Business Leadership Programme driving local business growth

NEWS RELEASE
4 June 2013

For immediate release

Business Leadership Programme driving local business growth

Depending on which report you read, or on which side of the political divide you sit, business in Wellington is either doing okay, just surviving, or dying altogether!

Yet, if the feedback from the next class launch for a business development programme held in Wellington last week is anything to go by, not only are local businesses surviving well, their owners are excited, motivated and taking positive steps to take control of their business and ensure a successful future.

Around 50 local business owners and managers, representing a cross section of business, including professional services, retail and trades, manufacturers, from sole traders to nationwide organisations, were in attendance. Hosted by local business Love To Grow Chartered Accountants, the event served as an introduction to the company’s Business Leadership Programme, which Trish Love, Chief Executive of Love to Grow and the driving force in its development, believes is unique in New Zealand and fills a gap in the assistance available to SMEs.

Says Ms Love, “There are many advisors, consultants, educational institutions and online courses available to business owners in New Zealand. In fact, there are so many options; it can be confusing for a small business owner to know what to do, or where to go first. The Business Leadership Programme helps SMEs avoid this clutter, by bringing together New Zealand’s best SME experts, across a range of business disciplines, to deliver a comprehensive, hands on and practical business improvement programme.”

The six month programme delivers a combination of group workshops, one on one subject matter meetings, buddy sessions and monthly financial coaching. Issues are identified and resolved via a range of business disciplines tailored to each individual business, including leadership, strategy, marketing, branding, finances, legal, HR, systems, sales, risk management, business psychology and succession planning. The experts have been handpicked by Ms Love as the “best in the business”.

The programme was piloted in Auckland in 2011 and Wellington in 2012 to ensure it was both highly relevant and results focused. Twenty-six businesses have participated in the programme to date, with some of these business owners sharing their experiences at the latest class launch.

Richard Bacon, Owner/Director of Wellington’s Organic Boxes, is in no doubt about the positive impact the Business Leadership Programme has had on his bottom line, saying, “Before joining the BLP we had a handful of deliveries being packed in a garage and employing four people, losing money like it was going out of fashion. “

“Since joining the BLP four months ago, we have become more productive. We know our numbers, have a documented marketing cycle and a sales process. Most exciting is that we have doubled our deliveries per week. We needed one new customer per month to justify the investment in the programme; last month alone we’ve added 30! We’re now working on the strategic plan for our expansion into Auckland in the spring. “

“When I first went into business, I had a coach who said I was driving my business with the handbrake on. Trish and the BLP team have not only shown me how to release the handbrake, they've also given me the gear stick and the accelerator.”

Ms Love says, “The strength and future of the local Wellington economy will depend to a large extent on the growth of our SMEs, so we’re very pleased to see these types of results in such a short space of time. And given the number of businesses at the latest launch who are already interested in the July intake, it’s obvious that there is a thriving local business community with owners who are meeting the challenge of running a small business head on.”

The July intake will be the last one for Wellington for 2013, with plans to return to Auckland later this year. The programme is supported by Grow Wellington, with nationwide NZTE funding available. There are no pre-qualification criteria for business owners or managers wishing to join the programme, other than a committed desire to improve their business performance.

ENDS

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