Waiariki and the University of Canterbury Collaborate on a new initiative
Caption: Rotorua MP Steve Chadwick cut the ribbon to officially launch the Waiariki-Canterbury initiative in late May.
From left: Tupara Morrison (Chairperson, Waiariki Council); Dr Jan Cameron (Assistant Vice-Chancellor, University of Canterbury); Steve Chadwick (Member of Parliament, Rotorua); Kevin Winters (Mayor, Rotorua); John Snook (Deputy
Chief Executive, Waiariki); and Pim Borren (Chief Executive, Waiariki).
Waiariki Institute of Technology is committed to improving our region's economic and social development. A new cross-crediting programme with the University of Canterbury will create an alternative entry to university study for this region's students.
This new initiative builds on the relationship the two institutes established 10 years ago in teacher education. It sits very closely with Government's priorities for tertiary education providers to collaborate with each other and create better pathways for learners. Waiariki and UC also have a strong link through tourism, i.e., direct and cheap flights, making this partnership a logical fit.
Last year, with the aim of making education more accessible to more people, Waiariki introduced a new scheme which allowed 2006 secondary school leavers to study programmes at Waiariki free of charge for their first year. The Free Fees scheme was so successful, enrolment of school leavers increased by more than 60%.
Following on that success, Waiariki will continue the Free Fees scheme for 2008 and will offer a cross-credit scheme to two UC degrees. This is about providing better access to quality tertiary education, supporting our region's youth and continuing to create a fun and vibrant Waiariki campus life.
Students who enrol on the Waiariki-Canterbury programme will begin by studying the Bachelor of Commerce or Bachelor of Arts at Waiariki for one year and then transfer to UC for Years 2 and 3 to complete their degree. Students will save thousands of dollars by staying home for the first year of study.
“This programme will provide a major financial advantage in terms of free fees and not having costs of living away from home for the first year,” Waiariki chief executive Dr Pim Borren said.
Current estimates show that students who study away from home rack up a debt of $10,000 to $15,000 per year. This figure includes tertiary-related fees as well as living expenses and the cost of travelling home during holidays and school breaks.
The Student Loan Scheme Annual Report from June 2006, prepared by the Ministry of Education, Inland Revenue and StudyLink (a division of the Ministry of Social Development), states that New Zealand students owe more than $8 billion, with no financial relief in sight. Projections show Kiwis will owe nearly $20 billion by the year 2020. The Waiariki-Canterbury partnership will help reduce some of that debt.
Besides the obvious financial rewards, students will be able to study in and experience two of New Zealand's cultural capitals. “This link with Canterbury also provides another study option they may not have considered,” Dr Borren said. “And from my perspective, it encourages students to stay here in Rotorua at least one year longer before they go off to university.”
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Harcourts Wakelin Real Estate - Market Review, March 2007
Rotorua District Market Analysis by Location
These figures compare Q1 (January, February, March) sales in 2007 with the same period in 2006, and with Q4 (October, November, December) 2006. Data are sourced from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, Harcourts Wakelin Real Estate accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies.
Note: Sales are those contracts recorded in the REINZ database as becoming unconditional in the period under review. Days on the market is calculated as the period between listing date and agreement date for a contract that became unconditional during the period under review.
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Rotorua Business Excellence Awards Judges
Melanie East Convenor of Judges
Melanie is a business consultant specialising in event and project management. After returning from seven years in Japan, Melanie embarked on a diverse career working for the New Zealand Dairy Board and more recently Fonterra Cooperative Group. Melanie's experience in project management, along with customer relationship management, facilitation and people management enables her to work with businesses, ensuring deadlines are met and relationships managed. Melanie undertakes a variety of projects, including Relay for Life, Science in the Park, Blast and Globalfest.
Lloyd Upston
Lloyd Upston is Senior Business Manager for the Westpac Bank covering Rotorua, Whakatane and Taupo. He has 26 years experience in the banking industry, for the past 13 years based in Rotorua. His role at the Bank involves leading and coaching a team of business staff and working closely with business customers in this region. Throughout his time in the Bank he has gained invaluable
knowledge of the local business environment and developed specialised business banking expertise. Lloyd gains the greatest satisfaction working alongside, providing support and adding value to business customers, through high service standards and offering practical financial solutions. It is always great to experience their success.
