BBBN 23 July 2007

Black Bridge Business Network :: 23 July 2007

Here is the latest news. Please also find attached the newly updated contact list. Big cheers to Justin for this!

Next meeting 1 August
Haumoana Fire Station, Beach

From 7pm with bar available, speaker starts at 8pm

Topic - 'Where to from here? Initiating and managing business growth'

We have arranged for Ron Massey, Economic Development Manager, Napier City Council to talk. It is Ron's job to provide advice covering business start-up to closure and everything in between. Ron also runs the city marketing campaign “Napier – for the time of your life” – including 3 international competitions (you may have heard of “win-a-life” and “win-a-dream-job” etc.). He also looks after the sister city relationships, in particular the commercial side (export trade to China and Japan).

Ron has an accounting background and is Manufacturing Jeweller by trade.

Ron looks forward to your questions and will bring information about the free services at NCC. If you are attending this meeting, please RSVP to Linda or Tania via email/phone. We need a really good turnout as Ron is double booked that night and making a special effort to squeeze us in.

Recommended Resource - NZBusiness magazine

This is a grunty little read targeted at owners of small-medium businesses. July edition features a great article on 'How to avoid bad debts and get paid.' And, we all want that! $8.00 an edition and $80 per subscription. www.nzbusiness.co.nz

Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

I have copies of the June edition along with info on joining the Chamber - $180 per year for sole trader membership. The newsletter will keep you updated on who is doing what locally. If you'd like a newsletter, let me know. There is also a free e-newsletter you can join via www.hawkesbaychamber.co.nz. The site has a good list of local business events and training.

B' Networked

Last month, when I volunteered to attend this as the guinea pig, several of you had a good snigger. Well, I have the last laugh now since I gained 8 new contacts and one is handing out my cards to her clients! Perfect! Not a bad effort for $20!

It turned out to be a fun night and a good way to make some good contacts. After a glass of wine, I sat at a table listening and chatting with another business person. Every 6 minutes, a bell goes and you meet someone new. Most participants weren't pushy just there to meet others.

Next B'networked night is 25 July, Shed 2, Ahuriri 5.30pm.

FREE Business Planning CD, includes marketing plan and FREE Business Start up Book

Robin Wilson at ANZ bank is happy to provide these to us. Robin is the business manager and franchise specialist at the Hastings Branch. The bank has some attractive offers for new business customers - no fees for 2 years and small businesses can apply for a $5,000 start up loan. We will be looking to have Robin speak at a future meeting as she has sound advice about how to make strong business decisions and case studies of the financial situations to avoid.

Robin's contact details are 870 6610 027 270 1905 wilsonr@anz.com

Tania and I look forward to getting your RSVP for the 1 August meeting.