CEO Chat

December 2011

We are nearly there. Another year is just about done and dusted and we are charging in to 2012 and wondering what exciting things are ahead of us.
Certainly 2011 has been a challenging year and one I am sure people will look back on with mixed emotions. The earthquakes in Christchurch showed us how vulnerable we are personally and business wise to factors outside our control. Through this I have marvelled and admired the resilience that the people their showed. Hopefully the red tape and bureaucracy will not get in the way of growth or development in the region.
In our region we have been subjected to floods and also the impact of Rena.

From the Chamber perspective we have had another year of growth and support of our enthusiastic members attending our events.

My wish for 2012 is that our region adopts an approach of Rise Up Stand up. Let us start believing that our region can produce top achievers and businesses here. For example Lisa Smith, daughter of Glenn from Radio 1xx has recently been the chief Stipendiary steward at the Thoroughbred Racing South Australia. This made national news throughout Australia as she is the first woman to achieve this. 
Johnny Jansen head boy at Trident High school is to take up an offer as a Microsoft Internship in USA. The only one offered in the Asia Pacific region.
I firmly believe we have the talent and potential to make this the best provincial region in NZ.
The question is; Do you?

New Members
Welcome to our recent new members:

• Fairview Aluminium Whakatane
• Sun FM

Please remember to support chamber members when you can.  To see a list of members and their details, check out our revamped members' directory on our website.  If any of your details are incorrect or you would like your details updated, please send an email to Kirsten info@ebopchamber.co.nz.

Thanks
Miles McConway from the Bay of Plenty Regional Council is off to the mainland. In my time at the Chamber he has been very supportive and also I believe has achieved a great deal in economic development for our region. We wish you all the best.

Mary Hermanson of Toi EDA. Toi-EDA is changing its management structure. Mary who has been with Toi-EDA since 2008 will assist the Trust to transition to a contract type of arrangement before her secondment ends in the New Year. Her work in recent years has had a positive impact in the region and especially remembered will be her successes in hosting the Triple AAA business awards and starting up the Business and Leisure Show.

I want to acknowledge Philip Jacobs of Global Thai restaurant and Julie Jukes from Rositas for their organisation and contribution to raising funds for the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. It was a great effort.

Thanks to Kirsten for her sterling support and effort through the year. Kirsten just gets on and does things with no bother.

Thanks also to our Executive team and to the Retail Promotions group. Behind the scenes our executive has been pulling together a strategic plan and some good policies and processes that will only make our Chamber stronger.

To our Cornerstone sponsors. Thank you, thank you. You support is invaluable and I believe that in 2012 we will be able to deliver even better value to you.  I regard your support as a privilege and hope that we deliver for you.

After 5 hosts.You opened your businesses to us and provided some valuable insights into how your business ticks. You also provided entertainment and inspiration.

To the members. It is fun and inspirational working with and for you.

2012 wishes.
It is that we grow in the district and focus on solutions and knock down barriers.
I hope councils continue to focus on economic growth and not focus on regulatory impediments. Yes it will take some change I believe but I am certain they can do it. I believe the barriers thrown up for a small business to gain consents as a recent example and I hope will provide a catalyst for change. Watch this space in the New Year.

Advocacy
We have lobbied and advocated for change in the district plan and hope our voice will be listened to.
An issue at the moment that is receiving some publicity is the proposed iSite shift to the Museum. As a Chamber we have discussed with the council to ensure that the facilities are going to provide good opportunities for visitors to be provided top class service. I am aware that a petition is circulating but from my perspective the Chamber can not support this as I have not had overwhelming views either way. It is a watching brief and we will keep you in the loop.  
 
SMILE
This was sent to me by Barry Bull at www.barrybull.com
2012 Bullism calendar will assist you as we move into 2012.
January - A time for resolution and change
Change-a-bull: 'Change is not a threat it's an opportunity'

February - Implement new ideas
Invis-a-bull: 'Vision is seeing something others don’t'

March - Avoid old traditions
Avoid-a-bull: 'The road to financial freedom is paved with potholes of personal indulgence!

April- Give that little extra
Achieve-a-bull: 'It’s what you do, after you do what you’re expected to do, that matters most'

May- Nurture existing relationships
Relate-a-bull: 'Repeat or referral clients are the most profitable because there are no acquisition costs'

June -Don't be daunted by the competition
Beat- a-bull: 'You don’t have to be the biggest to be the best'

July -Beware of complacency
Comfort-a-bull: 'Habits reside in the comfort zone of mediocrity'

August -Time to be the best
Promote-a-bull: 'Be better at what you do than anyone else, then let everyone know'

September -Size works against excellence
Size-a-bull: 'It’s not about the size of the business-it’s about the size of the performance'

October -Time to take the Bull by the horns.
Poss-i-bull :'Life shrinks or expands according to one’s courage'

November -Persistence always defeats resistance.
Negoti-a-bull :'No is negotiable. 90% of people give up within 10% of their goals'

December- Reap the rewards
Love-a-bull: 'Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to successes.

Upcoming events

BA5
Make sure you attend Haddocks Spraypainters After 5 event.  Our first for 2012. If you want to see and hear how a successful business runs you need to listen to Goose. This is more than a panelbeating business.
Also the word is that Goose will have some fishy nibbles as befits his passion for fishing.  Look out for the first invite early January, confirming the date which is likely to be during the week beginning 23rd January 2012.

Other Events
Reliv Presentation, 13th January 2012.  Click here for full details.

Chamber Office Hours over Christmas and New Year
The office will be unmanned from Wednesday 21st December until the 16th of January but you can contact Gerard on his mobile over this period
0272719032.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year!

Previous CEO Chat

Read the latest from our CEO, in the November CEO Chat

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CEO Chat for August sponsored by Ford NZ.

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CEO Chat for July

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CEO Chat for June

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CEO Chat for February supported by Ford NZ.

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CEO Chat for December supported by Ford NZ.

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CEO Chat for November supported by Ford

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CEO Chat for October supported by Ford.

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CEO Chat for September supported by Ford.

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CEO Chat for August sponsored by Ford

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CEO Chat for July

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Welcome to the Ford CEO Chat for June

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Welcome to our Ford CEO Chat for May

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Welcome to our Ford CEO Chat for April

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Welcome to our Ford CEO Chat for March

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Welcome to our Ford CEO Chat for February

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Welcome to our Ford CEO Chat for December

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Welcome to our Ford CEO Chat for November.

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Welcome to our Ford CEO Chat for October

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