Michelle Pleydell
Michelle currently owns and runs the Silver Fern Motel and Spa on Fenton Street, and has used the criteria of the National Business Excellence awards in her previous roles in International firms DHL Worldwide Express and Weston Milling. The criteria looks at the key fundamentals of business activities that allows a business to align each area of their business to deliver business plans and vision. This allows for business growth and the challenges that lay ahead for business in any competitive environment. Michelle serves as an evaluator for the NZ Business Excellence Foundation and as a judge for the Westpac Franchise awards, enjoying meeting excellent organisations that enjoy ongoing success.
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Roger Brady
Roger has been living in New Zealand for 12 years and has worked with hundreds of SMEs building a solid understanding of what it takes to be successful in the New Zealand market and empowering business owners. Roger's business philosophy is all about people and their ability to learn and grow. The very successful Pinnacle Business Series is based on this coupled with sound business tools and a stimulating environment. Currently Roger's time is divided between providing business training, designing and implementing custom built solutions for individual businesses and speaking at conferences. Outside of work he is passionate about his family. Wife Dinnie is a well-known midwife in the Rotorua community and his younger children attend Girls’ High and Lakes High. If you can't find him during working hours, try the Springfield golf course!
Greg McManus
Greg McManus has been Director of Rotorua Museum since 1997. The Museum is recognised as an industry leader in New Zealand, winning five New Zealand Tourism Awards including a Distinction Award in 2003. The Museum also won the major prize at the international Best in Heritage awards in Croatia in 2003, and was Best Community Service Business at the 1999 Rotorua Business Awards. Greg was previously Director of Gisborne Museum and a member of the National Services Advisory Committee of Te Papa from 1999-2005. Greg is a Ministerial Appointment to the Council of Waiariki Institute of Technology and a member of the Museums Training Council. He is Chairman of the New Zealand Committee of the International Council of Museums and a Board member of both the International Committee on Museum Management and the Asia-Pacific Museums Association. Greg is currently leading a major development project for Rotorua Museum which will see the Bathhouse building completed to its original 1905 specifications. He is married with three school-age daughters and lives in Ngongotaha.
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Lidi Schiefelbusch 
Lidi has international credibility as a Planner and Leader, having been involved in the Hotel Industry for over 18 Years and the Real Estate Industry for 10 years. She has a wide range of experience including Event Management, Qualified Translator, Training and Teaching, Negotiating, Business Management, Accounting and Marketing to name a few. Lidi's goals have always been, and will always be to give everything she does 100%. To invest in people, to encourage through motivation, drive and to always look for improvements and innovation; to give back to the community from whom we receive. She is a serving member of Rotorua's Bright Economy Advisory Board, which was established in September 2005, and operates under a memorandum of understanding with the Rotorua District Council. The Board has four key roles leadership, communication, advice and evaluation, and facilitation. It operates under the principle of sustainable economic development.
Russell Dale
Russell has worked in the forest industry since graduating from Canterbury University with a degree in forestry. After a period in Auckland with the NZ Forest Service he became General Manager for Forestry Corporation and Fletcher Challenge Forests from 1991 to 1998. After five years in Tokoroa with CHH he was appointed Chief Executive of Timber Management Co to establish a new company to manage the Central North Island forests. He recently resigned from that role and has set up his own consultancy business. He has been on the Board of Rotorua Girls' High School for six years and the Chairman for the last two years. His personal interests include boating and skiing.
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Annette Stock
 Annette trained as a speech language therapist and teacher and has worked as both for thirty odd years - mostly for a Government agency. In 2002 she took redundancy under restructuring which enabled her to start her own business without the constraints of service provision. This has provided opportunities for widening her services and meeting the needs of particular sectors in education, from Early Childhood through to Tertiary and ageing adults i.e. young children with all manner of speech language and literacy difficulties, students with special needs, to older adults with strokes, voice and other communication conditions. Annette is a member of the Rotorua group Her Business, Business Swap, the Chamber of Commerce and New Zealand Exporting, along with membership to NZ Speech Language Therapy Association. More recently she became a mentor with New Zealand Business Mentors.
