Canterbury Today Magazine Ct134

Introducing faster, more affordable concrete flooring solutions

In a building environment with rising costs and increasing technical demands, Allied Concrete have applied their expertise to provide a range of solutions which offer savings without compromising on quality.

READY FloorA large percentage of buildable ground in NZ is considered Good Ground- a technical classification in NZS3604 (Typically TC1 ground in Christchurch). Allied Concretes READY Floor offers a proven, Product Certified (CodeMark) alternative to a traditional 3604 foundation and flooring design. This means it has been tested pre-approved and will be accepted by council explains Allied Concrete national sales and marketing manager Dave Barker.

READY Floors CodeMark certified alternative to 3604 foundations not only meets the standards of the Building Code but by not needing the traditional steel reinforcing, you can start your building project with significant savings. Dave says.

With READY Floor, the reinforcing is already in the concrete so you save time and it costs less than traditional foundations.

- Dave Barker

READY Floor can be used for concrete house slabs, shops, warehouses or any lightly loaded concrete floor. Try the cost calculator on www.alliedconcrete.co.nz to see how much you could save compared to using traditional steel reinforcing.

READY Super SlabWhen you are looking to build on ground not deemed Good Ground a Specific Engineered Design (SED) is required. Allied Concrete has developed a concrete flooring product which allows for an engineered foundation system regardless of your technical category and, according to Southern Foundations Ltd director Bevan McKeich, thats not the only area READY Super Slab excels.

READY Super Slab provides a far more earthquake resilient flooring system, which is warmer, stronger and quicker to build than traditional flooring systems. Bevan says.

Southern Foundations is a registered installer of READY Super Slab and Bevan says the product is a cost competitive foundation system which is fully accepted with territorial authorities.

Beam grills within the concrete slab provide a stiffer and stronger final product. Because of this inherent strength, a deepened perimeter footing can usually be omitted. Allied Concrete utilises a deeper pod within its READY Super Slab, which produces an even stronger finish against competing products.

READY Super Slab cuts the construction time for the foundation considerably.

- Bevan McKeich

A Super Slab foundation can be built in four days from start to finish and this will significantly reduce your construction costs.

READY Super Slab can be use on any ground conditions and is quicker to install than a traditional foundation.

READY Floor Foundation

READY Super Slab

For more information on how your building project can benefit from READY Floor or READY Super Slab phone Allied Concrete on 0800 4 ALLIED (0800 425 543) or visit www.alliedconcrete.co.nz

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for a standard business website or full e-commerce site, which means your business can sell products 24/7.

CHRISTCHURCH OFFICES2 Ivan Jamieson Place, Christchurch Airport, Chch 8053 112 Buchan Street, Sydenham, Chch 8023

AUCKLAND OFFICELevel 6, 10 Scotia Place, Auckland, 1010

[email protected] | 0800 444 090 | www.fatweb.co.nz

Did you know... If your site doesnt appear in the first 2 pages when someone Googles your industry, youre missing out on business.

In fact some studies show that less than 1% of people even look past the second page of Google. We pride ourselves on providing unbelievable SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) which means endeavouring to get your business on the first couple of pages on Google.

One of our defining features is that our sites are extremely easy to manage so you can change your content or photos as often as you like. If youre able to

book an airline ticket online, you can change the content on our websites.

Our websites start from $1997+gst

OUR DEFINing FEATURES

We specialise iN sites for companies with less thaN 20 staff.

4 WEEK TURNAROUNDWe will have your website ready within 4 weeks.

[email protected]

For a free

no obligation audit of your current website, or if youd simply like to find out more, please call us on

0800 444 090 or email our team on

Email [email protected] and include Free report in your subject.

FREE Report

11 things you must know before choosing a website company!

FatWeb, formally known as Treacy Advertising has been running for 15 years, so if you have any issues you can be sure well be here. We have been making websites for more than 15 years - we know what were doing.

Our parent company has been around since 1980.

4 | September 2015 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

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Issue 134 September 2015

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Canterbury Today Issue 134

Viewpoints6 The PMs desk

John Key outlines the initiatives designed to bring the CBD back to life

6 Business ethics - the answer to viability

Kevin Vincent on what he sees as a defining business issue of our time

6 Lets not get too downbeat about the economy

Martin Fraser-Allen says while there is loss of economic momentum, we also shouldnt ignore the things that are going right

7 Decided to start a business? Whats next?

The best thing about business plans, Glenn Hansen says, is not the end product, but the process this planning forces you through

7 Managing good people well

Dave Sewell lists the traits and behaviours all good managers have in common

7 Staff holidays should be enforced

Martz Witty says staff holidays are there for a reason

8 Tall tales

Colin Clapp says some of the funniest business stories are simply used to justify poor performance

8 Is technology wearing you out?

Jane Cowan-Harris on why you need to switch off in order to switch on

10 Events diary

This is where you find out whats on near you

In Business20 Hospitality

Jimmys Restaurant and Bar at the Pavilions Hotel has been remodelled to reflect the life of its owner, Graeme Horncastle

21 Health & Lifestyle

One of Queenstowns jewels, The Remarkables gets a significant facelift, choosing natural health with Health 2000, and Pain Action in NZ supports those with chronic ailments

26 Focus

Franchise Association of New Zealand, the Hornby Workings Mens Club, Spy Valley Wines award winning flavour, Arborpro Canterbury, The Papanui RSA, Westfield Riccarton marks its half century milestone and Elite Meats quality cuts

News10 How to attract and retain talented staff

The key ingredients you need to get, and hold onto, great people

12 Best business lessons learned first hand

There is no better way to improve understanding than to go directly to the source and the source of the hugely successful lean thinking is Japan

18 The gamesman

How Justin Marshall has taken on-field game plans and applied them to life and times in the commercial arena

The Money Issue14 Money mistakes to avoid

Common financial management errors to steer well clear of

15 Seven ways to get on top of your small business debt

Debt can be a useful tool to start and grow a business, but small business owners need to make sure their debt is working for, not against them

16 Love your money

Six tips to help you create a healthy relationship with money

16 Dealing with defaulting debtors

Ways to reduce your vulnerability to clients who cant pay their bills

36 Goods & Services

The quality craftsmanship at Ken Wills Furniture, Brinkley Resort and how Agnew Engineering Services deliver production-line efficiency

38 Property & Construction

McRaeway Homes, Castle Rock Business Park, Justpainted Painting Contractors, Christchurch Chinese Methodist Church, the Little Big Tree Company, CS For Doors, Northfield Business Park, Pat Smith Interior Plastering, Fortis Construction, Texco Steel, Vac-U-Digga NZ and David Reid Homes Canterbury

56 Transport & Motoring

Premium automotive servicing at Edgeware Automotive and how Men at Work deliver traffic management solutions

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AAA AD 042015 FN.pdf 1 20/04/2015 1:15:47 p.m.


