for out-of-school providers and the next front is a children’s programme and event directory so parents know what other resources their kids might be able to access or attend.

The third arm is a parent app, which will gives parents the ability to manage, book and pay for a range of activities all from the one spot. Once registered, their child’s details are already on the platform and don’t need to be re-entered multiple times.

The platform went live eight months ago and already has another 57 providers signed up.

Payn says in the eight months it has turned over $12.5 million of bookings and has 15,500 children and 12,000 parents registered.

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Payn says it also helps parents to see where their children are progressing, in what areas they are showing real interest and where they might best help the child’s development.

And it does help manage pick-ups and drop-offs. Payn says, like many parents, he has been caught out going to the wrong sportsground to pick up one son, after being confused about which activity his son was actually at that night.

The fourth tranche of aimy Plus, says Payn, is that they hope they will be able to provide totally anonymous big data back to government and universities to help with an understanding of the younger generation’s strengths and weaknesses and where the gaps in education might be for the future.

For more information see aimyplus.com

BRANDING

Are you as good as your brand says you are?

As marketing guru, Brian Solis, puts it in the publicity for his new book X, “If you are not an experience, then you are not a brand”. Meaning, it seems, that whatever the experience your customers have with you, that is your brand. Not what you say your brand is, but what everyone who comes into contact with your brand decides it is and what impression they give to others of your brand.

Here in Auckland, The Marketing Bureau’s Brian Meredith (www.themarketingbureau. co.nz) said in a recent blog that once your business or organisation has established its brand character and personality, you need to work with the entire staff (and all other stakeholder groups) to develop and implement plans for that character and personality to come alive and be apparent in everything that the organisation says and does.

“For example, if your brand promotes itself as a sophisticated, intelligent, skilled and experienced set of professionals in some field but your premises are shabby, your receptionist speaks poor English and your partners keep clients waiting then, clearly, your brand is a sham.”

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He goes on to say that because a “brand is defined not by you but by what your marketplace thinks and says about it. They will share their experience or perception with others”.

Jon Dunn, the co-founder at local business 2Comm says because consumers are so

“With social media, people’s habits have fundamentally changed and the way they perceive brands has fundamentally changed.” visually aware today, people are looking for the brand experience.

“With social media, people’s habits have fundamentally changed and the way they perceive brands has fundamentally changed,” he says.

And he is in a good positon to talk about brands and when the time might be right to rebrand.

As well as undertaking the impressive Business North Harbour rebranding, the company he owns with his wife Kathryn is just in the throes of relaunching its 2Comm brand to become Spruik.

Their story, he says, is like many other businesses. When they launched 16 years ago, with a hiss and a roar, they had about five minutes to make a call on the name as they registered the company. There were two of them – in communications – so 2Communications was born. Their company’s focus and work has since changed enormously and the new name Spruik, they believe reflects this.

So when do you know the time is right to rebrand your business?

Dunn says it usually happens first in the digital realm. Company owners look at their website, realise it looks old fashioned and dated and it needs to be mobile-friendly so they often start the rebranding there.

Consumers, he says, are a lot more

ISTOCKPHOTO

In today’s densely connected world it’s hard to miss the message that not only you and your staff are your brand, but your customers are your brand too — along with all their Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter followers. And for just one customer those friends and followers might well number in the thousands. So how do you ensure your business is as good as your brand says it is?

BRANDING

Case study: Business North Harbour

“If your brand has characteristics that include “responsible, reliable, safe” etc. (say, for example, an engineering firm) and one of your liveried vehicles drives like a maniac on a cold, wet, busy Friday afternoon, the brand is simply not credible.” discerning these days, they are in tune digitally and through their involvement with Twitter and Instagram they are very visually orientated.

“Often people start a business quickly and down the road ask the question of whether the brand is current, relevant and on par with the business as it is today.

“And branding goes to the core of the business. You need to look at the values of the business; is the name right for what the business does today?”

Dunn says that for SMEs often the rebrand is an inwardly focused experience. What are the values? What is your brand experience?

How do customers experience the brand on all the touch points?

When undertaking a branding exercise for clients “we look at the demographics of their clients and get a good understanding of where they sit in their market, what their competitors are doing and what is the point of difference for the business”.

He says because consumers are so visually aware, people are looking for the brand experience.

“Our job is to find out what the essence of the brand is and to come up with ideas that are fresh. The graphic is a by-product of that work.”

He says they look at all the touch points – online, physical and even the interior design of the business’ premises.

While a lot of brands have grown online, even the likes of Amazon are looking at physical bookstores now. Dunn thinks this is about enriching the whole brand experience of Amazon and also because online has become “very transactional”.

In essence he says a brand needs congruency. “You are looking for something t h a t m a k e s s e n s e . i . e . t h a t ’s h o w a professional services company should look.”

It needs to sit right, he says.

So how long does the process take? Dunn says it can be as quick as a couple of weeks, but they have had projects that have taken as long as a couple of months to get right.

