SOUL BEVERAGES HITS THE HEADLINES


Soul Beverages, a New Zealand owned non-alcoholic cocktail company, has featured on the well known blog 'Underground Mainsteam.' In the article, written by journalist Angelique Jurd, co-founder Geoff Hunt talks about how the brand came about, what his plans are for the future, and his desire to break into the Australian market.

Check the full story out here.

Soul also featured in the latest issue of the Sunday Star Times- in their well read 'Food/The Pantry' section.

CARE CHEMIST LAUNCHES TRAVEL CHECKLIST TO HELP HOLIDAY MAKERS ENSURE THEIR FIRST AID KITS ARE WELL PREPARED FOR SUMMER

With the Christmas holidays fast approaching, Care Chemist, the country’s fastest growing community pharmacy group has launched a travel checklist to help New Zealanders put together their summer first aid kit.

Using the holiday travel checklist, customers will be able to tick off what they already have and then bring the list into their local pharmacy for the remaining items. Care Chemists will be on hand throughout the holiday season to answer questions and to advise on which items are essential for certain destinations.

‘A well stocked portable first aid kit is vitally important so you can take care of minor injuries as they occur as well as being better prepared to manage something more major,’ explains Care Chemist spokesperson, Tania Adams. ‘Having a ready supply of first aid basics such as pain relief, hand sanitiser, bandages, sterile dressings, disposable gloves and antiseptic wipes, can make all the difference. Consider the things you might have to deal with at your travel destination and try to prepare accordingly. Having the tools to deal with minor illnesses or injury while on holiday in NZ or overseas, means you can get back to enjoying your holiday so much faster. Remember, as well as having a well stocked first aid kit, it’s just as important to protect yourself from the sun and pack plenty of sunscreen for everyone in the family. Tania also highlights the importance of packing enough of your prescription medication.

‘Don’t forget about your regular medications while you are away from home,’ says Tania. ‘Make sure you have enough for your time away plus allow for three extra days in case the unexpected happens. Also, bear in mind that if you are travelling abroad you should carry any prescription medication in your hand luggage, along with a copy of the prescription and a letter from your doctor. The letter should include the name of the medicine, the dosage, how much you need to travel with, and should state that the medicine is for your personal use. The best thing you can do is prepare everything a few weeks in advance. Being organised and getting everything you need beforehand will make your holiday much more fun and infinitely less stressful and if you need any advice just pop into your Care Chemist and we will be more than happy to help.’

The Care Chemist first aid travel checklist can be viewed by going to www.carechemist.co.nz and typing ‘first aid travel checklist’ into the search bar.

DRINK DRIVING CAMPAIGNS TRIGGER SURGE OF INTEREST IN NON-ALCOHOLIC OPTIONS

According to Soul Beverages, a New Zealand owned premium soft drink brand specialising in sophisticated non-alcoholic cocktails, there has been a huge increase in enquiries about adult soft drinks over the last two months, with interest rising as the festive season approaches. It is thought that initiatives such as the NZ Transport drink driving campaign have encouraged people to rethink their drink choices and look for alternative non-alcoholic options.

‘Drink driving is still a serious problem in this country,’ explains Geoff Hunt, Managing Director of Soul Beverages. ‘130 people die in a crash caused by a drink driver every year, and a further 2,000 are injured. I think that with all the hard hitting anti-drink driving advertisements on TV and alcohol education programmes, people are starting to take notice and are looking for ways to moderate their consumption. Non-alcoholic wine and beer, along with virgin cocktails are becoming more popular among people that want to avoid alcohol on occasion, if they are a designated driver for example, but still want the taste.’

Geoff doesn’t believe that there enough adult non-alcoholic choices available for New Zealanders who don’t want to drink and thinks there would be many more individuals prepared to be the sober driver in their group if the range was wider. ‘We thought the adult soft drink choices were a little dull, so launched the Soul Virgin Cocktails as an alternative to alcohol’

‘At a lot of parties and bars, the usual choice a non-drinker can expect to make is between orange juice and cola,’ says Geoff. ‘These aren’t exciting options and often people feel excluded if they’re not sipping an interesting drink. If, on the other hand, they have a sophisticated looking drink in their hand, they are much less likely to feel left out socially. If the drink is a virgin cocktail presented in a long stemmed glass or stylish bottle, no one else there will even realise they aren’t drinking alcohol.’

For more information on Soul Beverages, visit http://www.drinksoul.com/

BUSINESS MENTORING MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE COOK ISLANDS

The first New Zealand volunteers to take part in the Pacific Islands Business Mentoring Programme have returned from the second of six trips to the Cook Islands. Five mentors from Business Mentors New Zealand (BMNZ) travelled to Rarotonga in May and recently went back to assess the progress of their clients and to meet with new ones.

The Cook Islands were the first of 11 Pacific island countries to be included in the BMNZ managed project over the next three years with funding provided by New Zealand’s Aid Programme.

Mike Ogle, a New Zealand mentor participating in the programme, says that many of his Cook Island clients have reported positive changes since their initial meeting.

‘I’ve noticed that they are a lot more focused and most of them are now moving in a very clear, new direction,’ explains Mike. ‘Of course, progress varies according to the company and the individual but some of the results are just incredible. One business owner has seen a 150% increase in sales over a six month period, another saw a 60% rise in turnover and a 30% lift in his profits.

‘Much of that is purely down to having someone to talk to and mull things over with. It’s also about us sharing knowledge and skills that they may be missing. It’s quite common for small business owners in the Cook Islands to be fantastic at whatever it is they do, whatever it is that their company is based around, but not so adept at accounting, marketing and developing the company. Once they have mastered those additional tools, it enables them to really move forwards.’

Another New Zealand Business Mentor, Terry Gillespie notes that while feedback so far has been encouraging, there is still a long way to go.

‘This is only the first year of the programme, and only the second meeting with the clients we started out with,’ says Terry. ‘I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of an impact this initiative will have on the Cook Islands in the longer term. I think it will do an awful lot of good, both for the economy, local communities and families, and the owner operators running these businesses.’

‘It’s fantastic to see that more Cook Island businesses are taking notice of the Pacific Mentoring programme and recognising that it can help them achieve their goals.,’ adds Terry. ‘So far this year, around 60 have applied and we’re planning on making extra mentoring slots available next year so even more businesses can take advantage of the free service.’

The Pacific Business Mentoring Programme, which was launched earlier this year, aims to assist small and medium sized businesses in the Pacific to manage and grow their businesses in a way that supports sustained increases in production and employment over time. It is hoped the programme will be a catalyst for identifying other business needs such as training, and create opportunities for partnerships and joint ventures, and increased Pacific exports, including to New Zealand.

Countries benefiting from the BMNZ Pacific Islands Mentoring Programme include the Cook Islands, Tonga, Samoa, Niue, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Tuvalu, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Tokelau.

For more information on the BMNZ Pacific Islands Mentoring Programme visit http://www.businessmentorspacific.org.nz/

NEW ZEALAND SPORT SUB FOOTBALL TAKING OFF IN AUSTRALIA


SUB Football, the seven a side brand of summer soccer which is already played by thousands of people in New Zealand, has started to gain a foothold in Australia. The sport has been picked up in Melbourne with around 240 individuals playing.

