Business Link Pacific Podcast

In this episode, we take a look back at some of the most significant events that have knocked Tongan businesses, how they are coping and what kind of services businesses are looking for to improve economic conditions in Tonga.

Like many countries, Samoa has struggled significantly with the pandemic and lockdowns, but with the border opening up to international guests, we see many SMEs and local tourism operators gearing up for an influx of overseas visitors.Today we will talk to John Lemoa, BLP's in-country partner and the Samoa Chamber of Commerce and reflect on some of the areas in which businesses have been struggling over the last couple of years, and how business advisory services have helped.

In episode two of season six, we're speaking with Rebecca Tavioni, CEO of the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce, Kiesha Dais, BLP's Business Service Manager in the Cook Islands and Chantel Napa, who is a BLP subsidy and Adaptation Grant recipient. These three businesswomen discuss the impact of business advisory services in the Cook Islands, the current service offerings for SMEs, what demand there is for specific services and the role Business Link Pacific and its In-Country partners play in supporting this upcoming market.  It's exciting to be able to talk through both the successes and opportunities for development in the #CookIslands whilst looking back at our time working in partnership with the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce. Tune in below to hear more about the Cook Island #SME success stories, the impact of business advisory services in the region and how the BLP network is working with SMEs to improve their businesses through adaptation planning subsidies and grants.

In this episode, we focus on the work of our in-country partners in Fiji. Since 2018, our partnership has contributed to the development of the local market for business advisory services and supported thousands of Fijian businesses. Here are some highlights of the partnership: Facilitated access to local business advisory services worth 2.35M NZD, 50% directly invested by the private sector. Services have supported nearly 500 Fijian businesses to improve their operations and resilience and have contributed to creating more than 400 new jobs, 50% occupied by women. Enabled 250 business adaptation grants worth 1.5M NZD that have helped SMEs in Fiji adapt to the new post-COVID environment, safeguard jobs and create new products and services.  Supported over 1,000 businesses through face-to-face business diagnostics, online health checks and continuity planning to improve their planning and identify gaps and opportunities. In this episode, we talk with Ramesh Chan, former BLP's Business Service Manager in Fiji, about the variety of services offered locally by BLP's business advisors and the importance of their professional services for the future recovery of the SME sector. Ramesh worked with the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation during the first years of BLP in the country and currently leads the work of Business Assistance Fiji (BAF), BLP's new in-country partner.  BAF was brought together by the Fiji Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI), Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF), Fiji Institute of Accountants (FIA) and Women in Business (WIB) to address the needs of the private sector after the pandemic. We also talked to Marina Cherry, owner of Sweet Endings in Fiji and adaptation grant recipient. Marina talks about the struggles of running a business and the importance of innovation and adaptation. Finally, we consider the many strengths and opportunities of the market of business advisory services in Fiji and its role in supporting a brighter economic future for the region. 

In this episode, we speak to Veilawa Rereiwasaliwa, General Manager Fiji and Acting Head of Pacific Digital Transformation at Tower Insurance about business innovation and protection during times of crisis.Tower is one of our most recent partners in the Pacific and it's great to hear their advice for SMEs on how they can access insurance services to help protect their businesses during a crisis.

In our latest episode, we talk with John Byrne, Ensie George and Jenna Rekon from the Lae Chamber of Commerce about business innovation for small women-led businesses in Lae.The team explain how they are working with female-owned and operated businesses, some of the challenges they face in Papua New Guinea and why a partnership with Business Link Pacific is important in promoting the work they do for gender equality and social inclusion.

Stanard Wai SME Manager, Retail Banking and Daniel Faunt, Group General Manager of Bank of South Pacific Ltd talk to our hosts about best practices for SMEs who are looking to apply for finance and what SMEs should consider when starting up or transforming a business.

In this episode, we talk to EGM Business, Wealth & Advisory Services of Kina Bank, Deepak Gupta about how access to finance can lead to greater innovation for SMEs in PNG and throughout the Pacific. Deepak also tells us about digital transormation within Kina Bank and how they have made accessing their services easier for SMEs.

