CDC workshops aimed at increasing regional prosperity

Canterbury Development Corporation is looking for companies with a serious focus on growth to sign up for a new series of “Fast-Track” workshops.

Canterbury Development Corporation Programme Development Co-ordinator Emily Branthwaite says the workshops are aimed at businesses within priority sectors; “those with the greatest economic potential for the region”.

Over the past 30 years, the Christchurch economic development agency has worked with every type of business, from start-ups, to Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs), high technology firms and big players like the Pratt & Whitney Engine Centre at Christchurch Airport.

A restructuring late last year has meant CDC is now focused on high growth potential businesses and is directing domestically focused businesses and those with more modest  aspirations to other agencies such as the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Enterprise Centre.

“We’ve dedicated our resources to that next level of the market – high growth companies that have outgrown their internal management capability.  They might need some assistance to get to the next level, or they’re looking at how to deal with offshore markets, employing extra staff, looking for how to find investors and that sort of thing.”

Ms Branthwaite says an investment of time is required to participate in the courses.  The CDC team completes an assessment with the business, to make sure every participant in each workshop is at the right stage to make the most of the learning.

Key priority sectors for Canterbury identified by CDC include Specialised Manufacturing; Agri-business; Information & Communications Technology (ICT or IT); Medical Technologies; Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods; and International Education.  Sector leaders in these areas are developing roadmaps for the various industries, to illuminate pathways to growth, identify any barriers and consider CDC interventions to mitigate the barriers or assist growth

Patrick Rottiers of Pro Consulting International is currently running a series of Contract Negotiation workshops.  Other topics scheduled for the next couple of months include:  Strategic Public Relations, Sales Techniques and Tactics, Marketing Master Class, Transforming Business, Digital Strategy and Social Media.

A full list of Fast-Track workshops is available on the CDC website:  www.cdc.org.nz

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