Local business wins free makeover

A New Plymouth-based business has been announced the winner of special small business makeover courtesy of leading business management software provider MYOB.

Manifold co-working and event space is the winner of the inaugural MYOB SME Makeover, which includes an upgrade of administration systems to the latest cloud-based software, training and support for staff, and a transformation of its office space.

Manifold is a unique shared office and event space for the co-working community of New Plymouth. It provides a space where people can run their business or do their work alongside other independent working professionals with all the amenities and technologies of a modern office, but also benefit from the connections and networks of other co-located business.

The business was one of many deserving Taranaki businesses nominated for the competition over the last few weeks. MYOB’s Head of SME Ingrid Cronin-Knight says it was tough to pick the winner.

“There are so many small businesses doing fantastic work in their local community. We were very impressed with the nominations we received,” she says.

“Ultimately it was the hard work and dedication the Manifold owners have put in to creating an innovative and collaborative space within the community that convinced the judging panel.”  

Manifold’s Graham Nelson says he and co-owner Jacqueline Elley are thrilled to be announced the winners.

“We are incredibly excited to be receiving this prize. Our vision for Manifold is to create an inspiring work environment where professionals can grow their business and thrive in a supportive community.

“Manifold is an amazing space and our start-up, independent and remote business customers are seeing some great results from being here. However, there is so much more we could do to make it really hum. That’s why receiving an investment like this means a great deal

“We look forward to working with MYOB to makeover the space and provide even better facilities for our clients. We’re also keen to work with them on setting up new cloud-based accountancy systems to help with managing the operation,” he says.  

MYOB has also released results of its Business Monitor survey of local businesses. Across the region, 20 per cent of local SME business operators report an increase in revenue in the last 12 months, while 37 per cent have seen their income decline. This is a slight improvement on the March 2016 Business Monitor, when 41 per cent reported falling revenue.

The Business Monitor also shows that 42 per cent of SMEs in Taranaki believe their revenue will improve during the over the next year while just 4 per cent expect it to decline.

“It’s great to see local businesses are more optimistic about the year ahead. We know things have been tough recently, but you can sense things are improving,” says Ms Cronin-Knight.

“MYOB has worked alongside Taranaki small businesses for more than 25 years. We’re celebrating that connection and the positive outlook ahead with a series of initiatives in the region over October,” says Ms Cronin-Knight.

“Alongside the SME Makeover we will also be hosting seminars for employers and digital workshops. We are sponsors of Startup Weekend Taranaki and those in New Plymouth should also look out for our fun mobile photo booth capturing the faces of success in the region.”

Those interested in attending MYOB seminars and workshops in Taranaki in October should phone the MYOB team on 0800 60 69 62 for more information.

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For further comment or other information please contact:

MYOB PR Consultant Rebecca Huang

M: 021 112 2720 / E: rebecca.huang@myob.com
 

Gerard Blank, The Agency Communications Limited Director

P: 03 341 5841 / M: 0275 243 629 / E: gerard@theagencynz.co.nz
 

About MYOB

MYOB (ASX:MYO) is a leading cloud based business management solutions provider. It makes business life easier for approximately 1.2 million businesses across Australia and New Zealand by simplifying accounting, payroll, tax, practice management, CRM, websites, job costing, inventory and more. MYOB provides ongoing support via many client service channels including a network of over 40,000 accountants, bookkeepers and other consultants. It is committed to ongoing innovation, particularly in cloud computing solutions, and in 2015 was awarded the BRW award for the most innovative large company for 500+ employees and placed 2nd in BRW’s Most Innovative Companies Award list across all categories nationally.  For more information, visit myob.co.nz or follow @MYOB on Twitter.
 

About the MYOB Business Monitor

The MYOB Business Monitor is a national survey of 1,000+ New Zealand small and medium business owners and managers, from sole traders to mid-sized companies, representing the major industry sectors. It has run since 2009, commissioned to independent market research firm Colmar Brunton. This most recent survey ran in August/September 2016. The Monitor researches business performance and attitudes in areas such as profitability, cash flow, pipeline, technology usage and the government. The weighting of respondents by both geographical location and sector is based on overall market proportions as established by Statistics New Zealand and is drawn from an independent survey group, which includes both MYOB clients and non-clients.