SUB Football, which was invented by Aucklander Bill Davies in 1998, is a summer sport, with seven players on the field and an unlimited number of substitutes. Competitions are held for mixed teams in Australia. In a mixed team, the goalkeeper may be male or female but no more than three male outfield players are permitted.

Shay Ferguson, who was recently recruited as SUB Football Venue Operations Manager for Melbourne believes that there is huge scope to develop the game in Australia.

‘It is early days for SUB Football in Australia but I think the growth potential is fantastic, both within Melbourne and throughout the rest of the country,’ says Shay. ‘It’s a unique, very inclusive sport that seems to appeal to all sorts of people from businesses to friends wanting to form teams together. The fact that men and women can play against each other or on the same team is also proving very popular. You don’t get that same level of diversity in most other sports.’

According to Shay, interest in the game is growing steadily.

‘Lots of people walk past the pitches when we’re playing at Fawkner Park and ask what’s going on and how they can get involved,’ explains Shay. ‘I think that will only continue to increase as we get into the summer season, which kicked off at the end of October, and start to do some more promotional work. It’s a hugely innovative, exciting concept and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for it in Australia.’

SUB Football is played on a pitch which measures 60 x 40 metres and games are 40 minutes duration. Players get three points for scoring in the main goal while hitting one of the sideboards is worth one point. There are four divisions, meaning that the game can cater to a wide range of ability, experience and fitness. The season runs until early March with a mid-season break between mid December and mid January.

For more information on SUB Football, visit http://www.subfootball.com/

INCREASING NUMBERS OF NEW ZEALANDERS AT RISK OF ‘TEXT NECK’ WARN CHIROPRACTORS


According to the New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association cases of ‘text neck,’ a repetitive stress injury to the body from using hand held mobile devices such as mobile phones, portable gaming units, MP3 players and e-readers, could be on the rise in this country.

‘It is believed that when someone has their head flexed forward while looking down at the screen on their hand held mobile device for long periods of time, the bones and muscles of the spine adapt to that posture and functional changes ensue,’ explains Dr. Hayden Thomas, spokesman for the New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association. ‘These changes in the curve, supporting ligaments, tendons, and musculature, as well as the bony segments can eventually lead to nerve involvement, muscle spasms and pain.’

‘With the ever rising prevalence of hand held mobile devices in this country, we are concerned that we are going to be seeing increasing numbers of people of all ages with headaches, neck pain, shoulder and arm pain, resulting from excessive strain on the spine from looking in a forward and downward position at mobile technology,’ adds Dr. Thomas.

The term was first coined in the United States by chiropractor, Dr. Dean Fishman. He noticed that more and more people were seeking evaluation and treatment of chief complaints consisting of headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, arm pain, as well as numbness and tingling of the upper extremities. The one thing that all his patients had in common was that they used texting as the primary way to keep in touch with friends and family.

Fortunately, there are a number of things that can be done to lessen the chance of injury.
‘Handheld technology is an integral part of our lives now, whether it is for work purposes or to keep in touch with loved ones, and can’t be avoided all together,’ says Dr. Thomas. ‘However, there are changes that can be made so that they have less of a negative impact on overall health and wellness. For example, pay attention to posture when you are texting or looking at a handheld device. Hold your phone directly in front of your face while texting or reading emails to avoid bending your neck downward.

‘It’s also important to take regular breaks’, adds Dr. Thomas. ‘Doing any repetitive task for long periods of time without a break will only result in cramped, sore muscles and repetitive strain injuries. Make it a habit to stop regularly and give your body a chance to recover. A few small tweaks to how you use your mobile phone, MP3 player or e-reader could mean the world of
difference when it comes to the health and longevity of your spine, neck and muscles.’

TAKE CARE OF DESIGNATED DRIVERS THIS CHRISTMAS SAYS NON-ALCOHOLIC COCKTAIL COMPANY, SOUL BEVERAGES

Soul Beverages, a New Zealand owned soft drinks brand specialising in sophisticated non-alcoholic cocktails, is calling on partygoers to make the roads safer by looking after their designated drivers this Christmas. The company is also reminding hosts to make alternative `grown-up’ drink options readily available for drivers so they are encouraged to make the responsible choice.

Drink driving is still recognised as a serious problem in New Zealand, especially throughout the festive season. According to the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand, 130 people die in a crash caused by a drink driver every year, and a further 2,000 are injured. There are around 30,000 drink driving convictions every year, and around 65 percent of these are first time offenders.

‘With all the summer barbeques and festive celebrations going on, it can be tempting to get carried away with the beers and wine and forget about the people that will be driving. However, if you are holding a party, it is important to ensure there are plenty of other drinks on hand for drivers,’ says Geoff Hunt, Managing Director of Soul Beverages. ‘Having a selection of juices, non-alcoholic wines and beers, and sophisticated, grown-up soft drinks available will make being the designated driver much more appealing and will also reduce the temptation of drinking and then getting behind the wheel.’

Geoff doesn’t believe that there enough grown-up non-alcoholic choices available for New Zealanders who don’t want to drink and thinks there would be many more individuals prepared to be the sober driver in their group if the range was wider.
‘At a lot of parties and bars, the usual choice a non-drinker can expect to make is between orange juice and cola,’ says Geoff. ‘These aren’t exciting options and often people feel excluded if they’re not sipping an interesting drink. If, on the other hand, they have a sophisticated looking drink in their hand, they are much less likely to feel left out socially. If the drink is a virgin cocktail presented in a long stemmed glass, no one else there will even realise they aren’t drinking alcohol.’

‘Designated drivers allow everyone to have a good time and arrive home safely,’ he adds. ‘They have a hugely important part to play in keeping our roads safe over Christmas and the rest of the year and it’s vital that they are treated with consideration and given every opportunity to enjoy the night as much as the people that are drinking alcohol. We need to take care of them so they will continue providing the priceless service that they do to the community.’

For more information on Soul Beverages, visit http://www.drinksoul.com/

CARE CHEMIST LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO INCREASE UNDERSTANDING AND IMPROVED MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES



With Diabetes Awareness Week taking place from 16-22 November 2010, Care Chemist, the country's fastest growing community pharmacy group, has launched a nationwide campaign to raise awareness and understanding of the disease. New Zealanders are being encouraged to visit their local Care Chemist with any questions or concerns they have around diabetes risk factors, while those who currently have diabetes will have access to advice on how to better manage the condition and their medication.

Care Chemists throughout the country will be involved in various activities to support diabetes awareness. Screening days, including blood glucose meter checks and blood pressure checks will be available at selected Care Chemists. A checklist will be available to customers to assess their risk factors for developing Type 2 Diabetes.

Information handouts from Diabetes New Zealand will be available in Care Chemists throughout November. Pharmacists will also be able to offer lifestyle tips and to answer any questions customers might have about their diabetes medication.

'The number of individuals with diabetes is increasing sharply especially among Maori and Pacific Island people. It is thought that by 2020 more than half a million New Zealanders will have diabetes, which will put an even greater strain on the New Zealand healthcare system. The community pharmacist is in an ideal position to play a vital role,' explains Care Chemist spokesperson, Kathy Maxwell. 'Unfortunately, Type 1 diabetes is not preventable but Type 2 diabetes can usually be staved off if people are aware of what can cause it. High blood pressure, being overweight and having diabetes in the family will all significantly increase the chance of an individual developing it themselves.'

