Shift Happens
Amanda Fleming - one of Aotearoa’s most respected transformational facilitators - is offering three exclusive half-day workshops in Ōamaru. Designed for busy people who want real tools and big gains, these short-format sessions deliver deep insight, practical skills and the chance to reset with purpose. Places are limited. Don’t miss out.
Introducing - Mini Momentum Builders
NEW! Half-day workshops with Amanda Fleming
“Loved Amanda’s full-day and multi-day intensives? These half-day formats are your chance to top up, reconnect, or dive in for the first time — in bite-sized bursts.”
If you’re already familiar with Amanda Fleming’s work, you’ll recognise this as the win it is.
If you’re not already familiar with her, Amanda is one of New Zealand’s leading transformational facilitators - best known in Waitaki for her organisational facilitation and multi-day intensives that have helped people develop the kinds of interpersonal skills that make high achievers and changemakers deeply effective.
These skills have never been more in demand and Amanda’s 2025-26 schedule is packed.
So, we’re thrilled to have now secured a small handful of half-day session, thanks to her ongoing commitment to local capability building.
Carefully curated and intentionally short, these high-impact sessions offer deep access to the foundations of Amanda’s work - authentic personal development in practice.
You have three distinct chances to learn, grow and reset:
AUGUST 19 - Rolling with the Punches
Staying Steady in a Shifting WorldSEPTEMBER 9 - Pain-Free Presenting (Part One)
The Confidence BuildOCTOBER 21 - Pain-Free Presenting (Part Two)
The Competence Build
We’re hoping more will follow in 2026 - but if you’ve ever thought “I should do one of Amanda’s workshops”, seize this moment, now.
Short sessions. Big gains. Only in Ōamaru.
Shorter formats make places strictly limited. Reserve your space now.
Not all business networking is created equal
Business networking that works - check out our three types of regular networking events and choose which one (or all) that work(s) for you:
The Exchange - Purposeful networking with themed speaker
Industry Co-Labs - connect with others in your industry
BNI - structured referrals
We all know business networking can be a powerful tool for growth—but only when it’s done right.
Too often, it’s reduced to small talk and business cards, with little follow-through or value. Worse, sometimes it’s not even that, but rather an obligation to show up and observe the usual cliques being cliquey.
We believe good networking is about something more: connection, relevance and shared purpose.
That’s why we offer a variety of business networking options, designed to suit different styles and goals.
Exchange: the power of purposeful connection
Our monthly Exchange event is built for those who want more than a handshake and a hello. Held in The Bank, Exchange is a relaxed, after-work event that blends genuine connection with expert insights.
Each month, we invite a local speaker to share their experience or market knowledge, followed by time to ask questions, meet others and explore opportunities.
It’s not about selling—it’s about learning, sharing and moving your business forward with the support of others in the same boat.
BNI: structured referrals that get results
We’re also proud to initiate a local chapter of BNI (Business Network International), the world’s largest structured networking organisation.
BNI is ideal for business owners who want a clear system for referrals, strong accountability and weekly momentum. With over 38 years of results behind it, BNI helps members grow through regular connection, shared goals and a 'giver’s gain' approach.
It’s a format that works—especially for those who thrive on consistency and structure.
Industry Co-Labs: connect with people who get it
Sometimes, you just want to talk to someone who understands your industry.
Industry Co-Labs are informal, sector-based sessions where you can swap stories, test ideas and ask the questions that only peers will understand. It’s a chance to meet others in your field, stay across trends and find potential collaborators—without the pressure of a pitch.
Why it matters
Not all networking event types work for everyone—and that’s okay.
You might not feel super confident about business networking, quite possibly because you’ve had a poor experience or have been given a fixed idea of what it’s “supposed to be”.
We’ve come to understand that a good experience usually comes down to a few key ingredients:
Clear expectations about the type of event you're attending
Good hosting, so you're not left standing around looking at cliques
Recognition that there isn't one right way, you just need to be yourself
Whether you're looking for leads, knowledge or connection, our networking line-up gives you the chance to show up in a way that feels authentic and worthwhile.
Done well, networking can change the course of a business. It’s how we find new opportunities, gain perspective and remember that we’re not doing this alone.
Grow Your Business in 2025 BNI-Style
BNI is the most effective networking organisation we have come across, by far. We’re looking to form a group here in Waitaki and looking for people who great at what they do, focused on growing their business and looking for new opportunities locally. Find out more here.
About a thousand years ago, when I first went out on my own as a copywriter in the UK, I joined a networking organisation that within a year, produced 90% of my revenue. Now I’m going to introduce that organisation to you.