Desperate times call for desperate measures - something that has certainly been obvious during  Covid-19 lockdowns, where a range of PNG companies have been reinventing themselves quickly in order to keep operating. While it's true that some new businesses have risen like a phoenix from the ashes to capitalise on new opportunities and some existing businesses completely changed their business models, there is a lesson that all businesses can take away from this period of forced innovation. Reinventing can be used to describe a wholesale change of direction to a business but it can also be applied across a business unit, a process or other aspects of a business that makes sense right now.In Episode 7 of Series 5 of the #BLPpodcast, we talk to MiBank CEO, Tony Westaway about reinventing during a crisis and how MiBank is supporting MSMEs throughout Papua New Guinea. 

In this episode, our hosts, Barbara Wilkinson & Richard Busby, talk to Yumiwork Founder, Marc Gerard about business innovation and how we can design an ecosystem to help local businesses, entrepreneurs and startups discover new ideas!

John Pora, Chairman of the PNG Small to Medium Enterprise Corporation (SMEC), talks to the BLP team about the future of business in PNG and how technology is powering that future.   The role of SMEC.How does SMEC support new business ideas?PNG's sector bodies and why they are essential for economic growth. Critical points to develop new business ideas. Synergies between SMEC and Business Link Pacific.SMEC's incubator model for SMEs in PNG.

Saliya Ranasinghe, CEO of Centre for Excellence & Financial Inclusion (CEFI) in PNG and new BLP partner in financial inclusion talks to our hosts about affordable finance, how to access it and why CEFI is focused on financial inclusion and the elimination of poverty in Papua New Guinea.

Launching a business isn’t for the faint-hearted. Many hours of sweat and tears go into getting a business idea off the ground. Some entrepreneurs choose to go at it alone but not everyone has the combination of skills, resources and networks to take their business to the next level. That is where business-growth organisations like incubators can add significant value. In this episode or series five of the BLP podcast, we talk with Marc-Antoine about V-Lab, Vanuatu's first business and ideas incubator. Marc-Antoine tells us how V-Lab works, what they are doing to support SMEs and why BLP partners with them.

When it comes to future-proofing your people and business, upskilling is the way to go. In this episode, we talk to Eve Hayden, CEO at the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce about upskilling; what it is, how you can upskill yourself and your people, what tools there are available, and why training should be included in your businesses continuity plan.

Air Rarotonga was severely impacted when the Covid-19 crisis began in March 2020 with flights grounded and tourism at a standstill. With a goal to keep staff on the books (at reduced hours) and the business afloat, Anand Raj, CFO for Air Rarotonga began the process of diversifying the business through an innovative business strategy.In this podcast, we talk to Anand about Air Rarotonga's journey over the past year and why it is important to diversify product offerings in order to maintain a strong business model.

In this final episode, of season four, we talk to Kara Klassen, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Advisor for BLP on why gender equality and social inclusion is important for business.Kara explores ways in which SMEs in the Pacific Islands can create opportunities for female leaders as well as the impact of COVID-19 on women and other vulnerable groups.Credits:Hosted by: Barbara WilkinsonRecorded, mixed & edited by The SudioMusic credit: Alex Khaskin via SoundVault

In this episode we hear from Belinda Botha, Founder/Owner of Side Dive Munda & Dive Munda Consulting about best-practice HR and how SMEs throughout the Pacific can "bounce back better" from the 2020 global pandemic.Credits:Hosted by: Barbara WilkinsonRecorded, mixed & edited by The SudioMusic credit: Alex Khaskin via SoundVault

Kameli Batiweti, CEO of Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation talks to Barbara Wilkinson, BLP Business Advisor about the current business environment and opportunities available in Fiji.The episode explores the role of the FCEF, how Fijians are supporting Fijians in the domestic environment and how SMEs are pivoting their businesses and making the most of new opportunities.