News | Viewpoints

By Rt Hon John Key, Prime Minister

Bringing life back to the city's heart

Business ethics - the answer to viability

Kevin Vincent is managing director of Vincent Consulting Limited. www.vincentconsulting.co.nz

A few weeks ago I was in Christchurch to announce the next steps for an exciting new residential precinct in the heart of the city.

Along with Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee, we announced Fletcher Living had been chosen as the preferred development partner to design, build and sell new townhouses and apartments for more than 2,200 people in the new North and East Frame over the next few years.

The new housing will be situated between Manchester Street and Madras Street, meaning residents will be just a short walk to city offices and shops.

This $800 million residential precinct signals a new era of inner city living in Christchurch. It will help to bring vibrancy back to the heart of the city and also help businesses to flourish.

Next April, the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act and its associated powers expire. This means we are now looking beyond recovery to a new stage in the regeneration of greater Christchurch. The Government has outlined its proposed approach for transition arrangements as local leadership progressively takes control of the rebuild during the next few years.

As we move through this phase, we will continue to support the people of Canterbury, as we have done so since the first earthquake, and honour our commitments to successfully complete the regeneration of the city. We will also continue to work closely with councils and other local stakeholders to progressively pass governance and management of the rebuild to the Canterbury community.

Later this year, we intend to introduce new legislation to replace the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act. It will be called the Greater Christchurch Regeneration Bill. This will involve setting up a new entity, which we propose to call Regenerate Christchurch, to deliver on both the Governments and City Councils objectives for the central city. This will help to give the private sector more confidence to invest in central city developments.

In recent months, Ive had the privilege of opening a number of new facilities in and around the city. Many more projects have been completed or are underway. I turned the first sod for the new Russley Road interchange, which is part of a massive investment in rebuilding and upgrading the citys roads. We are also progressively bringing around 1,450 public sector employees from across 16 departments and agencies back into the central city over the next 18 months

This month marks the fifth anniversary of the first earthquake that struck Canterbury on September 2010 and each time I return to Christchurch, Im heartened by the progress I see across the city.

Ethics in respect to business is the knowledge of understanding right from wrong and making sure you are doing the right thing.

I have always held to the belief that if I treat people as I would like to be treated and that if I continue to add value to the business relationship through delivering best service and outcomes, then that is ethical business behaviour.

Most ethical dilemmas in the workplace are not simple and can be quite challenging in many cases to navigate. Ethics are a significant and defining business issue of our time, affecting corporate profits and credibility, as well as personal security and the sustainability of our economy.

Practicing good ethical behaviours within organisations will bring good benefits in both moral and practical terms. Organisations can enhance relationships with employees, customers and suppliers, and improve profitability when sound ethics (principles and values) are set as daily disciplines.

The consequences or implications of failing to be ethical will ultimately cause any business to implode. Unethical business practices deplete profits, destroy reputations and put at risk all stakeholders.

Cultivation of high levels of ethics in business practice is something every company, no matter its size, should do. At the very foundation of business, ethics is the commitment to treating customers, employees, investors, suppliers, distributors and anyone else involved with ones organisation with honesty and respect.

Business ethics is an important management discipline and as such should be included in strategic thinking, planning and implementation. It should include codes of behaviour, roles of committees, policies, procedures and training. In short, companies should have plans in place to prevent and if necessary resolve any ethical dilemmas. Ethical codes of practice within organisations must identify and prioritise values to guide behaviours ensuring alignment with their company values.

Ethics must start right at the top with the owners values and sense of corporate social responsibility, which are then embraced into every business process, practice and procedure. If the board or chief executive is not seen to be behind the programme, employees will notice! The person at the top must lead by example.

Perhaps most importantly, attention to ethics in the workplace helps ensure that when leaders and managers are struggling in times of crises and confusion, they retain a strong moral compass.

Organisations should develop and document a procedure for dealing with ethical dilemmas as they arise. Ideally, ethical dilemmas should be resolved by a group within the organisation, e.g., an ethics committee comprised of top leaders/managers and/or members of the board.

Weve seen a string of indicators lately that point to a sharp slowdown in the economy, and there is now a lot of conjecture over whether our rock star economy is headed for recession.

I never liked that catch phrase. It overestimated how good things were and set us up for disappointment when the inevitable slowdown came. But at the same time, were probably getting a little too downbeat with talk of a looming recession and forgetting that weve still got a few good things going for us.

The June Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion (QSBO) was the latest negative indicator. The QBSO pointed to a net seven percent of firms being optimistic, well down from 20 percent in the prior survey and the lowest reading since mid-2012.

The March GDP report was weaker than expected, with growth of 0.2 percent well below the previous quarter and market expectations, while the June ANZ business survey saw confidence slip into negative territory for the first time since the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake.

The key culprit to all this is falling dairy prices, so it is unsurprising the dairy-intensive regions have experienced the biggest dive in confidence. Dairy products represent almost a quarter of our exports, so it would be foolish to underestimate the impact of the sharp decline in prices. However, there are still a number of positives as well.

We shouldnt forget that we export other products as well, and many of these are doing quite well. While global dairy prices have fallen more than 40 percent over the past two years, prices for meat, wool, horticultural produce and seafood have all gone up by an average of about five percent. If we account for the recent decline in the NZ dollar, the increase is more than 12 percent over the same period.

We also have few levers to pull to soften the blow. Weve seen two cuts to the Official Cash Rate (OCR), and there are more to come. The currency has fallen heavily, lessening the impact for dairy exporters and provides a nice boost to others. We should worry about the dairy sector and acknowledge an economy that is quickly losing momentum, but we also shouldnt ignore the things that are going right.

For Investment Advice please contact Martin Fraser-Allen, Investment Adviser at Craigs Investment Partners Christchurch branch by phoning 03 964 3246 or visit www.craigsip.com. Mark Lister is Head of Private Wealth Research at Craigs Investment Partners. His disclosure statement is available free of charge under his profile on www.craigsip.com. This column is general in nature and should not be regarded as specific investment advice.

Martin Fraser-Allen, Investment Adviser at Craigs Investment Partners. www.craigsip.com

Lets not get downbeat about the economy

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By Martz Witty, head of the Martz Group, aligning chartered accountancy with the creativity of business development. www.martz.co.nz

Dave Sewell, one of only two Gazelles International coaches in New Zealand. www.davesewell.co.nz

Glenn Hansen is a chartered accountant and registered mentor with NZICA. www.hansenconsulting.co.nz

Decided to start a bussiness? What's next?

