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DEALING WITH DEFAULTING DEBTORS
what to do when people can't pay up
SAFETY & TRADE SUPPLEMENT INSIDE
ISSN 0113-8340 | News | Initiatives | Interviews | Personalities
| Success | Profiles | Finance | Property | Sustainability | Export
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Six tips to foster financial
smarts
Issue 134 | September 2015
THE GAMESMAN How Justin Marshall applies on-field game plans to
the commercial arena
Common errors to steer clear of
7
John Key on bringing the CBD back to life
Traits all good managers have
MONEYISSUE
THEIS TECHNOLOGY WEARING YOU OUT?
WAYS TO GET ON TOP
OF SMALL BUSINESS DEBT
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unbelievable SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) which means
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easy to manage so you can change your content or photos as often as
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4 | September 2015 www.canterburytoday.co.nz
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Issue 134 September 2015
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KNOWLEDGE FOR GROWING BUSINESS SINCE 1985
Canterbury Today Issue 134
Viewpoints6 The PMs desk
John Key outlines the initiatives designed to bring the CBD back
to life
6 Business ethics - the answer to viability
Kevin Vincent on what he sees as a defining business issue of
our time
6 Lets not get too downbeat about the economy
Martin Fraser-Allen says while there is loss of economic
momentum, we also shouldnt ignore the things that are going
right
7 Decided to start a business? Whats next?
The best thing about business plans, Glenn Hansen says, is not
the end product, but the process this planning forces you
through
7 Managing good people well
Dave Sewell lists the traits and behaviours all good managers
have in common
7 Staff holidays should be enforced
Martz Witty says staff holidays are there for a reason
8 Tall tales
Colin Clapp says some of the funniest business stories are
simply used to justify poor performance
8 Is technology wearing you out?
Jane Cowan-Harris on why you need to switch off in order to
switch on
10 Events diary
This is where you find out whats on near you
In Business20 Hospitality
Jimmys Restaurant and Bar at the Pavilions Hotel has been
remodelled to reflect the life of its owner, Graeme Horncastle
21 Health & Lifestyle
One of Queenstowns jewels, The Remarkables gets a significant
facelift, choosing natural health with Health 2000, and Pain Action
in NZ supports those with chronic ailments
26 Focus
Franchise Association of New Zealand, the Hornby Workings Mens
Club, Spy Valley Wines award winning flavour, Arborpro Canterbury,
The Papanui RSA, Westfield Riccarton marks its half century
milestone and Elite Meats quality cuts
News10 How to attract and retain talented staff
The key ingredients you need to get, and hold onto, great
people
12 Best business lessons learned first hand
There is no better way to improve understanding than to go
directly to the source and the source of the hugely successful lean
thinking is Japan
18 The gamesman
How Justin Marshall has taken on-field game plans and applied
them to life and times in the commercial arena
The Money Issue14 Money mistakes to avoid
Common financial management errors to steer well clear of
15 Seven ways to get on top of your small business debt
Debt can be a useful tool to start and grow a business, but
small business owners need to make sure their debt is working for,
not against them
16 Love your money
Six tips to help you create a healthy relationship with
money
16 Dealing with defaulting debtors
Ways to reduce your vulnerability to clients who cant pay their
bills
36 Goods & Services
The quality craftsmanship at Ken Wills Furniture, Brinkley
Resort and how Agnew Engineering Services deliver production-line
efficiency
38 Property & Construction
McRaeway Homes, Castle Rock Business Park, Justpainted Painting
Contractors, Christchurch Chinese Methodist Church, the Little Big
Tree Company, CS For Doors, Northfield Business Park, Pat Smith
Interior Plastering, Fortis Construction, Texco Steel, Vac-U-Digga
NZ and David Reid Homes Canterbury
56 Transport & Motoring
Premium automotive servicing at Edgeware Automotive and how Men
at Work deliver traffic management solutions
16
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6 | September 2015 www.canterburytoday.co.nz
News | Viewpoints
By Rt Hon John Key, Prime Minister
Bringing life back to the city's heart
Business ethics - the answer to viability
Kevin Vincent is managing director of Vincent Consulting
Limited. www.vincentconsulting.co.nz
A few weeks ago I was in Christchurch to announce the next steps
for an exciting new residential precinct in the heart of the
city.
Along with Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry
Brownlee, we announced Fletcher Living had been chosen as the
preferred development partner to design, build and sell new
townhouses and apartments for more than 2,200 people in the new
North and East Frame over the next few years.
The new housing will be situated between Manchester Street and
Madras Street, meaning residents will be just a short walk to city
offices and shops.
This $800 million residential precinct signals a new era of
inner city living in Christchurch. It will help to bring vibrancy
back to the heart of the city and also help businesses to
flourish.
Next April, the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act and its
associated powers expire. This means we are now looking beyond
recovery to a new stage in the regeneration of greater
Christchurch. The Government has outlined its proposed approach for
transition arrangements as local leadership progressively takes
control of the rebuild during the next few years.
As we move through this phase, we will continue to support the
people of Canterbury, as we have done so since the first
earthquake, and honour our commitments to successfully complete the
regeneration of the city. We will also continue to work closely
with councils and other local stakeholders to progressively pass
governance and management of the rebuild to the Canterbury
community.
Later this year, we intend to introduce new legislation to
replace the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act. It will be called
the Greater Christchurch Regeneration Bill. This will involve
setting up a new entity, which we propose to call Regenerate
Christchurch, to deliver on both the Governments and City Councils
objectives for the central city. This will help to give the private
sector more confidence to invest in central city developments.
In recent months, Ive had the privilege of opening a number of
new facilities in and around the city. Many more projects have been
completed or are underway. I turned the first sod for the new
Russley Road interchange, which is part of a massive investment in
rebuilding and upgrading the citys roads. We are also progressively
bringing around 1,450 public sector employees from across 16
departments and agencies back into the central city over the next
18 months
This month marks the fifth anniversary of the first earthquake
that struck Canterbury on September 2010 and each time I return to
Christchurch, Im heartened by the progress I see across the
city.
Ethics in respect to business is the knowledge of understanding
right from wrong and making sure you are doing the right thing.
I have always held to the belief that if I treat people as I
would like to be treated and that if I continue to add value to the
business relationship through delivering best service and outcomes,
then that is ethical business behaviour.
Most ethical dilemmas in the workplace are not simple and can be
quite challenging in many cases to navigate. Ethics are a
significant and defining business issue of our time, affecting
corporate profits and credibility, as well as personal security and
the sustainability of our economy.
Practicing good ethical behaviours within organisations will
bring good benefits in both moral and practical terms.
Organisations can enhance relationships with employees, customers
and suppliers, and improve profitability when sound ethics
(principles and values) are set as daily disciplines.
The consequences or implications of failing to be ethical will
ultimately cause any business to implode. Unethical business
practices deplete profits, destroy reputations and put at risk all
stakeholders.
