A week in advocacy 

Outlook for Business

This week BusinessNZ’s Kirk Hope and EMA's Brett O'Riley addressed an Auckland BDO Directors Meeting, looking at the economic and policy environment for business in 2020.  Levels of business confidence, export growth and investment intentions are all important for business’ readiness to compete and grow, Kirk Hope said.

Two scenarios for energy

The BusinessNZ Energy Council has released scenarios for NZ’s energy future.  The Kea and Tui scenarios describe different approaches: fast uptake of new technology and public transport, or gradual uptake of new technology and continued domination by private cars.  The scenarios will help policymakers find the right path towards sustainable energy for business, says BusinessNZ’s John Carnegie.

NZ guides policy on social protection, women’s professional sport

Next week BusinessNZ’s Paul Mackay will lead key sessions at the International Labour Organisation ILO, on social protections for employees, and later on conditions of work in sport, including pay equity.  Both issues are key in workplaces around the world, as more countries provide safer environments for workers, and as the business of women’s sport takes centre stage alongside men’s professional sports.

New approach to skills and training

BusinessNZ’s Rachel Simpson is taking part in advisory groups establishing the new centralised institution to replace regional polytechnics, the NZ Institute of Skills & Technology.  Objective is to ensure the new institution delivers better skills training required by business.  Rachel is also contributing to work setting up Centres of Vocational Excellence for the new system.

Future of Work

On Monday BusinessNZ’s Kirk Hope  chairs the Future of Work Forum at Parliament.  The Forum is considering new approaches to work necessitated by digital change.  The rise of digital workplace technologies in manufacturing, services, management and  communications will require significant retraining in the workplace in the near future, requiring changes to skills training in NZ, Kirk says.

Suitable approach to innovation

We need to take a ‘balanced portfolio’ approach to innovation, argues ManufacturingNZ’s Catherine Beard.  Commenting on MBIE’s draft Research, Science and Innovation (RSI) Strategy, she says NZ should invest in RSI where we have a particular problem to solve – like methane emissions – rather than seeking to lead in all areas of new technology. And intellectual property developed here should be more realistically priced to get more revenue from ideas developed in NZ research institutions, Catherine says.

Which brands are seen as sustainable?

Last night the Sustainable Business Council explored customers’ perceptions of brands and industries - and which ones are seen as leaders in sustainability, at a launch of In Good Company by SBC, Perceptive and Porter Novelli.  Finding out how people develop perceptions of ‘sustainable’ brands is key for companies wishing to grow their sustainability credentials, says SBC’s Jay Crangle.

Coming up

• Year in Review  with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern – BusinessNZ CEOs’ dinner and PM briefing, Auckland 27 November
• Trade and investment in NZ - at the NZ China Business Forum, ExportNZ’s Catherine Beard speaks on opportunities for Chinese investment in New Zealand, Auckland 28 November
• Climate Risk and Value Creation – a Sustainable Business Council workshop on finding business opportunities in the fight against climate change, with SBC and Deloitte, Auckland 28 November