Business Advocate November 2015 by Northern Advocate

NOVEMBER 2015

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THE BUSINESS ADVOCATE

Contents

4-5 New Business

6 -7 A word about the awards and the Hall of Fame 8-9 The Winners 11

A word from Westpac

The buzz about Beekeeping software

The Hone Heke Flashpackers

Workplace safety with ACC

Cavern wins Registered Master Builders award

11 15

Discover simple ways to succeed with Spark Business

Cover Image: Westpac Northland Business Excellence Supreme Award 2015 Winner, Donovan Group NZ Ltd, Rod Parkinson (sponsor), Kyle Donovan, Kerry McCollum, Takeo Fukuoka, Graham Donovan, Hamish Reid, Brett Donovan Including images of the category winners of the Westpac Northland Business Excellence Awards 2015

Northpine congratulates everyone who entered the Westpac Northland Business Excellence Awards. It was a great effort by all and a real credit to Northland business.

GROWING STRONG COMMUNITIES

THE BUSINESS ADVOCATE

NEW BUSINESS

The Loft Yoga Pilates Studio

he Loft Yoga and Pilates studio has recently opened as a part of M3 Clinic on Commerce Street in Whangarei. We offer Yoga and Pilates classes in our beautiful new studio and specialize in hot Yoga and Pilates classes.

while providing an extra challenge: heat. Yoga isn’t about doing complicated poses or deep variations of poses, it is about discovering who we are as people and how we can develop better unity and mindfulness within ourselves.

Hot Yoga is a great way to help the body strengthen and stretch itself. Yoga is a practice that can be done by everyone, regardless of age or ability. We are the ﬁrst, in Northland, to offer Yoga classes in a hot room. It will help teach you to ﬁnd inner peace and comfort in your body while providing increased muscle tone and activation. The heated room helps the body stretch and open quicker, providing therapeutic and detoxifying effects, all the

We offer a range of classes to offer students from a beginner class, called Foundation, up to the more athletically challenging practice of Power Yoga. We will also offer classes that will focus on body awareness, alignment and deep stretching. We also have noon and early morning classes so that yoga can ﬁt into everyone’s busy schedules. Come down and see why Hot Yoga can become a part of your life and help propel you and your endeavours to new heights.

Re-Newed Artisans market & Clansman Motel Kai Kohe Kohe Food T Cooperative he Waipu Clansman Motel is now under new management; steered by Maria Clark who’s well known in Waipu as the ex lotto shop owner.

eNewed is an arts and crafts market, with a ‘trash to treasure' upcycled theme that will be held in the ‘Library Park’ precinct of Kaikohe as a monthly addition to the upcoming Kai Kohe Kohe Food Cooperative's Night Market this Summer.

It’s an initiative of ‘Wawata Ao Marama;’ a creative industries professional development agency dedicated to the development of community creative spaces and programmes. Proﬁts generated from our ReNewed market days over this summer will be directly used to build on the upcycled artisan theme, with a goal to develop collective Upcycled stalls at other local markets, investigating pop-up shop fronts rotated around the district, a permanent shop front in Kaikohe itself, and eventually a district wide Meet the Makers festival for 2017.

As each commercial venture is established, further proﬁts will then be used to fund community programmes and creative spaces. We now are seeking artists to be stall holders, and musicians for a busker’s corner. If this sounds like you, email wawata. ao.marama@gmail.com for an application form. Kai Kohe Kohe Food Cooperative is regenerating the local food economy by establishing a Thursday night market, encouraging production and sale of fresh, healthy, locally grown food. Customers will be able to buy local produce online and then come to the market and pick up their purchase of fresher, healthier food. Producers will be able to sell their produce through the cooperative at a fair price and every dollar will stay in the community, all of which will help grow an environmentally economical community.

Her bubbly character is a much needed asset to this iconic motel that was looking tired and in need of some radical rejuvenation. Maria has been working tirelessly behind the scenes, sprucing up the 12 motel units, grounds, kitchen and restaurant to provide a clean, friendly environment for tourists and locals.

Maria has teamed up with Peter Abrahams, an enthusiastic cook to provide a range of fresh, locally source produce to suit a range of palettes. ‘Pipers Restaurant’ is open from 5pm, 7 days a week with Aged Angus steaks that are reputed to be the best you’ll get this side of

the Brynderwyns! Gluten free and vegetarian options along with an appetising childrens menu means there’s something for everyone. The outdoor garden sports a spectacular pergola adorned with ﬂowers – a beautiful spot to get together with friends at the end of a hard days work or day at the beach. If you’re looking for a venue for your Christmas function, then The Clansman Motel is ideal because you can book yourself into a room for the night and really enjoy the festive fare. Check out their facebook page on Waipu Clansman Motel for updated opening times,menus and special offers. Give Maria a ring on 09 432 0424 to book yourself a meal you’ll never forget.

THE BUSINESS ADVOCATE

NEW BUSINESS

Mind the Books

ind The Books specialises in Bookkeeping, Health & Safety and Administration solutions that are customised to suit client requirements liberating business owners to do what they do best.

Director, Helen Smuts-Kennedy, realises every business has a unique set of requirements to be ready for the new Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, there is no “one size ﬁts all” total H&S Management System that can be straight off the shelf. Generic systems are available but without previous H&S training or experience many businesses will struggle to implement them effectively or correctly. Helen has extensive training in Occupational Health & Safety and many years’ experience in industries such as scaffolding, plumbing, transport and construction, and a broad understanding of the H&S and administrative requirements of most organisations. She isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty to ﬁnd out how each business operates to best create solutions that work.

Taking care of all the jobs that business owners often avoid, Helen believes compliance doesn’t have to be a paper war, with the amazing resources that are available, like Xero for bookkeeping, it can be easy and even enjoyable – with the right systems and training in place the entire administration process can be simpliﬁed to a point where you won’t need that “too hard basket” anymore. Mind The Books was honoured to have the opportunity to assist Mike Lindsay and the team at Building & Fire Services (2008) Ltd with their application in the 2015 Westpac Northland Business Excellence Awards, and was proud to see them category winners at the Gala Dinner. Helen says “I wouldn’t be where I am now without the encouragement and support of my amazing clients. For me it is working alongside these incredibly inspiring local business people that makes everyday something to look forward to” Give Helen a ring on 021 720329

Industry - Waipu

hat was one big empty shop in the heart of Waipu is now full of amazing Retro and Deco wares and furniture. Industrial barleaners, lamps, old and new with local art pieces and sculptures to come. A new line of clothing from Smoove that has a range of rewored vintage dress will blow your mind as well as rock Tees. Something for everyone is here at ‘Industry Waipu.’ With great local at 13 The Centre, and great wares Andy Reilly and Jo Keith couldn’t be more happy with their new enterprise. The shop itself is situated next door to the Waipu off licence and is one massive space that used to be home to Pats Healing and Natural Beauty. Andy and Jo have done an incredible job with th shop ﬁt out, featuring red

corrugated iron panels dividing the shop into different areas. The floor with ‘Industry’ engrained in block features from the double front doors to the copper kidney shaped counter. And and Jo have 50 years experience between them as licensed second hand dealers, both have had previous shops in Auckland. Jo recently close ‘Eye Spy’ at the old fire station last year. Andy has been busy with his roofing business. They are both so happy to be back into retail and sporting a fabulous ecletic enterprise. Come check out the talk of Waipu. We’re open 7 days a week from 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 3pm onSundays.

