Business programme backed

WANTED: Manawatu businesses seeking to improve their business performance and environmental practice.

Manawatu District Council is now a collaborator in the Sustainable Business Programme, a development initiative delivered by economic development agency, Vision Manawatu.

Ten Palmerston North businesses took part in 2011, participating in a series of workshops, individual advisory sessions and course work.

The programme leads to an Otago Polytechnic Certificate in Sustainable Practice and aims to support participating businesses to:

* Examine best international practice for sustainable business

* Map the opportunities and risks faced by the individual business

* Audit current activity

* See the benefit of aligning economic, social and environmental performance and begin that process

* Complete a strategic plan

* Complete an action plan.

Manawatu District has committed to fund up to four places in 2012, from within its existing economic development budget, contributing up to $2400 in course costs for each business.

Community Services Group Manager, Brent Limmer, said the proposal was in alignment with MDC’s draft community outcomes, including the focus on economic development and stewardship of its unique environment.

“We also think this course provides a fantastic business development resource for all kinds of businesses,” he said, “as well as enabling networking opportunities with other forward-thinking companies and providing a connection to other economic and business development supports.”

Mr Limmer said the programme was also aligned with the Manawatu Regional Development Strategy goal that by 2021 the region would lead environmental innovation and sustainable practice in New Zealand.

More detail on the programme can be found at: http://www.otagopolytechnic.ac.nz