Growing businesses face challenges. Most owners find that as their business grows and they take on more staff, the stress levels grow and the time to think disappears. You may find that you are spending each day reacting to problems rather than growing your business and it is getting harder and harder to manage your own workload. Browse this page to find our tips, resources and services to assist you in growing your business. 

Where to Start

At this point, it is wise to take some time, step back and rethink about your business from first principles: what do you personally want to achieve from your business? Look at your systems and processes: do they reduce your workload and will they be fit for purpose as you grow? How much of what you do is necessary, and how much of it is now outdated tradition? Look at your staff: who can you grow to take on some of your tasks, where are the gaps?

It is time to refresh and restart your business; that means looking at what is contributing to your goals and what isn’t. Create a new plan, redo your forecasting, reassess what roles are needed in your business and re-evaluate your own role and tasks.

You can’t do it alone. We suggest that this is the stage where you will see the greatest benefit in getting an outside mentor or business coach, and in joining a business networking group. This will help you to rapidly put changes in place and will help you to understand the potential impact of the changes you will make.

Successfully renewing your business will reduce your workload, better manage your cashflow, increase your profit and set the business up nicely for the next phase of growth.

Free Resources & Advice for Growing your Business

• Quick Focus Business Plan - A short and simple business planning template
• ANZ Biz Hub – Tools and information around growing a business
• Westpac Business Resource Centre – Tools and information around growing a business
• Workplace Policy Builder - A free tool to help you develop formal workplace policies
• Common Business Milestones – A guide to help with growth events
• Better by Lean – A fantastic method to increase productivity and reduce waste
• High Growth Launch Programme – Free workshops for businesses that want rapid growth
• Business Performance Benchmarker– An IRD guide to the average profit ratios, turnover and salaries/wages for your industry
• Research and Development Grants – Funding to help you solve technical problems
• Mind Tools - A website with a huge number of resources and self-analysis tools
• TED Talks – Stimulating seminars about business
• Business Management guides – Advice from Xero
• Business Solutions Blog – Lots of good crunchy advice
• Advisory Board Toolkit – Get outside expertise involved in your business
• Forbes – An article on growing your business quickly
• Next Level your Profit - Free e-book from Next Level Tradie
• Fast Company – 5 essential principles for growing your business
• Forbes - The top 5 reasons businesses fail
• Inc. – Why 96% of Businesses fail within 10 years
• Sustainable Initiatives Fund - Finance for projects that create or inspire long-term environmental benefits
• Provisional Growth Fund - Investment or Loans for commercial growth that will lead to jobs and community benefit.

Setting up a Premises in the Waimakariri

 The Waimakariri District Council have established a brilliant resource kit to help you with all the steps you need to take when you are looking at setting up a new business premises or making changes to your current premises. They also have case management that will take you through the process step by step and make sure you have all your ducks in a row.

READ 'TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS'

Business Growth Services

If you are looking for local business growth services we encourage you to view our list of Business Service Partners. These are businesses that have partnered with Enterprise North Canterbury and offer specific marketing and sales services for businesses in North Canterbury.

		Spark Business Canterbury Spark Business Canterbury are a local service with one aim: to find the right communication tools for your business.  More Info
		BDO Christchurch BDO is a full-service accounting, audit, tax and advisory firm. BDO is part of a network of international member firms, with 11 independently owned accounting practices in New Zealand.  More Info
		Meridian Energy We're committed to the long term future of New Zealand. As well as generating all of our energy from 100% renewable sources like Hydro and Wind, we've got a team of really smart people. We will help you organise your power to make your business more sustainable financially and environmentally. More Info
		North Canterbury Business Services North Canterbury Business Services Ltd is aimed at providing the local help and support you need to succeed; letting you focus on what you do best, supporting your customers with products and services that are your expertise. More Info
		Next Level Tradie Specialist business guidance for your trades or construction company:  Running a business that feels out of control? Working hard but not getting ahead?  Is your business is too reliant on you? Working weekends and evenings? No time for family?  These are signs you need improved systems and structure. Get the right tools - contact Next Level Tradie. More Info
		IT Simply We enjoy working with our clients to design IT solutions that deliver tangible business outcomes. If you’d like to look at how we can help you to reduce cost and improve efficiency and accuracy in your business, give us a call. More Info
		i.t. online i.t.online is dedicated to world class client experience and provides business computer networks, cloud & mobile, business software, cyber security, eCommerce, business phone systems, IT planning and IT projects.  We were founded in North Canterbury in 2010. More Info
		Muritai Group To grow a business, your marketing needs to work harder than ever before. You need the right combination of smart strategy, deep understanding of your end buyer and a brand story that opens all the right doors.  Muritai Group is a marketing, branding and communications agency based in Christchurch. Inspired by the word ‘Muritai’ – Maori for sea breeze – we bring a fresh approach to marketing. More Info
		Thexton Consulting South A resident of Rangiora for many years, and a proficient, versatile leader within the SME sector, Peter Lawry of Thexton Consulting South has more than 20 years’ business experience, beginning in accountancy practice and diversifying into the travel sector, business advice, family trusts, property renovation trading and development, import, export, food, transport, taxis and even mental health. Servicing clients recently from sectors as varied as IT, bespoke manufacturing, auto-mechanical, trades, and health, 50% of his client base is in North Canterbury, with the balance in Christchurch. More Info
		ANZ Different businesses have different challenges. Whether you’re a sole trader, start-up, rural business, larger commercial or institutional business our specialists have the knowledge and experience to help you achieve your business goals. More Info

To find out about becoming a Business Service Partner please view our Business Services Partners page or contact Miles Dalton.

Business Growth Training

Enterprise North Canterbury provides a wide range of business training and also has connections with other local and national training providers as well as one-on-one business coaches.

Your business may also be eligible for subsidy vouchers through New Zealand Trade and Enterprise which may reduce the cost of training or coaching by up to 50%. Our NZTE vouchers page outlines the criteria, and our Business Support team can assess how much assistance you are eligible for.

VIEW OUR BUSINESS TRAINING CALENDAR >>

Networking Opportunities

As well as ENC Networking Functions, there are a number of business networking groups in North Canterbury. All of these have different objectives and it is well worth looking at which ones may meet your needs:

• Elite6 - Business Networking
• The Networkers - Business Networking in Rangiora
• BNI Rangiora - Business networking aimed at generating referrals
• Venus Network - Christchurch and North Canterbury business networking for Women
• Rangiora Promotions - Members meet on the last Wednesday of the month
• Kaiapoi Promotion Association - Promoting Kaiapoi and the wider district as a great place to visit, live, and work
• The Alternative Board – An alternative method of coaching, problem solving and support
• Oxford Promotions Action Committee - A volunteer group with a passion to promote Oxford and the wider area
• MBN my business network - Fortnightly Business Builder meetings for savvy business owners
• Connect, Collaborate, Caffeinate - monthly informal get-together at a coffee cart or cafe. Email gina@realcommunications.co.nz for info.

If you know of other ongoing opportunities to network with businesses please contact ENC and let us know.

Other Local Business Growth Services

• Next Level Tradie
• Fuse Strategy
• Leone Evans Coaching
• Smart and Wise
• Advantage Business
• APE Consulting

If you offer a North Canterbury based business growth service and would like to be considered for the above list, please contact us.