Cultivation of high levels of ethics in business practice is
something every company, no matter its size, should do. At the very
foundation of business, ethics is the commitment to treating
customers, employees, investors, suppliers, distributors and anyone
else involved with ones organisation with honesty and respect.
Business ethics is an important management discipline and as
such should be included in strategic thinking, planning and
implementation. It should include codes of behaviour, roles of
committees, policies, procedures and training. In short, companies
should have plans in place to prevent and if necessary resolve any
ethical dilemmas. Ethical codes of practice within organisations
must identify and prioritise values to guide behaviours ensuring
alignment with their company values.
Ethics must start right at the top with the owners values and
sense of corporate social responsibility, which are then embraced
into every business process, practice and procedure. If the board
or chief executive is not seen to be behind the programme,
employees will notice! The person at the top must lead by
example.
Perhaps most importantly, attention to ethics in the workplace
helps ensure that when leaders and managers are struggling in times
of crises and confusion, they retain a strong moral compass.
Organisations should develop and document a procedure for
dealing with ethical dilemmas as they arise. Ideally, ethical
dilemmas should be resolved by a group within the organisation,
e.g., an ethics committee comprised of top leaders/managers and/or
members of the board.
Weve seen a string of indicators lately that point to a sharp
slowdown in the economy, and there is now a lot of conjecture over
whether our rock star economy is headed for recession.
I never liked that catch phrase. It overestimated how good
things were and set us up for disappointment when the inevitable
slowdown came. But at the same time, were probably getting a little
too downbeat with talk of a looming recession and forgetting that
weve still got a few good things going for us.
The June Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion (QSBO) was the
latest negative indicator. The QBSO pointed to a net seven percent
of firms being optimistic, well down from 20 percent in the prior
survey and the lowest reading since mid-2012.
The March GDP report was weaker than expected, with growth of
0.2 percent well below the previous quarter and market
expectations, while the June ANZ business survey saw confidence
slip into negative territory for the first time since the February
2011 Christchurch earthquake.
The key culprit to all this is falling dairy prices, so it is
unsurprising the dairy-intensive regions have experienced the
biggest dive in confidence. Dairy products represent almost a
quarter of our exports, so it would be foolish to underestimate the
impact of the sharp decline in prices. However, there are still a
number of positives as well.
We shouldnt forget that we export other products as well, and
many of these are doing quite well. While global dairy prices have
fallen more than 40 percent over the past two years, prices for
meat, wool, horticultural produce and seafood have all gone up by
an average of about five percent. If we account for the recent
decline in the NZ dollar, the increase is more than 12 percent over
the same period.
We also have few levers to pull to soften the blow. Weve seen
two cuts to the Official Cash Rate (OCR), and there are more to
come. The currency has fallen heavily, lessening the impact for
dairy exporters and provides a nice boost to others. We should
worry about the dairy sector and acknowledge an economy that is
quickly losing momentum, but we also shouldnt ignore the things
that are going right.
For Investment Advice please contact Martin Fraser-Allen,
Investment Adviser at Craigs Investment Partners Christchurch
branch by phoning 03 964 3246 or visit www.craigsip.com. Mark
Lister is Head of Private Wealth Research at Craigs Investment
Partners. His disclosure statement is available free of charge
under his profile on www.craigsip.com. This column is general in
nature and should not be regarded as specific investment
advice.
Martin Fraser-Allen, Investment Adviser at Craigs Investment
Partners. www.craigsip.com
Lets not get downbeat about the economy
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By Martz Witty, head of the Martz Group, aligning chartered
accountancy with the creativity of business development.
www.martz.co.nz
Dave Sewell, one of only two Gazelles International coaches in
New Zealand. www.davesewell.co.nz
Glenn Hansen is a chartered accountant and registered mentor
with NZICA. www.hansenconsulting.co.nz
Decided to start a bussiness? What's next?
Its more like Where do I start?, and that is an easier question
to answer. Start with planning.There are many things to consider,
so what is most important is to work through them in an orderly
fashion.
Planning! I am talking about planning your business, a business
plan. There is much debate about the importance of a business plan,
but the debate misses the point. It is not so much the end document
that is important, but the process it forces you through.
The plan starts with a vision and a purpose; why does it exist
and what will it look like in several years time?
The vision is your starting point for determining your
objectives
From there through research we build a picture of market size,
competitors, and importantly, who the customer is. The customer is
all-important. Until you can easily describe the target customer it
is not possible to determine:
Customer needs and wants What motivates the customers buy
decision A brand promise that attracts and satisfies customers How
to get your message in front of the target customer A key business
element that will drive performance.
Once the customer is understood, the marketing plan becomes
easier. This is also where you consider the other players in the
market what they offer, pricing, how they may react to you.
Consider also how you may differentiate your offering (its not
just the product - its the service, presentation, timelines, etc).
What will your competitors not be prepared to do? What can they not
do? Can you ring-fence a part of the market to restrict or prevent
access?
And now, what needs to be done? Construct a timeline upon which
you can position each action that must be taken.
And finally, put some numbers to it. Develop a cash-flow
forecast, preferably built to allow for quick changes in data to
account for different scenarios, and determine what your cash
requirements are; not just at the outset, but through the initial
growth phase. If necessary adjust the timeline to ensure you will
comfortably operate within your cash resources.
At the outset, a business idea usually lacks direction and
definition. By the time you have worked your way through a business
planning process you will be very clear about what you are
offering, why, who to, and how. The essentials have been
considered, and you know the direction you intend to go.
Uncertainty is transformed into clarity. Its a good feeling!
In future articles I will discuss some of the nuts and bolts
practical issues to attend to.
New laws introduced recently will have a huge effect on local
employers in the construction sector.
At just 3.1 percent, Canterbury has the lowest unemployment rate
in the country. The rebuild is providing the work, employers are
recruiting and migrant construction workers are filling the skills
shortage.
A high level of economic activity within an industry creates an
employees market. In addition, the new immigration laws that came
into effect on July 1 mean migrant workers are now able to switch
employers within the same occupation, without applying for a change
to their visa.
While these changes were introduced to protect migrant workers
against exploitation, some believe they could also inadvertently
lead to employee poaching. So how can businesses avoid losing good
staff and keep their team happy and engaged? In my experience,
people join companies, but they leave managers. This means that
above all else, you need great managers not free food or gym
passes!
International business expert, Verne Harnish, says regular
one-on-one coaching is key to being a successful leader and the
following five topics represent the five main activities of
successful mangers.
1. Help people play to their strengthsA strength is more than
just something you are good at, it also gives you energy. Compare
this with a weakness although you may be good at it, it zaps your
energy and drains the life out of you.
2. Dont de-motivate; de-hassleGood managers focus less on
motivating their team and more on removing the obstacles that stand
in their way.