'People can reduce their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by making a few healthy lifestyle changes,' says Kathy. 'For example, the type and amount of food you eat can play a big part in increasing or decreasing your diabetes risk. Choosing low-GI carbohydrate foods reduces the risk of diabetes while eating more high-GI foods, which lead to blood sugar spikes, increases the risk. Doing more exercise, drinking less alcohol, cutting down on sedentary activity and losing weight, especially around the waist will help. Quitting Smoking will also help prevent worsening of diabetes"

'Even when a person has diabetes, it can be controlled to a certain degree,' adds Kathy. 'Eating healthy foods in the right amounts, getting regular physical activity, taking diabetes medications as prescribed and testing blood sugar on a regular basis, will all make managing the condition much easier.

CARE CHEMIST LAUNCHES PRESCRIPTION REMINDER SERVICE TO IMPROVE MEDICATION COMPLIANCE IN NEW ZEALAND


Care Chemist, New Zealand’s fastest growing community pharmacy group, has launched what is thought to be the country’s first online prescription reminder service, in a bid to improve medication compliance.

In a study last year, it was discovered that 28% of consumers sometimes forget to refill their prescriptions on time, and 52% said it would be useful if their pharmacy would remind them when it's time to refill. On top of that, 43% admitted that they occasionally forget to take their medication and 21% acknowledged being careless about taking drugs as prescribed.

According to Care Chemist spokesperson, Tania Adams, prescription adherence is a problem that can seriously impact a person’s health and result in unnecessary and costly treatments, such as hospital admissions, re-admissions, and surgeries

‘Non-compliance with a prescribed drug reduces or eliminates the positive effects of a medication,’ explains Tania. ‘As well as compromising a person’s health, not maintaining a medication plan can also mean more costs in the long run. New systems, such as the online prescription reminder service, will make medication management much simpler for both patient and pharmacist. It is far less likely that repeat prescriptions will be forgotten or picked up late.’

‘A reminder service will also reduce patient waiting time, allow better time management for pharmacists and reduce the likelihood of expired medicines not being identified,’ adds Tania.

The newly developed offering allows customers to register for the no cost prescription reminder service at www.carechemist.co.nz. When their prescription is next due for renewal, Care Chemist sends them a reminder email or SMS text message, prompting them to head over to their pharmacy to collect it. The system will email their chosen Care Chemist to ask them to make up the script so that they can then have it ready for collection at the pharmacy. Customers can also set up a reminder to go to the doctor to get a new prescription when they need one.

For more information on Care Chemist, visit www.carechemist.co.nz

SMES TAKING INSURANCE COVER MORE SERIOUSLY SINCE CANTERBURY EARTHQUAKE SAYS BUSINESS MENTORS PATRON TOWER INSURANCE

SMEs are taking business insurance cover more seriously since the Canterbury earthquake according to Business Mentors patron, TOWER Insurance, one of the country’s oldest providers. However, despite the increase in queries, TOWER claims that there are still too many companies that are inadequately insured and could be at risk if another disaster hit.

The statistics are not encouraging. At the Business Mentors AGM this month, TOWER announced that around one in five small businesses may have no cover at all and a third of those that do insure their assets are severely underinsured. On top of that, two thirds of businesses that insure their assets do not insure against business interruption, and would not survive a major setback.

According to Julian Lough, National Manager - Commercial Sales at TOWER Insurance, attitudes towards business insurance are changing but not quickly enough.

‘Even though things are changing in New Zealand and more business owners are realising the importance of having their company properly protected, there are many that are seriously underinsured,’ says Julian. ‘This is often down to a reluctance to pay premiums and valuation costs or they might be receiving insufficient advice from their insurance advisers. There is also a certain amount of apathy amongst some individuals. It’s the whole ‘it will never happen to me’ mentality.’

‘Underinsurance is definitely a false economy,’ adds Julian. ‘If insurance cover is less than the value of a business’s assets, and that organisation is hit with an unexpected event, they will find it very difficult to recover.

Julian advises business owners to make sure they are adequately insured by correctly assessing company assets and keeping the insurance company updated with any changes. They should also bear in mind that the cost of a business grinding to a halt can far exceed the cost of replacing the furniture and computers.

‘It is important to remember that it is not just physical items that business owners need to think about protecting,’ explains Julian. ‘A company suffering a substantial setback, such as a fire, flood or earthquake, can take many months to get going again. Profits will be affected and the employer might find it difficult to continue paying for staff and supplies. They may even need to rent alternative premises if the usual ones have been damaged in some way. Taking out the right business insurance policy will mean that these things are taken care of, should the unthinkable happen, allowing the company to continue functioning and supporting the people involved in it.’
For more information, visit www.tower.co.nz.

SOME OF NEW ZEALAND’S BEST KNOWN CORPORATES FIGHT IT OUT ON THE SUB FOOTBALL PITCH THIS MONTH

Last Friday (15th October), teams from Fonterra, Maersk and KiwiRail battled it out in a series of SUB Football games. The competition is an annual tradition which pitches dairy giant Fonterra against two of its larger suppliers on the football field. This year the victors were ‘Inter Moolan’ from Fonterra, who were led by manager player Matt Baker.

Bill Davies, SUB Football founder says: `We're in the business of organising games for corporates and the companies they do business with. These three businesses get a chance to play each other while being refereed by a guy from Swire Shipping.'

Jane Quentin-Baxter, who has played SUB Football for the past seven years, was a member of ‘Inter Moolan’ the winning Fonterra team. She believes that SUB Football has become increasingly popular amongst corporates as it is more inclusive than many other sports, allowing men and women to play against each other. The game also caters for all skill levels, meaning no-one is left out. 'It also has the benefit of being professionally organised by SUB Football Network so you don't have to worry about the timings, referees, venues or anything like that,' adds Jane. 'You can just turn up and get on with enjoying the game!'

'In big organisations such as ours, there are dozens of people that you never run into day to day. When it comes to the suppliers, you might only ever speak to your contacts on the phone or via email. Getting together for SUB Football is great for networking and forming closer relationships with your colleagues.'

The corporate match this year took place at Victoria Park in Auckland and included eight mixed sex teams and four referees. SUB Football Referee Assignments Manager Stephanie Brown arranged for leading referees to keep the corporate teams in order. Top New Zealand Association Football referee Kevin Stoltenkamp was joined by Jan-Hendrik Hintz, who was an assistant ref at World Cup and Nick Waldron who is seeking FIFA accreditation.

For more information on SUB Football, visit www.subfootball.com

FREE DANIEL BATTEN SEMINAR ON HOW TOP ENTREPRENEURS INSPIRE THEIR WAY TO SUCCESS



– Entrepreneurial Influence:

“how to turn conversations into profit without talking it up”

* 26th October; 6.45pm for a 7pm start. Runs til 9pm

* St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont St Ponsonby

Register online at the 'Beyong The Ceiling' website.

About the facilitator

Daniel Batten is founder of Beyond The Ceiling, a results-only business, for business.

He is a serial-entrepreneur, educator and author of “How to Build a Beautiful Business Without Stress”; a commentator and writer in NZ & international magazines on
startups, sustainability in business, and sales

CARE CHEMIST ENCOURAGES KIWIS TO SHARE MEDICATION CONCERNS

In conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Week (4-10 October), Care Chemist, the country’s fastest growing community pharmacy group, is encouraging people with mental health conditions to discuss any questions or concerns they may have about their medicines, with their local Care Chemist pharmacist.

