Wellington Today Issue 72

Issue 72 | June/July 2010

News | Initiatives | Interviews | Personalities | Information | Success | Profiles | Finance | Property | Sustainability | Export | Transport | Retail | Solutions | ISSN 1173-1524

Dollars &Sense

Corporate responsibility Consumers are catching on. Are you?

Is bigger better? Evaluating the relationship between size and success

State of default The rising rate of loan payment failure

Cutting your losses Everyone admires tenacity, but too much can be costly

Dr Alan Bollard on safely steering our economy into a new era of optimism

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Wellington Today | June/July 2010 | 3

ARE YOU THINKINGABOUT CHANGING JOBSIN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS?CONFUCIUS SAYS:

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4 | Wellington Today | June/July 2010

13 Cover story Reserve Bank Governor Dr Alan Bollard talks about safely steering our economy into a new era of optimism

15Corporate responsibilityThe modern face of best business practise means operating with a social conscience — and consumers are catching on

20Products 4U A collection of techno treats that add interest to daily life

9State of default The rising rate of loan payment failure

11Is bigger better? Evaluating the relationship between business size and success

News6 Activating imaginationsgiving commercial concepts and their masterminds the wings to fly

6 When your accountant calls the bookkeeping service that comes to you

7 Capital investment Wellington tourism looks set to soar, but are we ready for the numbers that will be arriving?

7 Cutting your losses everyone admires tenacity — but is too much of a good thing hurting you?

11 Events diarywhat’s on and where to arm yourself with information

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Corporate responsibility 15 Fad or fact?a genuine attempt to do the right thing, or a bid to gain customer popularity?

16 Make meaning and money will come why doing good means doing well 16 Staying safe creating friendly workplaces

17 Carbon Copysizing up your carbon footprint

17 Cleaning up your act reducing your environmental impact

Viewpoints14 Tech Talk• Reducing IT costs • Is your website search engine friendly?

Business Features10 Underground Artsthe business of body art

21 Export Wellington Regional Council and RPS Switchgear

23 Solutions AV2U, Seaview Blasting, Basil Jones Metal Spinners and On Tap

26 Business Development Bordeaux Bakery

27 Property & Construction Bachler Deck, Paremata Swimming Pool Builders and MC2 Group

30 Focus Aztech Engineers

32 Initiatives Brightworks Stainless and Clarkson Electrical

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Wellington Today Issue 72

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Issue 72 | June/July 2010

News | Initiatives | Interviews | Personalities | Information | Success | Profiles | Finance | Property | Sustainability | Export | Transport | Retail | Solutions | ISSN 1173-1524

Dollars &Sense

Corporate responsibility Consumers are catching on. Are you?

Is bigger better? Evaluating the relationship between size and success

State of default The rising rate of loan payment failure

Cutting your losses Everyone admires tenacity, but too much can be costly

Dr Alan Bollard on safely steering our economy into a new era of optimism

32Stainless solutionsBrightworks Stainless can design and build virtually any high-quality stainless steel product you’d ever want. And this encompasses a lot…


Molly is an innocent child, but she faces a cruel future. She is an orphan and lives with her grandmother in a Nairobi slum. Her grandmother is sick and dying. Soon Molly could be completely alone. She’ll have no home. No way to live. And no one to care for her.

Without help from someone like you, Molly will join the other street orphans who live in packs, scavenging for food in the rubbish. She’ll suffer from hunger, cold and exploitation. Or worse, she won’t survive at all.

You can help rescue an orphan like Molly from a life of struggle and despair for just $20 a month, just 66 cents a day. Your regular gift will help to provide the clean water, food and care these vulnerable children urgently need.

Children like Molly are all alone in the world, and they are waiting to be rescued.

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News

By Kate Pierson

It’s time to activate your imagination, engage your lateral thinking, exercise your ingenuity and get your professional adrenalin going. Why? Because Grow Wellington has an innovative initiative to lead you on a professional adventure. Designed by Grow Wellington’s incubator Creative HQ, the Activate programme is giving start-up businesses, commercial concepts and their masterminds the wings to fly. Having recognised that Wellington is not only home to a hive of the political kind, but also to a swarm of talented business brains, Creative HQ created a vehicle to facilitate and nurture this talent.

From newbie novices in pursuit of entrepreneurial experience to feed a creative concept, to experienced professionals moving into new and unfamiliar businesses territory, Activate is liberating imagination and creating “Activists”. Since its inception in 2008, Activate has guided 130 companies and individuals through the programme, helping them to mobilise and market their concepts and ideas. Manager of the Activate programme, Rewa Tomlinson says the programme’s core elements are tailored according to the participants. “The people that come to us are also not necessarily in business. Essentially, Activate is about testing and validating an idea,” she adds.

As an intensive four month programme, Activate integrates 16 core modules, including two strategic bootcamps, which prescribe to specific validation and development processes. “We give candidates a good basic skill-set which provides

them with financial and legal knowledge and an understanding about intellectual property and governance,” Tomlinson says.

The Activate programme is specifically designed to: Develop ideas

Sharpen acumen

Test resolve

Develop networks

Hone social skills

Challenge assumptions

Inspire creativity.

Working with industry specialists, mentors and Activate staff, eight entrepreneurs will undertake a series of strategic challenges within the Activate course.

Upon acceptance, participants are presented with their first mission and a set of workshop materials to get started. Regular homework assignments are delegated thereafter.

The programme is organised into weekly workshops which run for two to four hours each week. One-on-one contact with a mentor is arranged for two hours per fortnight and time with the Activate partners is also scheduled.

Successful ‘graduate’German-born graphic designer Ellen Giggenbach, founder of ELLEN.G bags and cushions, is one of many Activists who is now “living the dream,” Tomlinson says. By going through the Activate programme, Giggenbach was able to establish a business model that reflected her professional preferences.

When your

accountantcalls

By Melinda Collins

It’s said the only certainties in life are death and taxes — and for many small business owners the former is almost the more preferable. This reaction to the dreaded ‘T’ word is what sparked Go Fi8ure, a mobile financial service, based in Wellington and servicing the lower North Island.

Established in 2003, director Lisa Martin says Go Fi8ure is an accountant with a difference for small to medium enterprises. The difference is, they come to you, as opposed to you gathering up your accounts and going to them.

Perhaps the biggest advantage is the elimination of the risk of paying for time that isn’t dedicated to your cause. “We are the financial controller, but the difference is, if there’s only eight hours of work we’re not twiddling our thumbs for the other 32,” Martin says.

Finance and compliance are crucial to business success but many small businesses find these tasks difficult, confusing and infuriating so they leave them — to the detriment of their success. Many people go into business to do something they love and are good at but are confused by the financial data they have to deal with, Martin says. “They are perpetually bombarded about being financially compliant; they hate it, they can’t focus on what they do really well and they wonder why they got into business — I’m fulfilling that function for them.”

She says it’s all about helping clients get the financial basics right, then they can continue to grow the business. “How

many of them got into business to be a book keeper?” she asks rhetorically of New Zealand’s SMEs.

And she says the return on the investment is mind boggling. “I’m not a mechanic, so if my car breaks down I’m not about to go and tinker around with it. I can take it to a professional and get it fixed for half the cost in half the time.

“Cashflow and finances are what I consider the lifeblood of a business. If you’ve got blocked arteries, you’re unfit and cutting corners, your body feels it. If the blood stops pumping around, you’ve got major health issues.

“Go Fi8ure is a play on words which is all about figuring it out, but it’s also about putting the fitness back into finance.”

Just seven years old, Go Fi8ure is a relatively new business but in the last year has experienced a period of intense growth. Martin’s role as owner and director has evolved from one of working in the business to working on the business. While maintaining responsibility for the day to day health of the business, she also provides leadership to her team and acts as a mentor to graduates as part of Go Fi8ure’s Approved Training Organisation (ATO) status for training accountants.

The business has experienced phenomenal growth in the past 12 months, doubling its client base and adding new staff to its payroll and plans are in the works to develop Go Fi8ure branches in eight centres across New Zealand, beginning with Palmerston North.

For more information visit www.gofi8ure.co.nz

Activating imaginations

With the desire to be designing full-time, Activate helped Giggenbach establish a royalty licencing agreement with distributors so she could relinquish any logistical responsibility and concentrate on the creative elements of the business.

Her designs have now aquired a foreign accent being sold throughout Europe, while her new range of stationery will retain a Kiwi identity when it is sold through Whitcoulls and Borders.

Activate is a programme where inspirational personalities like Giggenbach can let their lightbulb concepts burn bright.

Activate associates know “it takes a smart, motivated, open-minded person to be an Activist. Someone who toughs it out, even when the going gets hard.”

For more information on the Activate Programme and how you can be involved, visit www.growwellington.co.nz or, to see Ellen Giggenbach’s range, go to www.ellengiggenbach.blogspot.com


By Bridget Gourlay

With more scheduled flights due from Australia and the Pacific and the recent launch of a $2 million advertising campaign to attract more visitors from across the ditch, Wellington tourism looks set to soar. But are we ready for the numbers that will (fingers crossed) be arriving?

Wellington Chamber of Commerce CEO Charles Finny thinks tourism infrastructure needs serious investment and he doesn’t think the Wellington City Council has the right attitude. “I’m not sure that tourism is as high up the agenda as it should be. Planners have been in a ‘business as usual mode’ for many years, which is what can happen with big bureaucracies. They’re not focusing enough on the growth of tourism.”

Of particular concern to him is the first obstacle awaiting visitors to the capital — getting from the airport into the city. “We need more capacity on the roads. Right now it’s gridlock in rush hour and for most of the afternoon. What should be a ten minute trip is taking half an hour.”

He thinks the city needs a new tunnel through Mount Victoria.

However, Wellington City Council media officer Richard MacLean refutes Finny’s claims. “We spend millions of dollars a year on tourism promotion of Wellington.”

MacLean says the airport-city route is only occasionally gridlocked. “It’s not like that all

News

By Kate Pierson

We have all heard and offered others the advice ‘just cut your losses.’ But like most social idioms of this nature, it’s always easier said than done. Although persistence is an admirable trait, our quintessential Kiwi determination to never give up can also blind our better judgement. In many cases, our commitment to holding, when folding is the logical answer, can be detrimental not only to our dignity but the livelihood of our businesses

The notion of ‘fast failure’ is a conceptual sibling to the ‘cut your losses’ analogy. And while the denotative meaning of the word failure is enough to make anybody’s professional pulse race, this phrase is ironically being offered as a key recommendation to New Zealand.

Coined by a high-powered panel that emerged from the 2009 Entrepreneurial Summit, the definition of fast failure is offered by panel member and Designindustry Limited’s managing director, Dorenda Britten. “Fast failure is being brave enough and ego-free enough to let go of ideas,” she says.

“It is about embracing rigorous evaluation of ideas at all stages of a product or service development. Sometimes this can mean throwing out an idea in its entirety and sometimes it may be the goal is good, but the delivery is wrong.”

So is fast failure something New Zealand needs to do more of? “We think so!” Britten says. “New Zealanders admire tenacity above all things, but what’s the point of tenaciously venturing down the wrong path?”

In New Zealand, there is a societal tendency to take criticism personally, Britten says. Therefore, “what is most needed, is for people to be able to stand back and welcome diverse inputs whether it be favourable or unfavourable.

“If the idea is strong enough, it will come through even stronger. The best ideas are often amalgams of many ideas that couldn’t make the cut on their own.

“Killing an idea can be very empowering for a person or an organisation. Ideas are plentiful and cheap; we have no shortage of them. Pinpointing those that have an even chance of meeting future market needs and backing them will, we believe, provide a better return on investment for both public and private funders and contribute significantly to New Zealanders’ future success.”

Britten says that in the pursuit of long term success, businesses need to have an evaluative process in place which involves measuring the validity of a product against existing or potential consumer demand for it.

“What we are suggesting — and that organisations who regularly develop new products do have in place — is a process for evaluating customer and community needs and balancing that against company resources and vision.

Strategic thinking“Decisions therefore, should be based on diverse and wide knowledge brought to the table early by various stakeholders and measured against mid to long term strategic vision through the use of known and trusted criteria.”

As the director of Designindustry in Christchurch, Britten has a wealth of knowledge and experience in conceptualising strategies and developing skills for success. Working in a panel alliance with members including former 3M boss Maurice Boland, Britten says it is time for New Zealanders to step back from the action to see the bigger picture.

“Too often we are simply in love with our ideas and schemes and this can make us blind to changes in the market and we can become increasingly divorced from notions of risk and return. It is vital that we keep abreast of changing contexts.”

Cutting your losses

the time. Of course, the council is working with the NZTA (New Zealand Trade Association) on proposals to improve the route. The tunnel is one proposal. Unfortunately for Charles, that’s not something that’s going to happen in the next two or three years.”

Good timingAir New Zealand announced in March that it was re-configuring its Tasman service adding what the Chamber of Commerce estimate as a 4.7 percent increase in capacity on Wellington-Australia flights. It was excellent timing, considering the $2 million ‘There’s No Place Like Wellington’ advertising campaign launched in March, aimed at attracting Australians. If the visitors we want to come do show up and continue to, Finny thinks we have got to make some other changes.

Recently released statistics show February’s guest accommodation numbers rose seven percent from February 2009 and Finny wants more investment in accommodation, particularly the high-end type, like hotels.

And we haven’t even got around to mentioning the Rugby World Cup. He says Wellington is well on track for hosting games and a quarter final. “Right now the focus is on throwing the best party ever for our visitors.”

Arguably it is long-term infrastructure that’s needed most. A significant amount of local and central government’s time and effort have been put into preparing the country for the Rugby World Cup, but that event will have come and gone and long term infrastructure issues will remain.

Wellington annually holds the IRB Sevens tournament and the World of Wearable Arts. Finny says if we invest in infrastructure now, we will be able to cement Wellington’s reputation as the events capital of New Zealand and be the obvious choice to attract more visitors.

Finny knows what he wants for Wellington, but he also knows what he doesn’t want for the capital. “We always want to avoid becoming like Auckland. It’s a real mess up there. They can’t cope at all.”

Capital investment


What are Cloud Services andShould I be Using Them?If you are a small to medium sized enterprise - andmore than 99 percent of New Zealand enterprises are - then YES! you should be using Cloud Services.

What exactly are Cloud Services?Cloud Services, or Cloud Computing, is the latest buzz word in the IT industry and it can mean different things to differentpeople. Cloud computing uses a pool of resources (servers and software) that are hosted on the internet in lieu of physicalhardware - in essence you outsource your IT needs to a hosting provider. The Cloud provider maintains the hardware,software, licensing, security, maintenance and facilities so the user can focus on their core business.

Benefits of Cloud ServicesPerhaps the biggest advantage of Cloud Services is the elastic, or scalable, nature. This allows you to add or removeresources with push button ease; when you need it. Cloud computing removes the need and associated costs ofover-provisioning in anticipation of peak usage.

Another benefit of cloud services is online data backup. Once you have set the configuration for how, when and what to backup, you can rest assured your data is safely stored offsite in a secure location. Disaster recovery is quick, easy and can be accessed whenever you need it, any hour, any day, 365 days a year.

Generally there are no fixed term contracts with Cloud providers so it can be a cost effective start up option for newbusinesses; or for existing businesses a risk free way to play around and decide if it is for you.

Move with the Times or Risk Being Left BehindCloud computing is the way of the future. To quote Simon Wardley, Software Services Manager for Canonical, the mainsponsors of Ubuntu “As soon as one competitor gains some sort of technological advantage all its competitors will followsuit. It creates constant pressure towards modernisation”, and “All organisations need to continuously evolve and adapt so you don’t really get a choice about Cloud computing. You better start getting prepared”.

Buyer Beware!! Before signing your confidential and valuable information over to a third party, you need to be aware of where your data is going, how secure it is and how accessible it is. Data sovereignty should also be considered now that many other countries have laws allowing them to access any electronic information transmitted through or stored within their borders.

Points of InterestForrester has found cloud computing is an issue of growing importance for Australian and New Zealand organisations, with 22 percent ranking it a critical priority and a further 14 percent a high priority. “We expect these numbers to jump considerably when we do this survey again next year,” says Tim Sheedy, Forrester Senior Analyst.

Source: www.forrester.com/cloudnz (requires registration)

Economies of scale are typically only achieved by large enterprises, but Cloud Services allows the small and medium enterprise to leverage these cost benefits too. Essentially this means you pay for what you need, when you need it. There is no fixed term contract and capital costs are converted to monthly operating costs.

Measurable Cost SavingsUsing Cloud Technology

Here’s three ways you can reduce yourIT costs by using Cloud Technologies

Reduce capital expenditureHardware, facilities, licenses, maintenance, security, technical staff and training all cost time and money. Convert capital costs and operating hassles to operating expenses

Pay for what you need, when you need itPay only for computing resources needed and consumed,preventing the need for over-provisioning in anticipation of peak usage

No fixed term contractsThe low risk, cost effective start up option, or a risk free way to try before you buy


News

By Sandy Galland

The toughest of times might be over for many, but latest figures on loan defaults show a marked rise in the number of businesses failing to meet financial commitments.Recent data from leading credit bureau Veda Advantage shows the number of commercial defaults increased by 38.46 percent in 2009, compared to 2008. By comparison, consumer defaults were up by only 8.86 percent.

Reserve Bank Governor Dr Alan Bollard believes these figures are to be expected and are likely to rise in the coming months. “We think that overall these defaults are going to peak around the middle of this year, they are not too far away from doing that now.”

Dr Bollard says some sectors will be hit harder than others as the defaults continue to occur. “Some will be later, some will pick up earlier, so that’s a broad generalisation. We think we can see the worst of it and it’s not going to be too much worse than you are seeing now.”

Any financial downturn places pressures on individuals and institutions’ ability to pay their debts. The business sector defaults occur later than those in the private sector, as the flow on effect of reduced spending begins to catch up with commercial entities.

“You do see loan defaults increasing very significantly in a downturn and this has been a very nasty downturn. So we have been monitoring, not just defaults but past due repayments, impaired assets and the banks various provisioning for their expected future defaults very carefully,” Dr Bollard says.

While the numbers are up and obviously many are feeling the squeeze — the figures are nowhere as high as they were in the 1990-1991 downturn.

“In many respects it wasn’t as bad as this one, but actually businesses weren’t prepared for it and they had much weaker balance sheets and much bigger borrowings,” Dr Bollard explains.

“So this time from the banks point of view, impairment looks to be around two to three percent of their assets. Back in 1991 it was something as high as six, seven or eight percent of their assets.

“So, actually, we do think that despite the fact there are a number of failures, a number of bad loans and there is some bad news for individuals in that, it’s still a lot healthier situation than we had 15 years ago,” he says.

Meanwhile Veda Advantage managing director John Roberts says the tough economic times are far from over with significant numbers of individuals and businesses still failing to pay their debts.

“Business always lags about 18 months behind consumers when it comes to a downturn in the economy.”

Roberts expects commercial defaults to get worse before they get better. “The recession may be technically over, but the bad times will still feed through the economy and businesses will be feeling it well into this year. The tough times aren’t over yet.”

These numbers explain, in part, why the government’s tax take is down, he says. “Businesses are experiencing tough trading conditions and now we are seeing the end result — businesses can’t pay their bills. This means they are paying less tax and for some — businesses closing down, shops empty and people losing their jobs.”

State ofdefault

Another piece of positive news from the latest round of financial reporting is many large banks reporting increased demand on borrowing and a fall in impairment charges; an indicator that confidence is returning.

More positivity from ratings agency Moody’s Investors Service as it predicts New Zealand’s non-performing loans have peaked and has boosted its outlook on the country’s banking sector to stable as the economy dragged itself out of its worst recession in 18 years.

Fraud surges

Also on the rise is the alarming figure in defrauding, which rose to more than $100 million last year. The increase of high level managers committing fraud has also risen dramatically. The total amount defrauded was $76 million in the six months to December 2009 according to the KPMG Fraud Barometer report released last month. This compares with $22 million in the first half of 2009, making a total of $100 million being defrauded for the 2009 year. In 2008 there were approximately $70 million of large frauds in New Zealand.

A PricewaterhouseCoopers Global Economic Crime Survey, released late last year revealed that during 2009 a total of 42 percent of New Zealand organisations were the victims of fraud. The global average was 30 percent.

Asset misappropriation (theft) was the most common form of fraud, cited by 86 percent of New Zealand respondents. This was followed by financial statement fraud, cited by 36 percent, and intellectual property theft at 17 percent. In 72 percent of all cases the fraud was committed by someone inside the organisation says PricewaterhouseCoopers Forensic Services partner Eric Lucas.

“The high level of fraud committed by internal staff was a figure we expected and reflects our own experiences in fraud investigations. What was alarming was the shift in the profile of the internal fraudster.

“This shift is a cause for concern, as senior staff have the ability to override internal controls and can potentially cause greater financial loss to organisations.”

KPMG Forensics partner, Mark Leishman says the large jump in frauds in the second half of 2009 is mainly because of a number of large cases involving multi-million dollar frauds.

“These figures confirm that fraud is a constant and serious threat to all sectors of the New Zealand economy, including business, governments, non-profit organisations and individuals.

“The results of the Fraud Barometer are evidence there are significant levels of fraud prompted by, or uncovered during, the economic crisis. What is being disclosed now is primarily long term pre-existing frauds. We are still yet to see the full impact of the current economic situation,” Leishman says.

For a second consecutive period, the KPMG barometer also found those in management tend to be more likely to commit fraud than lower level employees. And when they do commit fraud, they generally steal far higher amounts due to their access to information, authorisation capabilities and ability to understand and override internal controls.

The financial crisis had created an environment with greater incentive or pressure for fraud. Most common reasons for committing fraud were that it was increasingly difficult for staff to achieve their performance targets and people were afraid of losing their jobs.

What can I do to avoid a loan default?

The best way to avoid loan or line of credit defaulting is to pinpoint the pitfalls of bad loans and avoid them at all costs. To avoid loan defaults, remember the following best practices: Seek professional advice as soon as you see potential for a

possible default

Have a concrete payment plan before you decide to borrow

Do not offer collateral and property in your contract that you cannot afford to lose

Read the fine print and thoroughly understand the terms of the contract.

What does a loan default mean for the future of my business?Difficulty finding new loans.After you default on one loan, it will make it much more difficult to find a new loan. If loans are the chief means of financing your business, then you will be running into some difficult hurdles. You may want to start looking into other methods of funding your business.

BankruptcyIf your business cannot repay its loans, you may need to file for bankruptcy.


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Events | DiaryNews

Are biggerbusinesses better?By Kate Pierson

For some the prospect of expanding their business is not a possibility or even on the objectivity radar to begin with. For other companies, growth is a natural or intentional development. Some believe growth is the formula for success — but is it really that simple? And is it fact or fiction that bigger is better when it comes to business?

Yes and no.

There are many variables to consider when evaluating the relationship between business size and success. It is not as black and white as saying yes or no because both answers are fair conclusions. Because every organisation has unique characteristics, priorities and structures in place which influence their outlook; how they define and measure these terms will vary.

But, for the purposes of this discussion, we are asking; if a company has more staff, resources, expenditure and a larger operation in general, does it make this business better than those who have less of these things?

In this country defined by its entrepreneurial attitude and the small enterprises embodying this spirit, it’s a hot topic. And like the nature of the question itself, the theories and opinions offered on the matter are open for interpretation.

Looking at the bigger pictureGrowth can be circumstantial or intentional. A company’s size, revenue, philosophies and objectives, plus financial conditions beyond its control, will impact its ability to grow.

An organisation supporting start up companies in their mission to grow, is Incubators New Zealand. Chairman Jonathan Kirkpatrick is focused on the bigger economical picture when looking at the benefits of larger enterprises. He believes, when it comes to answering the question ‘are bigger businesses better?’, it is pertinent to start by asking ‘better for whom?’

Kirkpatrick says if we are looking at the impact of larger businesses on the economy, then yes, bigger business and business growth will make for a better economy. “Small is fine and it’s not a negative thing to be small, but when these smaller businesses are grown, they can contribute significantly to our economy.” He says the benefits of growing a company are not only economical, but are associated with reputation, assisting other business, appealing to investors and putting New Zealand on the map.

Businesses looking to maximise their potential often aspire to grow for the betterment of their organisation. They see growth as an achievement or strategy to keep pace with an evolving consumer culture spoilt for choice. In a material world, consumers demand options; some prefer nostalgic shopping rituals, remaining loyal to local minimarts. Others however, feel liberated by the countless product alternatives available in sprawling supermarkets and other chain stores gaining precedence in the market place.

But figures from Statistics New Zealand say “fear not” to smaller entities, as their size is definitely a trend in New Zealand. As of 2004, just over 96 percent of all businesses had 19 or fewer employees and almost 87 percent had five or fewer. These figures have prompted further study into why businesses are staying small and University of Waikato, Professor Ed Vos, says it’s about companies putting their happiness first.

Small and happyIn many cases, organic growth is part of a company’s natural development and is a prequisite for its success. Even growth harvested by borrowing money from a lending institution can produce positive results for a company looking to expand. On the other hand, being a big business is not the be all and end all of every company’s existence.

There is an underlying modern economic theory subscribing to the idea that we are programmed with “a default setting of wanting more and that greed is good,” says Professor Vos.

But he is dispelling this theory in favour of the science of happiness. Having been a manager, owner and analyst of small businesses for many years, Vos is exploring the benefits of companies remaining small. His research has revealed that small companies are more than happy to be in the ‘small’ category and this, he says, aligns with his contentment hypothesis which proposes happiness and contentment is what most small enterprises are looking for.

Vos says for many businesses it is an intentional decision to stay small and when given a choice of achieving wealth or happiness, 90 percent of the small business culture choose happiness. He believes today’s small businesses are “striving for more stability and are working in harmony with the structure of reality. They gain happiness and utility out of relationships but this does not mean they don’t want to be financially successful or suffer a lack of money.”

Some small businesses will look to grow but want it to be organic or self-funded and he believes there is an important lesson to be learned from such enterprises. “Small businesses are about sustainability. They also understand something important — that more does not mean better.”

For some, being bigger or experiencing growth will be better for their operation and our economy. For others with a differing modus operandi, their intepretation of what makes their business better will not correspond to being bigger, as they strive for happiness, contentment and stability.

Truth is, there are a myriad of options to contemplate and problems — the size of your business will not grant you immunity from these trials and tribulations.

Ultimately, the unique operational blueprint that each company embodies will determine if bigger is better for them and like anything in life, what’s better for one will not necessarily be better for another.

