Business mentor: One-stop shop for business matters

Q. I recently read about a new business website in the NZ Herald. I have a small business employing four staff and am wondering how the website might help my business.

A. Rod MacKenzie, general manager market services at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, replies.

The website is the new business portal, www.biz.org.nz, designed for businesses to easily access important regulatory information online.

It provides quick help with taxes, ACC, workplace safety and employing staff, and information about business advice, training and other resources when starting, running or closing down a business.

The websites' home page has quick links to information on compliance areas, and allows businesses to link deep into the relevant sections of the Government websites that cover the compliance regulations in more detail.

For example, if you are wondering about budgeting for provisional tax, or what kind of income tax return you should fill in, the site can link you quickly to the information you need. It also links you to relevant online forms and online transactions.

Using this site will reduce the time and effort required to find information, and reduce the costs of getting it wrong.

Rather than needing to visit three to four Government sites or phone a variety of 0800 numbers, the site is a one-stop shop. It includes information on running a business from home, exporting, importing, e-commerce and Government tenders and contracts.

Any tricky terms are explained in plain English, and, in time, those parts of the website other businesses have found most useful will feature more prominently, with a Best Bets for Business ranking system.

You can register to receive a regular newsletter to notify you when content is updated in your areas of interest.

It is also worth book-marking the site, as new information will be added, such as sector-specific compliance information and information about resources and assistance in the private sector.

The site has a freephone number, 0800 42 49 46, and trained business advisers.

The website is part of a range of assistance and advice New Zealand Trade and Enterprise can provide to business.

The new agency was formed from the merger of Industry New Zealand and Trade New Zealand on July 1. Its role is to assist businesses to improve capability, international competitiveness and profitability.

New Zealand companies, from start-up to global player, will benefit from the integrated service delivery the organisation will provide, and through a national network of business advisers and an international network of overseas offices.

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise will provide access to practical and targeted advice on how to build capital and capacity, how to better manage, access and build export markets, and how to access funding.

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Business Mentor

Biz.org.nz
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise