When Ben Hyland and Nicky Lankshear of 3D Constructions Services Limited were referred to CEDA’s business growth team, they soon discovered a whole new raft of opportunities and connections available to them and their business.
Based in Manawatū, 3D Constructions Services Limited is a family-owned business specialising in home building, concrete and earthwork services. Ben and Nicky were referred to CEDA by Rahui Corbett of Morrison Creed, one of CEDA’s Regional Business Partner service providers.
“Morrison Creed are members of the Regional Business Partner network, and they identified our ability to support SME business owners to grow and innovate by developing their skillsets through training, education and upskilling through the regional business partner service providers,” says CEDA’s Business Growth Advisor Matthew Jeanes.
“In turn we support their future business growth, establishing partnership models across our network.”
By making this connection, Matthew, alongside CEDA’s Māori Business Growth Advisor Kat Wade were able to approve Capability Co-Funding for Ben and Nicky to undertake business planning and coaching with Morrison Creed. This has been hugely significant for 3D Constructions Services Limited, enabling them to consider all elements of their business, identify what they want to achieve, seek to improve and focus on.
Nicky is thrilled with the progress they have made so far.
“Rahui at Morrison Creed works with a lot of builders, so has a great knowledge in the trade which makes her really easy to talk to, but she is firm in pushing us to really think about where we want our business to be,” says Nicky.
“She has made us question our business goals and really dive into how we are going to achieve these goals by breaking them down into small steps and establishing timeframes.”
In addition, Matthew was able to provide further support, connecting Ben and Nicky with the Central Skills Hub. 3D Constructions Services Limited are now part of a tender ready portfolio pilot, assisting SME construction companies to develop the skill sets required, along with providing tools and resources to effectively bid in regional and national/government tenders.
“Many small businesses either don’t have the skills or resources to comply with health and safety, environmental and sustainability government requirement,” says Nicky.
“We are extremely grateful to be a part of this programme, as it is not something we would have been able to do by ourselves.
“The tender ready programme is amazing, with ongoing management, we are now in a good position and have the confidence to apply, answer tender document questions and pre-qualify for health and safety registered sites.
“Having a smaller business like ours pre-qualify with a registered health and safety site also makes it easier for the bigger companies to fulfil labour shortages, so it’s a win-win for the industry as a whole,” says Nicky.
Working with Matthew has also opened other doors for 3D Construction Services Limited.
Matthew connected Ben and Nicky with Talent Central to aid them with their search for an apprentice. While the successful individual didn’t end up being selected via Talent Central, Nicky sees it as a great resource with numerous connections.
For Nicky and Ben, working with the team at CEDA has been invaluable.
“Matthew has opened up a whole new world of opportunities and connections we weren’t aware of,” says Nicky.
“He is such an enthusiastic guy with so many great connections. I love chatting to him as he’s always thinking outside of the boxes and throwing different things at us.”