Maria Ronna Luna Pastorizo-Sekiguchi, Founder/Creative Director of The Greenhouse Studio talks to BLP about managing communications during a crisis.Specifically, we find out what the Greenhouse Studio did to respond to the global pandemic and how SMEs in the Pacific can use creative marketing, branding and continuity planning to successfully navigate the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.Credits:Hosted by: Barbara WilkinsonInterview guest: Maria Ronna Luna Pastorizo-Sekiguchi, Founder/Creative Director of The Greenhouse Recorded, mixed & edited by The SudioMusic credit: Alex Khaskin via SoundVaultt

In this episod,e we hear from Paul Wendland, Deputy Director at Business Link Pacific on the pros and cons of accessing finance in the Pacific. This is the first of a series on finance so keep your eyes and ears peeled for more in the coming weeks!

Earlier this year we extended our BLP services to the Cook Islands to support the growth of SMEs across the islands.In this podcast, we are joined by Evelene Hayden, Vice President of Engagement for the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce.Evelene talks to us about the current business environment in the Cook Islands, and the role of the chamber in supporting SMEs.Credits:Hosted by: Barbara Wilkinson, BLP Professional Development AdvisorRecorded, mixed & edited by The SudioMusic credit: Alex Khaskin via SoundVaultBusiness Link Pacific is a private-sector programme supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade and DT Global. The core team is based in Auckland, New Zealand and supported by in-country partners in Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and the Cook Islands. For more information visit the Business Link Pacific Portal: https://businesslinkpacific.com

The Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) are Business Link Pacific’s in-country partner in Vanuatu, assisting us in delivering the BLP programme and services to the small-medium sized enterprise sector.Vanuatu was the first country in the Pacific Islands where the BLP programme was launched back in 2017, in partnership with the VCCI. In this podcast we are joined by Astrid Boulekone, General Manager of the VCCI who shares the positive impact of BLP in Vanuatu over the last 3 years and the importance of business advice for SMEs in the Pacific Islands, especially in terms of business resilience and business continuity planning. Host: Emma Crawford-FalekaonoEmma has over 15 years’ experience in chartered accountancy and commercial environments globally. She started her career in accounting before taking time out to deploy as a Military Police Officer to Southern Afghanistan. In 2014, she made the move into the tech industry and was a Business Consultant for Business Link Pacific, delivering professional development and skills training courses to growing businesses in the Pacific region. Credits:Recorded, mixed & edited by Dave Rhodes of Dave Rhodes Productions.Music credit: Alex KhaskinBusiness Link Pacific is a private sector programme supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade and DT Global. The core team is based in Auckland, New Zealand and supported by in-country partners in Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Cook Islands. For more information visit the Business Link Pacific Portal: https://businesslinkpacific.com

All businesses should pay special attention to obtaining, improving and retaining the knowledge and resources needed to operate efficiently. However, small to medium sized businesses in particular have to be creative in the way they do this, often because of limited time and resources. In this podcast we talk to Anthony Sarathkumar, General Manager at Spectrum Consultancy Services based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Anthony details how Spectrum is helping to build the capacity of SMEs in Papua New Guinea through the provision of best practice business advice, in the areas of financial management, business planning and training. Spectrum Consultancy Services is a BLP quality approved business advisor in our network.Host: Emma Crawford-FalekaonoEmma has over 15 years’ experience in chartered accountancy and commercial environments globally. She started her career in accounting before taking time out to deploy as a Military Police Officer to Southern Afghanistan. In 2014, she made the move into the tech industry and was a Business Consultant for Business Link Pacific, delivering professional development and skills training courses to growing businesses in the Pacific region. Credits:Recorded, mixed & edited by Dave Rhodes of Dave Rhodes Productions.Music credit: Alex KhaskinBusiness Link Pacific is a private sector programme supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade and DT Global. The core team is based in Auckland, New Zealand and supported by in-country partners in Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Cook Islands. For more information visit the Business Link Pacific Portal: https://businesslinkpacific.com

