Big Ideas For Small Business

25 August 2004
PR 172/04
Big Ideas For Small Business

The Small Business Advisory Group has produced some excellent ideas to encourage growth of small businesses such as farms, said Charlie Pedersen, Vice President of Federated Farmers of New Zealand (Inc).

The group issued its first annual report on Wednesday.

Mr Pedersen said that farmers are often frustrated by the myriad of rules and regulations a small business has to deal with.

"Compliance costs are an enormous drain on the ability of farmers to focus their effort on their core business. Many of the Small Business Advisory Group's recommendations tackle this problem head on," Mr Pedersen said.

"One stand out recommendation suggests a probation period for new employees. During that time if the employee is dismissed, the employee cannot take a personal grievance case.

"Employing staff, especially the unskilled and inexperienced, can be a huge risk for farmers. Making it less complex to dismiss unsuitable staff will encourage farmers to take on the inexperienced and provide greater opportunities for young people."

Another recommendation is to ensure that all business-related legislation and regulations come into effect on only one or two pre-determined days a year.

"This would be a help for farmers who get fed up spending so much time learning new rules and regulations. Hardly a week goes by without another new rule popping up. Getting changes done in one hit is a better option," Mr Pedersen said.

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