Wednesday, June 9Funky Thinking — The Knowledge GymDo you have the flexibility of mind needed to navigate business in an increasingly wacky world? Will you survive and flourish beyond 2010? From 8.30am-noon. To register visit www.theknowledgegym.com

sunday, June 13 To Friday, June 18Company directors’ Course — institute of directorsA week-long residential course provides a comprehensive understanding of the role, duties, skills and knowledge required for competent directorship in New Zealand. From 8.30am-5pm daily. To register contact Lisa McMillan, phone (04) 474 7651 or email [email protected]

Tuesday, June 15 To saTurday, June 19Five day Mediation Workshop — Leadr nZIntroducing participants to the theory and practical skills of mediation through lectures, demonstrations and simulated mediations. For more information visit www.leadr.co.nz

Wednesday, June 16director’s responsibilities — new Zealand institute of Chartered accountantsA course tailored to the needs of chartered accountants who are contemplating or have recently accepted a director’s role. To register visit www.nzica.com

Wednesday, June 16 To Thursday,June 17Getting your Feet Wet — Federated FarmersIf you have ever wanted to take up a leadership role in your community or are interested in building your skill base, this is for you. (Part one). Phone 0800 327 646 or email [email protected]

Tuesday, JuLy 6introduction to Business — inland revenueFor people thinking of starting their own business or are new to business — covering record keeping requirements, keeping a cash book, income tax, GST, expenses and online services. 9am-noon. To register contact John Forde, (04) 890 1069 or email [email protected]

Wednesday, JuLy 7relentless Change — The Knowledge GymEver notice how some people seem incapable of change while others relish it? Do your beliefs impact on your ability to manage change? What about those you work alongside? From 8.30am-noon. To register visit www.theknowledgegym.com

Wednesday, JuLy 7 To Thursday, JuLy 8shining under the spotlight — Federated FarmersThe second part to setting up the skills base necessary to succeed in leadership areas. For more information phone 0800 327 646 or email [email protected]

Tuesday, JuLy 13Governance essentials — institute of directorsA course designed for senior managers and executives who interact with boards, for individuals interested in becoming a director and new directors who wish to round out their understanding of the governance environment. From 8.30am-5pm. To register contact Lisa McMillan, (04) 474 7651 or email [email protected]

Monday, June 21improving Profit in Turbulent Times — new Zealand institute of Chartered accountantsA comprehensive look at how the management team can explore, analyse and implement strategies to improve profit and cope in a rapidly changing environment. Members $591, non-members $738. To register visit www.nzica.com

Wednesday, June 23 To Thursday, June 24experienced directors’ Workshop — institute of directorsFor directors who wish to consolidate the experience and knowledge they have gained and apply it at a higher, more experienced level. From 8.30am-5.30pm. To register contact Lisa McMillan, phone (04) 474 7651 or email [email protected]

Monday, June 28Conducting effective Meetings — eMa CentralConducting a great meeting doesn’t happen by chance — there are specific things an effective meeting should include to get maximum productive output. To register visit www.emacentral.org.nz or phone (04) 473 7224

Tuesday, JuLy 20Wages Law — eMa CentralOne of the most important issues in employment is getting the pay right — an understanding of how the payroll system works and legal compliance issues. To register visit www.emacentral.org.nz or phone (04) 473 7224

Tuesday, JuLy 27Termination of employment — eMa CentralKey aspects all employers need to know about procedural fairness and the disciplinary process. To register visit www.emacentral.org.nz or phone (04) 473 7224

If you have events you would like featured in the Events Diary, email [email protected] at least two months before the date of the event. Or, if you have held an event and would like to supply photos for the Been Seen section (along with 100 words about the event and a caption for each image), send to [email protected]

Grow your business | events


Profile | Alan Bollard


businesses can get on, under stable conditions, and make the most sensible decisions to get the best growth they can for themselves.”

Bollard explains the main tool to do this is to move the OCR (official cash rate) around, so that it either slows down the economy if it is running too fast, or to accelerate it if it’s running well below its level.

“We do some other things; we obviously produce the notes and coins you use and we regulate the banks, so that they are sound and New Zealanders can rely on them as stable places to lend their money to and to borrow from.”

Does the small business owner fully understand your role?“I’m sure they don’t, but should he or she have to?” Bollard asks. “What I think they need to understand is the government is trying to get a stable environment, so that becomes an attractive growth environment for businesses. In that, of course, government is doing a lot of other things within a lot of other policies, but that’s happening separately to us. We will, however, take that into account when we try and get the most stable economy we can.

When the bank is talking to businesses, what are the recurring messages you are hearing?“Well it’s been a very unusual time. During the second half of 2008 and the beginning of 2009 we had shocking economic and financial conditions of the sort we had not seen before. Not as bad as the 1930 depression, but worse than anything since, and it was also a time most small business owners had not seen before.

“We were all rather worried about what was happening and we all had to look at what were the most sensible things to do. In our case we were just looking for stability in the economy.

“In the case of a lot of business owners, they were worried about their businesses, worried about their markets, worried about their banks getting tough on them. A number of them responded by making sure borrowings were not too high and their asset base was as sound as possible, that they weren’t running unnecessary costs in their business and that they were hunkered down for the duration.

“Now over the last few months we have seen very significant improvements, not just in New Zealand, but around the world. We think we have got through this very bad recession. We think we are coming out but also think that it’s also quite a fragile recovery, so you still have to be cautious. I think a lot of businesses have reached that conclusion as well.

On an individual business level, what can people do for themselves in this current financial climate?“Generally businesses are surprisingly optimistic. I say surprisingly because it has been a very big shock, but the general consensus is that the worst is over and there are better times to come. But having said that, they’re being very cautious on two fronts, one is on employment,

By Sandy Galland

Do you understand the relationship between monetary, fiscal and tax policy? Do you understand how these and other influences; like the OCR, inflation, deflation, GDP, CPI, PTA, interest rates and overseas economies impact, either directly or indirectly, on your business?

Wellington Today went to the New Zealand Reserve Bank Governor, Dr Alan Bollard and asked him how the activities of our central bank impact everyday business and, more importantly, does the average business practitioner understand the bank’s role?

where there is certainly no rush to take on extra staff at the minute so the labour market is still quite weak.

“Secondly on credit; generally businesses, where they can, have been running down their credit requirements, de-leveraging, looking to be much more conservative about borrowing and are not showing much sign of borrowing for increased investment into the future. At some stage that will have to change and we will begin to see more investment, but we are not seeing it yet.

“A lot does depend on the individual businesses and where they are. Are they servicing the domestic market or the export market? Have they been growing rapidly? Have they taken on a lot of debt and so on?

“Those that are tied into markets, directly or indirectly, with Australia or eastern Asia generally have found they are not doing too badly. Some of those markets have found to be quite strong and the prospects are pretty reasonable as well. On the other hand, those that have relied on US and European markets have taken more of a hit, because those countries have been through much more of a shock.

“The domestic area? It really depends on just which sectors we are talking about. Some sectors, like tourism and some parts of agriculture, like the dairy sector, have been reasonably strong — others, like some traditional manufacturing and some other services, have been hurt by this.

When do you anticipate we might start to see more growth in borrowing and employment?“A lot of businesses are saying they are going to get through this year with the capacity, plant and equipment they have currently got. I think they are looking to see growth become reasonably robust through this year.

“While we are getting reasonable growth numbers at the minute, a lot of it still does depend on government stimulus, that’s both on the tax side on the loose monetary policy side.”

You have made recent comments that we can benefit from the “crumbs coming from Australia’s table”. What do you mean?“Australia is growing very fast, the predictions are it will grow faster because of some very big mining developments they have had. When that happens, the Australian dollar is likely to be strong. It is likely to put some of their traditional exporters under quite a bit of pressure and some of their domestic producers as well.

“Agriculture has become much smaller in Australia, but there is a strong demand for food products and other primary products. In addition manufactures there are finding some of their operations hard to be competitive on, and New Zealand manufacturers have been able to be more competitive.

“There are quite a lot of export of services in Australia now — tourism is one, but there are plenty of others as well.

Dollar$ sense

Put simply, the role of the Reserve Bank can be likened to a big juggernaut truck, says Dr Bollard. “This big truck is driving down a motorway and we (the Reserve Bank) are working the accelerator and the brake, but we are not working the steering wheel, that’s a whole lot of other people doing that.

“We are trying to work out what the road’s like ahead, but of course we can’t actually see it. We are forecasting ahead by looking in the rear vision mirror. So that, of course, is always going to be a bit dicey and a bit of a skill as well,” he adds.

“We would like this truck to move as fast as the road conditions allow, but no faster because that’s dangerous. Or if it is going very slowly, not up to what it could be going, then that is not the best either, because it means it is not getting the growth it could.”

So there it is in a nutshell — Bollard and his team work between the brake and the accelerator to try and manipulate our economy for the best possible outcomes.

A stable economyThe role the reserve bank has is to do with a number of things to help stabilise the economy. Bollard says the bank is only a part of the government process for getting the best economic performance for our country.

“What we are trying to do is make the economy as stable as possible, in particular focusing on keeping price inflation under control so that

Getting

friendlyBy Nic Dale

Did you know that if your business is number one in search results you will dominate the leads in your market? If you’re not on the first page you’re invisible to buyers. A sample of more than nine million searches in 2006 showed 89 percent of all clicks are for the first page. You only have to think about the way you search to know that’s true.

A staggering 42.1 percent of clicks go to the top search result. In fact the first result will get three and a half times more traffic than second place and it gets worse for everyone else.

There are two ways to get on the first page, but before discussing them you need to remember this; all a click does is deliver the visitor to your site you haven’t sold them anything yet.

The fastest way to appear on the first page of Google is with Pay Per Click (PPC) advertising. Google call them AdWords. They’re the adverts you see at the top and on the right of search results. You are charged each time someone clicks your ad. Clicks cost as little as nine cents, but in some markets clicks can cost up to $50.

AdWords advertisers bid against each other for placement. If your advert is popular and gets more clicks you may pay less per click than a competitor, but Google may earn more from you and reward you with a better ranking.

The two mistakes I see PPC advertisers make are visitors are not sent to a relevant landing page and advertisers make no effort to collect visitor data.

The other way to get on the first page, which accounts for over 60 percent of all clicks, is Organic Search. Google wants to give its clients a good experience, so to appear in the top ten search results your website must be relevant and have credibility.

In my experience very few websites are built for the terms the site owner wants to appear on the first page of search results for.

Take finding a lawyer as an example. If you type in the term “lawyer Hamilton” the first ten results won’t be Hamilton lawyers. I’m guessing that having spent thousands on their website to have it professionally designed, most Hamilton lawyers would expect to appear in at the top of search results for that term.

Most web designers have a print background so they create web brochures. The sites look good but are invisible to buyers. Design should support the copy because it’s the words that sell. Your site needs to be search engine optimised.

You would not go to family law expert for a commercial matter. You should not go to a web designer if you want to appear on the first page.

If you want your business to appear on the first page of search results use an internet marketing specialist. If you want to dominate the leads in your market then you must be first in search results for the terms buyers use.

Nic Dale is the director of AdCard Ltd online at www.gesalesleads.co.nz


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By Ratu Mason

Although many businesses today have a workforce on computers and store most of their data on a central server, information technology security continues to be an issue.In the current economic climate where cutbacks have been and are a necessity for many, IT systems are an easy target.

Businesses could delay hardware or software refreshment programmes until the next financial year, source cheaper options online or outsource non strategic services.

However, there are easy ways for businesses to reduce IT spending while at the same time increasing shareholder value — the key is to dig deep and find where savings could be made without negatively affecting your business.

Take this example — Lateral Security recently completed an independent external IT security audit that identified a number of issues which, at first glance, might seem like big-budget fixes. What we found were:

High computer processing times

Excessive bandwidth usage

The computer network was sluggish

Mobile devices weren’t synchronising efficiently with the office

Staff were becoming frustrated by ongoing failed log-in attempts.

By thinking smart we identified excessive bandwidth, high computer processing times and sluggish network performance as areas where savings could be made.

The high computer processing times and network sluggishness were caused by viruses and database synchronisation errors, which led to more bandwidth being used. We easily and quickly resolved these issues costing a fraction of the significant savings we made the client.

Ask yourself, “When was the last time you had an external IT professional look at your network and internet security?”

Investing time and money now could see you with faster, secure and more streamlined systems and pre-empt larger issues.

Strategic planning for IT risk is another option to save businesses money. Media recently reported the case of a staff member using an (unknowingly infected), USB drive to bring down the entire network of a major organisation.

Planning for the worst-case scenario can prevent this kind of viral attack. We recommend:

Understanding and documenting what your IT infrastructure network looks like. For example, the number of servers, their locations, patch levels, age, software licenses, telecommunication providers and connection points to your network.

Make the time to practice and carry out virus threat modeling exercises. Include the senior management team and any outsourcing partners you may use. The ability of your businesss to recover from any incident depends on how these people and organisations react in any given situation. Such modeling gives management more insight into the business risks and actions required.

Invest in ongoing IT security testing (and not just for the new projects), which protects the future of your business. IT security is something that’s easy for businesses to forget about because when it’s working perfectly you don’t notice it. Smart businesses plan for their worst case scenario and recover from it quickly without harming their sales, client base or reputation in the market.

Ratu Mason is a co-owner of Lateral Security, an independent information security team. Known as professional hackers,

Lateral Security work for some of New Zealand’s well-

known businesses and can be found at www.lateralsecurity.com

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News | Corporate Responsibility

By Sandy Galland

Corporate responsibility — a fad or a fact of life?

Is corporate responsibility a strategy companies are building into their corporate DNA, or is it seen simply as a marketing ploy to appear environmentally aware in a bid to gain customer popularity?

Firstly, what is corporate responsibility and how is it measured? It seems most experts work on the assumption that consumers are interested in how companies behave and this has an influence upon their consumption behaviour.

Corporate responsibility — also known as corporate social responsibility (CSR) is basically a form of self regulation honouring the triple bottom line — people, planet and profits.

Make meaning not money, goes against the traditional business model where maximising profits for the shareholders was the number one consideration. Today many companies are turning their focus to embrace responsibility for the impact of its activities on the environment,

consumers, employees, communities, stakeholders and all other members

of the public.

Some will argue this perspective, which is broader and longer than their own immediate, short-term profits, will generate greater long-term returns. Others dismiss the initiatives as straight PR exercises which will win little favour and distracts from the core financial purposes of the business.

