Chester Borrows: We need to kill the zombies

Chester Borrows

WHANGANUI's economy is built on small and medium-sized businesses. We are good at it, but other centres are snapping at our heels and we need to dissuade any "zombie town"-type allegations from ever recurring, because they are false.

When the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment roadshow -- "Taking Care of Business" -- arrives in Whanganui on Friday, May 19, it will be an excellent opportunity for small to medium enterprises to hear rapid-fire presentations from government agencies that matter to business success.

It also gives valuable scope to have decision-makers listen to local feedback, and for business operators in this region to network and discuss opportunities.

We should relish the chance to tell officials how it is in Whanganui because -- as in the rest of New Zealand -- 85 per cent of people here are employed in small enterprises.

Recognising that organisations with fewer than 20 employees are the backbone of business strength, this Government has put huge resources behind helping these enterprises to succeed in an ever-changing environment.

Good business people are leaders, not followers. They are always looking ahead for the next opportunity to take up -- and the roadshow is one of them

So, exactly what can local people expect in a series of seminars that have seen more than 2000 small business owners in attendance across the country in the past 12 months?

SMALL IS GOOD: Eighty-five per cent of Whanganui people are employed in small enterprises.PHOTO/FILE

A number of agencies relevant to small business will make presentations and then their people will be available for questions and one-on-one sessions. There will be representatives from agencies such as Worksafe NZ, Inland Revenue, ACC, MFat, and Statistics NZ.

There will also be information about the Ministry of Social Development's support and service delivery to business along with support for protecting businesses online with the SME toolkit "Connect Smart for Business" which includes being vigilant about cyber-security and developing an incident management plan.

I am looking forward to being part of this lunchtime seminar with my colleague, the Minister for Small Business, Jacqui Dean. It will be a valuable couple of hours to gather tips and tricks for good commercial practice and a great chance to talk directly to agencies whom businesses deal with on a day-to-day basis.

I urge people in business to plan to be there for the benefit of their staff, business and Whanganui Inc.

If more businesses are more successful, then there are more people recruited and more money spent in the local economy -- that way the economic base of Whanganui strengthens.

Can you afford two hours away from your business to add some value to what you are trying to achieve in the coming 12 months? Can you afford not to?