Its more like Where do I start?, and that is an easier question to answer. Start with planning.There are many things to consider, so what is most important is to work through them in an orderly fashion.

Planning! I am talking about planning your business, a business plan. There is much debate about the importance of a business plan, but the debate misses the point. It is not so much the end document that is important, but the process it forces you through.

The plan starts with a vision and a purpose; why does it exist and what will it look like in several years time?

The vision is your starting point for determining your objectives

From there through research we build a picture of market size, competitors, and importantly, who the customer is. The customer is all-important. Until you can easily describe the target customer it is not possible to determine:

Customer needs and wants What motivates the customers buy decision A brand promise that attracts and satisfies customers How to get your message in front of the target customer A key business element that will drive performance.

Once the customer is understood, the marketing plan becomes easier. This is also where you consider the other players in the market what they offer, pricing, how they may react to you.

Consider also how you may differentiate your offering (its not just the product - its the service, presentation, timelines, etc). What will your competitors not be prepared to do? What can they not do? Can you ring-fence a part of the market to restrict or prevent access?

And now, what needs to be done? Construct a timeline upon which you can position each action that must be taken.

And finally, put some numbers to it. Develop a cash-flow forecast, preferably built to allow for quick changes in data to account for different scenarios, and determine what your cash requirements are; not just at the outset, but through the initial growth phase. If necessary adjust the timeline to ensure you will comfortably operate within your cash resources.

At the outset, a business idea usually lacks direction and definition. By the time you have worked your way through a business planning process you will be very clear about what you are offering, why, who to, and how. The essentials have been considered, and you know the direction you intend to go.

Uncertainty is transformed into clarity. Its a good feeling!

In future articles I will discuss some of the nuts and bolts practical issues to attend to.

New laws introduced recently will have a huge effect on local employers in the construction sector.

At just 3.1 percent, Canterbury has the lowest unemployment rate in the country. The rebuild is providing the work, employers are recruiting and migrant construction workers are filling the skills shortage.

A high level of economic activity within an industry creates an employees market. In addition, the new immigration laws that came into effect on July 1 mean migrant workers are now able to switch employers within the same occupation, without applying for a change to their visa.

While these changes were introduced to protect migrant workers against exploitation, some believe they could also inadvertently lead to employee poaching. So how can businesses avoid losing good staff and keep their team happy and engaged? In my experience, people join companies, but they leave managers. This means that above all else, you need great managers not free food or gym passes!

International business expert, Verne Harnish, says regular one-on-one coaching is key to being a successful leader and the following five topics represent the five main activities of successful mangers.

1. Help people play to their strengthsA strength is more than just something you are good at, it also gives you energy. Compare this with a weakness although you may be good at it, it zaps your energy and drains the life out of you.

2. Dont de-motivate; de-hassleGood managers focus less on motivating their team and more on removing the obstacles that stand in their way.

3. Set clear expectations, and give employees a clear line of sightAll staff benefit from knowing how their work contributes to the overall goals of the company. Great managers focus on the expectations of a role rather than how to do a role.

4. Give recognition and show appreciationHarnish says, Studies have shown that for people to be happy and productive at work, they need to experience positive interactions vs. negative with their manager in a ration of at least 3:1. And its important to make those positive interactions count a one-compliment-fits-all approach will not wash.

5. Hire fewer people, but pay them moreOne effective person is better than three ineffective people. A rigorous selection process is key to getting the right people in the door and once you have them, you need to reward them. and invest in them.

Staff holidays are there for a reason. In New Zealand you are typically entitled to four weeks annual leave and yet many businesses dont ensure their staff take the leave inside of a specified period.

We think that is bad business practice, notwithstanding there might be reasons to let a staff member accrue leave (e.g. an extended holiday later). So why are we so adamant that holidays should be taken?

Accumulating liability Not taking annual leave means that a very real liability is mounting in behind the accounts. A liability that many businesses dont even reflect in their annual statements. This can come and bite when the leave is eventually taken or on exit of the staff member. This can create major cash flow woes for a business.

Staff burnout Everyone needs time out occasionally and people who dont have this reprieve are more susceptible to burn-out. Thats bad for the staff and the business.

Increased absenteeism and sickness When you work for a prolonged period without a break (and this is heightened in demanding and stressful jobs), its common to end up with illness. This might result in short or long term sick leave. It has even been mooted that staff will fake sickness because they are afraid to ask for annual leave.

Increased staff turnover Staff move on for a variety of reasons, but one is commonly that they didnt feel they could ask for the time off from their current post. Insisting on leave being taken reduces this risk.

Uncover fraud As a former auditor, many was the time that a staff fraud was uncovered when staff were made to take annual leave. New eyes can find irregularities and it is quite frightening just how much staff fraud is being undertaken in New Zealand.

So how can you make sure your staff use their holiday entitlement?

Stress to staff that it is okay to ask for holidays as a healthy life balance is a win-win for staff and business. Instil a culture that not everyone will always be at work; when people realise that not everyone is at work all the time it becomes easier to request the time off. Have a business policy on leave and make it known to all members of staff. Have open communication about leave entitlements and age of holidays, and proactively suggest staff request time off.

In essence having a good holiday entitlement programme with enforced leave means your workforce will be better balanced, less stressed, refocused and re-energised.

Staff holidays should be enforced

News | Viewpoints

Managing people for the good of your business

martz group

your professional speakerbusiness developerchartered accountant

Level 1,Unit 3,46 Acheron Dr,Christchurch, 8014

P 0800 389 0777F 03 389 0771E [email protected] www.martz.co.nz


Jane Cowan-Harris is the head of WorkSpace IQ. www.workspaceiq.co.nz

Colin Clapp is a founding member of The Business Factory. Visit www.accountable.co.nz and www.thebusinessfactory.org

News | Viewpoints

Is technology wearing you out?

Tall tales

At the beginning of the year I decided to do something to push my comfort zones in order to fulfil my performance potential as a professional speaker.

So I signed up for a Spontaneity improvisation course with the Christchurch based Court Jesters (the people behind the Scared Scriptless evenings where the entertainment is made up on the spot).

One of the theatre sports weve since learned is called Story, story, die! This game involves a group of people alternately keeping a random story going one sentence at a time.

At any point a member of the group stutters or stops the storyline flowing, the audience takes great pleasure in loudly shouting DIE! and this person is eliminated from the game. Suffice to say the winner is the last person standing; i.e. the one who maximises the storys potential.