And what does a rebrand cost? Dunn says it does take time to get it right and for a lot of businesses it is a significant investment.

“But in today’s environment it is mandatory to get it right.”

He acknowledges you can get a $50 logo from the internet, but it won’t explain what is behind the brand, what the experience will be for the consumer.

He also points out that people are fussier about imagery these days and are exposed to something like 7,500 designs and advertising messages a day. People are bombarded – through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and the constant churn of data and imagery in front of them.

The important thing with brands is to find the meaning and the context.

Brian Meredith says too many businesses have marketing teams that create sophisticated marketing communications campaigns where a view of the brand is reflected in those campaigns. But the rest of the organisation, all too often, does not reflect it at all.

“If your brand has characteristics that include, “responsible, reliable, safe”, etc. (say, for example, an engineering firm) and one of your liveried vehicles drives like a maniac on a cold, wet, busy Friday afternoon, the brand is simply not credible.”

He says too that if your marketing communications material includes largely hidden Terms & Conditions which will irritate the customer once they find out about them, then your brand is, again, damaged.

“A brand relationship is driven by the sum total of every behaviour, however large or small, that your organisation engages in.”

Jon Dunn of 2Comm (which is just rebranding itself as Spruik) took on the North Harbour Business Association rebranding at the stage when the association had already worked through the process of researching and discovering that it wanted to rename itself as Business North Harbour.

Business North Harbour general manager, Janine Brinsdon says that for the organisation rebranding wasn’t simply a case of a new logo or website. “It gave us the chance to reposition our organisation within the minds of our business and property owner membership, and our stakeholders.

It gave us the chance to realign our name to our core purpose – to grow business across North Harbour.

Our process took over 12 months as for it to be a success I needed to make sure my board and project teams were on the same page, and that all stakeholders understood the direction we were taking with our programmes and services.

“Our brand dictates our current and future focus – everything else must fall into place to reinforce this message,” she says.

Dunn told FYI that at this stage Spruik went through the strategy and how Business North Harbour had come up with the name and together they decided that the visual style they had previously was less business-like than they now wanted.

“We wanted to make it business-like yet very modern and slightly quirky. Minimalist, but no nonsense and something that said ‘we mean business’.”

The font, he says, comes down to the eye of the designer and the brackets they felt added a touch to say ‘this organisation has personality’.

The magenta colour, gives the logo boldness. Business North Harbour wanted something bold and business-like that would appeal to both males and females.

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BUSINESS NORTH HARBOUR

The new us Business North Harbour was proud to unveil our new look and logo last month. We hope you all approve. .

BRAND IN CONTEXT

Š Concepts

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TRANSPORT

Dealing with your traffic concerns

AUCKLAND

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Business North Harbour members are frequently in touch around traffic issues and concerns. Here is a roundup of what is being done in the district.

Business North Harbour has been busy assisting with members’ comments and complaints on local traffic issues, says relationship manager, Sarah de Zwart. The issues finalised include: • The removal of real estate agents’ signs in Ceres Court which were limiting the visibility of oncoming traffic.

• Yellow lines on the corner of Apollo/Orbit and Arrenway Drives have been completed.

This was a safety risk due to cars parking too close to the roundabout with complaints from buses and emergency vehicles unable to pass.

• Containers and trucks left on Piermark Drive, which were blocking valuable parking space, have all been removed.

Business North Harbour will continue to monitor this.

• Roundabout street signs should be in the middle for easy visibility and AT has confirmed that this is their mandate for all new roundabouts.

• Speeding and boy-racers on Omega Drive: AT has reviewed the street and the average speed is 48km per hour therefore AT has decided this is satisfactory.

Business North Harbour will continue to monitor it.

De Zwart says they are also actively working on the lack of parking on Parkway Drive and the areas around the Park’n’Ride.

Business North Harbour conducted a business survey, as well as a bus patrons’ survey and Auckland Transport undertook an area survey.

The results include: • When surveying the companies on Parkway Drive many say their staff park on the road, with many more staff than their available spaces, therefore many of the cars are actually from staff within the vicinity.

• A high percentage of the bus

patrons are ‘kiss and rides’ and are dropped off.

• Most patrons were unwilling to pay for parking.

• AT abides by the international rules that the maximum distance the council must allow prior to a review is that parking can be 800 metres away from public parking. It is aware of the issues, however at this stage there are no plans to build a parking building.

De Zwart says Business North Harbour is well aware of members’ frustration and is actively working with AT to provide a solution.

Other areas where members have raised concerns and Business North Harbour is working on are a pedestrian crossing on Apollo Drive; traffic light phase change on Constellation Drive; the intersection of Rosedale Road and Triton Drive; a Tawa Drive clearway – the sign will be installed in mid-March; a new clearway sign for Constellation Drive – the sign should be installed by the end of February.

“We are still waiting for a parking occupancy survey to be undertaken on Constellation Drive. Once this is completed, the parking design team will inform us whether it is feasible to install a clearway on Constellation Drive on the city bound direction from 4pm to 6pm,” she says.