According to the Best Practice Advocacy Centre (BPAC), 47% of New Zealanders will experience a mental illness and/or an addiction at some time in their lives, with one in five people affected every year. On top of that, The World Health Organisation has predicted that by 2020, depression will be the second highest cause of death and disability in the world.

‘Sadly, depression is on the rise, both in this country and overseas and if left untreated, can have a major impact on physical and mental health,’ explains Care Chemist spokesperson, Antony Wentworth.

‘The good news is that you don’t have to deal with depression on your own,’ says Antony. ‘The first step is to talk to your GP and embark on a course of treatment that is suitable for you.

There are many different treatments for depression, including medication, talk therapies and self- help strategies.

‘If you have been prescribed medication for depression, make sure you discuss medicine management with your Care Chemist pharmacist as they will be able to help you maximise the benefits and minimise the side effects of your medication. Our Care Chemist pharmacists are also on hand to check for potential interactions between your prescription medications and assist you with recommendation on the suitability of supplements.’

On top of taking suitable medication, Antony suggests striving to maintain a healthy body and mind to maintain that all-important emotional balance. Strategies include eating a well balanced diet and exercising in moderation. This helps keep energy levels up and gives a sense of being in control of life. Keeping socially active along with planning enjoyable activities to look forward also

contributes to feeling vital and energetic.

OVER ONE THOUSAND WOMEN GET A KICK OUT OF PLAYING SUB FOOTBALL


More than one thousand Auckland women have signed up to play SUB Football, a summer time brand of soccer, every week for the forthcoming season. Interest in refereeing is also booming, with seven female referees now holding officiating positions.

SUB Football, which was developed in New Zealand in 1998, is a summer sport, with seven players on the field and an unlimited number of substitutes. Competitions are held for mixed, men's and women's teams. In a mixed team, the goalkeeper may be male or female but no more than 3 male outfield players are permitted.

Stephanie Brown, who has been a SUB Football referee for the past eight years, believes there are a number of reasons that women are becoming increasingly attracted to the sport.

‘A lot of the women I’ve spoken to have said that they like the fact that SUB Football encourages mixed sides,’ explains Stephanie. ‘That means that groups of men and women that either want to play against each other or on the same team can participate in the same sport. It is much more inclusive than a lot of comparable sports out there.

‘A lot of women are also attracted by the no contact rule. They can have a good time playing and developing their football skills without worrying about being knocked over or injured.

‘On top of all that, it’s also a great way to keep fit,’ adds Stephanie. ‘In fact, recent research from the UK has shown that women can burn more calories playing football than doing an intensive workout at the gym. Women are realising that they can keep themselves in shape playing football and have fun doing it. It’s certainly not just a sport for the boys.’

SUB Football now has midweek modules running in Auckland and Melbourne, with plans to expand the sport throughout the rest of New Zealand. It is played on a pitch which measures 60 x 40 metres and games are 40 minutes duration. Players get three points for scoring in the main goal while hitting one of the sideboards is worth one point. The season runs until early March with a mid-season break between mid December and mid January.

This year there will be 192 Mixed teams playing at Auckland Domain each week. SUB Football is also running a Mixed Competition at Walker Park with capacity for 36 teams and a 24 team women's only competition on 13th February 2011.

For more information on SUB Football, visit www.subfootball.com

LEAP IN BUSINESS MENTOR CLIENT SESSIONS SHOWS ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT IS STILL A CHALLENGE FOR MANY SMES



According to Business Mentors New Zealand, the nation’s only not-for-profit mentoring organisation, the country’s SMEs are still struggling with the after effects of the world wide economic dip. This is reflected in the fact that the number of sessions taken by the 1,600+ volunteer mentors has risen significantly since 2009.

‘In the last 12 month period, BMNZ assisted a further 2, 385 clients, with mentor meetings exceeding 9,000 for the year,’ explains BMNZ CEO, Ray Schofield. ‘This represents a 44% increase in meetings over the previous year and suggests that clients are often faced with addressing a range of challenges and opportunities that are of a greater complexity than in the past.’

‘Many small business owners have never experienced a business environment like the one we are operating in at the moment,’ adds Ray Schofield. ‘That means they may need a little more support, whether it is advice they require, someone to act as a sounding board for ideas or they simply need an empathetic person to listen to the challenges and difficulties that they are facing.


Sometimes that is all that is needed to reinvigorate a business owner and help them identify strategies and opportunities for future growth.’

As well as recovering from the global recession, many New Zealand businesses are also requiring extra assistance following disasters such as the earthquake in Canterbury and severe weather damage elsewhere in the country.

'Individuals in hard hit areas will require a substantial increase in support to help them get back on their feet,’ says Ray. ‘That is why Gerry Brownlee, Minister of Economic Development responsible for the Canterbury Earthquake recovery programme, is utilising more than 300 of our volunteer business mentors throughout the region to help small-to-medium businesses recover after the quake. We have also waived our $100, plus GST, registration fee. It is hoped that this contribution will help families and neighbourhoods throughout the impacted areas recover quickly, both emotionally and financially, and get back to running their businesses as soon as possible.’

‘Despite the hard times businesses are going through, we are optimistic that things will improve,’ adds Ray. ‘The fact that so many SMEs are recognising how beneficial speaking to a mentor can be is a huge step in the right direction.’

Business Mentors provides access to 1,600 volunteer mentors (who provide their experience, skill and knowledge free of charge). The focus of the organisation is on developing capability, profitability, and employment generation. Since the organisation was established in 1991, Business Mentors has assisted over 53,000 small to medium businesses. It is funded largely by patrons from the private sector, with additional support from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. It provides a mentoring service to any businesses that are trading with evidence of accounts.

There is no limit on the amount of mentoring sessions. The term of the relationship with a mentor depends on the objectives and goals both client and mentor jointly agrees upon. They can also contact their co-ordinator at any point for further assistance

For more information on Business Mentors New Zealand, visit www.businessmentors.org.nz

BACK PAIN SUFFERERS CONCERNED ABOUT OVER USE OF PAINKILLERS MAY FIND RELIEF FROM CHIROPRACTIC CARE ACCORDING TO NEW SURVEY ANALYSIS

People concerned about the over use of pain killers or unwanted side effects from some common medications may find relief from complementary approaches according to The New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association.

New research published in the latest issue of The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine reports that around four million Americans find relief from back pain through chiropractic every year.

Dr. Hayden Thomas, spokesman for the New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association says: `There has been a lot in the news about people overdosing on common painkillers and unwanted side effects such as heart attack and stroke from anti-inflammatory drugs. It is important to realise that some musculo-skeletal conditions may be relieved through other safer options such as chiropractic care.

`This new study shows that back pain is the second most common reason patients seek medical care. Complementary medicine is used by 40% to 60% of the population yearly, and back pain is the most common condition for which people use complementary therapies, most of them consulting a chiropractor. Using a nationally representative survey, the researchers documented that the majority of respondents who used this approach for back pain perceived great benefit and identified specific factors associated with perceived benefit.’

On the other hand, supplementation with glucosamine, a widely used approach, may not be as effective as first thought according to chiropractic led research published last week in the Journal of the American Medical Association which reported that glucosamine did no better than a cellulose placebo for the relief of lower back pain caused by osteoarthritis (OA) of the lumbar spine.