Recently Ive realised a version of Story, story, die! is alive and well in the business world. Unfortunately, it doesnt produce as many laughs and sadly, the consequences are far more costly than the improv version.

At a recent business meeting one influential attendee was telling an interesting story to explain some lack of result. At an appropriate moment, a colleague pointed out the following formula: No result + great story = no result. (Likewise; No result + more great stories = still no result).

Im pleased to say accountability prevailed in this instance. The stories finished and the meeting became more action focussed.

The point being made is that if stories are used to justify a lack of poor performance or results, they are simply blame, denial and/or excuses coming in via the back door.

Time listening to these type of stories simply slows down the process of fulfilling performance potential, where the losers can be anyone from the storyteller to the whole organisation.

If a business is to fulfil its potential it may want to consider adopting the mantra behind the title of Sam Silversteins book No More Excuses; the Five Accountabilities for Personal and Organisational Growth. The book is a great read where the premise is simple; the difference between fulfilling potential or not lies in accountability.

So the next time you hear a business story from a colleague or associate, make sure its a good one - one that inspires accountability as well as taking ownership and responsibility for results.

If not, beware the business may well be playing out its own costly and painful version of Story, story, die! and no one will be laughing then.

Do you wake up feeling refreshed every morning? Switched on and ready to go? If not it may well be technology thats slowing you down; youve got to switch off to switch on.

Desktop computers, laptops, tablets and smart phones unless youre actively avoiding them, the chances are youre using at least one or two of these devices every day, possibly more.

Of course, there are many positive aspects to all of these handy devices, but when they start affecting your sleep, your productivity at work and even your mental health, then maybe its time to start considering just how much you engage with them.

This is particularly important in the evening when, rather than winding it up, if you want to perform well the next day, its best to wind your brain activity down into a more relaxed state.

Give your neurons a break!

Mark Rosekind, former director of the NASA Ames Research Centre Fatigue Countermeasures Program says One of the most simple but important reasons technology affects our sleep is cognitive stimulation. As your brain revs up, its electrical activity increases and neurons start to race. This is the exact opposite of what should be happening before sleep.

A hot topic at the moment is the glow from electronic devices. This blue light passes through the retina in our eyes into the hypothalamus, a part of the brain which controls several sleep activities, delaying the release of melatonin, the sleep inducing hormone we all need.

Let it go

Having your mobile phone to hand at all hours (like taking it into the bedroom), also means that you are left on alert and this ever ready state of alertness can lead to poor sleeping habits.

Disturbing more than our sleep

On top of causing many of us to sleep less and less, technology can also impact negatively on our mental health. A research study of over 4,000 young adult students, Dr Naim of the Los Angeles Sleep Study Institute, found that regularly using a computer before bedtime is not only associated with sleep disorders, but also stress and depressive symptoms in both men and women.

Switch off tonight to be more switched on tomorrow

The evidence is clear that burning the midnight oil to catch up on correspondence, the latest happenings on social media, or simply indulging in some bedtime reading on your tablet, may not be a great idea if you want a decent nights sleep. The secret could be as simple as switching it all off a little earlier in the evening.

EVENTS DIARYWhats happening on the business

and entertainment front

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25Business Succession Protect the long term future of your business and reduce your responsibility with a succession plan. Begin creating your own succession plan with the help of workshop presenters Sheryl Sutherland and Martz Witty and learn how to protect your biggest asset.

For more information, visit: www.cecc.org.nz

THURSDAY, AUGUST 27Understanding Social Media Social media is here to stay and its a key tool that will help drive your business forward. This course will show you why social media is important and the benefits it can bring to your business. Learn the principles of social media - what it is, how to use it and more.

To register, go to: www.cecc.org.nz

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1Coffee and JamCoffee & Jam, hosted by the Ministry of Awesome, is a place to share your business ideas, seek and give feedback, learn and connect with like-minded businesses. Coffee and Jam supports and inspires start-up ideas to help turn them into a reality.

For more information, visit: www.ministryofawesome.com

SATURDAY 12 SEPTEMBERBattle of the Rebuild The Battle of the Rebuild boxing event brings together the major construction, home building, civil works and engineering companies involved in the Christchurch rebuild to go head to head in the ring to raise money for charity.

To book, go to: www.enthdegree.co.nz

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21-23 Organisational Psychology

This 2.5 day programme is pivotal if you are looking to build your self-awareness as a leader, increase your ability to navigate through mental obstacles, increase your resilience and build positive constructive work cultures. To register, visit: www.peopleleaders.co.nz

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29The Christmas Country FeteBursting with hundreds of remarkable gift ideas, fresh locally grown food and wine, live music, cooking demonstrations and loads more. With 200 stalls The Christmas Country Fete in Culverden is New Zealands biggest and most popular country fte.

For more information, visit: www.thefete.co.nz

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HERES 4 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD USE THE BEST NZ OWNED AND OPERATED JOB SITE.

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According to Westpacs recent economic outlook, the labour market in New Zealand is strengthening. While this bodes well for the economy, for business owners and managers, it means finding and retaining great staff will become even harder than ever.

How to attract and retain talented staff

News | Employment

b. Additional time off

This can take many forms. For instance you can offer a maximum number of additional paid or unpaid leave days throughout the year for your employees to pursue their other interests, such as volunteering or charity work. It could also take the form of an extension to their standard holiday time so they can really benefit from a vacation overseas.

Indeed last year, Netflixs vacation policy in the US made the news for taking a decidedly innovative approach. The policy allows all salaried staff to take off whatever time they want, whenever they want, for as long as they want. The employee decides what time they need to take off. However, the onus is on them only to do so when they are comfortable that they and their team are up to date, and that their absence will not negatively affect the business or their careers.

3. Career developmentWhether its training and mentoring or other traditional career development opportunities, its important to recognise the importance of career advancement as one of the key reasons why employees decide to join, remain with, or leave a company.

Training and development sessions provide a great opportunity to promote personal growth and for employees to step out of their day-to-day work. Think about:

Sourcing experts from your team, network, or one of your clients to present their story and share their key to success on a topic

Arranging an open day for all staff where each team showcases what they do and why its a great team to work in. This also helps promote other opportunities within the business

Considering secondments to give staff members the opportunity to develop a new skill or to try out a role in a new area before they commit.

4. Working remotelyIf it works for your business, why wouldnt you offer your employees the flexibility to work from home? Or offer flexible hours between the office and home?

For many employees, the ability to avoid rush hour traffic is a huge plus, as is being able to pick up the kids from school on occasion, or having the ability to be more focused out of the office environment.