Other concerns from members include the limited visibility due to overgrown flax on the roundabout at the corner of William Pickering Drive and Douglas Alexander Parade; cars not obeying free area zone meaning cars coming off the ramp (from the south) going onto Upper Harbour Drive can’t turn right, because cars wanting to get onto the motorway are blocking the free zone; the need for light control turning left onto Albany Highway. Cars are turning right and doing U-turns.

De Zwart says Business North Harbour is also assisting with issues outside specific properties.

A fun workplace team walking challenge!

Compete against other teams to walk the virtual length of New Zealand.

Great prizes to be won throughout the month, so get in on the fun!

Register your team at AT.govt.nz/walkmonth

HEALTHY AUCKLAND TOGETHER

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Bicycle challenges February has been Auckland Bike Challenge Month and Business North Harbour organised three successful events for members.

In association with Auckland Transport, Business North Harbour held Auckland Bike Challenge where all employees within a registered company clock how many kilometres they have cycled and are up for prizes. There was better than anticipated participation.

Relationship manager, Sarah de Zwart says the association also organised a beginners’ bike event which was well received with participants ranging from 7 years old to 60 plus and “they were all confidently cycling by the end of the workshop”.

“Discover the Hidden Gems of North Harbour” was the next event. “This included a lovely route through the park and new off-road mountain bike tracks that many didn’t even know existed,” she said. Bikes were supplied for both events, if needed.

The last event was in conjunction with Auckland’s “Bike to Work Day” and Business North Harbour was the only organiser which offered a free muffin and coffee at participating cafes – Pickles, Altura and Drina.

Next month is March Walk Month and de Zwart says Business North Harbour will be working to help local businesses take part.

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TRANSPORT

NZTA Update: Next stages of motorway and busway planning underway in 2016 The beginning of the new calendar year signals the start of the next planning stages for several key NZ Transport Agency projects on the North Shore – including the Northern Corridor Improvements project.

NZTA reports that this mammoth project is gearing up to begin a new two year programme of work focused on legal and resource consenting processes, bringing the project one step closer to its planned construction start date of 2018.

The Northern Corridor Improvements project will build a new strategic motorway connection from the shore out to the Western Ring Route, as well as extend the Northern Busway to Albany and undertake a series of local road, pedestrian and cycling improvements around the wider Albany area.

Its project team will continue to be based at its community InfoHub office in Apollo Drive, with experts in these specialist fields joining the team over the next few months.

As part of the 2016-17 programme of legal and consenting processes, the project team will carry on contacting and supporting potentially affected property owners.

They will also prepare evidence for consent hearings and move on to develop more detailed design plans, including assessing environmental aspects and investigating urban design elements.

This next stage of design work will build on the recommended overall design the community was consulted on in 2015, and incorporate the feedback received then.

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also get a chance to provide more feedback on the next version of the design plans in another round of public consultation this year.

As reported in the October issue of FYI magazine, the consultation last year found there was strong support for the aims of the project, and growing understanding of the Transport Agency’s aim of encouraging drivers to use the new Western Ring Route as an alternative route to SH1.

The other main projects that make up the ring route are already under construction, including the Waterview Connection tunnels which will link the upgraded Northwestern Motorway (SH16) to the Southwestern Motorway (SH20), providing the ‘missing link’ that will allow travellers to circle the city centre and reconnect back to SH1 at Manukau – or access the airport.

The massive tunnel boring machine has completed its work underground at Waterview, and construction teams are focused now on building the roading, services and on and off-ramps.

There was also strong support for the extension of the Northern Busway, and the agency will continue to develop plans with Auckland Transport for an additional bus station on the new extension.

While the main construction start date for the Northern Corridor project is still 2018, several smaller, early projects will be actioned over the next two years ahead of the major

Projects Summary •

•

•

Northern Corridor project begins legal and consenting phase, construction still planned for 2018.

‘North’ growth areas consultation (Silverdale, Dairy Flat, Wainui) begins this month.

Additional Waitemata Harbour Crossing team begins long term route protection phase.

works.

These projects will help provide some relief for current frustrations in the meantime, and include the instigation of a clearway on Tawa Drive (between the Greville Road offramp and Rosedale Road roundabout) to help keep traffic moving on this important route in the morning peak traffic times; and a project to investigate how to resolve the delays for express buses trying to merge with traffic on the southbound onramp at Greville Road. More information on these projects will be notified to Business North Harbour members soon.

Find out more or sign up to updates on the Northern Corridor and these projects here: www.nzta.govt.nz/auckland-northern-corridor

TRANSPORT

Urban growth and a second harbour crossing Two more major transport planning projects on the North Shore will kick off this year, writes NZTA. In March and April all Aucklanders will be invited to have their say on what transport infrastructure they would like to see built over the next 10-30 years to support the four new urban growth areas approved by council in November 2015.

