Owners of New Zealand’s small to medium-sized enterprises are getting advice on how to power up for business growth by appointing advisory boards.

Advisory Boards New Zealand is stepping out on a national education campaign to show the benefits of working with an advisory board and receiving expert advice while still remaining firmly in control of their enterprise.

A series of seminars starting in Wellington later this month and progressing to North Shore and South Auckland before taking in Tauranga will show owners how to get started with their own advisory board. Workshops are also planned for Christchurch later in the year.

Managing Director of Advisory Boards, Helen Down, says a carefully selected advisory board provides the benefits of discussing business issues with a panel of experts.

“Appointing an advisory board is like setting up an internal think tank of trusted advisors who can help owners make growth decisions and manage their business more effectively.

“Advisory boards are a perfect platform for getting experts committed to supporting your business into one room and mapping out ideas and actions to drive future growth,” she says.

Wellington-based Helen Down has specialised in growing small to medium-sized businesses through her own marketing and business development company, Synthesis Marketing. 

“Advisory boards can be powerful tool for supporting our New Zealand business owners and companies,” she says.

“We will be running workshops for business owners interested in learning how to appoint a board and the simple structures and disciplines necessary for owners to act on the advice they receive.”

One of the messages from the workshops is that finding the right people can take time.

“There is a fine balance between getting people with the right skills that will benefit the business and developing a long term trusting relationship.”

Advisory Boards NZ is currently setting up a register of potential advisory board members which lists their skills and experience in specific areas at www.advisoryboards.co.nz

“Business owners will be able to search the website and find people compatible with their business aspirations,” she says. The big advantage of advisory boards is that they are not regulatory governance boards – the owners have total control and change their board at any time.”

The advisory board workshops for business owners wishing to learn how to start their own advisory board will start in Wellington on 26 March at the NEC House, Level 6, Wanaka Room, 40 Taranaki Street starting at 10 am and running for three-and-a-half hours.

Other workshops will be held at South Auckland on 28 May, North Shore, Auckland, 29 May, with two sessions at Tauranga on 3 June and a further workshop at Wellington on 25 June.

For further information contact Helen Down at Advisory Boards New Zealand on 04 528 6218.