Appendix 3: Where to Go for Help
There's a small number of organisations that help specifically with e-commerce - you should check these out to see if they can help you.
Remember that e-commerce is just another way of doing business. You should be able to get help with e-commerce from any organisation providing help to businesses (and there are many). In particular, any course or information about marketing is incomplete if it doesn't include something about e-commerce.
Nevertheless, many providers of business help have yet to catch up with e-commerce and its implications. Regardless of who you ask for business advice, ask them about the opportunities for and implications of e-commerce in your business. If they are smart, they will be able to help, or at least be able to refer you to someone else who can. If not, then you will have reminded them that they need to up-skill themselves.
Any attempt to list every source of e-commerce help would be out of date immediately. What follows is more of a general checklist - some organisations you should check out in your town. This list is mainly oriented towards smaller and start-up businesses, on the assumption that a larger business would be more likely to employ a staff member or an outside consultant to help in this area.
BIZ and BIZinfo
[www.bizinfo.co.nz]
0800 4 BIZINFO (0800 424 946)
These services provide information and referral services, as well as courses and seminars on specific topics. There are 34 BIZ offices around the country, in all the main towns. Courses and seminars on e-commerce are offered in some centres - ask your local office what they have available.
The Enterprise Awards Scheme that BIZ administers for Industry New Zealand can help fund the employment of an e-commerce consultant.
Sources of Capital Available to Small and Medium Enterprises 2000
Published by the Ministry of Economic Development, this publication is available on the Ministry's Web site at: www.med.govt.nz/irdev/ind_dev/soucap2000/index.html
Electronic Business Association of New Zealand
[www.ebanz.org.nz]
EBANZ is an association that provides a meeting ground for end-users of e-business products and services in New Zealand, together with suppliers, consultants, Web developers and other e-business specialists. EBANZ is a good source of information about e-business in New Zealand and around the world.
Internet Society of New Zealand
[www.isocnz.org.nz]
04-801 6256
ISOCNZ is a non-profit society established in 1995 to foster co-ordinated and co-operative development of the Internet in New Zealand. It also works to safeguard the Internet's philosophy of open and uncensored exchange of information.
ISOCNZ owns The NZ Internet Registry Ltd, which manages the .nz domain name space and trades as Domainz (www.domainz.net.nz).
Trade New Zealand (Tradenz)
[www.tradenz.govt.nz]
0800 737 666
If you are (or are planning to be) an exporter, Tradenz will be able to help you. They have a well-funded initiative aimed at increasing the e-commerce awareness and capability of New Zealand exporters. Tradenz has offices in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Napier, Nelson, Palmerston North, and Tauranga.
EAN New Zealand
[www.ean.co.nz]
04-801 0833 Free: 0800 102 356
The purpose of EAN NZ is to assist industry to become more efficient and competitive by establishing a global multi-industry system of identification and communication based on internationally accepted and business led standards. EAN NZ supports this objective by focussing its resources in the areas of Marketing, Business Development and Support, Customer Services and Electronic Messaging.
Technology New Zealand
[www.frst.govt.nz]
04-917 7800
Technology New Zealand has a wide range of programmes to help fund the adoption of new technology and to apply technological innovation to business development. If you are using e-commerce in innovative ways, or if you are developing a business in high-technology, high-value areas, then you should talk to them. Their main office is in Wellington, with another in Auckland.
Business Incubators
Business incubators, as a rule, provide premises and other facilities for a number of start-up businesses in one location, often attached to a university or polytechnic. The businesses are often innovative, and may be technologically-based. Often there are mentors or other sources of business advice available to tenants. Your local Council, development agency, or BIZ office will be able to refer you to an incubator if there is one in your area.
Economic Development Agencies
There are economic development agencies in 41 centres, usually aimed at a co-ordinated approach to economic development in their area. They go under a variety of names - look in the Yellow Pages under "Business Centres". These agencies are often a good point of initial contact because they will know of other initiatives and programmes in their area.
Business in the Community (BITC)
[www.businessmentor.org.nz]
BITC runs a business mentoring programme in 20 centres around New Zealand. Under the scheme, retired executives and business people offer their experience to provide help for new businesses. If there is one in your area you will be able to make contact with it through a local development agency or BIZ office.
Chambers of Commerce
[www.chamber.co.nz]
In many centres the local Chamber of Commerce runs the BIZ programmes, and it may also run other programmes of interest.
Universities and Polytechnics
Some universities and polytechnics have set up courses in e-commerce, or include e-commerce in their marketing courses. Many institutions offer extension courses or summer schools that are accessible without needing to embark on a full degree or diploma course. Contact your local institution, or use the lists under "Education" at www.tepuna.natlib.govt.nz.
Business Networks
Some of the best help can be found amongst other business people. Service organisations like Rotary, special-interest organisations like the Maori Business Network, the Migrant Business Network, Women in Self Employment, various trade associations, and many other organisations can put you in touch with like-minded people. If you belong to such an organisation and it doesn't have an e-commerce group, you could always start one.
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