Auckland Today issue 89

Issue 89 | June/July 2011

? r e v o t h e n n u r p u c r Can ou kly n a r f s k a e p s n nedde S n i t r a M , s e u nity n i u t t r n o o p c p n o l w a o n d t o i n t nd na a s r a e f , As the Cup cou s e p o about his h

News | Initiatives | Interviews | Personalities | Information | Success | Profiles | Finance | Property | Sustainability | Export | Transport | Retail | Solutions | ISSN 1173-1508

■ Communication games Avoid getting lost in translation

■ Products 4U Tools for keeping in touch

■ Number crunching The secret to making money

■ Budget breakdown

Steady as she goes, for now

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“It has been almost a year since I switched and Chynna is doing great” After the recall scare, I decided to switch dog food for then 11 year old terrier mix dog, Chynna. The food she was on was not one of the recall but she has been having bladder infections her entire life, and was overweight despite giving her a food for overweight dogs. After reading about all the stuff that was in other dog foods and all the great reviews for Canidae, I decided to let her try it.

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www.aucklandtoday.net.nz June/July 2011 | 3

Issue 89 | June/Jul

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| Personalities es | Interviews News | Initiativ

games ■ Communication translation getting lost in

y | Sustainability | Finance | Propert | Success | Profiles | Information

■ Products 4U

Tools for keepin

08 ns | ISSN 1173-15 rt | Retail | Solutio | Export | Transpo

wn ■ Budget breakdo for now

ng ■ Number crunchi money to making

g in touch

Steady as she

goes,

The secret

Avoid

Auckland Today

20,162

Issue 89

ABC circulation as at 30/06/10

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

6 Commerce

Head office Academy House 818 Colombo Street PO Box 1879 Christchurch

• Accounting — The No.1 secret to making money • Economics — Budget 2011: Steady as she goes, for now

managing director Gary Collins

7 People management • Recruitment — Making the most of opportunities

General manager Rebecca Harris administration Kylie Moore admin manager Kelly Clarke Rebecca McQueen Kimberley Wells Judy Slater sales & advertising George Ziegler Jane Watson Robert Cochrane Janet Campbell Annabel Judd

News

• Human resources — Dealing with workplace manipulation

8 Legal Issues • Sales — Compliance breaches that can cripple businesses • Employment — Reviewing the case that set a new benchmark

9 Property sales executives

newsroom Jonathon Taylor Marie Sherry Bridget Gourlay Katie McKone

• Sales — Values continue to stabilise

10 Productivity & PR

Phone: 03 961 5050 Fax: 0800 555 054 Email: editor@academy.net.nz

production Carolynne Brown assistant Melanie Stanbury designers CJ McKay Hayley Brocket Ian Knott Kirsty Opie

12 Cover story Can our cup runneth over? — Martin Snedden speaks frankly about his hopes, fears, the logistics and the legacy of hosting the Cup

14 Communication • Connecting the dots — Creating cohesiveness among physically scattered staff

• Productivity — Lighting and putting the spotlight on workplace productivity

• From the horse’s mouth —The only way to beat the rumour mill is to tell it like it is

• PR — Managing the media in a crisis

• Picture perfect — The inherent sense of video conferencing

11 Technology editor

Features

• Online — What’s wrong with my website?

• Protocol — Negotiating potential pitfalls of the new file sharing legislation

• Making sense — Ten tips on business email etiquette

16 Products 4U • Tools for keeping in touch

17 Lifestyles • Where to go, what to wear and drink while you’re there

18 Events diary • Courses, events and seminars near you

Business 22 Initiatives • EasiYo’s home made recipe for success • Duck is a staple source of delicious delight at Love A Duck • Raviz Indian adds a little spice for life

30 Manufacturing • Crighton rebrands and re-invigorates itself • Steelbro NZ lifts the lid on innovation

36 Construction • JB Contractors’ trend-setting investment is paying off

Phone: 03 961 5050 Fax: 0800 555 054 Email: production@academy.net.nz

• Leighton Contractors has the inside track on delivering top quality infrastructure ingenuity • Trowel Trades is giving tradespeople a home base

Disclaimer: This publication is provided on the basis that A-Mark Publishing is not responsible for the results of any actions taken on the basis of information in these articles, nor for any error or omission from these articles and that the firm is not hereby engaged in rendering advice or services.

A-Mark Publishing expressly disclaim all and any liability and responsibility to any person in respect of anything and of the consequences of anything done, or omitted to be done, by any such a person in reliance, whether wholly or partially upon the whole or any part of the contents of this publication.

Advertising feature articles are classified as advertising content and as such, information contained in them is subject to the Advertising Standards Authority Codes of Practice.

Contents Copyright 2011 by A-Mark Publishing (NZ) Ltd. All rights reserved. No article or advertisement may be reproduced without written permission.

4 | June/July 2011 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

* CONDITIONS OF ENTRY: One entry only per person and must be sent on the official entry form or as otherwise stated. Entry is free and open to all residents of New Zealand. All entrants must be over the age of 18, proof of identity and date of birth may be requested.

Employees and their immediate families of Academy Publishing, the promoter and agencies associated with any promotion in this publication are ineligible to enter. Winner(s) will be notified by e-mail/phone. The judges’ decision is final, no correspondence will be entered into. No responsibility is accepted for late, lost or misdirected mail. Prizes are not transferable or redeemable for cash. Academy Publishing, the promoter and agencies associated with any promotion in this publication shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever suffered (including but not limited to direct or consequential loss) or personal injury suffered or sustained, during the course of prize winning travel or in connection with any other prizes won. Academy Publishing, the promoter and agencies associated with any promotion in this publication accept no responsibility for health, luggage, insurances, travel, personal expenses and transfers other than specified. Entries remain the property of Academy Publishing, the promoter and agencies associated with any promotion in this publication and cannot be returned. Academy Publishing, the promoter and agencies associated with any promotion in this publication reserves the right to photograph and publish winners. Entries may be used for further marketing purposes by Academy Publishing, the promoter and agencies associated with any promotion in this publication but are not made available to any third party.

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All mills are ISO 14001 certified.

e in w r) all F oi c o ot n t o i n ple se r p o a n o pe c no 11 e v ig st e (sau e fir Fr r th

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Gary Collins, Managing Director

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As the key contact person for our organisation I am pleased to provide the above information and please pass on to your colleagues.

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Paula Parkin HR Manager Te Whanau o Waipareira Trust

“One of the things that impresses me the most about

So if you’re ready to save time and money call now or log on to www.myjobspace.co.nz. In less than seven minutes you can have your first ad ready, and when/if you need to run your second ad in the future it will only take a few minutes. In fact many employers think our site is the easiest site for loading jobs.

Myjobspace was for employers and employees, the service was exceptional and it was a great way to capture our target audience”.

providers. We have been working with your company since 18/12/08 and would like to advise the following:

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MyJobSpace is their attention to service and after sale care. The entire staff has been willing to go above and beyond the call of duty to handle every issue and make sure things are right. In some cases, they’ve done MORE than I expected.

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apply now www.aucklandtoday.net.nz June/July 2011 | 5

News | Commerce

By Jamie Tulloch

How does a business

?

make money The

No.1 secret is…

I call it a secret, because so many business owners don’t know or understand the number one secret to making money in a business. The number one secret is tuning your business so as you make a healthy gross profit (GP) percentage.

Why is a healthy GP percentage the number one secret to profits?

I call the generator of your GP percentage the engine room of your business. If the engine room is not fit, healthy and powerful, no matter what you do in the rest of your business, you will never overcome a weak, under-performing engine.

Imagine having a car weighing 1500kg (say an SUV) and a four cylinder engine of 1.5 litres.

No matter how hard that engine works, your vehicle will make slow and uneconomical progress because the engine room cannot produce enough power and torque to move the vehicle swiftly along the road.

What numbers go into creating your GP percentage?

It’s simple. It is your sales minus your cost of sales (or S minus COS). Identifying exactly what your cost of sales are (sometimes also called cost of goods sold or COGS) is vital to knowing what “friction” is inside your business engine room.

Different businesses have different components to their COGS. If you are a plumber for example, your COGS is the trade/wholesale cost of parts, plus consumables (say adhesive) and the direct labour cost (wages) for doing the actual plumbing work.

In the example above, 48 percent GP is near the bottom of the survey results. This has occurred because of any one or a combination of the following:

As an example let’s say you sell $1000 of plumbing services. The parts are $200, you use $20 of adhesive and use 10 hours of labour for which you paid your employee $30 per hour.

Total cost of sale is therefore $520 ($200 + $20 + $300). This gives you a Gross Profit of $480 or 48 percent on the total job ($480 is 48 percent of $1000).

➜ The job was completed inefficiently and

➜ The job was under-priced and should have been sold for $1,100. This would have yielded a 58 percent GP should have taken seven hours, not 10.

Doing the job in seven hours would have yielded 57 percent.

➜ The cost of the parts and/or consumables was not correctly priced and cost more than expected.

Now, look at the GP percentage if the job

Key question: how do you know what was sold for $1100 and took seven hours a healthy GP percentage should be for with no change to the price of the parts or your industry, business or trade? consumables. If this was the scenario then the E3 Business Accountants (and so should your accountant) has access to two national databases that benchmarks just about every industry type in New Zealand. Using the plumber as an example, our database contains actual figures for the top 25 percent, the middle 50 percent and the bottom 25 percent performers.

You need to ask yourself, why do some plumbers perform more profitably than others?

And even more importantly, where does my business rank?

In the survey a plumber’s healthy engine room GP percentage is 65 percent. A weak engine room would yield just 45 percent. The difference between 45 percent and 65 percent is the difference between profit and purgatory.

GP percentage would have been right up there with the top performers yielding 67 percent.

In summary: The business secret number one to making a sustainable and deserved profit is making sure your GP percentage is enough to run your business.

Jamie Tulloch is the managing director of E3 Business Accountants and can be contacted by calling 0800 11 33 99, email askjamie@ e3accountants.co.nz or go to www.e3accountants.co.nz

Steady as she goes, for now

By Murray Jack

What a difference a year makes!

Last year’s budget was full of optimism with the most significant tax changes in 25 years targeted to provide a platform for productivity and economic growth.

A year and two Christchurch earthquakes later and the Government’s accounts are less rosy in the near term. The earthquakes and a slower recovery coming out of the GFC enhanced long recession have exposed prior assumptions.

The economy hasn’t grown and won’t grow much for the rest of this year. Beyond that there are hopes for a rapid growth by past standards — but that is not certain.

So in 2011 we see the first tentative steps to tackling entitlements. Working for Families

faces a trim for the higher earners with fewer kids. Student loans are no longer as “interest-free” for some and others face curbs. KiwiSaver subsidies are trimmed and employers and workers pick up the slack with minimum contributions lifted to three percent.

We can fiddle with KiwiSaver as much as we like but as long as we have a relatively generous universal pension, health care free at the point of delivery, and a largely free education system backed at the tertiary level by interest-free loans, we will have to continue to pay people to save. More serious reform is needed.

But the entitlement changes are hardly frontal assaults on middle-class welfare. Bill English’s austerity budget cannot be remotely compared with Ruth Richardson’s mother of all budgets.

This is because most of the expenditure restraint is forecast to come from public sector administration efficiencies and “reprioritisation”.

This is appropriate. To date the private sector has borne by far the greatest burden of adjustment during the long recession, both in terms of employment and wages. The predicted restraint in the Budget is sensible.

However, this comes with its risks. The risks don’t relate to cessation of services, but to the capabilities within the public sector to drive out costs and reprioritise expenditure and the speed with which they can do so.

The lower spending path of the last two years has helped condition attitudes, but this Budget sees a quantum shift in scale and urgency of action. As a consequence of this strategy there remains a reliance on rebounding economic growth to pull the country out of deficit (forecast to be in 2014/15 — just). The earthquakes complicate prediction here.

Some commentators believe Treasury has significantly underestimated growth and no doubt a positive surprise would be a boost.

6 | June/July 2011 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

But there are risks and many of these are on the downside — the global economy is not yet firing on all cylinders, Australia’s two-speed economy is becoming more apparent, and business investment in New Zealand is still anaemic and will remain so until consumer demand recovers.

More positively the Government has mainly held its nerve on infrastructure spending. While there are many views on the suitability and priorities of some of the spending there is no argument that overdue investments must be made and that productivity gains for business will follow.

Pragmatic approach A commitment to partial asset sales is also encouraging. Forget the ideological battles here. Sales are a pragmatic way of improving the Government’s balance sheet, driving better performance, and relieving the taxpayer of the risks of business ownership.

They are also critical to re-energising our capital markets and providing an investment destination for the growing private savings pool.

Overall Bill English has produced a steadyas-she-goes budget. It is sufficiently austere to deal with the fiscal position we are in and will keep the rating agencies at bay — so long as economic growth returns. We will never know if this budget would have been more reforming in nature. That debate now shifts to the up-coming election.

Murray Jack Murray is the CEO of Deloitte New Zealand and a partner in the Wellington Consulting Practice. Prior to his current role he led the Deloitte Asia Pacific Consulting Practice, including stints as Public Sector Practice leader, Human Resources managing partner and Service Line leader.

News | People Management

Don’t like Mondays?

Here’s how to deal with workplace manipulation

By Dr Mary Casey

Do you suffer from Mondayitis because of a difficult manager or colleague? Do they turn your days into a series of battles, make you feel helpless or powerless, or drain you of energy? You could very likely be the target of a manipulator.

Manipulation can be either aggressive or passive aggressive. Openly aggressive behaviour such as bullying is easy to identify, but covert attacks are very difficult to spot.

As a guideline, you know you’re being manipulated when the problem is ongoing, and you are left feeling unsure of where you stand, anxious, stressed or even physically sick.

How to deal with a manipulative co-worker When the manipulator is someone you don’t report to, use the following strategies:

➜ Disengage emotionally: Stop seeking approval or feedback from them.

➜ Set boundaries: Let them know what you will and won’t accept.

➜ Think rationally: Find out what they want from you, and stop giving it to them.

➜ Observe only outcomes: Don’t try to second-guess the meaning behind their words or actions.

➜ Be clear and specific: Ensure your body language backs your words.

How you respond to manipulative behaviour will determine whether or not you become a target. Manipulation is prevalent in workplaces, because their top-down structures are the perfect breeding ground for control and power tactics.

➜ Stand your ground: When they put

Manipulators aim to covertly or overtly control and overpower the behaviours of others, even if it robs another person of their freedom of choice, reason and rationality. They may abuse their positions or responsibilities, and overstep accepted boundaries in the workplace.

➜ Act fast: They interpret your

I researched manipulation for four years after becoming the target of a manipulative senior employee. I learned why I was a perfect target and what I needed to change in order to not be a victim — I lacked personal boundaries.

Offensive tactics used by manipulators

➜ Threats: Using concealed or open threats to keep their targets anxious.

