Business mentor: Business series aims to celebrate

Q. I've heard quite a bit about the Small Business Day Series planned for the coming months. What is the purpose of this series and what's in it for a small businesses like mine?

A. Roger Wigglesworth, SME director, Ministry of Economic Development, replies:

The Small Business Day Series has three main aims:

* To celebrate and acknowledge the importance of small businesses to the economy and the well-being of all New Zealanders.

* To give small businesses more tools and practical advice.

* To increase the lines of communication between small businesses and the Government.

Over the past few weeks ministers and MPs have visited about 30 small businesses nationwide. During these visits, the Government has gained an up-to-date, first-hand appreciation of several of the issues affecting small businesses.

Small Business Day New Zealand, taking place in Wellington today, is the first of 24 regional business events around the country.

Small Business Minister John Tamihere will report on the Government's response to some of the issues raised by the tour.

Tamihere's presentation will be followed by a question and answer session.

When the series is completed, Tamihere will take the best ideas to Cabinet for approval.

Highlights of the Wellington event include an expo featuring leading small businesses and Government agencies servicing them.


Small business owners are queuing to attend mentoring sessions where they can discuss issues affecting their companies with experienced business people.


* For a series programme and more information visit Small Business Day website

* Email us your small business question
Answers are courtesy of Spring - A State of Mind for Business.