These four areas are outside the city’s current boundaries and are mostly rural, but will be developed into new communities including new town centres.

Planning for consenting and building of bulk infrastructure including water, waste and transport needs to start now to make sure these areas are ready for when people move in.

One of the four growth areas is called ‘north Auckland’ and covers the currently mostly rural areas around Silverdale (west), Wainui and Dairy Flat.

The transport infrastructure ideas being proposed by Auckland Transport, Auckland Council and the NZ Transport Agency include

state highway widening proposals from Albany – Silverdale and further extensions of the Northern Busway beyond Albany further north.

Community consultation events begin in the first week of March, and a second round of consultation is planned for April. Find out more at www.nzta.govt.nz/auckland-urban-growth.

This year the NZ Transport Agency is also beginning a route protection exercise to protect the intended route of an additional Waitemata Harbour Crossing and provide long term planning certainty.

The city’s Auckland Plan identifies a second major transport crossing as being required sometime around 2030, both to help mitigate the increasing need to restrict heavy traffic as the iconic Harbour Bridge structure continues to age, and because of Auckland’s continuing population growth.

The route protection move by the Transport Agency aims to secure long term designation rights by approximately 2017. If

designation is approved, the Transport Agency will then prepare a detailed business case, which will determine when the crossing is needed, and what other improvements or changes would need to be made to SH1 to increase traffic capacity and allow for entry and exit points.

Development of a business case could take several years, and it is anticipated construction of the crossing could take five to seven years after that.

Previous decisions over the past 20 years have already decided the second crossing will be a tunnel that surfaces in a different location to the current bridge, somewhere closer to Wynyard Quarter to provide heavy freight with access to the port and to bring the location closer to the central motorway junction (known as spaghetti junction).

To find out more and see concept drawings visit www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/awhc/

Bus schedules to be reviewed by AT Many Business North Harbour members are finding the current bus schedules in and out from the Constellation Park and Ride unsuitable for themselves and their employees to use on a regular basis.

Business North Harbour relationship manager, Sarah de Zwart, says the current and planned bus schedules linking the Park and Ride with the surrounding area (Paul Matthews Drive, William Pickering Drive or Bush Road) are infrequent within peak times of 6am to 9am and 4pm to 6pm. She says the first buses leave the Constellation Park and Ride in the mornings and in the evenings within five to seven minutes of each other.

However it is then a half hour wait for the next bus.

“We believe the maximum time our members should wait at peak hours is 15 minutes and that there should also be additional stops around the surrounding area.

“In light of this, Business North Harbour worked to confirm free parking for commuters coming into our business region at QBE Stadium and also investigated hiring three shuttle buses. We also requested permission from local businesses to use their driveways as stops for the shuttle.

“However Auckland Transport is unable to implement our suggestions because of issues around current service and supplier relationships.”

But, de Zwart says, the positive outcome is that Auckland Transport has agreed to review the services within the area. Business North Harbour will keep members posted on any developments and continue to lobby Auckland Transport.

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CRIME PREVENTION

Cyber-attacks on the rise Cyber-attacks are on the rise. It’s a fact that cannot be disputed and, with our dependence on technology continuing to increase, it’s likely these attacks will only become more widespread. The good news?

There are ways you can defend yourself and your business against cyber-attacks.

Unitec’s head of computing, Dr Hossein Sarrafzadeh, says that cyber-attacks are becoming increasingly prevalent and hackers are getting more and more brazen.

“Recently we saw in the news that a hacker walked into a luxury car yard in Auckland in broad daylight and used a device to override keyless car technology to steal a $165,000 Jaguar – all in under a minute.

“This is just one small example of the type of cyber-attacks that can occur. Netsafe receives reports of common digital challenges that cause financial and emotional harm to New Zealanders. In December, Netsafe reported that there were 623 recorded incidents over 31 days across New Zealand,” he says.

“It’s sobering statistics like this that demonstrate just how important it is for organisations to take measures to protect themselves from cyber-attacks. In fact, late last year, the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service and Government Communications and Security Bureau released a report which placed cyber-attacks as one of the top six threats to New Zealand.”

Dr Sarrafzadeh says today’s cyber-attacks come from multiple sources, breaching boundary defences from inside and outside organisations, including zero-day exploits, drive-by download attacks, and malware spreading via USB memory sticks and mail attachments.

The good news? Unitec is at the forefront of cybersecurity research and offers cutting edge innovations that can assist in averting cybercrime attacks on your business.

Unitec’s Cybersecurity Health Check can test the resilience of your businesses systems and networks to ensure that your critical infrastructure is secure.

Unitec also offers the Daedalus Red Alert System. This adds a new weapon in your anti-malware armoury, providing companies with greater ability to protect their data and their client’s data.

Dr Sarrafzadeh says Unitec is developing connections with businesses and organisations active or interested in cybersecurity.

Learn more To learn more about working with Unitec or to find out more about its Health Check and Daedalus Red Alert system, you can phone Clare Kitching, cybersecurity client consultant on 021 0204 9935 or email cybersecurity@unitec.ac.nz.

Insecure premises Business North Harbour’s nightly security patrols, performed by Armourguard Security Ltd, have been finding more than the usual number of unsecure premises.

Crime prevention manager Dave Loader says that after investigating further they found that these unsecure premises are mainly windows left open due to the hot, humid weather being experienced during the day.

“Please ensure your premises are fully secure before setting your alarm and leaving for the night. The security patrol has also found roller doors left up inadvertently by staff,” says Loader.

“During business office hours if you are leaving doors ajar, or roller doors up, for fresh air you can contact Business North Harbour for a door buzzer to alert you if any unauthorised person enters your premises,” he says.

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Tradies suffering due to stolen work tools Tradesmen suffering because their tools have been stolen, either from construction sites or their vehicles being broken into, has been a serious concern for the police nationwide.

Business North Harbour’s crime prevention manager, Dave Loader, says Business North Harbour sought assistance to identify what it could do to reduce tool thefts or identify offenders.

“With the help of each trade’s representative body, crime prevention articles were placed in their respective magazines and newsletters.

The message was to introduce the tradesmen to SelectaDNA, a product that will identify who owns the property if it is recovered by the police and help in tracking/identifying offenders,” says Loader.

For further information on this product contact Dave Loader on 021 560287 or email crimeprevention@businessnh.org.nz.

The thin blue line How well do you know your neighbours?

Good communication is important in business and is also very important to prevent crime, says acting senior sergeant Matthew Granich.

Sharing of information with your commercial neighbours such as suspicious persons or vehicles may be the key to preventing crime or solving a crime. Get to know your neighbours and businesses nearby and talk to each other.

We encourage you to meet regularly to share information. You may find that your neighbours have common issues and have noticed something suspicious that you haven’t. Our local Community Constables have good local knowledge of offenders so sharing this information with them may be beneficial to you all.

If you observe suspicious activity then call 111 immediately, otherwise phone or email your local Community Constable with any information you may have. The more detailed the description of the suspect or vehicle, the better chance we have to hold persons accountable for their actions and prevent further offending.

Crime has generally decreased in the North Harbour area as we have entered into the new year. It is important that this trend continues throughout the rest of the year. We all play a part in making our community safe so please help keep our area one of the safest in New Zealand.

Acting senior sergeant Matthew Granich is the youth and communities manager (relieving), North Shore, Waitemata District.

CRIME PREVENTION

Get ready for the inorganic collection If you have a pile of inorganic materials you don’t know what to do with, help is at hand.

Business North Harbour’s first inorganic collection for 2016 will take place across the business region on Thursday, March 17 and Friday, March 18, 2016.

Business North Harbour successfully a p p l i e d f o r f u n d i n g f r o m t h e Wa s t e Minimisation Fund at Auckland Council for two inorganic collections this year.

Business North Harbour crime prevention specialist, Dave Loader, says the total Business North Harbour area on both sides of the Northern Motorway will be covered for the March collection. Businesses wanting items picked up will need to register on the association website, www.businessnh.org.nz.

Abilities Group has won the contract to undertake the collection of the goods and Loader says businesses wanting their waste collected will need to sort it into recyclable and non-recyclable items.

Once collected the recyclable goods will be taken to a storage area to enable community groups and not–for–profit organisations to check out the goods, see what they want and take them away for free.

Loader says the collection will cover e-waste, office furniture, televisions and general inorganic waste.

He is hoping for good demand from businesses within the area as the 2015 collection was very successful with 34 companies requesting collections and eight community groups benefitting from the reusable items.

As to what Abilities cannot take, Loader says dangerous goods can’t be accepted and that category will be explained to businesses when they book their collection.

Business North Harbour has negotiated a greatly reduced market rate for the collection from its members, he says and Abilities Group will invoice each business directly after the collection once the cubic metres of the inorganic items has been established.

For more information contact Dave Loader on crimeprevention@businessnh.org.nz

JOIN THE COMMUNITY OF BUSINESS SUCCESS • Hot Desks • Fixed Desks • Office Areas • Meeting Rooms

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PROPERTY

What you need to know about commercial leasing During the course of selling and leasing commercial property, there are common queries which arise from all parties. The following explanations are provided, but parties should seek legal advice prior to signing any agreements.

Agreement to Lease or Heads of Agreement: The most common form used is the Auckland District Law Society Agreement to Lease. The landlord and the tenant initial and sign, with the negotiations invariably facilitated by a commercial real estate agent using the latest edition being the Fifth Edition 2012 (3). The agreement is legally binding when all conditions (if any) have been met.

Deed of Lease: The Auckland District Law Society Deed of Lease, Sixth Edition 2012 (4) is completed by the landlord’s lawyer after the Agreement to Lease is unconditional. Each party pays their own costs, unless other terms have been agreed to in the Agreement to Lease.