I.Naiveli & Co Chartered Accountants and Business Consultants are the first indigenous-Fijian (i-taukei) owned firm to be issued a Certificate of Public Practice from the Fiji Institute of Accountants, operating in Suva since 1992. In this Podcast we are joined by Benericco Naiveli, Assistant Manager at I.Naiveli & Co to explore the challenges facing indigenous businesses in Fiji, and how I.Naiveli & Co are providing business advisory services to rural-based SMEs. Benerrico also shares ways SMEs can use new technologies to improve financial operations. I.Naiveli & Co are BLP quality approved business advisors in our network. Host: Emma Crawford-FalekaonoEmma has over 15 years’ experience in chartered accountancy and commercial environments globally. She started her career in accounting before taking time out to deploy as a Military Police Officer to Southern Afghanistan. In 2014, she made the move into the tech industry and was a Business Consultant for Business Link Pacific, delivering professional development and skills training courses to growing businesses in the Pacific region. Credits:Recorded, mixed & edited by Dave Rhodes of Dave Rhodes Productions.Music credit: Alex KhaskinBusiness Link Pacific is a private sector programme supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade and DT Global. The core team is based in Auckland, New Zealand and supported by in-country partners in Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Cook Islands. For more information visit the Business Link Pacific Portal: https://businesslinkpacific.com

Efficient payroll systems are a basic requirement for all businesses, but finding suitable payroll software that is both efficient and compliant can be hard, especially for small-medium sized businesses in the Pacific Islands. In this Podcast, Emma talks to Matt Gardner, Director and Founder of SmoothPay payroll based in New Zealand. Matt explains why SMEs should invest in compliant payroll systems and why SmoothPay goPayroll is the right choice for growing businesses in the Pacific Islands. SmoothPay is a Business Link Pacific commercial partner. SmoothPay offers a free migration service for new customers in any of the 12 Pacific Island countries they operate in. Host: Emma Crawford-FalekaonoEmma has over 15 years’ experience in chartered accountancy and commercial environments globally. She started her career in accounting before taking time out to deploy as a Military Police Officer to Southern Afghanistan. In 2014, she made the move into the tech industry and is now a Business Consultant for Business Link Pacific, delivering professional development and skills training courses to growing businesses in the Pacific region. Credits:Recorded, mixed & edited by Dave Rhodes of Dave Rhodes Productions.Music credit: Alex KhaskinBusiness Link Pacific is a private sector programme supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade and DT Global. The core team is based in Auckland, New Zealand and supported by in-country partners in Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Cook Islands. For more information visit the Business Link Pacific Portal: https://businesslinkpacific.com/

Measuring your business’ impact helps you understand, manage and communicate the value that your work creates in a clear and consistent way. It can help you better understand your customers/clients and as a result develop products and services tailored to their needs. In this Podcast we are joined by Matt Lloyd, Chief Executive of Arco Tech, a New Zealand based software development firm. Arco Tech are instrumental in developing the BLP Essential Business Tools; the Diagnostic Tool, the Business Health Check and the Business Continuity Planner. Matt and his team also assist BLP to measure the impact of our programme in the Pacific Islands, which provides avenues for us to improve and tailor our services. In this Podcast Matt will discuss the role of science and technology in International Development and the importance of measuring impact.Host: Emma Crawford-FalekaonoEmma has over 15 years’ experience in chartered accountancy and commercial environments globally. She started her career in accounting before taking time out to deploy as a Military Police Officer to Southern Afghanistan. In 2014, she made the move into the tech industry and is now a Business Consultant for Business Link Pacific, delivering professional development and skills training courses to growing businesses in the Pacific region. Credits:Recorded, mixed & edited by Dave Rhodes of Dave Rhodes Productions.Music credit: Alex KhaskinBusiness Link Pacific is a private sector programme supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade and DT Global. The core team is based in Auckland, New Zealand and supported by in-country partners in Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Cook Islands. For more information visit the Business Link Pacific Portal: https://businesslinkpacific.com/

A financially healthy business is in a better position to grow and expand.With the effects of the COVID-19 still being felt around the world, moving your business from crisis mode to recovery mode can be a difficult transition. This is where a credible financial advisor can really help. Our latest Podcast is designed to help you understand the value of financial business advice and learn more about financial management. To offer advice and tips on this topic, we talked to Hanalei Betham, a Partner at BDO Samoa, who has over 15 years of advisory and assurance experience in Samoa and across the Pacific region. Hanalei discusses the importance of financial business advice and how BDO Samoa are helping SMEs to grow their business. BDO Samoa is a BLP quality approved business advisor, you can connect with them on the BLP Portal. Host: Emma Crawford-FalekaonoEmma has over 15 years’ experience in chartered accountancy and commercial environments globally. She started her career in accounting before taking time out to deploy as a Military Police Officer to Southern Afghanistan. In 2014, she made the move into the tech industry and is now a Business Consultant for Business Link Pacific, delivering professional development and skills training courses to growing businesses in the Pacific region. Credits:Recorded, mixed & edited by Dave Rhodes of Dave Rhodes Productions.Music credit: Alex KhaskinBusiness Link Pacific is a private sector programme supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade and DT Global. The core team is based in Auckland, New Zealand and supported by in-country partners in Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Cook Islands. For more information visit the Business Link Pacific Portal: https://businesslinkpacific.com/

In the Pacific Islands women are pursuing entrepreneurship more than ever, however, statistics show that gender equality in the startup space is still far from balanced. Women face significant discrimination, compounded by traditional value systems that create barriers to carry out simple things like gain access to startup finance, purchase land and open bank accounts. yher Pacific is an accelerator programme designed by women specifically for Pacific-based female social impact entrepreneurs. In this podcast, we talk to Audrey Jean-Baptiste, Regional Director for yher Pacific, about what yher Pacific does and how the initiative is helping to achieve gender equality in the start-up space. yher Pacific is also a BLP partner and is working with us to connect aspiring female entrepreneurs in the Pacific Islands with BLP’s services. Host: Emma Crawford-FalekaonoEmma has over 15 years’ experience in chartered accountancy and commercial environments globally. She started her career in accounting before taking time out to deploy as a Military Police Officer to Southern Afghanistan. In 2014, she made the move into the tech industry and is now a Business Consultant for Business Link Pacific, delivering professional development and skills training courses to growing businesses in the Pacific region. Credits:Recorded, mixed & edited by Dave Rhodes of Dave Rhodes Productions.Music credit: Alex KhaskinBusiness Link Pacific is a private sector programme supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade and DT Global. The core team is based in Auckland, New Zealand and supported by in-country partners in Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Cook Islands. For more information visit the Business Link Pacific Portal: https://businesslinkpacific.com/

Sam Kiak Tubangliu Certified Practising Accountants (SKT) based in Port Moresby, PNG prides itself on being an equal opportunities employer. 60% of their staff are female, complimented by an all-female management team. In this podcast, Emma interviews Managing Partner, Arthur Sam, and Audit Manager, Vanolla Sarry, about how SKT embraces inclusion in the workplace and what are the specific challenges facing female accountants in PNG. SKT is a national accounting firm founded by Arthur Sam, Jacob Kiak and John Tubangliu, offering accounting, auditing, taxation and business advisory services in Papua New Guinea. They are BLP approved business advisors and can be contacted via the BLP Portal. Host: Emma Crawford-FalekaonoEmma has over 15 years’ experience in chartered accountancy and commercial environments globally. She started her career in accounting before taking time out to deploy as a Military Police Officer to Southern Afghanistan. In 2014, she made the move into the tech industry and is now a Business Consultant for Business Link Pacific, delivering professional development and skills training courses to growing businesses in the Pacific region. Credits:Recorded, mixed & edited by Dave Rhodes of Dave Rhodes Productions.Music credit: Alex KhaskinBusiness Link Pacific is a private sector programme supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade and DT Global. The core team is based in Auckland, New Zealand and supported by in-country partners in Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Cook Islands. For more information visit the Business Link Pacific Portal: https://businesslinkpacific.com/

For accounting firms, the task of delivering quality business development services to their clients is something that often takes a back seat to compliance, or is given on an ad-hoc reactive basis. In this Podcast episode we are joined by Mark Jenkins, co-founder of The Gap - a NZ based firm that bridges the gap between traditional compliance work and business development or business advisory, by providing enduring value to clients through products, services and relationships. The Gap is a valued commercial partner of Business Link Pacific, that we’ve teamed up with so that our business advisors can gain subsidised access to The Gaps comprehensive and proven resources. We are currently offering a limited number of free annual subscriptions to The Gap for approved BLP business advisors. Contact the BLP team for more information as soon as possible - you could access one of the free subscriptions available now. Host: Emma Crawford-FalekaonoEmma has over 15 years’ experience in chartered accountancy and commercial environments globally. She started her career in accounting before taking time out to deploy as a Military Police Officer to Southern Afghanistan. In 2014, she made the move into the tech industry and is now a Business Consultant for Business Link Pacific, delivering professional development and skills training courses to growing businesses in the Pacific region. Credits:Recorded, mixed & edited by Dave Rhodes of Dave Rhodes Productions.Music credit: Alex KhaskinBusiness Link Pacific is a private sector programme supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade and DT Global. The core team is based in Auckland, New Zealand and supported by in-country partners in Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Cook Islands. For more information visit the Business Link Pacific Portal: https://businesslinkpacific.com/

Achieving a high level of business resilience is something every business should strive for.Business resilience planning is an investment in the future well-being of your company. The ability to be able to work through whatever problems or events your business faces depends on the plans you have put in place. But what if you had no plans and the economic climate changed drastically, as it has with the current COVID-19 pandemic?In this podcast, we delve into the topic of business resilience and identify ways growing businesses in the Pacific Islands can adopt best business practices to ensure the sustainability of their business. To shed light on this topic, our host Emma Crawford-Falekaono spoke with Chris Elphick, Co-Founder of Breadfruit Consulting based in Vanuatu. Breadfruit Consulting is based in Port Vila, Vanuatu, and is a BLP approved Partner and business advisor for growing businesses in the region. Host: Emma Crawford-FalekaonoEmma has over 15 years’ experience in chartered accountancy and commercial environments globally. She started her career in accounting before taking time out to deploy as a Military Police Officer to Southern Afghanistan. In 2014, she made the move into the tech industry and is now a Business Consultant for Business Link Pacific, delivering professional development and skills training courses to growing businesses in the Pacific region. Credits:Recorded, mixed & edited by Dave Rhodes of Dave Rhodes Productions.Music credit: Alex KhaskinBusiness Link Pacific is a private sector programme supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade and DT Global. The core team is based in Auckland, New Zealand and supported by in-country partners in Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Cooks Islands and Vanuatu.For more information visit the Business Link Pacific Portal.

In this episode we are joined by the Director and Founder of Beach Accounting Advisory Ltd, Akae Beach.Beach Accounting Advisory Ltd is based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, and is a BLP approved Partner and business advisor for growing businesses in the region. Akae shares her views on the need to invest in people development when operating a business and the specific challenges women face as business owners in PNG. Akae also discusses the ways in which she has adapted her business model to alleviate some of the barriers her female employees encounter on a daily basis in PNG. Learn more about Beach Accounting Advisory Ltd here: https://businesslinkpacific.com/organizations/8Host: Emma Crawford-FalekaonoEmma has over 15 years’ experience in chartered accountancy and commercial environments globally. She started her career in accounting before taking time out to deploy as a Military Police Officer to Southern Afghanistan. In 2014, she made the move into the tech industry and is now a Business Consultant for Business Link Pacific, delivering professional development and skills training courses to growing businesses in the Pacific region. Credits:Recorded, mixed & edited by Dave Rhodes of Dave Rhodes Productions.Music credit: Alex KhaskinBusiness Link Pacific is a private sector programme supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade and DT Global. The core team is based in Auckland, New Zealand and supported by in-country partners in Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea and VanuatuFor more information visit the Business Link Pacific Portal: https://businesslinkpacific.com/