Regular revenue wasn’t the only benefit I gained. I got to work in new ways that developed my craft and I got outstanding business advice that helped me increase my charge-out rate AND my overall profitability.
I was a business of one.
Some people in the group came from far bigger businesses.
All of us turned up week after week because it was REALLY good for business.
Returning to New Zealand I tried some different networking groups - women’s ones, informal ones, breakaway versions of the one I joined in the UK but ultimately the only one that reliably worked for me home in NZ was the one I first found in the UK - BNI.
What I came to recognise is that over four decades, all around the world, across vastly different cultures (including over 25 years in New Zealand), BNI has stuck to its knitting because it works.
It works to grow businesses.
It works to grow expertise.
It works to support incredible connections.
I know from experience that BNI is not a magic bullet for everyone.
But if you’re the sort of person who does what you say you will, are good at what you do, are focussed on growing your business and looking for some new opportunities - it could be for you.
If you’d like to know more, fill out the form below and I’ll be in touch.
Professional Workspaces Useful to Businesses
Remote working has a whole range of benefits. Post-pandemic numbers of people ‘working from home’ are still multiple times higher than pre-pandemic. But working from home has its down-sides. Coworking may be the real hybrid solution you’re after.
The era of remote working is far from over. With increasing cost pressures on businesses and workers, real estate costs could be a huge factor in how and where we work in the future.
Last month, Apollo Technical reviewed the work-from-home trend and concluded that it’s here to stay. It’s fair to say that some of the data they cited dates back to 2020 and 2021 which we have to recognise as peak work-from-home era thanks to old mate, global pandemic.
Headlines towards the end of last year captured the might of big global companies forcing workers to return to the office including Amazon, Microsoft, Disney, UPS, Boeing, Google, Meta and Zoom (yes, that video communications company, Zoom).
Look a little closer and those headlines generally referred to a two or three-day-a-week return, not a full-time return, making hybrid working (partly remote, partly on-site) increasingly common.
In NZ, Seek’s stats showed 8.9% of Kiwi job ads indicated that the role could be done from home. Pre-pandemic, very few of us worked from home. The industry breakdown of remote workers is as you’d expect - white collar desk-based workers by far leading the trend.
What is more interesting for regional towns like ours is that InternetNZ’s Internet Insights Survey at about the same time, suggested that half of Kiwis whose jobs allow work-from-home would consider moving somewhere if they could relocate their current job.
Turns out, New Zealand is the top destination for digital nomads in Australia. A digital nomad is someone who has the ability to work from anywhere. We are still the world’s best country for life-work balance according to Remote’s ranking of the world’s top 60 GDP countries. We have at least one digital nomad working from our place regularly, their employer being off-shore.
Hybrid working (being part-time office-based) may not easily work for people based in Ōamaru if the company is in Auckland but hey, if they’re in Dunedin or Timaru - at least a day a week here in town with us makes sense for both parties in terms of cost and travel time (that’s productivity, right there).
We’ve also hosted many people who are managing to move between towns and cities on at least a semi-regular basis. There’s no question that Waitaki offers a host of attractions that benefits remote workers who can be paid city-rates and enjoy the best of what our region has to offer.
Another group of our regulars live just far enough outside of town that they have to rely on expensive rural or satellite internet. That won’t last forever (the pricing will get increasingly competitive) but in the meantime, a membership at our place is a fraction of the cost, more reliable and likely, faster.
We’ve looked into it and there’s easily ten good reasons people here and everywhere choose to work out of places like ours - and that’s before you even factor in company’s ongoing operatoinal costs. Check them out.
Increased Productivity
Coworking environments often lead to higher productivity levels. The presence of others working alongside you can create a motivating atmosphere and reduce distractions.Enhanced Focus
The structured environment of a coworking space helps improve concentration. With dedicated areas for focused work and professional surroundings, it becomes easier to stay on task.Boosted Creativity
Collaboration and idea-sharing in coworking spaces can spark creativity. Diverse perspectives and spontaneous brainstorming sessions often lead to innovative solutions and new ideas.Networking Opportunities
Coworking spaces provide access to a broad network of professionals. This networking can lead to valuable connections, partnerships and business opportunities.Reduced Feelings of Isolation
Working alone can be isolating. Coworking spaces offer a sense of community and interaction, helping to combat loneliness and create a supportive work environment.Access to Resources and Amenities
Coworking spaces often come with professional amenities like high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and office equipment. These resources enhance your work experience without the overhead costs.Cost-Effective Solutions
Renting space in a coworking environment is typically more affordable than maintaining a private office - even one at home. It offers flexible plans and scalability, reducing operational costs.Work-Life Balance
Coworking spaces help maintain a clear boundary between work and personal life. The professional setting aids in creating a routine and a clear separation from home responsibilities.Opportunities for Learning and Development
Many coworking spaces offer workshops, events, and networking activities that can contribute to personal and professional growth. This fosters continuous learning and skill development.Increased Flexibility
Coworking spaces often provide flexible membership plans, allowing you to choose the level of access that suits your needs. This flexibility helps accommodate various work styles and schedules.
