Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce ABN AMRO Craigs is again the principal sponsor for the 2008 Wanganui Business Awards, sadly for the last time as ABN AMRO Craigs has changed ownership.   We are also delighted that Go Events is our organiser and I would like to take the opportunity through this Viewpoint to acknowledge the huge contribution these two companies have provided in the continued success of the business awards.  The most positive thing Chamber has done this month is seriously review the Wanganui Business Awards Entry Process.  You spoke and we listened.  Yes the existing entry was intensive, yes it involved a lot of time and effort and yes we believed it could and should be simpler!  You will be excited to know the new entry is visually appealing, has word limits for some questions, is easily understood and easy to complete.  There is absolutely NO excuse why every Wanganui business cannot enter in 2008!  We want record entries this year from all over the region, representing every sector of commerce and industry.  Make this YOUR year, learn how to move your business forward and become recognised in the Wanganui business community as a leader in your field. 

At the BA5 held last night to introduce a the new Awards Entry, Dr James Lockhart from Massey University and a judge for the awards spoke on the three main criteria the Judges look for. 
1st     Is a brief history on where your business has come from and how it has developed?  
2nd      Where is the business now – how does it look?
And the most important question!
3rd     How will the business look in 1-year, 2-years or if possible even 5- years from now?  This
          isn’t an exacting question, it’s your vision.  It may be the introduction of a new service or product, or some research and development, new methods of how you do things now and how you plan to implement your vision?

Think of ‘Back to the Future’ if you could look ahead how do you want your business to look?  Paint a picture in words.  There will be plenty of workshops and get-togethers to help you know what the Judges are looking for.   It’s very important to know the Judging is completely independent and details of your company are in strict confidence with all entries being returned to you after judging is complete.   One thing we will not compromise is the “innovation, excellence and achievement” criteria that the award is based on.    
This month I have written three letters of support for projects I want to see prosper in Wanganui.  One is the School of Glass; there is no doubt that Wanganui is now seen as the Centre of Glass Excellence in New Zealand.  There is a solid foundation for this to grow and with a group of very passionate, talented people this will happen.  A letter for the Wanganui City College Trade School (perhaps it’s time to change the name back to Wanganui Technical College) to support a joint initiative between the College and UCOL to teach trade skills at school level.   New Zealand is suffering a huge shortage of trade skilled people and it is imperative to Wanganui business and the country that we have young people learning trades at this level to help them develop the skills necessary to take them forward in a career.  Qualified Tradespeople is the foundation of business prosperity to any city.  The other was for a Flying School in Wanganui.  If this gets of the ground it possesses huge potential for ancillary business support services such as aircraft maintenance, servicing, the supply of goods and services to the School and students.

Four times a year the regional Chambers of Commerce get-together for a Hub Meeting and this month Wanganui hosted the meeting at Belmont Golf Club (no golf played).  The venue provided a relaxed, attractive setting for a vibrant business meeting.    Some Chambers are doing exceedingly well with membership growth and activities and it’s always an inspiration to learn from others how they do things and there is an exciting joint member function that Wanganui and Palmerston North are planning that will be positive in facilitating co-operative business relationships. 

It’s almost the time of year again that Wanganui District Council drafts to their Annual Plan will be released, this year Chamber of Commerce intends to be pro-active making a submission on commercial development and business in Wanganui.  Chamber welcomes your thoughts so we can represent them in our submission.   
Another bi-election will soon be announced and in support of commerce and industry in Wanganui it’s important to have representation from the business sector at the Council table.   This city has business people who are passionate, successful and strategically minded, if making sure business in Wanganui is heard – put up your hand or shoulder tap someone you think would be a great candidiate.   Chamber always supports good policy but we need to help provide the drive to move the city forward.
In keeping with our Business Awards objectives this month’s quote is on Innovation – “The use of solar energy has not been opened up because the oil industry does not own the sun.” by Ralph Nader