Gordon Acres
Gordon has 14 years experience in forestry management in South Africa, which covers all forestry operations from establishment, silviculture and harvesting to transport, of pine, eucalyptus and acacia trees. In New Zealand, Gordon first developed and delivered forestry business management courses and has held senior positions during the last 11 years including Head of the School of Forestry and Technology. He holds qualifications in forestry and business management and in 2005 achieved an MBA from Waikato University with Distinction. He is currently employed as Projects Manager at Waiariki Institute of Technology with the role of assisting in new business development.
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Pipiana Whiston
Born and bred in Rotorua, Pipiana began her career in the banking industry before joining the Hyatt chain of hotels where she progressed through to a senior position before leaving to start a family. She then opened and operated a successful Seafood Restaurant before deciding to rejoin the hotel industry. Pipiana's experience spans 20 years in the industry and she has held a number of key positions including Personnel and Training Manager, Finance Manager and Executive Assistant Manager. She is now the General Manager of the four star deluxe Millennium Hotel Rotorua, part of the Millennium Hotels and Resorts, New Zealand's largest hotel operator, with a portfolio of 33 hotels nationwide.
Stewart Brown
Stewart has had many exciting experiences through-out his career spending some 27 years in retail; firstly with Progressive Enterprises holding several senior management positions and the travel retail sector, including the development of the Custom House DFS galleria in Auckland and The Americas Cup in 2000. More recently he has been involved in the tourism attractions sector at Rainbow Springs - winner of the 2006 Business of the Year award and Hukafalls Jet. Stewart is a board member on the Rotorua Sustainable Business Charter and deputy chair of the Tourism Education Network. His strengths are people, business development and strategy. Stewart believes that people are the most important part of any business if the business is to prosper long term.
Robynne Paget
Robynne is the owner / manager of Copies Etcetera a copy, print, design and document finishing bureau. She established Copies Etcetera seven years ago after working in the education and technology industry. Robynne's business expertise is in the SME arena with her extensive knowledge of establishing and growing an exceptionally successful business gained through practical experience and drawing from the many resources available on the way. Robynne is passionate about business in Rotorua and dedicated to supporting her local community. “Don't Judge each day by the harvest you reap, but rather by the seeds you sow.”
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Help Your Staff Get Sorted on KiwiSaver
From 1 July all employees changing jobs will have to start thinking about KiwiSaver. Employees in existing jobs may want to consider 'opting in' to KiwiSaver also.
Tax credits and employer contributions added to KiwiSaver in the Budget have made KiwiSaver more attractive for some working New Zealanders.
But the changes have also made it even more vital that New Zealanders understand their own financial situation and know exactly how KiwiSaver will affect it.
Affordability is now the key issue workers will have to consider when deciding whether or not to opt in. Can they afford to contribute 4% of their pay? Do they know what effect this will have on their overall financial situation?
The Retirement Commission has launched a suite of resources aimed at helping workers lift their financial literacy and get their finances sorted so they are in a better position to decide whether KiwiSaver fits their individual financial situations.
“To make sound financial decisions, people need a good understanding of personal financial management and their own financial situation,” says Retirement Commissioner Diana Crossan.
“We are helping New Zealanders improve their knowledge of money matters at the point they will be considering KiwiSaver, and we hope their employers will play a part,” said Ms Crossan.
Tools to help New Zealanders get Sorted
The Retirement Commission has developed several tools and services for employers to offer their staff to help them increase their financial knowledge.
- Intranet Tools links to all resources on www.sorted.org.nz, the Retirement Commission's website to help New Zealanders get sorted on money matters.
- The Sorted KiwiSaver Decision Guide takes workers through the main details of KiwiSaver and offers some issues to consider when deciding to opt in or opt out of KiwiSaver (e.g. affordability, employer contributions prior to 1 April 2008, first home subsidy, age, debt levels) It is available in different formats:
- Online, including calculators to help make an informed KiwiSaver decision
- Brochures, available in various languages
- Posters, featuring a summary of the Sorted KiwiSaver Decision Guide
- KiwiSaver decision-making seminar content (including facilitators' guide and participants' handbook), designed for all literacy levels.
- Sort Me is a link to the online personal financial check-up tool, Sort Me, which allows employees to assess their financial situation by answering simple multi-choice questions. It's a good idea for workers to complete Sort Me when considering whether KiwiSaver is right for them.
- 0800 SORT MONEY (767 866) providing one-on-one help with budgeting. Callers will speak to a trained budget adviser from the New Zealand Family Federation of Budget Services and receive a pack with information and resources for preparing a budget.
- Calculators and general information covering a range of financial topics including debt management, saving, investments, and KiwiSaver
If you would like to order or download Retirement Commission resources, or receive Sorted information to help your staff make well-informed decisions on KiwiSaver, register online at http://www.sorted.org.nz/kiwisaver-registration.html.
To find out how KiwiSaver works, both employers and employees will find information on the Inland Revenue Department's KiwiSaver site (www.kiwisaver.govt.nz).
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Budget 2007: Savings and Investing for a Sustainable Future
Steve Chadwick, MP for Rotorua
Budget 2007 is a continuation of Labour's strong fiscal management of the New Zealand economy, building on positive results we have achieved since being in government but also seeking to transform our economy. Labour wants to establish a strong saving culture, encourage greater investing, and support sustainable growth. Budget 2007 addresses the priority of improving savings by creating economic security for New Zealanders through the enhanced KiwiSaver scheme. It also works to correct imbalances in the economy by delivering more support for kiwi businesses. Rotorua is leading the way in the regions the leadership role of the Chamber of Commerce in coordinating programmes, speakers and the dissemination of information relating to business.
Supporting Kiwi Business
Budget 2007 provides support for business to accelerate Labour's transformation agenda. It delivers the most substantial changes to the business environment in 20 years in order to develop a more innovative and dynamic economy. Key components of these changes include:
- Business Tax Reform
Budget 2007 delivers a $3.4 billion business tax reform package over four years, designed to enhance the performance and investment opportunities of firms. The company tax rate will be lowered from 33 to 30 per cent.
- Market Development
Labour will continue to explore new markets for New Zealand goods and services, and will expand its support for exporters with an investment of $87 million over four years for market development assistance programmes. New incentives have also been provided for research and development of export products, with the introduction of a 15 per cent tax credit.
- Skilled Workforce
Labour is boosting efforts to upskill our workforce through provisions to expand skills training. These include $53 million over four years to expand industry training and increased investments in tertiary education to accelerate funding reforms.
- Sustainable Business
Labour wants New Zealand to be the first truly sustainable nation in the world. Budget 2007 includes investments in schemes which promote eco-friendly products and encourage businesses to implement sustainable policies. A Business Partnerships for Sustainability programme has also been funded.
Enhanced KiwiSaver
The enhanced KiwiSaver scheme is designed to boost the nation's savings by billions of dollars through the provision of tax credits to help New Zealanders save for retirement. Budget 2007 introduces compulsory employer contributions, which in addition to personal contributions and government tax credits, will increase member's ability to save a substantial amount for their first home and a financially secure retirement. Treasury estimates that the potential assets in KiwiSaver accounts after ten years will be in the order of $30 billion, increasing investment for opportunities for New Zealanders and creating a more self-reliant economy.
Through investment in business and helping New Zealanders save for their future, Budget 2007 aims to build a sustainable future for all New Zealanders.
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Central Business District
Free Shopping Shuttle
The Promotion:
A Free Shopping Shuttle to Circle the CBD every 20 minutes on the Prime race days for the World Water Ski Champs. This would distribute potential shoppers from the Lake Front in between races to the CBD with time for them to be returned for the next race.Increasing foot traffic in the CBD & ultimately increasing the retail spend.