3. Set clear expectations, and give employees a clear line of
sightAll staff benefit from knowing how their work contributes to
the overall goals of the company. Great managers focus on the
expectations of a role rather than how to do a role.
4. Give recognition and show appreciationHarnish says, Studies
have shown that for people to be happy and productive at work, they
need to experience positive interactions vs. negative with their
manager in a ration of at least 3:1. And its important to make
those positive interactions count a one-compliment-fits-all
approach will not wash.
5. Hire fewer people, but pay them moreOne effective person is
better than three ineffective people. A rigorous selection process
is key to getting the right people in the door and once you have
them, you need to reward them. and invest in them.
Staff holidays are there for a reason. In New Zealand you are
typically entitled to four weeks annual leave and yet many
businesses dont ensure their staff take the leave inside of a
specified period.
We think that is bad business practice, notwithstanding there
might be reasons to let a staff member accrue leave (e.g. an
extended holiday later). So why are we so adamant that holidays
should be taken?
Accumulating liability Not taking annual leave means that a very
real liability is mounting in behind the accounts. A liability that
many businesses dont even reflect in their annual statements. This
can come and bite when the leave is eventually taken or on exit of
the staff member. This can create major cash flow woes for a
business.
Staff burnout Everyone needs time out occasionally and people
who dont have this reprieve are more susceptible to burn-out. Thats
bad for the staff and the business.
Increased absenteeism and sickness When you work for a prolonged
period without a break (and this is heightened in demanding and
stressful jobs), its common to end up with illness. This might
result in short or long term sick leave. It has even been mooted
that staff will fake sickness because they are afraid to ask for
annual leave.
Increased staff turnover Staff move on for a variety of reasons,
but one is commonly that they didnt feel they could ask for the
time off from their current post. Insisting on leave being taken
reduces this risk.
Uncover fraud As a former auditor, many was the time that a
staff fraud was uncovered when staff were made to take annual
leave. New eyes can find irregularities and it is quite frightening
just how much staff fraud is being undertaken in New Zealand.
So how can you make sure your staff use their holiday
entitlement?
Stress to staff that it is okay to ask for holidays as a healthy
life balance is a win-win for staff and business. Instil a culture
that not everyone will always be at work; when people realise that
not everyone is at work all the time it becomes easier to request
the time off. Have a business policy on leave and make it known to
all members of staff. Have open communication about leave
entitlements and age of holidays, and proactively suggest staff
request time off.
In essence having a good holiday entitlement programme with
enforced leave means your workforce will be better balanced, less
stressed, refocused and re-energised.
Staff holidays should be enforced
News | Viewpoints
Managing people for the good of your business
martz group
your professional speakerbusiness developerchartered
accountant
Level 1,Unit 3,46 Acheron Dr,Christchurch, 8014
P 0800 389 0777F 03 389 0771E [email protected]
www.martz.co.nz
-
8 | September 2015 www.canterburytoday.co.nz
Jane Cowan-Harris is the head of WorkSpace IQ.
www.workspaceiq.co.nz
Colin Clapp is a founding member of The Business Factory. Visit
www.accountable.co.nz and www.thebusinessfactory.org
News | Viewpoints
Is technology wearing you out?
Tall tales
At the beginning of the year I decided to do something to push
my comfort zones in order to fulfil my performance potential as a
professional speaker.
So I signed up for a Spontaneity improvisation course with the
Christchurch based Court Jesters (the people behind the Scared
Scriptless evenings where the entertainment is made up on the
spot).
One of the theatre sports weve since learned is called Story,
story, die! This game involves a group of people alternately
keeping a random story going one sentence at a time.
At any point a member of the group stutters or stops the
storyline flowing, the audience takes great pleasure in loudly
shouting DIE! and this person is eliminated from the game. Suffice
to say the winner is the last person standing; i.e. the one who
maximises the storys potential.
Recently Ive realised a version of Story, story, die! is alive
and well in the business world. Unfortunately, it doesnt produce as
many laughs and sadly, the consequences are far more costly than
the improv version.
At a recent business meeting one influential attendee was
telling an interesting story to explain some lack of result. At an
appropriate moment, a colleague pointed out the following formula:
No result + great story = no result. (Likewise; No result + more
great stories = still no result).
Im pleased to say accountability prevailed in this instance. The
stories finished and the meeting became more action focussed.
The point being made is that if stories are used to justify a
lack of poor performance or results, they are simply blame, denial
and/or excuses coming in via the back door.
Time listening to these type of stories simply slows down the
process of fulfilling performance potential, where the losers can
be anyone from the storyteller to the whole organisation.
If a business is to fulfil its potential it may want to consider
adopting the mantra behind the title of Sam Silversteins book No
More Excuses; the Five Accountabilities for Personal and
Organisational Growth. The book is a great read where the premise
is simple; the difference between fulfilling potential or not lies
in accountability.
So the next time you hear a business story from a colleague or
associate, make sure its a good one - one that inspires
accountability as well as taking ownership and responsibility for
results.
If not, beware the business may well be playing out its own
costly and painful version of Story, story, die! and no one will be
laughing then.
Do you wake up feeling refreshed every morning? Switched on and
ready to go? If not it may well be technology thats slowing you
down; youve got to switch off to switch on.
Desktop computers, laptops, tablets and smart phones unless
youre actively avoiding them, the chances are youre using at least
one or two of these devices every day, possibly more.
Of course, there are many positive aspects to all of these handy
devices, but when they start affecting your sleep, your
productivity at work and even your mental health, then maybe its
time to start considering just how much you engage with them.
This is particularly important in the evening when, rather than
winding it up, if you want to perform well the next day, its best
to wind your brain activity down into a more relaxed state.
Give your neurons a break!
Mark Rosekind, former director of the NASA Ames Research Centre
Fatigue Countermeasures Program says One of the most simple but
important reasons technology affects our sleep is cognitive
stimulation. As your brain revs up, its electrical activity
increases and neurons start to race. This is the exact opposite of
what should be happening before sleep.
A hot topic at the moment is the glow from electronic devices.
This blue light passes through the retina in our eyes into the
hypothalamus, a part of the brain which controls several sleep
activities, delaying the release of melatonin, the sleep inducing
hormone we all need.
Let it go
Having your mobile phone to hand at all hours (like taking it
into the bedroom), also means that you are left on alert and this
ever ready state of alertness can lead to poor sleeping habits.
Disturbing more than our sleep
On top of causing many of us to sleep less and less, technology
can also impact negatively on our mental health. A research study
of over 4,000 young adult students, Dr Naim of the Los Angeles
Sleep Study Institute, found that regularly using a computer before
bedtime is not only associated with sleep disorders, but also
stress and depressive symptoms in both men and women.
Switch off tonight to be more switched on tomorrow
The evidence is clear that burning the midnight oil to catch up
on correspondence, the latest happenings on social media, or simply
indulging in some bedtime reading on your tablet, may not be a
great idea if you want a decent nights sleep. The secret could be
as simple as switching it all off a little earlier in the
evening.
