|
In a time when the government is asking New Zealander’s to adopt a culture of savings, it’s no surprise to hear how disillusioned people are who have life savings invested with finance companies and now find the companies have frozen redemptions and halted all investors from taking their money out. Freezing pay-outs is a responsible approach on behalf of the finance companies, but it leaves investors in limbo until the markets improve and financial security is restored. In the past two years, 26 finance companies have hit hard times and are struggling for survival as the property market and reinvestment rates remain in decline.
On a positive, oil prices have eased with crude dropping below US$118 a barrel and expected to drop further as worldwide demand weakened and motorists coped with high fuel prices by driving less for leisure. On a commercial perspective our company is seriously considering ways to increase fuel savings, with vehicles on the road 24/7 our fuel bill has gone through the roof. Replacement vehicles will be smaller, smarter and more fuel efficient in a bid to help reduce the impact of passing on spiraling price increases to customers.
The Business Award entries close on August 29th and we already have the first of the entries coming in. If you haven’t started your entry yet – get moving on it. Don’t get caught at the last minute with not enough time to finish. To anyone who is stuck on any area of the entry and need a little advice or assistance – please don’t hesitate to call the Chamber of Commerce and we will help you. Planning is well under way for the awards evening with another show stopping event promised. Ultimately, it is all about celebrating business innovation, excellence and achievement, your night to celebrate your business success and the success of your colleagues. Mark November 1st on your diary and look forward to the premier business event of the year.
Last week Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with EDANZ hosted a lunch to launch Management Focus. Management Focus is a collaborative initiative developed and driven by leading NZ business organisations including Chamber of Commerce, Business NZ, Ministry of Economic Development, EDANZ, Enterprise NZ, NZ Institute Management, Department of Labour, NZ Trade & Enterprise, NZ Institute Chartered Accountants and EMA. To succeed in today’s competitive and growing markets, managers need to be strong and dynamic in their roles. Management Focus is a program of activities, a database of resources; a collection of ideas with a network of organisations that are dedicated to helping good Businesses become great. I have been appointed the Regional Champion for Manawatu/Wanganui and hope my role and experiences will help inspire others.
September 23rd Chamber of Commerce and Westpac Bank will be hosting a breakfast with guest speaker American-born Peggy Bourne, widow of the late, great Kiwi racing car legend Possum Bourne. Peggy is an inspiring speaker, who has a very positive outlook on whatever life hands her – come along and hear her story.
Finally, I could not finish my viewpoint without mention of former Wanganui district councilor, Don McGregor who passed away and was fare welled last week. Don stood for respect, dignity, honour and honesty, going about his work and duties in a manner rarely witnessed these days. He was a man among men and a man of the people. He will be missed.
|
