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First NZ Shared Services Conference held in Auckland
First NZ Shared Services Conference Held in Auckland
The economic development group has worked closely with heads of shared service centres from Air New Zealand, Telecom NZ, Fonterra, NZ Post, healthAlliance and Housing New Zealand to host the first dedicated shared services conference in New Zealand. The conference was the brainchild of these heads of shared services who came together in 2009 to form the NZ Shared Services Network.
All these companies run shared service centre operations within their companies delivering internal services across functions including finance and accounting, human resources, IT and procurement. Shared services are about the standardising, re-engineering and consolidation of these non-core business support functions. The conference was a way for the group to share their learnings and insights on shared services with other organisations running shared services or those considering setting up shared services.
The conference, held on 10 June in Auckland, was aimed at large companies wanting to:
- find out more about the benefits of shared services
- gather ideas on how to develop a business case
- listen to others' experiences of growing shared services
- find out why and how to benchmark
- listen to views on the future of shared services
- network and make valuable contacts.
The keynote speaker was Suzanne Young, Executive Manager Shared Services and Chief Procurement Officer, Qantas Australia. Qantas Shared Services was awarded best Australasian Shared Services Operation at the 2009 and 2010 SSON Shared Service Excellence Awards and Suzanne was named Industry Thought Leader 2009 and 2010.
Stephen Cavanagh, Investment Manager said, "The Economic Development group supported this conference as part of its strategy to attract shared services and back office functions to Auckland".
For more information on shared services, contact Julie Nolan at
julie.nolan@aucklandcity.govt.nz.
Auckland welcomes investors
Hon. Bill English, Minister of Finance and Infrastructure speaking at the conference opening
The forum, held by NZTE in partnership with the Australian Trade Commission, attracted investors, investment seeking companies and government representatives from both sides of the Tasman. The event also played host to a number of large overseas economies, such as China, U.S., Europe, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Auckland City Council sponsored the event to highlight the city's focus on attracting more foreign direct investment into the region. Council representatives met high profile foreign delegates to discuss the Auckland offer.
The council also used the sponsorship opportunity to welcome Brisbane-based delegates to further develop and leverage its sister city relationship with Brisbane. In a video message from Auckland city, Mayor John Banks welcomed the Brisbane delegates to the conference.
Delegates heard from New Zealand and overseas business leaders about new opportunities that were arising, marking the end of the economic downturn.
Sharing their opinions at the event were some of the region's top political leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister Bill English and Hon. Gerry Brownlee, Minister for Economic Development and Energy & Resources. Also in attendance was Hon Dr. Jonathan Coleman, Minister for Immigration and Broadcasting. Speakers from Australia included the High Commissioner to New Zealand, His Excellency Paul O'Sullivan AO, and Queensland Minister for Trade Stephen Robertson.
A new international bank for Aucklanders
Satish Vermani
The Bank of Baroda is the third largest public sector bank in India. With over 3000 branches in India and 78 offices in 25 other countries, spread across every continent, the bank provides services to more than 39 million customers worldwide.
Bank of Baroda, widely known amongst Auckland's Indian community, is eyeing up a share of the business and personal banking sectors.
"We've opened our first branch close to where people live," said Satish Vermani, Managing Director, Bank of Baroda New Zealand.
He also stresses that his bank is not just for the Indian community.
"We believe that we can offer value to all Aucklanders", he said.
The bank will recruit local staff by the end of February.
Bank of Baroda (NZ) Ltd is New Zealand's 19th bank.
For further information, contact:
Satish Vermani
Managing Director
Bank Of Baroda (NZ) Ltd
Post Box 56580, Auckland 1446
114
Dominion Road, Auckland
E-mail: md.nz@bankofbaroda.com
Making R&D work for your business
Celebrating innovation through Research & Development (R&D), 'Ideas to Impact' is a publication covering case studies of 11 New Zealand companies who have created opportunities in the face of adversity.
One of the responsibilities of the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology is to encourage the innovation and commercialisation of scientific and technological knowledge and ideas. In support of this, MORST has released
'Ideas to Impact', which celebrates innovation through Research & Development (R&D). Case studies include 11 New Zealand companies who have created opportunities from adversity.
From software and anchors to hospital beds and cinema speakers, these companies are listening to their customers, doing their market research and keeping pace with change. Three inspiring Auckland companies featured include: Auto Anchor, Optima Corporation and Pet-Tek.
The publication also includes tips on getting started with R&D, the government assistance available and a list of research institutions.
If you would like a copy
email us.
Supporting OMEGA, Supporting the Labour Market
Auckland City Council has committed to supporting an initiative designed to increase employment opportunities for qualified immigrants in Auckland. The council will become one of seven core funders of the newly independent not-for-profit organisation OMEGA (Opportunities for Migrant Employment in Greater Auckland).