➜ Asking ‘harmless’ questions: Gathering information to use against you.

➜ Refutation: Denying they have done wrong.

➜ Discrediting: Taking credit for things you’ve done, while discrediting you in return.

➜ Distraction: Changing the subject to evade the issue or gain time.

➜ Accusations or discrediting: Shifting the blame to others and detract in subtle, hard-to-detect ways.

➜ Deception: Withholding large amounts of the truth, distorting the truth, or being vague.

How to deal with a manipulative boss When the manipulator is someone you report to, there are only two solutions:

➜ Disengage emotionally: Set boundaries and use assertiveness. You can expect your salary and other benefits of the job, but you must relinquish your need for positive feedback or recognition.

➜ Disengage physically: If you are emotionally unable to do the above, or if the situation becomes unbearable, you’ll need to consider leaving your job.

Your health and your family will thank you for it!

pressure on you, repeat the same statement each time.

➜ Keep them responsible: Don’t let them get away with shifting the blame. silence as agreement if you wait for the “right time” to address the issue.

➜ Accept no excuse for inappropriate behaviour: Re-focus on the issue you are trying to confront.

Dr Mary Casey (Doctorate of Psychology) is a conflict resolution specialist. She founder and CEO of Casey Centre, a leading integrated health and education service based in Sydney. Visit www.caseycentre.com.au

Making the most of your opportunities By recruitment & HR company Randstad

As we put the Global Financial Crisis behind us, New Zealand is now moving swiftly into a talent crisis.

The ongoing skills shortage has been cited as the main reason for many organisations’ inability to grow as quickly as they’d like. In short, employers across most sectors simply can’t find suitable talent.

Business leaders will need to reconnect with their employees through open and honest communication to ensure they are happy, motivated and engaged and ready for the challenges that lay ahead. The last 18 months need to be openly acknowledged as one of the most challenging times in the last two decades, and employees will be looking for acknowledgement and recognition of their hard work.

Smarter businesses will be increasing efficiencies this year by focusing on talent retention, training and development and offering a range of employee benefits to ensure that their people are engaged and motivated to perform to their maximum potential. And looking ahead as conditions continue to improve, focus will need to be placed on attracting talent to ensure ongoing business growth.

The winners in 2011 will be organisations with 3. Be prepared the right people in the right jobs, motivated If you are considering a career move, ensure and ready to grow the business. you spend time brushing up on interview For employees, it has been a tough couple of skills. Prepare answers for interview questions, particularly behavioural interview years with many people finding themselves questions, and update your CV. overworked and under resourced due to company restructures. Tough decisions were made on all fronts to ensure business viability 4. Play to your strengths in an unpredictable environment, and the If you are currently in a job, you need to legacies of those decisions are the cause of continue to play to your strengths. Know many issues we’re dealing with today. what it is you are good at and don’t focus on the negatives. When you focus on talents The following five tips will help you and not shortfalls, you will experience evaluate your career: positivity and strength to meet any challenge 1. Stop and think thrown at you. Always investigate learning Assess your career goals and ensure and development programmes offered by that your expectations are meeting the your employer, even if they are not strictly market’s expectations — that way you will related to your existing area of expertise. not be disappointed. Look back on your Go with what you find interesting as well as achievements, celebrate positive milestones what would help advance your career. and map out your new goals. This can be a refreshing and energising process and a great way to feel inspired about work again. If you 5. Act now are looking to change jobs, ensure that you Do not wait for opportunity to knock on are moving for the right reasons. your door. Whether it is within your current organisation or even within a totally new 2. Take time for holidays The old adage ‘absence makes the heart grow role, your time to act is right now. Open your mind to opportunities that may not have fonder’ can also be true at work. Not taking been something you would have evaluated ‘time out’ often leads to stress and getting bogged down in the little things. Find time to previously — you might be surprised with relax and you will feel re-energised to deal what you discover. Above all, stay motivated with the exciting developments awaiting you. and confident. www.aucklandtoday.net.nz June/July 2011 | 7

News | Legal Issues

Case sets new benchmark From Duncan Cotterill Lawyers

A new Employment Court decision could radically change the way in which employers carry out restructuring and disciplinary processes.

Information that had previously been considered “off-limits” by employers must now be disclosed to employees as part of a restructuring consultation or disciplinary action.

Duncan Cotterill Lawyers Employment partner, Scott Wilson says the decision could have a major impact on an employer’s ability to withhold information on the basis that it was sensitive or confidential.

“Employers should assume that all documentation relating to a restructure, selection or disciplinary process may need to be disclosed. This includes the likes of Board minutes, internal memos and emails, guidance and advice from an HR manager, interview notes, and information about other candidates in a restructuring selection process.”

The shift follows a recent case, Massey University v Wrigley in which the university moved to restructure part of its operations, its selection information including copies of with existing staff vying for fewer jobs. Wilson handwritten notes and information about how says the university went through what seemed other, successful, candidates had been scored like a robust selection process. and assessed.

“Candidates were given a lot of information The Employment Court held that employees about the selection process. They were were entitled to access interview sheets subsequently given information about their for all candidates who applied for the scores and the recommendations that had same role, their scores and individual been made about them. Information about assessments; any handwritten notes taken other candidates was not provided.” by the interviewer and information about the successful candidates contained in the panel But a dispute arose when the unsuccessful recommendation to the decision maker. employees asked the university to reveal

The Court said that although the issues in this case arose in the context of selection of candidates for redundancy, they applied equally in other cases where employment was at risk, including serious disciplinary cases.

Wilson says there had long been a tension between employees and employers in general about what information to disclose, particularly in restructuring situations and delicate disciplinary situations — for example, sexual harassment or bullying. “Employers have tended to err on the side of caution and

withhold relevant information where that information has been received in confidence or may be commercially sensitive.”

Wilson worried that the restructuring could potentially be drawn out by demands for disclosure of all relevant information which could sometimes involve a large volume of material.

Duncan Cotterill Lawyers is one of New Zealand’s leading commercial law firms offering a combination of general and multi-specialist legal services. For more information visit www.duncancotterill.com

Sales compliance breaches could cripple businesses before Rugby World Cup kicks off

By Anya Anderson

The most well known regulations are the Fair Trading Act (FTA) and the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA).

Many businesses are in for The FTA protects consumers from being misled a rude awakening as the or treated unfairly by retailers and other Commerce Commission toughens businesses. It does this by prohibiting what is up on sales compliance laws called misleading or deceptive conduct, false representations and unfair practices. in the build-up to the Rugby World Cup later this year.

With or without The Commission has said it will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action on those that breach any of New Zealand’s sales laws before and during the event.

While most sales breaches covered by the media usually show business people willingly breaking the law, there are many examples where breaches have occurred due to ignorance.

There are many prosecutions under this act, and most are due to ignorance rather than an attempt to willingly mislead. One common trap is a failure to clearly state that a quote or advertised price does not include GST. New Zealand companies have been prosecuted for this.

It is not just small companies that have been bitten by the FTA. The Warehouse pleaded guilty to multiple breaches in 2009 and was fined $209,600.

This is why anyone in the business of selling must undertake basic sales compliance law training. This includes those While the FTA generally covers claims about on the shop floor and anyone else who sells products before sale, the CGA focuses on the quality of goods and services after purchase. goods or services.

8 | June/July 2011 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Under the CGA, consumer rights are defined by a series of guarantees that a seller makes whenever a good or service is sold. These include things like the goods must be of an acceptable quality, be fit for the purpose the buyer asked about and match their description.

strict disclosure requirements on lenders. It also limits the fees lenders can charge and even how they are calculated.

Many businesses that offer these services are unaware of this act’s requirements. A company was recently fined $146,600 for multiple breaches of it.

This act can also cause confusion. For example, if a customer asked an assistant for a bathroom As the Rugby World Cup approaches, heater and was sold one that short-circuited businesses throughout New Zealand must and caused a fire, the shop could be liable for allow their sales staff to come to grips with the fire damage. Not many people realise that. these laws. Failure to do so could lead to serious business damage.

The CGA also discredits the myth that customers can return a good within the first seven days of purchase if they are unhappy Anya Anderson is with it. The seven day rule only applies to managing director of some goods. Otherwise there must be some RedSeed Limited, a serious defect with the good and in many company specialising cases, the retailer still has the right to repair it in online sales training. rather than replace it.

This includes retail Another act that is often misunderstood is the selling, business to Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act business selling and (CCCFA). This applies to anyone providing credit sales compliance law. to a private individual under a credit contract.

She can be contacted It is intended to protect borrowers by imposing at anya@redseed.co.nz

News | Property

Steady progress…

Property values continue to stabilise

By Jonno Ingerson

and Invercargill (-3.9) have the greatest gap compared to last year. Rotorua (-1.0), Hastings (-1.4), Napier and Wanganui (-2.4) and Queenstown Lakes (-1.3) all have values slightly below last year. In Nelson values have been relatively stable since January 2010 and as a result the gap between last year and this year is only -0.7 percent.

According to the QV indices for April, residential property values remain relatively stable at a national level.

Nationwide, property values have now been relatively stable for several months after falling slightly throughout most of 2010. Values ➜ Auckland are now 1.9 percent lower than QV’s Residential Price Index the same time last year, and 5.8 for April shows property values have decreased by 0.5 percent percent below the market peak of during the past year in the late 2007.

Regional round up

The levelling of nationwide values was initially due to a flattening of values in the Auckland market, but there are now increasing signs of values stabilising in many other areas also.

In the Auckland area values have moved within a narrow band for most of the last 18 months. In recent months values have been slightly variable, but there is little evidence at this stage of values moving significantly up or down. Currently values in Auckland are 0.5 percent below the same time last year.

Values in Hamilton are 3.5 percent below the same time last year, but in recent months values appear to be flattening off. In Tauranga values are 1.7 percent below last year, but also appear to be flattening in recent months.

The Wellington area is 3.4 percent below last year, with most of this drop coming in 2010, while over the past six months values have been moving within a narrow band. Values in Dunedin have dropped more over the past year than the other main centres, but may also be stabilising in recent months.

Auckland region. But values now appear to be stabilising in a narrow band.

Glenda Whitehead of QV Valuation says sales activity in recent months has picked up.

“This turnover of properties has not necessarily resulted in price rises across all areas. We are seeing pockets of the market that are reacting positively to quality new listings, however, in many other areas we continue to see strong caution exercised by purchasers.

“Feedback from buyers has indicated that they are willing to put in bids or offers, but will not move beyond their agreed value limits. In some cases those limits are imposed by their banks lending criteria, with others setting their own limits based on level of debt they are willing service,” Whitehead says.

“This continued caution and control over debt levels provides some There was an increase in sales activity in March reasoning behind the stability of values and the first half of April, but this appears to in the Auckland region. While we have have dropped away following the Easter and seen some fluctuations of values, when school holiday break. Sales activity typically we compare it on an annual basis, we tends to slow from now through until spring. see overall stability for the past year to 18 months. That is very moderate. Rises have Market sentiment remains patchy with some been followed by gentle easing in months areas lacking quality listings to satisfy buyer that follow, and we are generally back to demand, while other areas have little buyer where we started. demand despite plenty of houses for sale. In general properties with desirable attributes, “There is no doubt the market is now or those that represent good value, are still pricing the quality of improvements and selling well. quality of locality. This was not done at the height of the market and lead to over pricing There has been a significant slow down is sales activity in Christchurch since the February in some areas. earthquake, and this lack of sales means “It is perhaps these areas that are correcting that we have not generated an index for to their true levels, which are holding Christchurch. Local valuers are seeing plenty the overall values down. While quality of interest in quality properties in relatively areas continue to perform well and values unaffected areas, and prices have been gradually rise. Once the market has re-priced generally holding. There is still a great deal of in all areas we should see the overall market uncertainty in the market, particularly driven move forward.” by concerns over job security.

She says listing levels appear to remain Despite values levelling in recent months subdued as vendors in many areas consider in many provincial areas, none currently it is not yet a good time to sell, continuing have values above the same time last year. the wait and see approach.

This recent levelling of values, coupled with declining values last year, means that the gap “This is frustrating buyers who have been between this year and last year is closing in looking for a long period, and not finding many areas. Whangarei (-5.2), Gisborne (-4.6), properties that meet their discerning criteria.

New Plymouth (-4.5) Palmerston North (-3.7) We sense this in some areas of the market,

➜ Wellington QV’s Residential Price Index for April shows that property values in the Wellington region have decreased by 3.4 percent during the past year.

Values have moved within a narrow band for typically within the suburbs close to the the last few months, having declined slightly Auckland CBD.” since January after increasing slightly in late The average sales price for the Auckland region 2010. The average sales price for Wellington in April was $468,675. in April was $535,161.

➜ Hamilton

➜ Christchurch

QV’s Residential Price Index for April shows that property values have decreased by 3.5 percent during the past year in Hamilton. Values have continued to trend downwards. The average sales price for Hamilton in April was $339,039.

The significant slowdown in the number of sales, and the delays in the overall sales process in Christchurch following the 22 February earthquake mean that the QV residential price index cannot yet be used to measure the change in property values.

➜ Tauranga QV’s Residential Price Index for April shows that property values have decreased by 1.7 percent during the past year in Tauranga.

Values appear to be stabilisinig in recent months. The average sales price for Tauranga in April was $399,358.

➜ Dunedin QV’s Residential Price Index for April shows that property values in Dunedin have decreased by 4.2 percent. Values have continued to generally trend downward. The average sales price for Dunedin in April was $272,735. www.aucklandtoday.net.nz June/July 2011 | 9

News | Productivity & PR

Lighting workplace

&

productivity

By Kevin Cawley

Improving worker productivity is a major aim of all businesses from one-man-bands to corporations.

But most are unaware that improving their lighting design can do wonders in this area.

Lighting is one of the most important parts of any workspace from the open plan office to the factory production line. It’s well known that incorrect lighting can cause migraine headaches and eye strain, but few people recognise its impact on productivity.

Open plan offices are a classic example.

Once office blocks are built, developers usually get engineers to introduce a blanket cover of lights. This doesn’t even take into account where the furniture will be. This causes problems because everyone has different lighting needs. This depends on their tasks and the state of their eyes.

Have you ever had a workstation that just didn’t seem comfortable, but you couldn’t put your finger on exactly what the problem was?

It may have been the lighting.

Generally speaking, people are more motivated when they work under lights that are close to the colour of the sun. Colder colours that are bluer in nature make people feel cold, and when we feel cold, we are less motivated and less productive.

Once the correct colour has been determined, the next consideration is the intensity, or

quantity of light. For example, when writing onto white paper, more light is needed than when typing on a computer screen. This is important for people who do both of these tasks. A good idea is to have a task light that can be switched on and off when necessary.

below par. It usually requires a complaint from someone before anything is done.

