Businesses looking to fast-track their growth can find help with local business growth programme Accelerate.
The programme, run by the central North Island business growth centre Firestation, will start late August with space for two more participants.
Business owners will attend fortnightly sessions over six months to accelerate capability
in sales, leadership, brand, planning, finance and developing a growth mind-set with professionally facilitated individual and group coaching sessions.
The overall goal is to triple the current growth rate.
Thirty businesses across the Bay of Plenty have already graduated from the programme and are reaping the benefits.
Colin MacPhee, from award winning Quest Rotorua, completed Accelerate two years ago and found it beneficial.
"Participating in the program was a great opportunity to reflect on facets of my business that had maybe been neglected.
"It was great to meet business owners from a range of sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, consulting and agriculture and learn of the similar issues in business that they faced, which gave us opportunity to learn from each other, by hearing how similar issues were tackled in another sector," Mr MacPhee said.
Jacqui Alexander from Event Impressions said she found great value in the programme and it definitely helped her business from profitability to client satisfaction.
"We went in absolutely open minded and took the approach 'if we learn one thing, it was worth it' but all up we gained plenty.
"You need to be prepared to be very honest about your business. Some areas were great revision and confirmation we were on the right path and some areas were new information and learning.
"As a result of the course we restructured and upgraded our internal systems. We added a branch, expanded the team, reduced expenses, increased profit margins and have been able to add new products to our offerings which our clients are loving," she said.
Programme director and facilitator Darren McGarvie from Firestation said he was looking forward to starting the programme.
"Our next Rotorua cohort has some stellar businesses lined up, from engineering to food production, to online businesses. The diversity really adds to the programme and what the business owners take away from it. We have space to include one or two more so urge businesses to apply".
"We are also about to open up applications for Taupo businesses for a cohort to commence in October.
The programme is for business owners of established, medium size businesses that are profitable and scalable with an ambition to grow regionally, nationally or even internationally.
For approved businesses, the cost of the programme will be subsidised with funding from Destination Rotorua. Participants need to commit to 2-3 hours per fortnight for the training and business coaching sessions.
Rotorua businesses are invited to register their interest by completing an online form www.bit.ly/FS-Acc or email grow@thefirestation.nz with any questions.
Applications must be received by next Tuesday.
