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Being able to call for help and advice when times get tough is a valuable resource for small businesses, says Economic Development Minister Gerry Brownlee.

"When I've talked to business owners to ask what they need to deal with an economic downturn they've all identified the need for good advice," Mr Brownlee says.Being able to call for help and advice when times get tough is a valuable resource for small businesses, says Economic Development Minister Gerry Brownlee.

"When I've talked to business owners to ask what they need to deal with an economic downturn they've all identified the need for good advice," Mr Brownlee says."For this reason we are expanding and promoting the advisory services available to business operators, and will be advertising further what help is available.

"A small business operator will only need to pick up the phone to get some practical advice and mentoring. It won't cost them anything and they'll be talking to people who have experience dealing with tight situations.

"Many of these services have been available previously in some form, but they will be of greater value now if a small business operator comes under stress," Mr Brownlee says.

The assistance includes a rejuvenated Biz 0800 hotline, free business health checks, and a free mentoring service.

The advice can extend from dealing with cash flow, to management strategies, the best ways of trading through an economic downturn, and how to maximise the advantages from the range of other government initiatives announced today.

Press release: Economic Development Minister Gerry Brownlee

Business Advice and Support Available

Few New Zealand firms have had to operate in such economically difficult times as those that we are currently facing. As a consequence many do not know where to go for help when they need it.

Small to medium sized enterprises are very important to the economy. People who take economic risk to build a business and provide jobs are valuable and the government wants to encourage them.

Government initiatives to provide additional business support for those in need include:

"¢ An enhanced 0800 help line giving free and immediate advice to businesses
"¢ A free business health check, available on-line
"¢ Free seminars on managing in an economic downturn

0800 Help Line

The 0800 42 49 46 help line is an immediate, free, non-threatening and personal service for people who need help. It is staffed by people trained in giving advice to small and medium-sized businesses.

As there are several tools available to assist businesses improve their performance. the help line advisers will identify the service that best suits the caller's needs. As well as offering information packs and helpful websites, the advisers can also direct calls to experts in specialist agencies such as Inland Revenue. They may also refer the caller to free assistance from a business mentor.

How will it work?

√ Business people will be able to call the 0800 number 24 hours a day, seven days a week
√ If they have not already completed the on-line business health check, an adviser will take them through it to help identify the areas where help is needed.
√ Depending on what the individual business needs the operator will offer one or a combination of the following:
o transfer the call to an agency that can help if there is a particular issue, for example the Restart programme and tax matters.
o refer the business to the nearest biz advisor working with the local Chamber of Commerce or Economic Development Agency.
o refer the caller to a free business mentoring service run by Business Mentors New Zealand. Business Mentors New Zealand charges a $100 registration fee for access to their services. From 4 February 2009 where a business is referred from the 0800 operator or a Biz Info centre that fee will be paid by the government.

o The helpline can also send out written material
o and provide an URL for a directly relevant website
√ The 0800 number is run and managed by Biz Networks Ltd - a partnership between the New Zealand Chambers of Commerce and the Economic Development Agencies of New Zealand.
Free Business Health Checks

The health check is a simple tool (available on www.bizhealth.co.nz) that enables a business to get an independent, confidential assessment of the actual position of their firm. Once the business identifies where help is needed they can submit a request for specific information, or they can ring 0800 42 49 46 and talk to the trained adviser who can assist them.

How will it work?
√ Business people complete the on-line health check
√ They can submit the response on-line to a Biz Info advisor who will send them the information they have indicated they want and/or may ring them
√ Depending on what the individual business needs are the advice will include:
o information about their nearest biz advisor.
o mailed out written material
o information on a relevant (often free) training course or information seminar
o a URL for a directly relevant website

The bizhealth website and the nation-wide Biz Info service is run and managed by Biz Networks Ltd - a partnership between the New Zealand Chambers of Commerce and the Economic Development Agencies of New Zealand.

Free seminars on managing in an economic downturn

The free information seminars will help established small and medium sized businesses understand what best business practice is, how to mitigate risk and, when the difficult times are over, how they can emerge as better and stronger businesses.

A general information seminar will enable business owners or managers, in a non-threatening environment, to reflect on the current performance of their firm and to find out where they can get specific assistance if they need it.

How will it work?
√ The free seminars will be available nationwide and will be delivered by experienced enterprise training providers.
√ The times for seminars will be advertised through www.business.govt.nz, and local Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development Agencies.

√ The trainers will be able to provide advice to the seminar attendees about other courses, many of which are free, that are available or refer them to other advisors who can assist them.

Where to from here?

The enhanced 0800 helpline, the bizhealth website and the health check will all be available from today, 4 February 2009. The new seminars will be run at different times around New Zealand starting towards the end of February

04/02/09