Finding new customers biggest concern

Not surprisingly, given dampened economic conditions, most participants at the recent employment summit in Palmerston North said they were looking for fresh pastures for their products and services. In the results of a survey given to summit attendees, new market identification and development were at the forefront when it came to choosing tools that could move businesses forward.

Staffing issues were also top of the agenda. More than one third of participants surveyed saw a discussion about staffing, including employer obligations and staff training, as a priority at the summit.

Project Leader for the Manawatu Labour Strategy Hilary Humphrey said, “The majority of the 10 workshop groups at the summit also wanted better economic information to get an understanding of how the recession is affecting our region. They believed this would help them make good business decisions. They believed this information is not being provided effectively at a regional level.

“They also acknowledged that employees are the greatest assets in a business and it is ‘easier to retain than to retrain’. There was a general consensus that up skilling employees would lead to business efficiency,” she said.

A full report on the feedback by participants can be found on the Vision Manawatu website www.visionmanawatu.org.nz

Most of the 67 responses were from firms employing fewer than five people and most were in the business services sector.

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