23 May 2024
Last night, we hosted our first business networking event of the year, “Economic Outlook: Looking Ahead on how all roads lead to increased productivity.”
It was great to hear from three prominent Waikato business leaders; Sam Hood, Managing Partner at Norris Ward McKinnon; Fiona Carrick, CEO at Te Waka- Waikato Economic Development Agency, and Selepa Sasalu, co-founder of E.S.T.H.E.R BMC Limited and Deputy Principal at Ngaa Taiaatea Wharekura School. Facilitated by WPBN’s Chairperson, Rachel Afeaki-Taumoepeau and hosted by WPBN’s business member Riki Manarangi.
Some of the key takeaways from an economic outlook were:
- Companies need to make adjustments to maintain productivity and remain competitive in the market due to covid and inflation.
- Businesses need to shift their focus from domestic competition to international competition in order to help us achieve our objectives and increase productivity.
- taking care of our spiritual, physical, and mental well-being leads to higher productivity by focusing more on people and their whanau.
It was a fascinating discussion from three very different viewpoints which gave the audience a lot to think about as we look ahead on how to drive productivity from a more holistic approach for the benefit of our economy.
Thanks again to Waikato Innovation Park for the perfect venue, Weave Eatery and to our local business community for attending. Special thanks to Norris Ward Mckinnon for sponsoring this event.
We look forward to hosting more events in the near future.