Promotion of event:
Radio Advertising with Radio Works & Classic Hits & their sales teams became creative with selling adds tagged with the shuttle to the businesses that were on the Shuttle Route..
Newspaper Advertising with The Daily Post & The Review with their sales teams became creative with selling adds tagged with the shuttle to the businesses that were on the Shuttle Route. A special mention to the Rotorua Review who published a two page route of the map paid for by advertisers that were on the Shuttle Route. Also they donated 300 issues of this to go in the 300 race packs for the World Water Ski Champs.
The Chamber of Commerce Map was transformed with a Stylish sticker that advertised the
Free Shopping Shuttle & Shuttle route. This was delivered to many businesses around the CBD, the Rotorua Police, distributed to several Motels, handed out during both race days at the Lake Front & within the CBD. It was also included within the 300 race packs for participants.
A Pirate Character with a bull horn was used both shuttle days to add more pizzazz, promote & encourage spectators at the Ski Champs & in town shoppers to take advantage of the Shuttle.
The Free Shopping Shuttle was decorated with a large red sticker professionally made & donated by PhotoArts plus they also sponsored two large core flute bus signs one for the lake front & one for the Central Mall. More FM & Classic Hits had a presence on the Shuttle on each day, giving away sweets & magazines. A commentary was given to passengers regarding city centre shopping mini adds for the retailers.
Pride Program:
The Rotorua Police were invited to use the Shuttle Service both race days to have a positive presence on the shuttle, at the lake front & within the CBD also enabling them to move around the City freely. I contacted Te Puia, Agrodome & Paradise Valley Springs to contribute 300 brochures & discounts for the 300 race packs which they all eagerly provided.
Measuring Success:
Even though both days were sunny & beautiful, over both day over 400 people used the Free Shopping Shuttle. Many Comments & free cups of coffee later from Stakeholders & shoppers alike loved the idea & believed it should be a regular occurrence.
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Operation Extreme
The Promotion:
Dress the City in readiness for the World Water Ski Champs 2007.
The Top teams from Window Dressing & Hospitality can win advertising in Radio Newspaper and Marketing! Each business will be Awarded points on Extreme Creative Concepts &
Extreme Execution of Creative Concepts.
Promotion of event:
Having the following prizes sponsored certain helped attract willing participants for the promotion…Window Dressing Team & Hospitality Team Total Prize Value $2000.00 Each,
Window Dressing Team & Hospitality Team Total Prize Value $750.00 Each
Radio Advertising with Radio Works & Classic Hits & their sales teams became approached their clients with entry forms.
Newspaper Advertising with The Daily Post & The Review with their sales teams approached their clients with entry forms.
Promotion Coordinator approached stakeholders with entry forms plus Email & Snail mail.
All finalists and winners received a framed award to display in their business.
Measuring Success:
Mothers day fell in the middle of this promotion which back tracked some key businesses participating. Some redid their windows for the last week. Finalists were photographed for the judging panel.
The businesses that did participate enjoyed their involvement are excited about Operation Moo Cow.
Those who were unable to enter this time are also excited about Operation Moo Cow.
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Central Business District
National Bank Young Farmer Grand Final
I have already secured a Free Shopping Shuttle for the CBD fully sponsorered by Rolinson Honda & a Free Fenton Street Shuttle sponsored by MANZ Motel Association of New Zealand both to run Friday 6th July 2007. Both these shuttles will do well to circulate the spectors & participants around the CBD plus the added bonus of the MANZ shuttle bringing their Clients directly to the event & to the CBD.
Operation Moo Cow is well underway. 200 Promotional Packs supplied by the National Bank Young Farmer Contest have been distributed through out the CBD.
They included Balloons, stickers, flyers, coaster & a cute Stress Cow.
This has been a major success with stakeholders & they can now fully support in a professional way such a major event.
Again the Media have supported Operation Moo Cow with another load of Fantastic advertising prizes.
Here are the categories for Operation Moo Cow!!
Retail
1. Best Creative Rural Window
2. Best Farm Animal Window
Hospitality
1. Best Dressed Theme Young Farmers Rural
2. Best Specials & Beverages Theme - Young Farmers Rural
There will be two elite awards presented by a Judge from the Young Farmers contest as well.
