Waikato Business News July/August 2019

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PROUDLY SPONSORED BY Independence for all Life Unlimited marked 40 years with an in-service at Hotel Jet Park. See story next page. The name’s been well known as the leading producer of high quality conferences, functions and major events for over 50 years, 1 MONTANA In our sixth decade we continue to evolve and develop but the key difference is still always on the plate, our creative and delicious FOOD We’re also very good at managing all the details that can turn one-off functions or complex conferences into world class, memorable EVENTS 2 4 5 3 1. Life Unlimited administrators Sue Davies, left, and Judy Preston during the celebrations. 2. Life Unlimited chair John Dobson, left, and chief executive Mark Brown, right, with guest speaker Mohamud Mohamed at the Life Unlimited in-service held at Hotel Jet Park, Hamilton Airport, July 4-5, celebrating 40 years of working for Living Independence for Everyone. 3. Guest speaker Stewart Best of Male Support Service, Hamilton, with Altogether Autism national manager Catherine Trezona and PRISM sales and delivery Amanda Phillips. 4. Life Unlimited staff from all over New Zealand gathered for the annual in-service. 5. Celebrating at the Jukebox Diner and Classics Museum in Dinsdale, Hamilton with the Drifters Rock n Roll Club. 6. Mobility scooter service technician Sean Keliher, left, chats with hearing therapist Susan Lennie. 7. The organising committee for the Life Unlimited in-service, from left, Kelly Booth, Todd Stephenson, Judy Preston, Sue Davies, Sally Taylor and Desley Clarke. Seated: Catherine Trezona and Karen Wilton. 6 7 In 2018 we evolved our name to Montana Food and Events to emphasise our continued focus on our Food being the defining difference, plus highlighting our expertise at Event Management. In an instant age, with a multitude of demands the pre, during and post event management can be one of the defining factors of success. Whether your event is a one off function, complex conference with 1,000 delegates or a unique family gathering, our Event Management will guarantee its success. Gate 6, Claudelands Events Centre, Brooklyn Rd, Hamilton 3214 07 839 3459 | info@montanafoodandevents.co.nz | montanafoodandevents.co.nz
WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS July/August 2019 15 All about people, says 40-year stalwart Long-serving Life Unlimited chair John Dobson remembers selling roses on a windswept Victoria Street in the organisation’s early days, and realising things needed to change. Since then the organisation has become more businesslike and extended its reach throughout New Zealand, providing services for people with disabilities. Life Unlimited Charitable Trust marked its 40th birthday in July with more than two thirds of its staff attending a two-day in-service programme at Hamilton Airport’s Hotel Jet Park. Dobson has been a trustee since the organisation’s inception as the Disabled Living Centre (Waikato) Trust in 1979, and became chair in 1991. He told attendees the organisation was founded when three charities looking after various parts of the disability sector decided they needed to work more closely together. That goal proved elusive and the organisation turned to identifying gaps. “It wasn't about repeating what's been done; as long as it's being done well by someone out there and servicing a need we didn't have to be there. So we started off, we ran the total mobility system around Hamilton with vans as taxis with ramps on the back, so we ran that until the taxis took it over, and we got out of it. “That to me is one of the philosophies that has remained with us: don't do it if you don't have to, but if there's a need let's get in there, identify it and make a good job of it.” The approach saw them pick up Hearing Therapy services. “There was a need there; the organisation that was running at the time had got into a little bit of strife,” he said. “The beauty of that service is strategically it gave us a footprint across New Zealand, and it's been the springboard for a number of other services we've been able to successfully provide.” That kind of business acumen has driven the organisation, with a step shift coming when they realised street bucket collections weren’t going to be sufficient. “I remember selling roses in Victoria St every year, and the wind would be whistling up bloody Victoria St and you'd be begging people to put some money in a bucket. We soon realised we weren't going to make a difference if we followed that philosophy. So we became more businesslike.” The organisation made an important appointment, Adri Isbister as chief executive. “Adri was a young woman who came to us with no experience, an absolutely amazing person. We took a punt on her, and we said, we want to make this self-sustaining, go away and get us some income-earning businesses, which we've done.” The name was changed to Life Unlimited in 1997 to reflect the wider scope of services provided. In 2006, Life Unlimited won the Westpac Waikato Business of the Year award. Dobson remembered looking at the graph they put in with their application, showing their revenue growing over six years from about $300,000 to $6 million, and profitability also increasing. “We spent every damn cent of that money on good causes, which is great.” It’s been a long journey since the organisation got its start in a house rented off council for $40 a week. “You would have a board meeting in the back and if you dropped a marble on the floor as you got up from the table it would beat you to the front door. it was a shocking building, but it pulled us all together and gave us a home. “We've got a lot more businesslike about the way we do things and I don't think that's bad. We've got to be careful that we're still a caring organisation. it's all very well to be businesslike but if you forget about people you've lost your plot. The people are at all levels, they are our customers, they are our funders, and more importantly our people within the organisation.” As a not for profit organisation Life Unlimited’s responsibility is to people who access its services which includes: · Needs assessment service coordination in the Hutt Valley and Gisborne. · Free and independent national Hearing Therapy services. · Disability and autism information and advice. · Waikato community programmes for people with disabilities. · An extensive range of products through its Mobility Centre stores in Lower Hutt, Hamilton, Tauranga, Gisborne and Rotorua. “What underpins it for me is the word ‘equality’.” Dobson said. “I think everyone should have the same opportunities in this society and that's what we've got to work to.” Chair John Dobson, left, receives a 40th anniversary certificate from chief executive Mark Brown. Don’t spend money on marketing… unless you really know where it will take you It’s easy to be tempted by the latest gizmos or by what sounds like a great media discount. But without a clear direction, you could be travelling the wrong path. A common-sense approach to building your brand and telling your story. Do you need to step back and reassess if your brand looks and feels right for your business? Do your marketing activities genuinely fit with your goals or your changing marketplace? If you have any doubts that your brand or marketing strategies are right for your business, let’s get you back on track. dugmorejones.co.nz Life Unlimited building shortly after completion. m. 0274 896 151 vicki@dugmorejones.co.nz DON’T DEMOLISH your old house RELOCATE and give it another life! 0800 572 3771 www.relocatablehouses.co.nz Ask us how! Be part of the housing solution rather than the problem. Don’t pay for demolition, make cash. Keep your house out of landfill.
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