This flexibility can be highly beneficial to your employees wellbeing without it having to cost you a cent. Employees who value this benefit tend to be even more productive out of the office, so its a huge win/win for the employee and your business.

5. Part-time hours and job sharingNot everyone wants to work full time and while costs may be slightly higher than employing a single individual, offering part-time roles and job sharing opportunities have significant returns, particularly if it means you get to retain team members who want to work fewer hours.

Of course, money is, and always will be, a major factor in attracting and retaining your team. But it isnt everything. There are other ways. EnableHR New Zealand general manager, Imogene Lomax runs down some of the key ingredients you need to get, and hold onto, great people.

1.Culture is a winnerWhen you look at the companies that are often named as the worlds top employers, the magic ingredient culture often tends to trump cash. Not surprisingly, people like working for, and tend to stay at companies where they are happy, fulfilled, part of something exciting, and where people care.

2. One size does not fit allIts also important to remember that different things motivate different people, so its highly worthwhile to understand exactly what motivates your individual employees. You can do this as part of your formal performance review process, or more informally in every day conversations.

Youll probably be surprised by what makes each person tick and what motivates them to stay and continue to do their best for you and your company.

Here are a few interesting ideas from businesses that I work with on how they attract and retain their great people - all without breaking the bank!

a. Video job adverts

A great way to showcase your culture and attract the right people when advertising a role is to make a video. Create a real life story on the role, who youre looking for, your workplace, your people and what its like to work there. This does require a bit of planning, but it doesnt require a big budget or a movie director. Simply grab your mobile phone and make it real and authentic.

Youll probably be surprised by what makes each

person tick and what motivates them to stay and

continue to do their best for you and your company.

In fact, its surprising how many people who work reduced hours feel they get as much done in four days as they do in five. The reason: they make each day more focused and productive.

6. Listen to your employeesWhile Im sure youre familiar with exit interviews, you may want to instigate stay interviews so you can find out exactly why employees stick with you and what it would take for them to leave.

Millennials in particular want to be a part of something bigger than themselves - although all employees want to be part of something they can believe in. Everyone benefits when they have the ability to contribute and have their say.

Of course, by listening, you genuinely need to be ready to respond and take action where appropriate.

And finally - put your people firstIn terms of attraction and retention of top talent, theres no one size fits all approach, but its always important to recognise your people as your most valuable asset.

A great workplace is just as important as the products and services you take to market. The best thing you can do is be as real and authentic in all your interactions with your people as you are with your customers.

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Best Employment

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News |Ideas

There is no better way to improve understanding than to go directly to the source and the source of the hugely successful lean thinking is Japan. Toyota developed it to drive their global success and the rest of the world is still striving to learn from its example.

series of lectures, workshops and factory visits, including extensive training sessions at Toyotas dedicated training centre, which provides training for Toyota employees in the principles and application of the Toyota Production System (lean thinking).

Lean thinking philosophies centre on delivering quality goods and services at the best price, quickly and efficiently, by identifying problems and empowering employees to create innovative solutions to eliminate waste, says Peter Cox, director of Simply Lean Business Solutions.

Lean is applicable beyond just manufacturing. Its about businesses being clear about what their customers value and developing a culture where everyone is focused on eliminating waste from all processes so they can deliver true value.

Denise says one of the key principles she saw value in was the adoption of a more collaborative approach rather than the traditional command and control management model.

Best business lessons learned first hand

Giving people on the ground more autonomy and power to engage has so many benefits more often than not, they are the ones who have the solutions to a problem and this frees up senior leaders to focus on more strategic issues. Solutions also affect everyone in the food chain and often people on the ground are in the best position to see how.

In Japan, they rely a lot on visuals. In one factory there was a huge whiteboard showing the issues and the countermeasures, visible to everyone. This makes it transparent and is much more effective than a long, boring meeting involving senior leaders, who then rely on ineffective communication channels to spread the message.

At every business we visited, the staff demonstrated a huge amount of pride in their facility and processes. Especially at Metal One,

which is part of the Isuzu Group, everyone was beaming; there is a real team spirit because every person has a sense of being part of the process and therefore has pride in the end product.

Denise joined 12 other kiwis on the tour, as well as participants from Australia and Europe, and like the others, she has returned with a clear action plan to harness all she and those before her have learned.

Im not the first from Calder Stewart to do the tour. The company has recognised the benefits in that we can all work from the same page now.

The visit made all the light bulbs go off in my head. I knew the principles and I knew the theory but now it just all makes sense, now I can apply what I know and make real improvements to the business.

New Zealands own multi-million dollar construction company, Calder Stewart is just one local business looking to learn from the Japanese lean experts. HR manager Denise Cooper recently returned from an intensive tour of Japan focused on learning more and seeing the application of lean thinking across a range of industries.

We began implementing lean thinking principles into our business two or three years ago, and I actually thought I understood the principles. However, after everything I saw and experienced in Japan, I now realise that my understanding was very limited and a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.

In the companies we visited, everyone lives and breathes lean thinking. They dont get up in the morning and go to work and do it for part of the day. Its part of their mindsets, its the company culture.

Hosted by Simply Lean Business Solutions and Shinka Management, the six day tour included a

Solutions also affect everyone

in the food chain and often

people on the ground are in

the best position to see how.

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Every business experiences a lull from time to time. This can be caused from a variety of reasons and thankfully (most) can be planned for and overcome.

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DOES YOUR BUSINESS FEEL LIKE SCHIST SOMETIMES?


News |Finance

Hundreds of new SME businesses fail in New Zealand every year. There are a countless number of factors that contribute to a business ventures demise such as failure to understand the market, business plan problems, bad location, internet presence and marketing and even expanding too fast. But perhaps the most deadly contributor to start-up failure is an inability to manage business finances correctly.

Dont let your SME become another statistic; act now to ensure your business is financially strong by avoiding these common financial management mistakes before its too late.

Is the price right?Pricing your products or services correctly is tricky business. But its worth investing some considered thought and time into this process because it can make all the difference between sinking or swimming. If your price is too high no one will buy; price too low and you lose out on revenue. Develop a strong pricing strategy by assessing what your competitors charge.

If you are unsure how to price your offering start slightly high, this allows you to give discounts. Avoid having the lowest price in the market. This can devalue your product and not only turn consumers off, but also force you to generate so much volume it could put you out of business.

Cash poorIt is common knowledge that entrepreneurs need a substantial amount of money to invest in the set-up of their business. But it is often months if not more than a year before new businesses start to generate a steady income let alone make a profit. And it is during this time, if the business doesnt have enough cash reserves to carry it through, it can fail.

So start with adequate operating cash to get you through the initial turbulent financial phase.

