NZBusiness+Management

what a mess! (now let’s sort it)

Well, there we were, literally minding our own businesses, when out of the blue emerged an unprecedented global catastrophe. Here at NZBusiness we were well on the way towards compiling our first bumper Quarterly issue for 2020 when we all suddenly went into lockdown and, for business owners, all hell broke loose. Understandably the Covid-19 crisis has resulted in considerable disruption for the majority of our readers – not to mention the magazine’s publication. However, while this issue is not quite the bumper one we originally planned, we are still delivering more pages than our previous monthly editions, and a wider variety of insightful articles designed to help you get back on your feet and work to (re)grow your business. Please bear in mind that much of this issue’s content, while still highly relevant…

david awards succumb to virus

Just as the organisers of the David Awards were planning the launch of this year’s competition, along came the Covid-19 virus to scuttle those plans at the last minute. Reluctantly the David Awards have been cancelled for 2020. “The consensus amongst the organisers and judges is that most small businesses will be in survival mode for some months to come,” says lead organiser Glenn Smith. “All of our potential entrants will no doubt be 100 percent focused on their own staff and survival. “But New Zealand’s most-loved small business awards will be back bigger than ever in 2021,” he says. The David Awards recognise and celebrate business owners who display sheer grit, courage and ingenuity while growing their businesses. Just as David did against Goliath, this nation’s business owners seriously punch above their weight,…

online market lifeline for f&b producers

Maker2u, the online farmers market which launched on 23rd March, is providing much needed new sales to artisan food and beverage producers that had other sales channels collapse with Covid-19. The farmers market has more than 220 stores from small producers of food, drinks and other goods, and it’s free for approved makers to set up a store. Shoppers buy direct from the maker and goods are sent by courier. Maker2u.com was created by Canterbury couple Hamish and Suzy Hutton to help friends with small businesses get more of the final retail price of their products than they were getting from the supermarket duopoly. “It took two years to build maker2u.com and Maker2uCellar.com," says Hamish. "We were planning to launch mid-2020, but with Covid-19 hitting our makers’ exports and hospitality sales so…

new platform connects kiwis to experts

Voluntarily is a new volunteer-built web platform connecting Kiwis to experts for any service needed – and for free. The goal is to unite the country with kindness through technology in the face of Covid-19. The concept was imagined by Vend founder Vaughan Fergusson and Zoe Timbrell, co-founder of the Pam Fergusson Charitable Trust, a charity that focuses on enabling Kiwi children to have access to, and a passion for, technology. Current events have made it abundantly clear that a website safely connecting people across the country to deliver a service to those who need it was an essential, and very Kiwi response to the situation every New Zealander currently finds themselves in. With the support of Datacom, Spark, Westpac, Xero, the Ministry of Education, ATEED and the Innovation Fund, Voluntarily enables Kiwis…

free tool boosts digital knowhow

Auckland’s economic development agency ATEED, in partnership with social enterprise Digital Journey, has launched a free online tool to help local businesses boost their digital know-how, including guidance on remote working, e-commerce, and increasing their online presence to make it easier for customers to find them. The tool enables SMEs that use little digital technology to complete an online assessment and get a free customised digital action plan, focusing on their website, online marketing and/or digital business tools. The assessments, action plans and linked online resources help businesses find out about digital technology that can especially help them in these difficult times. To access the tool go to: https://ateed.assessment.nz/…

experts there to help

The Business Survival Support Volunteers organisation (BSSV) has been formed to help medium-sized businesses struggling with the impact of Covid-19. Founder Debra Chantry says they are a diverse group of experienced professional executives with a wide range of skills, stepping up to volunteer free support and assistance. “Most big businesses usually have the resources and skills to weather sudden economic impacts,” she says. “Many medium-sized businesses, however, don’t have the same access to the expertise that they need right now, if they are to survive with the least amount of long term damage.” At BSSV.org business owners can request assistance or professional executives can sign up as volunteers. “There are plenty of sites offering free webinars and resources, but this is about human connection and having your own unique questions answered by professionals who…