EVENTS DIARYWhats happening on the business
and entertainment front
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25Business Succession Protect the long term
future of your business and reduce your responsibility with a
succession plan. Begin creating your own succession plan with the
help of workshop presenters Sheryl Sutherland and Martz Witty and
learn how to protect your biggest asset.
For more information, visit: www.cecc.org.nz
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27Understanding Social Media Social media is
here to stay and its a key tool that will help drive your business
forward. This course will show you why social media is important
and the benefits it can bring to your business. Learn the
principles of social media - what it is, how to use it and
more.
To register, go to: www.cecc.org.nz
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1Coffee and JamCoffee & Jam, hosted by
the Ministry of Awesome, is a place to share your business ideas,
seek and give feedback, learn and connect with like-minded
businesses. Coffee and Jam supports and inspires start-up ideas to
help turn them into a reality.
For more information, visit: www.ministryofawesome.com
SATURDAY 12 SEPTEMBERBattle of the Rebuild The Battle of the
Rebuild boxing event brings together the major construction, home
building, civil works and engineering companies involved in the
Christchurch rebuild to go head to head in the ring to raise money
for charity.
To book, go to: www.enthdegree.co.nz
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21-23 Organisational Psychology
This 2.5 day programme is pivotal if you are looking to build
your self-awareness as a leader, increase your ability to navigate
through mental obstacles, increase your resilience and build
positive constructive work cultures. To register, visit:
www.peopleleaders.co.nz
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29The Christmas Country FeteBursting with
hundreds of remarkable gift ideas, fresh locally grown food and
wine, live music, cooking demonstrations and loads more. With 200
stalls The Christmas Country Fete in Culverden is New Zealands
biggest and most popular country fte.
For more information, visit: www.thefete.co.nz
PROUD To be a finalist ONCE AGAIN
in last years Netguide
Best Employment
site category!
LOOKING FOR STAFF?LAUNCH YOUR SEARCH WITH US!
HERES 4 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD USE THE BEST NZ OWNED AND
OPERATED JOB SITE.
You can either buy 1 ad (for 1 month) for $99 or unlimited ads
for 12 months for $795+gst.
100% money back guarantee if you dont think its the best money
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free access to search cvs other companies charge thousands for
this.
You can include your company profile next to your ad so
applicants can see why they want to work there once again, other
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If youre interested in advertising in the Canterbury Today
Magazine please contact the Advertising Manager, Clive Greenwood
on...
Ph: (03) 961 5176 | [email protected] |
www.magazinestoday.co.nz
LOOKING AT GROWING YOUR BUSINESS?
-
PROUD To be a finalist ONCE AGAIN
in last years Netguide
Best Employment
site category!
LOOKING FOR STAFF?LAUNCH YOUR SEARCH WITH US!
HERES 4 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD USE THE BEST NZ OWNED AND
OPERATED JOB SITE.
You can either buy 1 ad (for 1 month) for $99 or unlimited ads
for 12 months for $795+gst.
100% money back guarantee if you dont think its the best money
youve
spent all year plus well give you another 12 months free
free access to search cvs other companies charge thousands for
this.
You can include your company profile next to your ad so
applicants can see why they want to work there once again, other
companies charge for this.
SEARCH ONLINE ON:
MYJOBSPACE.CO.NZ | 0800 486 329 | 2 IVAN JAMIESON PLACE,
CHRISTCHURCH AIRPORT, CHRISTCHURCH 8053, NZ.
* search now
USE THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE AND EASIEST JOB SITE IN NEW ZEALAND.
NOW WITH A NEW AND IMPROVED
WEBSITE MAKING THINGS EVEN EASIER, ENSUREING YOU GET QUALITY
APPLICANTS, EVERYTIME!
-
10 | September 2015 www.canterburytoday.co.nz
According to Westpacs recent economic outlook, the labour market
in New Zealand is strengthening. While this bodes well for the
economy, for business owners and managers, it means finding and
retaining great staff will become even harder than ever.
How to attract and retain talented staff
News | Employment
b. Additional time off
This can take many forms. For instance you can offer a maximum
number of additional paid or unpaid leave days throughout the year
for your employees to pursue their other interests, such as
volunteering or charity work. It could also take the form of an
extension to their standard holiday time so they can really benefit
from a vacation overseas.
Indeed last year, Netflixs vacation policy in the US made the
news for taking a decidedly innovative approach. The policy allows
all salaried staff to take off whatever time they want, whenever
they want, for as long as they want. The employee decides what time
they need to take off. However, the onus is on them only to do so
when they are comfortable that they and their team are up to date,
and that their absence will not negatively affect the business or
their careers.
3. Career developmentWhether its training and mentoring or other
traditional career development opportunities, its important to
recognise the importance of career advancement as one of the key
reasons why employees decide to join, remain with, or leave a
company.
Training and development sessions provide a great opportunity to
promote personal growth and for employees to step out of their
day-to-day work. Think about:
Sourcing experts from your team, network, or one of your clients
to present their story and share their key to success on a
topic
Arranging an open day for all staff where each team showcases
what they do and why its a great team to work in. This also helps
promote other opportunities within the business
Considering secondments to give staff members the opportunity to
develop a new skill or to try out a role in a new area before they
commit.
4. Working remotelyIf it works for your business, why wouldnt
you offer your employees the flexibility to work from home? Or
offer flexible hours between the office and home?
For many employees, the ability to avoid rush hour traffic is a
huge plus, as is being able to pick up the kids from school on
occasion, or having the ability to be more focused out of the
office environment.
This flexibility can be highly beneficial to your employees
wellbeing without it having to cost you a cent. Employees who value
this benefit tend to be even more productive out of the office, so
its a huge win/win for the employee and your business.
5. Part-time hours and job sharingNot everyone wants to work
full time and while costs may be slightly higher than employing a
single individual, offering part-time roles and job sharing
opportunities have significant returns, particularly if it means
you get to retain team members who want to work fewer hours.
Of course, money is, and always will be, a major factor in
attracting and retaining your team. But it isnt everything. There
are other ways. EnableHR New Zealand general manager, Imogene Lomax
runs down some of the key ingredients you need to get, and hold
onto, great people.
1.Culture is a winnerWhen you look at the companies that are
often named as the worlds top employers, the magic ingredient
culture often tends to trump cash. Not surprisingly, people like
working for, and tend to stay at companies where they are happy,
fulfilled, part of something exciting, and where people care.
2. One size does not fit allIts also important to remember that
different things motivate different people, so its highly
worthwhile to understand exactly what motivates your individual
employees. You can do this as part of your formal performance
review process, or more informally in every day conversations.
Youll probably be surprised by what makes each person tick and
what motivates them to stay and continue to do their best for you
and your company.
