Vision Manawatu's Business Retention and Expansion Programme
In 2007, Vision CEO Andrew Powrie attended an accreditation course in Canada and became the first New Zealand certified to implement the BRE business growth model in New Zealand. This international model was developed by a group of economic development practitioners and led to the formation of Business Retention & Expansion International (BREI) in 1994.
BREI is the leading professional association for business retention and expansion, a fundamental strategy for economic sustainability and growth.
BREI Goals:
- To provide leadership resources, education and networking opportunities in business retention and expansion
- To bring together economic development practitioners to enhance their skills and improve their programmes and impacts
- To promote and disseminate BR&E research results, practices and technical information through publications, training and other forms of communication
- To increase the understanding and promote BR&E as a primary economic development strategy
- To encourage the teaching of BR&E procedures and practices
- To train and certify professionals in the development and use of effective retention and expansion programmes
- To continually review and update policies & procedures
What is Business Retention and Expansion?
At the heart of a strong local economy are those existing businesses who have made the investment in facilities and created jobs that contribute to the enhancement of a community’s infrastructure.
Studies show that up to 80% of net new jobs come from existing businesses.
The Business Retention and Expansion philosophy is that if a region has a healthy growing business base, investment attraction and new entrepreneurs will follow of their own accord.
Business Retention and Expansion aims to strengthen collaboration between community leaders, increase understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the business climate, and create better linkages between local leaders and available business support.
Business Retention and Expansion process:
- Target major employers across all sectors.
- Develop a business survey that reflects the local business environment.
- Conduct business visits.
- Research report to uncover/identify issues.
- Follow up and present solutions.
Business Retention and Expansion Benefits:
- Identifies concerns, problems, and opportunities for business.
- Assists existing businesses in identifying and taking advantage of programmes aimed at helping them become more competitive.
- Refines policies and strategies to improve the overall business climate.
- Improves mutual awareness between business and government.
- Prevents overlap and duplication of government’s dealings with business.
- Creates an environment where our existing private sector can survive and thrive.
Current progress in Manawatu
The BRE programme was launched in late 2007 by the Prime Minister of New Zealand. A pilot survey was developed and tested on five local companies. The survey questions were adapted according to feedback and the final survey of 63 key questions is now being taken to 100 local businesses. By the end of May 2008 results from these 100 companies will be collated and made available to key decision and policy makers in the region.
|