Agreement for Sale & Purchase of Real Estate: The most common form used is the Auckland District Law Society Agreement for Sale and Purchase of Real Estate, Ninth Edition 2012 (3). The vendor and the purchaser initial and sign, with the negotiations usually facilitated by a real estate agent.

The agreement is legally binding when it is unconditional.

Operating costs (OPEX) or outgoings: Outgoings means the total of all costs, charges, rates, fees and expenses incurred by the landlord or for which the landlord may be liable in respect of the whole/part of the building. These include council rates, body corporate levies (if applicable), building insurance, common area cleaning, repairs and maintenance etc.

Net rent: This is the rent calculated excluding building outgoing costs.

Gross rent: This is the rent calculated inclusive of all building outgoing costs.

Face rent: The quoted rental rate before taking into account incentives or increases.

Effective rent: The rental rate averaged out over the term of the lease and giving consideration for rent-free periods or up-front incentives.

Rent review: The method by which rent can vary during the term of the lease. Can be either a market review, a predetermined figure or fixed to an index such as the CPI. The review structure for the duration of the lease period is agreed prior to lease commencement.

Unconditional date: This is the date when 22

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If you are looking to lease a commercial property, here is a useful guide to common terms and conditions. By Janet Marshall.

Most commercial leases allow the tenant to sublease or assign their premises.

Typically, the landlord is unable to unreasonably withhold consent to the sublease/assignment. the agreement becomes legally binding.

During a typical lease negotiation, leasing proposals are used as a medium to determine terms and conditions acceptable to both landlord and tenant.

This will lead to a Heads of Agreement document outlining the final position of both parties, and accompanied by a leasing deposit, generally equivalent to two to three months annual rental as a deposit, which is rent-in-advance.

This deposit is typically paid to the leasing agent’s trust account to be passed to the landlord. At this stage the agreement may be conditional. In some cases it may be conditional on tenant and/or tenant’s board

approval, together with (if appropriate) other approval conditions.

Will I be able to sublease or assign my lease?: Most commercial leases allow the tenant to sublease or assign their premises. Typically, the landlord is unable to unreasonably withhold consent to the sublease/assignment.

A prudent landlord however will consider the strength of covenant being offered by the incoming sub-tenant or assignee, and will be reluctant to accept a sublease/assignment should their financial position/security be reduced as a result of the sublease/ assignment.

What is a “make good” and how much will it cost?: A “make good” is the tenant’s obligation to return the premises to its original state upon completion of the lease, usually excepting fair wear and tear of floor coverings.

The discussions should take place well in advance of the tenant’s departure from the premises in order for the landlord and tenant to agree on any works (if any).

Janet Marshall is the commercial manager for Colliers North Shore.

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Health and Safety at Work Act 2015: What you need to know (and to do) New health and safety laws are coming into force on April 4. Candice Murphy summarises the most significant points of the new Act and looks at how your business can prepare for the new Act. The new Act imposes primary duties on ‘Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking’ (PCBUs). PCBUs are a new concept, wide enough to cover companies, partnerships, sole traders, volunteer organisations and incorporated societies (rather than simply ‘employers’). Many more individuals and entities will be considered PCBUs with primary duties to ensure the health and safety of their workers and other individuals.

Officers’ duties From April 4, ‘Officers’ of PCBUs will have personal duties to exercise due diligence to ensure their PCBU complies with its health and safety obligations.

If you are an officer (a director, partner or other person whose position allows you to exercise significant influence over the management of the PCBU, for example a CEO), you will need to take a proactive approach to: • Have up-to-date knowledge of workplace health and safety matters.

• Understand the hazards and risks arising out of your business.

• Ensure your business has appropriate resources to meet its obligations (funding, safety equipment, training, etc.).

•

Ensure adequate processes are in place for dealing with hazards, risks and incidents in the workplace.

Constantly reassess the workplace health and safety processes and protocols to ensure they are up-to-date and adequate for the needs of your business.

Engaging your workers Worker engagement is a critical focus of the new Act. From April 4, 2016 all businesses must: • Have practices that provide reasonable opportunities for workers to participate effectively in improving workplace health and safety.

• Provide relevant information regarding health and safety matters to workers.

• Consult with workers and consider their

Consult with your workers about any risks and hazards they are aware of, or concerned about, and how to eliminate or minimise them.

views on workplace health and safety matters.

Companies with 20 or more workers, or those in specified high risk industries will be required to establish work groups and facilitate the election of health and safety representative/s and health and safety committees if requested by workers. Failure to do so can result in significant penalties.

How to prepare All PCBUs should review all their health and safety practices, policies and procedures now, before the new law comes into force.

We recommend that you: • Take steps now to identify risks and hazards arising in your workplace – consider risks arising from the workers themselves and their practices.

• Consult with your workers about any risks and hazards they are aware of, or concerned about, and how to eliminate or minimise them.

• Invest in resources to ensure you meet your H&S obligations.

• Take advice from health and safety specialists (particularly in high risk workplaces).

• Review your existing policies to ensure they deal with every risk and hazard you have identified.

• Ensure your policies and practices are being complied with at all levels of the business – know not just what your workers should be doing but what they are actually doing. This will involve observation, training and effective communication with workers.

• Ensure all training (internal or external) is up to date and recorded.

• Ensure health and safety is a permanent and regular agenda item for all board/ management meetings.

• Stop any potentially unsafe work practices now, before it’s too late.

• Contact your health and safety specialist and/or your lawyer for assistance with understanding the new law and your compliance requirements.

For further advice on the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and compliance requirements please contact Candice Murphy, Employment Law Partner at Simpson Western Lawyers on 489 0723 or candicem@simpsonwestern.co.nz.

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NSCPG

A new special interest group to be launched A new special interest group aimed at Business North Harbour members with an interest in commercial property is to be launched this month.

The new group is the brainchild of Janet Marshall, a Business North Harbour executive board member and the commercial manager at Colliers International. It will be called North Shore Commercial Property Group.

Marshall says the objective is to get together with like-minded people who have an interest or business interests in commercial property.

This could include commercial property owners, tenants, property managers, lawyers, bodies corporate, consultants, banks, valuers, compliance personnel, building inspectors and builders. “I don’t believe there is anything like this locally, or in Auckland, and it will provide an opportunity to keep the group up-to-date with the market, rental rates, yields, compliance, and all issues relating to commercial property,� she told FYI magazine.

The launch of the new group is scheduled for 5pm on Thursday, March 24 at the Millennium

Institute and Marshall says she has had a lot of interest and is hoping up to 100 people might attend the first event. It also provides an opportunity for those attending to network.

The first speaker will be Alan McMahon, the national director of research and consulting at Colliers International. He will speak on the current commercial property market in Auckland and the North Shore.

Marshall says Business North Harbour is the right vehicle to take the group forward and that Colliers feels privileged to be able to take this initiative.

Business North Harbour will be arranging guest speakers at North Shore Commercial Property Group (NSCPG) events throughout the year so keep a look out for future notices.

Speakers will be drawn from a variety of interest groups.

Janet Marshall

Alan McMahon

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Why do professionals often have poor websites?

Could your website be driving business away? By Allan Kent.

By professionals, I mean individuals and companies which offer services based around their expertise. Examples include accountants; lawyers/solicitors; dentists/doctors/vets; consultants; architects and surveyors.

Most of these professionals will have well appointed offices. I’m not criticising anything here – just stating an observation.

Likewise, far from adopting the more casual work dress common in other workplaces, you’ll find most professionals stick much closer to the traditional professional work attire.

So if presentation is seen as important to these professionals, why do so many have such poor websites? Rather than presenting them well, too often their sites do the exact opposite. And remember – the website is going to be the first point of contact in the majority of cases.

Typical site failings include: • Presenting poorly on mobiles and tablets. Small font and needing to left and right scroll as well as up and down is not a good user experience. And remember, more and more of everyone’s website traffic is via such devices.

• Poor or dated design. What does a poor look and feel say about an individual or a company? In the visitor’s mind it indicates that attention to detail is not good. Doubts are introduced over whether this poor attention to detail will also show itself in the quality of the services being offered.

• Dated information. Back when the housing market was doing poorly, a property investment consultancy I visited spoke about the ‘buoyant’ Auckland 26

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housing market on its site, using examples that were already 18 months out of date. Credibility was destroyed.

We expect professionals to be fully up to speed with changes relevant to their offering.

• Not building trust and credibility.

Broken links, videos that don’t play, testimonials for clients who are no longer clients – all of these will rapidly destroy trust and credibility to the extent that the website visitor totally dismisses the potential of dealing with them.

Worse than the fact that so many professionals have such poor websites, is their reluctance to do anything about it.

“We grow our client base through wordof-mouth referrals” is a common response when I point out a site’s failings to a practice manager or partner.

However, how does a referral play out in reality?

Two friends/colleagues having a coffee and one says to the other, “I need a new accountant/architect/solicitor – would you recommend yours?”

In many cases, if regular contact is not required they might say – “I use a firm in Albany, I can’t remember their name – I’ll look them up”. If they are not instantly found in Google, that’s problem number one and that referral is weakening.

If the site isn’t mobile friendly, problem number two and the referral is weakened still further.

Finally, a poor user experience (as per the reasons listed above) and the original positive referral has pretty much died.

What was almost a done deal for the

company before, may not even lead to an enquiry now. For those that do get a lot of referral based enquiries, do you know how many you don’t get that you should have, simply because of a poor website?

What about companies that are already busy? This doesn’t mean that their site is unimportant to them.

An architect I dealt with once had projects up to his eyeballs. However, he wanted to focus on large commercial projects, whereas all the work he ever landed was small extensions etc. The visual and verbal messaging on his site was totally wrong for the business he wanted to attract, and until it was changed, he wasn’t able to secure the ‘right’ kind of work for his business.