Here are a few interesting ideas from businesses that I work
with on how they attract and retain their great people - all
without breaking the bank!
a. Video job adverts
A great way to showcase your culture and attract the right
people when advertising a role is to make a video. Create a real
life story on the role, who youre looking for, your workplace, your
people and what its like to work there. This does require a bit of
planning, but it doesnt require a big budget or a movie director.
Simply grab your mobile phone and make it real and authentic.
Youll probably be surprised by what makes each
person tick and what motivates them to stay and
continue to do their best for you and your company.
In fact, its surprising how many people who work reduced hours
feel they get as much done in four days as they do in five. The
reason: they make each day more focused and productive.
6. Listen to your employeesWhile Im sure youre familiar with
exit interviews, you may want to instigate stay interviews so you
can find out exactly why employees stick with you and what it would
take for them to leave.
Millennials in particular want to be a part of something bigger
than themselves - although all employees want to be part of
something they can believe in. Everyone benefits when they have the
ability to contribute and have their say.
Of course, by listening, you genuinely need to be ready to
respond and take action where appropriate.
And finally - put your people firstIn terms of attraction and
retention of top talent, theres no one size fits all approach, but
its always important to recognise your people as your most valuable
asset.
A great workplace is just as important as the products and
services you take to market. The best thing you can do is be as
real and authentic in all your interactions with your people as you
are with your customers.
PROUD To be a finalist
ONCE AGAIN
in last years Netguide
Best Employment
site category!
MYJOBSPACE.CO.NZ | 0800 486 329 2 IVAN JAMIESON PLACE,
CHRISTCHURCH AIRPORT, CHRISTCHURCH 8053, NEW ZEALAND.
CHANGE YOUR JOB?CHANGE YOUR LIFE!
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We have a team of highly skilled tailors that were hand picked
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We believe we are the fastest growing tailoring company in New
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We offer full suit packages at special rates but we also provide
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We understand that it might not be possible for you to provide
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12 | September 2015 www.canterburytoday.co.nz
News |Ideas
There is no better way to improve understanding than to go
directly to the source and the source of the hugely successful lean
thinking is Japan. Toyota developed it to drive their global
success and the rest of the world is still striving to learn from
its example.
series of lectures, workshops and factory visits, including
extensive training sessions at Toyotas dedicated training centre,
which provides training for Toyota employees in the principles and
application of the Toyota Production System (lean thinking).
Lean thinking philosophies centre on delivering quality goods
and services at the best price, quickly and efficiently, by
identifying problems and empowering employees to create innovative
solutions to eliminate waste, says Peter Cox, director of Simply
Lean Business Solutions.
Lean is applicable beyond just manufacturing. Its about
businesses being clear about what their customers value and
developing a culture where everyone is focused on eliminating waste
from all processes so they can deliver true value.
Denise says one of the key principles she saw value in was the
adoption of a more collaborative approach rather than the
traditional command and control management model.
Best business lessons learned first hand
Giving people on the ground more autonomy and power to engage
has so many benefits more often than not, they are the ones who
have the solutions to a problem and this frees up senior leaders to
focus on more strategic issues. Solutions also affect everyone in
the food chain and often people on the ground are in the best
position to see how.
In Japan, they rely a lot on visuals. In one factory there was a
huge whiteboard showing the issues and the countermeasures, visible
to everyone. This makes it transparent and is much more effective
than a long, boring meeting involving senior leaders, who then rely
on ineffective communication channels to spread the message.
At every business we visited, the staff demonstrated a huge
amount of pride in their facility and processes. Especially at
Metal One,
which is part of the Isuzu Group, everyone was beaming; there is
a real team spirit because every person has a sense of being part
of the process and therefore has pride in the end product.
Denise joined 12 other kiwis on the tour, as well as
participants from Australia and Europe, and like the others, she
has returned with a clear action plan to harness all she and those
before her have learned.
Im not the first from Calder Stewart to do the tour. The company
has recognised the benefits in that we can all work from the same
page now.
The visit made all the light bulbs go off in my head. I knew the
principles and I knew the theory but now it just all makes sense,
now I can apply what I know and make real improvements to the
business.
New Zealands own multi-million dollar construction company,
Calder Stewart is just one local business looking to learn from the
Japanese lean experts. HR manager Denise Cooper recently returned
from an intensive tour of Japan focused on learning more and seeing
the application of lean thinking across a range of industries.
We began implementing lean thinking principles into our business
two or three years ago, and I actually thought I understood the
principles. However, after everything I saw and experienced in
Japan, I now realise that my understanding was very limited and a
little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.
In the companies we visited, everyone lives and breathes lean
thinking. They dont get up in the morning and go to work and do it
for part of the day. Its part of their mindsets, its the company
culture.
Hosted by Simply Lean Business Solutions and Shinka Management,
the six day tour included a
Solutions also affect everyone
in the food chain and often
people on the ground are in
the best position to see how.
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-
Every business experiences a lull from time to time. This can be
caused from a variety of reasons and thankfully (most) can be
planned for and overcome.
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to prepare for the next launch or as the start of
EFDMJOF5IFDIPJDFJTZPVSTBOEXIJDIZPVDIPPTFXJMMCFyour reality.
martz group
your professional speaker
business developer
chartered accountant
Level 1, Unit 3, 46 Acheron Dr, Christchurch, 8014
P 0800 389 0777F 03 389 0771E [email protected]
www.martz.co.nz
DOES YOUR BUSINESS FEEL LIKE SCHIST SOMETIMES?
-
14 | September 2015 www.canterburytoday.co.nz
News |Finance
Hundreds of new SME businesses fail in New Zealand every year.
There are a countless number of factors that contribute to a
business ventures demise such as failure to understand the market,
business plan problems, bad location, internet presence and
marketing and even expanding too fast. But perhaps the most deadly
contributor to start-up failure is an inability to manage business
finances correctly.
Dont let your SME become another statistic; act now to ensure
your business is financially strong by avoiding these common
financial management mistakes before its too late.
Is the price right?Pricing your products or services correctly
is tricky business. But its worth investing some considered thought
and time into this process because it can make all the difference
between sinking or swimming. If your price is too high no one will
buy; price too low and you lose out on revenue. Develop a strong
pricing strategy by assessing what your competitors charge.
If you are unsure how to price your offering start slightly
high, this allows you to give discounts. Avoid having the lowest
price in the market. This can devalue your product and not only
turn consumers off, but also force you to generate so much volume
it could put you out of business.
Cash poorIt is common knowledge that entrepreneurs need a
substantial amount of money to invest in the set-up of their
business. But it is often months if not more than a year before new
businesses start to generate a steady income let alone make a
profit. And it is during this time, if the business doesnt have
enough cash reserves to carry it through, it can fail.
So start with adequate operating cash to get you through the
initial turbulent financial phase.
By Laura Baker
Money mistakes to avoid
Dont fool yourself with wishful thinking that the money will
somehow appear.
Crippled by creditYoung businesses which havent secured
sufficient operating cash for the initial set-up are forced to turn
to credit cards for the early stages of survival. However once a
business is plastic dependent it is extremely hard to get out of
debt due to the high interest charges and annual fees credit cards
carry. Once a cash strapped SME is in credit card debt its often
only a short amount of time before it is forced to close its doors.
Steer clear of getting into credit card debt at all costs by
ensuring you have sufficient operating capital.
Blurred lines Dont mix your personal and business finances. As a
business owner, its tempting to blur the lines between personal and
business expenses but it is important to keep these two entities
completely separate.
Maintaining a distinct separation makes it easier for
accounting, budgeting and reconciling both sets of books. It is
also vital to determining
actual profits and losses and for evaluating the financial
health of your small business. Plus it reduces your own personal
liability and makes the business more credible.
Going unpaid In the early stages of operation it is not uncommon
for business owners to pay themselves a very small salary or even
nothing at all. It may seem like a smart decision at the time to
channel any and all profits back into the business, but sacrificing
your own pay check could damage your personal financial good
standing. And at the end of the day if you are not financially
healthy your business will no doubt be affected.
Unpaid invoices Youve done the work, emailed the invoice to your
client with the usual payment terms and its now overdue. Its a
common complaint for any small business, but it shouldnt be left to
get out of control. Unpaid invoices can stifle a businesses cash
flow and bring operations to a grinding halt if large invoices
continue to go unpaid.
Having a healthy cash-flow is paramount to your survival and
success, so you have to learn how to tackle overdue invoices and
ensure you get paid. Organise your accounts receivable system
printing your payment terms on the back of every invoice, and
follow a clear process in collecting payments. Make sending prompt
reminders part of your business.
Dont diversify Look at successful companies you admire and
chances are they started by offering just one or two things and so
should you. Initially focus on what your business does best and do
that one thing better than anyone else.
The typical business school of thought is to diversify and offer
a wide portfolio of products so when one product dies another one
will hopefully flourish. But diversifying prematurely can cripple a
business. The problem with selling too many things, especially for
a young company, is that it is a massive financial investment that
may not pay off because you end up watering down everything you do
to the point of mediocrity and they all eventually fail.
Dont mix your personal
and business finances.
As a business owner,
its tempting to blur the
lines between personal
and business expenses
but it is important to
keep these two entities
completely separate.
-
www.canterburytoday.co.nz September 2015 | 15
Debt can be a useful tool to start and grow your business, says
Victoria Crone, Managing Director Xero NZ, but small business
owners need to make sure their debt is working for, not against
them.
When a substantial amount of expenditure goes towards servicing
debt rather than investing in the business, small businesses
struggle to grow and can often get into trouble when expenses and
debt begin to consistently outstrip revenue, she says.
As a small business owner, getting on top of your debt is one of
the best resolutions you can make. More than a third of small
business owners feel uncomfortable with their levels of debt, but
taking a few steps to get things under control can go a long way to
making your finances easier to manage.
News |Finance
ways to get on top of your small business debt 7
Heres where you can start:
1. Get visibility over your debtIf youre managing your finances
through spreadsheets, you probably arent aware of all your debt
obligations. And, if youre not aware of your debt, you cant make a
plan to get on top of it. You need to have this information at your
fingertips at all times. Using accounting software, like Xero, will
help show what you really owe as well as working out your optimum
level of debt for your business.
2. Prioritise your debtNot all debts are created equal.
Prioritise your debt by asking yourself what would happen if I
didnt make this payment? The more unpleasant the outcome, the
higher priority the debt. Payroll is usually the highest priority,
because if your people arent getting paid, they have no incentive
to work. And, if theyre not working, they arent generating revenue
to help you pay off the rest of your debt. The same
goes for your top suppliers and business partners, although not
to the same extent.
3. Renegotiate bank loan termsYou can renegotiate your bank loan
depending on your situation. If you need more cash in the short
term, you can ask for a higher interest rate in order to reduce
your monthly payments even though the overall repayment amount will
be larger.
4. Work out a payment plan with your creditorsIf you are having
trouble paying off your creditors, talk to them before they come
asking for their money. If you put together a clear payment plan,
they will be more receptive. After all, its in their interests for
your business to succeed; if you go under, they get nothing.
5. Ask your biggest suppliers for a discountDont be shy. The
people you buy from in bulk and / or have a long history with are
great
candidates for getting discounts. These discounts can add up,
and the savings can go into paying your debts.
6. Cut short term costsAccounting software gives you visibility
of your largest outgoings, so you can see which costs to cut. For
example, you could reduce the amount of office space you lease. Be
sure to think carefully about where you cut costs sometimes it can
be counter-productive. If you lose your biggest customer because
you cut your ability to serve him or her for example, youll be
worse off than you were in the first place.
7. Look for opportunities for more revenueEasier said than done
but its not impossible. One way to get a short term boost is to
offer clients a prompt payment bonus. Youll lose a bit of revenue,
but youll have the cash you need to service your debt faster.
Small Business Minister Craig Foss has welcomed the release of
an online tool to help small and medium sized businesses understand
the cost of employing staff.
The tool, developed by Business.govt.nz at the Ministry of
Business, Innovation and Employment, estimates the fixed and
discretionary costs of hiring new staff.
Fixed costs include salary, ACC levies and KiwiSaver.
Discretionary costs include recruitment, training and office
equipment.
Understanding the cost of employing staff The Employee Cost
Calculator is designed to help small and medium-sized businesses
make confident hiring decisions based on realistic and reliable
projections, Foss says.
The Employee Cost Calculator supports the Better for Business
Result 9 programme, which is transforming the public sector to make
it easier for businesses to interact with Government.
Business.govt.nz packages Government information in a way that
makes sense to business. It provides information, advice and a
variety of tools to help businesses succeed, Foss says.
For more information visit:
www.business.govt.nz/employeecostcalculator
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16 | September 2015 www.canterburytoday.co.nz
News |Finance
Even though the Canterbury economy is at an all time high thanks
to the rebuild, it is still important to take measures to protect
your business against loss of revenue if one of your customers
building boom bubble pops.
Taking proactive measures to reduce credit risk will ensure if
and when the economic development peak ends your company will be
well prepared.
Start-up businesses in particular need to make sure they are
protected if a major customer declares bankruptcy. They are the
most vulnerable to its effects, and can end up heading down the
same path if they are not careful.
If you adopt a casual attitude to bill payment, allowing
customers to have overdue accounts and mounting IOUs, you are
setting yourself up for financial hurt and risk losing everything
you are owed if your customer goes bust.
By allowing customers to have overdue accounts you are
effectively becoming a charity service. If a customer asked you to
give them a months worth of stock for free would you?
Potential riskThere are a number of risks your business will
face if you find yourself tied up with a customer who is going
through bankruptcy, and it is not always easy to cut ties and walk
away.