So if any of that sounds like a little bit of what you need, check out our website and talk to us. The way we work has changed. A professional environment is a real asset - it just doesn’t have to be in the same place as the company or even in the same place all the time. Can your business afford not to be flexible?
Microsoft Skills Training
If you or someone in your team needs some help to become more proficient with Microsoft tools, we may have the solution for you. Local training that saves you money? Check it out here.
Training staff definitely costs but possibly not as much as the productivity deficit when your team isn’t using their tools most efficiently. That’s why we’ve found a trainer who is willing to come to Oamaru to deliver first class Microsoft skills training.
All we have to do is put enough people in the room to make it worth their while. So, if you or someone in your team needs to upskill, let us know using the form below.
Once we get an idea of who needs what, we can start to put together a training plan that will save everyone a bit of coin.
Industry Co-Labs
The Business Hive is launching a series of Industry Co-Labs to give local and independent businesses the opportunity to network with allied professionals in your industry.
Let us know what industry you’re interested in connecting with, and we’ll get you connected.
The Business Hive is launching a series of Industry Co-Labs to give local and independent businesses the opportunity to network with allied professionals in your industry. Knowing who does (and doesn't) do what is a huge asset when you're looking for a partner in a project, or a (sub)contractor with a specific skill set.
So, let us know what industry you’re in and interested in connecting with, and we’ll keep you in the loop!
Young Enterprise Scheme
We’re inviting community to help support our young people who undertake the Young Enterprise Scheme programme which gives them a chance to start and run a business during the school year.
Learn about the programme and how you could get involved here.
On Thursday 26th October we hosted a community discussion around the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) - a programme that’s been running for 40 years, usually via New Zealand high schools.
It’s a programme that our local schools have found difficult to reliably deliver in Waitaki. We get it, regional schools have to ‘cut their cloth’ with their resources which affects the programmes they can provide. And, let’s face it - if business isn’t your passion, it’s always going to be harder to inspire young people to push through the hard bits that we all experience.
YES is not an academic exercise (although it can give academic credits). It's a real-world business opportunity and we can help our youth succeed with wrap around support - that means you!
Which is why we hosted that community discussion - to see if our community has an appetite for supporting the YES programme more directly.
Gratifyingly, everyone in the room was willing to get involved and support YES in our schools. BUT, it has to be said, there were no young people in attendance.
As a community, I have no doubt that we can help drive an enterprising spirit in our young people; already lots of good ideas were mentioned. The question has to be how important is it to us, to do this?
YES provides our young people with an opportunity to learn about business and gain a bunch of essential skills along the way. They won’t all succeed. Some of them will drop out. Every one of them will learn something about the world and themselves. Some might be exceptional.
So without pressure, we’re asking you to tell us what you are happy to do, to help develop young entrepreneurs locally - all the while knowing it’s all (ultimately) in their hands to try and / or succeed.
Download a summation of our discussion here. Tell us if and how you want to be involved by taking our survey here.
Every generation has the same complaints about the newest one… plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose!
Career Catalyst - Igniting Career Potential
Struggling to find suitably skilled people? So are many. We know they’re out there but it is time to look harder at what people can offer. Join us for this expert presentation on how to find the hidden talent in your job applicants as well as your existing team.
Let’s talk about talent, the very real competition for it in Waitaki at the moment and how we can more effectively unlock the potential in our existing community.
Three things happened in close succession in August.
Business South’s Waitaki Pathways Leadership Breakfast had schools, businesses and agencies gather to discuss ways to attract talent to a hugely diverse range of sectors, now and in the near future.
Waitaki App’s survey of 42 job listings on Waitaki App indicated that just three vacancies had found their perfect matches.
Infometrics released the June 2023 quarter employment data for Waitaki.
Bottom line, recruitment relief is nowhere in sight - check out the data below.
We all know that doing the same thing and expecting a different result doesn’t work. We’ve got to look harder for the hidden gold in the people we have!