Philippa Ross

hilippa is an author, speaker, eco warrior and personal growth mentor. She’s combined decades of professional expertise and personal involvement in environmental awareness, education, social work and media to develop a business that empowers people with a skill set to master the game of life so they’re able to play it in a way that enhances the health of the planet and themselves. Philippa describes herself as an ‘Enthusiologist’ on a mission to raise peoples energy and enthusiasm. She believes societal pressure has taken its toll on our health. People are suffering from what she calls the ‘D Syndrome’ – depressed, disheartened and disillusioned. She’s developed her knowledge in psychology and quantum physics to create a programme that helps people raise their energy

levels so they have the conﬁdence and courage to fully engage in the life using their innate value to add value to the world around them. Aristotle’s famous quote ‘knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” Underpins the service she offers; a service that provides people with the ability to decipher the wisdom of their own intelligence so they understand how to nurture and nourish their spiritual, emotional, mental and physical parts to feel whole, worthy ‘well beings’ who’re inspired to grab life by the balls and have a bloody good time while they have the privilege of living. If you want help to put the bounce back in your life, contact Philippa on 021 243 7474 or visit her website on www.philippaross.com to ﬁnd out how you can take your life to a whole new level.

Replicant Hobbies

rom the outside, Replicant Hobbies appears to be a fine example of a model store, well stocked with kitsets of aircraft, cars, science fiction subjects and ships. However, once through the doors you’ll find many surprises.

A home theatre experience created to showcase the latest Epson projectors sits alongside an interesting range of DVDs and Blu-ray discs, Warhammer gaming products, Anime and graphic novels, diecast models, rare aircraft collectables, tanks and other military kitsets, space craft models and remote controlled cars. ‘People are really surprised to see our demo lounge where a movie plays on a wall-sized screen; it’s not something that you usually see alongside kits, paint and glue,’ says Neil. His training in the cinema industry and knowledge about projectors is only a fraction of the knowledge he has on all of the products in store, from kitsets to paint ﬁnishes to magazines about dolls’ houses. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of movies and models and will

help customers track down any elusive film or kitset. Replicant Hobbies is now the only retail outlet in Whangarei that can order specific DVD and Blu-ray titles for customers. Replicant will sell model and hobby product to customers throughout New Zealand, giving the best customer service possible. Neil strives to go the extra mile with friendly service, excellent product knowledge and competitive prices. The best reward is when a customer returns to the store to show Neil their finished masterpiece. Owner Mark Robson is a modeller from age 5 and would love to see the hobby scene in Northland grow. He is looking forward to having Replicant start a new generation of modellers on their voyage of discovery into the world of making miniature replicas of everything from the Wright Flyer to the Empire State Building. Replicant Hobbies is here to stay! Shop 4 Quality St., Whangarei 09 430 6530

THE BUSINESS ADVOCATE

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE

The Westpac Business Excellence Awards by Tony Collins, CEO New Zealand Chambers of Commerce Northland

and reflection that the process calls on means the owner must critically focus on how their business works. Obviously there is a criterion around which these businesses are measured and a modified or simplified version of the Baldrige Criteria is used in this instance. This is a relatively common business excellence measurement tool and one that looks across a broad range of performance areas and then seeks confirmation of this through a number of indicators. While this provides a very useful measurement of a business’s performance it may not necessarily be as useful for measuring success. That is unless it is rigorously applied against the vision and strategic plan of the business owner and that there is an acceptance from the evaluator that not all business owners have the same vision as to what success is.

pecial thanks to all the sponsors who contributed in various ways to making this year’s event possible. New Zealand Chambers of Commerce Northland is fortunate to have the support of many local and national businesses without whom organising an event of this scale would not be possible. The many judges involved in the process should also be applauded for giving up their time free of charge and in some cases having to travel long distances to visit entrant businesses. Through their support they are real champions of Northland business. The Westpac Northland Business Excellence Awards provides an opportunity to celebrate business excellence and the role it plays in our community. Through business, countless individuals can apply their talents to achieve their own aspirations and to provide service for others. If we can celebrate and respect these people, and foster a better understanding of the contribution business makes to the wider community, then this will go a long way to inspiring more young people pursue their own aspirations. We believe that the Awards can be a valuable business development exercise for any business that enters. The self-examination

Success cannot be measured without a business ﬁrst having set clear goals and unlike many large corporates, the nature of Northland businesses mean that many of these goals are going to closely aligned to the personal aspirations of the people and families who own these businesses. For many business owners, their personal goals and their business goals will need to be considered together as each will inﬂuence the other. Having asked where the business owner wants to be in their personal life at some date in the future will inform them as to what goals they need to set within their business if they are to get there. It could be argued that while it is valid to assess a business’s performance against its economic bottom-line and the systems and processes it uses, an enterprise may be successful in spite of these indicators if the owner’s goals are being achieved. It is the individual business owner who has made the investment, taken the risk and has an expectation of some reward. The personal nature of these aspirations and associated rewards means that it is not appropriate to judge whether they are right or wrong although there may be opportunity to question how practical or achievable they are.

The 2016 Westpac Business Excellence Awards

YOUR FIRE SAFETY Watch glass blowing at the Grinter Glass studio in the Town Basin.

Learn to blow glass! Scholarships are available through The Learning Connexion. Handmade glass is available for sale in the studio. Contact Keith for more details www.keithgrinter.com/ 0272558727

IS OUR PROFESSION

A professional, passionate trustworthy team with 24 years experiece in delivering all aspects of ﬁre safety with a friendly approachable methodology

Phone: 09 430 0498 Web: www.ﬁreprotection.net.nz

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE The attractive nature of the owner’s aspiration and their future desire is what energises and motivates them to take action. It gives a reference point against which they can focus, adopt innovative ideas and develop a level of resilience that is so important. Of course having set your goals, using good businesses practices as advocated within the Baldrige Criteria or other business excellence frameworks will make those goals more attainable.