It’s like people who install a burglar alarm after their house has been broken into. It’s not until ACC or OSH is brought in that any changes are made.

So many people run into problems when they need to multi-task like this. I met a receptionist recently who had bloodshot eyes after working in an incorrectly lit room for many years. She had to look up from her computer to greet visitors. The problem was that the ceiling lighting was creating a glare and after so long, her eyes had had enough. This problem was easily fixed, but it could have been dealt with years before.

Many business owners are also unaware that flexible lighting options are available.

This means they can be simply moved around without taking up too much time.

There are now LED light fittings available that can be remotely controlled. These give each person control of their workstation, allowing them to control their own light intensity and colour temperature.

Very few business owners are aware that productivity suffers when their lighting is below par. And many are not even aware it is

Savvy business owners know that the best way to get the best out of their workers is to make them as comfortable as possible in their workspace. If people are feeling cold, getting

eye strain or migraine headaches, they will always be looking for ways to move away from that space. And while they are working, they will lack motivation.

It may not be mentioned much when it comes to raising productivity, but lighting is vital to the success of any business.

Kevin Cawley is an award-winning independent lighting designer with clients across the world.

He can be contacted through his website at www.lightingdesign.co.nz

Dealing with the media in a crisis

By Pete Burdon

When it comes to crises and how well companies deal with them through the media, most people think of big events like the recent Christchurch earthquake or the Pike River disaster.

But what few people realise is that any business, big or small, could suffer a crisis at any time with the potential to threaten its very existence.

Unlike the Christchurch earthquake, most crises involve a single company. They are put under the media spotlight as likely instigators of the crisis. How they respond determines how well their business survives.

For example, an apprentice electrician could fall off a building, bringing into question his host company’s safety procedures.

A local bakery could be accused of inadequate hygiene after a customer 10 | June/July 2011 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

suffered food poisoning, or a lawyer could be blamed by a client for losing money following bad advice.

While these examples are not as serious as the Pike River disaster, negative publicity through the media can be disastrous for business bottom lines. That’s because if public opinion is against your business, clients will leave and prospects will look elsewhere.

The key is knowing how to handle approaches from the media before anything happens.

As an example, what would you do if a TV reporter and a cameraman arrived at your house as you were leaving for work asking you about some crisis that had just happened in your business?

The last thing you should do is run, look angry, try to push the camera away or say ‘no comment’. These things all make you look guilty and are great pictures for the TV news. This is probably what the news crew is looking for.

What you should do is confidently say with a smile that you will look straight into it and

you’ll be available for an interview at your office in two hours. That way there is no publishable footage for the news, you looked relaxed and when you do see the reporter in two hours, you will be ready with your response.

Taking control Those who have been media trained will then know how to control the interview, getting their points across, rather than defensively answering the questions thrown at them.

It’s important that you do front up to the media. Firstly, if you are not there to clarify the situation, it could get blown out of proportion. That’s because the media will find someone else to comment, and that person will not know as much as you. It could also be a competitor.

Research shows that this is vital. It shows that a crisis itself rarely affects a business negatively. What does cause problems is how the crisis is handled. While no businessman can eliminate the possibility of a crisis, if he takes control quickly, responds professionally

and communicates well, his business is likely to prosper.

For these reasons, all businesses must have someone trained to communicate with the media, preferably the boss.

This is not only to handle crises, but also other more positive situations. If your business is ever contacted by the media for some other purpose, it would be disappointing not to have the skills to make the most of the opportunity.

Pete Burdon is managing director of Media Training NZ, a company specialising in media and presentation training.

He can be contacted at info@mediatraining.co.nz or through the website www.mediatraining.co.nz

News | Technology

Employers and the new NZ Copyright Act

By Ian Knott

On September 1 this year the highly controversial Infringing File Sharing Act kicks into action. Despite its well documented shortcomings, discrepancies and punishments for repeat offenders, the law has the potential to have an impact on small and medium sized businesses.

What’s wrong with my website?

By Suzanne Carter

If you have an online store and noone is purchasing your products, or perhaps you are not receiving any enquiries or bookings, you may well be asking yourself this question.

It is critical to your business success to address these issues as the impact of your website not working can be substantial.

There are many websites, that for a variety of reasons, are not easy on the eye and this can be very off-putting, thus creating a bad first impression.

A quality website design really is key. It’s also vital that your online purchase or booking process is clear, simple and intuitive — make it as easy as possible for your visitors to make a purchase, booking or enquiry.

If your website is an e-commerce site, then make sure that the shopping cart works and that there are no errors during the buying There are two key areas to look at when process. If you have an online booking engine analysing why your website is not working for make sure that is working as it should. Check you: can it be found in search engines and how all of your online forms too. If something is effective is your website’s overall design and broken on your website then this could be your usability? answer as to what is wrong.

As most people now search online for the Something as simple as not displaying your product or service they are interested in, it is full contact information, or making it hard to important that your website ranks highly on find, could also be the answer to why your search engines such as Google. website’s not performing. If people can’t If your website does not show on the first page of search engine rankings then it is highly unlikely people will visit your site and make that all important purchase, enquiry or booking. Essentially, your website is being hidden from those that may be interested in what you have to offer. If this is the case then you may potentially lose business to your competitor whose website is ranking much higher than yours.

There are many factors which determine whether your website will be ranked highly or not. A good start though is to ensure that your website has been properly and fully optimised for search engines and the phrases that potential visitors may be searching for. It is also important to ensure that your content is original (no copying from other sites word for word), well-written and relevant.

If your website is doing well in the search engines, then you need to review it from a design and usability point of view (i.e. looking at your website from your visitors’ perspective).

If visitors to your site don’t like what they see within the first few seconds, they will very likely leave your site and go to someone else’s — probably your competitor! For example, I have seen bright yellow text used on a red background which is not easy on the eye.

quickly and easily find how to contact you, then you have lost the opportunity to turn a website visitor into a customer.

Do you have a strong call to action — do visitors to your site know what to do? Make it clear what you want their next step to be, such as make a booking, call you, make an enquiry or purchase your hot special.

As soon as you realise there is something wrong with your website it is important to identify the cause and take action to ensure that it starts delivering to its potential and bringing in business.

Of course, it will impact on large businesses too, but these are often the ones with dedicated IT personnel, detailed employee IT policies, solid firewalls and monitored traffic.

For a smaller business however, having your internet service cut-off along with the possibility of being fined $15,000 for downloading even a single song could be crippling, to say the least.

The law works on a “three strikes” system where copyright owners get IP addresses from Peer-to-Peer (P2P) networks. They will then contact the ISP of the user and initiate an infringement notice. The ISP will then send out the notice to the account holder — this is the first warning.

That warning lasts for 28 days during which any further infringements will not attract further warnings (but will be logged). After that though, another two warnings will be sent, both lasting for 28 days.

At the expiry of the third strike, and providing the infringing is still taking place, an enforcement notice will be issued that the account holder will have 14 days to challenge before court proceedings are started.

That’s a minimum of 98 days before the proverbial hits the fan — plenty of time to get to the source of the problem, but not long if you procrastinate and put it into the ‘too hard basket’.

Your ISP can only trace traffic back to your router though, not back to the individual computers connected to your network.

That means the onus is on you, as the account holder, to investigate who is doing the offending.

Protective measures So how can you take steps to protect yourself and your business from the ignorant, malicious, selfish or technologically naïve employees?

There’s no easy answer, as any determined user ‘in the know’ will be able to circumnavigate your attempts to block them:

➜ Prevention should begin with Suzanne Carter is the Business Development Manager for Limelight Online Ltd, a website design and development company. Suzanne has more than 15 years website industry experience helping clients enhance their business through the internet. Email scarter@limelightonline. co.nz or visit www.limelightonline.co.nz

your employee IT policy — which anyone you employ who uses a computer on your network should have signed already. Your policy needs to specifically cover P2P, torrent files and illegal downloads of

music, movies, software and other copyrighted material. Your employees need to know beforehand that even the minimum infringement fine may result in business closure and therefore everyone’s jobs.

➜ Monitor your monthly data usage.

Watch for any unexplained spikes in your usage, which is much easier to monitor and explain the smaller your business is. Sudden spikes of 2GB or more should arouse suspicion.

Operating systems, office suites and design programs regularly update themselves, which can be sizeable downloads — so these can be a cause of some data spikes.

➜ Block the download of some specific file types. .torrent, .avi, .mp4, .mov, .mp3, .m4a, .flac. If some of these file types are actually needed then one or more computers (with trusted users) can be ‘unlocked’ to allow to download. This is done at a server/ firewall/router level and requires a medium level of IT knowledge, so it might be worth getting the experts in. Again, there are ways to circumnavigate this but should be sufficient to cover most users.

➜ Check computers for Bittorrent Clients. As a rule, downloading P2P torrents requires a piece of software to do so. Bittorrent, uTorrent, Vuze, Transmission are all popular options, but there are dozens more. There is no need to have them on a computer unless someone is downloading torrent files. However the web browser Opera also has torrenting capabilities —so be vigilant.

➜ Bittorrent clients usually route traffic through a specific port by default (although this can be changed if a user knows how). This port can be blocked on your router, again consult an expert.

➜ Make sure your wireless network is fully secure. It is incredible how many still aren’t. Someone in the general vicinity could be illegally downloading using your internet connection – and there’s no way of finding out who. Make sure only authorised users are allowed to access your network.

Ultimately, the issue is a real one and should be addressed by every business that uses computers before the law comes into full effect. If you’re not technologically minded enough to put protection in place then there are a heap of eager professionals out there who can come in, advise, secure and even monitor your network and web traffic.

Ian Knott has been commentating on various forms of technology for the last 16 years. He’s had columns on gadgets, gaming, computing and digital entertainment in many newspapers, magazines and websites in New Zealand and overseas.

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz June/July 2011 | 11

Can our

News | Cover Story

runneth over?

By Katie McKone

“We are unlikely to ever have another opportunity that will unite us quite as much as a Rugby World Cup; the only other event would be if we went to war,” says Martin Snedden, the man leading the charge.

In less than three months time, all eyes of the rugby world will be on New Zealand as it hosts Rugby World Cup 2011. The event’s size means this will be no small feat and it goes without saying that it’s not something we want to mess up.

Yet if we play our cards right, the event has the potential to create a lasting legacy for New Zealand, claims Snedden, CEO for tournament organiser Rugby New Zealand 2011.

“If we do it well, I think it will be proof to ourselves of our ability to unite. It is a really challenging thing for a country to pull itself together and stay together around one particular moment in time, but rugby is the thing that unites us as a nation more than anything else I can think of.”

The September 9 kick-off is fast approaching and expectations are high. Snedden is leading from the front in the run up to D-Day, putting together an event that is set to put New Zealand on a podium higher than ever before.

Logistics When asked what compelled him to accept the job as Rugby World Cup boss back in 2006, Snedden simply says it was the lure of it. “It was the opportunity to be part of the biggest event New Zealand has ever won the rights to host. I just knew it was going to be huge.”

Snedden stepped into the role with solid credentials – spending six years as chief executive of New Zealand Cricket, which was preceded by a distinguished international cricketing career including 25 test matches and 93 ODI appearances for the Black Caps.

Now charged with the smooth running of what is set to be a pinnacle event in New Zealand’s history, Snedden admits his role is somewhat bigger than first anticipated.

“I knew it would be big just in terms of organising the rugby tournament, but then I probably underestimated how much it would reach into so many different areas. But then that has been the really exciting part of the job, in terms of how wide ranging and multifaceted the project actually is.”

The overriding challenge is meeting an ambitious target of 1.4 million tickets, fetching a total value of $269 million — the biggest ticket sales programme ever undertaken in New Zealand, 10 times the size of the British and Irish Lions Tour of 2005.

Up until the devastating Christchurch earthquake in February, just over 900,000 tickets with a value of $188 million had been sold. Yet the unavoidable relocation of eight matches from the city, and the refunding of some 150,000 tickets, has caused “a bit of extra work” Snedden says.

Yet he is adamant the original target can be met. “It is still very achievable. There is still a lot of work to be done, but we are confident that it can be reached.”

Ticket sales to date have been encouraging, he says, despite the slower sales in smaller regions. Numbers are also expected to pick up before and during the event itself.

“I am confident the tournament will create some sort of Rugby World Cup fever and in the end people will very likely support all teams, as they will want to be part of this once in a lifetime experience that is happening for New Zealanders.”

Opportunities At least 85,000 international visitors are expected to make their way down under for the World Cup. Throughout the 45 days of the tournament there will also be intense broadcasting on New Zealand and the nation as a whole, with the country expecting to host more than 2000 media.

12 | June/July 2011 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

News | Cover Story

Rugby New Zealand 2011 CEO Martin Snedden, Prime Minister John Key and former All Black Michael Jones, Rugby World Cup ambassador at the Petone Rugby Club. The occasion was the launch of a volunteers scheme for the tournament, fronted by Jones who was also part of New Zealand’s only Rugby World Cup winning side in the inaugural tournament hosted in New Zealand in 1987.

Moment in the sun “We have the opportunity here to create a significant international profile and we need Kiwis to really latch onto that.”

This is New Zealand’s moment in the sun, and businesses in particular have a chance to showcase their products and innovation to a global audience. The immediate economic opportunities in this instance should not be overlooked, he adds.

Snedden is not afraid to say the stress levels are high. “In the back of my mind is the fact that this is a live event, and in that dynamic anything can happen. The stress fluctuates quite a lot, but progress is going according to plan and the thing that helps the most is the large percentage of New Zealanders that are interested in the event and who feel quite positively about it.”

Quake impact

“The way the international community judges the success of this event has nothing to do with the All Blacks, but in the way they are welcomed, looked after and are given a good time. That is the only criteria that we are using, and we really need to extend the welcome mat and ensure that people are in a good mood.”

The opening weekend in particular is “critically important”, in terms of setting a precedent for the remainder of the tournament.

country is being presented with a chance to build its brand on the international stage.

The tournament is also being used as a catalyst to upgrade facilities and infrastructure across the country. For example investments in rail to help streamline the transportation of spectators in Auckland and the $256 million upgrade of Eden Park — all of which will attract new events and opportunities in the future.

Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard said in January Rugby World Cup 2011 could add At the end of the day there are “just some The timing of the Pacific Islands Forum in “If on Monday morning after that first weekend around $700 million to the New Zealand things you can’t control,” he says, referring to Auckland to coincide with the start of Rugby we have a sense that those games have gone economy, contributing approximately a third of World Cup 2011 will also add to the number of the Christchurch earthquake. well, that the opening ceremony at Eden Park a percentage point to GDP. high profile visitors that are expected to be in “The earthquake has had an enormous impact has gone well, then the tournament will kick in “If we succeed,” says Snedden, “then internally the country. from there.” on this event and has caused a lot of shock New Zealanders get confidence in their ability While rugby is at the heart of the event, it is as right across New Zealand. We have been pretty A number of other key ingredients will also to handle events, and externally we gain equally important that New Zealand views it as subdued as a nation, and we are remaining contribute to the smooth running of the event, international confidence. sensitive to the way people are feeling. a chance for the nation to come together and he adds, not to mention a “bit of luck”.

