Microsoft and Telecom are joining with chambers of commerce around the country to run a series of free business forums, called the Business Club.
The club will offer free seminars by business experts and provide an opportunity for those from small and medium-sized businesses to share ideas, make contacts and learn
about business and technology trends.
Dr Pete Mazany, a consultant to Team New Zealand and an associate professor at the University of Auckland Business School, will lead the first Business Club, which will be held in Auckland next Wednesday.
Sessions will then follow in Palmerston North, Napier, Hamilton, Tauranga, Christchurch, Dunedin and Wellington throughout next month.
Dr Mazany is a business owner and a consultant to Ford Motor Company, Time and Smith Kline Pharmaceuticals, when he is working through the Boston Consulting Group.
He will draw from his consultancy experience to offer practical tips on ways businesses can develop strong teams to achieve company goals.
Topics to be covered by other speakers during the year will include how to increase business profitability and the managing of customers' expectations.
The Business Club is an evolution of a similar initiative run by the chambers in association with Telecom over the past two years, called the Small Business Club.
Warwick Grey, Microsoft NZ's small and medium business marketing manager, said that the aim of the Business Club was to help companies improve their performance.
"As a former small business owner myself, I can relate to the challenges that Kiwi business decision makers face. We're co-hosting the Business Club to show local businesses how to boost their bottom line by taking simple steps to improve productivity and efficiency," he said.
Membership to the Business Club is free and open to anyone.
Auckland small businesses interested in attending the Business Club on February 27 are asked to contact the Chamber of Commerce.
* Nickee Bielby or Tina Clayton, 09 309-6100 or events@chamber.co.nz