Is there a financial pay-off to be gained from good behaviour? Absolutely, says Dr Rodger Spiller, one

of New Zealand’s most experienced and

knowledgeable leaders in socially responsible business.

“There are a whole range of very logical business cases to support

the argument (of being responsible).

“I have been exploring this for 20 years and have seen the momentum grow dramatically in

Fact or fad?recent years. It is almost expediential the growth of interest and action in this field recently.”

Spiller adds the drivers for companies to have lasting CSR attitudes are not going away. From an environmental point of view, the challenges the world faces are possibly here to stay, as we experience population growth, climate changes, global warming and waste management issues.

“The challenge to be a truly sustainable business and sustainable society will be with us forever — it comes down to how high we set the bar.”

Another driver pushing companies into CSR initiatives is the desire from investors to only place their dollars with responsible businesses that are socially and environmentally proactive.

“This is a strong imperative from the investment community and that’s another reason businesses are in this for the long haul.”

The pressure is also on our small companies. As the larger companies have addressed their own issues and put into practice environmentally aware systems, they are turning their attention to the entire supply chain. “To supply to these larger companies you must meet their standards of environmental performance.” This continues on down the chain and Spiller believes New Zealand businesses are getting the message now and because big businesses really care about their reputation, they are forcing these same standards onto everyone who deals with them.

A true CSR commitment requires more than just awareness of the impact of a company’s responsibilities on the wider world — it requires action which proactively promotes the public interest by encouraging community growth and development, and voluntarily eliminating practices which harm communities, people or the planet — regardless of legality. It is about companies taking on the same humanistic responsibility each of us is morally obliged to adhere to in our lives.

Your reputation is as valuable as it is fragile, particularly when in the online court of public opinion it can so easily be tarred by the brush of another. Add to this that in today’s world of instant information news, both good and bad, travels fast and far and the potential for widespread reputation ruin is as great as ever.

The result is more emphasis than ever before is now placed on conducting business in a responsible, socially acceptable manner, by both businesses and consumers alike.

Capitalism is still alive and well and making money, lots of money if you can, is no crime. But making it at the expense of others with a ‘the means justifys the end’ attitude is more likely to be publicly exposed and expunged.

Philanthropy is becoming a currency unto itself as a modern incarnation of the old adage that it’s not what you think that matters, it’s what you do that counts.

By Jonathon Taylor

In 2003 a Canadian documentary The Corporation looked at the nature of arguably the dominant institution of recent history — the corporate entity.

What it did was prescribe the legal status of a person onto corporate behaviour, essentially putting the corporation on a psychiatrist’s couch and asking ‘What kind of person is it?’

The results are nothing less than horrifying. The corporate entity, as an individual, demonstrated a callous disregard for the feelings of others, an incapacity to maintain human relationships, reckless disregard for the safety of others, deceitfulness, the incapacity to experience guilt and a failure to conform to social norms and respect the law.

The abject failure of the banking industry is a painfully acute case in point. Unchecked

greed, placing vested interests over charged responsibilities and above the greater good, built a house of cards that, when collapsing, spewed red ink on the way down to the tune of trillions.

The salt on this wound was the very people whose livelihoods had been jeopardised, then had to foot the bill via taxpayer funded bids to stave off national financial collapse.

Add to this reports that big banking is right back in the swing of things, again embracing the bonus culture, and the result hasn’t just been a complete loss of public trust in the sector, but wider opinion holding corporate banking in nothing less than contempt.

It’s a classic case of a few bad apples ruining the reputaton of all and an example why corporate responsibility, as a catch phrase for social conscience, is something any sized business ignores at its peril.

A game you can’t afford to ignore


Staying safe on siteWhether on a construction site, in a restaurant or in an office, it is important to provide a safe working environment for employees.

With a raft of OSH regulations to be met, the likes of safety helmets and hi-visibility jackets on construction sites and ergonomic chairs in offices have become common. However, there is always a need for policies to be rewritten and enforced as times change.

First aid procedures, evacuation policies and the like are something that should be discussed on a regular basis. The provision of fire wardens, first aid certificate holders and heath and safety officers can go a long way within the work environment. Trust your staff, and by giving them this responsibility they are more likely to stick with the company and contribute in a positive way.

A couple of policies that are missing from the majority of workplaces include sexual harassment and bullying within the work environment. As an employer you need to ensure you provide a safe work environment, and these two examples can have a detrimental effect not only on employees, but on a company as a whole.

Employment law expert David Beck from SB Law in Christchurch says the key to preventing these types of discrepancies is pre-planning and implementing policies. “That is the key thing. You have to have a policy around the likes of sexual harassment and many people don’t understand that it also extends to the likes of sexually offensive comments,” he points out. “The likes of a personal grievance can be taken out by an employee if an employer does not resolve the matter adequately.”

He believes it is important to make your employees aware of your policies surrounding such things as sexual harassment and he points out places such as universities are doing that well. “Posters go up about the policies, or if you want more information about this head to the human rights commission, there is a lot of information available on this topic.”

Workplace bullying has been a hot topic, and stories about tyrannical senior managers circulate the internet. But how do you tell the difference between a bully and an authoritarian?

“With old school managers, it’s ‘do as I tell you’, but at least you know where you stand and that may not be bullying,” Beck says. “But if someone does something wrong and they yell and scream that can be seen as bullying.”

He says the best way to deal with workplace bullying is not to label anyone. “In some workplaces there is a lot of bullying. You can become either the victim or the bully, but it’s not helpful,” he says. “There needs to be intervention much earlier to resolve the issues.”

Organisations that fail to provide an emotionally secure and safe working environment, under employment and health and safety legislation, can face expensive legal ramifications, so it is important to put policies in place to ensure your work place is a safe environment for your employees.

By Sandy Galland

To do good is to do well. This is a huge shift in business culture but one which companies have embraced with enthusiasm. Yes, it is about protecting the environment, saving money, and growing and supporting communities, but it is also about being confident and proud your business is putting in more than it is taking out.

Doing good is good for business. But do customers really care? Are they prepared to spend more on a product or service delivered by a company with a great reputation for being a responsible corporate player?

Dr Rodger Spiller says customers are increasingly purchasing from companies that have a reputation for responsibility. “Across the EU, for example, one in six consumers either buys or boycotts a product because of the reputation of the company.

Here in our own backyard, look at the public outcry when one confectionary maker decided to use palm oil in its chocolate. Shoppers voted with their wallets and Cadbury bowed to consumer pressure and stopped using palm oil in its dairy milk chocolate. Many blame palm oil plantations for huge contributions to global warming and the intensive habitat destruction of orangutans in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Across New Zealand, 19 percent of consumers are making purchasing decisions each month based on green or social imperatives. “In our economic system we vote with our money every day. Our decisions as investors and consumers impact what is produced and how, the growth of some companies and the demise of others.”

Being a responsible company can also aid in the recruitment and retainment of employees. Spiller says being an employer of choice is a more valuable asset than ever.

This is particularly the case with Generation Y employees, because many young people are keenly interested in business responsibility. He quotes a study of 11 leading European and USA business schools, where 97 percent of MBA graduates said they were willing to forgo financial benefits (on average 14 percent of expected income) to work with an organisation with a better reputation for corporate social responsibility and ethics.

less than a quarter of them had a formal CSR policy and over 80 percent who did CSR activity, do not measure its return on investment. Of those who did participate in CSR activity, a third of them reported improved employee moral, 28 percent cited a stronger public image, 11 percent extolled the benefits to the environment while 10 percent believed there was an increase in brand recognition.

So does your company participate in CSR activities? And if so, are you seeing and measuring the impact of your initiatives?

As part of his PHD research, Spiller created a Responsibility Scorecard for businesses. The 4P model forms a part of this and in his consultancy, is an invaluable training tool.

It is at the level of business practices where the true test of responsible business occurs, as practices reflect the application of purpose and principles. “While it is relatively easy for a business to produce a statement of purpose and principles, it is more challenging to implement these in practice.” Spiller provides examples of some of the practices businesses might adopt:

Environment: Desirable environmental practices, such as the reduction, reuse and recycling of materials, energy conservation and environmental audits

Employees: Favourable employee practices include effective communication, learning and development opportunities, safe and healthy work environments, and equal employment opportunities

Customers: Customer practice, for example, industry-leading quality programmes, full product disclosure and safe products

Suppliers: Long-term purchasing relationships, plus fair and competent dispute handling are examples of supplier practices

Community: Good community practices include activity such as innovative giving to the community through volunteer programmes, and support for education and job training initiatives which strengthen the relationship between business and society

Shareholders: Shareholder practices include receiving a good rate of return, comprehensive and clear information and effective management of corporate governance issues.

So often CSR is confused and associated with philanthropic efforts in forms of charitable donations, sponsorships and handouts, it is not philanthropy — it is a way of doing business. It is about doing the right things by taking account of all the social, economic and environmental impact your business has in the long term.

Being responsible should be the foundation to all corporate decision-making, business practices and policies. The increasing external pressure and opposition from a wide cross section of society is pushing more and more of our businesses in this direction. For the sake of the environment, our social structure and our communities, hopefully as more businesses adopt CST initiatives; it is for the right reasons.

There are advantages and opportunities for every business acting as a responsible corporate citizen — is your business making the most of them?


“Only if business learns that to do well it has to do good, can we hope to tackle the major social

challenges facing developed societies today.”— Peter Drucker, international business expert, from The New Meaning of Corporate Responsibility

The 4P Model Purpose The company’s stated reason

for which it exists. A responsible business will explicitly include environmental, social and economic wealth creation within its statement of purpose.

Principles These are the beliefs which guide the company’s action. Responsible businesses explicitly state and follow a clear set of principles reflecting core values and virtues.

Practices These are the actions a company takes to fulfill its purpose. It is at the level of business practices that the true test of environmental, social and economic wealth creation occurs, as practices reflect the application of purpose and principles.

Performance Measurement This involves the company reporting on how its practices have impacted its stakeholders, reflected its principles and created environmental, social, and economic wealth.

Do consumers pay more for a company with good CSR initiatives? As Spiller explains, there are two aspects to this. While he believes in some instances consumers will pay more, many others, when faced with similar products of the same price, will choose the product from the more responsible company.

“This gives the company a greater share of the market and in the bigger picture makes this company more attractive to investors,” he adds.

Consumer chief executive Sue Chetwin says increasingly people are taking considerations other than price into account when they make purchasing decisions.

“Products which carry the Fairtrade logo are being stocked on the supermarket shelves next to products that might be cheaper but which aren’t fair-trade.” Chetwin says coffee is a good example of this. “Price still plays a major part, but where people can or are financially able, they will make the responsible decision.”

In New Zealand, Nick Jones and Associates, a corporate social responsibility, sustainability and non-profit research consultancy found that over 62 percent of people aged over 10 years agree they think more highly of companies who support charities/worthy causes.

A recent Manpower white paper, Corporate Social Responsibility: Current Trends in Australia and New Zealand found more than half of New Zealand businesses don’t practice CSR activities. While the paper says this could be due to the economic downturn, they do not have historical data to substantiate the claim.

Of the HR professionals who responded to the survey, only 39 percent of them, employing between two and 10 people participate in CSR activities. For the larger companies, between 301 and 1000 team members, this rises to 73 percent of them participating in some form of CSR initiatives. This dropped again as the company had over 1000 people. Of the companies who do participate in CSR measures,

Make meaning and the money will come


By Melinda Collins

Climate change, carbon footprints, energy efficiency — you know the terms, but do you know what they mean for your business? Complying with policy and legislation is one thing but making positive changes for the good of your business and the environment is another.

However, it is not just the environmental responsibility that drives some companies to reduce their carbon footprint, but also the savings. Fortunately, many green practices are not only eco-friendly, but they’re friendly on the company budget as well.

Make the environment work for you and you’ll reap the rewards: If you turn your heating down one degree,

your heating costs may decrease by about three percent, turn it down another five degrees for four hours a day and reduce heating bills by almost six percent, according to www.stopglobalwarming.org Keep windows closed while heating or air conditioning is on

Make use of the energy savings features on office equipment including PCs, monitors, faxes and printers. Managing PC power consumption can cut PC energy costs by up to 60 percent, according to Arcola Energy

Make use of natural daylight where possible. It costs nothing and can reduce lighting

bills by up to 15 percent according to www.carbontrust.co.uk Make use of desk lamps, it is cheaper than lighting the entire office

Paper makes up 35 percent of the waste stream, according to www.ecopreneurist.com — even though it’s one of the easiest materials to re-use and recycle. Go digital with your documents, even invoices can be sent electronically

Recycling is never a chore when it’s just as easy as throwing something away. Place recycling bins everywhere there is a trash can

E-waste is so essential to business, yet so toxic to the environment. Recycle everything you can including electronic equipment when it bites the dust or you upgrade

Pull that plug when you’re not using the appliance/

computer/cell charger — they can all be secretly pilfering

energy when left plugged in

Running your servers and personal computers, under-utilising hardware, using old energy-hungry servers, not optimising server space or virtual servers all use energy that creates a carbon footprint. For example, a moderate size server has about the same annual carbon footprint as a gas-guzzling family

Every organisation has a carbon footprint. It is the measure of emissions it creates through daily activities that use energy from fossil fuels (such as coal, oil and gas). These fuels release CO2 and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. As the concentration of greenhouse gases grows, heat is trapped in the atmosphere and less escapes into space. This increase in trapped heat is believed to lead to climate change and altered weather patterns.

For simplicity of reporting, a carbon footprint is often expressed as the amount of carbon dioxide, or its equivalent greenhouse gas emissions emitted. An individual, nation or organisation’s carbon footprint can be measured by undertaking a GHG emissions assessment. Once the size of a carbon footprint is known, a strategy can be devised to reduce it.