THE BUSINESS ADVOCATE

entry for many years but were waiting for their business to be ready to enter. In truth, most businesses are constantly changing and developing to meet the challenges of a dynamic economy and market which demands that businesses innovate and evolve or else fail. The time critical nature of the entry process and the prescriptive framework used to evaluate the entrant business demands the business leader to rigorously examine how they do business and to consider whether their results conﬁrm they are doing things the right way to ensure business success.

Although relatively high proﬁle, the gala evening and announcing of winners is a very small part of the overall entrant experience. For most of the entrants it is the culmination of all they have learnt and practiced in their business life to date. Often they would have planned to enter for well over a year and in many cases they may have been considering

2013 Michael Springford

2012 Mike Simm

2011Dave Culham

2010 Monty Knight

2009 Michael Hill

2008 Tom McKay

Just as businesses continue to evolve and change so do the awards. We are constantly examining how we can make the process more attainable, easier to participate in and rewarding for everyone involved.

The Northern Advocate Business Hall of Fame inductee this year was Jeroen Jongejans in recognition of his contribution to Northland business.

OHAEAWAI COMMUNITY PRESCHOOL AND EARLY LEARNING CENTRE “WHERE LEARNING IS FUN”

2014 Wayne Cowley

to be an initiator and explorer. We provide the infant with only enough help necessary to allow the child to enjoy the mastery of their own actions.

work very closely together to ensure every decision made, is done after considering what is best for the child and how the child will beneﬁt.

Achieving the goals we set when we opened in January 2014 of being outstanding, going the extra mile and making a positive difference to all, has only been achieved because of the amazing, passionate, inspiring and dedicated team who all

We open Monday to Friday from 7:30am to 5.30pm daily. We are licenced to Care for and Educate 42 children; 12 infants under two and up to 30 over two’s. We pride ourselves on having higher than the legally required adult/child ratios which ensures each child’s individual needs are met.

he child is truly the heart of the matter which is what we are all about here at Ohaeawai Community Preschool and Early Learning Centre.

Phone: 09 405 9779 •

We follow the RIE philosophy in our infant room which is based on RESPECTING even the youngest infant as a unique human being not an object. The more we observe, the more we understand the speed of learning that happens in the ﬁrst three years of life. We focus on providing an environment for learning – trusting the infant

- Ohaeawai Community Preschool

The RIE philosophy blends perfectly through into the over two children’s room where they are inspired by the Reggio Emilia Philosophy which follows an emergent curriculum based on the child and their interests which direct the topics for learning. Our teachers become researchers alongside the children and they learn together. Our beautiful natural environment invites the children to explore with nature, take risks, prove that they really are capable competent learners that develop at their own pace.

THE BUSINESS ADVOCATE

THE WINNERS

The Westpac Northland Business Excellence Awards for 2015 took place at the Forum North on Friday 23 October. There were entrants from 43 Northland businesses competing in 5 business categories, 7 ancillary categories and an overall supreme winner. Donovan Grou oup NZ Ltd was as the Supre reme me 2015 Westpa pac Northland pa Business of th the Ye Year and was also th the wi winner of the ER EROAD Excellence in Business Lar arge Busines ess Aw Award and th the e Northland Inc Innovation Awa ward. Tony Collins from the Northland Chamber of Commerce said that the awards were a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the success of many Northland businesses. These enterprises

Rod Parkinson (Westpac) with Kyle Donovan, Kerry McCollum, Takeo Fukuoka, Graham Donovan, Hamish Reid and Brett Donovan.

were of varying size and often very different in structure and scale. The one thing they all had in common was their passion for what they were doing and their commitment to succeed.

OTHER WINNERS WERE New Zealand Honey Traders Ltd - winner of the Ricoh Excellence in Micro Business (1-3FTE) Category. (Finalists MAD Ideas, Cuppacakes Northland and Results Rule Ltd)

The Judges said… Despite being a ﬂedgling business, New Zealand Honey Traders has big plans with international potential. Yet the underlying philosophy is centred on a passion for the land, the desire to support the community and the development of quality standards to improve the beekeeping industry.

Diversiﬁcation of product has enabled the seasonality issues of honey extraction to be offset with hive sales. With the new Hive Management software coming on stream shortly, there is signiﬁcant potential for New Zealand Honey Traders to put Northland and New Zealand honey on the international map.

Derrick Barber & Janet McFarlane

Building & Fire Services (2008) Ltd winner of the Henderson Reeves Connell Rishworth Excellence in Business Small Business Awards (4-9FTE). (Finalists Justa Plumber NZ Ltd, Ringa Atawhai Trust and Kiwi Cake Supplies Ltd)

The Judges said… Building & Fire Services exhibited sound planning and monitoring. There are clearly deﬁned goals and strategies, which are well implemented and monitored to ensure success.

The business owner has complimented their skills by building around them a robust and balanced team. This has enhanced the business. The judges were impressed by the level of planning and attention to the collection of little things that make up a strong overall business.

Building & Fire Services (2008) Ltd, Mike Lindsay & Mel Lindsay.

Far North REAP Society Incorporated - winner of the Golden Bay Cement Excellence in Business Medium Business Award (10-24FTE). (Finalist Northland Emergency Services Trust and The Rintoul Group Ltd)

The Judges said… Paul Thorn (sponsor), Dale Johnson, Ian Swindells, Tonya Pene, Wairemu Britten, Lisa Jones & Malcolm Mathews, Jay Rupapera & Simone Edwards

Far North REAP impressed the judges by the extent of their involvement in the community and collegial management and team culture. Inspired by its vision and mission, Far North REAP is working

well towards its goals of boosting community development. They have well developed internal systems and processes to ensure that they are efﬁcient providers of services and their intimate connection to the community means that they can continually reﬁne their offering to ensure they achieve a very high level of impact

Donovan Group NZ Ltd - winner of the EROAD Excellence in Business Large Business Award (25 plus FTE) (Finalists Northland Kindergarten Association and Northpower Fibre Ltd)

The Judges said…

products and processes have been achieved through strategic supplier partnerships, securing key personnel and intellectual Donovan Group is a long standing Northland business which property requirements. Efﬁcient workshop manufacture and supply impressed the judges with their strong leadership and foresight, are aided by its national Coresteel franchise system and their committed to take itself and the industry to the next level. Innovative bespoke IT planning and management system.

