Firstly on the 23rd of June NZ Food Innovation South Island and CDC are holding an event to help SME’s get into supermarkets. Participants will find out how to supply these retailers, what they are looking for in suppliers and the skills and support required to supply these customers. It does cost money to attend but you can apply for a voucher to help with 50% of the cost. I am attending this and therefore if you are unable to attend I will be able to advise you of what was discussed and help you reach your desired markets. Through registering for this I also found out how CDC can help with funding for businesses and am now registered with accelerate success check it out at www.acceleratesuccess.co.nz if you are not in Canterbury also check out www.nzte.govt.nz/en/how-nzte-can-help/building-your-capability/regional-business-partners If you are a new business or need a business mentor for a fresh approach the CDC offer a business mentoring programme with the first couple of sessions free.
Secondly have you received your black box????? I received mine this week and it’s awesome. sampleco.co.nz This could be a good way to get your new products noticed by the consumer and even if you decide the costs are too expensive why not register for the samples, it contained over $100 worth of free stuff. I don’t personally know the owners but from what I can tell they are a very smart marketing company, they even had me taking a photo of my teeth to compare the whiteness in 4 weeks for a Colgate whitening product. Thirdly the annual NZIFST conference is being held in CHCH on 1 July-3 July at the Wigram Air Force Museum, even if you don’t want to register for the event, the exhibition is open to the Food Public from 1pm until 4.30pm on Wednesday the 2nd July and could be worth a look, take your business cards as they usually have lots of competitions on the stands. www.nzifst.org.nz/conference.asp Fourthly NZIFST also offer training courses which are reasonably priced, you don’t need to be a member of the institute but if you are you get a discount, I have made the suggestion of a VITAL training course for CHCH and if you have any suggestions of what you would like let them know. nzifst-fit.learningsource.co.nz Lastly don’t forget I am here to help you. Having recently helped companies fill in product specification forms for various retailers, I have been hearing the frustration of the retailers that they really want to stock some products but are waiting for spec sheets from the suppliers. Why not get me to write up your spec sheets to save you the frustration, I have a couple of simple templates for suppliers or alternatively I am very familiar with PIF forms required by some retailers and other forms required by international supermarkets. |