New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development CEO Peter Neilson says the reasons for reducing a business’ carbon footprint are

plentiful. The biggest and most relevant reason for manufacturing and export companies is to ensure competitive advantage in key markets where emissions content will appear to consumers on labels. “Consumers want to know what they’re buying is not harmful to the environment,” Neilson says.

As a manufactured product goes through the supply chain before reaching the end consumer, the carbon footprint of that single product can be high. As consumers become more aware of the effects greenhouse gas emissions have on the environment, corporations are increasingly disclosing their emissions to the general public.

Not having this information can have dire effects on companies in procurement deals, Neilson adds. Large companies such as Tesco or Walmart increasingly want information on emissions from suppliers of product or raw materials and will start selecting against businesses who cannot or will not disclose that information.

“In the past SMEs who didn’t sell (products), didn’t think this involved them. But, it increasingly will do.”

Another factor is cost and substantial savings can be made from reducing your carbon footprint.

“When you reduce emissions, you generally reduce the cost,” he says. “There is evidence in New Zealand and abroad that companies taking care of the environment are making bigger profits. Locally, major gains are being made by companies setting out to measure and lower their emissions, mostly from lower energy usage.”

Engaging in sustainable business is also an advantage when it comes to attracting young, tertiary educated staff, he says. “They want to work for a company whose values align with theirs and increasingly won’t work for an organisation who is acting in a way that is harmful to the environment.”

Energy efficiency resources and an emission calculator are available at the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development website www.nzbcsd.org.nz. Carbon accounting and resource efficiency resources are available through the Ministry of the Environment website www.mfe.govt.nz

Sizing up your carbon footprint

Ways to reduce environmental impact

SUV using 16 litres to travel 100km, according to Paua Interface.

To get this into a bigger context, the largest global financial services organisations — all intensive companies — generate about 500,000 metric tons of CO2 per year and information technology electricity consumption accounts for up to 65 percent of that total.

According to IT consultancy Paua Interface director Robyn Kamira, information technology is one of the leading causes of carbon footprints, racking up billions of wasted dollars.

She says organisations are increasing their information capacity and buying more systems which need more power. And with global energy prices rising, there is a significant increase in operational budgets.

Organisations which are reducing their carbon footprint are also saving millions:

3M reduced its carbon footprint by 37 percent, saving more than $190 million

Canon’s energy efficient products yielded savings of $250 million for customers

IBM saved $791 million by reducing emissions 37.8 percent through energy conservation measures

California, the world’s sixth largest economy, has already saved itself $20 billion in electricity and natural gas expenditures and by 2011 forecasts saving $57 billion more.



Would you like to have a steady flow of interested, high calibre candidates calling / emailing you? If you would like complete control over your recruiting process and not have to pay the thousands of dollars others may charge you to find the same person, then this is the solution for you.

It’s obvious that recruiting has become extremely tough over the last few years and you have to talk to a lot more people than ever before to find the right one.

So why is recruiting getting so hard? The biggest obstacle you face is marketing incest. Everyone goes to the same seminars, reads the same publications and looks in the same places for staff. Breakthroughs come from looking outside the rectangle and looking at new, proven methods of advertising for staff.

..............................................................................................

“We were really surprised with how easy to use Myjobspace was for employers and employees, the service was exceptional and it was a great way to capture our target audience. ”

Jessica Scott — Media Monitors

..............................................................................................Imagine how easy your life would be with great staff. Imagine if you were able to promote yourself and your company so people can actually see what it would be like to work at your place. We are the first in New Zealand to provide this technology. We can actually load video clips of your business showing how great it is to work there, some of the staff and all the amenities you provide.

Imagine if you were actually able to view CVs, and actual work wanted ads, so you could see what job hunters want. This way you know when you employ them that you’ve got someone who wants to work in your environment. You’re not squeezing a round peg into a square hole, as many of us do, only to find they move on after a few months.

Our revolutionary job site only began the end of 2006 and is growing rapidly. We also have more than 1500 businesses registered as employers, including some of the biggest companies in NZ with more than 9000 employees, right through to some of the smallest companies with only a couple of staff.

..............................................................................................

“One of the things that impresses me the most about MyJobSpace is their attention to service and after sale care. The entire staff has been willing to go above and beyond the call of duty to handle every issue and make sure things are right. In some cases, they’ve done MORE than I expected.”

Steve Skobel — Marketing Manager

..............................................................................................

If you would like to see some of our clients please log onto our site and view. We also have more than 16,000 registered jobhunters who are actively looking for new employment and many of them receive email alerts as soon as jobs are posted. Our site also achieves more than 81,000 visits per month ensuring you’ll receive quality candidates. To our knowledge we are the only site that’s blocked the Indian spam explosion from applying to jobs.

..............................................................................................

“From time to time we do an evaluation of our service providers. We have been working with your company since 2008 and would like to advise the following:

• Staff including yourself (Damien), are always professional but friendly.• The can do attitude of customer service is a pleasure to work with.• Requests are welcomed and actioned in a timely manner by staff that we have liaised with over time.

As the key contact person for our organisation I am pleased to provide the above information and please pass it on to your colleagues.”

Noho ora mai

Paula Parkin HR Manager — Te Whanau o Waipareira Trust

..............................................................................................But our major benefit to you is that we only charge $395+gst per year for unlimited use. I’ll repeat that because it does sound too cheap. $395+gst for an entire year to advertise as many jobs as you like.

Your next question is no doubt; how can we do it so cheaply? We prefer the expression “cost effective.”

Because we don’t need to pay huge overheads or the over-the-top salaries.

In fact there’s only a handful of full time staff, and the rest are part time. Just shows you how much the foreign owned corporations are over-charging.

To give you a comparison, if you were to run five ads over a year and have a company profile next to your ad it would cost you a minimum of $3225 on one of these sites. On our site it is $395+gst. If you’re not happy with any part of our service, we’ll refund you in full. There’s absolutely no risk! So we’ll at least make one expense low, constant and risk free.

..............................................................................................

“Through an interest in advertising my new home based business and with previous business dealings in the New Zealand property market, I found the site My Job Space NZ. From my first contact with Zack Foreman and his team at My Job Space, I knew that I had made the right decision in spending my advertising dollars with them. Zack is articulate, friendly, reliable, extremely helpful and patient, given that I had minimal

international advertising experience at that stage. He demonstrated interest and talent when guiding me through the formulation of my advertisement and I am proud to stand by the final result. I have no hesitation in recommending Zack and his professional advertising team at myjobspace.co.nz to other business owners.”

Belinda Smith

..............................................................................................It’s been said you can be the greatest manager in the world – but that won’t do any good unless you can attract enough of the right people. www.myjobspace.co.nz may be the solution.

So if you’re ready to save time and money call now or log on to www.myjobspace.co.nz. In less than seven minutes you can have your first ad ready, and when/if you need to run your second ad in the future it will only take a few minutes. In fact many employers think our site is the easiest site for loading jobs.

Gary Collins, Managing Director

P.S. Now is the time to act, as employers are on the move again - our site visits (job hunters) increased 26% from February to March

LOG ON TO

OR PHONE 0800 4 TODAY (0800 486 329) LEVEL 3, 818 COLOMBO STREET,

CHRISTCHURCH

Invest $395+gst and get as many great staff as you want for an entire year - guaranteed! Sounds like one of those unbelievable tabloid headlines like;

Gore woman loses 47kg by eating fried chicken

and wormsor Clairvoyant Society cancels meeting due to unforeseen circumstances

Well it’s not one of those headlines. It’s 100% true and not only will I refund you in full if you’re not completely satisfied, but I’ll give you a further 12 months free.

NZ s la rgest K iwi owned job s i te


Barnardos

years

Logitech Marathon Mouse M705It’s a mighty little mouse and no doubt you’ll want to trap it. But that’s where the similarities end between the mammal and mechanical siblings, because unlike its furry counterpart, the Logitech Marathon Mouse M705 is a designer breed. A no mess, no fuss, ultra-portable asset to your computer, it’ll be a welcome resident in your home.

The laser tracking technology delivers smooth cursor control on virtually any surface and this model can run for up to three years on one set of batteries.

Featuring advanced 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity, the Marathon Mouse’s itty bitty plug in-and-forget unifying receiver means your mouse is always at the ready. You can take document scrolling to the next generation of speed with the nearly frictionless alloy scroll wheel. A new concept in PC navigation, this feature will revolutionise the way you work.

Available: Bond and Bond, www.bondandbond.co.nzRRP: $129.99

products

tech

no t

reat

s Tomtom Start In-Car GPS navigatorOur world today is alive with the sights and sounds of change. We have archived the vintage days of horse and cart and penny farthing bicycles and now our streets are explored by the latest modes of transportation. And with motorcycles, mopeds and super mini cars of every breed on the road, it is no wonder many of us find it hard to get a sense of direction in the midst of the hustle and bustle.

In the game of on-road orientation, The Tomtom Start in-car GPS Navigator will help you find your bearings. Featuring a 3.5 inch touchscreen, the latest GeoSmart New Zealand map and pre-installed speed and red light camera information, it has an inbuilt help guide and EasyPort Mount for hassle free installation.

This portable pathfinder will be your on-road intuition; talking you through the ups and downs and ins and outs of the world around you, to help map out your life and get street smart.

Available: Order online from www.ascent.co.nz RRP: $299.99

Eco ReaderGetting lost in the world of literature feeds the imagination, promotes intellectual curiosity and offers the best form of escapism. So take yourself to a different destination every day with Eco Reader. This electronic book reader has revolutionised a nostalgic practise, but is still as small and lightweight as a paperback book.

The model features a six inch screen which is viewable in most lighting conditions, including direct sunlight. With a 512 MB storage memory, which is expandable to 4GB via a secure digital card, the Eco Reader sorts files by name and the longevity of the battery means your mind and imagination can travel to the world of fantasy, romance, science fiction or history for days on end.

And because this technology supports multiple file formats, you can download and read eBooks from pay sites the world over as well as sourcing thousands of free books through online institutional and educational libraries.

Available: Order online from vicbooks.co.nzRRP: $599

Life is a network of challenges. The social, physical and emotional obstacles presented don’t discriminate; at any age, being well equipped goes a long way if you want to live life to the full. And because every moment is precious, irrespective of the distance you have walked through life, there are always ‘things’ that can make the journey a little more fun — so here are some of life’s little techno treats to make sure your path is one well travelled.

Cisco FLIP Mino HD 60M VideoWe are taught to live for the future, but it is our past that has made us who we are today. To thread self definitive moments into our lifetime quilt, we need to preserve them just as they are. And to preserve the memories which have become part of our human fabric, we have to entrust their existence into the memory of another.

The Cisco Flip Mino video recorder is your memory bank. As a master of producing unspoiled memories, it has made the impossible, possible.

And with this ultra small, super sleek camcorder in your possession, the power of time is in your hands. You can revisit your past, relive your memories and make time stand still. It has been said that good things come in small packages and the Cisco Flip video recorder is no exception.

Available: Order online at www.noelleeming.co.nzRRP: $279.99

iPhoneWho knew that the infinite wisdom of technology could be consolidated into a telecommunication tool that fits right in your palm? With an innovative essence that knows no bounds, the world is in your hands with the third generation (3GS) 32GB Apple iPhone.

Beyond its integration of bread and butter

phone features, the iPhone is anything but basic. With a longer life battery, a high quality three megapixel camera and hands free voice control, its countless creative companions can also be yours. With iPhone applications aka ‘apps,’ you can take the earth with you wherever you go. Travel to the stars, map out the sea, explore the planet and let your iPhone do the navigating. The 3GS iPhone can be whatever you want it to be; your memory, your brain, your culinary inspiration or your conscience. The iPhone lets you decide.

After its launch, more than one million 3GS iPhones were sold in the first three days. But we’re not

bragging on its behalf. Find out for yourself, get lost in the magic of iPhone and explore your world from top to bottom.

Available: Order online at www.vodafone.co.nzRRP: $1379

Elite Regatta 300Life’s too short to resist indulgence, yet exercise is at the heart of every healthy person and that age old adage ‘a moment on the lips, forever on the hips,’ should be incentive enough for us all to get moving.

It’s also the key to spiritual and emotional wellbeing, thanks to those cheerful little compounds we know as endorphins. It’s scientifically proven that exercise gets the jolly juices flowing and better yet, endorphins work as natural pain relievers.

To sustain a healthy body and happy mentality, the Elite Regatta 300 rowing machine from Elite Fitness can help you help yourself. Featuring a foldaway body, transport wheels for maximum convenience and a contoured polyurethane seat for comfort, this model will get your muscles warmed up while cooling you down with its resistance building fan wheel. The Elite Regatta 300 is a smooth operator, which means you can row your way to health central, any time, any day, anywhere.

Available: www.elitefitness.co.nz, phone 0800 2 GET FITRRP: $799

Living | Today



Export | Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce

There’s no denying the path to fulfill our business potential is an uphill climb. But through the rigour of this uphill journey, it is energising to know the goals we’re in pursuit of can be aided by the application of business tools sourced from industry experts. For the past 154 years the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce has assumed the role of a professional parental figure to Wellington businesses. Offering advice, skills and strategies and encouraging, nurturing and promoting development, the Wellington Chamber is a veteran specialist in helping businesses grow into strong, healthy economic assets.

Merging forces On July 1, 2010, a regional super-parent is set to take on the role of supporting Wellington businesses. An amalgamation of the best business brains from the existing Wellington Chamber and the Employers and Manufacturers Association Central (EMA); the new employment enterprise will be given a title which is a hybrid of both organisations — The Wellington Employers’ Chamber of Commerce.