Other core funders are ANZ, BNZ, Genesis Energy, Gen-I, New Zealand Post Group and State Insurance.
Working with local businesses, OMEGA facilitates a mentoring programme and an internship programme, both designed specifically to place skilled immigrants into jobs that match their skills and experience.
"Auckland is a true melting pot, one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world, with one in three residents born overseas," says His Worship the Mayor, Hon John Banks.
"The city attracts international talent and it is important we support initiatives that tap into that talent. I want to see fewer engineers driving taxis. I want all people living in Auckland to have the opportunities make the best contribution they can towards making Auckland a vibrant, diverse, and cosmopolitan city."
Justin Treagus, OMEGA Programme Director, says the organisation is thrilled to receive council support.
"People who enter our programmes possess the education, experience and language skills needed to excel in the workforce. All they are missing are the connections and the local knowledge that can only be gained from real-life experience. We match new immigrants with professionals in a similar field to gain information, networks, advice and New Zealand experience that can lead to suitable employment."
The council's funding of OMEGA supports one of the goals in its Economic Development Strategy, which focuses on becoming a city that has
"skilled adaptable and educated people leading to a labour force that meets the economy's needs." Auckland City Council is currently undertaking research in a range of areas related to the labour market, aimed at informing future actions. Research recently completed on the role of migrants in Auckland city's labour market has found that:
- Approximately 50 per cent of all immigrants to New Zealand choose to settle in the Auckland region and offer a high level of skills in a traditionally tight labour market.
- Overseas born employed residents tend to concentrate in Auckland city and on average are more qualified than employees nationally.
- In Auckland city, 38 per cent of overseas born residents have an education qualification equal or superior to Bachelor Degree, as compared to 36.2 per cent of total employed.
- Auckland city's employed immigrants work predominantly in high skilled occupations such as professionals, managers and technicians.
Read a full copy of the research summary (Omega
website).
How
can I make a difference? Become a mentor!
Many New Zealand migrants are forced to take survival jobs (e.g. taxi drivers, cleaners) as they battle to crack the labour market without local experience. These skilled individuals are underused capacity for NZ; they are already here, highly qualified, have an excellent grasp of the English language and are committed to settling in New Zealand. Getting them into jobs that fit is both an instant lift to productivity, and opens up unskilled jobs for other unskilled people.
OMEGA (Opportunities for Migrant Employment in Greater Auckland) is a not-for-profit organisation working to increase the employment of qualified migrants in Auckland in jobs that match their skills and experience.
OMEGA have a large pool of skilled new migrants who are tertiary educated, speak fluent English and have considerable work experience from a wide range of industries. They are seeking Auckland professionals to act as mentors to share their knowledge about their industry and the kiwi work culture with these Internationally Trained Professionals. OMEGA provide orientation and ongoing coaching support for all mentors.
By introducing the new migrant to the New Zealand work environment, the mentor can help them:
- identify required skills
- proceed with accreditation or skills upgrading
- gather information on local industries and employers
- identify and seize employment or job training opportunities
- build a professional network.
A small commitment from a mentor can make a big impact to the life of a new migrant. As a mentor you commit to 16 hours of your time over a four-month period to help a new migrant navigate the job search process by sharing your knowledge and experience. During this time you will have the opportunity to:
- develop your coaching communication and leadership skills
- work with people from different backgrounds and cultures
- motivate and support a person to raise their level of attainment and fulfil their potential
- become more aware of job market and industry trends
- learn international methodologies relating to their industry.
Auckland City Council is a key supporter of OMEGA, having more mentors than any other organisation in Auckland, including senior management such as David Rankin, chief executive, and John Duthie, general manager of city development.
"Being a mentor has been an enjoyable and enlightening experience and has helped me develop my coaching skills. I would highly recommend the mentors programme", says Claire Morris from the council's
Economic Development group.
"It's a great way to contribute to Auckland and offer practical help to new migrants."
Phone OMEGA on 09 300 5594, register your interest on their website
www.omega.org.nz or send them an email at
info@omega.org.nz, if you'd like to become a mentor and make a meaningful difference to a new kiwi.
The choice is Auckland - even in recession
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| Andre Clarke. |
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The investment team proactively targets the biotechnology sector and shared service centres (back office functions of large national and multi-national companies). Research undertaken for the team highlighted these two sectors as growth areas that match Auckland's strengths. The team are using this research to help persuade companies to choose Auckland over its competitor cities mainly in Australia. Stephen Cavanagh, the council's investment manager says,
"Auckland is a great location for overseas and major New Zealand companies, offering good quality accommodation and a skilled and educated workforce with a lower operating cost than many of our competitors.
"The investment team deal with investment enquiries from companies.