In this episode, we are joined by Hobart Va’ai, CEO of the Samoa Chamber of Commerce & Industry, BLP’s in-country partner in Samoa. Hobart discusses the landscape of the private sector in Samoa, providing examples of the opportunities available and the way forward for growing businesses in Samoa. Learn more about the Samoa Chamber of Commerce & Industry here: http://www.samoachamber.ws/Host: Emma Crawford-FalekaonoEmma has over 15 years’ experience in chartered accountancy and commercial environments globally. She started her career in accounting before taking time out to deploy as a Military Police Officer to Southern Afghanistan. In 2014, she made the move into the tech industry and is now a Business Consultant for Business Link Pacific, delivering professional development and skills training courses to growing businesses in the Pacific region. Credits:Recorded, mixed & edited by Dave Rhodes of Dave Rhodes Productions.Music credit: Alex KhaskinBusiness Link Pacific is a private sector programme supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade and DT Global. The core team is based in Auckland, New Zealand and supported by in-country partners in Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea and VanuatuFor more information visit the Business Link Pacific Portal: https://businesslinkpacific.com/

In this episode, Steve Knapp talks about the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade (MFAT) funded programme Business Link Pacific (BLP), and the “missing-middle;” those businesses that are too big for microfinance and informal local investors, and too small or too risky for banks or direct investors. Steve explains how BLP supports business' during their growing phase, so they can reach their full potential, and how growing businesses can access these services. Steve Knapp is the Director of Business Link Pacific. Host: Emma Crawford-FalekaonoEmma has over 15 years’ experience in chartered accountancy and commercial environments globally. She started her career in accounting before taking time out to deploy as a Military Police Officer to Southern Afghanistan. In 2014, she made the move into the tech industry and is now a Business Consultant for Business Link Pacific, delivering professional development and skills training courses to growing businesses in the Pacific region. Credits:Recorded, mixed & edited by Dave Rhodes of Dave Rhodes Productions.Music credit: Alex KhaskinBusiness Link Pacific is a private sector programme supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade and DT Global. The core team is based in Auckland, New Zealand and supported by in-country partners in Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea and VanuatuFor more information visit the Business Link Pacific Portal: https://businesslinkpacific.com/

In this episode Emma chats with Steve Reid, Executive Director of Webmedia South Pacific based in Fiji. Steve shares his views on the business environment in Fiji and suggests effective marketing strategies for growing businesses in the Pacific. He also discusses the importance of embracing adaptability for business success. Webmedia is a full service creative agency specialising in advertising, web design, software, programming and public relations. Webmedia South Pacific are Business Link Pacific approved business advisors in our network. Learn more about them here: https://businesslinkpacific.com/organizations/52Host: Emma Crawford-FalekaonoEmma has over 15 years’ experience in chartered accountancy and commercial environments globally. She started her career in accounting before taking time out to deploy as a Military Police Officer to Southern Afghanistan. In 2014, she made the move into the tech industry and is now a Business Consultant for Business Link Pacific, delivering professional development and skills training courses to growing businesses in the Pacific region. Credits:Recorded, mixed & edited by Dave Rhodes of Dave Rhodes Productions.Music credit: Alex KhaskinBusiness Link Pacific is a private sector programme supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade and DT Global. The core team is based in Auckland, New Zealand and supported by in-country partners in Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea and VanuatuFor more information visit the Business Link Pacific Portal: https://businesslinkpacific.com/

