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Business Link Pacific Podcast
Business Link Pacific connects growing businesses in the Pacific Islands region with quality business advice. Hosted by Barbara Wilkinson, Consultant for Business Link Pacific, this podcast showcases experienced professionals from our growing network of advisors. Each guest shares invaluable insight, expertise and advice, offering a unique view on doing business in the Pacific.
Episodes
39 episodes
Series 6, episode 4: A conversation with Sonia Lea and Mr Simana Kami on the business impacts and successes in Tonga thanks to advisory services on the island.
In this episode, we take a look back at some of the most significant events that have knocked Tongan businesses, how they are coping and what kind of services businesses are looking for to improve economic conditions in Tonga.
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Season 6
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Episode 4
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24:34
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Series 6, episode 3: A conversation with John Lemoa, BLP's country partner In Samoa at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Like many countries, Samoa has struggled significantly with the pandemic and lockdowns, but with the border opening up to international guests, we see many SMEs and local tourism operators gearing up for an influx of overseas visitors.
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33:28
Series 6, episode 2: The impact of business advisory services in the Cook Islands and how SMEs have adapted to changing business environements
In episode two of season six, we’re speaking with Rebecca Tavioni, CEO of the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce, Kiesha Dais, BLP’s Business Service Manager in the Cook Islands and Chantel Napa, who is a BLP subsidy and Adaptation Grant recip...
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Season 6
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Episode 2
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34:15
The Market of Business Advisory Services in Fiji- The impact of business advice and its role in economic recovery and growth.
In this episode, we focus on the work of our in-country partners in Fiji. Since 2018, our partnership has contributed to the development of the local market for business advisory services and supported thousands of Fijian businesses. Here are s...
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Season 6
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Episode 1
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32:35
Series 5, Episode 11: How to protect your business in times of crises
In this episode, we speak to Veilawa Rereiwasaliwa, General Manager Fiji and Acting Head of Pacific Digital Transformation at Tower Insurance about business innovation and protection during times of crisis.Tower is one of our most re...
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Season 5
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Episode 11
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32:45
Series 5, Episode 10: How to thrive as a female led business in PNG - a conversation with the Lae Chamber of Commerce
In our latest episode, we talk with John Byrne, Ensie George and Jenna Rekon from the Lae Chamber of Commerce about business innovation for small women-led businesses in Lae.The team explain how they are working with female-owned and op...
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Season 5
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Episode 9
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25:43
Season 5, Episode 9: How SMES can apply for finance and what SMEs will need to access financial products and services
Stanard Wai SME Manager, Retail Banking and Daniel Faunt, Group General Manager of Bank of South Pacific Ltd talk to our hosts about best practices for SMEs who are looking to apply for finance and what SMEs should consider when starting up or ...
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Season 5
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Episode 9
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31:23
Series 5, Episode 8: Innovation & Digital Transformation in banking
In this episode, we talk to EGM Business, Wealth & Advisory Services of Kina Bank, Deepak Gupta about how access to finance can lead to greater innovation for SMEs in PNG and throughout the Pacific. Deepak also tells us about d...
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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33:43
Series 5, Episode 7: Reinventing during Covid-19 - a chat with MiBank CEO Tony Westaway
Desperate times call for desperate measures - something that has certainly been obvious during Covid-19 lockdowns, where a range of PNG companies have been reinventing themselves quickly in order to keep operating. While it's...
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Season 5
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Episode 7
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29:07
Series 5, episode 6: How we can stimulate new thinking amongst SMEs
In this episode, our hosts, Barbara Wilkinson & Richard Busby, talk to Yumiwork Founder, Marc Gerard about business innovation and how we can design an ecosystem to help local businesses, entrepreneurs and startups discover new ideas!