Donovan Group NZ Ltd, Kyle Donovan & Brett Donovan

Pure Day Spa - winner of the Business Coaching New Zealand Best Emerging Business Award. (Finalist Cavern Home Systems, Ohaeawai Community Education Trust and Trident Technical Services t/a Whangarei Engineering)

The Judges said…

Karen Le Heron, Emily Pegman, Jordan Barlow, Katey Robinson, Terry Sage (sponsor)

Pure Day Spa literally ‘walks the talk’ of business excellence, demonstrating effortlessly in their daily work that they meet the standards required. The judges were particularly impressed with

the involvement of staff in the entry and interview process, and their obvious enthusiasm and commitment to the business as well as their respect and affection for the owner. Pure Day is ﬁnancially successful, has sound repeatable processes in place, is a signiﬁcant contributor to the local community and a very worthy winner.

Greg Atkins, Gilmore Brown,Convenor of Judges Cushla Donnelly, Business Judge Jane Hindle, R. Tucker Thompson,Business Judge Mahmood Khan, BDO Bay of Islands,Business Judge Sanjay Kumar, McDonalds, Business Judge

THANK YOU TO THE 2015 JUDGES

Bruce Larsen, Northpine, Business Judge Rod Parkinson, Westpac, Business Judge Pauline Rose, PROSE New Zealand Ltd, Business Judge Jacqui Apiata, Accident Compensation Corporation, Workplace Safety Judge Shona Kelly, ReﬂectNZ Ltd,Workplace Safety Judge

THE BUSINESS ADVOCATE

THE WINNERS

Northland Kindergarten Association - winner of the Top Energy Best Not-For-Proﬁt Organisation Award. Far North REAP Society Incorporated was a ﬁnalist in this category.

The Judges said… NKA have impressed by growing to and operating 22 kindergartens strategically, within government funding constraints. Highlights of this

organisation include good vision and leadership, development of a specialist speech and language therapist and a close relationship with the communities. Operating all over Northland, NKA manage to provide a very comprehensive and tailored service to our tamariki.

Carol Wati, Paul White (sponsor) & Richard Storey

For more information and photo gallery visit www.northlandbusinessawards.co.nz Ohaeawai Community Education Trust – winner of the Northland Regional Council Sustainable Business Award (ﬁnalist New Zealand Honey Traders Ltd and Far North REAP Society Incorporated)

The Judges said…

Mary Jane Davies & Liz Owen

Ohaeawai Community Education Trust has forged a strong bond with its local community, from the primary school next door which the younger children can see through toddler-height Perspex windows, to the involvement of Ngawha Prison inmates in repurposing the old Masonic Hall grounds, and the strong sustainable relationships it has with the children’s whanau. Clever creation of safe natural child-friendly environments outdoors, the use of recycled driftwood as a building material and the overall attention to experience through environment coupled with the culture of RESPECT for every child, made this entry stand out to the judges. Trident Technical Services t/a Whangarei Engineering – winner of the ACC Workplace Safety Award. (Finalist Pure Day Spa and The Rintoul Group Ltd)

The Judges said…

Judges Jacqui Apiata and Shona Kelly, with Whangarei Engineering’s Ian Hendrikse and Mairi Lauchland, and sponsor Mark Dossor (ACC).

In the year since taking ownership of the business, Ian Hendrikse and Mairi Lachland have established their leadership in the activities of the workplace throughout the three work sites. This has had a positive inﬂuence both on the rented worksites and near neighbours, working towards ensuring the impact on the local environment is minimal.

WEL supports contractor and client wellbeing through an inclusive community focused ethic of collaboratively improving systems and performance. Grinter Glass Ltd - winner of the Creative Northland in Excellence in Arts Business and Cuppacakes Northland were named as a ﬁnalist

The Judges said…

Donovan Group NZ Ltd took out the Northland Inc Innovation Award (Finalists, Northland Emergency Services Trust, New Zealand Honey Traders Ltd and Northpower Fibre Ltd).

The Judges said…

The innovation has developed the vertical integration of the company. The development of the NTBB ties into the Core Steel business and using their software design makes the product unique and very difﬁcult to replicate. Strong governance within the organisation bringing in Directors with speciﬁc skills to enable the development and growth of the business. The NTBB will enable other “product line” developments Great savings for the customer using this design story.

Results Rule Ltd took out the NZ Chambers of Commerce Judges Choice Award (while Villa Italia Ltd and Cicada Symphony Designer Jewellery were named as ﬁnalists)

The Judges said…

Grinter Glass Ltd, Keith Grinter.

The Northern Advocat ate Busine ness ss Hall of Fam ame inductee am this year wa was Je Jeroen Jongejans ns in recognitio ion of his io contribution on to Northlan and busi siness ss. Jeroen Jongejans with his partner Kate Malcolm and award sponsor Greg Alexander, Northern Publishing GM.

Kathryn Starr, Ryan Welsh (sponsor), Jess Rule, & Sue Coleman-Price.

Starting with a YES business at school, Jessica has put her ideas into practice through study and has created a top class facility in a private relaxed setting. She has sought advice from a range of mentors and is following this to develop her business to meet her vision. She is passionate, committed and demonstrates a genuine desire to lift the health and wellbeing, particularly those in rural communities. She is to be commended. Hone Heke Lodge was voted More FM Customer’s Choice Service Provider (Finalists Pure Day Spa and Kiwi Cake Supplies)

This is what one client had to say about Hone Heke...

Keith has set himself the challenge to operate the Glass blowing studio in the town basin as a viable business and from our observations it seems he is achieving this goal. He has an excellent understanding of the drivers that make the business successful including a detailed understanding of the cost structures. Armed with this, he has focused on ways to achieve key performance metrics that will cover the costs and at the same time is producing some stunning art as well as utility glass pieces.

Brett Donovan, Graham Donovan, Kyle Donovan, David Wilson (sponsor).

MediaWorks’s Erena Miller, with Bob Kennedy and Victoria and David Howells

Outstanding place to stay in New Zealand, I have worked in hospitality for 10+ years and the Lodge surpasses many high quality hotels, the Owners David and Victoria are great ambassadors for Keri Keri and have a true passion for what they do. Fantastic Place and fantastic people! My experience of New Zealand has been all the better for my visit! Cuppacakes Northland was the More FM Customer’s Choice Retail Provider (Finalists KiwiYo Whangarei and Malletts Fashions) Cuppacakes Northland, Erena Miller (sponsor), Ashley Adams, Renee Monk

And a Cuppacakes Northland customer had this to say...

