We are now officially a Business Improvement District, with our new executive committee in place. It is comprised of 7 voting members and 2 non voting members.  We welcome new members Dutchie Wijdeven of Brian Roberts Towing, Shaun Newman of Trail-lite and Paul Muir representing the Local Board.  We also welcome Nicky Hayhow representing the Economic Development department of the Auckland Council, who joins us in an advisory capacity. 

I would like to thank the retiring members of the committee - Greg Hicks, Ian Findlay, Rodger Vincent, Jacqui Wadham, Kay Rodgers and Anne Reyes.  They have all worked very hard in recent years to support the PBA.  It is great to know that they will be available to support the new committee as we progress this year as they have a wealth of local knowledge.

Our first assignment is to prepare a new Strategic Plan.  This will involve consultation with all members of the business community, so please make sure we get your feedback.

How is your customer service?

A business owner approached me recently keen for us to encourage other businesses to “shop local”.  In his words – “we would just like the chance to quote”. 

Always keen to support local businesses and looking to replace my car in the next few months I braved the wet weather to visit a local dealer to see if I could test-drive a car I had my eye on.  Sadly this dealership is unlikely to get my business – the sales person couldn’t bring himself to get up from his chair to introduce himself, did not ask for my contact details and failed to give me either a business card or literature on the two models of car I have been considering.  Any information I did get was solely from the questions I asked.

Clearly this sales person is unaware that women make 60% of buying decisions and they influence a further 30%.  In this case the decision is solely mine – and that decision is now to go elsewhere.

While generally the service I get in Pukekohe is pretty good, I regularly hear stories of poor service – one of the most common is “I can’t help you we are closing now”. 

No matter how much we encourage shoppers and business owners to do business locally we cannot expect them to do so if the service is poor.  Many will not give you a second chance.

I’d much rather hear about great service – so if you have a great experience let us know and we will print it in our next newsletter. 

Don’t forget to put our next Business After 5 event on your diary… I’m looking forward to seeing you there.