Diversify to Survive
How Pro Builders Vanuatu strengthened their business with quality advice & BLP subsidies
It’s been a tough few years for Leonard Ngwero, owner of Pro Builders Vanuatu in Port Vila. With a large ex-pat client base, the Global Financial Crisis almost saw the doors close; that same client base has also been massively affected by COVID with all three of the existing residential building contracts due to start in 2020 put on hold overnight.
With no work, Leonard’s workforce of 14 had to go, many of whom have sought greener pastures in agriculture – anywhere they can earn a living. This poses a problem to be faced in the future for Leonard, and many other businesses like his; the skilled labour force has left, leaving “boys on the street” to fill the gaps. Not an ideal situation on a building site where safety and experience using tools is critical.
Finding out about Business Link Pacific’s subsidy in a newspaper advertisement, Leonard followed the link to their Facebook page and saw something that could really help his ailing business. Determined to survive this current crisis and with the cooling of the residential market, he knew he needed business advice but had no income with which to pay for it. Local business advisor Savvy Vanuatu was appointed to help Leonard work through the application process to secure government tenders.
Leonard’s objective was to diversify his business and branch into Government contracts. There are currently many Government building and infrastructure projects being fast-tracked to rebuild following a recent tropical cyclone that damaged many Government buildings, but the process to secure these contracts is somewhat baffling and very complex. In order to be competitive, these need to be completed to a high standard.
A capability statement was prepared, along with tender documentation – even a Facebook page for Pro Builders Vanuatu. Leonard is still waiting to be successful on the government tenders he has applied for, but his Facebook page is slowly gaining traction. He has had several online enquiries and is hopeful one of these will pay off post-COVID when there is greater certainty in the market.
Leonard is grateful to BLP for enabling him to get started on a new pathway and reach a different market – one which would have been far out of reach for him without that support. He continues to work on new ideas and avenues for Pro Builders Vanuatu, acknowledging his bookkeeping and administration are now receiving some much-needed attention.
I feel good about the future; I have been in this business a long time and really want it to improve. I have no intention of giving up.”
The disasters facing Leonard are felt by so many businesses across the Pacific.
COVID is nobody’s fault, it’s just another natural disaster. We all do our best to adapt and survive.”
Quality approved Business Link Pacific business advisors can offer advisory services at a discounted rate through the BLP subsidy service. Subsidies range from size based on the scale of the business and the services provided. An eligible company can apply for the BLP subsidy through an approved business advisor.
BLP supports an extensive network of advisory partners across the pacific islands, who offer services in 15 different areas, including accounting, marketing, human resources, diversity and inclusion and business strategy.
To get in contact with a BLP business advisor, businesses that employ 5 to 50 employees can use the free self-assessment online tools, such as the Business Health Check and the Continuity planner. Also, companies can book a free face-to-face consultation in the countries where BLP operates to go through the business diagnostic, a comprehensive assessment of business needs and opportunities. Based on the assessment results, a business is provided with a list of Business Advisory Service Providers that can help address relevant business needs.
Visit Business Link Pacific Portal to use our free self-assessment online tools or book a local consultation in your country. Country contacts.