Cuppacakes Northland deserves this award because they always exceed my expectations, they go above and beyond to help create customised orders just for you, no matter how crazy or detailed your needs may be. Ashley remembers your name every time you come in, and even remembers your favourite cupcake! Just to make you feel even more special. It’s nice to be acknowledged personally when you come in. Best place in town.

SPONSORS

NZ Chambers of Commerce Northland wish to thank Westpac, stp awards host and major sponsor of the Westpac Northland Business Excellence awards, along with all the of the media, category, partner and event sponsors involved in the 2015 awards.

THANKS TO THE 2015 SPONSORS

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE

THE BUSINESS ADVOCATE

The Westpac Business Excellence Awards I

f you were to ask any member of the Westpac Northland Commercial Banking team their thoughts or observations from many years of working with Northland businesses and organisations, you would hear some common themes. Those of passionate, hardworking and courageous people who take a dream, idea or concept and make it happen.

We are privileged that we get to share with them the highs and lows, success and challenges and key moments. We get to see behind the curtain so to speak. We see the personal sacrifices, from the countless hours to the financial sacrifices that go into creating business success. It is not easy succeeding in business, requiring a lot of hard work, smarts and courage. This is why taking the time to celebrate is important. We need to stop, take stock and celebrate those that contribute to our region by investing in the disciplines that contribute to Business Excellence.

This in turn creates healthy, sustainable businesses, which in turn creates opportunities for all. For this reason, Westpac is proud to sponsor the Westpac Northland Business Excellence awards. We support 18 of these awards throughout the country, from Northland all the way to Southland, so have it well covered. We started supporting these awards 22 years ago and the events continue to go from strength to strength. At a local level, several of the Westpac team have an involvement with the Northland awards going back over 15 years. It has been great so see the evolution of the process and the event over this time. The quality of entrants and winners has been high throughout this period. Having been directly involved with the judging process during the past 4 years, it is encouraging to see the number of high calibre businesses that enter. The addition of the Hall of Fame in 2008 has enhanced the awards even further. Those to receive this

Northland Chamber of Commerce chief executive ofﬁcer Mary Dickson-Hunt and WestpacTrust business manager for Northland, Rod Parkinson, toast the opening of entries for the WestpacTrust member of Commerce Business Excellence Awards 2001.

illustrious honour to date are Tom McKay, Michael Hill, Monty Knight, Dave Culham, Mike Simm, Michael Springford, Wayne Cowley and Jeroen Jongejans. When you read through this list, it is clear to see that we produce impressive business and industry leaders. Over the last 15 years, we have had the privilege of witnessing the excitement of the gala event. It is a real highlight to see the business owners, organisational leaders and their teams waiting in anticipation and then reacting with excitement when they are declared the winner. On the ﬂip side, seeing businesses that do not win, take on board the key learns, strengthen their business and in many cases subsequently pick up the honours is another beneﬁt. These awards are something that the Westpac team is proud to have been involved with for many years. We look forward to many more.

About the Author

Rod Parkinson is the Regional Manager Commercial and Agribusiness for Westpac in Northland. The information contained in this article is intended as a guide only and is not intended as an exhaustive list of matters to be considered. Persons entering into business should seek their own professional legal, accounting and other advice.

Leading a sustainable business on the coast, with a focus on bringing beneﬁts to the wider community, employing local people and not being afraid to speak out on positive initiatives with a strong vision for the future; just another day for Jeroen Jongejans and his team of 8 full time staff and around 40 seasonal crew in the peak season. Having just been recognised on a national level, and also in a more regional space, Jeroen is surprised and humbled by the recognition from his peers, but hands the praise and kudos immediately off to his passionate team and their support of him and his initiatives. It is indicative of the company culture that a passionate group is led by a passionate man; a sign of a truly inspirational leader is the ability to share with a ﬂat management structure, and lead with an attitude of “stronger working together is better than faster working alone”. Dive! Tutukaka are always looking for the next level, asking themselves “where to next?” Can we do better? Striving for excellence, and inspiring others to succeed and sharing their own success locally. Extremely proud to work in such an incredible environment as the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve, they have grown

from a three boat ﬂeet, to a 6 boat ﬂeet, developed an on-site training facility for their Five Star PADI Instructor Centre, with an innovative salt-water pool with windows along the outer wall - state-of-the-art technology balanced perfectly with upcycled materials. Next step is the boutique accommodation building, The Dive Lodge, and a new dive shop aiming to be built in 2017. The product development side of things has evolved with an expedition vessel RV Acheron, focusing on research and exploration of the coast and outer islands, on a kauri-built beauty with four ensuite cabins, and fully functioning dive deck with three compressors, taking international and domestic divers to sites of their choice. These guys don’t rest on their laurels, and whilst daily they are immersing themselves in a marine environment that is truly world class, the team are encouraged to not only deliver exceptional experiences, but also to look for the next bar to raise. The net result? Passionate team members who love what they do, get inspired by coming to work and are driven by a desire to leave the world a better place.

Thanks Jeroen

Phone: 09 434 3867 or 0800 288 882 Web: www.diving.co.nz | Marina Road, Tutukaka

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE

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The 2016 Awards Dinner

The Supreme winners through the years 2000 2001 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Fullers bay of Islands Rosvall Sawmill Ltd National Auto Club Ancient Kauri Kingdom Delta Produce – article about them in Advocate 4 Oct 2005 Lodge Bordeaux Methcon New Zealand Reﬁning Company Dive!Tutukaka Waitangi National Trust Wynn Fraser Paints Kamo Home & Village Far North Fuels Marine North Donovan Group NZ Ltd

Backing Northland Business At BDO, the more we get to know our clients and their businesses, the more passionate we get about them. Our local team of advisers take the time to understand your business and personal goals so we can help successfully turn your vision into reality. With 15 ofﬁces nationwide, backed by a global network, we can help take you wherever you want to go. Innovation and vision, backed by BDO. Audit | Tax | Advisory www.bdo.co.nz

BDO Kerikeri t: +64 9 407 7250 e: kerikeri@bdo.co.nz

BDO Whangarei t: +64 9 430 0471 e: northland@bdo.co.nz

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BUSINESS EXCELLENCE

The 2016 Awards Dinner

Kate Blundell of Collective Concepts with Hughie Blues, from Waikokopu Catering, and cookery students from NorthTec along with Shona and her team from People Potential who provided the front of house service.

NDSL would like to congratulate all the winners and recognise the work of all the entrants of the Westpac Northland Business Excellence Awards. A special mention must go to New Zealand Honey Traders Limited who won the Micro Business Award sponsored by NDSL Ricoh.

Phone: 09 438 2520 125 Cameron Street, Whangarei www.ndsl.co

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE

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Awards Throughout the Years

2012-Kamo Home & Village Supreme 2012 winner

Venue 2014

2013-Jeremy Browne SP,Max Spranger, Margaret Ware, Gary Hannam Far North Fuels 2013

Westpac business excellence supreme award winners Tania and Paul Dunn of Marine North

Beekeeping software creating buzz

ew Zealand Honey Traders Ltd, winner of the ‘Micro Business Excellence Award’ and ﬁnalist in both the ‘Sustainable Business’ and ‘Innovate Northland’ categories, is the product of founder Derrick Barber’s passion for the land, a longing to return home to Northland after many years away, and a desire to make a difference in the impoverished rural town he grew up in.

“I was one of the lucky ones” says Derrick. “I was fortunate to be given a rugby scholarship at St Kentigern College in Auckland, a high school education which led to a Business Degree at Otago University and a number of years overseas working and travelling” After returning to Auckland and dealing with the ‘daily grind’ for over 10 years, Derrick was missing home and family, and desperately seeking a way in which his business experience could translate to a proﬁtable enterprise in remote Hokianga. A friend introduced him to beekeeping and the rest, as they say, is history. A hobby soon became an all-consuming

passion and thriving business, and Derrick now runs over 1000 beehives located in one of Northland’s pristine native forests. The company produces high quality Manuka Honey and Native Multi-Floral Honey. And each year Derrick also purpose-breeds a limited number of his beehives specifically for sale to other keen novice and experienced beekeepers. However, early on in Derrick’s beekeeping journey, it became apparent that it was a very manual, paper-heavy industry and business practices needed an overhaul. Efficiencies were calling out to be streamlined and there was a need for an affordable software solution tailored to the New Zealand market that catered to hobbyists as well as large enterprises. Luckily Derrick knew just the person and engaged business partner Janet MacFarlane to assist him in developing a custom beekeeping software solution. With financial assistance from Callaghan Innovation, the software is nearing final completion and due for release early-mid 2016.

www.newzealandhoneytraders.co.nz hello@newzealandhoneytraders.co.nz

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BUSINESS EXCELLENCE

Awards Throughout the Years 2009-Nigel and Debbie of Nectar Cafe

2009-Gary Cullen- Bream Bay Butchery

2009-Robinson Ashphalts -Annie and AJ

Wynn Fraser Paints 2011

Waitangi National Trust 2010

Tony Collins CEO 2009 to present day

2011 awards

Hone Heke Lodge, Kerikeri

ing n in W d r a w A e h t Come and Enjoy r-friendly Supe Flashpackers

avid and Victoria are the proud owners of Hone Heke Lodge Flashpackers in Kerikeri. Having returned home to Northland last year after 17 years overseas with her British husband and twins in tow, Victoria and family have loved the challenge of settling into Northland life again and starting their own business. Victoria has spent the last 17 years travelling around New Zealand, Japan, Asia and Europe before settling in the UK. David has also travelled extensively worldwide and worked within the tourist industry for the last 20 years with companies such as Virgin, Flightcentre and American Express Centurion. David and Victoria have always wanted to work together and Hone Heke Lodge is the fruition of this dream. They’ve spent the last 18 months working tirelessly to make Hone Heke Lodge an International Flashpackers that Northland can be truly proud of.

• Family run lodge providing top class backpacker accommodation for international guests. A home away from home. • Dorms, Doubles & En-suites. • Lovely peaceful setting close to town. • Seasonal workers available all year round.

Phone: Website: Email: Facebook:

0800 407 817 or 09 407 8170 www.honeheke.co.nz stay@honeheke.co.nz Hone Heke Lodge Kerikeri

As David says “We always want to exceed our guests expectations so they will stay longer and return to Hone Heke Lodge and

Northland time and time again. For this to happen we have to ensure our standards are always high. We provide a superfriendly, safe and clean environment in which our guests can work, relax and plan their New Zealand adventure. Our goal is to wow our guests from their ﬁrst contact with us to the time they leave. They become part of our whanau and all of this is what makes the experience special” David and Victoria have welcomed international backpackers from 50 different countries since opening last year and have also hosted kiwi sports teams, walking groups, team building groups and walkers doing the Te Araroa trail. David and Victoria understand that international backpackers contribute massively to the local economy and also provide invaluable support for the seasonal work that is so prevalent in Kerikeri - so if you need workers, give them a call because you know their guests will be happy and hard working.

THREE REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD

“CHOOSE NORTHLAND KINDERGARTEN” AS YOUR FIRST CHOICE FOR QUALITY, AFFORDABLE

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

1 Highest Quality Early Childhood Education The Northland Kindergarten Association (NKA) has 22 Kindergartens throughout Northland. Every teacher we employ is a fully registered and trained ECE teaching professional. The Teachers are supported by a full time Professional Practice Team to ensure they maintain the highest standards of practice and provide the most up to date learning opportunities for all children. The physical kindergarten environments are without equal, large outdoor play spaces with natural climbing challenges, messy fun mud pits and water play are common in most kindergartens. Our teaching teams encourage outdoor play and opportunities to develop hand eye coordination, balance and be active as they learn. The NKA was the ﬁrst ECE organisations in NZ to have some centres receive the highest level classiﬁcations available from ERO in 2013. In 2015 four more NKA Kindergartens received the highest rating of “Very Well Placed” by ERO, putting them in the top 5% for quality and standard of service.

The NKA is the only Kindergarten Association in NZ to employ a permanent Speech and Language therapist to provide an almost immediate assessment and subsequent programme of support and assistance for the child and family. This is a free service. We also employ a Pou Whakarewa Tikanga Maori to support our Bi-cultural programs. The NKA is recognised as the leader and innovator in service and delivery of ECE in Northland. 2 Communities Focused Early Childhood Education The NKA is a community based organisation which re-invests all monies back into the kindergarten association and its kindergartens. Each of our 22 Kindergartens are an individual reﬂection of the community in which it is situated. We value input and suggestions from our Kindergarten communities and adapt our philosophies and environments to suit the needs and aspirations of the children attending. We welcome parent and whanau help in the kindergartens, but it is not a requirement. Children as young as 2 can commence their kindergarten experience now.

