Business South June 2021

| 5 David Richie, left, from Merchant of Clyde Cafe Deli and Bakery and Olivers Bar and Café talking to Johnathan Miller, RBP Manager at Callaghan Innovation and Jacinda Swain RBP Manager at NZTE As New Zealand recovers from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, there's one thing the country can rely on – the courage of its exporters to tackle new markets. Lisa Thompson, the general manager of customers for Te Taurapa Tūhono New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), loves the Kiwi can-do attitude of giving things a go. But she also believes that many New Zealand business owners, who are busy dealing with urgent, everyday things, often struggle to carve out the time to understand their vision and internation- al ambition. "Businesses that take the time to imagine their longer-term future and establish some clarity around this can better navigate the opportunities that come their way as growth starts to accelerate," she says. "We frequently see Kiwi exporters courageously going into markets and looking for new opportunities. This is where NZTE comes in: How do we help them be more successful with that bravery? How can we help them avoid some of the road bumps they might come across because they are trying to learn it all by themselves?" NZTE is the government agency charged with helping New Zealand businesses to grow internationally. This year it has signi cantly increased its support for exporters to drive the nation's export-led recovery. New Zealand exporters employ more than 200,000 people and about 75 per cent are small and medium enterprises with 50 or fewer employees. Thompson says making things easier for these kinds of businesses is key for NZTE. "We help you to really understand your customer and market so you can e ectively target them, which is critical because competition in overseas markets is erce." Around half of NZTE's people are based overseas, in more than 40 o ces, so a detailed understanding of those global markets is one of the core strengths that exporters can draw on. It’s free to join NZTE, and once a business becomes a customer it has immediate access to NZTE’s online platform, myNZTE. Containing a wealth of information about markets, and how to prepare your business to succeed internationally, myNZTE o ers learning modules, practical tools and resources. Thompson says NZTE is here to give businesses a hand: "When we get to see an organisation start to achieve their vision, we just love that. That's how we grow the economy, that's how we grow New Zealand." Become an NZTE customer today and we'll support you in growing your business. Go to: TakeOnTheWorld.nz Story created in partnership with the NZ Herald Helping NZ businesses realise their global ambition REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT NZTE - Regional Business Partnership