Helping hand for firms looking abroad

By PETER GRIFFIN

A group of high-flying expatriate New Zealanders are banding together to help local companies win business abroad.

IT start-ups and software developers are among those expected to benefit most.

Dallas-based Andy Lark is leading the development of GNOK (Global Network of Kiwis) - a loose network of New Zealanders dotted around the world in senior management roles.

Mr Lark is vice-president of global communications at telecom-equipment maker Nortel Networks.

He said it was time New Zealand started seeing the brain-drain as an "unstoppable reality" and began using successful New Zealanders abroad to generate business leads.

"If 5 per cent of the 200 Kiwis in high positions dotted around the world can help 10 per cent of the Kiwis trying to break into the United States it will be worth it," he said.

So far the network extends to about 30 expatriates, who Mr Lark hopes will begin meeting quarterly to thrash out ideas and match promising companies with business contacts.

"These companies are capital constrained and haven't a lot of US marketing experience," he said. "That's where we can help."

Mr Lark has already helped one Auckland company win business in the US after a chance meeting at Auckland Airport with Pete Mazany, founder and managing director of business software company SmartSims.

The Auckland software developer builds business simulations for graduates and MBA students.

Mr Lark said SmartSims was an example of a home-grown company that could provide better software than higher-priced US-based competitors. His input resulted in SmartSims being implemented as a training tool within Nortel.

Mr Lark, who is speaking at the Baycorp SmartNet Workshops in Christchurch this week, said he was impressed by some of the moves of the business community.

"New Zealand needs more keas than kiwis," he said. "People who will beg, borrow or steal to gain the means of doing business successfully."

nzherald.co.nz/entrepreneur