3 Lowest Cost Early Childhood Education: $14 per week! The most you will pay for 30 hours of the highest quality ECE at any NKA Kindergarten is $14 per week. All NKA kindergartens utilise the 20 ECE hours provided by the Ministry of Education and charge only $2 per hour after 23 hours. So if your child attends 30 hours per week for the entire year it will only cost a maximum of $588 per year. The NKA has a no fees policy at some kindergartens and provides free meals to support families. We are more focussed on increasing presence and participation than making money. Choose Northland Kindergarten.

Phone: 09 435 9099 | Website: www.nka.org.nz NKA Northland Kindergarten Association

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NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Workplace safety is about people and is good for business

iwi businesses of all descriptions are working hard to make their workplaces safer, and ACC has been helping to shine a spotlight on them – to celebrate their success stories and encourage others to follow in their footsteps.

ACC is again proud to be supporting the Northland Business Excellence Awards through sponsorship of the ACC ‘Workplace Safety Award’, which recognises innovative or exemplary examples of workplace safety culture, systems and procedures says Mark Armstrong, ACC’s Head of Product Strategy and Workplace Safety. “Our congratulations to the 2015 winners Trident Technical Services t/a Whangarei Engineering,” says Mr Armstrong

“Attitude accounted for a whopping 85 per cent.” “Tapping into this “well” of attitude is the challenge for employers, managers and supervisors who have responsibility for workplace safety practices and culture.” Mark says leadership sets the culture and safety for the entire organisation. It’s leadership from the executive ofﬁce right through to the shop ﬂoor that makes a difference between being average and excellent. “Productivity takes a hit through the loss of hours when an employee is off work as the result of an injury.”

As well as sponsoring business awards, ACC provides workplace health and safety advice directly to businesses; it develops targeted injury prevention campaigns, and offers levy discounts tied to safety performance. “The Northland Business Excellence Awards are just one of the ways we’re reaching out to the local community, celebrating successes and sharing our safety message.”

Workplace safety is a hugely important issue.

“In the judges’ opinion you have clearly demonstrated exemplary workplace safety procedures and a ‘safety ﬁrst’ approach.”

Each year the ACC sponsored ‘workplace safety award’ is presented at prestigious business awards events around New Zealand.

Research conducted by the Carnegie Foundation in America looked into what makes people successful and found there were three key elements – knowledge, skills and attitude.

The winners of the ACC Workplace Safety Award have one thing in common, a commitment by those who lead the business in changing employees’ attitudes to safety and embedding robust health and safety procedures and practices into daily routines.

“But what made the result so fascinating and surprising was that knowledge and skills accounted for only 15 per cent of a person’s success.”

many businesses to improve their workplace safety here in Northland. We hope this will inspire other businesses to make similar changes in their own workplaces.”

“The Awards provide an opportunity to showcase the fantastic things being done by

Mark Armstrong Head of Product Strategy Workplace Safety, ACC

Proud to support safer business +78&4510:51"783 17 '85:"313 7) 1$* /++ %74!6:5.* -5)*1# /(54,2 %* 54* 6470, 17 4*.7&8"3* 74&58"351"783 95!"8& (74!6:5.*3 35)*42

To find out how to create a safer workplace, visit www.acc.co.nz

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE

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Cavern Homes

Awards throughout the years

Wins Gold Award for Innovation, Creativity and Workmanship at the 2015 Registered Master Builders Awards in August

en and Karen Dugdale’s wish to create a distinctive home design and build company has paid dividends within their second year of trading as Cavern Homes Solutions. They won a Gold Award for Innovation, Creativity and Workmanship at the 2015 Registered Master Builders Awards in August and ﬁnalist in the Best Emerging business category at the Westpac Northland Business Excellence Awards.

The business has been built on a foundation of trust and a desire to create an organisation with an impeccable reputation for honorable practises with customers, contractors, suppliers and inspectors – a key principle honored among the testimonials you can ﬁnd on their website – www.cavernhomes.co.nz

The company focus is on innovative, well designed affordable housing using high quality materials and superior workmanship. Cavern Home Solutions is a locally owned and operated business that utilises 85% of local suppliers and trades people. Ken is particularly proud of the exceptional team he has; a team that takes great pride in the standard of their workmanship and the promise to provide beautiful homes built on time and on budget. “Our success has been marred by the sad loss of our tradesman Dean Phillips who died on Sunday 1st November; a much respected man whose ethics and workmanship were impeccably aligned with our own,” remarked Ken. “He will be sorely missed. I’m grateful he knew of our achievements before he passed away as he played a big part in our attaining these prestigious awards.

Ken has worked in many aspects of the home industry from painting to landscaping, fencing, real estate, building, development and consultancy work. Karen’s expertise as a qualiﬁed interior designer together with their Project Supervisor John Hancock’s multi faceted skills and personable rapport with the Team, means they’re able to offer a rich blend of talents to ensure their customers receive a complete dream home package without the stress often associated with building.

he management and team at Whangarei Engineering are honoured and very proud to have been awarded the 2015 Westpac Northland Business Excellence Award for Workplace Safety, which is sponsored by ACC. The award is not just a reﬂection of

Company Capabilities • Ship repair • Mobility equipment servicing • Large capacity machining • Maintenance and shutdowns • Steel and aluminium fabrication and welding • New ship building

New Zealand Fire Service winner of the Westpac Excellence in Professional Services Award 2005

2003 Scan Winters Night

Jeff Smith CEO from 2006-2009

Jude Thompson CEO 2002-2006

2006- Lodge Bordeaux Supreme 2006 winners

2006-Pete Olsen of Petes Towing with Rod Parkinson

the systems that we have put in place, but also the culture that we are building together to support our core belief of zero harm to people, assets and the environment. We want to thank our team, customers, suppliers and sub-contractors for their ongoing commitment to this goal and look forward to us working safely together in the years ahead. Ian Hendrikse & Mairi Lauchland

Scan 2003

2005-Heather Tomason accepting the Best Emerging Business Award on behalf of Grifﬁths & Associates

HOME DESIGN & BUILD SPECIALISTS

Exceptional quality. On time. On budget Guaranteed Build time. 10 year Master Build Guarantee.

GOLD AWARD 2015

EXCELLENCE IN WORKMANSHIP, CREATIVITY & INNOVATION Registered Master Builders House of Year 2015 - Auckland/Northland

Visit our award winning show home Open Saturday and Sunday 11am to 3pm

Phone: 0800 228380 or 09 431 4179 Email: info@cavernhomes.co.nz Web: www.cavernhomes.co.nz Address: 4 Fraser Street,Whangarei, New Zealand Phone: +64 9 438 7802 or +64 27 805 6893 E-mail: admin@whangarei-engineering.co.nz Web: www.whangarei-engineering.co.nz

WHY I DO WHAT I DO

Dean McGonagle and partner Belinda Vuletich talk straight from the heart about building your home.