That’s why we’ve asked Jenny Bean, Ōamaru’s only professional Career Development Association of New Zealand (CDANZ) member, to lend us her expertise and help us understand how to uncover hidden capability in candidates’ as well as existing employees’ CVs.
This will be a fast-paced presentation followed by an informal Q&A. We’re so pleased Jenny’s agreed to do this for us - don’t miss this opportunity.
Introducing…
Career Catalyst: Igniting Career Potential
This is a one-hour expert presentation designed to empower local businesses and local people to unlock their own and others’ hidden potential.
What You'll Gain:
Learn how to identify the career potential in yourself, your existing team and job applicants.
Discover the strategies to better recognise as well as present indicators of hidden potential.
Understand how to harness principles of career development to elevate your own, your team member’s or your loved ones’ pitch for that new role or promotion.
Who Should Attend:
This presentation is a must for employers, employees, parents and young people alike. Whether you're seeking to support your team’s growth, advance your career or more effectively guide your child's career journey, this session is for you.
Join Us for the Presentation:
DATE: Tuesday 5th September
TIME: 5.15pm
VENUE: The Business Hive, 120 Thames St, Ōamaru
Don't miss this opportunity to ignite the career potential in the people you have and more effectively source the people you need!
Jenny Bean
MIntSec (Distinction), BA, Dip, MBTI Practitioner, Hogan’s Interpreter, CDANZ Professional
Jenny’s trade and passion is developing people – changing the way people think, how they behave and the results they get in their lives.
Her expertise lies in talent management and talent development, with over 20 years’ experience in career coaching, career assessment and group facilitation work. She is excited by developing strong and thriving organisational and team cultures, working with organisations in change and helping people in transition.
Her credentials include a Master's degree in international security (with Distinction), a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Sociology), a Diploma in Career Guidance at Level 6 and a National Certificate in First Line Management at Level 4 and a whole bunch of other really cool stuff.
Jenny is additionally a certified MBTI® Practitioner, a qualified Hogan's Interpreter and a professional member of the Career Development Association of New Zealand (CDANZ).
She loves being back in Oamaru with her family and of being of service to the community.
Infometrics’ key employment indicators.
In Waitaki, employment growth surged by 3.1% year on year, outpacing the national trend (2.6%). Our unemployment rate of just 2.4% is at a near 10-year low, well below the national average (3.4%), while jobseeker support recipients have dropped 12% in Waitaki, reflecting a national trend but at almost double the pace (6.6% reduction nationally). Prefer images? See the data below.
For the full story, click here.
Employment growth outpaces the national average.
Unemployment sits well below the national average.
Jobseeker support recipients reduced by almost double the national average.
The future is literally... in your hands! With the robots at your fingertips!
Let's chat Chat GPT. If you haven't heard of it, it's the Artificial Intelligence (AI) rock star of the moment… and it’s already changed your actual world (not just the way you view it).
Brace yourself, the speed of evolution is going to be epic.
Let's chat ChatGPT. If you haven't heard of it, it's the Artificial Intelligence (AI) rock star of the moment… and it intends to, is about to, has already changed your actual world (not just the way you view it).
We’ve been playing with ChatGPT for a while now and by playing, I mean refining our questioning skills.
Simply put, it is the current AI leader in a class of at least 31. That class will very quickly become a class of many, many, many. Brace yourself, the speed of evolution is going to be epic.
Why should we care about AI? It’s been coming since forever…
We should care because the future is right here in our hot little hands now… and it’s a time and money spinner!
Today, chatting with one of our fabulous Hive members, we wondered if it could write grant applications.
Together, we posed the first question by typing in the following;
"Can you write a grant for lotteries for [charitable cause] funding in Waitaki?"
Response "As an AI language model, I can provide guidance on how to write a grant proposal, but I cannot write the proposal for you. Here are the general steps you can take to write a proposal for funding…"
That was a “no”, then. But as I mentioned, I’ve been “playing”… Second question;
"[charitable cause website url] can you write a proposal for money?"
Same response.
Third question;
"What's a good argument for funding for [charitable cause website url]?"
And boom;
"There are many compelling arguments for funding [charitable cause name]. Here are a few:..."
And it wrote seven, coherent and compelling reasons.
Then I asked it for statistics.
It gave me some.
Then I asked it for references for those statistics.
It broke.
Temporarily.
A couple of minutes later I tried again. It gave me five. Four from the website I'd provided and one from another site.
Better than your average 12 year old? Yes..
Better than your average over-worked, not-for-profit grant application writer? It still needs checking and refining but it’s fairly solid bit of writing… and guess what - it took seconds!