They offer them practical advice, provide information and co-ordinate assistance from across the council and from external partners across the professions.
The team are also proactively contacting overseas-owned companies with Auckland bases, as well as major NZ companies to find out about their future plans and explore areas where the council can assist.
International growth consulting firm Frost & Sullivan has recently extended its reach by establishing in Auckland. A low cost, prestigious address; demand for services and high quality research; the accessibility of New Zealand CEOs
- these are just some of the reasons Frost & Sullivan has established in downtown Auckland.
Billing itself as the company that partners with organisations to promote major growth, Frost & Sullivan expects its own revenues in Auckland to more than double over 12 months. Previously, the company served the demands of New Zealand from its Sydney office.
"With this move, we have put our people close to our customers and potential customers," says Andre Clarke, country manager for Frost & Sullivan.
"There is a sufficient volume of work here to warrant a base."
Frost & Sullivan is present in more than 32 markets around the world, employs over 900 analysts and services thousands of companies. Despite the recession, the company established in Auckland because it saw considerable opportunity.
"Recession is potentially a good time to establish," says Andre. "It's a cost effective time to begin, and many private clients and potential clients find that for the first time in years there is now a window to plan for the future. Government is also still spending and looking forward. It is carving out opportunities. Organisations are looking for resources to help them gear up for the next ten years."
Frost & Sullivan is known best for its extensive, sector-based research capabilities and expertise, delivered through its consulting services, subscription based syndicated research programmes, and its international events. Frost & Sullivan is already working with government organisations, CRIs and large private organisations in New Zealand to help them understand and analyse trends and opportunities globally.
"Auckland is great for a foundation in New Zealand," he says. "Clearly it's the largest city with the greatest access to businesses. It is also easy to find a CBD office in a prestigious location, for relatively low cost. New Zealand CEOs are prepared to listen to outside advice, and they are open-minded. You can pick up the phone and call them. From an Auckland office, you can also easily get to them
- no matter where they are in the country."
Andre understands the mindset of New Zealand business. An expatriot New Zealander who spent 26 years overseas, he returned for the lifestyle after years spent travelling the world.
"The impact of the global recession on business sectors has yet to be fully felt," he says.
"In New Zealand, as in the rest of the world, sector based research and analysis is proving a very valuable tool in staying ahead."
Other examples of recent investment successes include, two expansion projects from a major IT outsourcing operation that has already created an extra 13 jobs and will create another 30 jobs by the end of August, as well as a multi-million dollar bio fuels plant located in Onehunga creating 23 jobs.
For more information, please visit www.investauckland.com.
New plant to boost Auckland bio-fuel industry
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| Gary Brockett. |
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A multi-million dollar Auckland plant that will produce diesel fuel made from a sustainable resource will be the largest of its kind in New Zealand.
The plant being built by Ecodiesel Ltd in Onehunga will use tallow to produce up to 20 million litres of biodiesel per year and create 23 full time jobs for engineers, chemists, lab technicians, plant operators and other skilled workers.
It will be the first commercial-scale biodiesel plant in New Zealand capable of producing biodiesel that meets the technical specifications required by major oil companies. The new plant builds on the company's experience at their pilot plant facility which has run successfully in Onehunga for more than two years.
Ecodiesel chief executive and founder, Gary Brockett, says "Ecodiesel has a sustainable competitive advantage in the market because the cost of converting tallow, which is purified animal fat, into biodiesel will be much lower than could be achieved using alternative international technologies that require more heat energy and capital.
"The purpose-built Ecodiesel facility on Captain Springs Road which is scheduled for completion in October is located close to the diesel and petrol storage and blending facilities operated by the major oil companies at Wiri."
Mr Brockett has spent 30 years developing and commercialising chemical technologies and processes in New Zealand and Australia.
"The plant also complements the operations of a number of Auckland and Waikato meat processing ventures which render animal products into tallow, and so local feedstock is available," he added.
"The Ecodiesel process can convert any animal, vegetable or waste fat to high-quality biodiesel and is therefore able to utilise a variety of feedstock sources available in New Zealand.
"To produce 20 million litres of biofuel, Ecodiesel would consume about 18,000 tonnes of tallow which represents about 14 per cent of the 130,000 tonnes of tallow exported from New Zealand each year."
"A 5 per cent blend of biodiesel with regular diesel is safe to use in all standard diesel engines with no modifications.
"The outlook for Ecodiesel is very positive given the global trend of growing demand for sustainable sources of energy and New Zealand's commitment to a green economy.
"The project has also had positive spinoffs for the local construction industry creating about 30 jobs and more will be created if the plant's capacity is doubled to 40 million litres at a later date."
In 2007, Ecodiesel raised $3 million in equity capital and is presently entertaining offers for expansion funding.
Updated November 2011