In this episode we are joined by Wyndi Tagi and Eli Tagi, founders of WE Accounting. WE Accounting is a growth firm specialising in helping small and medium businesses across NZ and the Pacific. We talk with Wyndi and Eli about pricing strategies, using technology to manage debtor recovery and how to ensure you get paid. They also share their views on the current business environment in Samoa and the importance of creating sustainable cash flow in a growing business.WE Accounting in Samoa are Business Link Pacific approved business advisors in our network. Learn more about them HERE.Host: Emma Crawford-FalekaonoEmma has over 15 years’ experience in chartered accountancy and commercial environments globally. She started her career in accounting before taking time out to deploy as a Military Police Officer to Southern Afghanistan. In 2014, she made the move into the tech industry and is now a Business Consultant for Business Link Pacific, delivering professional development and skills training courses to growing businesses in the Pacific region. Credits:Recorded, mixed & edited by Dave Rhodes of Dave Rhodes Productions.Music credit: Alex KhaskinBusiness Link Pacific is a private sector programme supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade and DT Global. The core team is based in Auckland, New Zealand and supported by in-country partners in Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea and VanuatuFor more information visit the Business Link Pacific Portal: https://businesslinkpacific.com/

In this episode, we talk with Dan Henderson from Enable Business & BHW Accountancy & Advisors in New Zealand, about the importance of investing in human talent, personal resilience and social sustainability in small business. Dan will also share his view of New Zealand's current economic and business environment. Host: Emma Crawford-FalekaonoEmma has over 15 years’ experience in chartered accountancy and commercial environments globally. She started her career in accounting before taking time out to deploy as a Military Police Officer to Southern Afghanistan. In 2014, she made the move into the tech industry and is now a Business Consultant for Business Link Pacific, delivering professional development and skills training courses to growing businesses in the Pacific region. Credits:Recorded, mixed & edited by Dave Rhodes of Dave Rhodes Productions.Music credit: Alex KhaskinBusiness Link Pacific is a private sector programme supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade and DT Global. The core team is based in Auckland, New Zealand and supported by in-country partners in Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea and VanuatuFor more information visit the Business Link Pacific Portal: https://businesslinkpacific.com/

In this episode, we get invaluable insight into the legal and business environment in Vanuatu from Vicki Joe, Partner at Law Partners. We talk with Vicky about business resilience in the face of extreme weather events and about proactive management for growing businesses. Law Partners in Vanuatu are Business Link Pacific approved business advisors in our network. Learn more about them HERE. Host: Emma Crawford-FalekaonoEmma has over 15 years’ experience in chartered accountancy and commercial environments globally. She started her career in accounting before taking time out to deploy as a Military Police Officer to Southern Afghanistan. In 2014, she made the move into the tech industry and is now a Business Consultant for Business Link Pacific, delivering professional development and skills training courses to growing businesses in the Pacific region. Credits:Recorded, mixed & edited by Dave Rhodes of Dave Rhodes Productions.Music credit: Alex KhaskinBusiness Link Pacific is a private sector programme supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade and DT Global. The core team is based in Auckland, New Zealand and supported by in-country partners in Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. For more information visit the Business Link Pacific Portal: https://businesslinkpacific.com/

In this episode, we discuss best business practices for growing enterprises with experienced business advisors Paul Kiruwi and Serah Nigintz from Kuna Taberia Kiruwi (KTK) Accountants and Advisors in Papua New Guinea. Also, we hear from Paul and Serah about Papua New Guinea’s current economy and business opportunities. Kuna Taberia Kiruwi (KTK) Accountants and Advisors are Business Link Pacific approved business advisors in our network. Learn more about them HERE. Host: Emma Crawford-FalekaonoEmma has over 15 years’ experience in chartered accountancy and commercial environments globally. She started her career in accounting before taking time out to deploy as a Military Police Officer to Southern Afghanistan. In 2014, she made the move into the tech industry and is now a Business Consultant for Business Link Pacific, delivering professional development and skills training courses to growing businesses in the Pacific region. Credits: Recorded, mixed & edited by Dave Rhodes of Dave Rhodes Productions.Music credit: Alex KhaskinBusiness Link Pacific is a private sector programme supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade and DT Global. The core team is based in Auckland, New Zealand and supported by in-country partners in Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. For more information visit the Business Link Pacific Portal: https://businesslinkpacific.com/