We all know that sustainability is the new black – well, the new green really – but are we doing enough to make sure New Zealand businesses are at the forefront of this global revolution? Not in the ‘to lead or not to lead’ debate surrounding emissions, but in terms of securing our place as market innovators and solution providers?
We have proud history as nation of entrepreneurial thinkers and developers and, as our cover story reports, savvy companies are continuing this tradition and showing that it is entirely possible to be sustainable and profitable. And all from ‘down under’. They recognise there are substantial business gains to be made in the “clean tech” space and, as the need for carbon constraint drives new industrial revolution, show how quickly Kiwi companies can climb on board.
As green business champion Stephen Tindall says in our cover story (page 26), “the reality of this thing is on us and we have to start adapting to survive and to thrive”.
That attitude has seen him at the top of the New Zealand business scene for some considerable time and exemplifies the theme of this year’s fast-approaching Top 200 companies list and awards (to be held on December 4th). ‘Be Bold, Be Different’ – shows that to thrive, or even simply survive, in today’s business environment requires determined effort to go above and beyond in development and delivery.
With the General Election just weeks away, Colin James looks at what changes – or not – business should expect once the votes are tallied. While superficial reading of the spring lift in business confidence might be credited to the prospect of National-led government headed by man from business, he says, it actually has more to do with the usual end to winter gloom, the fall in oil prices, the glimmer of an easier labour market, the start of an interest-rate easing and the fall in the exchange rate. See page 44.
A new government – be it Labour or National led – will continue the love/hate relationship we have with Australia. Rod McGeoch, the Australian co-chair of the Australia-New Zealand Leadership Forum, believes opportunities will pass us by in this part of the world unless we have an ANZAC action plan and work together to secure bright future. Sounds good but, be warned, he also believes it could be good thing for New Zealand to become Australia’s seventh state! See page 32 to read why.
December 1
Project Management. NZIM Central. www.nzimcentral.co.nz
December 1
Team Leader Skills Three. NZIM Central. www.nzimcentral.co.nz
December 1-2
Strategic Planning. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
December 1-2
Managing People. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
December 1-2
Train the Trainer. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
December 2-3
Essential Skills for Managing Projects. Wellington. Project Plus. www.projectplusgroup.com
December 3-4
Presentation Skills. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
December 4
Deloitte/Management magazine Top 200 Awards. Auckland. 3media Group. www.management.co.nz/top200
December 4
Programme/Project Office – Establish and Manage. Wellington. Project Plus. www.projectplusgroup.com
December 4-5
Business Skills for New Managers. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
December 5
Effective Use of Time. NZIM Northern. www.nzimnorthern.co.nz
December 5
Effective Business Writing. NZIM Northern. www.nzimnorthern.co.nz
December 8
Rapid Reading for Business. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
December 8-9
Business Process Improvement. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
December 8-9
Experienced Management Skills. NZIM Northern. www.nzimnorthern.co.nz
December 8-9
Time Management. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
December 9-10
Negotiation Skills. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
December 9-10
Marketing Essentials. NZIM Northern. www.nzimnorthern.co.nz
December 10-11
How to Deal with Difficult, Demanding and Prickly Personalities. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
December 10-12
Team Leader 2. NZIM Northern. www.nzimnorthern.co.nz
December 11-12
Project Management. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
December 11-12
Mental Toughness. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
December 15-17
Fundamentals of Project Management. NZIM Northern. www.nzimnorthern.co.nz
2009 January 12-13
Project Management. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
January 12-13
Sales Skills. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
January 14-15
How to Improve Your Business Writing Skills. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
January 14-15
Management for Experienced Managers. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
January 19-20
Marketing Management. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
January 19-20
Understanding Accounting. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
January 20-21
Event Planning and Management. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
January 21-22
Strategic Planning. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
January 21-22
Mental Toughness. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
January 28-29
Managing People. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
February 2
Rapid Reading for Business. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
February 2-3
Motivation and Leadership. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
February 2-3
Business Modelling. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
February 2-3
Systems Thinking. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
February 3-4
Strategic Negotiation. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
February 10-11
Pricing Strategies and Tactics. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
February 10-11
Emotional Intelligence. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
February 10-11
Influencing & Persuading Skills. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
February 11-13
PRINCE2 Foundation. Wellington. Project Plus. www.projectplusgroup.com
February 12-13
Time Management. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
February 12-13
Contract Law. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
February 12-13
Achieving Success. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
February 16-17
Coaching and Mentoring. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
February 16-17
Strategy Implementation. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
February 16-17
Forecasting, Budgeting and Strategic Planning. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
February 18-19
Myer Briggs for Personal and Organisational Development. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
February 18-19
Business Skills for Administration Professionals. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
February 19-20
Finance for Non-Financial Managers. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
February 23-24
Project Management. Auckland. University of Auckland Short Courses. www.auckland.ac.nz
Febru
