Youth in Business Challenge 2010 winning team's trip to Auckland
Accompanied by TCCI’s Program Officer, their Commerce Teacher and a chaperone, the winning team, PolyTexture from Liahona High School, spent 3 days visiting businesses and other relevant organizations from November 16th to 18th before being granted a day off on the 19th. The main objective of this trip was to deepen the students' understanding of business by gaining valuable insights from successful business people and concretely witnessing the fruits of entrepreneurship and perseverance. By engaging in dialogue with business people about their experience in developing business from a concept to an operational business, the purpose was to add yet another layer of knowledge to the experience obtained during the length of the Challenge itself.
Schedule of the visits :
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Tuesday 16-11-10 |
Wednesday 17-11-10 |
Thursday 18-11-10 |
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Arrival in NZ 3am |
7:45 Fresh Direct |
10:00 Mangere Arts Centre |
|
10:30 Oceania Media |
10:00 UNITEC |
11:30 Affirming Works Café |
|
14:00 Takapuna Grammar School |
13:00 Pacific Business Trust |
14:00 Hubbards |
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17:00 Capriata Ristorante |
16:00 Auckland Chamber of Commerce |
16:00 Kara’s |
That the trip has been a success is undeniable. The students have shown enthusiasm during all visits, have marveled at every piece of advice received and have been overwhelmed by the kindness and dedication to help of every single person met. While many advices listed above could be found in business manuals, the fact that they have been given by successful business people using their own stories of successes or mistakes and concrete personal examples had a much more profound and lasting impact on the students.
Another invaluable aspect of the trip is that it has allowed the students to continue building up a network of people and institutions that are willing to help them develop their business. They had already begun to build this network during the competition (eg. with the Chamber of Commerce or with their business mentor) but through the trip they have taken a step forward by incorporating international firms and institutions that have the potential to assist them expand overseas. Network is a fundamental component for any business and it is hoped that they will nurture and develop these relationships in the future. Needless to say that the trip was also the occasion for TCCI’s Program Officer to create, renew or reaffirm and strengthen links and relationships with entrepreneurs and organizations that will be an immeasurable asset for TCCI in general and for the Youth in Business Challenge in particular.
Finally, while the learning may have seemed at times a bit overwhelming to the students – for example when confronted with the importance of choosing the right person to run the business in their absence and the right reporting procedures and policies to keep control – every dialogue has triggered intense reflection on their part as to the future of their business and their own future. While they would still like to pursue tertiary education in their chosen fields, they are now thinking about taking some business management courses and have opened up their options to encompass institutions like Unitec.
A quote from one of the students summarizes the impact of the Youth in Business Challenge on the team: “I turned into a business person, always thinking about how to make a profit. During the challenge, we opened our eyes to business”, as well as statements by some of the persons visited: “you already have a business attitude and mentality” or “you are at the level to compete in New Zealand”. To conclude, the whole experience and the feedback received from the students as well as from the professionals visited show that the Youth in Business Challenge is a great tool for revealing and bringing forth talented youth, nurturing an entrepreneurship spirit in the future generations, and that it has a great potential to develop in the future thanks to the support of entrepreneurs and organisations within Tonga and abroad.
In the following pages are given, for each business/ institution visited, some pictures, some details about the organisation, a short description of the visit, and, most importantly, the main points of discussion/ learning.
Oceania Media
Oceania Media was launched in 2004 by New-Zealand born Samoan Innes Logan, a self-made sports journalist and editor. He started his business without any formal training but with a passion for sports reporting and a knack for editing and laying-out. He is now publishing Spasifik, a magazine sold in outlets in New Zealand, the USA and Pacific Islands, and also read in Air New Zealand lounges across the Pacific.
The visit
Innes starts by showing the students his latest commissioned work, a brochure for the 25th anniversary of the Pacific Business Trust and their MIT Business Awards. He describes how he started his business and the challenges he faced before the students explain their own project. He then interviews them before a photo session. The students leave with a stack of Spasifik Magazines.
