This month Philip Shackleton and I attended the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Conference in Christchurch.  I was reminded of the power, knowledge and broad business base Chamber of Commerce represents, not just in New Zealand but as a respected worldwide organisation passionately working behind the scenes making submissions to Local and Central Government to protect business interests, assisting business growth and introducing members to the only truly global physical business network that represents over 40 million member businesses worldwide.  Chambers, which are either 'private' or 'public' bodies depending on their location, can trace their roots back over thousands of years, and the term 'Chamber of Commerce' has been in continuous use since 1599...yet beyond history, the global portal is about delivering the best modern set of business practice applications and services.  If you are not part of this dynamic organisation, joining has never been easier or more affordable with low monthly payment options now available.  It’s an investment most businesses cannot no afford to ignore.

The information and knowledge I gained from NZCCI conference is too vast to share here but some light hearted interesting facts are:
• If Facebook were a country, it would be the world’s 5th largest country
• ⅓rd more text messages are sent daily than there are people in the world
• Current growth patterns will increase world population by 4-billion in 30years.
• EQ (emotional intelligence) is the new business language as opposed to IQ (intellectual intelligence)
• Example:  If all insects on earth died, all life on earth would disappear – If all mankind died, all other life on earth would flourish
• Do 1000 little things better – design, sustainability, humanize your business, create customer intimacy

If you did not attend the Massey University Business Awards, you missed out on a fabulous evening of business celebration.   This showcases business at its best.   ‘Innovation, Excellence and Achievement’ is what the entrants aspire to and in Dr James Lockhart’s own words “This year’s entries in the Massey University Wanganui Business Awards are among the best I have ever seen.  The high quality of the entries has taken me by surprise as well as the time and effort put in, and the competition has been extremely tight. Not one of the entries has even mentioned the recession; they’re just getting on with it”.   I am so proud of all the businesses that entered you have benchmarked your business against the best and a huge congratulations to the winners!

Ian Ross, Chamber Trades Facilitator hosted a successful Trades Workshop this month to 57 attendees with the aim of providing a practical pathway to get young people into a trade apprenticeship.  There are some excellent examples around the country of innovative partnerships and it is up to Wanganui ITO’s, PTE’s, Schools, Trade Businesses and of course our youth to help Chamber in its challenge to make real progress.   This needs a collaborative approach with partnerships and perhaps inviting some retired trades people to donate a little of their time to help inspire and provide some practical knowledge around their trade of expertise.   I get frustrated hearing people say what doesn’t work – I want to hear, how can we make this work for Wanganui?   And yes we need help with this.  One thing we need is some space to set up a trade area, envisage this being a practical, interactive space where retired or practicing trades can each donate a couple of hours a month to young interested people.  This space can also be a promotional area for various trades businesses and PTE’s to invest a small share to cover any cost if we have to rent this space.   Wanganui has an innovative approach to get things done – let’s apply the same principles to this, contact Ian at Chamber if you are keen to be involved.

Quote:  Zig Ziglar: You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.

Take care
Bronwyn Paul