PNG: Taking the positive and making it permanent: Best practice business tips from Pure Water’s CEO
Covid-19 has created a ‘new normal’ for many businesses around the world, from social distancing and home-based offices to new technology and strategies.
In the Pacific Islands, many businesses are taking steps in the direction of business recovery, working together to renew the continuity and vitality of their organisations.
In March, in response to the Covid-19 crisis, Business Link Pacific implemented a Covid-19 100% Subsidy Support Package, to support SMEs who had been impacted by the crisis, with a focus on crisis management and business continuity.
This week we caught up with Jon Macindoe, CEO of Purewater, on the steps they are taking to recover from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, and how connecting with BLP quality approved business advisor KTK Accountants transformed their accounting system for the better.
Pure Water is Papua New Guinea’s only supplier of water delivered in 5-gallon bottles that operate under an internationally accredited HACCP compliant food-safety system. Established in 1996, Pure Water’s facilities and production processes are audited regularly by SAI Global of Australia, enabling them to guarantee product consistency and quality to their customers.
While the effects of the global pandemic saw Purewater’s revenue drop 40% overnight, Macindoe says having a new cloud-based accounting software system, support from BLP Advisors and 80 strong and empathic staff members have seen them through some extremely tough months.
Purewater upgraded to XERO, a cloud-based accounting system, last year with the support from business advisors KTK Accounts and a subsidy from BLP to see the project through.
By utilising the BLP Subsidy, we were able to gain cost-effective access to KTK’s accounting services, enabling us to run the business more efficiently and also become better at processing data for future planning,” says Macindoe.
Photo Credit: thehandsomeindianguy
While the team were initially sceptical about the support of Business Link Pacific, Macindoe says the relationship has been nothing but positive.
In a time of crisis, having the support of BLP advisors has enabled Purewater to re-think how they are operating as a business and where they can improve.
While the effects of COVID-19 have been all-consuming for everyone in our business, it’s also enabled us the chance to re-evaluate all of our systems and conduct a Business Health Check with BLP advisors in Port Moresby,” says Macindoe.
The free business health check will enable Purewater to detect potential problem areas and ways to accelerate business performance, which they are eagerly awaiting.
With results due back soon, Macindoe says they plan to apply for the COVID-19 100% Subsidy Support Package from BLP to help implement the changes recommended by BLP Advisors.
Photo Credit: thehandsomeindianguy
When asked what key business advice he would share with other SMEs in PNG who are recovering from COVID-19, Macindoe says
- Take the lessons you’ve learnt from over the last four months and make those into permanent positive changes moving forward
- Do not lay off staff if you don’t have to. Those employees are supporting an entire network of people in your community and are the backbone of your business (they certainly are for us)
- Use this time to future plan and protect your business
If you are a PNG-based 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.