Mass loss If a customer has outstanding bills and files for
bankruptcy you are most likely going to find yourself out of pocket
for a majority of the money. You can stand to lose up to 90 percent
of what you are owed. And to intensify the situation the partial
payment can not be paid until the businesses reorganisation plan
has been approved, which can take up to 12 to 24 months.
Payback Not only are you set to lose up to 90 percent of your
receivables if a customer files for bankruptcy, but the bankrupt
customer has
Dealing with defaulting debtorsBy Laura Baker
payment recovery rights. This means you may have to return
payments you received from the customer 90 days prior to them
filing.
Out of your hands Long term contracts can be very problematic
when a customer goes out of business. If you have a long term
supply agreement with the troublesome customer you may not be able
to terminate the contract and even worse you might be obligated to
continue to honour the agreement, even if they owe you.
Minimise risk There are several steps that can be taken to
minimise credit risk against your company so you dont find your
business stuck with a large bill and no one to pay it.
Impose a deposit Some customers wont agree to the 20-day payment
terms and some customers can be extremely slack at adhering to
these terms. In this case you should enforce a deposit which you
require to be paid before any goods are released. This should help
to eliminate credit risk.
Control your contractsAvoid long term contracts with at-risk
customers wherever possible. It is best to look at the small print
because some long term contracts can make it near impossible to
terminate the agreement with the customer if they are seeking
bankruptcy protection. It can be a smart decision to operate
monthly contracts with customers who are potentially at risk.
Top tipIf you think a customer is struggling and may be
considering bankruptcy protect yourself against loss by limiting
your customers inventory.
If a slow paying customer suddenly orders an unusually large
volume of product it may be a sign they are stocking up in
anticipation of filing.
Your relationship with money is similar to the love you have for
your cat, dog or in my case, a rabbit. Just like when you
experience the wrath of a cats claws or a rabbits bite, money can
hurt us at times, but we still love it none the less.
Love your money
the people we love, so we should laugh often because if you take
yourself too seriously it can be the death of creativity and
actually, in a beautiful twist of irony, people may not take you
seriously either. Laugh at all the people who
Money can stun you
when you least expect
it, or paralyse you even
when you see it coming,
but the dam thing is
your companion for life,
alongside your treasured
pet or husband/wife and
therefore requires time
and effort. Treat it like a
relationship; grow to love
the good and the bad.
pursue money and if you dont feel like laughing, at least
smile.
Erm, hello?! People may not always tell you how they feel about
you, but they will most certainly show you. Pay attention to your
money just like you would when someone you love walks into the
room. If you dont, youll wish you had!
Let it go Sure, youre cat clawed you a little too hard, but you
still love him/her thats forgiveness. Thats love. So whenever you
feel
deflated that you didnt get that pay rise, or you made a bad
call with finances, remember: its not forever. Love your money
through the good times and the bad.
Power and money Money can become a source of conflict in a
relationship; power and control in the area of finance is a form of
abuse. Strip away the connotations of power about money and things
will go much smoothly. Power-lust is a weed that grows only in the
vacant lots of an abandoned mind. Ayn Rand.
Money can stun you when you least expect it, or paralyse you
even when you see it coming, but the dam thing is your companion
for life, alongside your treasured pet or husband/wife and
therefore requires time and effort. Treat it like a relationship;
grow to love the good and the bad.
Here are six tips to help you get on your way to a healthy
relationship with money:
Urgent vs. not important we prioritise on a daily basis at work,
so working out where you spend your dollars and notes can make a
huge difference. We may want to buy that bar of chocolate or the
latest smart phone, but youre probably better off putting it
towards paying the bills, right? Knowing the difference between
what you want and what you need is paramount to spending within
your means. Are you unhappy about certain outgoings? Then reject
anything that doesnt make you (or your bank account) feel good.
Enjoy what you have Jim Carey once said I hope everybody could
get rich and famous and will have everything they ever dreamed of,
so they will know that its not the answer. Instead of thinking
about what money you dont have, appreciate what you do have and
spend it with those who make your life rich.
Dont be so serious like many things in life, money is best
served with a sense of humour. We spend more time at work than we
do with
been seenThe people, their faces and all the right places -
Canterbury
Images taken and supplied by Lynne Puddy-Greenwood
If you have an event that youd like covered, email Lynne
(Canterburys been seen representative) on:
[email protected]
21 3 4
5
Hardeep and Sonia Singh from Superliquor Blenheim Road held an
Indian theme party to celebrate their 5th year in business in
Christhchurch. They entertained their business acquaintances and
families in true Indian style with Bollywood dancing and
spectacular food.
76 8
9 10
1 Parm & Rupinder
2 Komal & Sonia Singh
3 Lynne Jamieson (Treasury Wines), Peter Jamieson (Robertson
Builders), Courtney Jamieson, Thor Hoffschneider.
4 Balvir Gill, Ragindr Ankhi, Inderjit Singh
5 Bhagwant Kaur, Komal Singh
6 Doug Houston, Alan Titburn (Lion), Mel Tyson (Yealands),
Hardeep
7 Kulwant Denya, Sonia Singh, Sonia Denya
8 Sunqo & John Roberts
9 Amrit Singh, Isa Singh, Sunny Singh
10 Hardeep, Greg Hoar (Superliquor), Jeremy Stevens (Moet
Hennessy), Belinda Symon (Superliquor), Devon Koller.
21 3 4
5
The Christchurch Star held its annual Home & Leisure Show at
the Horncastle Arena. There were a large number of exhibitors
demostrating new home ideas and great leisure products.
76 8
9 10 11
1 Sian Goldsmith (CERA), Jane Cameron (MBIE)
2 John Hughes,Glen Pearse (Central Heating NZ)
3 Adrian Kay (Dream Doors)
4 Greg Taylor (Aqua Filter)
5 Carrie-Anne Stewart (Moda Smart Kitchens)
6 Jordan Dallimore (Flooring Central)
7 Daniel Paltridge (Waghorn Builders)
8 William Song (Millen Homeware)
9 Gary Walsh,Marty Jackson (Eco Bulb Ltd)
10 Simon Walsh (Gascraft Engineering Ltd), Brian Rowan (Warm Air
Brivis)
11 Tony Smoor (Farnleys Jet Skis), Joy Braithwalte, Chris
Farnley (Farnleys Jet Skis).
Email: [email protected]
Planning an event?Hosting something special?
Celebrating a milestone?
