Pleased to help businesses grow

GOOD VIBES: The Icehouse regional manager Michaela Vodanovich visited Gisborne from her base in Hawke’s Bay last month and found it to be the most positive region she had been into for a long time. Depending on interest here, the government-backed business incubator would like to visit Gisborne for two to three days every month. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

THE regional representative of a government-backed incubator firm says the region’s business landscape is growing but urges firms not to expect too much too soon.

Speaking ahead of her appearance in the Eastland Group Speaker Series, The Icehouse regional manager Michaela Vodanovich told The Gisborne Herald there were “certainly” signs of growth within the region’s businesses.

“One business owner said to me this week they had been talking about growth for a few months now and they were really starting to see the market move — I am just so pleased I have helped set them up to go and get the business.

“To date we have worked with a number of business owners who recognise they need to put the right structure and process in place to enable them to grow.

“However, growth doesn’t just happen — making a change today may mean waiting six months to see the effect. But as the economy starts to show positive activity, if you are a business owner who wants to capitalise on this opportunity, you can’t sit back and wait for it to happen.

Putting the hard work in“All of the businesses we are working with in Gisborne are prepared to put the hard work in up-front to reap the rewards as they seek new opportunities in the market.

“I feel way more confident now that we can deliver what the customer wants. It’s not necessarily about spending money on the business to get ready for growth, it is about setting up the right structure, systems, process and go-to-market strategy to be able to handle scaling the business.

“This is doing less reactionary activity and more planned, deliberate activity that is going to benefit the business and its customers today and tomorrow.”

Mrs Vodanovich’s speech focused on what sets successful entrepreneurs apart from other business owners, and some of the areas of business successful owners focus on to ensure they reach their growth aspirations.

The Icehouse is backed by a range of groups, including New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, and the event was a chance to introduce the firm and its philosophy around business growth to a wider audience.

“We are all about outcomes and results, so I shared some examples of businesses we have worked with that are showing significant growth and profitability, and most importantly examples where the owners are working less in the business to get this result. Participants were able to get a feel for how we work with owners and their leaders.”

Managers were also given a chance to work through some key questions intended to help them reflect on where their business was at “right now” — and where they want to take it.