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.

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