On 4th July 2007 there is also a Festival Day I have put together for the lauch of the NBYFC.
This will run from 11am 2pm & include an amazing array of entertainment:
Festival Day 4th July at City Focus Tuntanekai Street
- 11.00am to 1.00pm
Continuous Gumboot throwing Competition.
Five finalists in each of the 3 sections (Female, Male and Child (5-15yrs) to be announced at 1.15pm.
- 11.00am Sheep Shearing Demo Auction
Prize for the winner Dog & Ducks Demo Huntaway barking Demo Lamb Feeding for Kids Prize for the winner.
- 11.30am
Sheep Shearing Demo Auction
(only if have suitable crowd) Prize for the winner Dog & Ducks Demo Huntaway barking Demo Lamb Feeding for Kids Prize for the winner.
- 12.00pm to 1.00pm
Young Farmers Competition Task
Complete for points towards the Final.
- 1.00pm
Sheep Hair Dressing Competition
To commence Sheep Shearing Demo Auction Prize for the winner Dog & Ducks Demo Huntaway barking Demo Lamb Feeding for Kids Prize for the winner.
- 1.15pm
Announce winners of Gumboot Throwing.
- 1.30pm
Gumboot Throwing Grand Final Sheep Hair Dressing
Winner to be announced Prize for the winner Sheep Shearing Demo Auction Prize for the winner Dog & Ducks Demo Huntaway barking Demo Lamb Feeding for Kids Prize for the Winner.
All in all a very busy Promotion!!
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Misrepresentation: I Didn’t Mean To!
IPRIMA LOGO
Used car salesmen and real estate agents are the frequent butt of jokes about misrepresentation. The reality is that they are probably no better nor worse than any other profession which sells goods or services to the public. If you are a retailer you have more potential to have problems in this area, mainly because you sell more goods than most other professions and tend to advertise goods more widely. Remember also that misrepresentations may be made verbally as well as in print (or on the internet).
Any statement which is dishonest or misleading is a breach of at least the NZ Fair Trading Act. Many other countries have similar legislation. As a rule it does not matter whether you intended the statement to mislead or not only that a statement was made which was misleading. It is a particular problem when the misrepresentation can be seen as promoting the sale of goods (or services) or completing a sale.
While any affected party can initiate legal action under the Fair Trading Act, the Commerce Commission is the normal legal watchdog and has no hesitation in pursuing (in justifiable cases) small businesses through to large multinationals. Both Carter Holt Harvey ($900k fine) and the makers of Ribena ($275k fine) have recently been fined large sums of money for misrepresentations. In addition, some forms of misrepresentation may also open you up to legal action under the laws of passing off. Claiming something can do what it can't may also cause you problems with the Consumers Guarantee Act. More serious false information or claims could open you up to other legal action to recover damages, consequential loss, or for any breach of contract (e.g. your sales agreement or sales transaction). These are occurring in the CHH case. Misrepresentations and errors are serious, and should not be ignored. How and when you respond can significantly affect the consequences.
Common Cases of Misrepresentation
There is a number of common areas to which retailers are prone. These include:
- Failing to disclose the true price of an article. You can't hide additional expenses in the small print, or mislead the customer regarding the parts which are expected to come with the product. For instance, if you are selling a vacuum cleaner without the hose attachment, this needs to be clearly stated with the displayed purchase price.
- Failing to disclose hidden service costs. These need to be clearly displayed. Additionally there are rules governing how interest rates for hire purchase should be displayed so that the true interest rate is shown. All those establishment fees and insurance fees need to be clearly shown as well;
- Stating that a product can do what it can't. Apart from poor customer relations and a loss of goodwill, the customer is entitled to return the product.
- Misleading statements about the origin of an article. We all know there is a stigma associated with products from some parts of the world, so don't try and mislead the public that the goods come from somewhere else. If you sell wine, you should be well aware that you cannot sell products under the name of Champagne, Bordeaux, or Burgundy etc. unless it is a genuine product from these regions. The wine industry is especially heavily regulated regarding the use of names denoting the origin of the product, and is not afraid to take action against those who step over the line.