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Season 5
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Episode 6
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37:21
Series 5, Episode 5: The PNG Small to Medium Enterprise Corporation and the future of business in PNG
John Pora, Chairman of the PNG Small to Medium Enterprise Corporation (SMEC), talks to the BLP team about the future of business in PNG and how technology is powering that future. T
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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29:09
Series 5, Episode 4: Financial Inclusion and how to access affordable finance in PNG
Saliya Ranasinghe, CEO of Centre for Excellence & Financial Inclusion (CEFI) in PNG and new BLP partner in financial inclusion talks to our hosts about affordable finance, how to access it and why CEFI is focused on financial inclusi...
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Season 5
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Episode 4
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26:50
Series 5, Episode 3: How does a business incubator foster innovation and creativity?
Launching a business isn’t for the faint-hearted. Many hours of sweat and tears go into getting a business idea off the ground. Some entrepreneurs choose to go at it alone but not everyone has the combination of skills, resources and networks t...
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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32:29
Series 5, Episode 2: Best tools and tips to upskill your career
When it comes to future-proofing your people and business, upskilling is the way to go. In this episode, we talk to Eve Hayden, CEO at the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce about upskilling; what it is, how you can upskill yourself and your peop...
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Season 5
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Episode 2
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29:13
Series 5, Episode 1: How to diversify products and remain innovative in a crisis
Air Rarotonga was severely impacted when the Covid-19 crisis began in March 2020 with flights grounded and tourism at a standstill. With a goal to keep staff on the books (at reduced hours) and the business afloat, Anand Raj, CFO for Air Raroto...
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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32:47
Why gender equality and social inclusion is important for business
In this final episode, of season four, we talk to Kara Klassen, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Advisor for BLP on why gender equality and social inclusion is important for business.Kara explores ways in which SMEs in the Pacific I...
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Season 4
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Episode 6
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30:48
Best practice HR for SMEs in the Pacific Islands
In this episode we hear from Belinda Botha, Founder/Owner of Side Dive Munda & Dive Munda Consulting about best-practice HR and how SMEs throughout the Pacific can "bounce back better" from the 2020 global pandemic.Credits:
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Season 4
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Episode 5
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29:47
The future of business in Fiji - recovery and opportunities post COVID-19
Kameli Batiweti, CEO of Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation talks to Barbara Wilkinson, BLP Business Advisor about the current business environment and opportunities available in Fiji.The episode explores the role of the FCEF, h...
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Season 4
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Episode 4
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32:12
How to manage communications in a crisis!
Maria Ronna Luna Pastorizo-Sekiguchi, Founder/Creative Director of The Greenhouse Studio talks to BLP about managing communications during a crisis.Specifically, we find out what the Greenhouse Studio did to respond to the global pan...
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Season 4
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Episode 3
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26:56
Accessing finance in the Pacific Islands with Paul Wendland, Deputy Director at BLP
In this episod,e we hear from Paul Wendland, Deputy Director at Business Link Pacific on the pros and cons of accessing finance in the Pacific. This is the first of a series on finance so keep your eyes and ears peeled for more in the coming we...
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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24:11
Building opportunities for SMEs in the Cook Islands
Earlier this year we extended our BLP services to the Cook Islands to support the growth of SMEs across the islands.In this podcast, we are joined by Evelene Hayden, Vice President of Engagement for the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce.<...
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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24:00
BLP in Vanuatu: Impact, changes & opportunities for SMEs
The Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) are Business Link Pacific’s in-country partner in Vanuatu, assisting us in delivering the BLP programme and services to the small-medium sized enterprise sector....
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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20:24
Building capacity and sustainable opportunities for SMEs in PNG
All businesses should pay special attention to obtaining, improving and retaining the knowledge and resources needed to operate efficiently. However, small to medium sized businesses in particular have to be creative in the way they do this, of...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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25:19
Providing business advice for indigenous SMEs in Fiji
I.Naiveli & Co Chartered Accountants and Business Consultants are the first indigenous-Fijian (i-taukei) owned firm to be issued a Certificate o...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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31:25
Compliant Payroll systems for growing businesses in the Pacific Islands
Efficient payroll systems are a basic requirement for all businesses, but finding suitable payroll software that is both efficient and compliant can be hard, especially for small-medium sized businesses in the Pacific Islands. In th...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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25:42