Dr Thomas explains: ‘The study indicates that glucosamine sulphate is no better than placebo in reducing pain-related disability in patients with chronic low back pain. These results do not say anything about the effect of glucosamine on the joints themselves, only that they may not be as effective for symptomatic relief as commonly believed.

'The key findings from current research indicates that the best results for chronic low back pain come from improving function through exercise, manual intervention such as chiropractic care, stress reduction and taking a high quality omega 3 fish oil.'

NEW ZEALAND’S JOINT PAIN PROBLEM COULD BE EASED WITH MORE EXERCISE AND AN IMPROVED DIET ADVISES CARE CHEMIST


With New Zealand Arthritis Annual Appeal week beginning on 21st September, Care Chemist, the country’s fastest growing community pharmacy group, is encouraging New Zealanders to take care of their joints or risk the health consequences.

‘Keeping in good general health is vital,’ says Care Chemist spokesperson, Anthony Yee, ‘Being overweight can put immense pressure on the joints, for example, and can lead to an increased risk of arthritis.

‘As well as maintaining a healthy weight, keeping active also helps lessen pain and increases your range of movement,’ adds Anthony owner of Care Chemist Northcote. ‘Just be sure to include both aerobic exercises such as walking as well as resistance training to strengthen muscles.’

Recent joint health statistics are not encouraging. In 2010, over 530,000 New Zealanders aged fifteen or over are living with at least one type of arthritis, according to Arthritis New Zealand. This equates to 15.2% of the total population aged fifteen or over, or nearly one in six people. The total financial costs of arthritis in New Zealand in 2010 are estimated to be $3.2 billion or 1.7% of GDP.

Fortunately, there are a number of things that can be done to alleviate joint pain and treat the conditions which cause it.

On top of following a healthy lifestyle, Anthony says that many people have found that taking supplements such as fish oils, glucosamine sulphate and chondroitin sulphate may help reduce moderate to severe joint pain.

‘Given recent concerns about people taking too many anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) we recommend that people consult their Care Chemist to see if these supplements may help manage their painful joint conditions,’ adds Anthony.

As well as providing customers with information and advice on joint health, Care Chemist has also produced a Pain Control Wheel. The wheel is a simple tool that helps people understand how to combine ibuprofen and paracetamol based products, safely and effectively, when they require stronger pain relief. The wheel shows when to take the next dose of pain relief regardless of which type of pain medication was taken first.

CAMELSPACE HELPS MOVE HISTORIC ROB ROY HOTEL



Leading scaffolding company, Camelspace, was enlisted by the NZ Transport Agency to help relocate the famous Freemans Bay Rob Roy Hotel building. Camelspace has provided extensive scaffolding to ensure the 135 year old structure remains stable while strengthening and other preparatory work is carried out.

The Rob Roy Hotel (also known as the Birdcage) was moved 40 metres up Franklin Road at the end of August. The entire $2.5 million move took over one weekend day.

‘This is a very special project and we’re very happy to be involved. It’s fantastic that such a well loved and historically significant building has been saved and will be reinvigorated in the process,’ says Phil McConchie, Commercial Director and co-founder of Camelspace. ‘Moving an entire building, especially one as old and delicate as the Rob Roy is no mean feat and not something that many people will ever have the opportunity to work on. We’re proud to have been a part of it.’

‘Camelspace was approached to tender for the project due to our experience in all sizes of commercial project and in particular our infrastructure experience and proven track record,’ adds Phil.

The Rob Roy Hotel is a two-storey unreinforced masonry building built in 1885-86. As it lies in the path of the proposed Victoria Park Tunnel, it has to be moved twice. Firstly up Franklin Road while the tunnel is being built and then back to its original site which will then be on top of the tunnel’s roof adjacent to the southern portal. The brick building is being reinforced and placed on runway beams just below ground level before hydraulic arms push it gently and slowly along the beams up the road.

HEAD INJURY AWARENESS CAMPAIGNER, ELIZABETH CHARLESTON ONE OF RARE FEW TO SPEAK OUT ABOUT ‘INVISIBLE INJURY’

Elizabeth Charleston, former international model and founder of THINK, The Head Injury Network for Kiwis, has thrown herself behind a campaign to raise awareness of head injuries in New Zealand. Part of this educational drive has involved appearing on TV One’s ‘Attitude’ show on Sunday, 5th September, to discuss the impact her own head injury has had on her life and to increase understanding of the condition among New Zealanders.

Elizabeth is thrilled with the amount of positive feedback she has received since the show aired, believing it will go a long way towards demystifying an illness that many sufferers are embarrassed to talk about.

‘I am humbled by the number of messages people have sent me since the screening of the Attitude TV show that focused on my head injury,’ says Elizabeth. ‘People have been in touch to thank me for speaking up about the 'Invisible Injury' that so many New Zealanders are living with. Many have shared their own stories on trying to live with a head injury or support a family member or friend with one. It’s almost an epidemic in this country and sadly there is still very little that can be done about the condition.’

Elizabeth intends to continue campaigning for head injury awareness and hopes her efforts will help people realise the serious impact a head injury can have on a person’s life.

‘The majority of people with head injuries are not able to work fulltime again as they suffer from short term memory, fatigue and problems with their balance,’ Elizabeth explains. ‘It can be incredibly frustrating as they simply can’t do the things that they used to do.’

‘People also need to understand that it can happen to anybody,’ she adds. ‘This year, we are focusing heavily on individuals playing sport as that is where a huge chunk of head injuries are sustained. Horse riders and cyclists must wear a helmet to protect their heads. Those involved in sports such as soccer and rugby are also susceptible. The key message is to always be careful and never become complacent.’

As well as heading up THINK! and campaigning through various media, Elizabeth was also involved in Head Injury Awareness and Appeal Week in June.

Saddlery stores, Stirrups Equestrian and Saddlery Warehouse offered their support throughout the week and offered significant discounts on new riding helmets to encourage horse riders to wear protection when participating in their sport.

The thirty minute ‘Attitude’ piece can be viewed at http://tvnz.co.nz/attitude/s2010-e26-video-3759382

For more information on the Head Injury Society of New Zealand, visit www.head-injury.org.nz or visit the THINK! Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/THINK-The-Head-Injury-Network-for-Kiwis/378242020990?ref=ts

OREWA MEDICAL CENTRE CARE CHEMIST JOINS NEW ZEALAND’S FASTEST GROWING COMMUNITY PHARMACY GROUP


Orewa Medical Centre Care Chemist, north of Auckland, has become the latest store to join Care Chemist, New Zealand’s fastest growing community pharmacy group.

The pharmacy is a new business which has been set up alongside the relocated Orewa Medical Centre. It will open its doors in early September.

Antony Wentworth, owner of Orewa Medical Centre Care Chemist explains: ‘I didn’t think twice about bringing Orewa Medical Centre Care Chemist into the fold. Being part of the Care Chemist group allows us to receive valuable assistance with our systems, staff training and marketing. I also like the emphasis Care Chemist places on looking after and advising the customer and acting as a local healthcare coach. It’s what the profession should be all about.

’m really looking forward to opening Orewa Medical Centre Care Chemist to the public,’ adds Antony. ‘It’s a really good site and will provide a much needed service to people in the area and those attending the medical centre.’
Care Chemist spokesperson, Anthony Yee, says: ‘We are thrilled that Antony has decided to add another pharmacy to the network. Antony and his team bring an enormous amount of expertise and experience to the group. We’re looking forward to supporting him with his new business endeavour and helping him provide the local community with a superior professional healthcare service.’

