Partnership between BLP & The Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce opens up new opportunities and support programs for local SMEs

Earlier this year we extended our BLP services to the Cook Islands to support the growth of small-medium sized enterprises across the islands. Working in partnership with The Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce  (CICC), we are proud to work on connecting growing businesses to local experts in key business areas including business and strategy planning, financial services, marketing, accounting, loans and investment facilitation and information technology.

Recently, we caught up with Brendon Welsh, BLP Business Service Manager and Trainer of the CICC and with  Eve Hayden, Vice-President of Engagement for the Chamber of the CICC on the new partnership. They told us about the new B2B programs that will support both SMEs and locally based business service providers post COVID-19.

Talking about the role of the CICC, Eve Hayden explains how the organisation has changed since COVD-19 and what opportunities lie ahead for SMEs.

Historically, the CICC has existed as the advisory body and voice that represents the private sector. As a membership organisation, primarily made up of volunteers its role has always been about supporting medium to large enterprises and being the employers’ representative when dealing with Government and International agencies.

However, since COVID-19, and because of the role we’ve played in helping all businesses get some financial assistance from the Government, we’ve now recognised a real need to open up support services to the micro-enterprise business sector,” says Hayden.

From developing white papers on financial assistance and delivering financial services to the Government, to support SMEs in accessing technology and support services for grant applications, Hayden explains that the services they offer are now much broader.

We’re currently transforming the organisation into being much more responsive to the needs of the SME sector. This includes developing a drop-in centre, of sorts, aimed at providing training and advice as well as access to things like computers and internet, which many SMEs and sole traders in the Islands still don’t have,” she says.

Private Sector Task Force team with MFEM chief economist Natalie and Lafala with representatives from Tourism CI at the Chamber office

With support and funding from Business Link Pacific, one of the newest initiatives to come out of the CICC is a new set of training programs focusing on bookkeeping, working on-line, marketing and other smart business tips.

Brendon Welsh, BLP Business Service Manager and Trainer of the CICC

The training programmes we’re working on launching are currently targeted at SMEs and focus on the basics of business such as business plans, marketing and financial accountability,” says Welsh.

We want to get sole traders and SMEs across the basics first and provide them with a space to access tools like the internet whilst providing advice if they need it and then build on the programs from there,” he adds.

With tourism accounting for 67 per cent of the Cook islands GDP, Hayden tells us how Covid-19 has thrown the Cook Islands into a devastating recession but also highlights how now is a great time to upskill and focus on getting things up and running again.

With our borders closing and GDP taking a tumble overnight,  there has been lots of talk about diversification away from tourism, however, with the amount we’ve invested in the industry it’s our first priority to get things up and running again,” says Hayden.

When asked about the advice that the CICC would like to get across to SMEs  at present, Welsh says businesses need to use the tools that are available now, and should also look at the BLP Health Check and Continuity Planner available online to see where they can make improvements.

Now is a great time to utilise BLP’s health check on the BLP website, conduct in-depth diagnostic surveys with us at the Commerce or register to become a BLP Business Advisor,” he says.

While broadening their base of members continues to be the main focus for the CICC they are relishing in becoming much more flexible, adaptable and on point with what more businesses need more of at this time.

Finishing up our conversation,  we asked both Hayden and Welsh to tell us what’s the best business advice they have ever received:

Be adaptable and be receptive to identifying and receiving opportunities,” says Hayden.

Echoing Hayden’s advice Welsh adds:

Just because something has always been done this way doesn’t mean it’s always the best way to do it.”

Business Link Pacific is committed to supporting and growing the first Pacific business advisory service network, to assist local businesses. If you are a Cook Islands business with between 5-50 employees, and you have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis, you could be eligible for the BLP 100% Subsidy Support. Please click HERE to read more about the terms and conditions for this subsidy, and contact your in-country representative for more information. 

You can also try the new Business Continuity Planner, a free online business tool designed to help you plan for business resilience and preparedness. 

If you are a business advisory service provider based in the Cook Islands,  get in contact with BLP on [email protected] or check the support available to business advisors on the Advisor Hub.