Business Link Pacific hosts successful training event in Samoa
Boosting confidence in consulting, reflecting on leadership styles and expanding influence amongst colleagues and customers were some of the objectives of a two-day training event held in Apia, Samoa last week.
Organised by Business Link Pacific (BLP) the event addressed its partners and in-country representatives in a bid to hone their consulting and leadership skills, and educate on ways Small and Medium-Sized businesses (SMEs) can be connected to necessary business advisory services.
Business Link Pacific recognises that access to business advisory services by SMEs in the Pacific is made difficult by financial and/or knowledge constraints. For this reason BLP provide technical support, subsidies, business mentors and work to enhance professional competencies to strengthen these advisory services.
“Business Link Pacific was set up to fill the gap in the market for advisory services and professional services for SMEs. The New Zealand Government saw a real need in the Pacific for small businesses and SMEs to have access to those services,” said Paul Wendland, Deputy Activity Director for BLP.
The participants consisted of members of the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation, Samoa Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, all of which are focal points for BLP in their respective countries. Other participants were Samoa-based service providers including the Small Business Enterprises Corporation (SBEC), South Pacific Business Development (SPBD), Isitolo Leota Accounting Firm and Events, Marketing & Distribution Co. Ltd.
From L-R: Josie Huxtable (Business Link Pacific), Jennifer Bartlett (Business Link Pacific), Paul Wendland (Deputy Activity Director, Business Link Pacific), John Lemoa (Samoa Chamber of Commerce), H.E. Mr Mike Walsh, Acting NZ High Commissioner in Samoa, Yvonne Leo Taiki (Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce & Industry), Measina Meredith (New Zealand High Commission), Barbara Wilkinson (Business Link Pacific), Kitione Nadaro (Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation).
Participants were actively engaged in a myriad of activities throughout the duration of the workshop, and were also given the opportunity to share their experiences with their fellow colleagues.
“A lot of the issues that we discussed today involve a lot of financing where people are not really savvy about how they handle financing. This BLP program is good for Samoa because they are really working to improve SMEs which in this case (for Samoa) is a huge driver for economic growth for our economy and improving these small businesses will really have a huge impact on economic growth,” said John Lemoa, Business Advisory Manager, Samoa Chamber of Commerce.
The workshop was held from 22 – 24 January 2019 at the Hotel Elisa in Apia, Samoa and was shared by local media outlet, the Samoa Observer.
For more information about how Business Link Pacific can support your SME or business advisory service contact your In-Country Representative: