Finding your bearings in the business landscape One Day Sale
Bag big bargains! Pg 9 Planning for change
Two members share how they plan for change Pgs 11&16 Annual General Meeting
Introducing the 2016/17 Executive Committee Pg 13 Christmas crime
How to safeguard your premises Pg 18
NOVEMBER 2016 — MEMBER NEWS AND INFORMATION
businessnh.org.nz
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• Manufacturing (Process, discrete, MRP and MRP11) • Jobbing / Job Costing • Distribution • Engineering & Fabrication • Assembly • Service Industry • Repairs & Maintenance • Wholesaling • Food Production & Traceability • Apparel • Professional Services • Mining • Furniture & Fixtures • Marine • Asset & Project Management • Finance
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FROM THE GM
From the GM Welcome to the final FYI publication for 2016. It has been another year of ‘firsts’ for our organisation. We welcomed our new members from the expanded business district on 1 July, bringing our membership to in excess of 4,500. It has been great to see many of these new members making the most of our services, either at the events or through engaging the services of our transport and crime prevention specialists. We launched our Conference in August 2016. We were delighted with the quality of speakers, specialist exhibitors and the quality of our attendees who made this an exciting day. If you missed it, please visit our website for the post-event report and check page 7 for photos of the day. Our Business Expo will feature on the calendar in 2017, with the next Conference booked for 2018. Another first was the launch of our North Shore Commercial Property Group. With over 80 attendees – the day before Easter, we knew we had discovered a gap in the market. Two more of these events are planned for the 2016/17 year – with the next happening on 24 November. If you
want to hear from Stephen Town, CEO of Auckland Council, or the latest information from Auckland Transport – visit our website for more information, and we look forward to seeing you there.
One of the key issues our 2016/17 Executive Committee will face, is to leverage the growth of our business district into opportunities of scale for our members. For the first time, our One Day Sale, coming up on 26 November, will be promoted to bargain hunters in Ponsonby, Hibiscus Coast and Rodney, so please check out page 9 and plan your shopping expedition. Don’t miss out as we are expecting tens of thousands of shoppers in North Harbour that day.
And finally, it was my pleasure to announce the successful nomination of five new members to Business North Harbour ’s Executive Committee at the AGM on 27 October, 2016. As an organisation we have been well served by previous boards and I am sure you will join me in thanking our outgoing and incoming board. One of the key issues our 2016/17 Executive Committee will face, is to leverage the growth of our business district into opportunities of scale for our members, while setting the priorities for our advocacy programme – to minimise the risk of the same growth. Pages 12 and 13 contain our AGM report and introduction to your Executive Committee. As the 2016 year concludes, all of us at Business North Harbour thank you for the opportunities given to represent and work with you this year. We look forward to further developing our partnership and support programmes in 2017. We wish you, and yours, a happy and safe holiday season.
Janine Brinsdon General Manager, Business North Harbour
In this issue 3 4 6 7 9
From the GM In Brief Dates for your Diary Events One Day Sale
10 Business Success Story 12 AGM Report 14 Finding your bearings in the business landscape 16 Business Success Story
18 20 21 22 24
Crime Prevention Inorganic Collection Election Results Transport C3
25 27 28 29
Auckland Prison Professional Development Professional Development Gold Sponsors
BUSINESS NORTH HARBOUR GOLD SPONSORS 2016–2017
Partnership Category Sponsors 2016-2017
Contact FYI Magazine Business North Harbour General Manager Janine Brinsdon janine@businessnh.org.nz
Editor Vanessa Johnson vjonline13@hotmail.com
Advertising Shirner Kenny shirner@businessnh.org.nz
Design Lewis Hurst lewis@hcreative.co.nz
Printer McCollams Print www.mccollams.co.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.
NOVE MBE R 2 0 1 6 F YI BUSINE SS N H . O RG. N Z
3
IN B RIEF
Albany Pool to make a splash
Artist’s impression of the Albany Pool
Albany Pool and Leisure Centre is preparing to make a splash with its official opening scheduled for December. The pool will open to the public after the required tests have been completed and administrators expect this will be early in the New Year. Unlike the other pool facilities on the Shore, the Albany Pool’s emphasis is on recreation rather than sport. The latest developments in interactive leisure pools have been used to make this swimming destination a family
favourite with all age groups. Although there’s a dedicated 20-metre long learn-to-swim pool, the wow features are all about play and will delight kids of any age. These include: • A zero-depth splash pad with fountains and play equipment for the littlies; • Water cannons, fun inflatables, semisubmerged lily pads to run across, for bigger kids; and • A dedicated deeper-zone for doing
Getting smart about cyber security Connect Smart Week held from 10-14 October raised awareness about the importance of protecting workplace information and preventing cyber incidents. This year’s theme was improving the cyber security awareness and capability of individuals in the workplace. Public and private sector partners participated to spread the word via workshops, education sessions and webinars. To help businesses communicate the messages to their staff, Connect Smart has created a resource kit that any business can use in its efforts to guard against common cyber security threats like phishing and ransomware. The resource kit includes a toolkit featuring a quiz to stay cyber safe at work; videos giving cyber security tips; tip sheets on phishing and ransomware as well as a poster for workplace noticeboards and a questionnaire. The kits are available electronically from Business North Harbour and from Connect Smart. Business North Harbour will host two events in 2017 to promote cyber security for businesses and their employees. Find out more by clicking ‘Latest News’ at businessnh.org.nz 4
NOV E MBER 2 0 1 6 F YI B US INES S NH. ORG. NZ
cannonball bombs as well as a rockclimbing wall above the pool that swimmers can climb up then fall back into the pool, for the more adventurous. Also within the facility are a large adult sauna and spa, and a 500 square-metre, state-of-the-art gym. To find out more about the new Albany Stadium Pool, visit aucklandleisure.co.nz/pools
IN BRIEF
Conference on Privacy, Security and Trust
Burger King digital menu boards running Labyrinth’s System-on-Chip digital signage
New partners sign up Albany-based Labyrinth Solutions has teamed up with multinational electronics giant LG to launch the first New Zealand-developed ‘System on Chip’ (SOC) software for LG commercial signage screens. Powered by Labyrinth Solutions’ content management platform, called Contegro, the new SOC media player supports advanced digital signage applications including touch-screen window technology without the need for an external media player or PC. Vaughan Reed, managing director of Labyrinth Solutions says, “Many of the commercial digital signage displays that we see today rely on an external media player to work. Unfortunately these players are usually the first component to fail.” He says the SOC media player is considerably more reliable and significantly reduces the acquisition cost for digital signage, especially when part of a large-scale project consisting of numerous screens.
Unitec Institute of Technology won the bid to host worldleading researchers in cyber security at the PST 2016: International Conference on Privacy, Security and Trust (PST). ATEED worked with Unitec’s Professor Hossein Sarrafzadeh to bring the conference to Auckland, using support from Tourism New Zealand’s Conference Assistance Programme (CAP) bid fund. The first day of the conference (Mon 12 Dec) will also host an Industry Summit Day based on the theme: “What will a secure New Zealand look like in five years’ time?” An impressive line-up of speakers from NZ government, NZ industry and international research will cover topics including, managing data, verifying digital identity as well as cyber security governance from a board perspective. You can find out more about the conference and view the speakers at pst2016.unitec.ac.nz/speakers
Booze Goggles give clear view
Long summer evenings can make a few drinks with your colleagues after work seem like a top idea – only not if you’re driving home. That’s the message Auckland Transport is spreading with a new initiative that it’s taking to Auckland businesses. The Driving DrinkFree interactive presentation reinforces the importance of sober driving and uses booze goggles to demonstrate the effects of driving under the influence. Although the safety message is serious, the interactive presentation is actually informal and fun. We think it’s a great pre-Christmas message to share with your team or a fun free team building session.
Booze goggles used to highlight driver impairment at a Driving Drink-Free presentation
To find out more, or to book a presentation for your company, email: sarah@businessnh.org.nz NOVE MBE R 2 0 1 6 F YI BUSINE SS N H . O RG. N Z
5
54
DIARY DATES
6 3 By the numbers
This issue we have statistics from our Annual Report
500 pages of
evidence delivered to Auckland Unitary Plan Independent Hearing Panel
850 attendees at
our business networking and development events this year
$7120 worth of
preloaded HOP cards distributed
31,693
website visitors
$10,000
grant fund awarded (Auckland Council waste minimisation project)
205,840 Your
Business North Harbour e-newsletters distributed
6
NOV E MBER 2 0 1 6 F YI B US INES S NH. ORG. NZ
Diary Dates November 24 NSCP group event with guest speaker Stephen Town, Chief Executive of Auckland Council 5–7pm, AUT Millennium The final event of 2016 for the North Shore Commercial Property group will take place on 24 November, from 5pm to 7pm. We are happy to announce our guest speaker, Stephen Town, Chief Executive of Auckland Council. We will also hear from Chris Martin, Intelligent Transport Systems Manager for Auckland Transport. This event is proudly sponsored by Maat Group. www.businessnh.org.nz/calendar/
READY. SET. SHOP! SATURDAY 26 NOVEMBER UP TO 90% OFF RETAIL PRICES!
•Homewares •Fashion •Furniture •Building & Renovation •Games •Home Décor •Books •Beer Crafting Kits •Music Instruments •Health & Beauty •Whiteware •Technology •Toys
SHOPPER’S GUIDE AND MAP AVAILABLE AT: BUSINESSNH.ORG.NZ/ONEDAYSALE2016
December 8 Christmas Business After Five event hosted by imake – Handcrafted Foods & Beverages 5–7pm, imake - Handcrafted Foods & Beverages, 328 Rosedale Road, Albany Join us for the last Business After Five event for 2016! This event celebrates your successes over the past year and gives us the opportunity to ring in the holiday season together. Our friends at imake will host the event in their warehouse, giving us a glimpse at their production and they’ll even have premium offers on specialty brewing and cheese-making kits on offer! So bring your team, clients and colleagues to this event on the 8th December 2016. www.businessnh.org.nz/calendar/ Business North Harbour closes on 22 December, 2016 and will reopen with a skeleton staff on 9 January, 2017.
EVENTS
Breakfast of Champions with Rio Olympic Athletes
Business Lunch with Dr Hartley Atkinson, founder of Maxigesic
Business North Harbour Organisational Development Conference NOVE MBE R 2 0 1 6 F YI BUSINE SS N H . O RG. N Z
7
EVENTS
Women in Business with Robyn Pearce the Time Management Queen
• •
ONE DAY SALE
Shopping Bonanza just days away! Shoppers get ready to spend at Business North Harbour’s One Day Sale, the shopping event of the year, now only days away! Wholesalers, retailers and distributors will open their doors to the public for one day only on 26 November, giving shoppers a rare chance to buy heavily discounted goods. One Day Sale gives businesses a chance to launch new ranges and meet new customers, offering discounts on current ranges as well as clearing stock lines and seconds, so the discounts can be jaw dropping. Now in its fourth year, One Day Sale 2016 looks set to be a record breaker. Business North Harbour members who have taken part before report they have increased their turnover on the day by 25-30% on the previous year. However, marketing activities to promote the 2016 event have been exhaustive. The One Day Sale Shopper’s Guide will be the shopper’s bible. It contains a map of the expanded Business North Harbour area from 1 July as well as the list of businesses taking part and their location. This year the print run has been extended from 15,000 to 35,500 copies and 25,500 of these have been distributed to businesses and homes on the North Shore with Channel magazine. The guides will also be available at participating businesses on the day.
Advertising in the Ponsonby Times, Hibiscus Matters, and North Shore Times (both hard copy and online) have targeted an additional140,000+ homes and businesses, while a live link from the One Day Sale web page to the website of businesses taking part is directing online traffic to the event. A shopping event of this kind takes preparation – even for shoppers. If 2016 is your first, check out the panel below for hints on lasting the distance and making the most of your day.
How to get the most out of your One Day Sale experience • Be sure to check out the various pitstops featuring cafes taking part with special offers for One Day Shoppers. • Parking is always a challenge in Auckland, but since One Day Sale is on a Saturday when most employees aren’t working, parking will be as good as it can be. • Bring your One Day Sale Shopper’s Guide. It contains everything you’ll need to know. Download the latest version of the One Day Shopper’s Guide and map online at businessnh.org.nz/onedaysale2016
NOVE MBE R 2 0 1 6 F YI BUSINE SS N H . O RG. N Z
9
Accelerating success.
Reach more people - better results faster.
colliers.co.nz
BUSINESS SUCCESS
A family business for almost a century Family-owned for 85 years, Novelli’s history has seen four generations of the Pinker family guide the company through its evolution from raincoat manufacturer to corporate branding specialist.
Novelli's showroom
Looking back isn’t something the family does often because they’re too busy looking ahead. Although proud of their heritage, the current general manager, Craig Pinker, and his father, CEO David Pinker, keep their eyes on the horizon. They’re not afraid to try something new and far from risk averse. Today Novelli has two business streams. Most of its business comes from corporate branding work and Novelli’s Parkway Drive premises include a 2000 square metre warehouse where client merchandise is stored and dispatched. The remainder comes from the traditional apparel business, which it started in 1931 as Harris Langton, manufacturing the Rainster brand of raincoats. A government contract to make rainwear for the NZ Army, Navy and Air Force during WWII kept the machines whirring throughout the late 1930s and 40s, and by 1962 Harris Langton had grown to employ 400 machinists in Auckland and Tauranga. During the 1970s the company began manufacturing women’s underwear as well as outerwear. Import regulations had eased, enabling fabrics like silk and lace as well as finished apparel to be imported at competitive prices.
The underwear and hosiery business was sold to Berlei, later Bendon, leaving the Pinker family with the apparel importing business, ready to respond to new market demand from its clients. By 1980 Novelli was New Zealand’s largest apparel importer. The name change to Novelli (meaning young, fresh and new) heralded the start of this new phase of the business.