“Look at Australia after they hosted the Sydney reap the associated benefits, says Snedden.

“I think however, that the Rugby World Cup will “The rugby on the field has to be of good Olympics — there was a lot of people who There is a great deal more at stake than who be useful for people as an opportunity to get quality, and the infrastructure, transport and doubted their ability to pull it off, but they goes home with the prized Webb Ellis Cup. back to life as normal and will have a strong accommodation all have to work well. did it and then started to attract many more unifying effect in that regard.”

A nationwide celebration, dubbed the REAL opportunities on the back of that. I think we “I think the atmosphere around the event is New Zealand Festival, plans to showcase He is also adamant that there will be no empty will see the same thing happen here.” also really important — if it is exciting and the best of our arts, culture, food, wines and stadiums like those seen at the recent Cricket positive then that feeling snowballs and New Zealand has already been signed up to entertainment. It is the first time such an event World Cup in India, where at times you could success breeds success.” co-host the next ICC Cricket World Cup with has been held alongside a Rugby World Cup. almost hear a pin drop for lack of spectators.

Australia in 2015 and the FIFA U-20 World Cup “There are 500 to 1000 events happening up “At worst we will have reasonably sized that same year. and down the country, many of which are crowds, most games will have large crowds Yet it is the intangible benefits that are perhaps Whilst Rugby World Cup 2011 lasts for being created and delivered by people who and then we will have complete sell outs at the most pertinent. “If this event is successful it only six weeks, the post-event benefits for have no interest [in rugby] whatsoever, but still some matches.” will prove to ourselves our ability to do certain New Zealand will continue well after the want to be involved. So there is a role there for The success of this event is relying enormously things, which will be the over-riding legacy. tourists have gone home and the festivities everyone if they want it.” on the general goodwill of New Zealanders, have ended.

“If we are able to do that then we will start to Snedden says. “In the past, the All Blacks have The intensity and hype surrounding the understand that there are other ways to do the Potential business opportunities, partnerships been participants in the Rugby World Cup in tournament is beginning to increase and we same thing, and new opportunities will arise are now entering the home straight in terms of other countries, but quite a different mindset is and the lasting economic value are elements needed when you are the host country. that should not be taken for granted. Our and become possible.” final preparations.

Over-riding legacy

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz June/July 2011 | 13

News Special | Communication

Connecting the dots

By Bridget Gourlay

It’s 2011 and we’re starting to move on from the idea that the only way work can be done is behind a desk from nine to five while wearing a tie or high heels. Telework is getting more common as people work from home, from other offices or from other countries while away on business trips.

How can management make sure staff members are doing their jobs without actually seeing them perform?

Bevis England, from Telework New Zealand has been working from home for decades.

He first became a supporter of teleworking because he felt it reduced emissions and supported communities. As he became a consultant on the issue, research showed him that good teleworking greatly improved productivity, supported staff retention and recruitment and lowered business costs.

His most vital piece of advice for management looking to use teleworking is to have a formal plan in place.

“Successful telework arrangements focus on performance management. This can be

ing tipsuse k r o w e l Te , beca working

tele e y an d * Try a ve mon it can s roductivity p increase of lear set a very c e v h t a H th e * e to tions bo yee agre lo expecta p m e d r an emplo ye h your uch wit o t in p e rly, by * Ke s regula e e y lo p em s or email meetings going. ial club c o s a * Keep

a jolt for organisations without good people management. The first step is to ensure what the deliverables are — since it’s not hours in an office, what is the outcome?

“Should they process x number of claim forms, or reach this target in sales? What time should the worker get up, what times should they always be contactable, what about workwear?”

England says most of the problems he hears about with organisations and teleworkers stem from not thinking through how remote work was going to work for them.

The other point he stresses is that meetings and discussions can still happen even if telework is happening.

“Look at what the best alternative is if you can’t meet in an office — go to a coffee shop. Or have team meetings at the office and staff can work from home the rest of the time. There are software programmes that allow you to have online meetings.

“At a not for profit I was involved in we had ‘meetings by paper.’ An agenda with questions was sent out, responses were expected within a certain timeframe, and at the end the minutes were sent out.”

Face to face time, if possible, is still important, England says. He says, for example, an organisation with offices throughout the North Island could meet quarterly somewhere central such as Taupo.

On the social side of workplace interactions, England says an instant messaging system can keep everyone in touch.

“Have something so people can interact, so if they have an idea they can flick it on.

A social club provides important face to face interaction. In fact, I’ve noticed that organisations with remote workers often have really proactive social clubs.”

From the horse’s mouth

By Katie McKone

The office water cooler is not only helping staff meet their eight glasses a day, but is also feeding their appetite for information.

Why? Because communicating with employees still seems somewhat of a taboo subject for many businesses, despite the obvious gains to be made.

“When people are not informed the rumour mill starts,” says Kate Thompson, owner of communications business On Message.

“If staff members are not clear about what is happening, or what they are doing, then they simply do not feel a part of things.

And it’s a small market in New Zealand.

If an organisation doesn’t communicate, word gets around that it’s not a great place to work.”

New Zealand Institute of Management administration and registry manager Victoria Purdie says the intangible practice of encouraging open communication starts at the top. “Even though people say it comes from all levels, it also has a lot to do with leadership.”

Engagement = profit Human capital is perhaps the most important resource in an organisation and can have a significant impact on its bottom line. Engagement, a term referring to the level of employee involvement and commitment to work, is therefore an element that cannot be ignored.

The Ministry of Economic Development refers to “people policies” as being a key 14 | June/July 2011 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

“If an organisation doesn’t communicate, word gets around that it’s not a great place to work.” factor in the capacity of a business to experience growth, as they provide the “skills, motivation and energy”.

According to research by UK firm Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), barriers to engagement were identified as being a “lack of fluidity of communication and knowledge sharing, poor visibility of senior management and quality of downward communication”.

CIPD adviser Rebecca Clake says the findings highlight the importance of imparting business vision to staff, particularly in difficult economic times. “Leaders need to make sure that their sense of clarity for the future direction of the organisation is shared by their people.”

Respect The importance of imparting values within all levels of an organisation should not be overlooked.

“I think it is all about respect,” Thompson says. “The best thing you can do is tell staff how they are doing, and why what they do is important — it’s a natural human want to be involved and informed.”

Research in this field often alludes to the “psychological contract”, referring to the mutual beliefs and informal obligations between employer and employee.

“Call it what you will, but I think we all have our psychological needs, and that includes being thanked and acknowledged now and then,” Thompson says.

As the PricewaterhouseCoopers Clever Companies Insight 2009 report aptly states, “regularly communicating with your people will reinforce their commitment to your business and increase your chances of retaining them now and into the future.”

Keep it simple The initial, knee-jerk reaction for many firms is to engage in yet more training, Purdie says. “But really people just need to look at their business and see what the issues are and actually start communicating with staff — that is the bottom line of the problem.”

She says installing a whiteboard within each department for in-house messages is a simple, yet effective, initiative.

A return to the grass roots level, forgetting about the latest communication tools or methods, can also reap dividends.

“In every case, no matter how big or small the organisation, people benefit from face-to-face communication. You shouldn’t automatically think another email or better intranet is what’s needed, because often it’s not,” Thompson says.

News Special | Communication

s p i t n e t Top ut abo s busines EMAIL … e t t e u q i t e

Making sense

By Bridget Gourlay

1

Err on the side of formality. For example, begin an email with ‘Good morning’ instead of ‘Hi’ and titles and last names instead of first names unless you know the person fairly well. Better to be known as polite than forward.

Picture perfect

By Katie McKone

Offices all around New Zealand are being used as portals to the rest of the world. Not the kind that will transport you through time and space — but, then again, close to it.

Innovative businesses are using video conferencing technology to hear and see people in other locations. Live, real-time conversations are able to take place with participants from all corners of the globe without even leaving the office.

Asnet Technologies communication manager Denise Hansen says the concept has been utilised by New Zealand businesses for 15 years, adding it has experienced major growth and change since conception.

“It has grown from a ‘nice to have’ to a ‘must have’, from standard definition quality to high definition, from ISDN and pay-asyou-go, to use of own IP networks and the public internet, from a business expense to a business saving.”

Pros A reduction in travel costs is the major drawcard for many businesses, as employees can collaborate and make decisions despite their locality.

Meeting virtually has allowed many travel budgets to be reduced to a “need to travel scenario only”, Hansen says. “The savings are also not just in travel but in people’s ability to conduct business from the office to wherever they need to be, all in a day, while saving on energy.”

Gen-i’s video conferencing capability manager Keith Block says it also appeals to remote or transient employees. “They are able to use video conferencing to attend meetings they otherwise would not be able to make, and this is now happening in hotels all over the country and all over the world.”

Increased productivity has resulted from accelerated decision making and efficiency,

particularly evident with on-going projects, Block adds. “Workers are able to get together quickly; they can bring in extra people via video or audio, and can also record the meeting for those unable to make it.”

The devastating Christchurch earthquake has left hundreds of organisations and businesses without access to their premises or resources. Video conferencing in this instance, and as a crisis management tool, is invaluable, Hansen says. “For example we were able to immediately link up Civil Defence with the bunker in Wellington, providing a valuable face-to-face communication tool.”

Cons The initial cost of installing a video conference system may seem insurmountable. Block estimates a business will spend $20,000 to install two high-end video conferencing sites, each featuring a room-based system with screen.

“But then if you run it over three years it is only around $500 a month, and the way I look at it that is really only one flight.” He adds that the average return on investment is 12 to 18 months.

It goes without saying that technology has its moments. Video conferencing relies on it to function, and any unexpected technical difficulties will no doubt create some problems for the user. Block says this can usually be avoided if there is an adequate support system in place.

Network dependence has also provided a number of challenges over the years, says Hansen. Performance issues can have a significant impact on user adoption, satisfaction and return on investment.

“A good video conferencing experience requires 384k of reliable and consistent network. The advent of fibre opens up Canterbury to the world of a high-definition voice and video experience, already a reality for many organisations as fibre rolls out.”

2

Put an introductory sentence at the start of an email, reminding the recipient of who you are and why you are emailing. Even if you just spoke with them a few hours ago, they may receive a hundred emails a day and will appreciate the quick reminder. Or they might need clarification when re-reading it a week or so later.

3

If you want to be taken seriously, ensure the email has no grammatical and spelling errors. This simply means you run the spell check and read over it before it is sent.

It’s really easy to accidently forget a punctuation mark or for the autocorrect to change an error into a different word.

4

Your email must make sense.

Write clearly, to the point, and re-read it before you send it.

This saves a lot of guesswork at the recipient’s end and nips any miscommunications in the bud.

5

Make sure there is nothing that could be read inappropriately, ie a comment that could be seen as sexist or racist. Save the jokes for your friends and keep it polite.

6 7

Make sure your full contact numbers are beneath your email address so you can be reached.

Use paragraphs for a longer email.

A massive single block of text can be overwhelming and vital information or key points can get lost in the crowd.

8

Always check the recipient. Sending the wrong email to the wrong person has sunk plenty of careers. Always check who’s receiving it, whether it is one person or many.

9

Make sure you have attached the document. It’s easy to forget but for the person urgently waiting for it at the other end, it can be very frustrating if you forget to send it.

10

Don’t send enormous files that clog up an inbox unless the recipient really needs it. www.aucklandtoday.net.nz June/July 2011 | 15

News Special | Products 4U

communication tools

products

the … with ols right to ion icat commun from changes ore ch being a ze… e to a bre

Passing on the message…

… have you got that?

Times have changed since the humble telegraph, telephone or fax machine — communication tools in the 21st century allow for instant contact at the push of a button, regardless of time or place. The products featured here help you navigate our digital world: Apple iPad 2 Now 33 percent thinner and up to 15 percent lighter, the second generation post-PC device has been stepped up a notch or two in terms of performance and design. Featuring Apple’s new dual-core A5 processor, the iPad 2 is significantly faster than the original and has crystal clear graphics. Front and rear facing cameras allow for video chat and high-definition recordings, all while maintaining the 9.7 inch LED-backlit LCD screen.

Add that to the whopping 10 hour battery life and you are away laughing. Go on, treat yourself.

Video Conferencing Solutions: Polycom HDX 6000 Series Increase productivity and save on company travel expenses by investing in this High Definition video conferencing unit. The Polycom Stereo Surround with 22 kHz audio enhances voice clarity, and the EagleEye camera has a powerful 12x optimal zoom. Integrated room systems are available for smaller meeting rooms and executive offices. ROI is enhanced through a simplified setup process and easy to use features.

Available: Apple stockists, www.store.apple.com/nz RRP: From $799

Electronic Whiteboard

Available: Asnet Technologies, www.asnettechnologies.co.nz RRP: $10,000 plus GST

Efficient, cost-effective and a major productivity booster, this device should take pride of place in all boardrooms.

Available with an in-built printer, participants will be free of note-taking and able to concentrate on the presentation.

Information can also be downloaded to softcopy, after which any editing or enhancements can be made.

Smartphone: Ideos X5 Newcomer 2degrees has released the high-end Ideos X5 Android Smartphone, at a price that will put a smile on your face. Equipped with a large, high-definition 3.8 inch display screen, powerful 800MHz processor and a fivemegapixel camera, it is bound to please.

Available: OfficeMax, www.officemax.co.nz RRP: $4375.75

Available: 2degrees, www.2degreesmobile.co.nz RRP: $549.00 (handset only)

iPhone 4 To quote Apple, this is the “biggest thing to happen to iPhone since iPhone”. Advanced video calling features allow for interactive, realtime conversations, and resolution is significantly enhanced with four times the pixel count of previous iPhone models. But it doesn’t stop there — high definition video recording and editing, five mega-pixel camera with LED flash, built-in noise suppression, and a brand new design of glass and stainless steel makes it the thinnest smartphone on the market.

Available: Vodafone outlets, www.vodafone.co.nz RRP: From $1100 for a 16GB model

16 | June/July 2011 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Plantronics Savi Office Wireless Headset This intelligent little device can be used for PC audio, including web conferencing and multimedia streaming, as well as being able to switch between both desk phone and soft phone calls at the touch of a button. With an impressive nine hours talk time and a range of 115 metres, the versatile headset can be worn over the ear or the head. The noise cancelling microphone means unwanted background noise is shut out.

Available: OfficeMax, www.officemax.co.nz RRP: $723.25

News Special | Lifestyles

lifestyles

enjoying the journey… to … where o tt go, wha hat dw wear an while to drink re… he you’re t

trail blazers Summit Ecolite Boots We’re lucky in New Zealand that our winters are milder than other countries, allowing us the opportunity to get outside on a sunny day and go for a hike. And as any outdoors person will tell you, there’s few things more important than a good pair of hiking boots. Fortunately, Green Coast’s Ecolite footwear is just the ticket.

The Summit boots are light, waterproof and designed for maximum comfort. They have been specially crafted for comfort and durability, with features such as ergonomically moulded cushioning foot beds to their extra support on the head and toe of the boots.

Better still, the Ecolite range is what it says it is — environmentally friendly. From its recyclable packaging to its low energy manufacturing process, rest assured the boots you are wearing aren’t destroying the precious environments hikers love.

RRP: $249.95 Available: Green Coast’s Auckland shop or www. greencoast.co.nz

destination

top drop Villa Maria Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2009 When we think of a good New Zealand red wine, often the first thing that springs to mind is a Central Otago Pinot Noir. But Villa Maria’s 2009 Syrah is proving New Zealand has the climate (and talent) to do something different.

The Royal Easter Show Wine Awards is New Zealand’s oldest wine competition and in 2011 a record 1500 wines entered from 276 wineries around the country. This year, the Villa Maria Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2009 took out the award for the champion wine of the show.

Villa Maria says the Syrah is a blend of fruit from its most premium vineyards in Hawke’s Bay’s Gimblett Gravels.

“Deep red hues lead to a brooding nose of pepper and liquorice, alongside hints of violets and red berries. Powdery tannins encase concentrated classic Syrah characters on the palate.” The winemakers say careful cellaring “will be rewarded.”

RRP: $59.99 Available: Supermarkets and wine shops nationwide or www.villamaria.co.nz

Elephant Hills, Thailand

cuff’em class Silver Fernz Cufflinks The Rugby World Cup is almost upon us and it’s time to show our national pride in every possible way. With these cufflinks, bringing a touch of Kiwiana to the business suit is easy. The team at Silver Fernz has a range of New Zealand cufflinks, from tikis to silver ferns to kiwis, including an All Black cufflink set, released to celebrate the World Cup.

What better way to ward off the winter blues than a trip to sun-soaked Thailand. If exoticism and luxury is what you crave, then a stay at the Elephant Hills is for you.

Situated in a rainforest, you can spend the days trekking through the jungle or learning (and eating!) delicious Thai food. Best of all, spend time with the camp’s domestic elephants, rescued from a life of illegal logging. You will have the rare opportunity to help their handlers feed and clean these gentle giants.

RRP: All inclusive tours start from approx $350 for a two day trip Visit: www.elephant-hills.com

RRP: Prices range from $39 to $53 Available: www.silverfernz.com

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz June/July 2011 | 17

News | Events Diary

business happenings… courses, events, seminars june

13

GST Workshop — IRD Takapuna also give an understanding of the integration

This hands-on interactive session gets you to complete a mock cashbook and GST return. Ideal y da on M for sole traders, partnerships and other small businesses. To register visit www.ird.co.nz june

15

Taxation Toolkit — Auckland Chamber of Commerce

Managing tax, GST and payroll issues are a necessity in Wednesday every business. Avoid the common pitfalls by attending this interactive practical tax workshop to learn the principles of New Zealand taxation, understand the tax regulations better and learn how to minimise your tax liability within the law through activities and case studies. To register visit www.aucklandchamber.co.nz june

21

Recruiting Right the First Time — Auckland Chamber of Commerce

A course designed to enhance your techniques and help you feel more confident throughout the recruitment process, with information on writing a comprehensive job description, effective screening of applications and holding a good interview. There will also be plenty of time for Q&A at the end of the session. To register visit www.aucklandchamber.co.nz Tuesday

june

24

Demystifying NZ IFRS for NFPs and SMEs — NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants

After attending this course Friday participants will be able to identify common NZ IFRS application issues and pitfalls considered through the use of case studies and identify practical solutions to satisfy financial reporting requirements under NZ IFRS. The course will

18 | June/July 2011 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

points between business reporting and business process when dealing with NZ IFRS and will reflect on proposals to amend New Zealand’s Statutory Framework for Financial Reporting. To register visit www.nzica.com june

28

New and Aspiring Directors Luncheon — Institute of Directors

The chance for new and aspiring directors to question experienced practitioners on directorship issues and topics with the view to equipping and promoting themselves for board position. To register visit www.iod.org.nz Tuesday

june

29

Resolving Non-performance — Auckland Chamber of Commerce

If you employ or manage staff Wednesday then resolving workplace nonperformance is one issue you will inevitably have to deal with. Managing nonperforming teams and individuals is critical to gain the best possible results in your business.

To register visit www.aucklandchamber.co.nz july

5

The First Steps of Shareholder Succession — NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants

Succession and exit plans for shareholders of SMEs that provide a predictable and certain outcome. Presented by Neil Rundle, a founding director of Mainstay Limited which specialises in shareholder succession issues for SMEs. To register visit www.nzica.com Tuesday

july

8

Friday

ICE Ideas Conference — ICE

If you care about the economic future of New Zealand, if you have an idea for growing great Kiwi businesses on the global

stage and you want to roll your sleeves up to help businesses grow, attend the ICE Ideas Conference. The keynote speaker will be Peter Thiel, co-founder PayPal, the first external investor in Facebook and a managing member of the Founders Fund. To register visit www.theicehouse.co.nz

Managing People to Give Their Best (two half days) — Auckland Chamber of Commerce ay sd Wedne july

20

In two sessions learn how to markedly improve the productivity of your team. From recruitment; training; coaching to managing your staff, this Tuesday course will give you insights and skills on the complexities of individuals and team dynamics. In addition, you’ll equip yourself with strategies tailored to resonate with different generations, diverse cultures and personalities. To register visit www. aucklandchamber.co.nz july

26

july

21

Business Essentials Update — NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants

Register to experience business essentials updates for 2011, making sure you stay informed on topical issues and technical updates. At each session you will hear experts from Westpac, Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers. To register visit www.nzica.com

august

3

Effective Writing Skills — Auckland Chamber of Commerce

Wednesday

Capturing a varied audience and communicating appropriately whether by email, letter, report, advertisements or other marketing mediums takes knowledge and skill. Clarity on what works will enhance perceptions and ensure improved results. You’ll learn how to engage your audience, relate complex information more clearly and structure presentations, proposals and reports effectively. To register visit www.aucklandchamber.co.nz august

4

World Class Customer Service — Auckland Chamber of Commerce

Exceptional customer service is a crucial competitive advantage that benefits everyone.

Developing a customer service culture requires the right mindset Thursday and skills, which are delivered over these two sessions. To register visit www.aucklandchamber.co.nz Thursday august

11

Thursday

july

27

Customs and Cross Border Tax Issues — NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants

An overview of tax issues facing companies doing business cross-border, with a particular focus on Customs and other key transactional tax issues. To register visit www.nzica.com Wednesday

If you have events you would like featured in the Events Diary, email newsroom@academy.net.nz at least two months before the date of the event.

Or, if you have held an event and would like to supply photos for the Been Seen section (along with 100 words about the event and a caption for each image), send to newsroom@academy.net.nz

Want more customers?

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www.aucklandtoday.net.nz June/July 2011 | 19

$0

www.radiolive.co.nz

20 | June/July 2011 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Hazardous Goods made easy Chemical Freight Services Ltd (Chemfreight) is a modern, nationwide Hazardous Goods Storage and Distribution company specialising primarily in packaged chemicals, both raw materials and finished goods.

Started in 1989, Chemfreight was the brainchild of Harry Price.

Having worked in the chemical industry for a number of years, he saw an opportunity and industry need for the specialist third party storage and distribution of hazardous goods.

Starting with a small warehouse and utility, this highly motivated innovator worked tirelessly to establish what has become arguably New Zealand’s leading Hazardous Goods storage and distribution company.

Twenty-two years on, with fully compliant state-of-the-art facilities in both East Tamaki, Auckland and Hornby, Christchurch, Chemfreight is continually growing and looking for improvements in all facets of its operations including plans to establish a Wellington operation in the near future.

With over 100 mainly long term clients, staff take seriously their obligations to helping clients meet ever-changing Dangerous Goods legislation and compliancy in the supplying of raw materials to manufacturers nationwide With a healthy blend of both experience and youth, Chemfreight invests greatly in its staff, training and regulatory systems in order to meet compliancy in both our warehousing and transport operations.

With IT systems developed specifically for the storage and distribution of chemicals Chemfreight is continually improving these systems to meet ongoing changes in compliancy regulations, while also allowing for the passing of information in real time through B2B technology between clients and Chemfreight.

Approximately 10 years ago through client demand, Chemfreight took a side step into “Toll Blending” and formed another division called Chemblend. Starting life as a one-man operation, this has very quickly grown into a very busy six-men operation and due to ongoing demand Chemfreight has plans to expand this side of the operation in the near future.

Chemfreight offers the ability to blend/decant, store and distribute hazardous and non-hazardous goods on behalf of its clients.

Through a hands on approach and leading from the front Harry has surrounded himself with a team of experienced, passionate people who are continually striving to take Chemfreight to the ”next level” and beyond.

Please direct enquiries to: • Harry Price, Managing Director, phone 09 272 5522 • Debra Pickering, General Manager, phone 09 272 5521

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz June/July 2011 | 21

Initiatives | EasiYo

Recipe for success It’s the quintessential Kiwi success story. In 1992, an Auckland school teacher invents a simple way to make homemade yogurt. He and his partner call it EasiYo, and start manufacturing from their garage, in between raising eight children.

But why would anyone spend time and effort making yogurt, when they could buy it from the supermarket?

they have been sitting inside those containers.

With EasiYo, you can eat the yogurt as soon as it’s ready from the yogurt maker.

Well, to gain the full health benefits of yogurt, the cultures in it need to be live and abundant.

These cultures break down nutrients such as protein, calcium, vitamins and minerals into their more absorbable forms, making it easier for your body to uptake.

Yogurt is healthy in a myriad of ways. It is a good source of calcium and protein and low in fat. Each cup (250g) of EasiYo yogurt delivers 30 percent or more of the recommended daily requirement for nutritional calcium.

Nearly 20 years later, EasiYo is a multi-million dollar company, exporting into several countries and hiring dozens of staff. Best of all, CEO Paul O’Brien says there’s no reason why EasiYo can’t double its turnover in the near future.

However, these cultures start to lose their goodness from the moment they have been fermented as yogurt. Next time you’re passing the chilled yogurts at your local supermarket, spare a thought for how many days or weeks

Simple and easy The EasiYo process is fairly simple — much like baking bread at home. Use water and an EasiYo sachet of milk/culture powder to make yogurt in its specially made container. After leaving it overnight, you can enjoy delicious and fresh yoghurt the next morning.

I predict Asia will soon beat New Zealand as a market and then overtake Australia. My goal is to make Asian sales outstrip New Zealand’s.

Paul O’Brien

Easiyo CEO

22 | June/July 2011 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Calcium is essential for building strong bones in children and maintaining bone health in adults.

Osteoporosis is a serious health problem, especially for women, and studies have shown most people consume far less calcium than the daily recommended levels.

Initiatives | EasiYo

There’s a lot of social responsibility in corporate governance.

If you are successful, you should give back to the community.

The lactic cultures in EasiYo yogurt have the property of being able to produce certain complex B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin and niacin). They also produce folic acid, which is essential for the nervous system’s development.

Not only that, but for those counting calories, yogurt can also act as a healthy substitute for ingredients like cream. EasiYo’s website and recipe book shows the various ways EasiYo can be put into cooking — from dips and salad dressings to meals like curries and mac’n’cheese to sweet treats like scones and cakes.

Paul O’Brien

Easiyo CEO

EasiYo in 2011 In 2007, the inventor and founder of EasiYo, Len Light, sold 75 percent to Westland, a dairy company on the West Coast of the South Island.

In 2009, Westland bought the remaining 25 percent and Paul O’Brien took over as CEO at the start of 2010. He says he has loved his year and a half on the job and has great plans for the company.

EasiYo exports to Australia, the UK, Asia and Europe. “The most fun we’re having is in Asia,” O’Brien enthuses. “The Chinese have a serious mistrust of their own milk and milk powder, especially after the 2008 milk scandal, when those babies got very sick and some died.

They are so mistrustful, in fact, that when we send our packets there they don’t even want any Chinese writing on it, they are so insistent there’s no mention of China on the pack.

“They want a real Kiwi product. When the Chinese come here and deal with us, they want to see our factory, the machinery and meet the people.”

EasiYo is available in Korea, which O’Brien says is the biggest yogurt consuming Asian country.

“We sell in Japan too, which is a big yogurt consumer too, but the duties are enormous.

There are lots of other Asian countries interested in EasiYo, we’re already in Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Malaysia.

“I predict Asia will soon beat New Zealand as a market and then overtake Australia.

“My goal is to make Asian sales outstrip New Zealand’s. I personally take an interest in Asia, in travelling there and meeting the people and understanding the market.”

“We went into Europe because yogurt is well understood over there and we have such a large base in the UK to expand from,” O’Brien explains.

Entry into Europe

“Almost everyone everywhere in Europe uses a lot of yogurt and has for centuries. They understand its health qualities.

EasiYo is also planning on conquering Europe, one country at a time.

In July 2010, EasiYo began selling its products in Italy. Already, it has sold approximately half a million dollars of product. NZ Trade and Enterprise helped EasiYo find figures on yogurt consumption in European markets.

“We wanted one country to cut our teeth on.

It’s been successful, but at this stage we just want to grow Italy a bit more and learn a lot before we go into the next one.”

Feature continues on next page >>

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz June/July 2011 | 23

Initiatives | EasiYo

Passionate approach Not only is EasiYo passionate about yogurt, but it is equally passionate about New Zealand and New Zealand business.

“We talk about ‘NZ Inc.’ all the time. We’ll be in the Viaduct Cloud at the Rugby World Cup with other businesses, showcasing EasiYo, with other premium New Zealand food and wine. This will be exciting — there’ll be 85,000 visitors coming from key markets like the UK, Australia, South Africa and Europe.

“In our packaging, we are changing it away from being about the Light family to reflect our New Zealand legacy. The Light family asked for this. We’ll replace it with the ‘New Zealand legacy’ — information about how our yogurt

is made from the cow to the kitchen, and with images of green pastures on the packaging.”

We may take New Zealand’s beauty for granted, but O’Brien says his international business partners are usually amazed when they visit. “Asian people can’t believe the West Coast when they come here. They call our cows ‘free range.’ We find this a bit funny, but over there, cows are in stalls eating hormonefilled food. Here, the grass our cows graze on is world class — we really have the best cows and the best farms.”

New range Despite its successes, EasiYo is not resting on its laurels. New products are being created all the time.

One product for the Asian market is a drinking yogurt, designed around Asian tastes and packaging. For New Zealand, a new “fruit bits” range will hit the shelves soon. When the dried fruit is put in the yogurt, it expands.

