We all belong to many different communities but that does not mean that we are all the same.
Within any community, whatever the nature of the shared interest or geographic location that defines that community it should be expected that there will be diverse opinions and ideas.
In most casesthese groups are not, and nor should they be, homogenous, but they will have some shared values or interests whom all members wish to see advanced. In some ways they are defined by what they agree on.
The collective nature of this agreed vision allows the group to champion that vision and work towards it in a manner that may not be possible for individuals.
It allows it to be able to speak with a single voice about what is important as a group.
A good example may be that while no one could suggest that people on the west coast of the Far North are going to be identical in many of their views and aspirations as those on the east coast of Whangarei, all would expect for their families to be able to travel on a roading network that is reliable, resilient and safe.
So the collaborative approach on Northland's councils championing this aspiration at central government level has proven to be far more powerful than it would have been as these groups acting individually.
None of these groups have given up any of the unique characteristics that define them but all have benefited from outcomes of that collective voice.
The business community is no different, within this community there are going to be businesses of all scales and nature, people of all political persuasions and values and they are going to operate in a wide range of economic environments.
At the same time there are going to be many things that all these businesses require to achieve the aspirations of success - whatever their vision of success may be.
Whether this is businesses having the skills, knowledge and capability to do what they need to succeed or whether it is having an environment in which to operate that gives them the best chance for success, having a common voice of business championing private sector is an essential element of any region's business environment.
A collective voice and a collaboration of individuals working towards those things on which we agree are important to the success of whatever the community or communities that we belong to.
