Business North May 2021

8 | Technology key to Auckland growth T T Karen Phelps Auckland Unlimited offers a team of business advisors ready to support Auckland businesses. Auckland Unlimited REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT A uckland Unlimited is looking to the future of Auckland and it’s undenia- bly based around the importance of technology, says Auckland Unlimited general manager of economic development Pam Ford. “If there is one thing Covid-19 has taught us it’s the importance of technology and building the digital capabilities of our businesses. “There is a lot of fantastic innovation in technology in Auckland so it’s a matter of how we can support and grow that. “We’d love for Auckland to become the technological hub of the Asia Pacific region,” she says. As an example of the importance of technol- ogy she points to the 2021 America’s Cup: “That success was built on deep technology and design including AI and advanced mate- rials. The cornerstone of the success of any business in the future will be technology.” The benefits according to Pam are many: retaining our talented young people by cre- ating good job opportunities, future proofing businesses as tech based enterprises can con- tinue regardless of location or lockdowns; and attracting offshore investment and talent. Auckland Unlimited is the result of the merger in December last year of Regional Fa- cilities Auckland and Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development. It effectively brings together the cultural and economic development agencies for Auckland giving a focused, streamlined approach, says Pam. Auckland Unlimited offers a team of business advisors ready to support Auckland businesses through whatever challenges they may be faced with. The agency is the Auckland delivery partner for the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Re- gional Business Partner Network and as such “There is a lot of fantastic innovation in technology in Auckland so it’s a matter of how we can support and grow that.” has been supporting Auckland businesses through this difficult time. This has seen Auckland Unlimited connect some 5500 businesses with around $18m worth of business advice. Other initiatives have included creating an online business toolkit, newsletters with prac- tical advice and working with other partners to provide online platforms and support such as webinars. Regular business surveys have ensured that the support provided has been that which is most needed. Pam says that the Auckland business community has been the hardest hit in New Zealand due to multiple alert level changes over the past year with tourism, transport, ac- commodation, hospitality and entertainment services the worst affected. During lockdown the pressing issues were how to manage cash flow, business continuity planning and strategy. Auckland Unlimited advisors mentored business through the un- certainty by providing a sounding board. When 250,000 people in Auckland cannot work under alert level 3 the impact of lock- downs is significant. In the sectors most affected job losses have been greater than 5% in the year from January 2020 to January 2021. But there have been positives and for many businesses Covid-19 was the much needed push to go digital. Pam says Auckland Unlim- ited has been working closely with businesses to help them to go online or, if they were al- ready online, to assist them to maximise their use of digital tools. Other positives have been the way various government and business support organisa- tion such as the Employers and Manufacturers Association, Auckland Business Chamber, Manaaki, Pacific Business Trust, Whāriki Māori Business Network and Ngahere Communities have collaborated to support businesses. It’s also resulted in the creation of innova- tive new ways of working and Pam is seeing a move towards innovation hubs and shared workspaces. Auckland Unlimited spearheaded GridAKL in 2014, part of Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter Innovation Precinct. “GridAKL brings together place, community and services with a mission of growing inno - vative businesses, creating jobs and entrepre- neurial talent to enrich the wider innovation community for Auckland’s economic future. “We are also supporting other innovation hubs throughout the city,” she says. “After Covid-19, people have been used to working from home so it’s put people in the mind set of working locally, flexibly and in different ways. “Perhaps some businesses no longer want to be tied to long-term leases. “It’s a trend that is happening in the US as well and is just another way the future of busi- ness is changing after the effects of Covid-19.” Pam Ford: “The cornerstone of the success of any business in the future will be technology.”