“Digital is growing rapidly but you still need tangible assets and we put your brand in the hands of your clients and their staff.” “Clients wanted more than branded T-shirts,” explains Craig Pinker, so Novelli set about sourcing items to order. Today, the merchandising room is like Aladdin’s cave – everything from lanyards and coffee mugs to hibachi barbecues and cricket wickets are on display. And, if Novelli can’t source an item from one of its suppliers in China, India or
Bangladesh, it will manufacture custom items for clients. Even though technology is impacting every aspect of marketing, Craig says corporate branded items retain a strong place in the marketing mix. “Digital is growing rapidly but you still need tangible assets and we put your brand in the hands of your clients and their staff, which has a much lower cost-per-view than buying TV advertising or billboards,” says Craig. Family values are still at the heart of Novelli’s culture and David Pinker remains hands on. The company rebranded in September this year having used its in-house expertise and design nous to come up with the new-look logo. “We did everything from start to finish and we got everyone involved, including my grandfather,” explains Craig. Novelli is discreet about its successes and unlikely to broadcast its plans in the fast-moving and highly competitive corporate branding market. However, the family’s ‘can do’ approach to business will doubtless provide interesting changes of direction for generations to come. www.novelliapparel.co.nz NOVE MBE R 2 0 1 6 F YI BUSINE SS N H . O RG. N Z
11
AGM
Planning and managing change in the region The first AGM under the Business North Harbour Inc. identity, took place on 27 October, 2016. To a full room, Kevin Moore – Chair, and Janine Brinsdon – General Manager, summarised Business North Harbour’s organisational performance at 30 June, 2016, and outlined plans for the coming 12 to 18 months. Managing Growth Since 2000, the North Harbour business district has undergone phenomenal growth. Today our region boasts 2500 businesses which employ over 25,000 staff, and growth is ongoing. Managing the impact of this growth has driven Business North Harbour’s programmes over the past 12 months. Our advocacy efforts have focused on influencing the key local and central government decisions that will determine the look, shape and potential investment and business activities within North Harbour over the coming five to 30 years. Auckland Council accepted the Independent Hearing Panel’s recommendation to change the eastern side of our business district Unitary Plan zone from Light Industry to General Business. This outcome reflected the majority of our members’ preferences, and provided for more organic growth of the commercial sector within the business district. However as at the AGM, Auckland Council were still engaged in legal submissions regarding the Unitary Plan. Their final position is yet to be announced. Balancing the needs of the future with the immediate daily requirements, meant we had to respond to new trends. For example, vehicle security – especially targeting the Korean and Chinese communities – additional security patrols were added in crime hot spots. Other examples of how we realigned existing programmes to keep them relevant were giving members increased access to skilled staff and access to specialist industry sectors.
Collaborative Change Providing a voice remained critical this past year, especially when it came to reducing costs for business through the Auckland Council Annual Budget. Retention of the Interim Transport Levy at $183 for each commercial property, saved over $667,000 for our members. Through our strong stakeholder relationships, we secured ongoing infrastructure investment. We provided our property and business owners with a channel to voice their opinions and preferences to local and central government. Our primary focus was the Northern Corridor Improvement Project and we influenced changes to the proposed road layout which maintained access to current business locations. Education will be key in the 2016/17/18 period as we work with employers and employees to change behaviours, especially regarding their safety and daily commute. The lack of accurate business and economic data proved time consuming in the past 12 months. Therefore, we brought forward the decision to invest in a comprehensive member database (CRM) that enables significant and scalable partnerships to be formed, resulting in increased local productivity, employment and prosperity.
Governance and Financial performance The audited financial reports are available to review, www.businessnh.org.nz/AGM2016. The loss of $22,000 as at 30 June, 2016, is largely due to decreased external grant funding and the earlier than budgeted CRM investment. However, this shortfall was covered by reserves. The 2016/17 financial accounts which were approved at the AGM, show a nominal profit of $3561. Governance continues to be provided by the elected Executive Committee and it is our pleasure to announce these members opposite. We thank those returning and welcome our new members. If you have any questions regarding the outcome of the AGM2016, please contact Janine Brinsdon General Manager, 021 212 4942 or email her at gm@businessnh.org.nz 12
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Introducing the Executive Committee for 2016-2017 • Chris Cooke, Speedy Signs Albany • Lisa Hill, Eclipse Recruitment • Peter Jollands, Jollands Callander • Terry Zouch, Kiwibank • Greg Frittelli, Insurance & Lending Group • Murray Fulton, Advantage Business • Peter Lamberton, ASB Bank • Janet Marshall, PJCK Holdings • Vaughan Reed, Labyrinth Solutions • Katheryn Chivers, McVeagh Fleming Lawyers • Emma Monsellier, Davenports Harbour Lawyers • Neil Tuffin, Maat Group • Dean Payn, The Crate
New Committee members Chris Cooke Chris has owned and run Speedy Signs Albany since 2002. He comes from a corporate background in marketing and operations management. Speedy Signs has been a proud supporter of Business North Harbour since its early days, first as a mentor in the Business Scholarship programme and subsequently as a Gold Sponsor for five years. He believes we are all very fortunate to be living and working on the North Shore where he has seen tremendous growth and development over the last 14 years. Chris is excited to be part of the Executive Committee, and looks forward to using his experience from over 30 years in business to assist in the development and strategy of Business North Harbour’s initiatives on the Shore.
Murray Fulton Murray has been a business advisory professional since 2005, having spent 26 years in the financial and commercial management area of the corporate world both in New Zealand and offshore. His experience covers a wide range of industries, including finance, hospitality, textiles and legal. Murray is a Chartered Accountant and a member of the Institute of Directors. He is a passionate North Shore resident, since 1979, and many of his past and current advisory clients are based on the North Shore. Murray looks forward to contributing to Business North Harbour, using his business experience, network and local knowledge.
AGM Lisa Hill
Dean Payn
Lisa has owned and managed a successful recruitment company on the North Shore since 2004 and has enjoyed being part of our thriving business community during this time. From start-up to a wellestablished organisation, Lisa understands what it takes to build a successful business. Lisa now leads a team of passionate, talented and business-savvy recruitment consultants who are committed to the success of North Shore business through recruiting fantastic people. She is thrilled to bring her experience and passion for business to the Executive Committee.
Dean is Director of Online Results at aimy Plus Software and The Crate Shared Space and describes himself as a visioneer, motivator, and marketer. He possesses big-picture-thinking and creative ideas that raise the bar and make sure outstanding results are achieved. Born and raised locally, Dean is passionate about start-ups and business expansion. In his new role with Business North Harbour, he is keen to fire-up local business people to dream bigger, strategise more, collaborate and dig in, so they can experience success and help make the North Shore a centre of excellence for national and international business.
Peter Lamberton Peter has been a Commercial Manager for ASB in excess of 20 years and has extensive experience with a wide range of commercial businesses. Most of these are in the North Harbour catchment. Peter is also the former chairman of a local Primary School, successfully guiding significant strategic change and finally has been involved with the Massey University incubator, the e-Centre, as a mentor. Peter hopes his skills and knowledge will continue to assist Business North Harbour grow and develop.
knowledge to help grow Business North Harbour within the community.
With thanks
We would like to thank our exiting board members for their contributions and hard work for the last year. Thank you to Allan Kent, Kevin Moore, Steve Plummer, Ross Keith and Nicky Lukar who helped make 2015/16 a successful year for Business North Harbour.
Neil Tuffin Neil is the Managing Director of Maat Group, who specialise in commercial property syndication, property management and financial services. He is also the Chairman of the Board for Remediation (NZ) Ltd and Central Landscapes Ltd. He has a vast amount of experience within the financial industry, with his current roles including Financial Advisor, Chartered Accountant and Investment Consultant. Neil will use these skills and
Download full AGM documentation, including the presentation at businessnh.org.nz/AGM2016
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PLANNING FOR CHANGE
Finding your bearings in the business landscape The accelerating pace of change is forcing businesses to change direction and adapt quickly in order to remain relevant in the evolving business landscape, Vanessa Johnson reports. Essentially two forces are driving the rate of change. The first is technology, which enables products to be produced and supplied more efficiently and the second is demand from customers for increased utility at lower prices. Both are interconnected and making it increasingly difficult for businesses to find their bearings in the margin-hungry marketplace, because what worked yesterday may not work tomorrow. The net result is that no business can afford to ignore the message that change is constant and planning for change could well be the difference between business success and failure. Planning requires looking ahead and that means forecasting, which is not an exact science. However, any change that leads to growth – and many do – will require capital, often from outside the business. Potential investors expect to see business plans and cash flow forecasts that prove a change has been well thought out to determine whether or not an investment is worth the risk. Michael Bignell, partner at PwC Auckland helps businesses expand into offshore markets and his advice when planning any change is to focus on the fundamentals. “People should ask themselves: Why are we here and what are we doing? If you understand the ‘why’ you can stay focused on what you’re doing and how you’re doing it, to ensure you continue to evolve and develop and have a successful business,” says Bignell. And basing decision making on fact not gut instinct will help ensure any changes 14
NOV E MBER 2 0 1 6 F YI B US INES S NH. ORG. NZ
The pace of change is so unforgiving that businesses must bring innovations to market early and be prepared to fail fast.