2
16
17
40
Order 3 main courses and receive FREESpring Rolls OR Curry Puffs
(Dinner Takeaway ONLY)
New Chef, New Menu, and Lower Price
Special Welcome Entree when dining in on Sat & Sun night -
receive FREE Spring Rolls
166 Kendal Ave, Burnside 03 357 9575Like us on Facebook
www.nzthairestaurant.co.nz
Lunch: Mon - Fri 11:30am - 2pmDinner 7 days : 5pm - 9pm
-
www.canterburytoday.co.nz September 2015 | 17
been seenThe people, their faces and all the right places -
Canterbury
Images taken and supplied by Lynne Puddy-Greenwood
If you have an event that youd like covered, email Lynne
(Canterburys been seen representative) on:
[email protected]
21 3 4
5
Hardeep and Sonia Singh from Superliquor Blenheim Road held an
Indian theme party to celebrate their 5th year in business in
Christhchurch. They entertained their business acquaintances and
families in true Indian style with Bollywood dancing and
spectacular food.
76 8
9 10
1 Parm & Rupinder
2 Komal & Sonia Singh
3 Lynne Jamieson (Treasury Wines), Peter Jamieson (Robertson
Builders), Courtney Jamieson, Thor Hoffschneider.
4 Balvir Gill, Ragindr Ankhi, Inderjit Singh
5 Bhagwant Kaur, Komal Singh
6 Doug Houston, Alan Titburn (Lion), Mel Tyson (Yealands),
Hardeep
7 Kulwant Denya, Sonia Singh, Sonia Denya
8 Sunqo & John Roberts
9 Amrit Singh, Isa Singh, Sunny Singh
10 Hardeep, Greg Hoar (Superliquor), Jeremy Stevens (Moet
Hennessy), Belinda Symon (Superliquor), Devon Koller.
21 3 4
5
The Christchurch Star held its annual Home & Leisure Show at
the Horncastle Arena. There were a large number of exhibitors
demostrating new home ideas and great leisure products.
76 8
9 10 11
1 Sian Goldsmith (CERA), Jane Cameron (MBIE)
2 John Hughes,Glen Pearse (Central Heating NZ)
3 Adrian Kay (Dream Doors)
4 Greg Taylor (Aqua Filter)
5 Carrie-Anne Stewart (Moda Smart Kitchens)
6 Jordan Dallimore (Flooring Central)
7 Daniel Paltridge (Waghorn Builders)
8 William Song (Millen Homeware)
9 Gary Walsh,Marty Jackson (Eco Bulb Ltd)
10 Simon Walsh (Gascraft Engineering Ltd), Brian Rowan (Warm Air
Brivis)
11 Tony Smoor (Farnleys Jet Skis), Joy Braithwalte, Chris
Farnley (Farnleys Jet Skis).
Email: [email protected]
Planning an event?Hosting something special?
Celebrating a milestone?
2
16
17
40
Order 3 main courses and receive FREESpring Rolls OR Curry Puffs
(Dinner Takeaway ONLY)
New Chef, New Menu, and Lower Price
Special Welcome Entree when dining in on Sat & Sun night -
receive FREE Spring Rolls
166 Kendal Ave, Burnside 03 357 9575Like us on Facebook
www.nzthairestaurant.co.nz
Lunch: Mon - Fri 11:30am - 2pmDinner 7 days : 5pm - 9pm
-
18 | September 2015 www.canterburytoday.co.nz
News |Cover story
THE GAMESMAN
By Laura Baker
There was a point during his playing career, when pulling on the
iconic black jersey and
preparing to head into battle for the All Blacks, Justin
Marshall was
given the best piece of advice he ever received, and a mantra
he
continues to live his life by.
-
www.canterburytoday.co.nz September 2015 | 19
News |Cover story
At the time he was going through a difficult stage in his life -
not just related to rugby, but his personal life too, in particular
with the media.
His coach at the time, Wayne Smith, told Justin to trust his
instincts. He told me I was thinking too much and I needed to trust
in myself and my abilities, and to do everything positively and
confidently.
These words of wisdom not only turned his game around, but also
his life, helping him to believe in his decisions, have confidence
in his actions and trust his gut instinct.
Justin not only implemented this advice throughout his rugby
career, but also into his new business venture, The Golden Roast.
And his business instinct is proving to be just as successful as
his professional sporting career.
The Southland boyJustin is a South Island boy through and
through; he grew up and was educated in Gore before settling in
Christchurch to focus on his rugby career.
He was a rugby representative of both Southland and Canterbury
and it was during his time playing for the Crusaders that he made
his big break being selected for the All Blacks 1995 tour of Italy
and France. Justin was just 22 when he dbuted against France in a
3712 win.
He made 81 appearances for the All Blacks between 1995 and 2005,
including five as the test captain in 1997. After ending his
international playing career, he signed on to play for a number of
overseas teams including Leeds Tykes in the English Premiership,
the Welsh regional side Ospreys and Saracens in London.
While playing for Saracens in the 2009-2010 season he discovered
his talent for commentating, making appearances on the BBC Wales
rugby programme. At the end of the season he announced the end of
his playing career with a view to moving back to New Zealand to
focus on broadcasting.
Today Justin is a Sky Sports commentator in New Zealand for most
All Blacks games and other provincial level matches. But more
recently he has turned his hand to the business world.
A golden opportunity The lifespan of a professional sportsmans
playing career is limited. The tough part for many retired sport
professionals is finding a plan B career. Justin says this was
always a bit of a conundrum for him. When you are involved with
professional sport you dont know what path its going to lead you
down.
He says like him, about 50 percent of the top level rugby
players move overseas to play
THE GAMESMAN
for United Kingdom and Europe teams after wrapping up their
careers in New Zealand. When you do this you lose touch with New
Zealand business, unless youve got something up and running before
you go, which I didnt really do.
A previous foray in hospitality, having owned the well known
Christchurch bar the Grumpy Mole, a number of years ago sparked
Justins enthusiasm for the industry. But while he knew where his
other passion lay, he admits he didnt have a career plan organised
on his return to New Zealand.
It was through a mutual friend that he first learnt about the
spit roast catering company The Golden Roast. The business
Australian owner and operator, Phil Hosking initially got in
contact with Justin in regard to doing some promotional and
advertising work for the company. The pair meet up for a chat and
the conversation quickly progressed and they become business
partners.
He says the business model really struck a cord with him, and
his gut told him the catering business could be a real success in
New Zealand. When Phil came to see me about brining his franchise
to New Zealand, I had just been looking for someone to cater my
40th birthday at my home in Queenstown.
I was having a party and wanted a catering company to come in
and cook the food fresh in my home. When I searched, not only in
Queenstown, I noticed there werent many businesses that actually
cook the food fresh onsite. So I knew there was a gap in the
market, which was certainly appealing and it suited my previous
hospitality experience so I jumped on the opportunity.
Killer instinctNow, as the head franchiser for The Golden Roast
New Zealand, Justin is bringing the same drive, enthusiasm and
killer instinct for the business as he displayed so fiercely on the
field.
Its clear he is proud to put his name to the business as he
enthusiastically explains its services and the role he plays. The
Golden Roast specialises in spit roast catering and is equipped
with mobile facilities and professional staff to host functions for
all occasions including weddings, birthdays, corpor