The business intellect of kiwis

[BarBender]

How can you make it too easy for people to get into business? I mean, you want MORE red tape?
To start a business you need capital, you are not very likely to secure that capital without a sound business model. As such we can only really change the amount of bureaucratic hum-ho associated with getting something started.

With our unsuccessful start up track record in the back of my mind - I guess Im wondering if the qualities and skills that make successful business people (and their businesses), are considered when people line up to start up...AND...if the right support is provided to help businesses gain/maintain those knowledge and skills.

Just my thoughts but to use your example - a 'sound' business model (if thats the criteria) - shouldnt be enough. Business models should be bloody awesome!! If we're talking about service - then models should show a stronger connection between product and service to deliver value to both the stakeholders and customer to maintain profit streams. As a customer I dont see any value coming my way.

Agree with you - No thanks to the red tape. But I dont think it should be dead easy for people to start up a business. Maybe its about the process being a little sharper at the lending stage.

However after reading Ursaka's experience - if Banks cant get retail right, I doubt their commercial acumen to be able to assess business ventures, let alone their ability and loyalty to support them.

[Brian d marge]

I dread using Kiwi Engineering shops , BUT the ones I do I like such as F1 Engineering , ( always does what he says )

I look for;

1. Komunikashun
2. densou, renraku, dentatsu, tsuushin, koutsuu
3 speek 2 mi bro
4. TXT mi M8
5 Good afternoon , may I speak to a Mr D Marge please


not many can do that.


Stephen

ps cant change the font sorry

[Delerium]

Already had it with a couple of potential staff...

One was completely generation I (forget Y, its I). He decided IT was a glory job, despite not knowing how to use Outlook (webmail aye?) with great working conditions etc.

Fast forward a month, time spent explaining group policies and writing pages of documentation down (helps you understand how the networks are put together as well) and suddenly, the job wasn't what he had in mind.

The real difference is that uni brainwashes them into thinking 1, they're THE shit, 2, with the degree, they can walk into a cushy job with little work. Everybody older knows that your first job was a slog, you had at least got your foot into the industry, and you started from the bottom.

Uni... pfff... my degree is a flash bit of paper, they taught just about zero stuff I use day to day, all the programming languages aren't used, and I have taught myself others that are more practical.

Not all of us think that. I did 7.5 years in the air force, before deciding the mangement couldnt manage. Im finishing my degree at 26 so I can have more doors open up for me. Im now working as a delivery driver untill the end of the year when I will start to wear a uniform of a different color. I know how to work.

[Usarka]

You're a Kiwibank customer eh?

Oh, ummm no the other bank with the annoying ads.

Or maybe it's just me.

[Mikkel]

With our unsuccessful start up track record in the back of my mind - I guess Im wondering if the qualities and skills that make successful business people (and their businesses), are considered when people line up to start up...AND...if the right support is provided to help businesses gain/maintain those knowledge and skills.

Just my thoughts but to use your example - a 'sound' business model (if thats the criteria) - shouldnt be enough. Business models should be bloody awesome!! If we're talking about service - then models should show a stronger connection between product and service to deliver value to both the stakeholders and customer to maintain profit streams. As a customer I dont see any value coming my way.

As it is getting the capital is the hardest part. If you can not convince anyone to invest money in a business venture it'll never get off the ground.
I can hardly see how willingness to invest in a business that you believe in can ever be a bad thing. Some things work and others don't. Neither is timing unimportant. If you can convince somebody, or decides to use your own money, to invest in a business I can not for the life of me see why a 3rd party should have any say in that matter.

You'd hope however that whoever chooses to invest capital in such ventures are both critical and competent in evaluating forthcoming business propositions.

[marty]

What amuses me at the moment, are the number of companies that are strugging to survive and blame our current economic climate.

The fact that they are ineffecient and poorly managed obviously does not come into it.

here's a good one for you.

2 weeks ago I contacted about 7 tyre suppliers to re-tyre my ute. $1200 plus wheel alignment all up.

I went with Beaurepairs in Frankton Hamilton. 'They'll be a few days - have to come from Auckland'. No problem with me - was convenient to wait a few days.