Michael Bignell
are backed up by better meeting the customer’s needs. So what are the customer ’s needs? “There’s no longer time to conduct lengthy market research to find out. By the time the data is analysed, customer needs will
have changed. The pace of change is so unforgiving that businesses must bring innovations to market early and be prepared to fail fast. If they get it right, they must give it everything. But if they don’t, be prepared to park that idea and try it again later,” he says. Although businesses can secure a lot of information about their customers from social media and websites, there are times when they need external help. Bignell says when planning a change, SMEs in particular should look outside the business. “You need to get different thinking styles into the room. You need a diversity of views from people who have seen things play out over a number of different industries. I don’t think you can do this on your own. Those days are gone,” he says. Hiring a specialist is only part of the picture. “You need to get a specialist in once you know what your problem is and what your opportunity is. A specialist won’t provide you with strategy. They’ll provide you with a framework within which you can build and workshop your strategy. They can help you with the process, rather than the outcome,” he says.
PLANNING FOR CHANGE
Securing business funding Aaron Wallace, Director of Bellingham Wallace and facilitator at The Icehouse, says an investor or lender will need confidence in the project plan and the executive team. “They will need comfort that not only will their investment be recovered, it will remain safe and earn a fair return for the associated risk whilst being employed in the business,” says Wallace. “Forecasting cash flow and a profitable return is critical. The investor will want to know how much profit, or preferably ‘super-profit’ is going to be realised and by when. They’ll also want to know the steps required to get there, so the assumptions to those forecasts will need to be supported by solid research. “Just as importantly, they’ll want to know the cash flow of the business and when they’re likely to receive a return. A fully integrated Profit & Loss, Cash Flow Statement and Balance Sheet for the business change period will be requested early on. It’s these numbers that will attract a cash contributor, and will be what progress is measured and reported against,” says Wallace. Lastly, the Information Memorandum summarises the business’s strategic change plan, including the what, why and how it will play out. The memorandum will detail strategy, operations, marketing and sales targets. It will also need to act as a marketing document, selling the new direction to investors or lenders.
Legal implications
Once the opportunity is identified, realistic cash flow forecasts will go a long way to help planning for any change. Bignell says the common mistake New Zealand businesses make with forecasting is to underestimate how much things are going to cost and overestimate how much their revenues will be. So when a change comes along, they struggle to find capital to fund it. “Businesses often don’t truly understand their cash flow and what the consequence of a decision today will mean for the future. And they don’t have a picture of what could happen, so when it does happen they can’t change quickly,” he says. Obviously, being ambushed by unforeseen change can be devastating. But if the planning is right and investment funding is secured, businesses must then respond quickly to meet their customers’ changing needs with innovations delivered at the right time. More than anything, this means businesses have to be courageous and prepared to view success as a journey rather than a destination, says Bignell. “You can’t sit back and relax. Things are changing so quickly you have to be continually thinking forward and that’s never going to change.”
Shane Kilian, principal of Kilian and Associates Lawyers, says businesses must remember that every change carries a legal ramification. Whether it’s employment contracts, lease agreements, cost of implementation or contractual obligations to clients, businesses must include legal costs and time frames when planning for change. “Planning is the most important phase of any change and all businesses should consider the following three things: firstly, ensure you have a full understanding of what you are planning to do and why, secondly communication and thirdly timing,” says Kilian. Nothing can damage a business more than uncertainty and rumours. It is important to ensure that you properly communicate with all your staff and, if necessary, clients, exactly about what you are planning to do. Kilian says this will give some peace of mind and prevent panic. Having every group understand how the change will affect them is essential to prevent unnecessary disruption and stress.
IT Systems Flow Software’s CEO, David Masters, says businesses need to take control of their systems and data. Implementing software systems that are integrated enables businesses to respond quickly when they need to change and replace an existing system with another, seamlessly and at low cost. “With the explosion of cloud-based applications offering specific software for vertical needs, businesses will want to be well-positioned to benefit from new developments,” says Masters.
Business planning templates are available for free at www.business.govt.nz/getting-started/business-planning-tools-and-tips/ how-to-create-a-business-plan/ NOVE MBE R 2 0 1 6 F YI BUSINE SS N H . O RG. N Z
15
BUSINESS SUCCESS
Manawanui Incharge Empowering people with disabilities to manage their own support budgets is big business for this award-winning NGO. This year, for the first time, Business North Harbour sponsored the Strategy and Planning award category in the 2016 Westpac Auckland Business Awards. These awards recognise excellence across a range of business disciplines and, in another first, local organisation Manawanui Incharge took the honours. Manawanui provides a service called Individualised Funding (IF) to its client base, predominantly people with a disability. This method of financial management lets them control how the funding they receive is spent on providing their support. The not-for-profit NGO originated from a Ministry of Health pilot which trialled IF with roughly 150 clients. Today the organisation, based on Paul Matthews Drive, employs 42 staff nationally and works with 3,000 clients throughout New Zealand, 70% of who are aged 30 years or younger.
How does IF work? With Individualised Funding the government assesses an individual’s support needs then allocates an annual package to cover those needs. After deciding how they want to use their funding, clients submit fortnightly timesheets and expense claims to Manawanui Incharge, to process, pay the client and then invoice the government. Manawanui charges its clients a fee for managing the payment process. The fee covers account statements, budgeting tools, newsletters as well as coaching in aspects of recruitment and budgeting. It also includes membership to the Employers Manufacturers Association (EMA), which Manawanui Incharge CEO, Marsha Marshall describes as “the premiere resource in terms of employment related issues for employers”.
Westpac Award Manawanui illustrated excellence in its strategy and planning initiatives, which are highly structured, particularly for an NGO. The elements in the architecture are: Purpose; Values; Key Results Areas; Status Indicators; Business Plan, and Objectives. And Marshall says everyone plays a part in making it work. “The entire organisation from the top down has to have a collective purpose and everyone in the organisation needs to understand what our purpose is: We exist to optimise our clients independence. If they don’t, then they can’t apply that to their work,” explains Marshall. Five values underpin Manawanui’s 16
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Marsha Marshall
purpose: Rangitiratanga (self determination); going beyond excellence; being authentic; being courageous and being thought leaders. When people are inducted into the organisation, that’s the first thing they learn, explains Marshall. “We have a yearly planning cycle and every three years we write a new business plan. Plus, every six months the entire staff comes to Auckland for two to three days together and our purpose and values are the first things we’ll talk about,” she says.
What about profit? Being a not-for-profit organisation doesn’t mean Manawanui doesn’t try to make a profit, just that they invest everything back into the organisation. Like all businesses, it stretches to fund growth by looking for new opportunities and planning for changes that may occur along the way. Recently that involved identifying potential new revenue streams. Marshall says the reward for everyone involved with Manawanui is knowing they’re making a difference to their clients’
quality of life. “With IF our clients can take greater control of their lives, enjoy more independence and further their social networks. They also have a greater chance of working and living a productive life and staying out of residential care. That’s a great feeling.” www.incharge.org.nz
Congratulations Business North Harbour congratulates all of the finalists in the Westpac Auckland Business Award Strategy and Planning category: • Max Marketing • Moemoe Limited • Northern Arena (who also took out the Supreme Award).
CRIME PREVENTION
Have a safe and secure Christmas and New Year The holiday season is just around the corner meaning it’s time to give your personal and business security a health check. In the run up to Christmas and New Year, it’s easy to become distracted with your upcoming holiday plans. The last thing any person or business wants to deal with at this time is a burglary or theft of prized possessions. The theft of a computer can mean more than just the loss of the hardware, but valuable information which may not be easily replaced. The stress of dealing with insurance companies, or having to replace personal items such as driver licences and credit cards, can ruin a time that should be about celebration. The summer months bring longer days and we all get more complacent about leaving doors and windows open for fresh air and sunshine. This can be an invitation to burglars and thieves with easy opportunities to walk in and take insecure items. Making your business and personal items less desirable
Leaving wallets, handbags, cell phones and expensive gym clothing in unattended vehicles is an invitation to offenders to help themselves. to offenders will reduce opportunities for crime. Ensure windows that are left ajar have security stays attached, and keep doors shut and locked when no one is around. Put small desirable objects such as laptops, tablets and tools out of sight at the end of each day. Place personal items, such as wallets and handbags, under desks out of sight or in lockers, which will deter potential walk-in opportunist offenders. Pay Wave cards have made life easier for offenders to purchase a large number of small items in a short space of time before the owner becomes aware that the card is missing. Leaving wallets, handbags, cell phones and expensive gym clothing in unattended vehicles is an invitation to offenders to help themselves. Even if your vehicle is parked in your garage or a secure car park, this will not stop someone who is motivated with crime. 18
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The same security plans you have at work will also work well at home. Ensure windows are secure with window stays, deadbolts fitted to doors including patio and security doors. The aim is to make your home an undesirable option for offenders. Over the Christmas season, with many businesses closed over the holiday period, be aware of any unusual activity that is occurring. A final note for the Christmas season, please, if you are going to enjoy a few
Christmas drinks, make sure you have arranged sober transport home. Have a safe and Merry Christmas, North Shore Police.
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CRIME PREVENTION
Environment benefits from second inorganic collection The second inorganic collection for 2016 organised by Business North Harbour saw 98.2% of the inorganic waste collected diverted from ending up as landfill – a best-ever result! Dave Loader, Business North Harbour’s Crime Prevention Specialist, co-ordinated the project and liaised with local businesses that registered for a collection. Abilities Group, a not-for-profit organisation on the North Shore specialising in recycling and dedicated to providing employment for people with disabilities, then contacted each business. They answered questions, scheduled collection times and identified if any waste being disposed of was classed as dangerous, requiring special treatment. The collection took place over two days and the results were impressive. The 64 cubic metres of waste collected was first sorted, and any items suitable for re-use were taken to a site at Massey University. Community groups then sifted through the items to find things they could put to use. And there was plenty to choose
from, including a host of office hardware; chairs, computer screens, keyboards, office partitions, whiteboards and stands, lounge and lunch room chairs, office desks, storage cupboards and filing cabinets. Once these items were removed, any scrap metal, plastic, paper, cardboard and glass which was left over was sent to the appropriate recycling facilities. By the end of the process, 63.25 cubic metres of waste was re-used or recycled with a mere .75 cubic metres (a small trailer-load) ending up as landfill. The next inorganic collection will take place in March 2017. For more information, or to add your community group to the list, email david@businessnh.org.nz.
HAVE YOUR VEHICLE NUMBER PLATE SECURED FROM THEFT FOR FREE!
S E T A L P SECURE
Community Groups Hospice, Greenhithe Community Trust, Family Start, Plunket, Whanau Parenting, Raeburn House, Saint Vincent de Paul, Grief Centre and Supporting Families, North Shore Women’s Centre, ANCAD and Meadowood Community House.
Do you have spare usable pallets? We will introduce you to other members who are desperate for them, so let us know. This is a true win – win! To sign up head to our website businessnh.org.nz/safer-business scroll to 'pallets' and complete the appropriate forms.
For more information contact david@businessnh.org.nz or call 021 560 287
LOCAL ELECTIONS
What’s on the agenda? The campaigns have all wrapped up, the hoarding is packed away and on 1 November, the new mayor, Phil Goff, was sworn in to office, concluding the formal process that follows the local government elections. The Business North Harbour region welcomed back Lisa Whyte as an elected member on the Upper Harbour Local Board. Lisa will be working with newly appointed Albany councillors, John Watson and Wayne Walker, to bring local issues to the attention of the Auckland Council. So what’s next on the agenda for our newly appointed representatives as they embark on their roles? It’s early days, but FYI spoke to Lisa and John to find out what’s in the pipeline for the next 12-18 months in transport and housing affordability. The recent Business North Harbour membership survey revealed these were key areas of interest for members.
Lisa Whyte
Transport Lisa Whyte says the Local Board has some key advocacy issues arising in the next 18 months regarding the Northern Corridor Upgrade, which significantly impacts on future sports field land, and the facilities of several valued community sporting groups. “We will continue to work with NZTA to ensure the impacts are minimised and mitigated,” she says, “but there is no question disruption is unavoidable in the short term to achieve the long-term gain of completing the North Western ring route.” One of the components of the project is a proposed bus station at Rosedale. “We support this, as it will make it easier for employees in the business area to take public transport to work. The current stations
at Constellation and Albany are not an easy walk from the main hubs of employment,” says Whyte. “As always, parking around public transport will be contentious and scarce and we are trying to engage proactively with Auckland Transport about this.” A u c k l a n d c o u n c i l o r, J o h n Wa t s o n , believes recent transport improvements will help improve the region for businesses and residents. “The new Albany Highway upgrade has just been completed. There are also a number of significant transport projects due to be rolled out over the next few years by council and government, not least of which are the multifaceted Northern Motorway Improvements.
The Upper Harbour Local Board elected members for 2016-2019. Left to right: Brian Neeson, Lisa Whyte, Nicholas Mayne, John McLean, Margaret Miles and Uzra Casuri Balouch.
John Watson
These should greatly aid travelling times for North Harbour businesses,” says Watson.
