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.

Series 6, episode 3: A conversation with John Lemoa, BLP's country partner In Samoa at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Aug 21st, 2022 33m 28s

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.Today we

Series 6, episode 2: The impact of business advisory services in the Cook Islands and how SMEs have adapted to changing business environements

Aug 4th, 2022 34m 15s

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 recipien

The Market of Business Advisory Services in Fiji- The impact of business advice and its role in economic recovery and growth.

Jul 20th, 2022 32m 35s

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

Series 5, Episode 11: How to protect your business in times of crises

Sep 5th, 2021 32m 45s

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 recent partne

Series 5, Episode 10: How to thrive as a female led business in PNG - a conversation with the Lae Chamber of Commerce

Aug 22nd, 2021 25m 43s

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 operated b

Season 5, Episode 9: How SMES can apply for finance and what SMEs will need to access financial products and services

Aug 9th, 2021 31m 23s

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

Series 5, Episode 8: Innovation & Digital Transformation in banking

Jul 18th, 2021 33m 43s

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 digital transormat

Series 5, Episode 7: Reinventing during Covid-19 - a chat with MiBank CEO Tony Westaway

Jul 4th, 2021 29m 7s

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 true that some ne

Series 5, episode 6: How we can stimulate new thinking amongst SMEs

Jun 14th, 2021 37m 21s

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!

Series 5, Episode 5: The PNG Small to Medium Enterprise Corporation and the future of business in PNG

May 31st, 2021 29m 9s

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. The role of SMEC.How does SMEC support new business ideas?PNG'

Series 5, Episode 4: Financial Inclusion and how to access affordable finance in PNG

May 17th, 2021 26m 50s

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 inclusion and the

Series 5, Episode 3: How does a business incubator foster innovation and creativity?

May 2nd, 2021 32m 29s

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

Series 5, Episode 2: Best tools and tips to upskill your career

Apr 18th, 2021 29m 13s

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

Series 5, Episode 1: How to diversify products and remain innovative in a crisis

Apr 5th, 2021 32m 47s

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

Why gender equality and social inclusion is important for business

Nov 30th, 2020 30m 48s

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 Islands c

Best practice HR for SMEs in the Pacific Islands

Nov 15th, 2020 29m 47s

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:Hosted by: Barbara Wi

The future of business in Fiji - recovery and opportunities post COVID-19

Nov 1st, 2020 32m 12s

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, how Fijians are

How to manage communications in a crisis!

Oct 18th, 2020 26m 56s

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 pandemic and h

Accessing finance in the Pacific Islands with Paul Wendland, Deputy Director at BLP

Oct 5th, 2020 24m 11s

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

Building opportunities for SMEs in the Cook Islands

Sep 21st, 2020 24m

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.Evelene

BLP in Vanuatu: Impact, changes & opportunities for SMEs

Sep 5th, 2020 20m 24s

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.Vanuatu was the first country i

Building capacity and sustainable opportunities for SMEs in PNG

Aug 24th, 2020 25m 19s

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

Providing business advice for indigenous SMEs in Fiji

Aug 13th, 2020 31m 25s

I.Naiveli & Co Chartered Accountants and Business Consultants are the first indigenous-Fijian (i-taukei) owned firm to be issued a Certificate of Public Practice from the Fiji Institute of Accountants, operating in Suva since 1992. In this Podc

Compliant Payroll systems for growing businesses in the Pacific Islands

Jul 7th, 2020 25m 42s

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 this Podcast,