Wellington Chamber chief executive Charles Finny explains the rationale behind the merger. “When the economy was really struggling last year we had a fundamental rethink about the Chamber and we knew we had to look for a

like-minded organisation to form a collaborative relationship with to work on the export space.

“We wanted to give the Wellington Chamber more grunt. This collaboration means an increased number of members can take advantage of employment opportunities through the EMA. Because we will be bigger we can offer great group discounts and expand our range of services at no extra cost to members.”

The Wellington Chamber and EMA alliance has been a work in progress. On February 25, 2010 Wellington Chamber president Jo Bransgrove and EMA president Peter McKee, announced that the governance of their organisations would be circulating resolutions to members, seeking agreement on the merger.

“While maintaining member choice, the economies of working cooperatively will lower the subscription cost of accessing the offerings of both a Chamber and EMA,” McKee says of the new organisational concept.

“By combining forces we will also be able to expand our events, networking and lobbying activity in Wellington City and the wider region,” Bransgrove adds.

At the Wellington Chamber annual general meeting in March 2010, it was evident that member support was strong.

“I was delighted at the strength of support that was given to the resolutions on this merger that were put to members at the AGM,” Bransgrove says.

Business brains combine to tackle foreign frontier

Export focus This organisational merger is not the first of its kind, as the Wellington Chamber and EMA united forces in 2008 to establish a joint venture — Export New Zealand Wellington. With the intention of establishing a ‘one-stop shop’ for exporters in the greater Wellington region, the two organisation collaborated efforts to provide a continuation of the services already being offered by Export New Zealand in the Wellington area.

Export New Zealand Wellington offers: Export certification

Information on export markets

Export related training

Export consultancy services

Exporter events

Regional export awards

Events for visiting delegations

Links to the international Chamber of Commerce global network

Channelling contributions for export advocacy.

Finny says the establishment of Export New Zealand Wellington was a logical response to the region’s need for export support, although he adds that there is still much work to be done in this area. “In Wellington, our manufacturing is up against geographic constraints. We don’t have great agricultural, forestry and fishery

products because of our location, so we really are a services economy. But frankly, we are not exporting enough of these services to overseas markets.”

Calling Export New Zealand Wellington a ‘pipeline’ into the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise service, Finny says the joint venture will continue to focus on businesses who need to develop their export capabilities.

“We can’t grow enough through internal activity, therefore we need to grow our businesses, diversify our markets and exploit our time zone.

“We have world class talent in Wellington and we can charge this talent out to offshore markets at a reasonable rate in comparison to London or Shanghai.

“We need to sell our services to offshore governments and private sectors because if companies are to continue prospering, they need to look towards international markets.”

Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce Level 28, Magestic Centre 100 Willis StreetPO Box 1590Wellington 6011T (04) 914 6500F (04) 914 6514E [email protected]

— Advertising Feature

Wellington Chamber chief executive Charles Finny

Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce CEO Charles Finny, Minister of Trade Tim Groser and John Forster from HSBC at an Export Wellington breakfast

Here to help

YOU

E: [email protected]: 04 384 4161 • F: 04 384 4171


Export | RPS Switchgear

In business, irrespective of the industry you’re in, having the right tools, technical expertise and technological innovation is a professional passport to commercial success.

Approximately five to 15 percent of the company’s manufacturing is consumed in New Zealand with up to 85 percent exported to Australia, Africa and the Middle East. RPS Switchgear equipment has also recently been sold in Papua New Guinea and Hong Kong.

As the only medium-voltage distribution switchgear manufacturer in Australasia (most

phase organisational methodology for improving profits, safety and product quality. “In business, it is about improving your business tools, bringing these tools closer to you and facilitating a reduction of quality errors while empowering frontline staff,” Jensen explains.

As an innovative enterprise, Jensen says the company does not underestimate the importance of research and development. “Historically, we have always been known as a company that manufactures good products, but as the market has changed, we have had to look at our entire processes.”

At the end of February 2010, the company literally blew up thousands of dollars worth of panels to prove their intrinsic safety at the Test and Certification Laboratory in Sydney. “From one set of panels, we achieved very good results and we can now offer this equipment with dramatic safety improvements to the latest standards,” Jensen says.

“The general testing undertaken in this industry is ‘mean time to failure’. We took the next step beyond this during testing and looked at how long it takes to get the panels repaired. It was about finding the mechanism to create both a robust and easy to fix panel, because when you create a robust panel it can make it harder to get in to fix it.”

Having achieved a six-hour repair time during these trials, it would seem RPS Switchgear has bridged this chasm; having found a way to repair robust panels without compromising safety or reliability to do this.

For the future, RPS Switchgear will continue to focus on technological innovation, making products that are safer and easier to use.

RPS Switchgear 7-17 Bouverie StreetPetone Wellington 5072T (04) 568 0779F (04) 569 9688E [email protected]

With these attributes at its core, along with the knowledgeable guidance of general manager Kristian Jensen, one New Zealand electrical switchgear manufacturer is fast tracking itself towards world-class potential.

Manufacturing, installing, commissioning and servicing a range of 12 kV electrical distribution switchgear, Wellington based RPS Switchgear offers competitive, quality products that are exported worldwide. Every panel is customised, meaning RPS Switchgear is truly a boutique manufacturer, meeting specific customer demand.

other comparable businesses specialise in auto-recloser services), RPS Switchgear’s range includes circuit breakers, motor starters, disconnectors and fuse-switch combinations with voltage transformers and current transformers. Panel types can vary from single to double busbars as well as jackbus and bus couplers in a multitude of flexible configurations.

Currently in the process of implementing a competitive marketing strategy, RPS Switchgear has approximately 60 staff completing weekly training with the Wellington Institute of Technology and 30 staff training with Strategia. These courses are part of the company’s total commitment to lean manufacturing and the Japanese conceptualised ‘5S’ workplace philosophy. This programme promotes a five


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Solutions | AV2U


Picture perfect are interactive touch foil products, including high brightness window projection films.

They come in sizes up to 93 inch diagonal 4:3 format or 116 inches diagonal 16:9 format. These products allow people to use their fingers as a mouse to touch a link on the screen for more information.

The touch foil projection screen window is different to a regular touch screen in that it is very adaptable to various environments and not affected by external light conditions, or temperature or humidity. It’s simple to install and customers have the choice of either permanent or removable fixing options.

Interactive touchThe touch foil projection screen window is ideal for shop windows, interactive displays at museums, public transport information systems and for hotel and office building enquiry systems. It also could be a great presentation system for the office boardroom.

But Vision Enhancement’s innovative products don’t stop there. The company also has ultra short throw projectors now on the market. When mounted eight centimetres from the wall they produce an image 80 centimetres diagonal.

Salve Barnao says the education market in particular is adopting new technology, such as the ultra short throw projectors.

“They’re ideal for education applications, where interactive whiteboards are becoming more common. Schools are becoming very aware of the benefits of interactive learning. These are also great because no light beams will be getting in the presenter’s eyes.”

Mr Barnao says two of his staff members, key account manager Jason Higgan and office manager Maree Crighton, have each been with the company for more than 14 years.

“Our team aims to ensure the client is given extensive information to make a well informed purchasing decision. We have clients from many different sectors from small to medium businesses, to corporates to government departments to the education sector. This wide range of clients shows we’re happy to talk to you about exactly what your needs are.”

AV2U59 Marsden StreetLower HuttWellington 5010T 0800 765 276E [email protected]


New interactive audio visual (AV) products have just come into the New Zealand market thanks to Wellington-based business Vision Enhancement NZ Ltd.Vision Enhancement sells, leases and installs AV products and solutions. It also has a hire division under the name of AV2U that hires the same products nationwide.

The company was started 27 years ago, in October 1983, by Salve Barnao. He says the company’s point of difference is its dedication to customer service. “You always get to speak to a real person who can help when you call us. There’s no hiding behind voicemail.”

The ranges of products offered by both entities are comprehensive and include data projectors, LCD TVs, sound systems, control systems, digital signage and electronic and interactive whiteboards. The new products Vision Enhancement are bringing to the New Zealand market

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Solutions | Seaview Blasting

On April 10, 1968, the interisland ferry, TEV Wahine, sailed into a savage storm and sank at the entrance to Wellington Harbour. On that fateful day 51 people died. A further two died from injuries sustained during the sinking, making it a national tragedy and one of the most significant events in Wellington’s history.On January 21, 2010, some 41 years and seven months after it was cut from the wreck, the 18 metre high forward mast from the Wahine was raised at Korohiwa Bay, Eastbourne, as a memorial to the ship and those who died. An official ceremony at the memorial marked the 42nd anniversary of the sinking in April.

The mast had languished in various council yards for decades, rusted and marked with graffiti, before the move was made to restore it to its former glory. It was sandblasted and zinc arc sprayed (a protective zinc coating) before receiving two marine coating primers and a marine topcoat by Lower Hutt firm Seaview Blasting.

Survivors, people who worked on the Wahine and those whose lives the tragedy had touched, saw it in the yard and came to look. Seaview Blasting co-owner Shane Groeneveld says it was a very emotional job for a lot of people.

“People were extremely sentimental — it’s not just a mast, but a memorial. People would come here and see the mast and just stand there with tears in their eyes.”

Painted white, the mast can be seen from the main shipping channel out in the harbour, against the backdrop of hills. The bent rails on the radar platform halfway up the mast testify to the damage done during the sinking and subsequent recovery.

Mast of remembrance

“The damage was part of the Wahine story and the decision was made not to fix it,” Groeneveld says.

So large was the mast, that Seaview’s premises had to be altered to accommodate it, but Groeneveld says it

was worth it. “The Wahine disaster is a significant piece of Wellington’s history and we were proud to

play a vital role in telling that story.”

But telling the Wahine story is not the only part Seaview Blasting plays in Wellington. Established in 2007 from an existing sandblasting company, the business plays an integral role in the priming, painting, zinc arc spraying and industrial coating needs of the region.

One of the biggest factions of the business is its work on air bridges, the platform passengers

walk across from the aeroplane to the terminal before and after a flight. Seaview Blasting works predominantly for structural engineer J & D McLennan Ltd on the air bridges and general engineering.

“Another major part of the business is transport,” Groeneveld says of the company he owns with Chris Guy. “Truck bodies, chassis, new truck decks, you name it. We do a lot of refurbishments on old trucks and sandblasting new steel to remove millscale

and prevent corrosion.”

One recent job has been sandblasting and zinc arcing fire engine frames. “That’s a high spec job. We’re a small company, but we’re known for high quality,” he says of the three-year-old company’s high profile jobs. “We’re also refurbishing rubbish bins around Wellington,” he says. “One of the more exciting jobs we do is work for Junior Kustom Rides, the local hot rod shop. The industry is busy and there’s something new to do every day,” he says.

“We’re big enough to provide high quality workmanship while remaining small enough to care,” he adds. “We’re in the process of building a new 100 square metre blast booth — continual upgrading of plant is important to maintain the competitive edge and quality we’re known for.

“As for other future plans, we don’t want to get much bigger. For us it’s more important to be better than bigger, it keeps our quality high and that is what is most important to us.”

Seaview Blasting is testament to the hard work and dedication of Shane Groeneveld and Chris Guy, much like the Wahine mast, which, after lying forgotten for more than 40 years, now stands vigil at Eastbourne, in memory of the lives lost that fateful day.

Seaview Blasting25 Seaview RoadSeaview, WellingtonT (04) 568 4172F (04) 568 4164E [email protected]


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Solutions | On Tap

Basil Jones has been a metal spinner for 50 years, but it wasn’t until 1990 that he and his wife decided to stop working for other people and start their own business.This year is their 20th anniversary in business.

Basil Jones Metal Spinners got started after winning a contract for making the domes for hot water cylinders and from there built a good client base.

Mr Jones wife, Jacqui works in the administration side of the business and together they employ three other people, one of whom has been with them since they started.

A memorable project was spinning one metre diameter copper calibration and protection spheres for Transpower NZ Ltd. Basil Jones Metal Spinners was also a partner in making the prestigious silver Wellington Cup for the Wellington Racing Club.

Mr Jones says one of his career highlights is seeing the company’s work on screen. “We made heaps of props for the Peter Jackson movies, Lord of the Rings and King Kong. It makes you feel good when you see your own handiwork in these award-winning films.”

The challenge for Basil Jones Metal Spinners for the future is to explore the different directions where metal spinning can be used.

“People just don’t realise all the products that can be spun. An example is creating tube reducers for the dairy industry. We still use stainless steel but instead of deep-drawing we use metal-spinning for a fraction of the tooling cost.” The company has proven this point by making metal-spun tube reducers for a Hamilton concern.

Deciding to start their own plumbing business was an easy decision for Wairarapa couple Chris and Bernadette Hoskins. They had already owned a business called Hoskins and Brown in Wellington for eight years beforehand, fitting tanks for various oil companies. Before that, Chris had been working as a plumber, a gasfitter and a drainlayer for other companies.

Chris and Bernadette Hoskins opened On Tap when they moved to Featherston in 2004 and now have 15 employees. They started by doing domestic and commercial plumbing and plumbing maintenance. The company has since expanded into solar hot water, site works, water and sewer connections, gas fitting, drain-laying and subdivisions. Although On Tap is based in Featherston, the company will work anywhere within the Wellington and Wairarapa regions.

These days, Bernadette works in the office part-time with Chris, although she says he prefers to

Basil Jones may have been working in the industry for 50 years, but he certainly hasn’t fallen into a pattern.

“We are always looking for new opportunities. Anything round and hollow, we can probably spin it.”

Basil Jones Metal Spinners LtdPO Box 3051 Lower Hutt 5040T (04) 939 9979 F (04) 939 9919E [email protected] — Advertising Feature

be on site. “He’d much rather be out getting his hands dirty.”

