EIT kicks off nationwide business growth workshops

Westpac commercial managers Kristy Douglas and Richard Wilson are today facilitating the first of 12 business growth workshops nationwide. Photo/Duncan Brown

The first of 12 seminars nationwide, for businesses to receive a substantial grant for growth, kicks off today at EIT.

The seminar at the Napier tertiary institution and others is in two parts.

One is to offer business insights from successful local companies and the other to help businesses apply for a Westpac Business Growth Grant worth up to $50,00.

A five-day Nurture Change Business Retreat in Fiji is for six "finalists" who will join more than 200 people at the business-growth conference featuring presenters including Sir Graham Henry, Kathryn Wilson and Sir John Kirwan.

Finalists will also receive expert legal, human resources and accounting advice.

The overall winner's Growth Grant is $40,000 cash and $10,000 worth of free advertising.

Westpac's Napier-based commercial manager, Richard Wilson, said the initiative follows a survey of businesses identifying barriers to growth.

"Two themes that came through were a lack of business mentors or people to go to if you are in small business and the second constraint was around capital," he said.

"It is a bit like the Business Awards in that, by going through the process - not quite as in-depth as a formal judging process of every business - it hopefully prompts some questions and thoughts to get you thinking about what you could be doing."

A panel discussion to follow today's speakers will consist of EIT Associate Professor Business Dr Jonathan Sibley, NOW chief executive Hamish White and business and marketing consultant Ailne Bradley.