By Laura Baker

Money mistakes to avoid

Dont fool yourself with wishful thinking that the money will somehow appear.

Crippled by creditYoung businesses which havent secured sufficient operating cash for the initial set-up are forced to turn to credit cards for the early stages of survival. However once a business is plastic dependent it is extremely hard to get out of debt due to the high interest charges and annual fees credit cards carry. Once a cash strapped SME is in credit card debt its often only a short amount of time before it is forced to close its doors. Steer clear of getting into credit card debt at all costs by ensuring you have sufficient operating capital.

Blurred lines Dont mix your personal and business finances. As a business owner, its tempting to blur the lines between personal and business expenses but it is important to keep these two entities completely separate.

Maintaining a distinct separation makes it easier for accounting, budgeting and reconciling both sets of books. It is also vital to determining

actual profits and losses and for evaluating the financial health of your small business. Plus it reduces your own personal liability and makes the business more credible.

Going unpaid In the early stages of operation it is not uncommon for business owners to pay themselves a very small salary or even nothing at all. It may seem like a smart decision at the time to channel any and all profits back into the business, but sacrificing your own pay check could damage your personal financial good standing. And at the end of the day if you are not financially healthy your business will no doubt be affected.

Unpaid invoices Youve done the work, emailed the invoice to your client with the usual payment terms and its now overdue. Its a common complaint for any small business, but it shouldnt be left to get out of control. Unpaid invoices can stifle a businesses cash flow and bring operations to a grinding halt if large invoices continue to go unpaid.

Having a healthy cash-flow is paramount to your survival and success, so you have to learn how to tackle overdue invoices and ensure you get paid. Organise your accounts receivable system printing your payment terms on the back of every invoice, and follow a clear process in collecting payments. Make sending prompt reminders part of your business.

Dont diversify Look at successful companies you admire and chances are they started by offering just one or two things and so should you. Initially focus on what your business does best and do that one thing better than anyone else.

The typical business school of thought is to diversify and offer a wide portfolio of products so when one product dies another one will hopefully flourish. But diversifying prematurely can cripple a business. The problem with selling too many things, especially for a young company, is that it is a massive financial investment that may not pay off because you end up watering down everything you do to the point of mediocrity and they all eventually fail.

Dont mix your personal

and business finances.

As a business owner,

its tempting to blur the

lines between personal

and business expenses

but it is important to

keep these two entities

completely separate.

www.canterburytoday.co.nz September 2015 | 15

Debt can be a useful tool to start and grow your business, says Victoria Crone, Managing Director Xero NZ, but small business owners need to make sure their debt is working for, not against them.

When a substantial amount of expenditure goes towards servicing debt rather than investing in the business, small businesses struggle to grow and can often get into trouble when expenses and debt begin to consistently outstrip revenue, she says.

As a small business owner, getting on top of your debt is one of the best resolutions you can make. More than a third of small business owners feel uncomfortable with their levels of debt, but taking a few steps to get things under control can go a long way to making your finances easier to manage.

News |Finance

ways to get on top of your small business debt 7

Heres where you can start:

1. Get visibility over your debtIf youre managing your finances through spreadsheets, you probably arent aware of all your debt obligations. And, if youre not aware of your debt, you cant make a plan to get on top of it. You need to have this information at your fingertips at all times. Using accounting software, like Xero, will help show what you really owe as well as working out your optimum level of debt for your business.

2. Prioritise your debtNot all debts are created equal. Prioritise your debt by asking yourself what would happen if I didnt make this payment? The more unpleasant the outcome, the higher priority the debt. Payroll is usually the highest priority, because if your people arent getting paid, they have no incentive to work. And, if theyre not working, they arent generating revenue to help you pay off the rest of your debt. The same

goes for your top suppliers and business partners, although not to the same extent.

3. Renegotiate bank loan termsYou can renegotiate your bank loan depending on your situation. If you need more cash in the short term, you can ask for a higher interest rate in order to reduce your monthly payments even though the overall repayment amount will be larger.

4. Work out a payment plan with your creditorsIf you are having trouble paying off your creditors, talk to them before they come asking for their money. If you put together a clear payment plan, they will be more receptive. After all, its in their interests for your business to succeed; if you go under, they get nothing.

5. Ask your biggest suppliers for a discountDont be shy. The people you buy from in bulk and / or have a long history with are great

candidates for getting discounts. These discounts can add up, and the savings can go into paying your debts.

6. Cut short term costsAccounting software gives you visibility of your largest outgoings, so you can see which costs to cut. For example, you could reduce the amount of office space you lease. Be sure to think carefully about where you cut costs sometimes it can be counter-productive. If you lose your biggest customer because you cut your ability to serve him or her for example, youll be worse off than you were in the first place.

7. Look for opportunities for more revenueEasier said than done but its not impossible. One way to get a short term boost is to offer clients a prompt payment bonus. Youll lose a bit of revenue, but youll have the cash you need to service your debt faster.

Small Business Minister Craig Foss has welcomed the release of an online tool to help small and medium sized businesses understand the cost of employing staff.

The tool, developed by Business.govt.nz at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, estimates the fixed and discretionary costs of hiring new staff.

Fixed costs include salary, ACC levies and KiwiSaver. Discretionary costs include recruitment, training and office equipment.

Understanding the cost of employing staff The Employee Cost Calculator is designed to help small and medium-sized businesses make confident hiring decisions based on realistic and reliable projections, Foss says.

The Employee Cost Calculator supports the Better for Business Result 9 programme, which is transforming the public sector to make it easier for businesses to interact with Government.

Business.govt.nz packages Government information in a way that makes sense to business. It provides information, advice and a variety of tools to help businesses succeed, Foss says.

For more information visit: www.business.govt.nz/employeecostcalculator


News |Finance

Even though the Canterbury economy is at an all time high thanks to the rebuild, it is still important to take measures to protect your business against loss of revenue if one of your customers building boom bubble pops.

Taking proactive measures to reduce credit risk will ensure if and when the economic development peak ends your company will be well prepared.

Start-up businesses in particular need to make sure they are protected if a major customer declares bankruptcy. They are the most vulnerable to its effects, and can end up heading down the same path if they are not careful.

If you adopt a casual attitude to bill payment, allowing customers to have overdue accounts and mounting IOUs, you are setting yourself up for financial hurt and risk losing everything you are owed if your customer goes bust.

By allowing customers to have overdue accounts you are effectively becoming a charity service. If a customer asked you to give them a months worth of stock for free would you?

Potential riskThere are a number of risks your business will face if you find yourself tied up with a customer who is going through bankruptcy, and it is not always easy to cut ties and walk away.