Main points of discussion/ learning
- The importance of a good network
- Going against the general pacific islands preference for ‘playing it safe” by working for someone or for the private sector
- The importance of identifying a market and adapting, finding a competitive advantage
- Innovating
- Perseverance and resilience, but also knowing when and how to call it quits
- Learning by doing thing yourself, and learning from the mistakes you will inevitably make along the way
Takapuna Grammar School: Excel Corporations
Excel Corporations is one of the teams from the Takapuna Grammar School that was competing in the Young Enterprise Scheme 2010 and went to the Finals in Wellington a week before the visit. Excel Corporation’s product is Make a Million, a board game that aims at teaching the principles of running a business to 8-13 years old children, in line with the Finance and Enterprise Curriculum.
The visit
The meeting is attended by 3 of Excel Corporations members Umar Kuddus, Edric Angkiriwang and Neil Jadav, their teacher Corrine Kofoed, Lisa Ford, YES Regional Co-ordinator, who kindly arranged the visit, and Ainslie Stevenson, Marketing & Communication Co-ordinator of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development Ltd. Excel Corporations members present their business before Polytexture returns the favour. A lively discussion follows around refreshments, before an outdoor photo session.
Main points of discussion/ learning
Importance of consultation with the stakeholders/future customers when conceiving the product- Importance of adapting the marketing strategy to the customer
- Take risks, respect deadlines, and have a do-it attitude.
Capriata Ristorante
Tongan born Mary Hall bought Italian restaurant Capri from a friend despite her lack of experience in running a restaurant, and has learnt everything on the job. Renamed Capriata Ristorante, it is now a very successful business where most of the patrons are regulars, local families that usually come several times a week.
The visit
Mary invites the delegation to an early dinner at Capriata Ristorante. Tongan Chris Cocker, Acting CEO of the Pacific Cooperation Foundation, who kindly introduced Mary, joins the table a little later and Leopino Foliaki, Senior Managing Partner at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, comes at the end of the meal with his wife Lenora.
Main points of discussion/ learning
Believe in oneself and in one’s passion- Identify the market & use customer feedback constructively
- Customer service: give good value for money
- Teach staff that their profits come from the business’ profits & look after them/incentives to make them loyal and reliable.
- The business’ profits are not to be identified with the person’s own income
- Look at the Incubation Center in Massey, and at scholarships from Earnest & Young as potential resources for the students.
- Attend functions and networking events as business opportunities.
- Although one can succeed without formal education in business, education is still a key, because with education one can avoid some mistakes and the delays they cause.
- Learn the trade by doing it: importance of practical learning
- Work hard, but also to be prepared to try and fail.
- One has to be consistent to pursue personal goals, and understand that before being able to give away, one has to accumulate knowledge, experience, wealth. etc.
Fresh Direct
Fresh Direct was founded in 1995 by 2 Turner brothers, who left the family business to start their own. Fresh Direct imports vegetables, fruits and flowers from overseas and domestic markets and redistributes them on the local market. It is now 3rd in New Zealand for fresh vegetables and fruits and 1st for flowers, and rapidly outgrowing the facilities.
The visit
The team is welcomed by John Hunter, Produce Trader, who gives a brief history on the company before taking the delegation on a tour of the facilities, on an itinerary where he facetiously shows Tongan coconuts placed at strategic intervals! The visit finishes at the staff’s canteen where a delicious breakfast is offered and where the team is joined by Peter Turner, one of the proprietors and founders of the company.
Main points of discussion/ learning
Importance of EQ (Emotional Quotient), ie. Intelligence to understand the market - Passion drives excellence: do it not only for the money but to cater for the market’s needs, ie bring healthy food to the population
- Consistency: “quick fix - quick win” can work once, but not in the long term
- Communication: get feedback from customers and give feedback to suppliers.
- Importance of technology in communication
- Importance of honesty & integrity to keep regular customers
- Have an idea of what you want, but work with what you have
- Challenge oneself and one’s weaknesses, use one’s talents
- Reinvent oneself and be creative
- Bring together people that understand the big vision, and specialised people to all work together: cohesion in team despite differences
- Importance of sustainability and of working together in the industry to manage resources and environment
- Fairtrade: guaranteed minimum to growers
- Hygiene and safety issues
UNITEC Department of Management & Marketing
The Department of Management and Marketing’s teachings are focused on preparing students for the work place and on industry skills requirements match.
The visit
The delegation is welcomed by Lecturers Malama Solomona, Dr. Fotu Fisi’iahi, and Nick Kearns. The visit starts with refreshments followed by a “road trip” video by PolyTexture on the Youth in Business Competition. Nick Kearns then shows the presentation of the regional winners of the YES competition. A short introduction to UNITEC is given by Pat Mose, School Liaison Advisor, before some Pacific Island students come to explain their experience at UNITEC. A media manager then takes pictures of the Tongan team and interviews one of the students. The visit ends with a guided tour of the campus and a visit to the Centre for Pacific Development and Support.
Main points of discussion/ learning
Time is money- Importance of learning practical skills together with theory
- Employers not only look at skills/qualifications, but also at attitude and personality: importance of the way one presents oneself
- Innovation fundamental to survive in the global market: do something different from the rest
- Main obstacles to business development: financial constraints and not being completely into the business (dedication)
- One has to dream big and high, “stand up and stay tall”
Pacific Business Trust
The Pacific Business Trust is an Economic Development Agency founded by the Government to support the Pacific Island Businesses in New Zealand. The Trust operates through advocacy, mentoring, training, etc. It is also the organiser of the Plantation Business Program, a program similar to the YES but on a shorter period.
The visit
The delegation is welcomed by Ina Michael, Business Development Manager, and Scott Donaldson, Business Facilitator, who offer a tour of the offices before serving refreshments in a conference room where they are joined by Maria Fastnedge, another Business Facilitator, and later on by Chief Executive Peter Cordtz. The hosts offer sound advice on how to run a business but also explain in which concrete ways the Trust could help the team develop their business, for example by helping them find a distribution agent outside Tonga.
Main points of discussion/learning
Find what makes the product/service unique, ie. telling a story of Tonga – Focus on the core strength - If put someone else in charge : find somebody trustworthy and put in place systems and processes for reporting/checking
- If sell the business: find out its true value: investors not interested in the amount of work done but in the profits
- Each needs to understand the role of the others: need to document daily tasks = risk management
- Staff need explicit policies and procedures, and have to be held accountable
- Understand the demographic structure and the needs and incomes of each generation
- Keep innovating & to tie down market so that it won’t be cracked up easily by counterfeits
- Be aware of the trend in ecological/ sustainable
- Take advantage of their luck
- Know the competitors well and improve on them
- Selling online
Auckland Chamber of Commerce
The Auckland Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to positively influencing the business environment and providing opportunities, products and services that will improve the success and vitality of business.
The visit
The delegation is received by Cameron Gordon, Manager of the International Division, who starts by asking a few specific questions to the team before giving them relevant advice on the topics raised. The students also show him their products and describe their business.
Main points of discussion/ learning
- Sell a high value product: difference with cheap one from China = in the story. Tell the story right
- Use of website and social media (facebook, twitter etc.) and tie them up with global marketing strategy => coherence
- Get experienced business people on board: can’t do everything on their own: need to find willing persons to help (IT, accountants, etc.)
- Concentrate on relationships: use Tongan networks in key overseas markets
- Today consumer market: the consumer is in charge, not the seller
- Be accountable to people: have systems of reporting, if not, will get lazy
- Business studies is good, but be specific: business law, finance, etc. rather that general
Mangere Arts Center
The Mangere Arts Centre has opened very recently on the 3rd of September. It is dedicated to visual and performing arts, and provides several galleries where local artists can expose their work, as well as a theatre.
The visit
The delegation is welcomed by Naomi Singer, the Centre Manager, Eleanor Ikinofo, Communications Officer for Pacific Islands Trade & Invest, who kindly organised the visit, and Czarina Wilson, a young artist of Tongan origin. The visit starts with a tour of the facilities (including the theatre and its backstage) given by Katrina Chandra, Performing Arts Manager, and a visit of an exhibition by students, graduates and tutors from the Manukau School of Visual Arts (MSVA), where the team is invited to take posters home. Czarina then explains her own success story and shows the team her own winning entry to a competition: a handbag with a Tongan story!
Main points of discussion/learning
Expressing the Tongan value through the product => adding value - Importance of word of mouth
- Social media: massive and measurable
Affirming Works Community Cafe
In 2001, a group of Pacific Island youth doing small projects in the community registered a youth mentoring business online: Affirming Work’s Pacific Youth Mentoring Program Tupu’anga. Schools started to hire them and they started to hire staff, and were soon funded by the Government. Tired of relying on funding only, they bought a venue on April 2010 to start a Cafe, and a Coffee business in Tonga. On November 29th AW Community Coffee will open. It is a social enterprise, meaning that all the profits go back to the mentoring program.
The visit
The team is welcomed in the Cafe by Rachel Afeaki who kindly organised the meeting, Emeline Afeaki Mafile’o, Founder and CEO of Affirming Works Ltd. and owner of Tupu’anga Coffee (Tonga), Matele Misa, General Manager, and several mentors. The mentors first present the business and their different mentoring programs, then everybody splits into small informal groups for discussion around refreshments. Eleanor interviews one team member and the Program Officer.
Main discussion points/ learning
Business can be done not only for money but to support community work- Not losing sight of what one wants to do
- Importance of trainings and experience
- Giving responsibilities to the persons left in charge is important: it empowers them
- Finding staff that share the same vision
- Being rich in relationships and values
Hubbards
Hubbards was founded 22 years ago by Dick Hubbards, a food technologist, who wanted to make his own local label in a market dominated by 2 big international companies. Building up his company progressively, he went from 2 staff to 150 and is now selling 10% of the cereals in New Zealand and exporting to Australia. He is proud to be a totally independent company, successful despite competition from 2 giants.
The visit
Dick Hubbards enlightens the team by sharing his experience before taking it on a tour of the factory – wearing blouses, safety shoes, hair filets and ear protections, to the delight of the students. The visit includes tasting cereals at different stages of processing and watching the staff work at enormous machines in a stifling atmosphere. Another discussion follows, and the delegation is offered samples of cereals to take home.
Main points of discussion/ learning
- Innovation and doing things differently: having a distinctive brand and always being ahead. Eg: newsletter in each box, solar energy
- Trial and error: be prepared to make mistakes and learn from them
- Advantage of being a small company: people know the person behind it
- Flexibility
- Adapting the marketing strategy to the clients
- Importance of life balance: company should be an extension of family values
- Environment issue : recyclable packaging, solar energy, new equipment, supply chain control, etc
- Importance of staff training and incentives
Kara’s
Kara’s was founded by Samoan Karameli Schmidt, who started by importing ready-made clothing from the US and New Zealand to Samoa 20 years ago, before starting her own collection of custom-made clothing with unique designs inspired by Samoan culture and environment. Increasing demand led her to hire staff, and in 2009, with the help of PITIC, she started expanding to overseas markets by opening a shop in Papatoetoe, Auckland.
The visit
Penina Schmidt, Karameli’s daughter, welcomes the team in the Papatoetoe shop to show the beautiful collection, before accompanying them to a cafe for a discussion and a presentation of the team’s product. Louisa Sifakula, Trade Marketing Manager at Pacific Islands Trade & Invest, who kindly organised the meeting, is also present. At the end, Penina offers the team some samples of print that they could use on their handbags.
Main points of discussion/ learning
Importance of uniqueness and cultural values in design- Catering for special events
- Always try to achieve something every day
- Adapt to customers need
- Follow one’s dream
- Starting a business early is a good thing
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