Businesses

Starting a Business

Napier City Council's Economic Development Department tailors packages to assist in setting up, relocating or growing businesses. As Economic Development Manager points out: "Everyone's needs are different, so what people need is what we deliver."

The turnkey service (which doesn't include grants) may call for an investigation into a business proposition, for example, information gathering, a cash flow forecast, a business plan and/or other advice or support.

BIZinfo kiosk

As from 1 October 2010, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and Technology New Zealand has contracted the Hawke's Bay Regional Partnership programme to a grouping of the Hawkes Bay Chamber of Commerce, Venture Hawke's Bay, the Maori Business Network and Napier City Council Economic Development Department. The services include:

• Business capability assessments
• Identified training (50% subsidised)
• Developing business skills, operational management
• Technology grant applications
• Product design, research and development
• Systems for controlling quality

Business Refocus

Designed to rebuild companies, this ratepayer-funded programme primarily targets businesses experiencing some form of trading difficulty. Like other services offered by the department, this is a free and confidential service.

Business owners are guided through a process to pinpoint what specific help is needed for their individual situation. Economic Development Department staff look at balance sheets, where the company is going and how it got there.

If the business is experiencing difficulties, advice and support will centre on how to address the issues and minimise losses, both for the business and for unsecured creditors.

If the business is managing but could do better, the department's staff will look at its business model to consider, for example, ways of improving financial management systems or marketing strategies.

The Economic Development Department handles around 30 such cases a year and more in tight economic times.

Business Mentors New Zealand

Eminent New Zealand businessman Sir James Fletcher developed the model for this one-to-one mentoring service available to businesses nationwide. The private sector business attracts some funding from New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, and the Government department selects agencies throughout New Zealand. Napier City Council's Economic Development Department has the franchise contract for the mentor matching service in Hawke's Bay.

Independent volunteer mentors are business people committed to sharing their skills, knowledge and experience. Their specialist areas of expertise are diverse - it might be in farming, horticulture, accounting or marketing, for example.

The service is available to any local business that has been operating for at least six months and employs less than 25 full-time staff. A fee of $150 plus GST applies and entitles clients to use the mentoring service for two years.

The department handles between 50-100 Business Mentoring inquiries a year.