Mass loss If a customer has outstanding bills and files for bankruptcy you are most likely going to find yourself out of pocket for a majority of the money. You can stand to lose up to 90 percent of what you are owed. And to intensify the situation the partial payment can not be paid until the businesses reorganisation plan has been approved, which can take up to 12 to 24 months.

Payback Not only are you set to lose up to 90 percent of your receivables if a customer files for bankruptcy, but the bankrupt customer has

Dealing with defaulting debtorsBy Laura Baker

payment recovery rights. This means you may have to return payments you received from the customer 90 days prior to them filing.

Out of your hands Long term contracts can be very problematic when a customer goes out of business. If you have a long term supply agreement with the troublesome customer you may not be able to terminate the contract and even worse you might be obligated to continue to honour the agreement, even if they owe you.

Minimise risk There are several steps that can be taken to minimise credit risk against your company so you dont find your business stuck with a large bill and no one to pay it.

Impose a deposit Some customers wont agree to the 20-day payment terms and some customers can be extremely slack at adhering to these terms. In this case you should enforce a deposit which you require to be paid before any goods are released. This should help to eliminate credit risk.

Control your contractsAvoid long term contracts with at-risk customers wherever possible. It is best to look at the small print because some long term contracts can make it near impossible to terminate the agreement with the customer if they are seeking bankruptcy protection. It can be a smart decision to operate monthly contracts with customers who are potentially at risk.

Top tipIf you think a customer is struggling and may be considering bankruptcy protect yourself against loss by limiting your customers inventory.

If a slow paying customer suddenly orders an unusually large volume of product it may be a sign they are stocking up in anticipation of filing.

Your relationship with money is similar to the love you have for your cat, dog or in my case, a rabbit. Just like when you experience the wrath of a cats claws or a rabbits bite, money can hurt us at times, but we still love it none the less.

Love your money

the people we love, so we should laugh often because if you take yourself too seriously it can be the death of creativity and actually, in a beautiful twist of irony, people may not take you seriously either. Laugh at all the people who

Money can stun you

when you least expect

it, or paralyse you even

when you see it coming,

but the dam thing is

your companion for life,

alongside your treasured

pet or husband/wife and

therefore requires time

and effort. Treat it like a

relationship; grow to love

the good and the bad.

pursue money and if you dont feel like laughing, at least smile.

Erm, hello?! People may not always tell you how they feel about you, but they will most certainly show you. Pay attention to your money just like you would when someone you love walks into the room. If you dont, youll wish you had!

Let it go Sure, youre cat clawed you a little too hard, but you still love him/her thats forgiveness. Thats love. So whenever you feel

deflated that you didnt get that pay rise, or you made a bad call with finances, remember: its not forever. Love your money through the good times and the bad.

Power and money Money can become a source of conflict in a relationship; power and control in the area of finance is a form of abuse. Strip away the connotations of power about money and things will go much smoothly. Power-lust is a weed that grows only in the vacant lots of an abandoned mind. Ayn Rand.

Money can stun you when you least expect it, or paralyse you even when you see it coming, but the dam thing is your companion for life, alongside your treasured pet or husband/wife and therefore requires time and effort. Treat it like a relationship; grow to love the good and the bad.

Here are six tips to help you get on your way to a healthy relationship with money:

Urgent vs. not important we prioritise on a daily basis at work, so working out where you spend your dollars and notes can make a huge difference. We may want to buy that bar of chocolate or the latest smart phone, but youre probably better off putting it towards paying the bills, right? Knowing the difference between what you want and what you need is paramount to spending within your means. Are you unhappy about certain outgoings? Then reject anything that doesnt make you (or your bank account) feel good.

Enjoy what you have Jim Carey once said I hope everybody could get rich and famous and will have everything they ever dreamed of, so they will know that its not the answer. Instead of thinking about what money you dont have, appreciate what you do have and spend it with those who make your life rich.

Dont be so serious like many things in life, money is best served with a sense of humour. We spend more time at work than we do with

been seenThe people, their faces and all the right places - Canterbury

Images taken and supplied by Lynne Puddy-Greenwood

If you have an event that youd like covered, email Lynne

(Canterburys been seen representative) on: [email protected]

21 3 4

5

Hardeep and Sonia Singh from Superliquor Blenheim Road held an Indian theme party to celebrate their 5th year in business in Christhchurch. They entertained their business acquaintances and families in true Indian style with Bollywood dancing and spectacular food.

76 8

9 10

1 Parm & Rupinder

2 Komal & Sonia Singh

3 Lynne Jamieson (Treasury Wines), Peter Jamieson (Robertson Builders), Courtney Jamieson, Thor Hoffschneider.

4 Balvir Gill, Ragindr Ankhi, Inderjit Singh

5 Bhagwant Kaur, Komal Singh

6 Doug Houston, Alan Titburn (Lion), Mel Tyson (Yealands), Hardeep

7 Kulwant Denya, Sonia Singh, Sonia Denya

8 Sunqo & John Roberts

9 Amrit Singh, Isa Singh, Sunny Singh

10 Hardeep, Greg Hoar (Superliquor), Jeremy Stevens (Moet Hennessy), Belinda Symon (Superliquor), Devon Koller.

21 3 4

5

The Christchurch Star held its annual Home & Leisure Show at the Horncastle Arena. There were a large number of exhibitors demostrating new home ideas and great leisure products.

76 8

9 10 11

1 Sian Goldsmith (CERA), Jane Cameron (MBIE)

2 John Hughes,Glen Pearse (Central Heating NZ)

3 Adrian Kay (Dream Doors)

4 Greg Taylor (Aqua Filter)

5 Carrie-Anne Stewart (Moda Smart Kitchens)

6 Jordan Dallimore (Flooring Central)

7 Daniel Paltridge (Waghorn Builders)

8 William Song (Millen Homeware)

9 Gary Walsh,Marty Jackson (Eco Bulb Ltd)

10 Simon Walsh (Gascraft Engineering Ltd), Brian Rowan (Warm Air Brivis)

11 Tony Smoor (Farnleys Jet Skis), Joy Braithwalte, Chris Farnley (Farnleys Jet Skis).

Email: [email protected]

Planning an event?Hosting something special?

Celebrating a milestone?