On Tap is just finishing up a major project where they did all the plumbing and drainage for the Masonic Aged Care Centre in Masterton. The crew has also been working on three McDonalds — in Poriura, Palmerston North and Wanganui. Another major project for the company was working on the Patent 326 apartments on the Wellington waterfront.

Competitive timesBernadette says the biggest challenge On Tap has faced was finding its way through the recession. “It’s pretty competitive out there, you’ve got to be working hard to get those jobs and be competitive. Even though they say it’s over, it’s still tough out there.”

Two employees who worked for Hoskins and Brown in Wellington have since come back to work for Chris and Bernadette at On Tap.

After 16 years as employers Bernadette says there are three key things they have learned. These are: “The importance of treating the

people who work for you with respect, and being fair and honest.”

Bernadette says there are no major changes on the horizon for the business.

She says On Tap want to keep on doing what it is doing, and make sure they are doing it well.

&&

Blending

On Tap LtdPO Box 124 Featherston T (06) 308 6006 F (06) 308 6005 E [email protected] — Advertising Feature

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PO Box 124, Featherston • Ph: (06) 308 6006 • Fax: (06) 308 6005 • Email: [email protected] • www.on-tap.co.nzPlumbing • Gasfitting • Drainlaying • Subdivisions • Solar hot water • Water & sewer connections • Siteworks • Plumbing Maintenance

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Business Development | Bordeaux Bakery

“Le secrete du bon pain est dans les mains du boulanger.” This French saying means “The secret to good bread is in the hands of the baker”.Wellington based businessman and owner of Bordeaux Bakery, Jean Louis Macadre, proved this correct in April when he was presented with the prestigious Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Merite by the French government.

It was presented by the French ambassador to New Zealand, Michel Legras, and Monique Amigues, the trade commissioner.

This award is similar in status to a knighthood in New Zealand. Macadre has been given it in the agricultural section, for his contributions to baking. This might sound a bit strange to New Zealand ears, but Gail, his Kiwi wife, explains. “To the French, baking is an art form. In the ceremony the French ambassador made a speech recognising the respect French culture has for bread. The ambassador spoke of how truly great it was for Wellington to have someone of Jean Louis’ calibre in their midst.

“Twenty years ago French bread was not common in New Zealand. However, Jean Louis had this unbelievable passion and truly believed that Kiwis wanted to eat good bread.”

Jean Louis Macadre founded Bordeaux Bakery in 1992 and it has grown exponentially since then.

Gail reminisces. “The business first started in the old post office where Jean Louis was the baker and I helped him bake on the weekends and at night. There was only one other person working in the shop. Now we have three retail outlets employing 35 people. Bordeaux Bakery also

supplies its products to almost 40 restaurants and supermarkets, including Moore Wilsons, in the Wellington region.”

Jean Louis Macadre was born in Bordeaux, a central region of France, and left school at 14 to work in a bakery. By 17 he was a qualified baker and was named the year’s top apprentice in the Bordeaux region. He moved to New Zealand in 1991, where he met and later married Gail.

They started the bakery in 1992 because Jean Louis couldn’t get a job as a baker anywhere else. He was told time and time again there was no market for the products he made in New Zealand.

European appeal“However, Wellingtonians embraced the French boulangerie and that has been pivotal to the business’ success. The last 20 years have seen a rise in the popularity of all things European as more New Zealanders travel overseas.”

Gail says that while some of their customers are people who fell in love with bakeries overseas and are looking for a taste of France in New Zealand, many customers are also locals who simply appreciate quality food.

“The sandwich is the ultimate Kiwi lunch and a sammie made with good bread is great. We have electricians and plumbers and policemen stopping in to grab their lunches as well.

“Jean Louis’ favourite is the enormously popular mille-feuille. It’s like a deluxe version of the New Zealand custard square, handmade every day. That doesn’t really surprise me.

“But we sell lots of canele, a traditional Bordeaux cake which is basically a caramelised cupcake. It’s a specialist cake, yet they’re enormously popular too.”

Bon appetit

Daughter Sophie and wife Gail congratulate Jean Louis Macadre, owner of the Bordeaux Bakery, on being awarded the prestigious Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Merite by the French government

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Business Development | Bordeaux Bakery Property and Construction | MC2 Group


beautiful mountains, a few minutes from the beach and a great climate. What more could you ask for?”

MC2 Group Limited1st Floor, Coastlands BuildingState Highway 1PO Box 784ParaparaumuNew ZealandT (04) 917 0001F (04) 499 4120E [email protected] — Advertising Feature

Welcome to days of wine, walking and soaking up the tranquil atmosphere …

Bishops VineyardWake up to see the sun rise over hectares of grape vines, spend the afternoon walking by the beach or in the woods, then relax at night by sampling award-winning wine.Bishops Vineyard rural residential subdivision in Ohau combines lifestyle and living well.

Stage one of the Bishops Vineyard project comprises 31 lots with sections ranging from 2061sq metres to 4257sqm, set amidst 22 hectares of vineyards. Some very interesting homes are being constructed on the superbly landscaped sections. One is a showhome, ideally placed to capture the sun, north facing with views over the vines, says Barry Clevely from MC2 Group.

And speaking of vines, the grapes are currently being harvested for their second vintage. The first vintage produced a champion pinot gris which was awarded the Brother Cyprian Trophy at the 2009 Romeo Bragato Conference.

Clevely says Ohau is becoming a significant wine growing area. The owners of Bishops Vineyard have also developed a similar sized vineyard on land adjacent to State Highway One, on the former Strathcarron Stud.

Ohau enjoys a fantastic climate, similar to Nelson, he says. “The township has all the credentials, but it is also only an hour’s drive to Palmerston North and an hour and a half from Wellington — although it could soon be even closer when the new motorway is operational. The greatest part of this area is the quality of life. Trout in the stream,

Bordeaux Bakery is a hybrid between a typical French bakery and the café culture that New Zealanders love. In France customers simply arrive at their favourite boulangerie each morning to queue for their daily baguette or pastries. In New Zealand customers like to buy their food and then sit down and have a coffee the way customers do in a café.

At Bordeaux Bakery customers get the best of both worlds. Authentic French breads and cakes are always on sale, even seasonal specialities like traditional Christmas log-cakes, but visitors also have a space to relax and eat onsite.

The biggest challenge for the business at the moment is accessing the European trained hospitality staff they need to give the bakery’s front of house the authentic touch.

“It is essential to have the appropriate staff. It’s getting very difficult for Bordeaux Bakery to employ overseas staff because of immigration’s hesitation in issuing work visas. We do have French staff and we critically need more.”

Jean Louis says one of the highlights of the couple’s career was participating in the recent French Festival in Wellington.

“It was a great showcase of French culture interspersed with French food. Jean Louis’ passion is for food as a whole,” Gail says.

“For example, he makes his own terrines for pork and venison.

“The French government’s recognition of his achievements surrounds his passion for and commitment to good food. He really is an ambassador for the French.”

Bordeaux Bakery220 Thorndon QuayWellington 6011 T (04) 499 8334F (04) 499 8336E [email protected]


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Property and Construction | Bachler Deck

Get your game on

“In Wellington many sports fields are closed due to the weather. This surfacing allows the field to be used 365 days of the year.”

Bachler Deck, in conjunction with STI (NZ) and Groundworks has finished installing Poligras into Nairnville Park. The 4500 square metre sports field was laid with 65mm long pile, on an in-situ shock pad. The 25mm elastic layer shock pad is the key to the field’s success, providing the optimum shock absorption and force reduction for total player comfort.

This job led to the awarding of the contract to lay a full rugby field at Victoria University. In conjunction with STI (NZ) and Groundworks this turn-key project sees 9000 square metres of Poligras being installed. Around the outside of the field will be a red two-lane running track, enabling the field to be multi-purpose — a huge benefit for all sports codes in the community.

“We have had many enquiries and I believe a lot of sports grounds will head this way. When people begin to see how good Poligras is, we will go the way Australia has and it will become the preferred surface.”

Island Bay School had a natural grassed courtyard area at the heart of the school. During winter it was a rare thing for it to be much more than mud. Deck says the Poligras surface had made such a difference in this setting.

St Peter and St Paul School has laid a Poligras multi-marked sports field which can be utilised every week of the school year. “The kids can get out there and run around on it all the time now. They incorporated permanent line markings for several sports, including a red running track down one side.”

Deck also talks of the minimal carbon footprint of the product. Not only is it made of recycled products, the savings on mowing, fertilizing and line marking is considerable over the lifetime of the product.

In addition to being specialists in artificial surfacing, the company provides full construction service for tennis courts and sports facilities, including lighting, fencing, equipment and landscaping.

Bachler Deck19 Hautonga StreetPetoneWellingtonT (04) 939 9004E [email protected] — Advertising Feature

The feel of crisp green grass underfoot has to be one of the joys of childhood. Now a New Zealand company has the green light to install Poligras, an artificial grass surface under play equipment. This looks like grass, feels like grass and has full Australian and New Zealand safety certification for a fall height of up to 1.5 metres.Bachler Deck managing director Richard Deck says this safety surfacing brings another option into play for schools, early childhood centres and local authorities. “It’s a great product. It is aesthetically pleasing, the pricing is great and it fully meets all the required safety standards.”

Under the Poligras is a shock pad layer made from recycled car tyres. Several Wellington schools have installed the product and Deck anticipates it will become a popular option. “It’s very cost effective against other products, it’s impact absorbing, drains immediately, does not wear out and is UV stabilised.”

The third generation Poligras is also becoming increasingly popular on major sports fields and in high wear areas like training facilities.

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Property and Construction | Paremata Swimming Pool Builders


It is the ultimate private retreat to escape the summer sun; an investment in the health of body and mind and an aesthetically compelling yet functional attribute to any home.

Your own

oasis

The swimming pool has long been an asset to houses around the world and in Wellington backyards, veteran pool professional Jeff Cochrane has been keeping Wellingtonians swimming for summers on end.

Paremata Swimming Pool Builders is owned by Mr Cochrane; a builder who became involved in building swimming pools in 1976. He opened the Paremata Spa and Pool Centre in 1985, selling the store in 2005 to concentrate on building swimming pools. Today his business operates alongside the Paremata Spa and Pool Centre on Mana Esplanade.

Paremata Swimming Pool Builders constructs custom Mayfair fibreglass pools, working from Wellington, north to Otaki. Mayfair pools can be built in all shapes and sizes and their construction involves a unique patented construction method of applying durable fibreglass surface to a concrete sub-structure and form work. Renovation of older concrete or vinyl pools is also possible with application of the Mayfair technique.

To compliment its range of high quality pools, Paremata Swimming Pool Builders also offers the hidden cover system, where the cover winds up under the paving at the end of the pool. “That is our product and nearly every pool we do now has that hidden cover system. We want to make things easier for people.”

Quality building products are vital to the success of Mr Cochrane’s company. “We do the job properly in the first place and if there’s any issue we go back and fix it. We give people what they want and exceed their expectations.”

He attributes much of the business’ success to his staff’s ability to translate customers requests into tangible results.

“This is a big thing because the companies that provide the factory moulded and imported swimming pools can’t do what we do.

“One of the main advantages of choosing a Mayfair pool is the customer can have any shape and sized pool they want. We design to suit the site and to suit what people want.”

Supplying and installing only the most reputable products that meet the highest quality standards outlined by Mayfair Pools, Paremata Swimming Pool Builders is qualified to advise clients on all design aspects of their ideal pool setting.

Steps, swim-outs, paddling pools, fountains, waterfalls and safety parameters are all additional pool possibilities. The company can also undertake project management responsibility and the landscaping of pools as well as any applicable fencing work.

Paremata Swimming Pool builders is a company that gets it right the first time.

Paremata Swimming Pool Builders Limited PO Box 57-073Mana, Porirua 5247Wellington T (04) 233 8450F (04) 233 8420E [email protected]


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Focus | Aztech Engineering

Turning ideas of design into working components is as much an art as it is a science— and it is here Aztech Engineering is in its element. The Lower Hutt company offers customers a total design-and-engineering package via a combination of highly skilled staff and high-tech machinery.

The Petone based company was formed in 2004 by owners Bruce Hollow and Nathan Brown, who

wanted to improve the quality of engineering services in Wellington. Soon after the company moved to its current premises in Parliament Street, Lower Hutt, and has continued to grow its range of services since.

Aztech is now at a level to be versatile enough to compete with most general engineering companies in New Zealand, with both design and construction capability encompassing all classes of machine shop work, heavy steel fabrication and rolling, profile cutting and sheet metal work.

Hollow says large project and contract work has continued to grow, with the company able to complete any project of any size. “We have quite a broad focus now and have a client base of 500-600 repeat clients.”

Aztech Engineering is led by a team of experienced engineers, who always achieve their clients’ objectives. Aztech staff are a mix of young and experienced tradesmen, ensuring its apprentices are well trained in both modern and past practises of their trade.

Creating Concepts

Aztech Engineering prides itself on being able to offer everything in-house — a fact that makes it stand out from competitors. In addition to major project work, Aztech has a stainless steel and aluminium fabrication shop and undertakes a range of structural engineering.

“We can deal with all types of metals. We try to be self sufficient with machinery and we’ve got a 300-tonne brake press, a section roller, plate rollers and our own CNC plasma cutter,” Hollow says. “We have all our own machinery so we don’t have to out source work — we do it all in-house.”

Aztech Engineering is hoping to expand its services further through the employment of its own design engineer. “We’re going to bring that under our wing as well — that’s our aim for this year,” Hollow says.

“At the moment we outsource our design and certification work, but having our own design engineer will increase our engineering capabilities. Quality is the big thing and having a design engineer will cover us from design to build.”