Orewa Medical Centre Care Chemist can be found at 8D Tamariki Avenue, Orewa.

For more information on Care Chemist, visit www.carechemist.co.nz

SPECIAL STARTUP SEMINAR WITH DANIEL BATTEN: THE TRUTH ABOUT BUILDING A HI-GROWTH BUSINESS


'The Truth About Building a Hi-Growth Business' Special Startup Seminar

When: 7-9pm Mon 20th Sept

Where : St Columbo Centre,

40 Vermont St Ponsonby

Startup companies, when done right, are incredible vehicles for

- financial freedom

- spending your time doing what you want, where you want, with whom you want

- working in alignment with your values, while making a difference

Unfortunately, most people don’t know where to start or where to go to get help.

Or else they simply lack self-belief, or fear failure.

That’s why this special seminar has put together

If you are starting out, you will discover

- How to get started

- How to avoid the 3 most expensive mistakes that startups make

- How to leave your job without risk – even if you have a mortgage & kids

If you already have a business you will find out

- The number one cause of revenue plateau.

- How to break through to new revenue-goals without needing more capital

Register: Email contact@beyondtheceiling.com. Subject Heading: “REGISTER”

Cost: $99, or FREE if registered by 5pm on 6 Sept

About the facilitator

Daniel Batten is founder of Beyond The Ceiling, a results-only business, for business.
He is a serial-entrepreneur, educator and author of “How to Build a Beautiful Business
Without Stress”; a commentator and writer in NZ & international magazines on
startups, sustainability in business, and sales

CARE CHEMIST LAUNCHES NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO COMBAT ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSE OF PAIN MEDICATION

Care Chemist has launched a nationwide campaign to highlight the danger of accidentally taking too much pain medication, as well as providing education on how the risk can be minimised. The health drive comes after two children in New Zealand required liver transplants earlier this year after being given an incorrect dosage of paracetamol.
To support the initiative, Care Chemist will be providing all customers with a free Pain Control Wheel to help them remember when to take their next dose of over the counter pain medication.

‘We know that accidental overdose of painkillers is a serious problem,’ explains Care Chemist spokesperson, Antony Wentworth. ‘The National Poisons Centre lists paracetamol as the most common substance in the poisoning of children under five, accounting for about 65 per cent of its calls. In the past five years the centre has been alerted to 1814 children under seven accidentally taking paracetamol, 389 of them needing medical help.

‘There were also 617 notifications of children accidentally taking ibuprofen, with 97 requiring medical help, and 731 notifications of children accidentally taking aspirin, of whom 122 needed medical help. These figures clearly indicate that people are not using painkillers correctly.

‘Different medications have varying requirements and it can be hard to remember which medication needs to be taken at which time, let alone when you are in pain and wanting some relief from your discomfort,’ adds Antony. ‘However, it is very important to learn how much of which medication you need to take, at which time. Following the directions can mean the difference between feeling better and suffering serious side effects.’

The Pain Control Wheel is a simple tool. The outer wheel shows time of day and the inner wheel shows the different types of over the counter medication. The person using the wheel simply rotates the inner wheel so that their first dose of medication (either paracetamol based or ibuprofen based) is aligned with the time of their first dose. The wheel will then show the correct time to take their next dose.

The wheel will also help people understand how to combine ibuprofen and paracetamol based products, safely and effectively, when they require stronger pain relief. Correct dosage and the correct interval between doses are essential when combining these medications. The wheel shows when to take the next dose of pain relief regardless of which type of pain medication was taken first.

The New Zealand Self Medication Industry (NZSMI), the industry body representing non-prescription consumer healthcare products, has warned that parents and caregivers need to ensure that overuse is not a factor, especially in very young children, and advises them to talk to a GP or pharmacist if no improvement is seen within 24 hours.

Pain Control Wheels will be available in participating Care Chemists from 23rd August until 12th September. On top of that, Care Chemists will be on hand to discuss any issues and possible solutions with their customers.

For more information on Care Chemist, visit www.carechemist.co.nz

172 TEAMS SIGN UP FOR SUB FOOTBALL AS POPULARITY OF NEW ZEALAND MADE SUMMER SPORT SOARS

172 teams have already signed up for the 2010-11 season with SUB Football Network, the summertime brand of soccer, even though the season doesn't start until late October. Last summer, 312 teams played every week in Auckland alone.

SUB Football, which was developed in New Zealand in 1998, is designed to appeal to groups of friends or corporate teams who want to play a low impact summer sport. The game has minimal body contact because players are not allowed to use force when taking or attempting to keep the ball. It is played on a pitch which measures 60 x 40 metres and games are 40 minutes duration with an unlimited number of substitutes.

'The fact that so many groups have already registered is a clear indication that the game is attracting more and more fans,' says SUB Football creator, Bill Davies. 'It is attracting a lot of social and business teams in particular. I think this is partly because, while the game is a great deal of fun, the risk of injury and aggression is limited. Not everyone wants to be left battered and bruised after kicking a ball around!

'SUB Football also attracts mixed teams which appeals to groups of men and women that either want to play against each other or on the same team,' adds Bill. 'It is much more inclusive than a lot of comparable sports out there. The graded competition means that an absolute beginner can still enjoy the game. As long as you are over 15 years of age and are in relatively good shape, you're a candidate for SUB Football.'

SUB Football now has midweek competitions running in Auckland and Melbourne, with plans to expand the sport throughout the rest of New Zealand. Players get three points for scoring a goal while hitting one of the try boards located on both sides of the goal is worth one point. The season runs until early March with a mid-season break between mid December and mid January.

You can follow SUB Football on Facebook for all the latest news and information.

TAKE CARE ON THE SLOPES THIS WINTER. SKIERS MOST AT RISK OF INJURY ON THE THIRD DAY OF THEIR HOLIDAY WARN CHIROPRACTORS

The New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association is warning people to take extra care this ski season, especially if they are unfit or do not regularly hit the slopes. According to the NZCA, skiers are most likely to injure themselves after 3pm on the third day of a skiing holiday . This is due to the fact that after a few days of skiing using unaccustomed muscles, skiers become confident but are physically tired, and their capability isn’t necessarily matched to their confidence.

It is often assumed that a ski injury is most likely to happen on the first day,’ explains Dr. Hayden Thomas, spokesman for the New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association. ‘However, there is a much higher risk of hurting yourself a few days into skiing as muscle fatigue actually reaches its peak 48 hours after you start your holiday. Falls, knee ligament sprains and damage to upper limbs are all common injuries that can be caused or exacerbated by tired muscles.’

Fortunately, there are a number of things that can be done to lessen the chance of injury.

‘Obviously, it is recommended that you increase your fitness before you go on holiday, especially if you have a sedentary job or lifestyle,’ says Dr. Thomas. ‘Exercising through squats, sit ups and cycling is a good way to shape up the right muscles. Once you’re on the slopes, it is important to warm up before you start anything strenuous. Start off gently, rather than heading straight for the black runs and round the day off with a stretch. Also, be careful not to overexert yourself as it will ruin the whole experience. Moderate the length of skiing time and listen to your body. Pain is a warning sign, don’t ignore it.’

Prevention is always better than cure,’ adds Dr. Thomas. ‘Just one joint or muscle out of line can be a disaster when travelling down a slope on two skis. If you take a few simple precautions before your winter break, you will stay safe and reduce the risk of accident and injury, enabling you to enjoy the remainder of the New Zealand ski season.’

