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Manaaki is a support network of business experts, uplifting the mana of small businesses by helping them navigate Covid-19. And empowering us all to come out stronger.

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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CREATIVE SERVICES

Hi there,I’m an electronic music DJ and producer releasing my debut EP this Friday. I would love to know more about promoting the release and how to go about raising awareness among listeners.If you have any advice that would be great thank you. 

Question submitted by @laurenfong 07/07/2020 @ 3:53 pm
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HR & TALENT

If you have paid your employees less than 100% of their contracted pay rate during lockdown or beyond, then I urge you to read and understand the implications of this recent Employment Relations Authority case. Click link.Simply, it finds that employers who did not follow due process, despite Covid-19, will be liable to compensate their employees (current or former) for any underpayment.

Question submitted by @anonymous 07/07/2020 @ 12:07 pm
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DIGITAL AND TECHNOLOGY

Hi, I am starting a new online business (was in the pipeline pre Covid) I am wanting to set up a Shopify store, was hoping to do it myself but think it outside my current skill set, I was wondering if any one knew of a web designer that would be willing to work along side me, pay them to do the initial set up but also teach me how to make changes so going forward I would be able to add/change the website where needed myself. I am wanting something great but also price conscience. Many thanks 

Question submitted by @sl 06/07/2020 @ 2:51 pm
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HR & TALENT

I’m in the travel business (outbound tour operator) and looking at domestic pivots etc etc to reorient the business but we’ve had no revenue for 4 months. I’ve told my staff then wage subsidy ends they will be stood down on no pay as the company temporarily hibernates until international travel resumes. With the announcement today that wage subsidy will not be further extended I’m thinking it would be better for my staff for me to end their employment so they can claim the Covid 19 support benefit for people who have lost their jobs. I can then look to rehire them at some point in the future when cash starts to flow again. Under NZ employment law can I do this? I’ve communicated widely with my staff about the dire situation and they are expecting to be stood down. I’m trying to find a better outcome for them. Any advice gratefully received. 

Question submitted by @anonymous 06/07/2020 @ 1:07 pm
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FOOD & BEVERAGE

We have a small cafe as part of our larger retail stores. We struggle to keep our food costs and wage levels right. We have really good sales. I was wondering if there is a simple APP or software that would help manage or work out pricing for each dish or cabinet item we sell. I don’t want anything too complicated. Also with the 2 wage increases we need to reprice everything. Also is there a sum such as if your food costs on a dish are 1/3 you multiply that figure by three for your sell price? Or is it more complicated than that. Thanks in advance for your help 😊

Question submitted by @mvickers 05/07/2020 @ 10:31 am
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SOCIAL ENTERPRISE (COMMUNITY, NOT-FOR-PROFIT, FOR PROFIT)

Kia ora, e te whānauI run a consultancy business and we are in the fortunate position to be experiencing growth in these uncertain times. I am looking to improve my ‘business fitness’ and would like to engage a lawyer, accountant and insurance advisor. We are a ‘conscious’ business so people, planet and ethics are important to us and our clients who are often social enterprises. Ideally we would find suppliers who share these values. With this in mind, I would be interested to know if any of the experts can recommend people in these areas? I am based on the Kāpiti Coast but happy to work with people in other areas. Posting in ‘social enterprise’ but also relevant to ‘legal’ and ‘services’ sub-sets. Ngā mihiBee

Question submitted by @bee_stevenson 05/07/2020 @ 10:31 am
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BRAND & MARKETING

Creating content for brands marketing

Question submitted by @bellathomas 04/07/2020 @ 1:13 pm
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BUSINESS GROWTH

How do you pull the pin and scale without breaking your neck in the process?What are the business process and customer experience foundations that we should get right before scaling up?ThanksIsaac & Annie

Question submitted by @neon-nights 03/07/2020 @ 2:35 pm
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BRAND & MARKETING

Do businesses need signage or is it something you do fine without?ThanksIsaac & Annie

Question submitted by @neon-nights 03/07/2020 @ 1:21 pm
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SALES

How do you set sales targets and track kpi’s?ThanksIsaac & Annie

Question submitted by @neon-nights 03/07/2020 @ 1:20 pm
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HR & TALENT

How do you make your first hire?ThanksIsaac & Annie

Question submitted by @neon-nights 03/07/2020 @ 1:20 pm
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LEGAL

As an alternative to loans, we’re considering seeking investment. Is there some simple-to-understand guidance around raising capital under the new laws, which I think make the process simpler if the amount sought is under $2 million? I’ve looked and all I can find is website platforms charging fees to “train” small business owners in how to prepare an offer, for a fee, and they then promote the offer. For another fee! I’m (the GM) trained in business (GAICD), and marketing and PR (APR) so I don’t need their “training”, but I do need to be certain that any documentation we provide is within the law.And / or would a lawyer be prepared to help us, even if it’s simply checking the final document. (Although a business, we are the operating arm of a charity, and all profits go to that charity).

Question submitted by @huttradio 01/07/2020 @ 6:07 pm
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DIGITAL AND TECHNOLOGY

Shopify or WordPress/WooCommerce for e-commerce. We purchased the development of a new website and online shop on WordPress/WooCommerce, launched end March 2020 (previously on Wix). We weren’t advised to use Shopify at the time. We are ratcheting up our e-commerce – refining our web design and email marketing etc etc. It has been suggested to us that a really smart e-commerce system is easier done with Shopify (designed for e-commerce and easier to use) rather thanWordPress/WooCommerce (great if you want special design but not easy to use). Further, that we should change now before we undertake the refinement of our e-commerce. If we were starting with no website, it is probably a no-brainer – go with Shopify. But we have our website in place, and we’ve been working with it for nearly 3months. I understand that we must look forward for what ‘s best, and not focus on sunk costs – but what is best? The question for us is: Is Shopify better than WordPress/WooCommerce for us and if so why? Should we change now before refinement despite what it will cost to change ($3k or so) and the disruption to do this. Especially when we are in a critical point of recovery from C-19 impacts. Or is this something that could be actioned at another point? The context for the decision is: None of us are experts in any of these apps/platforms, but we’ve been learning. The labour pool that we draw from doesn’t have these skills either so we use self-learning and training to make do in this area. The developer who set up our WordPress/WooCommerce site/shop advises when required at a cost, but is not ‘on-tap’ support. We only have a small range of products we produce in our online shop but want to expand our offering in a range of ways – so we have much more of a store worth visiting!! Turnover is only about $5k currently.

Question submitted by @anonymous 01/07/2020 @ 1:18 pm
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BRAND & MARKETING

Hi, we area new startup company selling online ready to eat meals through our website www.good2eat.co.nz.  We are getting a number of views on our website,but we have had very limited amount of sales on our products. Customer feedbackon our meals from those limited sales is really positive and encouraginghowever I would have thought that as this is a market where the industry isgrowing I’m wondering where we are falling short. We do a significant amount ofadvertising on Facebook and Instagram but I’m not sure we are hitting the rightmarket on these platforms which could be part of the reason why we have hadlimited sales? And wondered if you could suggest how we turn website views intosales and how we target our audience in social media advertising to hit theright market?  Thanks so much for yourhelp Nikki

Question submitted by @good2eat 01/07/2020 @ 11:10 am
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how it works

1

Want to ask our business experts a question? Click 'Sign In' on the top menu to create your free account, then ask your question below.

2

Our support network of business experts and advisors will offer any advice they can.

3

Get involved: vote up relevant questions and helpful answers, and offer your own support.