The challenge for a water and carbon constrained future is to develop policy and a business attitude that says if you have more of one you have more of the other -Coiln James
by symond on September 29, 2010 at 2:43 pm · Filed under Environmental Sustainability Projects, Recent business visits and businesses we have come across
Yesterday I got to go see an amazing company called Aviat Networks.
Aviat are a multi national organisation that specialise in wireless network solutions. Predominantly a US firm, they have offices all over the world, and just happen to have a site in Wingate. The big question is, why in Wingate? The answer, the Wingate office -formally another business taken over by their parent, has been found to have that great kiwi “can do” attitude, a reputation that has kept them based in NZ.
The CEO of Aviat recently decided to install state of the art video conferencing facilities. Being an environmentalist, I am hoping it was to cut down on CO2 emission from air travel… but I think their descision came from the fact they spent $13 million a year in air travel and wasted a lot of time travelling.
The system they installed is state of the art and cost over a million dollars, but the payback took less then 4 months. That right! they have reduced their air travel by almost 40%. But more importantly, they are now able to meet with multiple offices simultaneously on a daily basis. It has them working more as a team rather then in individual silos.
The system they have installed is of a quality that we have only before seen in science fiction movies. You can now see whether you are boring someone to tears by their facial expressions. The sound quality is crystal clear and doesn’t seem to have the same de-sync problem that most video conferencing systems suffer from.
There were, however, some hurdles in getting the system up and running. One of their biggest problems was the system needed a lot of broadband, well above what Telecom could offer. Luckily one of Aviat’s bright sparks realised that they specialise in wireless signals and Avalon tower is not that far away. A lease agreement and a couple of small antennas and the highspeed broadband problem is solved. A great example of that kiwi “can do” attitude”.
http://www.aviatnetworks.com/
by Nicholas Lucas on September 24, 2010 at 2:06 pm · Filed under Fantastic Websites and web tricks used by local businesses, Recent business visits and businesses we have come across
My little brainstorm this morning was to show off some examples of really clever websites and tricks used by local businesses. I knew Pip and Jacqui at Oyster would be an easy bet first up!
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Why I like it?
It tells a story, making what you offer unique. This site comes across in a genuine and personal way, it shares a little bit about Pip and Jacqui and their philosopy and is authentic – just like their products.
Beek! -I’d never heard of this one before but there are quite a few of these panoramic viewer tools around, you might be more familiar with them being used in real estate. It seems to be a really quick and easy way to navigate around the shop and to make your site more interactive.
Online shopping -Pip and Jacqui have given online shopping a go – and you have got to be in to win! They have quite a basic approach and are not using any specialist software – but it is very well explained and to be honest looks like it could be less hassle than some of the forms you sometimes have to trawl through.
Finally they used a local company! Bluebubble Design. I would have missed it had I not been trying to work out what Beek was. From what I can gather Bluebubble is owned by local Petone web developer and artist Aime McCarron.
Well done guys.
by Nicholas Lucas on September 20, 2010 at 5:48 pm · Filed under General Business
TradeStart is a Hutt City Council and Work and Income initiative created to encourage people to consider a trade career. It does this by maintaining links with industry and key agencies and people interested in careers and matching each up with information, advice and introductions to help facilitate the process.
With colleagues away over the next couple of weeks I am manning the office -hopefully doing my best to point people in the right direction. To be honest the day has been very humbling, I have signed five people up and have witnessed both the frustration of not being able to find a job and the pure optimism of young people venturing out into the workforce for the first time. Each candidate still has to do the work and have the right skills and attitude to find that elusive aprenticeship or job, most of them understand that and just want some pointers as to what to do next.
Its incredibly rewarding seeing people leave a little more enlightened -with the promise of a follow up and a welcome to return if they need more help. For those who do not know about the service check it out at www.tradestart.org.nz or even better drop by to 132 High Street, Lower Hutt. Phone 5660014
by symond on September 20, 2010 at 11:29 am · Filed under Environmental Sustainability Projects, Recent business visits and businesses we have come across
Last week I had the opportunity to visit a manufacturing company in Seaview called Metal Art. Metal Art is a family run business that specialises in creating a range of metal goods, from street furinture to the signage at Westpac Stadium.
In an effort to close the recycling loop Metal Art has been combining traditional metal work with recycled milk cartons to make unique street furniture. The combination of metal and plastic gives the furniture strength as well as reduces the overall “bulky” appearance.
http://www.metalart.co.nz/
by symond on September 16, 2010 at 5:17 pm · Filed under Environmental Sustainability Projects
Winners and Commendations Announced!