- Trying to pass a product off as being made by someone else. If it is not a genuine Chanel® then don't try and pass it off as being by Chanel®. If you intend to claim it is inspired by Gucci® then don't word your statements so that they are suggestive of being designed or made with the permission of Gucci® (unless they were). Otherwise you are at risk of passing the goods off as being those made by Gucci® - see also the section on Passing Off, and also on counterfeits. Using someone else's trade mark in comparative advertising may also open up a whole legal can of worms for you as well. Best not to use Gucci ® at all (e.g. use 'Italian inspired design' instead).
- Advertising items for sale but not having enough in stock to satisfy normally expected demand (effectively this is bait advertising). If there are only five items, then this should be clearly stated on the advertisement e.g. “Only five left limited to one per customer!”
- If goods are parallel imported, don't claim that they are NZ new. For instance, some parallel imported cellular phones cannot take advantage of all of the services available to cellular phones made specifically for the NZ market. In many respects it is best to indicate if goods are parallel imported.
Avoiding Trouble and Due Diligence
This area of the law can be quite difficult. The recommendation is that you join industry specific groups such as the Retailers Association, who can usually provide valuable information and resources about this area of law. Similarly, organisations such as the Consumers Institute publish and archive information affecting consumer's rights. This includes information that retailers need to be aware of, and changes in law or its interpretation. Finally, the Ministry of Economic Development and the Commerce Commission also publish guidelines. However, joining a Retail Group to discuss problems and issues with other retailers is often one of the best ways of staying abreast of current issues you need to be aware of.
In summary, any type of misrepresentation, whether deliberate or unintentional, is a potential problem. Taking liberties with accuracy is a common form of misrepresentation, and is usually to sway customers into thinking something which is not accurate (yes, little white lies are misrepresentations too). If you don't know, or are not sure, then say so. Customers appreciate honesty. Once you discover, or are made aware, of a problem then take immediate action. Next, seek informed advice on how to properly deal with the situation. Seriously consider joining organisations such as the Retailers Association, and Consumers Institute or any other relevant group. These can usually provide you with informed support, answers to questions, and advice to avoid problems.
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Waiotahi Enters Next 50 Years With New Technology
Family-owned Whakatane transport and civil engineering firm Waiotahi Contractors is starting their second half century with the latest in vehicle tracking technology.
Celebrating 50 years of operation in 2007, the well-known company, with depots in Whakatane, Kawerau and Opotiki, has installed Telecom's Locate + in 12 of its fleet of 30 trucks.
Locate+ combines GPS vehicle tracking and Navman Fleet Manager software with Telecom's national Mobile Broadband network.
From their offices in Opotiki and Whakatane the company can not only track where their vehicles are, but also keep a record of speeds travelled, idling time, when brakes are used or even when the indicators are turned on and off.
The motive for introducing the new technology, however, has been to help reduce costs.
“We installed the units to get a truer record of each vehicle's off-road mileage to help us off-set road user charges,” said Opotiki branch manager Spike Petersen.
For each kilometre the company's vehicles travel on public roads the company pays a road user charge to the Land Transport Safety Authority.
“Given the nature of our work our drivers spend a lot of time on private roads, in quarries, or on construction sites and farms where the charges don't apply. Previously our drivers kept manual records but now that's done for us with the press of a button and it's more accurate,” Mr Petersen said.
“We estimate that if a vehicle does just 22 kilometres of off-road mileage each day that meets the running cost of the new system.”
Locate+ has now been in the 12 vehicles for two months and the firm is already finding other ways it can help to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
“We can give our customers more accurate information about when a delivery will be made, or see if a vehicle is spending too much time idling, which wastes fuel. It's still early days but we can see the potential,” Mr Petersen said.
The company will also investigate installing mobile data terminals within each vehicle so jobs can be automatically dispatched to the driver as a text message over the Telecom's Mobile network from a central database.
Drivers will be able to confirm when they have received the job and keep the dispatcher updated on what deliveries have been made.