Housing affordability In terms of housing affordability, Whyte says the Upper Harbour Local Board has little influence, but she believes the increased choice in the size of housing is providing more affordable lifestyle choices. “It is heartening to see apartments and housing size choice adjacent to the busway, giving people options around the necessity of car ownership and allowing for increasing patronage and therefore economic viability of more regular feeder buses. This regular and reliable feeder service to the busway station, as well as championing extra parking at the park n ride stations, will be key issues for us again this term,” says Whyte. John Watson says that although the Unitary Plan allows for significant intensification across Auckland, that’s nothing new for Albany. “In large parts of this ward, Unitary Plan-style intensification has already been occurring for a number of years without making much of a dent in the affordability stakes. The notion that intensification alone will be the panacea is a little hopeful,” he says. “The council definitely has its part to play but it will need more than minor tinkering from government to meaningfully change affordability. For our future well-being as a city and as a society, this has to be an upmost priority for all concerned over the next 12 months,” Watson says. In the next issue of FYI we’ll speak to Mayor Phil Goff about his plans for North Harbour and the greater Auckland region. NOVE MBE R 2 0 1 6 F YI BUSINE SS N H . O RG. N Z
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TRANSPORT
Flexi-working can improve staff retention Are you aware that Flexi-working is ranked as the highest priority with employees? A survey conducted by University Works showed that 69% of professionals in New Zealand state that work life balance, including flexible working, is their top priority when seeking a new role. Achieving the right work life balance is different for each person. For some, reducing the time spent commuting to and from work can enable them to better manage their lives. For others it will mean more time with family or getting to the gym. Interestingly, there are benefits for employers as well as their staff. By providing a supportive workplace that shows trust in staff, employers increase their chance of keeping the right people and staff need to take fewer leave days so workplace productivity increases. The organisation is also better positioned to cope with changes when they occur. Legally, all employers must offer staff this option and there’s no longer a limit to when an employee can request a flexi-working arrangement or how many requests an employee can make. Auckland Transport can help set up a flexi-working pilot at your business. To find out more, email sarah@businessnh.org.nz
Did you know most people are opening their car door incorrectly? For decades, drivers in the Netherlands have been trained to use behaviour that dramatically reduces the risk of ‘doorings’ (incidents where cyclists are knocked off their bikes by motorists opening their doors). The manoeuvre, called the Dutch Reach, is a practice where instead of using your hand nearest the door – in right-hand drive vehicles this is the driver’s right hand – to open your car door, you reach across your body and use your left hand. In doing that, you automatically swivel your body and position your head and shoulders so you’re looking directly out and can see an approaching cyclist. Simple, free and it works!
HOP to it! Get yourself a free HOP card loaded with a $10 credit for travel on Auckland’s buses, trains and ferries. We have 50 free HOP cards to give away to the first 50 businesses who get in touch – come on, hop to it! Limit one per business. Email sarah@businessnh.org.nz
Road works conclude half a year early It’s business as usual once again on the Albany North Highway for pedestrians, road users and businesses with the $40 million upgrade project completed six months ahead of schedule. About 17,000 vehicles, as well as cyclists and pedestrians, use Albany Highway every day, and it also serves the North Harbour industrial estate, four schools, Massey University and a cluster of residential estates. In fact, 5,000 school children use the road to get to and from school. The road has been widened to four lanes including two T2 lanes for buses and vehicles carrying two or more passengers. Outside peak times the transit lanes operate as general traffic lanes. Thanks to signal-controlled pedestrian crossings, the wider footpath and new cycle paths, it’s now easier and safer for cyclists and pedestrians to co-exist alongside the busy road traffic. Business North Harbour transport manager, Sarah de Zwart, recommends that if you’re thinking of ditching car travel in favour of foot or pedal power, or keen to see if your kids can handle cycling to school, get on your bike (and wear your safety helmets) and take a spin over the weekend. 22
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NZTA REPORT
Major motorway/busway project heading for consent hearing
An example of a shared use path on the Northwestern Motorway
The final alignment plan for the Northern Corridor Improvements (NCI) project has been confirmed and will be lodged with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in late November. Once the project’s resource consent application is accepted by the EPA, the application will be posted on the NZ Transport Agency’s website for viewing. A hearing process and a notified public submission process are expected to be run by the EPA in 2017. The NCI’s application includes resource consent forms and a Notice of Requirement (NoR). The NoR states what land will be required to build the project. All affected property owners will have been contacted by the Transport Agency via phone or letter prior to this NoR being lodged. Different types of compensation entitlements are available depending on the land requirement and/or lease conditions.
Design updates Since the draft alignment plan was shown to the community in June-July 2016, several refinements have been made to the final design: • Caribbean intersection: The layout of additional lane capacity has been confirmed through the Upper Harbour Highway/
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that traffic in the industrial area can be Caribbean Drive intersection. This layout better managed other ways. will help relieve pressure and reduce • Walking and cycling: Access points have queuing through to Constellation Drive. been confirmed on both legs of the SH1 and Greville Road interchange: Both sides of SH18 shared use paths, including at Albany this double intersection will be upgraded, Highway, William Pickering Drive, the Rook with the current roundabout rebuilt into a Reserve underpass, Paul Matthews traffic light controlled intersection. Road, Constellation Drive, Greville Road onramp heading and at Rosedale, Greville, north: The additional ‘slow To find Spencer, McClymonts and vehicle’ lane heading out more, visit Oteha Valley Roads. A northbound will be extended our website at www. new footbridge across so slower vehicles like nzta.govt.nz/aucklandSH1 at Spencer Road trucks can gain speed up northern-corridor. will link the East Coast the steep hill. A link to our resource consent application Bays/PineHill directly McClymonts Road bridge: will be posted once over to the Albany metro Will be replaced with a accepted by the centre. This represents second, offline bridge, to EPA. a significant investment in reduce costs associated with pedestrian and cycling facilities repiling and minimise construction throughout the area. impacts on local residents, traffic and Northern Express bus services. New bus station Unsworth Drive bridge: Will not proceed as part of the project. The predicted A great number of people commented in increase in traffic volumes is too high for our last consultation that they supported the urban environment, and there are an additional bus station on the Busway safety issues with the visibility, stopping extension. We are continuing to investigate distances and gradients of a bridge in this in partnership with Auckland Transport, this location. Unsworth Heights residents but this feature is not part of the package had raised a number of concerns about being lodged for consent with the EPA. the increased industrial traffic in their Additional consultation on a new bus station neighbourhood. Traffic assessments show will be held in 2017. NOVE MBE R 2 0 1 6 F YI BUSINE SS N H . O RG. N Z
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C3
Connecting employers with future job seekers Business North Harbour introduced 28 businesses to almost 250 potential employees and interns at the C3 internship event held in September. C3 – Connect, Communicate and Collaborate shortened – is a programme, piloted in partnership with Massey University but open to all local educational institutions. It provides local businesses with the opportunity to meet students looking for employment opportunities, including internships. The two-hour meet and greet took place at Massey University’s Albany campus over a lunch time and gave employers and future job seekers the chance to meet in person and strike up a conversation without the pressure of a job interview environment. The objective was to connect employers with a talented pool of students who may be able to help their businesses grow in the future, without adding to their recruitment
costs. And the students who came along learned about the opportunities available in their field of interest, as well as what employers are looking for from candidates. Business North Harbour’s Sarah de Zwart says the internship event was a real success. Even businesses from outside the Business North Harbour area recognised the value and got involved. And those that did indicated after the event that they had met at least one candidate who was a possible fit for internship. Sarah says based on this success, another C3 event is planned for 2017, and Business North Harbour have plans to launch an app for businesses to connect directly with students throughout the year – more information in the February issue of FYI. If your company is keen to be on the database, please email sarah@businessnh.org.nz
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COMMUNITY
Auckland Prison opens for business visitors A recent open day at Auckland Prison showcased a partnership between the prison and the business community that’s helping ex-offenders to achieve a fresh start upon release. According to Auckland Prison’s principal learning adviser, David Grear, gainful employment and higher education have a significant impact on reducing the incidence of re-offending, and that’s good news for the community. Grear says giving an ex-offender a job is the key to making a fresh start, a good start. “A job provides the income and purpose an ex-offender needs to choose a productive life away from crime,” he says. “It means their days have structure, and because they’re fairly rewarded for a day’s work, they can provide for themselves and their families.” Today, the businesses that partner with the prison can benefit in two ways. The first is they can access a network of recently trained candidates some of who have achieved an NZQA-recognised qualification. The second is the knowledge that their corporate responsibility is benefiting the wider community. The Department of Corrections says the cost of keeping an offender in prison for one year is approximately $100,000. Reducing re-offending has a tangible impact on the New Zealand economy and society. There are basically several stages to Auckland Prison’s offender employment programme. The first is training and education, followed by employment within the prison in an internal industry. Once the offender’s sentence has ended and he is released from prison, he can start permanent employment in the community. Prison staff and probation officers help to identify where offenders need extra support and which jobs may be most suitable. They also provide post-release support. However,
Auckland Prison welding workshop
the community’s safety and security are the prison’s top priority. “Everything we do is underpinned by making sure the community is safe and secure. We rehabilitate these gentlemen so they can get on with their lives and be productive members of society when they get out, because most of them will be released at some stage,” explains Grear. Although employing an ex-offender may not be for everyone, several high-profile organisations look beyond the stigma. For example, The Warehouse works closely with Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility and Cabins To Go partners the internal building industry at Auckland Prison to manufacture the cabins it sells and rents out. Grear says the skills offenders can develop while in Auckland Prison include numeracy and literacy proficiency, NCEA through to level three; joinery, welding and manual labour experience; driver licencing and fork hoist endorsements; wheels tracks and rollers, as well as food safety and food preparation. “Admittedly, not every placement is a success,” says Grear, “but some people will make the most of the opportunity, and by helping them turn away from crime – and some of them come from families with generations of crime - we’re ultimately serving the community.” The next Auckland Prison Offender Employment Open Day will take place early next year. To register your interest and find out how the programme might benefit your business, email David Grear at david.grear@corrections.govt.nz
Auckland Women’s Prison InsideOut Cafe
Auckland Prison’s life skills course, Life101
Auckland Prison canteen
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Changes at Onfire Design Onfire Design has joined forces with one of New Zealand’s most awarded design specialists, Grant Alexander. Founder and principal of Studio Alexander, Grant has joined Onfire as Design Director, providing ongoing expertise to his and Onfire’s clients with a full service Design and Digital offering.
