Training options for owners and employees
Free online courses
Business.govt.nz has a suite of online courses to help you start and grow your small business. These courses will help develop your business plans and assess the viability of your business idea, and includes courses on marketing and research, and managing your resources and finances effectively.
For businesses in the tourism industry the Tourism Industry Association (TIA) offers two free online training lessons for anyone to access, and another eight exclusively for members to help build business capability in the tourism sector.
BNZ offers online training on subjects like business planning, forecasting cash flow and researching your market.
Distance learning
Distance learning allows you to study from home at a time that suits you. The Open Polytechnic has courses in business and management, small business, as well as sales, marketing and communication.
There are NZQA approved courses in small business management and a number of New Zealand’s universities also offer distance learning options. Do an Internet search to find out who offers the sort of course or courses that you are looking for. The Open Polytechnic is a great place to start.
Workshops and seminars
Workshops and seminars are another way to get the training and input you need. Your industry body and local Chamber of Commerce will be a good place to ask to find out if there are any relevant workshops and seminars coming up.
The Inland Revenue hold regular free tax seminars and workshops throughout the country.
The National Bank of New Zealand has a list of upcoming workshops and the New Zealand Institute of Management has a list of courses, functions and events that is updated weekly.
Courses
Most polytechnics and training institutes offer course of interest to small business owners, and most universities will offer short courses and other options for you to consider. For example, The University of Auckland Business School offers short courses in business and management and the University of Canterbury in Christchurch offers a range of short courses in leadership, communication and management.
Your local Chamber of Commerce will probably also offer a range of short courses, as might your local Economic Development Agency.
Some business associations also offer training for small business owners. Business NZ offers training courses, as does the Employers and Manufacturers Association, the NZ Marketing Association, and the New Zealand Manufacturers and Exporters Association. Industry associations also provide useful content, education and networking opportunities such as Manufacturing NZ, the Retailers Association and Tourism Industry Association New Zealand.
- This information is provided by The Small Business Company:
http://www.tsbc.co.nz/
