focus_business.
with the Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce
Hadyn Oriti.
MINDING YOUR
business THE HOLIDAY COAST CREDIT UNION GREATER PORT MACQUARIE BUSINESS AWARDS ARE ON AGAIN. THIS ANNUAL EVENT IS A GREAT CELEBRATION OF THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT IN THE PORT MACQUARIE-HASTINGS REGION.
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he launch of the awards included expansion of the Chamber’s Hall of Fame. We now include Peak Coffee, Ken Little Fruit and Veg, the Town Green Inn and Oxley Insurance Brokers, together with PC Pit stop as members. Induction at the information night, hosted by Neville Parsons, included a Q&A session on what made an inductee’s business successful. The session covered innovation, ethics, marketing, differentiation, sustainability and leadership. Not all businesses are the same, but I noted similar approaches to the challenges their businesses face. Inductees were unanimous that entry into the awards judged categories was beneficial. Some said that you are not serious about your business unless you give the judged section a go. The judged categories provided an opportunity to show pride in your business and to have an outsider’s feedback on your business operations. It was a great opportunity for staff to be recognised. Winning the awards, they said, was a great recognition for them, their businesses and an opportunity to give staff a pat on the back. It is confronting to invite third parties in to your business and to allow them to see the inner workings. However, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Not all businesses need to be on the cutting edge of technology, but it is important that all businesses critically appraise their process. Innovation springs from questions such as, why are we doing things the way that we do them? The critical issue being, can processes be performed more efficiently, faster, delivering a better client experience? Word of mouth is a superior form of marketing. Nothing beats having your customers as your raving fans. The experience of the customer is critical. A bad experience can have a much greater adverse effect.
Sustainability is an absolute fundamental in business. If we cannot sustain ourselves financially, keep employees happy and ensure customers keep coming back, then we will not be in business for long. Sustainability is not simply a green or environmental issue; it is core to the longevity of all businesses. Ethics is critical to a business’s longevity. Some of our Hall of Famers said it is paramount. It is a part of the culture that needs to be engrained, and it requires leadership from the business owners reinforcing critical values. Differentiation from competitors allows businesses to stand out in the market place. Interestingly, none of the Hall of Famers said they differentiated themselves on price. Value for customers is important in their business model. Marketing by having the lowest price is not. In a dynamic and challenging business environment, leadership becomes critical. As the Hall of Famers said, it is critical that a business owner be able to lead themselves first. Whilst it is important that they give staff ownership and bring on new leaders, it is important that business owners do not lose focus on the long term and more strategic view. A former boss of mine said that business is a marathon made up of a series of 100 metre sprints. It is a long haul, and it does take energy to daily rise consistently to the challenge. Our Hall of Famers, in their own ways, have successfully risen to the challenge of those endless 100 metre sprints. We are pleased to recognise them for that. All businesses can benefit from entry into the awards. Please nominate the local business who deserves recognition for the good work that they do. greater port macquarie focus.
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