Pictured (L-R): Sam Allan Onfire Design Principal, Grant Alexander Design Director, Aaron Conder Digital Director
Established in 2005, Onfire Design is an independently owned design and communications agency with offices in Auckland and Sydney. Specialists in branding, packaging and web design for manufacturers and distributors, Onfire’s highly experienced team have worked for many of the largest and best-known brands and companies throughout New Zealand. Furthermore, Onfire’s clients will benefit greatly from Grant’s extensive experience in developing many of New Zealand’s best-known brands. “Onfire is one of the country’s emerging branding design agencies,” says
Grant. “It’s driven by Onfire’s principal and founder, Sam Allan, and has put together an impressive portfolio of work in its 10 years of operation. I can’t wait to contribute across the business and look forward to watching its talented and energetic team thrive and grow.” “There aren’t many designers in NZ that can match Grant’s CV,” says Onfire Design’s Sam Allan. “Having him work alongside my team will enhance Onfire’s offering to our wonderful clients and provide a springboard to future growth – especially in the B2B space where we have a number of successful case histories for manufacturers, distributors and exporters.”
Onfire just got hotter “Onfire is one of the country’s emerging branding design agencies driven by Onfire’s principal and founder, Sam Allan, and has put together an impressive portfolio of work in its 10 years of operation.”
O N F I R E C L I E N T C O M PA N I E S
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Contact Sam Allan on +64 9 480 2036 or email sam@weareonfire.co.nz | weareonfire.co.nz
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Are you prepared to exit? If a potential buyer expressed an interest in buying your business would you be able to provide all the information they would require to complete a due diligence investigation?
You may not be intending to sell your business right now but there is likely to be at least a hint of a margarita sipping, golf playing retirement plan somewhere in your future and that usually includes a plan to sell up and move on from your business ventures. There are some common pitfalls that we, as commercial lawyers, see occurring far too often in the late stages of a business sale. These can result in potential purchasers walking away, due to weaknesses that could easily have been resolved with some simple forward-planning and preparation. Our top five tips for getting your legals in order before marketing your business for sale are: 1. The Lease. Make sure your lease documentation is up-to-date. Leases are often overlooked. A fair, long-term lease is likely to be viewed as an advantage to a potential purchaser. The last thing a purchaser is likely to want to do is take over and negotiate with the landlord – worse still, relocate. 2. Key Relationships. The success of many businesses depends upon good relationships with their critical suppliers and service providers. Are these documented properly and easily assignable? A potential purchaser will see no benefit in informal arrangements.
3. Shareholders. Too many businesses don't give this a second thought; and if the owners don't understand each other's expectations, then things are unlikely to end well – even if you don't die, or become disabled. We think shareholders agreements are essential and should cover eventualities such as a business sale.
The last thing a purchaser is likely to want to do is take over and negotiate with the landlord – worse still, relocate. 4. Terms of trade. No one likes reading or drafting terms of trade, but it is essential that any business providing goods or services has adequate terms of trade, which comply with the current law, and provide an appropriate division of responsibility for when things do go wrong. Some of you reading this may still be relying on retention or Romalpa clauses to preserve your interest in goods sold on credit; if you are, and you haven't heard of
the Personal Property Securities Act, you need legal advice. 5. Employees. If you follow the media, you will be aware that it can be a difficult exercise for employers to comply with all relevant legislation that affects their staff. This principle applies not only to obvious matters such as employment contracts, but also to the effect that health and safety legislation may have. This latter point is important, the law has changed significantly in this respect. You may find aspects of the law overbearing – we do – but unfortunately, this isn't a defence for not complying with it. Clearly these comments are generic, and there are any number of matters that will be relevant to your business. At McVeagh Fleming our commercial law experts have been involved in sales and purchases of many types of businesses. We can identify problems and pitfalls for you and help you avoid them. If you would like to talk to us about selling or purchasing a business, please email either Steve Graham sgraham@mcveaghfleming.co.nz or Kate Chivers kchivers@mcveaghfleming.co.nz. NOVE MBE R 2 0 1 6 F YI BUSINE SS N H . O RG. N Z
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Recruiting for Business Growth What to focus on when it’s time to recruit a General Manager When a business owner is faced with significant growth in their business, or perhaps wishes to fulfil a desire to ‘step back’ from the day-to-day management of their company, recruitment of a general manager is a positive step towards ensuring the continued success of the organisation. Our recruitment philosophy is based on finding people who fit, and nothing could be more important when recruiting a general management position, whether to cope with business growth or as part of your succession planning strategy. This person will play a significant role in your management team, they will manage your people and have responsibility for the strategy and ultimate success of your business. If you are planning to take that step back, or your business is on the cusp of needing additional senior management support, here are some elements to consider as you plan for this change.
Role content Firstly, you will need to understand what your business requires by undertaking a thorough analysis of your current structure. Evaluate your existing resources and how these people can contribute to what you require going forward. Any gap that you identify in regard to the skill set, experience or industry know-how can be used to define the new management role. To some extent the role content will be dependent on the senior management you already have in place, combined with your intentions around staying in the business on a day-to-day basis. You may already have a sales manager in place, and the general manager role will require an operational or accounting focus, or vice versa.
Candidate profile Armed with the role content that will be ideal for your business, you will be able to turn your thoughts to the most suitable candidate - their background and experience, skill set, personality and values. Below we outline some key areas to consider.
