BIZ

BIZ is a specialist business information service for small to medium businesses (SMEs). BIZ assists you identify organisations, people, training programmes and resources to help develop your business, as well as contacts and information on government and non-government services.

To access BIZ Services

Contact BIZ freephone 0800 42 49 46.
Access information through the BIZ website www.biz.org.nz. The site provides:

• important regulatory information, including quick help with taxes, ACC, workplace safety and employing staff
• information on training
• other resources useful when starting up, running, growing or closing down a business.

Contact 

Roslyn Hoskins
Marketing & Economic Development Office
Whakatane Information Centre
Private Bag 1002, Whakatane 3080
Telephone: 07 308 6722
Fax: 07 308 6020
Email: Roslyn.Hoskins@whakatane.govt.nz 

Business Mentoring Service

Business in the community

Small business owners can become very isolated - without peers or colleagues to talk to about their company and often are too busy with day-to-day operational details to take stock. Many lose sight of the need to assess their business 'from a distance' and frequently forget their original goals and plans.

An experienced business mentor can help refocus or offer specific advice. Business mentors are coaches, not consultants. They do not take the place of existing professional advisers, and in fact often recommend clients develop a closer relationship with their accountant, bank manager or other professional service suppliers. Mentoring programmes offer expertise in a range of areas of business management - matching clients with mentors depending on the knowledge and skills required.

If you seek a business mentor you will be connected with an empathetic, experienced person to talk to about the challenges and difficulties you face. This process should help you identify strategies and opportunities for growth, helping you to gain confidence in your ability to plan and manage a venture, meet new challenges, and help you learn how to obtain the skills necessary for achieving your desired results.  Business mentors provide their service on a voluntary basis.

To find out more please visit www.businessmentor.org.nz or contact the national office on (09) 525 0380.
To apply for a mentor phone 0800 103 400 or 0508 103 400 or visit www.businessmentor.org.nz.

Enterprise Training

The New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) Enterprise Training Programme (ETP) is aimed at upskilling the owners and operators of small and medium enterprises to help them develop and grow their businesses.

The Enterprise Training Programme is delivered by specialist training providers throughout New Zealand. In the Eastern Bay of Plenty the training provider is the Marketing & Economic Development Office of the Whakatane District Council, situated on the cnr of Quay Street and Kakahoroa Drive, Whakatane.

Eligibility

The Enterprise Training Programme is open to owners and operators of New Zealand small to medium enterprises (SMEs) employing less than 20 full-time staff. Assistance is available to businesses and entrepreneurs who want to learn about investment capital for expansion, diversifying, or commercialising a new concept. Specific training is also available to trustees/ potential trustees and managers of Maori trusts and other Maori organisations managing Maori assets in multiple ownership.

Maori Trustee Training

Maori Trustee Training is offered to the trustees, potential trustees and managers of Maori trusts and other Maori organisations managing Maori assets under multiple ownership. The programme comprises eight topics developed by NZTE as a national curriculum.

Cost

The Enterprise Training Programme is fully funded by the Government via New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. Your investment is your time, effort and commitment.

What is offered

1. Needs Assessment
You will begin the Enterprise Training Programme with a one-on-one session with your local provider who will work with you to assess your needs, identify the management skills you require and develop a plan to help you acquire those particular skills. This may also include referrals to other programmes or organisations.

2. Group Training
Group training includes workshops, seminars and courses aimed at transferring skills and knowledge in a range of areas of business management.
All the workshops are designed so you leave with ideas, knowledge and tips you can actually implement in your business.
Topics covered in group training include:

• Business planning
• Finance
• Managing resources
• Investment ready
• Marketing strategies
• Business systems
• Introduction to exporting

3. Follow-up Coaching
One-on-one follow-up coaching may be available to workshop attendees to help implement the skills, ideas and knowledge gained in the group training.

4. Online Training and Distance Learning
If you are unable to attend group training, online training and distance learning courses are available.

What are the benefits?

Some of the benefits noted by Enterprise Training Programme participants include:

• One-on-one assessment session ensures subsequent training programme is tailored appropriately
• Practical learning using real business examples
• Sharing of ideas, knowledge and tips
• Small numbers in training groups encourages participation
• Customised training (where possible) ensures content is relevant and desired outcomes achieved
• Opportunity to network with like-minded business people
• Follow-up coaching assists the implementation of skills and application of knowledge and ensures subsequent questions/needs are addressed.
  

Contact

Roslyn Hoskins
Marketing & Economic Development Office
Whakatane Information Office
Private Bag 1002, Whakatane 3080
Telephone: 07 308 6722
Fax: 07 308 6020
Email: Roslyn.Hoskins@whakatane.govt.nz