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Welcome back to our Weekly Digest.  Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward.

3-Day Lockdown in Auckland and level change for the rest of NZ

On Sunday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a three-day lockdown in Auckland after reports of 3 new local COVID-19 cases.

This required everyone to stay at home except for essential work and shopping.  The rest of NZ moved from Level 1 to 2 for the three day period.

From Thursday 18 February, Auckland has moved down to Level 2 and the rest of NZ back to Level 1.

NZ ranked the best performing in terms of containment of the coronavirus in an index of almost 100 countries, and has not had any local cases for months until the recent infections.

Changes in Resurgence Support Payment Scheme

The Resurgence Support Payment scheme was launched last year to help affected businesses when the country moves to Alert Level 2 or above for at least a week.

However, eligibility has expanded so businesses will have to experience a 30% decline in revenue over seven days only instead of 14 days.  Businesses will be able to apply for a core per-business rate of $1500, plus $400 per employee up to a total of 50 full-time employees.

Māori-specific Vaccine Plan to be Launched

A Māori-specific vaccination rollout plan will be launched due to increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 and heightened risk of harm if they contract the coronavirus.  The plan will focus on giving them confidence in receiving the vaccine.

Māori would be highly represented in the first phase of the vaccine roll-out, as substantial numbers work at the airport and in managed isolation facilities.  The Minister for the COVID-19 Response Chris Hipkins also said they are working closely with Māori health providers whom Māori have an existing trusted relationship with.

5 Key Ways to Boost Your Revenue This Year

2020 has been a difficult year for business owners.  Now that a new year is upon you, it’s time to put your foot on the gas pedal and make 2021 the year for your business.  Here are some ways you can grow your revenue this year and beyond:

Review your business and address blind spots.  The first thing you can do is to look at your current situation and identify blind spots that keep your business from growing.  This could be anything from lack of the right staff, your management style, or untapped potential revenue.

Make sure you’re reaching the right target market.  Get clear on your target market and make sure you are selling to the right people.  Once you know your target, you will also be able to design your marketing campaigns better.

Create a growth plan.  Evaluate where your business is standing and where you want it to be by the end of the year.  Set clear and realistic goals on how much you want to grow, create an action plan, and communicate your growth plan with the rest of your team.

Improve you and your team’s sales skills.  Brush up on your sales skills and train some of your employees on how to sell in their particular area of expertise.  Identify sales opportunities within your business and hire additional sales staff if necessary.

Increase your prospecting efforts.  Assume that your target market won’t find you.  Think of ways to find quality leads instead, whether this is through social media or cold-calling.

Want more tips to stay ahead of your competition?  Get in touch with us to book a one-on-one business consultation.

Get in touch

Contact us if you have any questions or want to discuss the next steps for your business.