Previous experience Depending on your particular circumstances, your best option may be to hire for potential, not necessarily for experience. And before you look outside your business, consider whether there is anyone already working for you who has the potential and could be trained to meet the requirements of the role. The expression - “You can change what someone knows but not who they are” rings absolutely true here. You may have the opportunity to promote or recruit based on the 28
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An employee not aligned with your culture can cause issues, even if they bring a great deal of skill and experience to the role. attributes, values and transferable experience a candidate can offer.
Personality fit and values (or cultural fit) It is important to hire people who fit in with the culture of your company. Look at the type of organisation you want to maintain or create in terms of culture and values. This forms part of your brand and the people you bring in must fit in with the way you do things or, if required, be able to effectively manage change in the business. People who fit well with their employer experience greater job satisfaction, they
perform better and are more likely to remain with the same organisation for a longer period of time. An employee not aligned with your culture can cause issues, even if they bring a great deal of skill and experience to the role.
Remuneration There are many options to consider in putting together a suitable remuneration package for a general management role. You may include a base plus bonus based on achieving targets, a profit share or perhaps future shareholding in the business. Undertake research in the market for salary ranges for the role you plan to recruit, and ensure that you understand what is standard in your industry. It is important to ensure that you are realistic about what you may need to pay to secure the right person. In summary, as a business owner, with a role that is structured well and with the right person on board, you will reap considerable benefits by appointing a senior manager who fits the role, industry and culture of your business.
Eclipse Recruitment’s senior consultant Jane Carolan has vast experience in searching for and appointing executive and senior management roles. Contact Jane, or Eclipse Managing Director Lisa Hill, to discuss how Eclipse can support your business growth with recruitment or human resource services. lisa@eclipserecruitment.co.nz www.eclipserecruitment.co.nz
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Five practical tips to improve workplace happiness and productivity
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1) Disallow notifications
4) Break on breaks
Sever that technological umbilical cord. Your beloved iPhone or hot new Samsung does not require undivided attention. Do it now…
This is important! Break on breaks, don’t distract. Fend off Facebook, stare out a window or take a walk,
Use your vocal chords and verbally communicate with work mates. Talking instead of emailing is healthy for fostering a positive, open vibe in the workplace.
whatever you choose, avoid further distraction by becoming present.
5) Smile A simple smile can inject a little sunshine in your, and another’s day. J By Laura Quilter, New Zealand Swimmer and Surf Lifesaving World Champion www.autmillennium.org.nz
2) Preheat the oven (Prepare your work space) Producing quality work is like cooking a roast, you need a hot oven. W i t h o u t p r e p a r i n g y o u r s p a c e , i t ’s pretty easy to free-fall into frustration and fragment focus. Every morning at work, the first thing I do is say good morning to my team, drink a large glass of water (re-fill it) and sit down. I then physically determine a list of priorities by writing them down and pinning them beside my computer. Connected + hydrated + priorities = focused productivity
Kristin is one of New Zealand’s leading independent schools, providing co-educational learning for students from Kindergarten to Year 13.
Experience Kristin Kristin School’s excellent reputation has been built on its strong academic, cultural and sporting achievements; locally, nationally and internationally. But a Kristin education is about more than scholarly achievement. We believe in creating a world led by good people, who are invested in making the future better. We also believe in fostering an enabling environment where people flourish. At Kristin our classrooms are set in 42 acres of parklike grounds. It is a dynamic space where learning is achieved through inquiry, reflection, and analysis. With the world at their fingertips our students flourish in an environment of international awareness, learning tolerance and humility while fostering curiosity and a passion for learning. Kristin attracts the most highly skilled and talented staff who inspire excellence across all academic and co-curricular activities. Our staff are encouraged and supported in the pursuit of their continued education and professional learning, regularly attending workshops and training programmes. Kristin’s philosophy of constant innovation means that our students pursue their learning objectives with the support of the most innovative digital tools and devices - and teachers. Our dynamic and collaborative learning environments encourage resilience and flexibility; ensuring students are ready to thrive as global citizens. K r i s t i n o ff e r s a r a n g e o f s c h o l a r s h i p s f o r n e w students. Awards range from 30% of tuition fees for Academic and General Excellence Scholarships to 50% for Foundation Scholarships. For more information about Kristin scholarships, please refer to our website at www.kristin.school.nz NOVE MBE R 2 0 1 6 F YI BUSINE SS N H . O RG. N Z
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GOLD SPONSORS
Driveline are a specialist car lease, car finance and car loans company. They remove the stress and hassle so all you’ve gotta do is drive! Business Vehicle Know-How Do you want free, impartial advice on financing business vehicles? Driveline are the local specialists in vehicle leasing and finance solutions. New Zealand owned and operated, they can deliver long-term benefits and tax advantages to you. Their team has over 100 years of collective experience in the vehicle leasing industry. Driveline takes a consultative approach towards finding you the best possible vehicle for your business. Whether you are looking to lease a new or used vehicle, the team at Driveline can help you. As they are not affiliated with any car manufacturer, you are their number one priority! Driveline’s slick, modern website provides
up-to-date pricing packages on the latest cars, trucks and equipment. Take a moment to visit it now. driveline.co.nz It has loads of useful information about finance options available to businesses. Lease or HP finance of all makes and models of vehicles, both new and used, can be arranged. Their Smartlease package provides businesses with greater
flexibility in km’s and no extra charge for refurbishment costs. Driveline is proud to support local businesses and is a Business North Harbour Gold sponsor. You can catch them at the upcoming Business North Harbour Expos. For more information, call us on 0800 275 374 or visit driveline.co.nz
Centurion Management are a Body Corporate Secretary company who provide specialist Body Corporate services for properties through the North Island.
Our clients often tell us that we are different from other Body Corporate management companies. We’re always glad to hear that because we formed Centurion back in August 1996 precisely because we thought that Bodies Corporate were simply not being adequately serviced. So what’s different about Centurion? Well, we don’t just take care of all your Body Corporate’s legal responsibilities; we take a hands-on approach to managing your property. We make it our business to visit any site we manage for you regularly, so we’re often able to resolve problems before anyone has to call us. I t ’ s s i m p l e r e a l l y. W e b e l i e v e , a s management, we are paid by you to work for you. If you want to know more about our services, please feel free to visit our website www.centurion.co.nz, or contact us directly at info@centurion.co.nz. 30
NOV E MBER 2 0 1 6 F YI B US INES S NH. ORG. NZ
Business Hub | North Shore
GETTING LOCAL ADVICE IS WORKING
SMARTER Running a business is busy enough without having to be the company’s IT guru as well. So using the Spark Business Hub for tech advice is a smart move. It’s allowed Kayla to focus on dancing and running Momentum Productions, with the confidence that an expert is there for tech advice if she needs it. See her story at spark.co.nz/businesshubs
ASK SPARK BUSINESS HUB NORTH SHORE WHAT THEY CAN DO FOR YOUR BUSINESS 0800 482 746
info@hubnorthshore.co.nz SPA2703
Terms and conditions apply. See spark.co.nz/businesshubs for more info.
w o n n i Jo
at Albany Stadium Pool
Corporate fitness membership - opening special! 20% discount, no joining fee. Only $14.76 per week. We open mid-summer 2017 see how we can become a part of your corporate wellness programme. Give us a call on 09 484 6205
Your corporate membership includes:
• full service gym • five appointments with a qualified fitness instructor • regular programme updates • group fitness classes and pool access including spa and sauna. Minimum term is three months and after that no contract.
Give us a call about our corporate opening specials on 09 484 6205 Offer available until opening weekend
BC6090
T E G S ’ T E L INTO IT