I call in the morning to confirm, then take the afternoon off and go in. I get there to see some 80/20 off road tyres (Dueller 604's), when I specifically stated 100% road (Dueller 683's), and they said that they had the 683's there. He tried to convince me that they were OK, but fuck off, they're majorly different. 'But we got them in specially for you' he said. 'Too bad - they're wrong. don 't call me I'll call you'

So I then contact AH Franks in Hamilton - same request. Last Thurs they apparantley order 4 donuts for me - I carefully arrange fitting at 3pm on Thursday (today), and make chase up calls. they arrived monday (apparantley)

imagine my surprise when I get there at 3.10pm today, only to be told they 'can't find the tyres - they must have been mistakenly put back on the truck to Christchurch - I'll just call to check'

2 minutes later they come out of the office - 'yup, they're in Chch - they'll be back here in 3 days'.

fuck off - you never ordered them you useless cumstain.

fuck i am pissed off.

[marty]

Please, name one. I'd love to read it.

there's plenty of legislation signed off by Aunty Helen

[BarBender]

I can hardly see how willingness to invest in a business that you believe in can ever be a bad thing.

But in most cases, it just isnt enough...You need other ingredients as well to ensure good customer service happens throughout the business and on the frontline.

If you can convince somebody, or decides to use your own money, to invest in a business I can not for the life of me see why a 3rd party should have any say in that matter.

If you can convince someone else and its your own money, I dont see why you would need a third party either...
Lets hope then they know what they're doing. Either way a third party is going to get involved further down the track in the form of a customer...

You'd hope however that whoever chooses to invest capital in such ventures are both critical and competent in evaluating forthcoming business propositions.

Yep - Totally agree there...and perhaps part of that evaluation is determining whether the proposed 'service ethic' within the business they're putting money into will contribute to bottom line coin and ROI.

[Lucy]

there's plenty of legislation signed off by Aunty Helen

Not a child rearing book though.

[Lucy]

I have an idea about why so many small businesses are slack at customer service, could be wrong, it's just a theory.....

In this country we are so damn snobby about service and retail jobs, that no-one does them as a career (very few anyway). They are seen as holiday jobs or fill in jobs. I've moved to a small town and have two part time jobs that people who knew me before in Auckland and Wellington are surprised that I'm doing them, but here I am lucky to have them, and I actually quite like them. But anyway, because we don't have the respect for those jobs, we either don't do them, or we do them begrudgingly because it's a stopgap, or we start a business (motorbike shop for example) because we love bikes, but we hate dealing with the customers, OR, we have staff and don't work there ourselves, and the staff don't have a vested interest in the business and often hate working there and so the service is crap and on and on the vicious circle goes.

And in the last few years of low unemployment, it's got even worse. I was in a cafe a few years ago with someone who was complaining about needing a job, I pointed to the 'help wanted' sign on the counter, and got a 'don't be ridiculous' slap.

[Kickaha]

I went with Beaurepairs in Frankton Hamilton. 'They'll be a few days - have to come from Auckland'. No problem with me - was convenient to wait a few days.

I call in the morning to confirm, then take the afternoon off and go in. I get there to see some 80/20 off road tyres (Dueller 604's), when I specifically stated 100% road (Dueller 683's), and they said that they had the 683's there. He tried to convince me that they were OK, but fuck off, they're majorly different. 'But we got them in specially for you' he said. 'Too bad - they're wrong. don 't call me I'll call you'

Why would you go to Beaurepairs to buy Bridgestone?

Bridgestone are he parent company of Firestone so their branches are more likely to have them in stock and do a better deal

[marty]

Why would you go to Beaurepairs to buy Bridgestone?

Bridgestone are he parent company of Firestone so their branches are more likely to have them in stock and do a better deal

i get staff discount at beaurepairs. well i would if they actually had the tyres there!

apparantley 255/70/16 is an unusual size, even though they are standard fit for a Navara

[Badjelly]

Oh, ummm no the other bank with the annoying ads.

You need to narrow it down further mate.

You don't mean the Goldstein bank do you?

[jrandom]

Consumers need to understand something: If you want retailers to suck your cock, then you have to PAY THEM A LOT MORE THAN RETAIL PRICE. If you don't like it, then go to the back of the queue. NEXT! We have more to do looking after people who PAY WELL, than those who want everything for nothing. We are here to MAKE MONEY, not kiss your ass.

Would you care to comment on how your long years of experience as a Mr Whippy driver have led you to form those opinions?

[The Stranger:Me]

Would you care to comment on how your long years of experience as a Mr Whippy driver have led you to form those opinions?

Yes, I see where you are going, one wonders how DB became an authority on cock sucking and arse kissing customers when those customers are little kiddies.

I think there is public safety issue at stake here.