Introducing Apeo Timoci Te Ata: BLP Business Services Manager in PNG
“I’m very excited to be involved with Business Link Pacific, and working with SMEs here. I really think it’s going to benefit the SME sector and the national coffer. This kind of service hasn’t been provided in the past by any other organisation. Having a lot of PNG locally owned consulting firms part of the network, helps a lot of our people. Ultimately I would like to see more services spread out to other provinces as well. I want to talk to as many SMEs as I can.”
– Apeo Timoci Te Ata, Business Services Manager for Business Link Pacific in PNG.
Business Link Pacific is a truly international team. While the core team is based in Auckland, New Zealand, in each of the countries we work in, we have a Business Services Manager who is responsible for facilitating the connection between growing businesses and business advisors in our network.
Our in-country Business Services Manager’s are vital to the success of the Business Link Pacific programme, they are our eyes and ears on the ground, advocating for the role of quality business advice in accelerating growth, meeting small-medium business owners from all walks of life and supporting them in their business journey.
Earlier this year we recruited our first Business Services Manager for the BLP programme in Papua New Guinea (PNG), Apeo Timoci Te Ata. This week we spent some time with Apeo, learning more about what motivated him to join the Business Link Pacific team and his views on the small-medium sized business sector in PNG.
With a strong background in financial and business management, Apeo Timoci Te Ata is in many ways the perfect person to represent Business Link Pacific (BLP) in Papua New Guinea.
After nearly 30 years working in finance and business management roles for the resource extraction industry in PNG, including Lihir Gold, Chevron Niugini and Tolukama Gold Mine Ltd, Apeo’s experience revealed the realities of business ownership, especially the lack of adherence to professional accounting and finance practices. He realised that he could offer meaningful business advisory services to growing businesses, recommending effective methods for regulating revenue and managing the necessary financial aspects.
As well as operating his own consulting business, Apeo spends the rest of his time in the role of Business Services Manager for BLP, based in Port Moresby.
Apeo has been in this role since May 2019, but joined the BLP network as an approved business advisor in mid-2018 through his freelance consulting work with Beach Accounting Advisory, also a BLP approved business advisor.
As the Business Services Manager for BLP, Apeo is the go-to person for growing businesses who are unsure about what business advice they might need. To determine this, Apeo takes business owners through a detailed Diagnostic & Referral process, which involves delving into the business’ operations and conducting a thorough assessment of what is working and what is not. From there, Apeo is able to refer the business owner to the appropriate BLP business advisor, who can provide invaluable business advice and support at a subsidised rate.
In Apeo’s experience, many growing businesses in PNG can’t afford quality advice, have no business plan in place and do not possess professional accounting skills. This is where problems arise in accelerating the growth of the business.
“From my experience, PNG business owners are not always good at keeping records and do not always have the proper systems in place to manage the financial aspects of their business. I think that comes from a gap in education around business management, a lack of financial literacy and a lack of accessibility to services as some businesses are based in remote locations with poor online connectivity.”
“I pride myself on being a conduit for information and support for growing businesses in these situations. If a business owner is unable to meet me in Port Moresby, I am happy to do consultations via WhatsApp or over the phone. The important thing I believe, is making sure growing businesses are getting the quality business advice they need.”
Apeo is based at Emstret Space or E-Space in the Business Centre on Ume Street in Port Moresby. Founded by female entrepreneur, Vani Nades, E-Space (part of Emstret Holding Limited) is a vibrant community led shared workspace for startups, creative minds, entrepreneurs and businesses that don’t have a commercial space. For 75 Kina per day, E-space provides reliable internet, conference and meeting rooms, break out areas and also hosts engaging and informative networking events. Apeo hosted his first ‘Roundtable Discussion’ in late September 2019, where he had the opportunity to explain BLP’s programme and services.
“I think there is still some confusion and uncertainty around whether BLP, because the programme is funded by the New Zealand Government, will expose business owners for not being tax compliant. This is not what we’re about, we’re here to help growing businesses gain cost-effective access to business advice, advice that in the long run will greatly improve their business operations for the better. So, I really do encourage business owners to come and see me for a consultation.”
If you are a growing business in Papua New Guinea and you are interested in meeting with Apeo for a free Business Link Pacific consultation, contact Apeo on [email protected]
Alternatively, you can do a shorter version of the consultation online, with the free Business Health Check.