This way Kiwis can enjoy delicious fruity yogurts, completely homemade. The first of this range will be Greek and Coconut, which O’Brien describes as “absolutely delicious!”

There is another innovation which O’Brien is keeping a secret at this stage. It is being tested to ensure it meets regulation issues, but O’Brien says when it is released “it will be a yogurt product which makes an important health claim that consumers will like seeing available.”

CONGRATULATIONS TO EASIYO ON THEIR 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY! International Cargo Express is extremely proud to congratulate Easiyo Products Ltd on their 20th anniversary. We have been involved with Easiyo as their freight forwarding partner for close to 10 years and have watched this company grow every year and even during the recent tough times.

It’s fantastic to be associated with such a great company. Thank you for your loyalty and support since 2001. We have enjoyed watching you grow and develop into a truly successful and international company.

Congratulations!!!

Peter Furlong, General Manager International Cargo Express (Auckland) Ltd Phone 09-9189 808 www.ice.co.nz 24 | June/July 2011 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Visy Board congratulate EasiYo on their ongoing success and are very proud to be their fibre packaging supplier Visy Board (NZ) Ltd Ph - 09 279 6400 www.visy.co.nz

Corporate responsibility O’Brien says corporate responsibility is very important to EasiYo. The company distributed 240 yogurt makers and 1600 sachets of yogurt into the Christchurch quake-hit eastern suburb schools. This allowed families without power to eat something nutritious.

EasiYo also delivers fresh yogurt to low decile schools weekly in West Auckland. “We see there’s a lot of social responsibility in corporate governance. If you are successful, you should give back to the community, particularly to those less fortunate. We know kids who eat well perform better in school. Anecdotally, the teachers tell us the day we are there the kids behave and concentrate better,” O’Brien says.

Initiatives | EasiYo

We’re the biggest homemade yogurt brand in the world, but we’re only in half a dozen countries.

We’ve got a lot of factory capacity here, we can increase our output four to six times — we could turn over $50 to $100 million if we wanted.

Paul O’Brien “This inspires our staff, the people who hear our stories, and hopefully inspires other businesses to do the same.”

“We’ve got the worldwide demand. Right now, we’re only buying two percent of Westland’s milk powder. I’d like that to be 20 percent.

The company also has a literacy and numeracy programme for its employees.

“I want us to double in size as quickly as we can; there’s nothing stopping us becoming a $100 million company. That’s why I’ve beefed up our internal management team. We’re one of the fastest growing SMEs in New Zealand.”

Ambitious goals Looking to the future, O’Brien has ambitious goals for EasiYo.

“In twenty years, I’d like us to be in all of the European and Asian countries at a significant level. And beyond that, too! We’re not in California right now, for example.

“We just need feet on the ground first; the challenge with exporting is you’ve got to spend the money upfront. Our owners are so supportive of our growth and I know Westland is absolutely behind us.”

“We’re the biggest homemade yogurt brand in the world, but we’re only in half a dozen countries,” he says.

Twenty years ago, EasiYo was an Auckland teacher’s brilliant idea. Now it’s a successful international company. Where does O’Brien see O’Brien says the team at EasiYo is lucky to work with the companies it does. it in twenty years from now?

“We’ve got a lot of factory capacity here, we can increase our output four to six times — we could turn over $50 to $100 million if we wanted.

“I would really like to see it stay New Zealandowned. Currently we’re owned by 390 farmers in the West Coast, but I fear a big multinational will buy us out with an attractive offer.

“I’d like to thank our supportive suppliers — without them we’re nothing! They are excellent, we work closely with them and we feel lucky to be involved with them.”

Easiyo CEO

EasiYo Products Ltd Head Office 6 John Glenn Ave North Harbour 0632 Auckland T (09) 415 8185 F (09) 415 8105 E info@easiyo.com www.easiyo.com — Advertising Feature

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz June/July 2011 | 25

Initiatives | Love A Duck

Duck delights There’s nothing more mouthwatering than sumptuous roast duck, fresh off the spit. And for 20 years, Aucklanders have been enjoying that as well as a myriad of other delicious Chinese dishes, thanks to Love A Duck.

Back in 1991, Raymond Tang started Love A Duck in the food corner of Gum Sarn Asian supermarket. This was the farm outlet of Mahurangi Duckling, a Warkworth duck farm known for the excellent flavour and skin quality of their ducks.

Twenty years later, Tang’s business has grown exponentially and now has two restaurants and two cafés in different spots around Auckland.

547-549 Dominion Road, Balmoral P. 09 623 0632

26 | June/July 2011 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

302 Dominion Road, Mt Eden P. 09 638 7528 (LICENSED)

“We also have two restaurants — one in Mount Eden and the other right in the CBD on Beach Road.

“Our restaurants are licensed and have more elaborate dishes. They tend to cater for business people or for social functions.”

In additional to Love A Duck’s premises, it also provides a catering service, for customer’s offices or homes.

In the past, Love A Duck has catered occasions such as small Christmas functions and birthday parties, both in the restaurants and at the customer’s site.

You choose:

Try out our restaurants at 4 great locations 18 Beach Road, CBD Auckland P. 09 309 3827 (LICENSED)

“Our cafés are in Balmoral and North Cote,” Tang says. “We call them cafés because they aren’t liquor licensed and the meals are simpler. The typical customers are usually locals having a family gathering.

2 Kilham Ave, Northcote P. 09 419 7229

● Dine at one of the licensed Love A Duck premises and receive a free bottle of wine or 20% discount off your meal.*

● Dine at one of our other Love A Duck premises and receive 20% discount off your meal.*

*Offer only applies when more then $100 is spent on your meal. Offer ends 31st December 2011.

Initiatives | Love A Duck

Love A Duck Food Love A Duck’s speciality is, believe it or not, duck. An entire page of the menu is called ‘Roast Duck Delight’ and features delicious meals such as Peking Duck with pancakes, Deep Fried Duck with special sauces, spicy duck breast… and so on.

There is also a range of other meals such as sweet and sour pork, meals with blackbean sauces and satay dishes.

Tang says vegetarians will find plenty of options for them on the menu, such as mushroom and bok choy dishes, but they are not a seafood restaurant.

“We also have plenty of appetisers or entrees.

Our customers enjoy ordering several dishes as a group and sharing them in the traditional Chinese style.”

Back in the supermarket in 1991, most of Tang’s customers were Asian themselves. But now he estimates around 70 percent are non-Asian Kiwis.

“In the early 90s my wife went to AUT to study cooking. It’s important to not only understand your own ethnicity’s cooking style but to understand Kiwi expectations about food — for example, the different ways they treat meat.

“Because we understand Kiwi food culture, we have blended it with our Chinese food to make a number of dishes that suit our customers,” he explains. “If we just tried to cater to Auckland Asians, we wouldn’t be able to have our four premises. Unlike Kiwis, Asians are not loyal customers, hence there isn’t a big enough Asian population to support them.”

Feature continues on next page >>

Restaurant

Tai Wah are one of the largest family owned independent food distributors in Auckland.

The extensive product selection on offer covers fresh meat, seafood, poultry, vegetables, fats and oils, prepared food items and more!

Tai Wah service a large area covering larger Auckland area from Kumeu in the west to Pukekohe in the south. Tai Wah are proud to offer 5 days per week delivery with no delivery charge for customers.

The Tai Wah team are available to discuss your foodservice needs and can offer great advice and ideas.

Please see our website link for the full range of products on offer or contact us directly if you would like advice or assistance.

Phone:

0800 222668

Fax:

(09) 2762799

E-mail:

taiwah@taiwah.co.nz

Website:

www.taiwah.co.nz

11B Saleyards Road, Otahuhu, Auckland

Duck supplier Ph 09-377-5717

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz June/July 2011 | 27

Initiatives | Love A Duck

at a glance ● Started in the food corner of Gum Sarn Asian supermarket in 1991 ● Evolved into two restaurants and two cafés in Balmoral, Mt Eden Valley, Northcote, and the Auckland CBD ● Serves a large range of delicious Chinese meals, with an extensive duck selection ● Catering service ● Passionate about cooking and good customer service.

Tang says Love A Duck’s point of difference is their love of good food.

“We cook with passion, we care about what customer thinks and we listen to them.

“From a more practical point of view, our locations are really good. The suburban ones are in the suburban centres and our city location is right in the CBD,” he says.

Proudly supplying the finest Asian food ingredients!

ECLY Ltd. Importer / Wholesaler of fine Asian food.

27B Olive Rd, Penrose, Auckland.

Tel: 09 580 1368

“Being in business for 20 years,” Tang says, “we have a large customer base, thanks to our loyal Kiwi customers. Some customers are more like our friends. Once you have established a relationship with Kiwis, they have the tendency to come back.

“Some of them come at least once a week — that means 50 times a year; sometimes we will serve the same person or family over 50 times a year!

“Because we have a large base of customers like that, even in tough economic times, we’re not suffering too much.

“We wish to specially thank all our loyal customers for their support throughout these 20 years, and we assure them we will continue to provide our food and services as they have been enjoying.”

Hong Lee Asian Mart & Butchery

&Hong Lee Foreign Exchange

HAPPY 20TH LOVE A DUCK RESTAURANT

37 HUIA ROAD, OTAHUHU P: 09 276 1832 F: 09 276 1830

AsiAn food & fresh meAt supplied dAily QuAlity goods At low prices phone: fax: mobile: email:

09 624 0713 09 624 0712 021 826 939 jack@cnnz.biz

unit B three Kings plaza 540 mt Albert rd AucKlAnd 28 | June/July 2011 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Love A Duck Mt Eden Valley 302 Dominion Rd Mt Eden T (09) 638-7528 Love A Duck Balmoral 547-549 Dominion Road Balmoral T (09) 623 0632 Love A Duck Auckland CBD 18 Beach Road Auckland Central T (09) 309 3827 Love A Duck Northcote 2 Kilham Avenue Northcote T (09) 419 7229 — Advertising Feature

FILTER & FLUE CLEANERS LTD

Specialists in the cleaning of: Filters & Flues - Ceilings & Walls, Hoods & Stoves For:

Restaurants • Takeaway Bars Caterers • Office Caterers Rest Homes • Hospitals Residential Homes Unit 2/6 Angle Street, Onehunga PO Box 13692 Onehunga Email ffcl@xtra.co.nz Telephone: AK 634 7577 Facsimile: AK 634 7584

May we congratulate you on your 20th Anniversary and express our “best wishes” for the next 20!

Initiatives | Raviz Restaurants

Spice for life

Raviz

Restaurants

➾ 15 Mt Eden Rd

Eden Terrace T (09) 377 0230

➾ 61A Hobson Street Auckland CBD T (09) 309 8800

➾ 120 Main Highway Ellerslie Auckland T (09) 579 5700

➾ 42A/277 Te Irrirangi Drive Botany Junction T (09) 272 3900

➾ Shop 11/15, Karepiro Drive Whangaparoa T (09) 4243400

➾ 178 Hurstmere Road Takapuna Auckland T (09) 4892400

Just the aroma of a spicy authentic Indian meal bubbling on the stove is enough to make you hungry. Add a sweet mango lassi and a piece of warm, fresh naan bread, and you’ve got most people’s idea of heaven.

For thousands of years, Indian people have been using herbs, spices, meat and dairy to create their delicious cuisine. With globalisation and immigration, more and more people around the world have tried and subsequently become hooked on the tastes of India.

Here in Auckland, a name synonymous with delicious Indian food is Raviz.

In 2000, Ravi Singh opened his first restaurant.

Quickly, the word got out and with a lot of hard work by Ravi and his team, eight restaurants have opened around Auckland in the last 11 years.

From CBD Hobson Street, to more suburban spots such as Mt Eden, Takapuna and Ponsonby, Raviz has found convenient places for its restaurants.

Raviz’s point of difference is the authenticity of its fresh food. “The secret of Raviz cuisine comes from our homemade spices,” Singh says. “If you haven’t tried our product, then you are missing real Indian cuisine.”

Not only are there vegetarian and seafood options, but there’s also the opportunity to try out one of the special Pakistani, Bangladeshi or Nepalese dishes on offer.

There’s also an Indian Chinese range which blends the two Asian cuisines together to create a novel but mouth-watering taste.

Dining in or out If you want to go out for a meal, Raviz restaurants are fully licensed and have amazing options for entrees, mains and desserts.

However, take-aways can also be made for a night in. The nine Raviz restaurants around Auckland are very used to playing host to office lunches, birthday parties, special occasions and even weddings.

➾ 164 Ponsonby Road Ponsonby Auckland T (09) 3609911

Simply give them a call or pay them a visit to discuss what you want and they will deliver!

Future expansion Not content with just offering delicious Indian food to Auckland, the team at Raviz is looking further afield. It plans to franchise and open more branches in different cities around New Zealand. The company has already opened a restaurant in the Cook Islands. “Australia, Dubai and India are on the shortlist,” Singh says.

Raviz’s new concept of an upmarket restaurant with a lounge bar is opening soon in the Viaduct.

E raviz@xtra.co.nz www.raviz.co.nz

Proudly supplying the Auckland restaurant trade for 20 years to the highest standards.

Phone Fax

09 634 0597 09 634 7982

JR Wholesale Meats Limited PO Box 13559, Onehunga

Suppliers and deliveries of Fresh and Smoked Fish | Frozen Fish | Salmon | Squid | Shellfish | Seafood Shrimps | Prawns | Value Added Seafood | Chicken Products | Chips Dry Goods | Small Goods | Vegetables | Desserts | Sundry Items 127 Central Park Drive | Henderson | Auckland Tel: (09) 835-0927 | Fax: (09) 835- 0937 sales@scottseafood.co.nz www.scottseafood.co.nz

12 Lorien Place, East Tamaki Manukau 2013 P. 09 8150 800 poultry.dist@xtra.co.nz

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz June/July 2011 | 29

Manufacturing | Crighton

branding — more than a new name Onehunga-based metals engineering company Crighton is well down the track of demonstrating that with a little creativity and thought, a New Zealand company can outperform China and India when it comes to manufacturing.

Several well-established New Zealand and Australian companies, which previously outsourced manufacturing to China and India, have brought the work back home to Crighton after the team put their heads together and came up with some creative solutions.

Managing director Mike Grunig says that Crighton (previously Crighton Engineering and Manufacturing) has rebranded to reflect this new, successful positioning with the value proposition: “Crighton, engineering creativity every day”.

Rebranding launch “We recognised we needed to tell the story more,” Grunig says. “When we unzipped Crighton we realised we are different from other engineering companies. Our engineering abilities, our research and development capabilities and our culture of adding bottomline value are what make us different.”

Offering an outsource research and development service in metal components and final assemblies to clients such as Fisher and Paykel, Tru Test and Mechanical Support Systems, Crighton takes an analytical, practical and creative approach to solving problems.

The rebranding slogan says it all:

“Crighton, engineering creativity everyday.”

Crighton offers a top-quality service on everything it does, with the abilities of its staff helping it to stand out from other engineering companies.

Masport Foundries Ltd

“Making MOLE HILLS out of MOUNTAINS”

Proud to team up with Crighton in making hot products.

30 | June/July 2011 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

“We work with our customers to become better and more profitable in order to exceed expectations. We go about looking for solutions to customers’ problems, rather than just getting into a price war,” Grunig says. “We sit down with the customer, we find out what the product is, where it goes and what it does. We try to get out of just competing on price. We try to build strong, long-lasting relationships with our customers, where we can offer them a lot more. The rebranding reflects that.”

Crighton is in the process of launching a new website, which offers significantly more information than its previous site. Its premises in Neilson Street, Onehunga, have been fully repainted and the company’s 40-plus staff are excited about its renewed focus. “It’s not just about rebranding — we’re looking to change our way of working. It’s all to do with our work philosophy of building relationships,” he says.

Manufacturing | Crighton

Supported by more than 30 years of operational experience, Crighton has built a reputation for its ability to think on its feet when problem solving or designing tailor-made solutions for customers, such as Washtech and ACC Street/Park Furniture.

manufacture, powder coat and assemble product,” Grunig says.

“Our top eight clients make up 80 percent of our turnover. We’re very much about building business-to-business relationships — we’re not a walk-up engineering company.”

High quality products

Broad range of skills Crighton was formed in 1980 and is today led by a hands-on management team of engineers, who have each worked their way up from the shop floor.

Crighton is an ISO 9002-certified engineering company that offers research, development and manufacturing services in the production of metal-based components and final assemblies. Services include research and development, sheet-metal fabrication, lasercutting, toolmaking, CNC machining, powdercoating, robotic welding, and metal pressing.

Crighton’s ability to research and develop its own high-value products — such as the eco-efficient Magnum wood burners — means the company brings a unique commercial mindset to the research and development work it does for customers. In other areas, Crighton developed and implemented a justin-time system for Washtech and designed an innovative multi-purpose cable tray tooling for Mechanical Support Systems here in New Zealand and in Australia.

“We listen and we ask questions. Then we get together with our R&D team to develop some ideas which we present to the customer.

From there we work together to design,

In addition to its own work, Crighton also subcontracts powder coating and wet spray work for other manufacturers.

Crighton recently opened a new production line on manufacturing cable tray and the associated fittings.

“We’ve bought new machinery, set up a new area in the factory and we’ve invested the best part of $400,000 on that cable tray area,” Grunig says.

“It’s a new area for us and we’ve established an agreement with two New Zealand companies and one in Australia to distribute the cable tray and fittings. It’s all for cable management systems in warehousing, building and electrical environments through to the mining industry in Australia — anywhere you run a cable. We just commissioned a line approximately two months ago and orders are starting to stream in. We’re now running two shifts on that production line.”

Producing cable tray is an area of business Grunig would like to develop, with plenty of potential for growth within both the New Zealand and Australian markets.

Crighton also designs, develops and manufactures its own range of Magnum contemporary wood burning-fireboxes, in both inbuilt and free-standing options.

The Crighton Magnum wood fire range offers contemporary looking wood burners which maximise heating for all size homes, while meeting today’s environmental ‘clean air’ regulations nationwide and overseas.

The company makes the entire unit, except the glass, rope and raw castings. The design, manufacture (including laser cutting, welding, folding, bending), high-temp powder coating and assembly are all done in-house.

In addition, Crighton also engineers healthcare products for the District Health Boards such as stainless trolleys, theatre carts and equipment.

It has service contracts in place with the Auckland District Health Board.

Proudly made in New Zealand for 25 years, Magnum fireplaces are designed to fit any lifestyle or environment, and come in four models — two inbuilt and two free-standing models — which put out between 14kw and 19kw of heat, depending on the unit.

Crighton 100 Nielson Street Onehunga Auckland T (09) 634 1865 F (09) 634 6804 www.crighton.co.nz

“We’re looking for more options for clean air, and the Magnum range is a perfect fit with Crighton’s capabilities and philosophy,” Grunig says.

— Advertising Feature

Clean-burning project Crighton, together with partners Flamekeeper and Schott Glass, is currently working on a project with Tech NZ that involves producing a clean-burning fire for the American and European markets.

The fire will be tested in the United States in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Authority board, with the hope it will be one of two fires given Best Demonstration Technology status.

“If we pass that it means they will put a time frame on the rest of the industry to catch up. Our fire has the potential for sub 0.15 emissions,” says Grunig.

“It’s a very efficient and modern looking fire which we are working on with Technology New Zealand, the prospects are very exciting indeed.”

Crighton is currently working to develop some samples of the fires, which will then be taken to the United States for testing.

ENGINEERING MACHINE SALES LTD P. 09 579 2371 M. 021 683 620 Penrose, Auckland E. emsltd@msmachine.co.nz www.emsmachine.co.nz

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz June/July 2011 | 31

Manufacturing | Steelbro New Zealand

Lifting the lid on innovation World leaders in the design and production of self-loading container trailers and Skeletal trailers, Steelbro New Zealand Ltd is renowned for superior innovation and excellence.

HYDRAULICS • Hydraulic System Design, Component supply.

• Closed & Open Loop Hydraulic Test Rig

Despite various challenges facing the industry during recent years, the company has managed to achieve significant global expansion by delving into different market sectors with new models.

The recent release of the SB362 Lightweight Sidelifter is an example of the firm raising the bar even higher. A groundbreaking design, the new model has a 36-tonne lift capacity with a tare weight of less than nine tonnes, allowing for a higher payload and delivering improved fuel returns.

Steelbro New Zealand Ltd is today a dominant force in the global commercial transport industry. Based at its head office in Christchurch, the company exports to more than 100 countries and also has offices in Australia, Malaysia and China.

Humble beginnings

Ph (03) 353 4775 Ph (09) 259 2515 Danfoss are proud to be associated with Steelbro New Zealand Ltd. Danfoss (NZ) Ltd. is the only recognised authorised Service Centre and Distributor of Sauer Danfoss Products in New Zealand.

Christchurch Ph (03) 353 4775 Fax (03) 379 4365 Auckland Ph (09) 259 2515 Fax (09) 270 2112 Danfoss (New Zealand) Limited – Christchurch - 112 Buchan Street, Sydenham Auckland- 6 George Bourke Drive, Mt Wgton.

32 | June/July 2011 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Founded in 1878 by brothers Joseph and David Steel, the company originated as Steel Bros.

Coach Factory in Christchurch. With just £5 capital each, the pair started to meet the fierce demand for high quality horse drawn wagons, coaches, gigs and drays. By 1895 the company had expanded to 22 employees.

A lot has changed during the last hundred or so years, with the company and adapting to meet demands in the market and economy.

From producing motor carriages, receiving wartime Government contracts for grenade castings and concrete mixers, introducing the groundbreaking Hiab truck-mounted crane in

the 1960s, to building the Lotus sports car, Steelbro New Zealand has been at the top of its game every step of the way.

In 1967 the first Toyota Corona assembled in New Zealand came off its production line, and the technology used in producing the Hiab crane had a profound effect on commercial transport. Within 10 years of conception, Hiab cranes could be found in almost every kind of industry throughout the country.

During the 1970s and 80s the company was exporting into the Pacific, South East Asia and the United States. Steelbro began to wind down its vehicle assembly and motor building business in the 1980s to concentrate on the production of trailers and sidelifters.

The success with the sidelifter has led the company to becoming a major supplier to the global commercial transport industry.

While still a family business, Steelbro now employs some 100 people across the globe, and is regarded as a centre for engineering design excellence. The company utilises worldclass engineers, technicians and designers who all work with the latest in technology.

Groundbreaking developments The development of new products at Steelbro is undertaken with a view to deliver reduced tare weights, increased speed of operation and low manufacturing costs. Other requirements include safety, reliability of componentry and modularity of sub-assembly design.

The new SB362 Lightweight Sidelifter has been designed with such aspects in mind.

With a 36 tonne lift capacity and tare weight of under nine tonnes (subject to specification); the unit also has an outreach in excess of four metres.

The low tare weight is a critical feature for transport operators, allowing a higher payload and improved fuel returns.

A greater outreach provides for the transfer of shipping containers to and from rail wagons and companion vehicles, therefore increasing efficiency.

Steelbro New Zealand engineering manager Greg Muirsmeath, says the new sidelifter is a result of a positive R&D drive.

“We focused on developing a number of new improvements in material selections and manufacturing technologies.

“These have resulted in low tare weight units with high operating flexibility, without having to sacrifice strength or durability.”

As a result, the carrying capacity versus chassis tare weight has been significantly improved, “enhancing the lift-and-carry capacities in our latest models.

“The company has worked closely with strategic supply partners to choose low tare weight components, integrated printed circuit board controls, high pressure hydraulics and superior paint systems,” he adds.

Manufacturing | Steelbro New Zealand

The new SB362 Lightweight Sidelifter.

Fact Box World leaders The Steelbro sidelifter is regarded as being among the most technologically advanced in the world, with significant sales in Australasia, South America and South East Asia. It also has a major presence in Europe.

The company aims to strategically align itself with reputable and valued suppliers, who are benchmarked on price, warranty, parts and supply chain solutions.

Steelbro also continually strives to achieve operational efficiency, lowest tare weight for the best speed of container movement, and takes pride in offering a leading sidelifter safety control system.

Sidelifters represent a niche market with a limited number of major players. Steelbro continues to dominate this field, regularly investing in innovation and technology to ensure they remain at the top of their game.

Examples include control system development projects to improve speed and safety of operation, as well as improved functionality.

Regular research is also undertaken into new material applications and manufacturing processes for reduced product weights.

This philosophy of continuous product development ensures Steelbro technology keeps abreast of customer market needs.

Such investments have not gone unnoticed, with Steelbro receiving a host of accolades in New Zealand and Australia for design innovation and safety. More recently, the

company won a prestigious award at a major transport and logistics exhibition in Cairo, Egypt. This was in recognition for introducing a new product into the country and overcoming the associated language barriers.

The company’s Christchurch research and design centre rivals those considered to be the world’s best. Its engineering and design departments are equipped with the latest technology and staffed by world class engineers. Steelbro is consistently setting the benchmark for design and technical innovation in the emerging field of intermodal transport.

Like any industry, there are always a number of associated challenges. Homologation, the modification of units to suit local transport legislation, presents the issue of higher costs and risks. However Steelbro is working to overcome such problems by investigating improvement plans for channels to market.

designed to comfortably load and unload a substantial 45 tonne container within the “sidelifters safe working envelope”.

Dependable technology results in the unit having robust construction, and a proportional control system allows the operator to place the stabiliser and container with added precision.

James says the focus at Steelbro will continue to be “our commitment to deliver innovative designed machines that set the benchmark in value for money, reliability and competitive advantage to the end user”.

Steelbro New Zealand Ltd Head office PO Box 11-077 Sockburn 8443, Christchurch T (03) 278 655 368 www.steelbro.co.nz — Advertising Feature

■ Established in 1878 by brothers Joseph and David Steel, who with just £5 capital each, combined to meet a demand for high quality horse drawn wagons, coaches, gigs and drays ■ Steelbro New Zealand Ltd is a dominant force in the global commercial transport industry. From its head office in Christchurch, the company exports to more than 100 countries and has offices in Australia, Malaysia and China ■ The company is a significant player in the sidelifter market, and is a preferred option for operators around the world ■ Steelbro has just released the SB362 Lightweight Sidelifter. With a 36 tonne lift capacity and tare weight of under nine tonnes (subject to specification), it has an outreach of over four metres.

Future goals Steelbro has continued to enjoy worldwide growth, despite any challenges facing the industry and a downturn in the economy, according to general manager of global sales Steve James. “We have seen a 40 percent increase in sales in the last 18 months and continue to see sales growth.”

A number of new projects are in the pipeline, with the company working on a rail intermodal model that is expected to set the benchmark in terms of train terminal operations.

Future developments include the anticipated launch of the new Steelbro SB450 Sidelifter,

0800 108 008

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz June/July 2011 | 33

Have you ever asked yourself...

Is there more cancer around these days? Why are there more pregnancy issues, infertility, or miscarriages? Why do more kids have ADHD now? Is male sexual dysfunction more prevalent now? What damage are we doing to our planet by using plastic? What’s causing the early onset of female puberty? Read on and you may find the answers...

What is BPA (Bisphenol A)?

BPA is widely used to make polycarbonate plastics such as those in baby bottles, water bottles and compact disc cases and is an ingredient in the resins used to line food cans. The chemical has been shown to leach into food or water. To see a complete definition of BPA, please go to www. safebottles.co.nz. The following is a direct quote from Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). As you will see they acknowledge that BPA and other chemicals do leach into food and liquid. However, they also say that it’s not proven to be harmful and doesn’t cause cancer.

“In some circumstances, chemicals in food packaging can migrate into the food product and vice versa, depending on the nature of the packaging and the food contained within.”

Food Standards Australia New Zealand “the most toxic chemical known to man.”

Dr Frederick Vom Saal

The facts on BPA The following are quotes relating to BPA and chemicals found in plastic water bottles. To see the full quote and source, please visit our website, www.safebottles.co.nz In men the oestrogen mimicking effects of BPA have been known to block some of the more important effects that testosterone has on sexual functioning. Those who were exposed to BPA were four times more likely than those who were not exposed to report some sort of sexual dysfunction. Associate Professor of Department of Reproductive Sciences - Yale

But even though PETE (used in many plastic bottles) doesn’t contain BPA (as seen on 60 Minutes 9/6/2010), it does contain other chemicals called phthalates - which are also believed to be endocrine disruptors. Mindfood.com Like BPA, these chemicals leach into the water more quickly when the plastic is heated, so don’t leave these water bottles in a hot car or out in the sun. A potentially deadly toxin is being absorbed into bottled mineral

water from their plastic containers.

And the longer the water is stored, the levels of poison increase, research reveals.

There are enough warning signs to show the need to act sooner rather than later. There are growing concerns about bottled water in particular in plastic bottles. The safest option is stainless steel. Breastchek.co.nz

Jo Knowsley

Our findings suggest that exposure to low-dose BPA may have widespread effects on brain structure and function. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to classify BPA as safe, basing its ruling only on the findings of two industry-funded studies.

There are over 200 independent scientists, not in conflict financially with this chemical (BPA), saying we find it relating to obesity, prostate cancer, breast cancer, diabetes, brain disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, liver disease, ovarian disease, disease of the uterus, low sperm count for men and the list goes on. David Gutierrez Natural News After years of insisting Bisphenol-A (BPA) posed no threat to the health of babies, six larger manufacturers of baby bottles have announced they will stop shipping new baby bottles made with the chemical. Mike Adams, Natural News A 2007 review of 700 studies involving BPA, published in the journal Reproductive Toxicology, found that infants and foetuses were the most vulnerable to adverse effects from this toxic substance. C W Randolph, MD The researchers indicated that such damage is a possible predictor of reproductive diseases in women, including fibroids, endometriosis, cystic ovaries and cancers. Earlier studies linked low dose BPA to female reproductive-tract disorders, as well as early-stage prostate and breast cancer and decreased sperm counts in animals. Andreas Moritz In 2004, one researcher counted up all of the studies done to date on just BPA. Of 104 studies done by independent researchers, 94 found adverse effects.

Donna Jackson Nakazawa

The latest study showed that women with a history of miscarriages were found to have higher levels of BPA in their bodies. The women who had miscarriages were found to have BPA levels on average about three times higher than women who had successfully given birth. David Steinman

The National Toxicology Program of the National Institutes of Health concluded that there is “some concern” that BPA may cause problems in foetuses, babies and children, including breast or prostate cancer early onset of female puberty, attention deficit disorder and other problems of the reproductive and neurological systems. David Gutierrez Bisphenol A is such a dangerous chemical that I have no doubt it will one day be banned from all food and beverage products. Frederick vom Saal The following are countries which have taken action against BPA - Canada, Denmark, Belgium and France - so far.

Those with the most BPA in their urine had nearly three times the risk of heart disease more than twice the risk of diabetes, as well as signs of liver damage.

Unfortunately, the levels of BPA that were associated with disease are within the EPA’s industry-friendly levels of safety.” Byron Richards The following research is by world expert Dr William Shotyk - who has vowed never to drink bottled water again - “I don’t want to shock people but here’s what I know: Antimony is being continuously released into bottled drinking water. The water in PET bottles is contaminated”.

Antimony finds its way into water by ‘leaching’ from the plastic in the same way that water absorbs flavour from a tea bag. Jo Knowsley If you have a baby that you are formula feeding, you are likely to be exposing your child to BPA through the formula itself, which is almost assuredly packaged in a BPA-lined can. Aaron Turpen In most countries, BPA is legal in food storage including baby bottles, containers and so forth. Very few companies are using BPA-free containers for anything. Aaron Turpen To see each of the quotes in full and the source please go to www.safebottles.co.nz

Call 0800 777 444, text SAFE to 244 or go to our website www.safebottles.co.nz to order your SafeBottle today P.S. There’s an iron-clad, lifetime money-back guarantee on all bottles.

18/8 food grade quality stainless steel

BPA-free, toxin-free and eco-friendly 34 | June/July 2011 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Gary Collins Managing Director

I Fits most cup holders I FDA approved I Fits ice cubes I Doesn’t retain or leach flavours I Dishwasher safe

I Various sizes and colours available I Designed to last I 100% recyclable I No plastic liner I Free sports lid

The effects of plastic on the environment are already well documented...but what about the effects of plastic on our bodies?

Research is showing that under special circumstances, certain chemicals from plastic bottles and containers are able to leach into the water (or food) held within. One such culprit is a toxic chemical known as Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical with estrogen mimicking effects that is linked to obesity, diabetes, breast cancer and hyperactivity. Another two common toxic chemicals present in plastic bottles are antimony and phthalates.

Make a change for the better. Buy stainless steel BPA-free SafeBottles and reduce the impact of plastic on the environment and our bodies.

For more information and to see the full range of SafeBottles, please visit www.safebottles.co.nz or call our friendly team on 0800 777 444 or text SAFE to 244.

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz    June/July 2011 | 35

Construction | Leighton Contractors Leighton Contractors recently completed the Manukau SH20-1 project in South Auckland for the New Zealand Transport Agency, connecting State Highway 1 with SH20 and Auckland International Airport, via a new three-level motorway interchange at Manukau City.

TIL

TOTAL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED

• Maintenance • Management • Responsive Maintenance • Preventative Maintenance • Planned Maintenance • Renewal/Upgrade - Capital Projects • Special Projects - Capital Works • Drainage Works • Street Scape

PO BOX 16092 SANDRINGHAM AUCKLAND 1351 NEW ZEALAND

Ph:

09 629 5467

Fax: 09 629 5468 Web: www.tilltd.co.nz Email: ashok@tilavd.co.nz

Inside infrastructure Whether delivering upgrades, duplications, complex superstructures, tolled motorways or tunnels for new or existing road infrastructure projects, Leighton Contractors’ approaches all its projects with the same attitude and endeavour; to deliver an outcome of quality.

A depth of expertise in project management, community consultation, environmental management, traffic management, quality assurance and safety places the company at the forefront of the engineering and construction industry throughout New Zealand.

As well as the motorway itself, the project has improved some of the adjacent local road network and constructing earthworks, foundations and a 270m concrete trench for a 1.8km rail connection next to the motorway.

The trench will house the future station for Manukau City and was built for KiwiRail and the Auckland Regional Transport Agency as a variation to the original contract.

Leighton Contractors has created some of the most iconic and significant projects across Australia and New Zealand. Linking cities and communities via road, rail, ports and tunnels, Leighton Contractors is a pioneer of many innovative construction, engineering and project management techniques.

The project’s numerous challenges included the significant service relocations across the length of the project, extensive environmental controls to protect the adjacent Puhinui Stream, and traffic management for an estimated 200,000 vehicles per day around the alignment. The variable soil conditions proved a challenge, with soils ranging from hard volcanic basalts to fine soft silts. Leighton Contractors improved the ground conditions using a variety of innovative techniques, including stone columns, drainage and building embankments with a light-weight fill.

Its expert engineering and project delivery experience ensures it is the preferred contractor for many clients across a variety of industry sectors.

The company also used a variety of foundation types for the project’s 12 bridges, including pad foundations and composite steel driven piles in an effort to adapt to the soil conditions.

Leighton Contractors was formed in Australia in the 1940s. The New Zealand company has been operating since 2004 and today employs 700 staff. Leighton Contractors New Zealand is led by manager Bill Sullivan in Auckland and also has an operation in Wellington.

Leighton Contractors dealt with a huge number of environmental issues relating to the one million cubic metres of earthworks carried out adjacent to the regionally significant Puhinui Stream. The company has proved itself to be an industry leader in environmental issues and has won a number of environmental awards, both regional and national, for its work on Manukau and other projects.

SH20-1 Manukau Extension project Leighton Contractors has recently completed the Manukau SH20-1 project in South Auckland for the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA).

The contract began in June 2006 and was completed last December at a total cost of $210 million.

Stretching across the heart of Manukau, the SH20-1 extension project forms a vital link connecting State Highway 1 with State Highway 20 and Auckland International Airport, via a new three-level motorway interchange at Manukau City.

The 4.5km motorway is also the southern most part of the Western Ring Route and part of a long-term objective to construct an alternative route through Auckland for traffic wishing to avoid the central city area.

The project, which was a joint venture between Leighton Contractors and Downer EDI Works (Leighton Works), included the design and construction of three major interchanges 36 | June/July 2011 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

and 12 bridges, including a 240m-long flyover over SH1 and a 120m-long bridge carrying the new motorway across a major rail line.

In Wellington, Leighton Contractors is working on the the refurbishment of the Terrace and Mt Victoria tunnels, as well as a duplication study on the Mt Victoria tunnel for NZTA. Sullivan says the Government is looking at forming more public-private infrastructure partnerships.

Leighton Contractors is in an alliance with eight other companies is currently pricing the major Waterview infrastructure project in Auckland, which involves constructing 5km of new state highway connecting SH20 with SH16. Of this, 2km will be constructed as two 3-lane tunnels.

The Waterview Connection is the ‘missing link’ that completes the Western Ring Route.

In addition, capacity improvement works to SH16 will be carried out, including widening and raising the causeway, adding an additional lane and bus shoulder between Henderson Creek and St Lukes interchange and additional pedestrian and cycle ways.

In the South Island, Leighton Contractors is in discussion with the Christchurch City Council and is looking at opportunities to be involved in the rebuild of Christchurch.

Looking forward Sullivan says working alongside the Leighton businesses in Australia offers many benefits to the New Zealand company and its clients, including the sharing of resources, new technology and knowledge transfer.

Leighton Contractors has a proud history of innovative thinking. It excels in project delivery Sullivan says the extension was a major project through various methods including design and construct, construct only, traditional fixed for Leighton Contractors and enabled the lump sum, schedule of rates contracts, joint company to demonstrate its abilities in New Zealand within the transport sector. The project ventures, alliances and PPP’s. involved more than 240,000 square metres “We’re leveraging our New Zealand operations of road area and more than one million cubic off the skills and capabilities in Australia, metres of earthworks. combining the best regional know-how with a strong local presence.” Sullivan says.

Projects of significance Leighton Contractors has recently completed other major roading works, including the Northern Gateway project — an extension of the Northern Motorway Toll Road between Orewa and Puhoi, 30 kilometres north of Auckland — and is currently working on the Newmarket Viaduct replacement project, which is about 60 percent completed. “We’re also working for Auckland Council on a maintenance project to maintain a large part of Auckland’s roads, the Auckland Motorway Alliance (ARMA) West project. We’re three years into it.”

“We are growing and diversifying our business and actively recruiting staff to build our capacity to deliver in construction and telecommunications infrastructure.”

Leighton Contractors 61 Constellation Drive North Shore City 0632 T (09) 362 1800 F (09) 362 1899 www.leightoncontractors.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Construction | Trowel Trades

Home base for trowel tradespeople

Trowel Trades has embraced the new world phenomena of internet shopping. The new online store makes it easier for Trowel Trades to keep trade customers ahead in the game

One third of the building trade without a home base — not any more! That is the goal of Trowel Trades; to give trowel tradespeople a home base for their trade.

Trowel Trades was started by David Manners 12 years ago, so that he could supply a quality alternate brand of plaster, Hamilton Materials, to the building industry. Fast forward 12 years and the business has evolved into a supplier of numerous quality specialist brands with seven stores across the country.

Today, Trowel Trades Supa Centres supply all trades that involve a trowel, including stoppers, plasterers, concreters and bricklayers. With an extensive range of compounds, tools, tapes, and trowels it’s no wonder that Trowel Trades has developed a reputation for being a onestop-shop supplier of leading specialist brands and agencies.

The company’s well known products include Hamilton’s drywall, BPB ProRoc compound, Kraft tools, Hyde tools, Marco papertape, Straitflex tape, Fibafuse and Fibatape.

What this means Manners says, is that Trowel Trades fills an important void.

“If you did a pie graph of the building industry, one third would be timber supply, another third would be plumbing and electrical, and the other third is all the people who hold a trowel. That’s drywall stoppers, bricklayers, tillers, exterior plasterers, concreters — indeed anyone who works with a trowel. It covers a whole raft of professions.

“Until we came along, there was no home base for any of that one third of building industry. For example, for the timber industry there were probably 250 big building suppliers up and down the country. But there was nothing for the trowel trade.”

Manners says Trowel Trades has seven stores nationwide and the greater Auckland area is served by stores in Albany and Morningside.

“My future goal is to really see that one third of the building industry believe and accept that there is a genuine home base for their trade.

Builders automatically go to Placemakers, ITM, Carters or the like and I want everyone who uses a trowel to feel the same way about Trowel Trades.”

Trowel Trades Head Office 2e Rothwell Ave Albany Auckland T (09) 415 7488 F (09) 415 4200 E info@troweltrades.co.nz www.troweltrades.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz June/July 2011 | 37

Construction | JB Contractors

JB Contractors’ services: ● Micro-tunnelling ● Slip-lining Techniques ● Cement mortar or ceramic lining ● Pipe bursting and pipe replacement ● Directional drilling ● Horizontal drilling and pipe ramming ● JB formapipe ● Auger boring.

JB Contracting, drilling a 900 diameter bore hole for a new sewer main

Trend-setting investment The benefits of capital investment are paying off for Aucklandbased engineering company JB Contractors. The team has broken new ground by importing a new maxi-rig drilling machine (the GD800), the first self contained machine of its size to enter the New Zealand market.

Company co-director Paul Balemi says the 140 tonne machine is used for drilling shots up to one kilometre at a diameter of 1100 millimetres. “The work we were doing was demanding bigger and better equipment, which is why we have imported the GD800.

“It’s already being used. Right now it is installing approximately three kilometres of 630 sewer pipelines for a local water authority.

There’s a big demand for it from our other upcoming projects too.”

Balemi says the team has been commenting on how simple and easy the machine is to use, and on how high its production value is.

This isn’t however, the first time JB Contractors has had the latest technology on the market.

In 1987, it began using trenchless technology, as opposed to conventional technology, because it saw that was the way the market was heading.

Today, some of its competitors are only just starting to use trenchless technology.

Balemi says the company keeps its good reputation and market share by ensuring its staff are up-to-date with the latest technology, by investing in up-skilling them.

“Our technical department has the expertise, project managers, qualified engineers and technicians for the design and construction of any pipeline project.

JB Contractors was started in 1952 by Paul’s father Jack.

Over the past 50 years, JB Contractors has made a reputable name for itself by being widely involved in general contracting, pipeline construction, upgrading and rehabilitation work in New Zealand.

Wide-ranging experience JB Contractors is a specialised company with comprehensive experience in gravity and high pressure pipeline installation including gas, sewer, storm water, water mains, industrial pipelines, telecommunication ducts and power cables.

Together with traditional open cut methods, the company has developed extensive expertise in the field of trenchless technology, successfully installing and renovating many kilometres of underground pipelines without open excavation for companies and authorities throughout New Zealand.

LEADING PIPELINE SPECIALIST

Latest technology

“We also make sure we always have the best technology on the market, to deliver real value to our customers.”

Looking ahead, Balemi says his goals for the company are simple. “We want to maintain our share of the market. To do that, we must keep abreast of new technology as it evolves so we can maintain our edge. To be competitive you need to be up with the market in methodologies and technologies. That’s exactly what we will keep doing.”

JB Contractors 3 Balemi Way Wiri, Auckland T (09) 278 9513 F (09) 278 1583 E paul@jbcontractors.co.nz www.jbcontractors.co.nz — Advertising Feature

3 Balemi Way Wiri PO Box 76885, Manukau, Auckland, New Zealand Phone: +64 9 278 9513 Email: paul@jbcontractors.co.nz Website: www.jbcontractors.co.nz Visit our website for further infomation or phone us now to discuss your specific requirements

Fusion Welding Limited is proud to work alongside JB Contractors Limited

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Fusion Welding Limited PO Box 132-069, Sylvia Park, AUCKLAND 1644

We have been providing welding services throughout NZ for over 25 years

cary@fusionwelding.co.nz www.fusionwelding.co.nz

The Poly Pipe Welding Professionals - It pays to talk to us first 38 | June/July 2011 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

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