'Business Box’ Comes to Rodney

Rodney businesses now have the opportunity to take advantage of Business Box, a business development training programme recently piloted by Rodney Economic Development Trust (REDT) which has proven highly successful with local firms.

REDT will be offering a programme of subsidised ‘Business Box’ training courses from 4th August in Orewa and the 5th August in Warkworth. The courses are suitable for both small and large businesses of all types.

The course content will cover all of the essential skills that businesses need to survive and prosper in today’s competitive environment. Businesses who sign up for the course will attend six to eight sessions on topics such as marketing, business planning, service delivery, staff retention, financial management, and staff productivity.

There are three workstreams - Business Improvement (for companies employing 2 – 7 employees), Hospitality Sector (for companies employing over 3 employees and active in the tourism/hospitality sector), and Leadership & Management (for companies employing over 7 staff and open to owners or team leaders) . There are a maximum of 12 businesses in each workstream, and networking and interaction with other businesses forms an important part of the learning process. Businesses receive workbooks and templates that they can take away with them and use in their workplace.

All of the courses are delivered by business and sector experts and after the sessions have been completed, business specialists will be available to offer advice and support on how the practical application of new ideas can be implemented.

The courses will assist businesses in preparing themselves to take advantage of the opportunities associated with the influx of visitors expected in the Auckland region next year as the Rugby World Cup kicks off, and ensure that they are in a strong position to embrace the economic upturn.

It is hoped that ‘Business Box’ will become a national programme, having already been trialled by over 20 local Rodney businesses, who recently completed the course and were presented with plaques to celebrate their success by Rodney Mayor, Penny Webster.

One of the ‘graduates’ from the programme was On-Site Engineering from Warkworth. “The Business Box offered by the REDT has been a fantastic way to network with other like-minded business people and has offered a huge range of information; from clearly defining technical competencies and planning for a sustainable business, to staff development and retention, and KPIs,” says Natasha Hallam from On-Site Engineering.

“All the information has been invaluable in helping us build on the growth we have had and to help develop the processes and skills to continue to be leaders in our field,” she adds.

Another business who took part in the pilot programme was Beachview Rest Home. Business Owner Jenny Mackenzie, who employs 17 staff at the Rest Home, found the Business Box sessions very informative and well presented. She says the sessions on marketing, communication and staff development were very beneficial, and she has learnt more about marketing and staff retention techniques, which she has applied to her business with good results.

Jenny appreciated the support that working in a group environment provided. “There was a lot of support for each other and our individual problems.”

Simply Delicious Catering was another of the businesses to participate in the pilot programme, and their support in providing the venue for the celebration event at no cost was appreciated. Smashing Gifts of Kumeu also heavily discounted the production of the plaques which the successful businesses were presented with.

The Business Box programme offers not only training, but membership to the Business Box support network, so that individual businesses can stay connected with other members of the groups they trained with and also in the future with other businesses participating in the course throughout New Zealand, sharing information and ideas.

As part of the programme, businesses will participate in a series of 90 minute workshops delivered in either Orewa or Warkworth. The Leadership & Management workshops are held between 8.00am and 9.30am, Hospitality between 3.30pm and 5pm, and Business Improvement between 5.30pm and 7pm. Prior to starting workshops, businesses spend time discussing, on a one to one basis, what their expectations are, and what workstream will best meet their needs.

The total cost for attending the sessions is $240. The cost is subsidised by the Rodney Economic Development Trust and works out at just $30 for each of the eight sessions, providing excellent value. Payment can also be made in four instalments of $65 each.

The Business Box programme is hosted by the Rodney Economic Development Trust, with support from Innovative Business Systems and Rodney District Council.

Brochures with information about the Business Box course, together with enrolment forms, are available online at www.bizrodney.com. Further information can also be obtained by contacting the Rodney Economic Development Trust on 09 427 9475.

Upcoming ‘Business Box’ Start Dates:
4 August – Fortnightly sessions commence in Orewa.
5 August – Fortnightly sessions commence in Warkworth.