KINGS PLEDGE FUNDS TO EASTERN SUBURBS EDUCATION

Eastern suburbs real estate specialists Terry and Diana King have decided to donate a significant part of their business income to local schools. From now until the end of the year they will give away $5,000 from every sale to the sellers’ nominated favourite school.

Terry King, a past president of the Kings School Foundation and a member of the Board of Governors explains: `Education is such a key aspect of life in the Eastern suburbs and so it seems the right way of giving something back to the community in which we live and work. I know first hand how donations can be the life blood to retain basic facilities for many of our schools in these less than favourable economic times.’

For more information on The Kings of Real Estate offer, visit their website at this link.

CARE CHEMIST ENCOURAGES NEW ZEALAND WOMEN TO TAKE BETTER CARE OF THEMSELVES WITH FREE HEALTH CHECK

Care Chemist, New Zealand’s fastest growing community pharmacy group, is advising New Zealand women on how to pay more attention to their wellbeing as studies continue to confirm they are more likely to suffer from the ill effects of conditions such as high blood pressure and obesity.

To help women get back on track health wise, Care Chemist is offering all ages a free simple health check from 23-27 August. Blood pressure, BMI and waist measurement will all be measured and customers will be provided with their own Care Chemist wallet card to help keep track of their vital statistics.

Stroke is New Zealand’s second largest single cause of death. According to the New Zealand Stroke Foundation , annually about 8000 New Zealanders have a stroke, and one third of these are caused by high blood pressure. The majority of stroke deaths continue to be female (62.6%) and this proportion increases post-menopause.

‘The modern New Zealand woman is often time poor, juggling both a family and a career,’ explains Care Chemist spokesperson, Tania Adams. ‘This means she often forgets her own health needs or treats them as low priority.

‘Raised levels of stress, a poor diet and not enough exercise are all common amongst the 21st century woman, leaving her open to a whole range of health issues. It is so important that women pay as much attention to their own wellbeing as they do to their family and other commitments,’ adds Tania. ‘Keeping a healthy weight, taking regular exercise, stopping smoking, reducing the amount of alcohol that is consumed and eating plenty of fruit and vegetables can all contribute towards a longer, healthier life. Women should also not be afraid or feel guilty about taking time to visit their GP or pharmacist if they have a health concern. It is better to be safe than sorry.’

After menopause a woman's risk of heart disease (including high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke) increases. The risk of developing osteoporosis (bone thinning) also grows.
Care Chemist pharmacists will be giving out a free brochure instore, to help women understand menopause and the time leading up to it (called Perimenopause). The “What is Perimenopause” brochure features a straightforward questionnaire for women who are not sure whether they are going through menopause or not. It also includes tips on different types of treatment that can help ease symptoms such as hot flushes.

Pre-booking is necessary for the free blood pressure, waist and BMI health check. This can be done by phoning any participating Care Chemist.

HAIGH LYON LAWYERS HELPS FOUR FEMALE ROWERS SMASH GUINNESS WORLD RECORD



New Zealand firm, Haigh Lyon Lawyers, has helped an all female crew set a new Guinness World Record by becoming the first women to row non-stop around Britain. The Auckland based business was selected as the primary sponsor of the team, named the ‘Haigh Lyon SeaGals,’ after purchasing the winning ticket in an international lottery. The women spent over seven weeks in their 7.3m boat, ‘Go Commando’, and completed their 3,234km journey at Tower Bridge, London on Friday, 23rd July.

'We heard about the world record attempt a few months ago and decided to lend a hand,’ explains Haigh Lyon partner, Don Harrison. ‘As New Zealanders, we could relate to the determined can-do attitude that the girls showed and were keen to get behind their once in a lifetime journey. We were amazed to learn that we had the winning raffle ticket and became their Gold Sponsor. Behind the scenes we also became part of the SeaGals support team, giving them legal advice whenever they needed it. We are very proud to have played a part in such a monumental achievement.’

Belinda Kirk, Royal Navy nurse Laura Thomasson, Beverley Ashton, and former US Marine Angela Madsen were participating in a race called the Virgin GB Row 2010. They were competing against a male team who had to pull out after two weeks due to anchor problems.

Skipper Ms Kirk said it had been ‘hard to keep going’ but they were ‘proud’ of their achievement.

Ms Madsen said it had been a ‘huge test of physical and mental endurance’, while Ms Thomasson said she would spend the two-hour rowing shifts ‘dreaming of a long hot shower, crispy clean cotton sheets on a soft bed and a feast of fresh food’.

The race around Great Britain is sponsored by Virgin. Sir Richard said he was ‘over the moon’ that such ‘brave women’ had won.

The ‘SeaGals’ raised £100,000 ($214,000) for forces charity Help for Heroes.

BOYES PR CLIENT REAPS THE REWARDS OF INCREASED AWARENESS


It’s great when clients report back on the effect of our PR on the bottom line. This is what one satisfied customer has just told us.

“With your product focused PR push we grew sales one product category by 30.8% compared with no growth at all in the rest of our sector in this category. In another product category we grew sales by 23.6% compared with only 2.2% growth by our competitors. Another initiative produced a 51 per cent boost to our entire specialist products range.

Overall we have shown an impressive growth of 16% compared with the overall channel ‘s growth of 8% in the same period.

Our franchisees are growing their businesses through PR generated initiatives and promotional campaigns. These campaigns are designed to raise our operators’ profile in their community and remind customers that their local outlet place to visit.

We sometimes just can’t believe the results from these campaigns. They help you stand out in the community, you will sell more of whatever is being promoted, it brings new customers in and gives your regular clients up to date information which they appreciate.”

SAMOA BECOMES THIRD COUNTRY TO BENEFIT FROM PACIFIC ISLANDS BUSINESS MENTORING PROGRAMME

The new Pacific Islands Business Mentoring Programme has been launched in Samoa. Five volunteer mentors from Business Mentors New Zealand (BMNZ) landed in the country on Monday.

Samoa is one of 11 Pacific island countries to be included in the BMNZ managed project over the next three years with funding provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Samoa is the third country to have welcomed the initiative. The first two recipients were the Cook Islands in May and Tonga in June.

The programme aims to assist small and medium sized businesses in the Pacific to manage and grow their businesses in a way that supports sustained increases in production and employment over time. It is hoped the programme will be a catalyst for identifying other business needs such as training, and create opportunities for partnerships and joint ventures, and increased Pacific exports, including to New Zealand.

Litia Brighouse, Executive Officer at the Samoa Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the BMNZ agent for the scheme, says: `The economy in Samoa is slowly picking up, after the impact of the global recession, but it will take a while for business confidence levels and productivity to return to the levels they were at. Sitting down with an experienced NZ mentor will help our business owners spot weaknesses and opportunities for growth that they may not have considered before. It will also enable them to widen their skill sets so that they can get through these more difficult times and move forwards, in a positive direction.’

Ian Furlong, Pacific Manager at Business Mentors, adds: ‘The things that Samoan business owners need assistance with are quite similar to elsewhere in the Pacific Islands. Human resources, business planning, use of financial information and I.T are all areas that many would appreciate some help and guidance around.

'We’ve had a fantastic response from local businesses in Samoa and have received applications from a very diverse cross section of industries,’ adds Ian. ‘As well as the positive response from business owners, there has also been strong government support, especially from Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Misa Telefoni Retzlaff. It has been really encouraging to see them put their full weight behind promoting the initiative and making sure that company owners are made aware of the benefits of mentoring.’

Prime Minister John Key announced the development of the new Pacific Business Mentoring Programme last year to provide practical support for Pacific businesses, explaining: ‘Many of the Pacific business people I have met recently have told me how useful it would be for them to have greater access to business advice and mentoring from New Zealand.’

CARE CHEMIST TEAMS UP WITH WELL KNOWN CAMBRIDGE PHARMACY



Comins Care Chemist, based in Cambridge has become the latest store to join Care Chemist, New Zealand’s fastest growing community pharmacy group.

Cliff Comins, owner of Comins Care Chemist explains: ‘The Care Chemist offer appealed to me as it means we will receive valuable assistance with our systems, staff training and marketing. Yet we will still be able to retain our individuality. We will also benefit from group buying discounts and the high profile of the Care Chemist brand. It was definitely the right decision for us and I’m looking forward to working with the group and taking the business forward.’

‘At the end of the day, it’s all about providing the people that come into the store with the best experience possible,’ adds Cliff. ‘Being part of a group will enable us to spend more time doing what we are good at; looking after our customers.’

Care Chemist spokesperson, Anthony Yee, says: ‘We are delighted with the new addition to the Care Chemist team. Cliff has a very warm and welcoming personality and is exactly what we look for in a Care Chemist. Both he and his employees enjoy interacting with their customers and helping them to discover ways to manage their medical conditions or stop them occurring in the first place. They are all very enthusiastic about their role as ‘health coach’ to the local community.

‘Comins Care Chemist embodies everything that we strive for, focusing on the customer and providing them with a superior professional healthcare service.’

Comins Care Chemist can be found at 67, Victoria Street, Cambridge.

For more information on Care Chemist, visit the website here

TOWER LENDS FUNDS TO HELP KIWI MEN LIVE LONGER, HEALTHIER LIVES

Taking the message that men need to be more aware of the importance of looking after their health, directly to the workplace, has just received a major shot in the arm thanks to TOWER Limited, one of New Zealand’s leading investment and insurance companies.

Men’s Health Trust New Zealand has signed a three year corporate sponsorship with TOWER, which will help fund the Trust’s workplace programme.

Men in New Zealand live on average, four years less than women, and death rates for Maori men are double that of non-Maori.

Nearly a quarter of men smoke, over 50 percent are overweight, 27 percent indulge in potentially hazardous drinking, and two die each day of preventable illnesses.

It’s these unacceptably negative statistics that the Men’s Health Trust New Zealand is committed to improving by talking directly to men in their workplaces.

"New Zealand men go to see a doctor three times less often than women, and men in general lack awareness of the importance of health screening to help detect preventable diseases and deaths, from conditions such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease,” says Dr Graeme Washer, Trustee and medical consultant to the Trust.

Men are also over represented in the areas of high cholesterol and suicide. The suicide rate for Maori males is 30 percent higher than the rest of the population.

The chairman of Men’s Health Trust New Zealand, Colleen Thurston, says the corporate sponsorship with TOWER is critically important to the success of the Trust’s workplace initiatives.

“This is a wonderful and very significant step forward as it helps the Trust take its workplace awareness program to more companies, which is a major goal for us,” Colleen Thurston says.

Rob Flannagan, TOWER’s Managing Director, says “this sponsorship sees TOWER enhance its social responsibility within an important segment of our society. It is very well aligned to the company’s workplace markets in which we offer life and health insurance as well as Kiwisaver to employees of over 700 companies, many of which have predominantly male workforces.
TOWER’s association with these companies makes us an ideal partner to assist the Trust raise the awareness of men’s health within the workplace,“ Mr Flannagan says.

The Men’s Health Trust New Zealand was formed three years ago to address these serious men’s health problems, and to actively encourage New Zealand men to take more personal responsibility for their own physical and mental well being.

DENTAL DECAY IS AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE PASSED FROM MOTHERS TO THEIR BABIES

The latest international research confirms that tooth decay is an infectious disease passed from mothers to their children reinforcing the message that oral health should be a family affair, according to Dr Andrea Shepperson, lead dentist at City Dental, Quay Park in Auckland, part of Lumino The Dentists, New Zealand’s only national dental healthcare organisation.

Dr Shepperson, an international lecturer in dentistry explains that the new research from the University of California published in the Journal of Dental Research shows that: `untreated decay in mothers almost doubled the odds of one of their children having serious untreated decay.

‘Dental decay is an infectious disease which is vertically transmitted from parent to child. Babies are born without the bacteria which cause dental decay but pick this up from their mothers. The bacteria become established on new teeth as they erupt. Mothers with high levels of Mutans Stretococci (a common decay causing bacterium) were likely to place their children at risk of high levels of decay. Left untreated, this infection can continue throughout life.

`We are encouraging mothers to be conscious of their own dental health because it is clearly shown now to be a family affair. Testing for this bacteria is a simple test which allows us to alert parents to the potential risk of decay. I can take a swab and tell my patients within 15 seconds if they are at risk from this kind of tooth decay. Then we’re well armed to help them counteract it. We offer a wide range of products for all ages to mitigate the risk.’

The new study warns that the bacteria that cause tooth decay can be transmitted from person-to-person, including mother-to-child. Almost half of the mothers studied and more than a fourth of the children and adolescents had untreated tooth decay. One means of transmission could be from a mother tasting a child’s food and then using the same spoon to feed her child.

The findings underscore the need for family dentists to ask about the oral health of other family members. The authors stress that dentists should encourage all family members to get treatment, especially if a child already has tooth decay, and provide the family with the preventive measures, knowledge and skills to help prevent future disease.

THOUSANDS OF KIWIS GIVE UP 9-5 FOR LIFE OF MISERY


Thousands of New Zealanders give up their jobs to work for themselves and end up living a life of misery, according to leading business development adviser, Daniel Batten. But writing in his latest Ebook `How to build a million dollar business in as little as 365 days’ he claims a few simple steps at the outset can make all the difference.

Mr Batten who is the keynote speaker at the New Zealand Institute of Management’s Young Executive of the Year Award Ceremony later this month says: ‘Quitting your job and setting up on your own is the dream of so many Kiwis. It is one of the most popular searches on the internet, but it is so sad the number of people who are struggling in business. For the vast majority, there is a huge toll on their families, they make incredible sacrifices and end up being burnt out. Yet they have killed the quality of their lifestyle unnecessarily.

`With the recession ending people are thinking again about leaving their job instead of hunkering down with something they are not happy with. We are a nation of SMEs but although most people start with passion and wanting financial freedom, two years down the track most find they have less freedom than when they were in a 9-5 job. The reason is they hadn’t prepared properly for the transition.’

In the new book Mr Batten advises that having a support network is critical and that this should include a business mentor. He also advocates time spent each day de-stressing.

`I’ve run successful businesses and those that haven’t been as good too and know how it works. In the book I show how the so called ‘soft’ features can turn into a ‘hard’ benefit for the business. Stress kills any relationship and that includes the one with your business. Remember that things such as difficult cash flow, inefficient staff or marketing challenges are not the problem, they are the result. The problem is normally in the business mindset and with help that can be changed for the better.’
For more information visit the following link