Business E-News May 2011

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Business E-News May 2011

We welcome Yvette Hellyer who has been appointed as Business Development Manager South. Yvette will manage our staff in the Manukau and Franklin offices, as we continue to support local businesses with assistance and advice, capability development, mentoring, networking and events.

Do you know a young entrepreneur? Someone under the age of 35 who is successfully building their own business, or an employee who has had an outstanding impact on the success of a business?

Do you know a company that’s good at heart? An organisation that demonstrates evidence of a clearly articulated and widely communicated Business Social Responsibility strategy embedded in the company’s business plan, together with examples of policies or projects that positively impact on the local community in terms of the environment, local employment, local education or charitable work.

Nominations our now open for these two awards in the Westpac Auckland South Business Awards: Don't wait, nominate! Download the registration forms>>

This Issue:
> Last call for awards entries
> Starting a new business? Starting Off Right programme
> Winning business plan
> Practical business advice available
> Eco smart business programme
> Awards Sponsor: Brookfields
> EMA courses
> One million Kiwis aren't counted - Make sure you count

Last call for awards entries
With a month until entries close there’s still time to get involved in the Westpac Auckland South Business Awards.

Entering the awards can energise and motivate your staff, differentiate your business to stimulate growth, benchmark your business against competitors, and showcase your success to clients, suppliers, your team and local businesses.

The New Zealand Herald, who sponsor the Small Business of the Year Award, are offering $3000 of free advertising to all small businesses (10 employees or less) who become category finalists.

An entry pack can be downloaded from our website. Or, contact our Business Events Advisor, Claudine Murray, to arrange a visit to your business to talk through the process.
For more information >>

Starting a new business? Starting Off Right programme
Register now for a workshop: 11 May, 13 July (Manukau), 8 June (Pukekohe) - 11.00am to 2.30pm. (Workshops are held on the second Wednesday of each month).

The Starting Off Right programme is for people considering starting a new business. It's important to start off right. Many new businesses struggle due to a variety of challenges that could have been avoided or handled better.

Starting Off Right is a seminar to empower, inform and help networking for start-up businesses. It will provide information about the many concerns business owners have when starting a business.

For more information or to register >>

Winning business plan
Enter the ANZ Flying Start Business Plan competition and you could win a $60,000 prize package.

Are you a start-up business ready to grow? This competition is open to all businesses with less than $1 million annual turnover, including those with a business idea they want to get off the ground.

For entry information >>

Practical business advice available
The business mentors program offers new and established businesses practical advice on how to enhance their business.

With a large number of experienced volunteer mentors distinguished in import-export, strategic planning, business processes, franchising and web-based ventures, the programme matches your business with the mentor that’s right for you.

For more information >>

Eco smart business programme
The Eco smart business programme helps businesses to create a competitive advantage, show your supply chain you care about the environment, improve efficiency and save money. The programme comprises:
• Five guided workshops (23 June to 4 Nov) making sustainability simple
• Environmental management tools
• Optional subsidised business upgrades
• Eco Warranty certification that also prepares you for ISO 14001 certification (ISO audit not included in the programme)
A subsidy is offered to the first 50 businesses that sign up this year
For more information >>

Awards Sponsor: Brookfields
Brookfields is proud to sponsor the Employer of Choice category for the 2011 Westpac Auckland South Business Awards. As a category sponsor for many years, we are proud to be associated with a forum that recognises and rewards business excellence.

Brookfields has a strong history of providing first class legal services. Our people pride themselves on the quality of those services and the friendly, welcoming way in which we deal with our clients.

Our lawyers are experts in a wide range of legal practice areas. They are committed to staying at the forefront of legal developments, and work across teams and sectors to ensure the best legal advice for each client and situation.

Brookfields' philosophy is to work with our clients, not just for them. Our aim is to provide legal solutions that are practical, efficient and cost-effective, and in doing so, we help our clients achieve their objectives.

For more information >>

EMA courses
Employers and Manufacturers Association conduct a series of training courses at our Manukau premises. The Manukau training courses for May include:
• Health & Safety Representative Training Stage 1 – Manufacturing
• Health & Safety Representative Training Stage 2 – Workplace
• Employment Relations Act 2000 & Employment Agreements
• Payroll Legislation Essentials
• Payroll Calculations

For more information or to register >>

One million Kiwis aren't counted - Make sure you count
Every Kiwi Counts

Help build a better understanding of Kiwis who live overseas by helping Kea New Zealand keep in touch with offshore New Zealanders. They are some of our most talented people and they have enormous potential to contribute to the country but are excluded from New Zealand's official statistics.

Send your contacts overseas the link below to complete the Every Kiwi Counts 'census' now to help them stay connected. Their story will be included in the largest-ever study of New Zealanders overseas and they'll go in the draw to win great prizes.

Every Kiwi Counts 'census' link >>

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