The winners and commendations for the 2010 Central/Southern SBN Awards were announced at a vibrant and inspiring event held on 13 September 2010 at the Southern Cross Garden Bar and Restaurant in Wellington City. Resene Paints Limited was named Sustainable Business of the Year as well as taking out the Trailblazer Large and Corporate Business category. Serra Natural Foods Limited was the recipient of the Trailblazer Small and Medium Business Award. Yealands Estate Wines was named the winner of the Emerging Large and Corporate Business Award. Xero was commended in the same category and URS New Zealand received a commendation in the Trailblazer Large and Corporate Business category. Congratulations to all of the Central/Southern regional members who received Awards and Commendations!
Winners will now progress as finalists to the 2010 NZI National SBN Awards which will be held in Auckland on 16 November 2010. We wish them the very best of luck!
For more information on the Awards results, click here.
by Nicholas Lucas on September 10, 2010 at 2:14 pm · Filed under Hutt City pulse -How our economy is faring
Since July last year, amidst the doubts and turmoils of the economy, we bagan an exercise to attempt to develop some indicators that help give us a little more (and faster) insight into how all aspects of the local economy were fearing.
We called it the Hutt City Pulse. It is still a work in progress -basically we began to look for local indicators that confirmed what we were seeing and hearing when we visited businesses and social agencies -but that sometimes can take up to 18 months to confirm if you rely on official data.
Having complied a list of possible indicators we began to track historical data and see how it matched up with those same official stats over the last deacde or so. We still have some gaps and don’t claim that it is an exact or 100% scientificly robust method, but already it has been usefull when talking to businesses and to alert us to potential issues and in informing how we carry out our economic development activities.
We aim to release the Pulse monthly about ten days or so after month end. In about two weeks we will release and comment on our August data. In the mean time the graph above shows two of the employemt figures we collect -Trademe job ads for Hutt City and official local registerd unemployment. Some interesting observations can be made:
- The numberof Jobs advertised has consitantly been higher from January 2010, and over comparable July and August months over the two years shows a higher number of jobs available in 2010.
- Unemployment in the city peaked between December 2009 and January 2010 and has now settled to around 2000 people -about the same as September 2009 -but up considerable from July 2009.
If unemployment is an annual cycle -do we need to expect higher unemployment in coming months as we head towards the December -January period? The Trademe jobs data perhaps provides some assurance that (with more jobs than the same time last year) this will not be the case.
by Nicholas Lucas on September 2, 2010 at 8:32 am · Filed under General Business
Hutt City engages the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce (“the Chamber”) to undertake core economic development services for the businesses of the city. This includes advocacy, business development, training, networking and overseeing the retail development of the CBD.
This coming Monday 6th September, the Chamber will be making a presentation to Council on their Business Plan -which outlines the agreed activities they will undertake for Council, how they intend to undertake these activities and targets and performance measures they aim to achieve.
If you are a business owner or landlord in the city you may be interested in this document.
by Nicholas Lucas on September 2, 2010 at 8:16 am · Filed under General Business
The Jackson Street Programme (JSP) is a retailer organisation funded by a targeted rate on its members (the businesses and landlords of Jackson Street, Petone). The programme has just completed its Business Plan for the next three years and will present it to Council this coming Monday 6th September. They will also talk to their performance measures for the year to 30 June (with some impressive results).
If you are a retailer or landlord on Jackson Street or if you operate or could potentially operate a business in the wider Petone area then you may be interested in the document. It outlines how the JSP intends to undertake promotions and coordination of retailer activities over the next three years and what targets they hope to achieve in doing so.
I’m always happy to discuss aspects of the plan or to put you in touch with the JSP. If you have any queries don’t hesitate to contact me: [email protected]
by symond on August 31, 2010 at 10:43 am · Filed under Environmental Sustainability Projects
The Sustainable Business Network (SBN) in conjunction with Living Streets are delighted to invite you to attend Hutt City Green Drinks. Come along to the Jetty Cafe, meet like minded business and enjoy good company and a drink in a relaxed and informal environment. Nibbles will be provided and are kindly sponsored by the venue. This is a quarterly event and open to anyone with an interest in sustainability, so bring a friend
Date: Wednesday 8th September
Time: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Venue: The Jetty Cafe, 160 the Esplanade, Petone
RSVP: email [email protected]
by Nicholas Lucas on August 26, 2010 at 3:31 pm · Filed under Recent business visits and businesses we have come across
I discovered a small audio and hifi business on High Street yesterday called W T Audio. They don’t have a website -you will just have to go and visit them to see what a nifty wee offering they have. I found them in the yellow pages and gave them a ring for some advice on all weather speaker systems.
After a short conversation I popped down to see them and discuss options. These guys tend to be more focused on domestic hifi equipment -not really the same thing as what my enquiry was about but, regardless of the mismatch, I was blown away by their willingness to help, their frank advice and eagerness to put me in touch with several people with whom I could take the conversation further. I’d highly recommend them to anyone looking at home or office/ shop stereo options. Click here for details.
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