2

16

17

40

Order 3 main courses and receive FREESpring Rolls OR Curry Puffs (Dinner Takeaway ONLY)

New Chef, New Menu, and Lower Price

Special Welcome Entree when dining in on Sat & Sun night - receive FREE Spring Rolls

166 Kendal Ave, Burnside 03 357 9575Like us on Facebook

www.nzthairestaurant.co.nz

Lunch: Mon - Fri 11:30am - 2pmDinner 7 days : 5pm - 9pm


been seenThe people, their faces and all the right places - Canterbury

Images taken and supplied by Lynne Puddy-Greenwood

If you have an event that youd like covered, email Lynne

(Canterburys been seen representative) on: [email protected]

21 3 4

5

Hardeep and Sonia Singh from Superliquor Blenheim Road held an Indian theme party to celebrate their 5th year in business in Christhchurch. They entertained their business acquaintances and families in true Indian style with Bollywood dancing and spectacular food.

76 8

9 10

1 Parm & Rupinder

2 Komal & Sonia Singh

3 Lynne Jamieson (Treasury Wines), Peter Jamieson (Robertson Builders), Courtney Jamieson, Thor Hoffschneider.

4 Balvir Gill, Ragindr Ankhi, Inderjit Singh

5 Bhagwant Kaur, Komal Singh

6 Doug Houston, Alan Titburn (Lion), Mel Tyson (Yealands), Hardeep

7 Kulwant Denya, Sonia Singh, Sonia Denya

8 Sunqo & John Roberts

9 Amrit Singh, Isa Singh, Sunny Singh

10 Hardeep, Greg Hoar (Superliquor), Jeremy Stevens (Moet Hennessy), Belinda Symon (Superliquor), Devon Koller.

21 3 4

5

The Christchurch Star held its annual Home & Leisure Show at the Horncastle Arena. There were a large number of exhibitors demostrating new home ideas and great leisure products.

76 8

9 10 11

1 Sian Goldsmith (CERA), Jane Cameron (MBIE)

2 John Hughes,Glen Pearse (Central Heating NZ)

3 Adrian Kay (Dream Doors)

4 Greg Taylor (Aqua Filter)

5 Carrie-Anne Stewart (Moda Smart Kitchens)

6 Jordan Dallimore (Flooring Central)

7 Daniel Paltridge (Waghorn Builders)

8 William Song (Millen Homeware)

9 Gary Walsh,Marty Jackson (Eco Bulb Ltd)

10 Simon Walsh (Gascraft Engineering Ltd), Brian Rowan (Warm Air Brivis)

11 Tony Smoor (Farnleys Jet Skis), Joy Braithwalte, Chris Farnley (Farnleys Jet Skis).

Email: [email protected]

Planning an event?Hosting something special?

Celebrating a milestone?

2

16

17

40

Order 3 main courses and receive FREESpring Rolls OR Curry Puffs (Dinner Takeaway ONLY)

New Chef, New Menu, and Lower Price

Special Welcome Entree when dining in on Sat & Sun night - receive FREE Spring Rolls

166 Kendal Ave, Burnside 03 357 9575Like us on Facebook

www.nzthairestaurant.co.nz

Lunch: Mon - Fri 11:30am - 2pmDinner 7 days : 5pm - 9pm


News |Cover story

THE GAMESMAN

By Laura Baker

There was a point during his playing career, when pulling on the iconic black jersey and

preparing to head into battle for the All Blacks, Justin Marshall was

given the best piece of advice he ever received, and a mantra he

continues to live his life by.


News |Cover story

At the time he was going through a difficult stage in his life - not just related to rugby, but his personal life too, in particular with the media.

His coach at the time, Wayne Smith, told Justin to trust his instincts. He told me I was thinking too much and I needed to trust in myself and my abilities, and to do everything positively and confidently.

These words of wisdom not only turned his game around, but also his life, helping him to believe in his decisions, have confidence in his actions and trust his gut instinct.

Justin not only implemented this advice throughout his rugby career, but also into his new business venture, The Golden Roast. And his business instinct is proving to be just as successful as his professional sporting career.

The Southland boyJustin is a South Island boy through and through; he grew up and was educated in Gore before settling in Christchurch to focus on his rugby career.

He was a rugby representative of both Southland and Canterbury and it was during his time playing for the Crusaders that he made his big break being selected for the All Blacks 1995 tour of Italy and France. Justin was just 22 when he dbuted against France in a 3712 win.

He made 81 appearances for the All Blacks between 1995 and 2005, including five as the test captain in 1997. After ending his international playing career, he signed on to play for a number of overseas teams including Leeds Tykes in the English Premiership, the Welsh regional side Ospreys and Saracens in London.

While playing for Saracens in the 2009-2010 season he discovered his talent for commentating, making appearances on the BBC Wales rugby programme. At the end of the season he announced the end of his playing career with a view to moving back to New Zealand to focus on broadcasting.

Today Justin is a Sky Sports commentator in New Zealand for most All Blacks games and other provincial level matches. But more recently he has turned his hand to the business world.

A golden opportunity The lifespan of a professional sportsmans playing career is limited. The tough part for many retired sport professionals is finding a plan B career. Justin says this was always a bit of a conundrum for him. When you are involved with professional sport you dont know what path its going to lead you down.

He says like him, about 50 percent of the top level rugby players move overseas to play

THE GAMESMAN

for United Kingdom and Europe teams after wrapping up their careers in New Zealand. When you do this you lose touch with New Zealand business, unless youve got something up and running before you go, which I didnt really do.

A previous foray in hospitality, having owned the well known Christchurch bar the Grumpy Mole, a number of years ago sparked Justins enthusiasm for the industry. But while he knew where his other passion lay, he admits he didnt have a career plan organised on his return to New Zealand.

It was through a mutual friend that he first learnt about the spit roast catering company The Golden Roast. The business Australian owner and operator, Phil Hosking initially got in contact with Justin in regard to doing some promotional and advertising work for the company. The pair meet up for a chat and the conversation quickly progressed and they become business partners.

He says the business model really struck a cord with him, and his gut told him the catering business could be a real success in New Zealand. When Phil came to see me about brining his franchise to New Zealand, I had just been looking for someone to cater my 40th birthday at my home in Queenstown.

I was having a party and wanted a catering company to come in and cook the food fresh in my home. When I searched, not only in Queenstown, I noticed there werent many businesses that actually cook the food fresh onsite. So I knew there was a gap in the market, which was certainly appealing and it suited my previous hospitality experience so I jumped on the opportunity.

Killer instinctNow, as the head franchiser for The Golden Roast New Zealand, Justin is bringing the same drive, enthusiasm and killer instinct for the business as he displayed so fiercely on the field.

Its clear he is proud to put his name to the business as he enthusiastically explains its services and the role he plays. The Golden Roast specialises in spit roast catering and is equipped with mobile facilities and professional staff to host functions for all occasions including weddings, birthdays, corpor

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