Talk of green shoots and the end of the recession should be taken with caution, according to Bizzone’s Managing Director, Sarah Trotman.
“LEAN has become the new buzz word for all in businesses managing themselves through this period. Good management, that has clearly identified the direction of the business, the areas that need working on, and is getting the support in to make these changes, will come through the recession strongly.
“Business needs to remain vigilant on key areas; cashflow, productivity, business culture and innovation. Whilst business owners are continuing to work 25% harder just to stay in the same place, it is the business support organisations such as the professional services, the economic development agencies, the government departments and business mentors that will offer them the help they need now and in the future as they move towards their longer term goals. Ove-rconfidence and a belief that things will get better quickly is naïve and dangerous.”
Trotman urges business owners to seek out the support they need, not to wear the struggles of the business on their own and be open to the new ideas, products or services that will help support green shoots now and in the future.
To help business owners identify the best business support Trotman points to the finalists announced today in the Vero Excellence in Business Support Awards.
The Vero Excellence in Business Support Awards are held annually to celebrate the best on offer to business in New Zealand.
Using the Baldridge Criteria as a framework it focuses the business support organisations on their business performance and on improving their business culture, ensuring their support is “world class”. The Awards are sponsored by Vero and BDO, and are a key event leading up to the annual Bizzone Business Expo, New Zealand’s largest event for business. The winners will be announced at a Black Tie Gala Dinner in the Auckland Town Hall on 20 May.
Roger Bell, Chief Executive of Vero Insurance, the Foundation Sponsor of the awards, said, “It is inspiring to see the impressive range of finalists that demonstrate international levels of best practice in their businesses and quality support as a key part of their business.
“This year there has been a resounding 163 nominations and entries which shows the growing commitment of New Zealand’s business support organisations to excellence.”
“Excellent business support assists New Zealand businesses to build capability and capacity and in doing so they become more competitive and sustainable,” chief executive of the New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation, Mike Watson, said.