Welding supplies

Three years ago Hollow and Brown decided to diversify their business interests further with the establishment of a Wellington-based Global Welding Supplies distributorship.

Global Welding Supplies is based in Auckland and supplies a range of welding machinery, electrodes and wires. Hollow and Brown are currently working to expand their supplies business across the lower North Island.

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32a Eastern Hutt RoadWingate, Lower Hutt

Ph: 920 0079 Fax: 920 0078Email: [email protected]

Hot dip galvanizingServices includes:Trailers, Handrails, Structural, Agricultural and a great deal more

Wellington Phone 568 4139129 Hutt Park Road, Gracefieldwww.perrymetalprotection.co.nz

Also in Tauranga, Hamilton, Auckland and Christchurch

Galvanizing steel since 1974

Proud to be associated with Aztech EngineeringRegistered Master Builders

For new homes or renovations

LIFETIME BUILDERS LIMITED

Phone Brent on 027 442 6733 or 04 236 7979 or

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Quality workmanship. Competitive rates


Project workA large proportion of Aztech Engineering’s work involves major projects, including mechanical pipework fit-outs, boiler installations, quarry maintenance, structural fit-outs, petrochemical pipeline installation, tank fabrication, and general engineering. The company is also involved in ongoing maintenance contracts around the Wellington region.

Aztech Engineering, which employs 27 people, was initially involved in a 12-month beef board upgrade at Taylor Prestons Abattoir in Ngaranga.

Since then the company’s primary growth has been in the maintenance of industrial sites, along with building construction mechanical services and a focus on fabrication and welding.

Co-owner Bruce Hollow says the company is currently carrying out many significant projects. “We are undertaking pharmaceutical piping for an animal vaccine company, Schering Plough in Upper Hutt, which involves pharmaceutical-grade stainless steel that is at the top end of the scale,” he says. “That’s an ongoing project and we’ve invested in a $90,000 orbital welding machine to do that work.”

Aztech Engineering has been working on the Schering Plough site for nearly five years and hired an orbital welder before purchasing its

own machine 12 months ago. Owning the welder has allowed the company to increase its production levels and subcontract the machine out to other companies.

“We have a fixed maintenance contract at Winstone Aggregates quarries,” Hollow says. “Alongside this we also do conveyor belt repairs and belt joining.” Working with Applied Conveyors from Auckland means Aztech can supply and service most conveyor belts in the Wellington and lower North Island region.

“One of our major projects was for Centreport, doing building alterations for the straddle cranes and fabricating all the log book ends along the Wellington Port area, and we have ongoing maintenance at Taylor Prestons. We also do a lot of building services work such as heating, airconditioning, cooling towers and boilers.”

Aztech Engineering undertakes work for oil companies such as Chevron and has ongoing work with OnTrack on Wellington’s rail upgrade.

“We’ve done complete mechanical building fit-outs like ASB on The Terrace and I’ve been to Melbourne and Tasmania on fuel terminal work. That work is done in conjunction with Ewing Construction in Christchurch. Australian companies often require specialised New Zealand companies.”

Aztech and Ewing Construction are currently tendering for the new BP terminal upgrade in Seaview, in which involves the construction of a completely new site.

Specialty workIn addition to its large project work, the team at Aztech Engineering can complete small prototype work. “People can come off the street for little one-off jobs — a $20 job through to a $20,000 job,” Hollow says.

“We pride ourselves on getting our work out on time and to budget. We have skilled staff — especially when it comes to orbital welding. We have two guys fully qualified in orbital welding for biopharmaceutical work. They’ve achieved a standard for that.”

Aztech Engineering is continually undergoing health and safety, and quality control audits to ensure the standard of its work remains high. The company has not been seriously affected by the economic recessions and has not had to reduce its staff numbers at all.

Hollow and his business partner Nathan Brown are happy with the comprehensive range of services Aztech Engineering is offering and have no plans to grow the business outside of the lower North Island.

“There’s enough work for us in Wellington at the moment. We have a pretty good relationship with other firms around the country. If we have a large project we might recruit people from Ewings in Christchurch or Napier Engineering to help.”

They attribute the success of Aztech Engineering to their approach to the engineering industry. “We’re open and approachable, whereas most places have closed doors,” Hollow says.

“Anyone with any idea can come and talk to us. We have a good work crew and two good workshop foremen here who can run the business.

“Customers come to us mainly because we can give them a price fairly quickly, we can get the job started immediately when accepted, and if there’s any problem we can rectify it immediately. We like the way we work, we like the people that work for us and we don’t have people leave.”

Aztech Engineering Limited PO Box 13-542 Johnsonville 6440 T (04) 570 1956 F (04) 570 1953 www.aztechengineering.co.nz


Focus | Aztech Engineering

• Fabrication • Brake Pressing • Guillotining • Plate Rolling • Machining • General Engineering

P: 04 570 1956 • F: 04 570 1953 • W: www.aztechengineering.co.nz • 3 Parliament St, Lower Hutt, Wellington - PO Box 13542 Johnsonville

The breadth of application stainess steel is used for speaks louder than any words could about its unmitigated success. Brightworks Stainless in Gracefield can design and build virtually any high-quality stainless steel product required for your home or business. And this encompasses a lot.Brightworks Stainless was formed 13 years ago and today employs eight staff from its factory and showroom in Gracefield Road, Lower Hutt.

The company specialises in stainless steel fabrication and installation, including kitchen fitouts, domestic benchtops, refrigerated commercial cabinets and handrails.

Director Dean Francis says Brightworks offers a high-quality range of kitchen products and services for both domestic and commercial kitchens. These products include custom-made and textured stainless steel benches, extraction hoods and ducting, hand-crafted sinks and benches — all ideal for home, hotel, restaurant, bar and café-grade kitchens.

Wherever you are in the house, restaurant, hotel or bar, Brightworks can apply its expertise to find a solution to your requirements.

With the kitchen a focal point of most homes, Brightworks Stainless’ architecturally designed benchtops have seamless welded joints and lots of options for front and side profiles, as well as textures and finishes. The company also provides designer stainless bathroom fittings for vanity tops and basins.

Brightworks Stainless has recently installed a four-metre guillotine in its Gracefield factory, which can cut stainless steel up to 6mm thick.

“We bought it to make longer benchtops and extraction hoods,” Francis says. “Our old guillotine only cut to 2.5 metres, but we’ve kept that machine and now have a long and a short option and can use two at the same time. It makes our job easier and faster.”

Additional servicesBrightworks Stainless works closely with kitchen designers, architects and joiners to come up with high-quality stainless steel products to meet every customer’s requirements.

Its highly skilled staff can make almost anything for any purpose, including catering equipment, trolleys and handrails.

The company is also an experienced aluminium fabricator and can make aluminium gates, fences and balustrades, architectural metal products, bakery provers, ducting and refrigerated display equipment.

Francis says most of Brightworks Stainless’ work is carried out for customers in the lower North Island region, including Wellington, Palmerston

North and Wanganui. “We recently did the Government House kitchen fit-out and we’ve done fit-outs for Little India restaurants as well.

“About half of our work is for domestic customers so we do a lot of domestic kitchens too. They are mainly high-spec kitchens for homes in the upper housing market,” Francis says.

Brightworks Stainless also deals direct with the public and is happy to build stainless steel benches for purpose-built and kitset kitchens.

Brightworks can design and custom build the perfect stainless steel bench for your home

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Initiatives | Brightworks Stainless

A slice of Australia Brightworks Stainless has established itself in the tough Australian pizza restaurant market by opening its own factory in Brisbane to produce pizza kitchens.

“We soon realised it wasn’t going to be quick enough doing it that way,” Francis says. “My factory manager, who was here for 10 years, moved over to Queensland and together we set up a factory there.”

That factory is now based in Coolum, about an hour and 15 minutes’ drive north of Brisbane. It employs four staff and is primarily involved in manufacturing stainless steel kitchens for Hell Pizza. Brightworks has already completed 10 Hell Pizza kitchens in Australia and will be doing another 20 during the next two years.

“We’ve got another chain over there as well, Capone’s Pizza, which we’ve done a lot of work for. We’ve done five Capone’s restaurants in Australia and we picked that up through our reputation and word of mouth,” Francis says.

“We developed a refrigerated pizza cabinet for Hell Pizza. We custom-make them and they’re all built to different specifications. The one we’ve developed for Capone’s is different again. It’s still a refrigerated cabinet but it’s bigger.”

Brightworks Stainless would like to grow its work within the pizza restaurant industry both in New Zealand and Australia and has a large amount of experience and expertise on offer to national chain customers.

Focus on qualityLike many businesses, Brightworks Stainless found last year’s recession difficult, but is already experiencing a better start to 2010, with forward work beginning to emerge.

“We’re in a competitive industry but we seem to have a good marketshare. We’ve been around a little while now and we have a good name out there. We do quality work and back that up with good service.”

The team at Brightworks makes sure it does not cut back on quality in order to make a product at a cheaper rate. “That’s not what we want to do. We use a thicker grade of metal than some other companies and we focus on quality workmanship. We’re flexible and we can tailor make anything. We provide a quality service at a reasonable price.”

Brightworks Stainless Limited130 Gracefield Road, GracefieldLower Hutt 5010T (04) 568 8883F (04) 568 8180E [email protected]— Advertising Feature

Director Dean Francis says Brightworks has a strong reputation within the pizza industry in New Zealand and is working hard to grow its business in Australia.

It has done work for Dominos Pizza in the past and is now heavily involved in the development of Hell Pizza

restaurants on both sides of the Tasman.

Hell Pizza began in Wellington in 1996 and has more than 60 stores throughout New

Zealand. It is also establishing solid support in Australia, where new stores are being opened.

Brightworks Stainless began working for Hell Pizza in Australia two years ago. The company built its first Australian kitchen at its Lower Hutt factory and sent it across the Tasman.

Brightworks is involved in the development of Hell Pizza restaurants on both sides of the Tasman, designing, building and installing commercial pizza kitchens

Brightworks Stainless has it’s own slice of the pizza business,

as a manufacturer of pizza ovens

32a Eastern Hutt Road, Wingate, Lower HuttPh: 920 0079, Fax: 920 0078, Email: [email protected]

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Initiatives | Brightworks Stainless

The opening of Clarkson Electrical’s new Wellington branch confirms the company’s commitment to servicing its national customers with a consistent high level of service.

Electrical specialtyClarkson Electrical is a family-owned business formed in Auckland in 1997 by Terry Clarkson, who has since established a nationwide reputation as a leading provider of high-quality electrical installation and total electrical support within the commercial and industrial sectors.

Clarkson Electrical specialises in the design, installation and 24-hour support of quality-critical electrical and electronic systems; from lighting to building automation and production line control.

The company designs, constructs and fits highly complex switchgear, control panels and distribution boards and provides all switchgear, micro-processors and instrumentation.

Its expertise also includes the highly specialist field of hazardous area projects, with Terry Clarkson one of New Zealand’s few authorised hazardous area inspectors.

General manager David Clarkson says the Auckland-based business is split into two divisions — service and project work. Its electrical service, maintenance and repair work involves anything from a factory to petroleum sites and hazardous areas. Project work involves new installations.

Clarkson Electrical carries out projects ranging from $50 to $3.5 million and can complete virtually any type of electrical work or service.

The company also carries out facilities and project management throughout New Zealand, utilising more than 50 contracting companies including plumbers, builders, landscaping, air conditioning companies, electrical contractors and security.

New Lower Hutt branchClarkson Electrical has recently opened up new branches in Wellington and Christchurch in order to provide a more consistent high standard of work to its national customer base. The Wellington branch is located in Railway Avenue, Lower Hutt.

“With our national clients we’ve always used a subcontractor network,” David Clarkson says.

“But from a lot of research we’ve done we’ve learnt that our clients want us to do it — they like it in-house. We have a comprehensive health and safety policy, which they like, and they want us to do the work personally.”

The Wellington branch was established to help service a new national contract with Johnson Controls to maintain 113 Mobil Oil’s sites. The contract involves a wide variety of work, including building maintenance, windows, lawns and grounds.

Clarkson says the new Wellington and Christchurch branches will be working hard to gain new service and repair work in order to grow beyond the Johnson Controls contract.

“In the last 12 months we’ve diversified from just electrical work, mainly through the Johnson Controls contract.

“We’ve developed a very good name for quality. We can solve problems and work hard to maintain that high level of quality and workmanship across all our work.”

Clarkson Electrical prides itself on the high quality of its work, as well as its enviable health and safety record, which the company has won awards for.

“We work to a very high level and we meet compliance at all levels,” says Clarkson.

“We take each job from start to finish and we have a wide range of experience and knowledge across our team.”

Clarkson Electrical WellingtonUnit 1, 20-26 Railway AvenuePO Box 31518 Lower Huttt 5040T (04) 560 4502F (04) 560 4503www.clarksons.co.nz

Charging on

Clarkson Electrical staff busy installing equipment


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Expertise, experience and commitment

AUCKLAND Unit 1, 77 Huia Road Otahuhu, Auckland, 1062 T: 09 270 3078 F: 09 270 3079

CHRISTCHURCH Unit D, 130 Montreal Street, Sydenham, Christchurch T: 03 366 9440 F: 03 366 9443

WELLINGTON Unit 1, 20-26 Railway Ave, Lower Hutt T: 04 560 4502 F: 04 560 4503

As a provider of lighting solutions to the NZ market Gerard Lighting appreciate and support the key business initiatives that make Clarkson Electrical

so prominent within the Electrical fraternity

Ph. 09 623 9646 | Fax. 09 623 9640 | www.gerardlighting.co.nz

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Initiatives | Clarkson Electrical

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Documents

Wellington Today Issue 72