'Diversity strength in year of growth'

Wayne Walford

Early predictions for economic growth, more jobs and better pay in 2014 have businesses looking forward to a profitable 12 months, but Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce chief executive Wayne Walford says company owners should not rely on projections to fulfil growth.

New Zealand business confidence is the strongest it has been since the recession ended and the national economy is forecast to grow 3.3 per cent this year.

Mr Walford said the potential success from a rising economy will vary depending on the type of business, particularly in Hawke's Bay.

"People need to continue to be building strong relationships and connections and understanding what their customer wants and needs.

"Understanding how your business is working and continue developing it," Mr Walford said.

He said mentors and a service like Icehouse, a development factory that helps owners and entrepreneurs grow small and medium businesses, can help.

"Businesses really should have a mentor, even if it's someone to just kick the ball around with.

"Some people have them naturally, a family member or someone in the workplace, but it's such a great way to share knowledge."

He said Hawke's Bay had the potential to develop its "new technology" sector bringing in "globalisation opportunities".

"People are coming up with good ideas all the time. They should be thinking what next after Eftpos and Trade Me?"

Agriculture and horticulture would continue to drive the region's economy but new technology ideas could sprout from the most unlikely places.

"The wine industry has really taken off, the rest of the world wants more and more of New Zealand wine."

He said "diversity of industry" will be a strength of the region's economy in 2014.

"Finding an opportunity that helps people and their needs - it is almost always the really simple stuff that is the answer. Making things easy for people who may be time poor."

Although forecasts are positive, new figures released by SEEK jobs website show the number of listed Hawke's Bay jobs fell slightly last year.