Commerce Comment April/May 2012 - Nelson Tasman Chamber of ...

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Annual Report: 2011 in Review 2011 has seen the Chamber position itself more closely at the centre of business activity in the region. As a result, membership has remained strong (at around 500 businesses), the levels of attendance at functions and events has remained high, and we introduced a new series of workshops and information sharing sessions for business owners. The attached graphs illustrate the strength of the Chamber – with a stable membership (44% of our members have been with the Chamber for over 5 years) representative of the businesses in our region (83% of members are true “SME” businesses, with less than 11 full time staff). Levels of engagement by members continues to climb, with the attached graph showing average attendance levels at the BNZ Partners Business After Five reach 87 business people! There was plenty of fun last year, including over 700 businesses participating in the Long Lunch down the centre of Trafalgar Street. And there has been plenty of hard work on key issues facing the region. The refocusing of our advocacy work through an Infrastructure Group (chaired by Gary Stocker, Knapps Lawyers) and the on-going work of the Regional Issues Group (chaired by Mike McMellon, Pitt & Moore) has seen significant challenging of local government priorities and a clearer voice for business. A key issue has been the Local Government Commission’s examination of the call for a combined Nelson Tasman District. The benefits of amalgamation from a business point of view are clear – certainty and consistency of decision making based on one regional plan will lead to cost savings for business owners, better take up of regional opportunities and minimisation of duplication of effort. Whatever the final governance arrangements, the Chamber will continue to advocate strongly for business and work to achieve a more business friendly environment. The late Sir Paul Callaghan, the keynote speaker at Aspire 2011, inspired conference attendees to ensure our region is a place where talented people choose to live. That challenge has underpinned much of the Chamber’s advocacy role this year as we have focused on ensuring Council use of rate payer funds is focused on creating an environment conducive to business investment and prosperity. The redesign of our website in 2011, commerce.org.nz makes it easier for members and the wider business community to access the latest business information, identify where to go for advice and find out the services offered by our members. The business directory has emerged as the most visited page and the upgrade listing available makes those members stand out. Another significant development in 2011 was the partnership with the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce and the Nelson Regional Economic Development Agency, to become the Regional Business Partner for the Top of the South. Our role is to work with business owners to improve their business capability and achieve their growth plans. Over 100 businesses took advantage of the free business assessment and the “Where to” Workshops and we issued 38 vouchers for business capability training. Our sincere thanks to the experienced business people who have shared their expertise at these workshops – Mike McMellon, Rob Lane and Nick Mason from Pitt & Moore, Chris Butler from CB Marketing, Ian Williams, Summary of 2011 Membership Length Average attendance at bnz partners business after 5 one to five years 37% Less than one year 19% 100 80 60 40 ten+ years six to ten years 26% 20 8 18% Commerce Comment 0 2007 2009 2011
Testimonials Alan Hinton and David Hill. Thanks also to the support from Paul Rosanowski of WHK with our “mobile business assessment” service. The 24th Business Awards were once again a showcase of business excellence in the region – with Jennian Homes taking out the Westpac Supreme Award in the face of very strong competition from all categories. Thank you to Westpac, principal sponsor and to all the Business Awards sponsors and to the judges, Rob Howie (Westpac), Alan Hinton, Gary Stocker (Knapps Lawyers), and John Inglis – who after many many years of judging the awards has taken a leave of absence! 2011 has been another challenging year and the Board and CEO thank the staff for their on-going enthusiasm and energy. The Chamber is especially grateful for the support of all our sponsors. Particular tribute is paid to our cornerstone sponsors – Air Nelson, Bowater Motor Group, Gen I, The Nelson Mail, Port Nelson and WHK. Your steadfast support for the Chamber has enabled us to deliver real benefits for our members and for the wider business community. 2012 is shaping up to be a year full of promise and the Chamber looks forward to working with you to achieve your business goals. Gerard Praat President Dot Kettle Chief Executive The confirmed board members for the 2012/2013 year are: Gerard Praat President Gillian Wratt Board Member Craig Dennis Past President Darryl Wilson Board Member John Murray Vice President Lees Seymour Board Member Chris Bowater Board Member Patrick Smith Board Member “I have been working with the Chamber in Nelson since the beginning of my business Oxygen Skincare, which has now been operating for three years. I have always found the staff a great friendly group whom are always willing to help whenever they can, its great to have a resource like the Chamber to gain help, knowledge and assistance within the business arena, and at the Chamber no request is ever too big or to small, a great team all with a good knowledge of the business environment.” – Alana Riley, Oxygen Skincare Ltd “Becoming a member of the Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce has been invaluable for my business. Attending Chamber events has raised the profile of Jennian Homes within the business community and created new opportunities for growth and enterprise.“ “My staff and I have benefited from the networking opportunities and motivational speeches by business leaders offered at Chamber events.” “Winning three awards at last year’s Chamber Business Awards has really set us apart from our competitors, and we continue to benefit from positive referrals within the business community. I encourage every business to participate in the annual awards. The process offers a valuable insight into your business and areas for improvement. My business continues to reap the benefits year on year.” – Simon Collett, Jennian Homes 2011 members’ staff numbers forty+ Staff 7% sole trader 33% “Pitt & Moore has a long standing relationship with the Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce. We value the Chamber’s work in promoting and advancing the interests of business in the Nelson Tasman Region. We acknowledge the benefits that come from membership and recognise that the greater your involvement with Chamber activities, the greater those benefits are. Pitt & Moore is a Communication Sponsor for the Chamber and in 2011 sponsored Chamber initiatives giving local business the opportunity to leverage off international rugby at Trafalgar Park.” eleven to forty staff 10% two to ten staff 50% Michael McMellon, Partner Pitt & Moore “Being a member of the chamber - it was a no brainer really. Like minded business people associating and doing business with each other. Gaining the respect and trust that can only be done face to face which leads to opportunities. You then get the chance to prove yourself. All these little steps become easy being a member of the Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce with fantastic support from the chamber team.” Paul Brockie – Brockie Renovations Ltd, Absolute Energy Ltd www.commerce.org.nz 9
Page 1 and 2: Commerce Comment To advance busines
Page 3 and 4: Employment Relations Advice New Ser
Page 5 and 6: Salmon: business growth of national
Page 7: NMIT students help strengthen China
Page 11 and 12: meet the members Brockie Renovation
Page 13 and 14: meet the members Pottering About Po
Page 15 and 16: The Importance of Saving Sue Bupara

Commerce Comment April/May 2012 - Nelson Tasman Chamber of ...

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