Wednesday 22nd October 2014 5.30pm at the Tauranga City Library saw Debbie Hibell, Business Mentors New Zealand and Dave Burnett CEO of the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce front and centre of a group of eager entreprenuerial faces. You could almost see one or two of those present fizzing with excitement and potential in relation to their particular business ventures.
Michelle Sims opened the forum and introduced Debbie who explained her role, the history of, its modus operandi and the benefits of Business Mentors New Zealand. In my previous life I’ve mentored students and women returning to the workplace but more importantly my entire life in one way or another I’ve been supported and mentored by a diverse range of successful people. At present ARTbop has what Debbie would most probably call an informal mentoring arrangement and I have a personal mentor whom I use as a sounding board for potential schemes and plans.
For a fee of $150. Business Mentors New Zealand offers a professionally managed mentoring system which could meet all or any needs of any business or venture start up or multi-million dollar entity. It’s not only experience and expertise – it’s a fresh pair of eyes.
Dave Burnett presented an overview of regional development challenges and issues. He also outlined the benefits of belonging to the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce. There are business educational courses and events. Most probably if I was asked what I percieve to be the major benefit of the organisation it would be the networking opportunities for a relative newcomer to the region. For a small or emergent business international documentation compliance could be a nightmare: I was particularly interested that the Chamber provides expertise in global business documentation compliance and actually undertakes that on behalf of major local corporates.
This was another very useful evening. I got to face to face Dave Burnett and Debbie Hibell and I also got to meet an enthusiastic and determined entrepreneur. I’m keeping my eyes on the Bay of Plenty Times for her appearance in the Westpac business awards. I’m not joking if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, nothing beats enthusiasm. And enthusiasm and a Business Mentor – well!
Michelle Sims and the Tauranga City Library intend to host an on-going series of informal business focused forums. If you email Michelle she will let you know what’s coming up.
Email michelle.sims@tauranga.govt.nz
And don’t forget the unlimited resources available through the Tauranga Libraries. Not only books on every topic imaginable but also access to computers and affordable tuition in a variety of aspects of their use. If you ever have a spare moment also go and look round the New Zealand Room of the Library or sit downstairs and read one of the myriad of magazines and newspapers or go on line and read international newspapers on line. What a gift and what a treasure we have in our libraries!
Rosemary Balu
TAURANGA CITY LIBRARIES BOOK CLUBS:
Tauranga City Library meets:
3rd Wednesday of every month of 2014 at the Tauranga City Library
10.30am to 11.30am and 5.30pm to 6.30pm
Papamoa Library Book Club meets:
3rd Wednesday of every month of 2014 at Papamoa Library
10.00am
19 November ENGLAND – Novels, food, travel, history, memoir or DVDs.
FRIENDS OF THE TAURANGA CITY LIBRARIES
Any one can join the Friends. Annual membership is $10. and members receive six issues of Bookline, the Friends newsletter. Monthly meetings with guest speakers. Friends are volunteers who link the general public and library management; support library initiatives and raise money for special library projects.
Contact: President Barbara Murray barianre@enternet.co.nz Phone 07 579 5378 Secretary Barbara Moore barbara.m@xtra.co.nz Phone 07 575 6823