Reality check, if you think AI can’t replace you, you might be kidding yourself. It’s at least as good as the average human at lots of things already.
It’s learning mastery, astoundingly quickly and not just the world’s mainstream stuff. Dr Karaitiana Taiuru, Mātauranga and Tikanga Māori Ethicist wrote about how capable (and not) its responses regarding mātauranga (Māori knowledge) were back in January - that’s like three centuries ago in AI years!
Where we people get the win is in using it. There’s a thing called “overemployed” where people work multiple full-time jobs for multiple full-time salaries and tools like ChatGPT are helping them do it.
No wonder Elon Musk is already re-planning his own version. The irony isn’t lost in that he was a co-founder of ChatGPT’s maker-company Open AI, until he stepped down in 2018. He won’t be kicking himself though, I’m not sure that man ever looks back.
So here’s the kicker for us.
ChatGPT is free.
It’s kicking us forward whether we like it or not.
It does a passably good enough job for many things already and it’s only going to get better.
Our job is to learn to ask the right questions and be thoroughly discerning about its responses.
It’s our job to think, AI’s job to be a tool. Get playing. It’ll surprise you and I think you’ll be amazed at the value-add too. Check it out. You’re welcome.
"The Future of Work is Flexible"
In the war for talent, remote working might be a dealmaker. Check out the latest research on what Kiwi office workers think about working remotely some or all of the time.
This week, Employment Hero released their Remote Work Report. Obviously, we’re interested - we are all about remote work. Likely you will be interested too; whether you’re an employer or an employee because the “future of work is flexible”.
Here’s the headline - “less than half of New Zealand’s employees have fully returned to the office”. Wowser, worse than the number of kids not returning to school! Actually, it’s ‘knowledge workers’ specifically that haven’t returned to offices and that’s defined as “workers with jobs which require them to work primarily on a computer or with documentation, rather than a job which is predominantly physical or location-bound”.
Here’s the rub though… If you thought that let your business off the hook, the survey respondents came from a whole range of industries. Even restaurants, factories and shops can have office-based staff.
So, what’s the story?
Essentially, 40% of NZ knowledge workers “have embraced a hybrid working arrangement, and 21% work remotely all of the time”. Is it popular? All indications say yes, 81% of Kiwi knowledge workers “would consider working remotely permanently from now on”.
Given the skills shortage, the rising costs of living (and commuting), flexibility around where a person works from could be a dealmaker.
Employment Hero’s research showed 89% of respondents would work remotely at least one day a week. Here’s the clincher – 48% of people who were already working remotely at least some of the time, said they would consider quitting their job if their employers forced them back to the office full-time.
We’ve all seen the research around four-day weeks and increased productivity (if not, Google it, it’s massive). Remote working can also provide improvements in productivity and quality of work.
There is a question of age. The 18-24 year olds were 24% more likely than average to say they were happy to work remotely every day. Those aged 55+ were 80% more likely to say they wouldn’t choose to work remotely at all. It’s that elusive thing, work-life balance (at least that’s what my generation used to call it, younger generations call it ‘life’).
According to Employment Hero, 39% of the surveyed employees had returned to the office at the directive of their employer, but that’s not the only reason. Some people missed the office buzz; 25% of those returning said it was for the culture and 17% was because they were feeling isolated.
The reality check is that on an individual level, people have all sorts of reasons to want to work remotely. We see a real mix at The Business Hive. We see some people only in the school holidays because a) they’re visiting from out of town and leaving the kids with the grandies or b) they’re seeking refuge (from the kids at home) to get some work done.
While some of our people find being in a professional environment helps them focus on work, others come for the sociability or a mix of the two. The great thing is we have spaces for both – focused work with an extra screen in a quieter zone or a more social environment with an eye to everyone’s favourite gathering spot (when you want to be social) – our enormous kitchen island!
The trick for employers is going to be figuring out what your employees want and how often. Businesses are only going to save on overheads if they have flexibility in their property arrangements. A floor of mostly empty desks costs about the same to run as a floor at full capacity.
Equally, employees who shoulder the cost of working remotely (power, IT, heating, printing etc…) can’t claim those costs back in the same way self-employed people can. No business wants to pay twice.
The Remote Work Report also considers how remote work impacts on marginalised people and their perceptions of equity (remote working seems to be better for them) and what impact automation and AI (artificial intelligence) might have (we aren’t ready to trust it entirely).
In all, it’s worth a read. The difference in attitudes by age could indicate stage of life but it could also be tipping a nod to the way of work in the future. With the skills shortage impacting everywhere – the fight for the best people might yet come down to changing our expectations on the way they should work.