Alternatively, if they really are busy with the right type of work, doesn’t this then provide the opportunity to put prices up and either earn more for the same work, or work less for the same money as per the law of supply and demand?

So has any of this article struck a chord with you? If so, why not let me take you through a complimentary analysis of your site to see how yours fares? If you have gone to the trouble of having a website, isn’t it sensible to have it working for you rather than against.

Allan Kent is a digital marketing specialist. at Zeald. He is passionate about helping business owners drive revenues and profits by making their online marketing more effective. Zeald is based within the Business North Harbour area.

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The new health and safety law and company vehicles Paul Tobin explains how company vehicles will be affected by the new health and safety legislation.

On April 4, 2016 the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) comes into effect and New Zealand businesses will have a “primary duty of care” to provide a safe working environment for employees.

What does this mean for company vehicles?

Business-use vehicles have long been defined as a “work place” in the eyes of the law but the HSWA significantly increases the responsibility (and liability) of business owners to ensure vehicles are compliant and safe.

As you’d expect from this type of legislation the key is in reviewing your Health & Safety processes and policies and in taking all “reasonably practical” measures to minimise risks in the workplace.

Running a safe fleet of vehicles is not an easy task especially if you have different types of vehicles at different locations. A common mistake is to rely solely on the driver to take care of the vehicle they drive without any training, written policy or central records being kept.

Regardless of whether you own, lease or finance vehicles, a good fleet management system will go a long way towards managing the risks associated with vehicle compliance, maintenance schedules, usage data and cost analysis.

Business-use vehicles have long been defined as a “work place” in the eyes of the law but the HSWA significantly increases the responsibility (and liability) of business owners to ensure vehicles are compliant and safe.

As a vehicle lease and finance company we decided to use our expertise to design an easy, online and affordable fleet management solution. SmartFleet has been developed as a separate division of our existing business to serve the needs of Kiwi SMEs. SmartFleet has many of the features you’d expect from a top of the line vehicle management system including alerts for when vehicles need attention, instant reporting on costs and at-a-glance compliance status for each vehicle.

Simply put, it’s an affordable, easy solution to managing company vehicles in a safer way.

And the cherry on top is we’ll customise and set up the system so it adds benefit straight away.

You can find out more from www.driveline. co.nz/fleetmanagement or by contacting Paul Tobin and the Driveline team on 0800 275 374 or email paul@driveline.co.nz.

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Together Stronger Business North Harbour invites Albany commercial property and business owners within Mecari Way, Elliot Rose Avenue, Kaipiho Lane, Data Way, McClymonts Road, William Laurie Place and Corinthian, Oracle, Don McKinnon and Cornerstone Drives to attend an Information Meeting ahead of the forthcoming North Harbour Business Improvement District Expansion Ballot.

The purpose of these meetings is to provide our eligible voters with the facts and details they require in order to make an informed decision when asked to vote in the postal ballot between 31 Mar – 20 April 2016. The ballot will seek support for their interests to be represented within the expanded North Harbour Business Improvement District (BID) programme.

To read more, please refer to businessnh.org.nz/togetherstronger

All commercial property owners and business owners/managers are welcome. Attendance is

free. Please RSVP to assist us with catering and administration, to admin@businessnh.org.nz If you are unable to attend, but would like more information, please call Janine Brinsdon – General Manager, 09 9682222 or 021 212 4942.

There are three Information Meetings being held.

Tuesday 8 March 8am – 9am Westpac Bank Level 2, 219 Don McKinnon Drive Albany Wednesday 16 March 12 midday – 1pm Albany Executive Motor Inn 15 Corinthian Drive, Albany Wednesday, 23 March 5pm – 6pm McVeagh Fleming Level 1, South Tower 5-7 Corinthian Drive, Albany

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Inorganic Waste Collection 17th & 18th March 2016 Business North Harbour is aware many businesses in North Harbour occasionally have bulky waste items to dispose of that don’t fit into their standard waste bins. We have also heard from businesses that they have waste goods that they no longer want but are still in good working order. This inorganic Waste Collection is a service that we are offering to our members to help solve this problem.

On the 17th and 18th of March 2016 members will have the opportunity to have inorganic waste removed from their sites at a reduced cost.

How will this work?

Interested businesses need to register their interest by 11 March 2016 to receive the Business North Harbour reduced rate. The registration form can be found at businessnh.org.nz/webform/ inorganic-collection

You must be registered to use this service, please do not leave anything for collection on the street, as it will not be picked up.

Registered businesses will need to have items separated and ready for pickup by the beginning of business on 17th March 2016.

The items should be separated into three piles: 1. Items you deem are reusable 2. E-Waste 3. General inorganic waste, not reusable Reusable items will go to worthy community organisations. By participating in this Inorganic Waste Collection you will not only be supporting local community organisations but your business and the environment.

The Abilities Group a local non-profit group will invoice your business directly.

Don’t delay register NOW to receive the Business North Harbour reduced rate at businessnh.org.nz/webform/inorganic-collection

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