Waiotahi Contractors was established in 1957 by Richard Claydon, who is still at the helm, and employs 120 staff throughout the eastern Bay of Plenty. The firm specialises in providing essential engineering, transporting and contracting services.
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Higher Rates Here For A While Yet
The Reserve Bank lifted the Official Cash Rate to 8.00% at the June Monetary Policy Statement. Westpac's economists were in a small minority expecting an increase, so the move came as a surprise to the market as a whole. In justifying the move, the RBNZ cited the expected factors: strong domestic demand, government spending, stretched capacity and dairy prices. The accompanying Monetary Policy Statement was also resolute in its assessment that the risks to growth and inflation are all on the upside. Consequently, we believe there is still more work to be done, with one more hike to come this year, possibly as early as July.
The Bank itself gave no explicit guidance about future monetary policy within the Statement's Policy Assessment. But we stress that this cannot be read as a signal that this is the end of the tightening cycle. Rather, it reflects that the RBNZ wants to leave its options open. The fact that the RBNZ's forecasts see 90-day interest rates peaking at 8.3% certainly indicates that the door is open for another rate hike. Moreover, inflation was forecast to rise to 2.8% in the medium term, perilously close to the top of the 1% - 3% target band. This suggests that the RBNZ has absolutely no tolerance for further upside surprises. We agree with their assessment that the inflation risks are firmly on the upside. And we believe that they will be forced to raise the OCR again.
That said, recent developments in financial markets have thrown a spanner in the works, making us ambivalent regarding the timing of the next OCR hike. Global long term interest rates have risen dramatically and the currency remains high (at USD0.7550 at the time of writing). Both of these factors, if persistent, reduce the need (or at least the urgency) of a further rate hike. They may be enough to buy the RBNZ some time, with a rate hike in September rather than July being the upshot. To boot, the RBNZ's decision to intervene in the currency muddies the waters, but does not preclude interest rate increases.
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How To Best Put The Word “Website” In Your Marketing Plan
We are told that every business needs a plan otherwise how else will we know that we are moving in the direction that we want to for our business.
A website should be a cohesive part of your marketing plan. A marketing plan doesn't need to be a complex multiple page document. It could just be a bullet point list of the steps that should happen in your sales process to go from a customer first knowing about your company until they become customers and through to where they become evangelical repeat customers.
Here are the basic questions to ask yourself to develop your sales process:
1) How do you attract new customers and inform them of your products and service?
2) What information do your new customers need to know before they contact you for the first time?
3) Can your website fully close a sale or does a human have to close the sale by taking an order and processing the payment?
4) How do you build on the relationships that you have with existing customers?
Let's look a little closer at each of these questions
How do you attract new customers and inform them of your products and services?
A website can be attracting new sales leads 24 hours a day 7 days a week through search engine traffic or by receiving visitors to the website from your other promotional activity.
Getting visitors to your website should be the main “call to action” of all of your other marketing activities this could be as simple as having your radio advert suggesting that listeners visit your website or could be a print advert that showcases special web only offers.
What information do your new customers need to know before they contact you for the first time?
A website can educate the website visitors about “what” you have to offer them and it can also detail “how” you may work with them.
Contents of the website can showcase previous customers comments (testimonials) so that web visitors can start to build a relationship with your company even before they make initial contact.
Can your website fully close a sale or does a human have to close the sale by taking an order…?
This is the biggie. Do you have a product or service that can be ordered and perhaps even paid for directly from the website?
Be cautious if this is the reason for the website. To do this well the website has to remove all of the potential buying objections that the customer may have. It may be a more realistic outcome to use the website to provide hot sales leads to a salesperson who would then complete the sale.
How do you build on the relationships that you have with existing customers…?
So far we have only talked of new customers. Let's not forget about your existing customers. A website can keep them informed of new products and services and could even allow them to interact with other customers by way of a forum or a blog.
In closing - to get the most out of your website project talk with your web designer about the role that the website plays in your sales processes and look at other web sites (especially your oppositions) not to simply take their ideas but to see if there's a better way to bring your web visitors into your sales process.
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