3 Steps for Life
3 Steps for Life is designed to give all of use the confidence and awareness to take action when somebody suffers a cardiac arrest. Did you know community help can double survival? Read on because classes are free…
Take 3 Steps for Life… and Save One!
3 Steps for Life is designed to give all of use the confidence and awareness to take action when somebody suffers a cardiac arrest.
Did you know community help can double survival?
Read on. We have a defibrillator at The Business Hive and we think we should know how to use it. So we’re donating our venue for the cause and arranging a 3 Steps for Life Awareness Session and you’re invited. We don’t have a time or date yet… but sign up to this list and we’ll let you know when we hear back. If there’s enough of you - we might run a couple.
Details below.
Cara & Alex
Digital Boost @ The Business Hive
If the online world has you bamboozled (even just a little bit), sign up for this FREE, 40 week programme to help you master all things digital for your business.
Digital Boost is a government initiative to get us - small business owners and operators, up to speed on all things digital. Bottom line, digital is where we’re at and we know that now, because… Covid.
So, there’s no excuse not to learn how to use these super affordable tools to promote your business, increase your productivity and frankly, do more with less.
We already have one group of 15 signed up. We reckon two groups would be even better. But you have to act quickly or the funding will have run out…
Did we mention this programme is entirely free for participants?
FREE training! Expert content. Peer support and learning. What’s not to love about this awesome opportunity?!!! Get in.
Programme content and estimated delivery dates below.
Upskilling in Digital for Businesses
Digital Boost is an amazing government delivered and FREE series that helps small business owners learn and then master all things digital. Our programme is built on it and designed to bring together a group of local businesses for peer to peer support and insights while learning how to market, sell and improve productivity through digital tools. Sound like what you need? Register your interest now!
Digital Boost - it’s time!
If you’ve ever struggled with websites, social media or wasted money on digital services that haven’t delivered, this free programme is likely for you.
We’re just waiting on approval but we’re hoping to be able to deliver a 40 session programme of learning about digital tools for business. The programme will cover things like;
Websites
the basics
legal requirements
set up
funnels & ecommerce
analytics
search engine optimisation (SEO)
content (words, video, photos)
Social Media
Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Twitter
Email & Messaging Campaigns
Productivity (money, people and time management)
Setting and maintaining goals, plans and schedules for marketing
We’ll be using the Digital Boost’s fabulous short-form content along with subject matter experts and we’ll be ‘doing the doing’ in session.
What kind of digital tools?
The focus will be on marketing and sales, as well as productivity.
What will it cost?
Nothing (if we can secure the funding).
When will it start?
The beginning of July is our intended start date.
Sessions will be held weekly and people are expected to commit to a minimum of 24 of the 40 sessions over 9 months.
A full calendar of topics will be provided once we’re confirmed so you can see which ones you want to prioritise. Every session will include local insights so ideally, plan to attend them all.
There will be a six-week break from sessions over the holiday period so you have time to put all your learning in place and see some more results while you enjoy the sun (we will be monitoring our individual progress throughout).
Essence of Facilitation - June 2022
Effective facilitation skills can be life changing. Understanding the dynamics in the room (1 to 1 or 1 to many) and having a healthy tool kit of approaches keeps you in the driving seat with confidence. This is an advanced programme of learning (although no experience is required). Fast track your skills today.
Next dates: Wednesday & Thursday 22-23 June 2022
Facilitation is a learned skill and one that makes a huge impact on personal and team productivity. Expert facilitators know what they want to achieve and have a tool kit of approaches to help them ensure they deliver the outcome they’re after. This programme will help you evolve your facilitation skills now and long into the future.
Whether you are an experienced facilitator looking to update your tool kit or a relative newbie to facilitation (‘1 to 1’ or ‘1 to many’), this two day programme will give you deep insight into your own practice and experiential oversight of a range of different techniques you can call on.
Each participant will have an opportunity to ‘work the group’ on a facilitation related topic so practice and session content are maximised. Participants will leave this workshop confident they have the skills to continue their own development as they support others in moving forward with theirs.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
This is a facilitated programme and as such has a loose curriculum complimented by the material brought into the room by the participants themselves.
The process is a fascinating: one of self-discovery and self-disclosure for the purpose of learning what creating safe environments is all about – a reality-based rather than theoretical methodology is used.
Real examples are worked with in the room.
WHO IS IT FOR?
People leaders who want to further deepen their understanding of the facilitation process.
This is an advanced programme although no previous facilitation experience is necessary.
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN ABOUT?
