Productivity initiative welcomed back

POSITIVE STEP: Programme manager Derek Roser is seeking local companies to take part in the newly funded High Performance Work Initiative.PHOTO/JOHN BORREN

Tauranga Chamber of Commerce has won government support to fund its second High Performance Work Initiative after almost a year of delays and persistent lobbying.

The 2013 programme was originally sponsored by the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE), but funding was now coming from Callaghan Innovation on behalf of MBIE, said programme manager Derek Roser.

And with the nine-month programme due to start in late March, programme organisers are keen to ensure they recruit the right six companies to take part in the initiative, which aims to deliver improved productivity through a greater focus on employee engagement in a business.

"Our target business will have a minimum of 15 to a maximum of 150 employees and energised leadership committed to growth and business improvement," said Mr Roser.

"We found in the last programme having businesses from different sectors provided a wealth of valuable knowledge exchange and confirmation that, whatever the sector, they faced similar business issues."

The chamber will be hosting a presentation to both invited and interested businesses next week, which will include participants from the previous programme who will describe their experiences.

"Due to the delay in receiving funding, we have a short window for recruitment of participants, so would be happy to hear from any interested businesses even prior to the presentation," said Mr Roser.

Chamber chief executive Dave Burnett said the new funding was a great result.

"Having another programme is a real coup for the chamber," he said. "It's important to get employee engagement right and there's definitely a link to increased productivity."

Lesley Fraser of Fraser Consultants, who has again been appointed facilitator for the programme, said Mr Burnett's "tenacity" in pursuing the Callaghan Innovation funding had got it over the line.

"Having the long time lag from the last programme has not been through lack of intent and passion on the chamber's part or our part," said Ms Fraser. "It's been through the dynamics of changing where this fits organisationally within the government funding organisations."

Ms Fraser said the chamber was taking the lead in talking to potential companies.

"But we also obviously don't want to miss other companies which might be really good so we are encouraging them to get in touch with us," she said.

"This is such a fantastic opportunity for businesses and without the support of the Callaghan Innovation funding it would be inaccessible for most local companies ... it is such a great opportunity for the Tauranga community."