With the ever-changing economic landscape, business consultants need to have their finger on the pulse of what’s happening at a local level to ensure the best course of action for their clients.
Baker Tilly Staples Rodway, an accounting and business consultancy firm with independent network firms both nationally and internationally, continues their involvement with the Chamber as a way to help them stay in check with what’s happening in the Bay of Plenty business community, across various sectors and sizes.
Fiona Welten, Director of Business Advisory Services in Tauranga, says having a reliable, trustworthy voice for the community is really important, particularly during times of uncertainty.
“Being on the ground and being part of those local conversations you hear what’s going on, what’s changing, and what’s important to the business community, which is where I feel the Chamber has been most useful for us”.
“The short videos that [CEO] Matt [Cowley] does, focusing on what’s happening in the city, honing in on hot topics, are really valuable tools for us.”
With clients ranging from small businesses to large corporates, Baker Tilly Staples Rodway Tauranga often sees businesses at various stages of their growth journey, and Fiona says that’s often one of the most satisfying aspects.
“One day the smaller businesses will become larger, so for us it’s about growing that Business and the Business owner, that passion and that idea by directing them to the right place, providing them with valuable advice and linking them in with the right people.”
This long-term approach to growth is one of the reasons why the Chamber has recently appointed their Senior Tax & Development Manager Michelle Sinclair as chairperson for Small Business Tauranga, a networking group that is undergoing a transformation in 2021 to better support, champion and grow start-ups and small businesses.
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“Michelle has been a business owner, so she knows well the issues and challenges business owners face,” says Fiona. “She is very passionate about helping people and although she has only been with us for 18 months she has made a difference to our firm during that time as well.”
Michelle and Fiona are also regular attendees of the Chamber’s Business Women’s Network events, as are a number of their female staff.
“We have an office of about 70 staff in Tauranga, which includes a number of part-time mums. Having a dedicated networking group for women is great because you get to hear from and meet lots of passionate people at various stages of their career, and their unique perspectives on building a career.”
