Business Networks
Networking can provide a lifeline of support and knowledge. It can help you benchmark against other businesses, boost your reputation, generate leads or mutual benefits or just share information.
Cash Flow Tools & Templates
Useful Tools and Template to Utilise
Learn how the useful resources below can help your cash flow.
Business Resources & Templates
Business.govt.nz – Key Information for Businesses
The government’s central resource for business information, Business.govt.nz provides regular updates and guidance to help businesses.
- Introduction to Taxes and Levies
- Hiring and Managing People
- Risk and Operations
- Leasing or buying premises
- Exporters and importers
- Working from home
Business Performance Tools
Check out the tools and templates to help you plan for growth from a quick-focus business plan, a test to see if your ready to grow to grant and government help and more.
Marketing Tips & Resources
Reaching and Engaging Customers
During this time, it is important that your business is visible online. Below is a list of useful tools to help ensure you can continue reaching your customers to keep them informed about your business.
- Effectively using Zoom – Zoom Video Tutorials
- Google my Business – the most effective, and free tool for your business
- Here’s a useful article on how to optimize your Google my Business listing, written by a group of marketing and digital experts
- Download a template for creating a marketing plan
Websites & eCommerce for Businesses
If your business doesn’t have a website yet
Our region is home to a great range of web developers, designers and marketers that you can work with to plan out your needs. Before you create a website though, think about what you will use it for, how you will promote it and how you will keep it up to date. This will help inform the type of website you need. Find more information on setting up a new e-commerce business here.
Online Shopping Capability
There are also several ecommerce platforms which will help you set up an online store yourself such as WooCommerce and Shopify Be sure to look at the different pricing structures and usability to find the best one for your need.
If your business already has a website, but doesn’t have the ability for people to purchase online, then it is recommended that you speak to your website company or designer to get an idea of the best approach for setting this up.
If you don’t have a company or designer, get in touch with our team to see how we can support.
Facebook for Selling your product
Unlike many other third-party marketplaces and e-commerce platforms, Facebook allows you to sell your products and services free of charge. It allows you to get access to a growing community of active, motivated buyers with millions of people browsing and buying items from other people and businesses on Facebook.
Online ordering on your Facebook page
Utilise your Facebook page to get sales through enabling your customers to order your products and services straight from Facebook. If your customers can order through your website, check out how to simply link this to your Facebook page following these easy steps.
Facebook page shop
Selling your products through a free Facebook Marketplace listing enables you to connect with your local community to capture leads, communicate with interested buyers in real time through Messenger and drive sales. Find out more about listing on Facebook Marketplace here.
Employer and Workplace Hub
A one-stop-shop to support our regional business community.
Having a strong labour force with the required skills and experience is key to the success of our business community and economy. Businesses require access to skilled workers to operate and grow, simultaneously, individuals need skills and experience to secure jobs, progress their careers and grow their incomes.