No matter who the builder is, we both get upset when we hear it has not gone well, that the owners have not enjoyed the process and ‘will never do it again’. The housebuilding industry in New Zealand is tainted with horror stories – things like underestimating quotes in order to gain a perceived advantage, poor quality control, poor communication from start to finish, poor after-sales service. The list goes on. Having formed my own building company, Top End Homes Ltd, and securing the franchise for Platinum Homes Northland in 2004, I asked one of my best friends in Auckland (a successful businessman) what we would need to change to create something different with Platinum Homes Northland and break away from the shoddy reputation my industry just can't seem to shake. His first words have never left me. He said: “Surround yourself with like-minded people and free up the future of the people who do not share the same vision.” This was the most powerful thing anybody could have said to me, but to actually do it is another thing. We set about auditing the whole business with this view in mind. We would surround ourselves with people who wanted to share our vision of getting as close as possible to a 'grief-free’ build. We might not achieve absolute perfection all the time, but we'd always genuinely aspire to it. Drawing plans, choosing colours, interior design and then the construction period itself is all about processes. No home ever gets constructed without some level of frustration, disappointment, conflict or challenge. Small issues and large are commonplace. You are dealing with around 50 contractors, suppliers and merchants who all have to ‘gel’. At Platinum Homes we expect to have our share of challenges throughout a build. However, with the people and processes instilled into our firm we have established a culture in which individuals and companies respect the person coming before and after them in the building process. Part of this culture is admitting a mistake or ‘issue’ as soon as it becomes known. Constant assessment and analysis, input from clients, staff and contractors has created a positive pathway that allows us to achieve a consistently high quality in every home we build.

Since Platinum Homes inception in 2004, we have handed over nearly 200 homes. At each handover we ask the home owner if we can add them to our ‘live list’ of our 20 most recent clients. If permission is granted, the new handover goes to the top of the list and the oldest one drops off. By going on the ‘live list’, these home owners are saying we are good to do business with. It is a testament to the culture we have created that, in the last seven years, we have handed over more than 120 homes. Every home owner, without exception, has agreed to go on the list. **************************************

CREATING A CULTURE

I am creating a culture in my business that will hopefully have a positive long term effect on my industry in Northland whereby all stakeholders be them client, subcontractor, merchant or staff member enjoy the build process and the ﬁnal outcome. Having a great culture creates loyalty from all the mentioned stakeholders above creating a sustainable environment to work in. This culture will allow us to set higher standards for communication and quality control where we all take an interest in what each other is doing. We have been making strong gains towards this ideal. Past clients are testament to this now and referral business is another positive spin off.

TRUE BLUE NORTHLANDERS

Dean McGonagle and Belinda Vuletich are Northlanders through and through. They are both deeply involved in their community through sport and other activities. Dean is a keen golfer and still plays cricket. Belinda competed in equestrian events in her youth and is now a keen gardener, trying each weekend to get Dean into the garden. “He`s too quick with the saw in the garden though, being a builder, so probably best he stays away.” They love watching the Northland Taniwha rugby team and support the ‘local players ﬁrst’ concept. Northland is in their hearts and minds and they are going nowhere in a hurry!

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE

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Westpac Business Excellence Awards 1993

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got business excellence covered Congratulations to our winning clients in the 2015 Westpac Business Excellence Awards Westpac Business Excellence Awards 1993

Donovans Winner - Supreme EROAD Large Business Cuppacakes Winner - MoreFM Customer Choice Grinter Glass Ltd Winner - Creative Northland in Excellence in Arts Business Ohaeawai Community Education Trust Winner - Northland Regional Council Sustainable Business Award

For winning insurance solutions, talk to the Northland experts: Visit: www.crombielockwood.co.nz 164 Bank Street, Regent, Whangarei or call: 09 430 4870

Image from the awards in 2000

logo

Making Sense of Marketing Every day we meet people who want to be marketing their business more effectively, but are being stretched in every direction, unsure of the best options for promoting their brand and business. Whether you’re selling shoes, boat sails, legal services or complex software systems, it’s important to tell the market you have something to sell, explain why your product or service is best, and even more importantly, show how it is of value to them. Most businesses know marketing is an important factor in their business success, but are too busy managing their company to keep up with changing consumer demands, new technology and the growing options for promoting their brand. In the face of this constant change, it can be hard to know where to start. Branding, online advertising, social media, lead generation, Google Adwords, magazines, TV, direct marketing, photography, YouTube, e-marketing, communications, radio, Analytics, newspapers, packaging and product design, media buying, market research, vehicle branding, trade shows … the list goes on. And then how do you tie it all together?

At Level we believe marketing delivers the best return for your business when there is a strategy in place. It doesn’t have to be two inches thick, or require months of market research. In fact, it can be a one pager that is constantly evolving with your business – and your UkQ[`Od X]` [`f \P OS a`KT` i]kO fSNQ bSQ` jNP\T`PP SW`Q\T^ ZSS[P Z\[` kTa what your business goals are. From there, the team at Level will help you identify how marketing could support your business goals, whether you’re after growth in sales numbers, brand awareness, community engagement, promoting new products or expanding into new markets. V` a`KT` O]` U`PPk^`P O]kO i\ZZ ]`ZR fSN `hRZk\T fSNQ SW`Q\T^ kTa jN\Za a relationship with your customers. We also set marketing targets and measurements, so you can track your success. Once your strategy is sorted, we can also help with delivery, including branding, messaging, digital and print design, website design and development, social media, digital marketing, production and more. X]` bQ\O\bkZ KQPO PO`R \P k bSTM`QPkO\STe where we get to know you and your business. Our goal is to take your business to the next level and we look forward to hearing from you

e: info@thisislevel.nz t: 09 974 8084

Level is a strategy, marketing and design studio, formed by experienced industry professionals in Whangarei. We offer a strategy-based approach to marketing that makes a genuine difference to our clients’ business growth. c`M`ZgP KM` RkQOT`QP kZZ iSQ[ \T the company, direct with clients, so you know you’re dealing with someone who has a stake in both our business, and yours. c`M`Z SW`QP k _NZZ QkT^` of marketing expertise, including strategy, design, communications, production, web and digital marketing within one team.

www.thisislevel.nz

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