The facilitator as a leadership role
Creating safe environments
The importance of a clearly defined purpose and outcome
The facilitator’s role and influence on others
Emotional intelligence and interpersonal competency
The importance of clear instructions
The human fear response
The neuroscience of motivation
Group dynamics
Dealing with conflict
The role of intuition
Trusting the group process
The practical and the subtle aspects of effective facilitation
HOW WILL YOU BENEFIT?
Gain more confidence and competence
Develop a toolbox of useful transferable skills
Save preparation time, effort and energy
Achieve purposeful outcomes more consistently
Reduce angst and stress in preparation and in the room
Understand how to manage conflict in groups
FEEDBACK:
Having completed The Essence of Facilitation I wish it could be part of every company's staff training - very valuable information presented by Amanda in her usual inimitable style of fun, and uplifting support for all participants. I believe everyone can benefit from this little gem of a course.
Actually I’ve been to other similar training courses along my career development, e.g. Sales Training, Negotiation Skills Training. The skills they’ve taught in those courses are more on the outside and focus on the “What”. But The Essence of Facilitation is more on the inside and focus on “Why” and “How”. I’ve also realized that how communication can easily go wrong without essential messages. The other reason I liked the course is the environment created. It is a non-threatening and friendly learning environment. In a nutshell, it is a really good course that I would recommend other colleagues to attend.
Essence of Presenting - July 2022
Effective public speaking is about delivery and a big chunk of that is confidence. Whether you’re a terrified beginner, are keen on improving or feel like you are pretty comfortable with public speaking but want to be better… this programme will help get you to the next level.
Next dates: Monday & Tuesday 4-5 July 2022
For some people, public speaking is their absolute worst nightmare. For others, it’s a necessary evil that they wish they were better at doing and yet, for others, it’s a super comfortable zone where they excel. How do you go from feeling one to the other?
That’s a process and one that’s best encountered with an experienced practitioner who’s actually been through it herself. That practitioner is Amanda Fleming. Once upon a time the thought of public speaking horrified her. Decades later, she’s one of New Zealand’s leading transformational facilitators in this space. If you’re ready to begin, improve or excel in presenting or public speaking… this is the programme for you.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Overwhelmingly, feedback shows this programme is a very safe and stimulating way to explore a traditionally challenging topic resulting in often profound shifts in confidence and competence.
Authenticity is key and this course is designed to bring out the best speaker in you, your way. Participants explore the underlying causes of the common fears relating to ‘public speaking and presenting’ in a safe, stimulating and non-critical environment. We also get to learn some tools and tips to help deliver better, enjoy presenting more and achieve better outcomes from the ‘room’.
Although there is no compulsory part in the programme, participants will have opportunities to be filmed. No play-backs are done in session.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Anyone regardless of previous experience who wants to enhance their presentation skills, self-confidence and influencing (sales) skills.
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN ABOUT?
The essential principles of presenting
Becoming more confident (controlling your state) and the role of self esteem
The 8-STEP preparation plan
Establishing credibility
Framing yourself and your material for best results
Creating, building and maintaining rapport
Self-coaching techniques
The human fear response
The importance of behavioural flexibility
Going blank and what to do when you dry up
Thriving on the unexpected – the joys of impromptu speaking
HOW WILL YOU BENEFIT?
Gain greater confidence communicating in any environment
Reduce angst and stress in preparation and in the room
Better manage presenter-audience dynamics
Increase rapport building skills
Strengthen individual style and presence
Achieve better outcomes
FEEDBACK
The course was incredible… it was insightful, thought provoking, challenging and humbling. It put you in a position where you were outside your comfort zone and vulnerable – but in a good way. It provided a safe environment to test new skills and receive constructive feedback – it changed the way I perceive work, customers… and interactions with others...[and has improved] my overall confidence and self-respect.
~ Nicola McKenzie, ANZ, South Canterbury
Next dates: Monday & Tuesday 4-5 July 2022, 9am - 5pm both days
Essence of Facilitation - August 2022
Effective facilitation skills can be life changing. Understanding the dynamics in the room (1 to 1 or 1 to many) and having a healthy tool kit of approaches keeps you in the driving seat with confidence. This is an advanced programme of learning (although no experience is required). Fast track your skills today.
Next dates: Thursday & Friday 11-12 August 2022
Facilitation is a learned skill and one that makes a huge impact on personal and team productivity. Expert facilitators know what they want to achieve and have a tool kit of approaches to help them ensure they deliver the outcome they’re after. This programme will help you evolve your facilitation skills now and long into the future.
Whether you are an experienced facilitator looking to update your tool kit or a relative newbie to facilitation (‘1 to 1’ or ‘1 to many’), this two day programme will give you deep insight into your own practice and experiential oversight of a range of different techniques you can call on.
Each participant will have an opportunity to ‘work the group’ on a facilitation related topic so practice and session content are maximised. Participants will leave this workshop confident they have the skills to continue their own development as they support others in moving forward with theirs.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
This is a facilitated programme and as such has a loose curriculum complimented by the material brought into the room by the participants themselves.
The process is a fascinating: one of self-discovery and self-disclosure for the purpose of learning what creating safe environments is all about – a reality-based rather than theoretical methodology is used.
Real examples are worked with in the room.
WHO IS IT FOR?
People leaders who want to further deepen their understanding of the facilitation process.
This is an advanced programme although no previous facilitation experience is necessary.
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN ABOUT?
The facilitator as a leadership role
Creating safe environments
The importance of a clearly defined purpose and outcome
The facilitator’s role and influence on others
Emotional intelligence and interpersonal competency
The importance of clear instructions
The human fear response
The neuroscience of motivation
Group dynamics
Dealing with conflict
The role of intuition
Trusting the group process
The practical and the subtle aspects of effective facilitation
HOW WILL YOU BENEFIT?
Gain more confidence and competence
Develop a toolbox of useful transferable skills
Save preparation time, effort and energy
Achieve purposeful outcomes more consistently
Reduce angst and stress in preparation and in the room
Understand how to manage conflict in groups
FEEDBACK:
Having completed The Essence of Facilitation I wish it could be part of every company's staff training - very valuable information presented by Amanda in her usual inimitable style of fun, and uplifting support for all participants. I believe everyone can benefit from this little gem of a course.
Actually I’ve been to other similar training courses along my career development, e.g. Sales Training, Negotiation Skills Training. The skills they’ve taught in those courses are more on the outside and focus on the “What”. But The Essence of Facilitation is more on the inside and focus on “Why” and “How”. I’ve also realized that how communication can easily go wrong without essential messages. The other reason I liked the course is the environment created. It is a non-threatening and friendly learning environment. In a nutshell, it is a really good course that I would recommend other colleagues to attend.
Essence of Presenting - October 2022
Effective public speaking is about delivery and a big chunk of that is confidence. Whether you’re a terrified beginner, are keen on improving or feel like you are pretty comfortable with public speaking but want to be better… this programme will help get you to the next level.
Next dates: Thursday & Friday 13-14 October 2022
For some people, public speaking is their absolute worst nightmare. For others, it’s a necessary evil that they wish they were better at doing and yet, for others, it’s a super comfortable zone where they excel. How do you go from feeling one to the other?
You find an expert practitioner with a track record of achievement in helping people change their relationship with public speaking for the better.
Meet Amanda Fleming - self-confessed former public speaking phobic and now one of New Zealand’s leading transformational facilitators in this space.
If you’re ready to begin, improve or excel in presenting or public speaking… this is the programme for you.
“I did the programme myself and I’ve been speaking in public professionally since forever. I came away with useful feedback, new tips and tools, and a refreshed approach. What I witnessed though was mind blowing - total transformation in people who had arrived genuinely terrified of public speaking.”
~ Cara Tipping Smith, Director, The Business Hive
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Overwhelming feedback shows this programme creates a very safe environment to explore this traditionally challenging topic which results in profound shifts in confidence and competence.
Authenticity is key and this course is designed to bring out the best speaker in you, your way.
Participants explore underlying causes of common fears relating to ‘public speaking and presenting’ in a safe, stimulating and non-critical environment.
Learning is delivered through practical exercises that help cement the key takeaways, bundled with tips and tools to help present better, enjoy it more and achieve far better outcomes from ‘the room’.
This programme is appropriate for any level. Expect to be stretched to deliver your best and achieve that!
WHO IS IT FOR?
Anyone regardless of previous experience who wants to enhance their presentation skills and develop greater self-confidence both personally and professionally.
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN ABOUT?
The essential principles of presenting
Becoming more confident (controlling your state) and the role of self esteem
The 8-STEP preparation plan
Establishing credibility
Framing yourself and your material for best results
Creating, building and maintaining rapport
Self-coaching techniques
The human fear response
The importance of behavioural flexibility
Going blank and what to do when you dry up
Thriving on the unexpected – the joys of impromptu speaking
HOW WILL YOU BENEFIT?
Gain greater confidence communicating in any environment
Reduce angst and stress in preparation and in the room
Better manage presenter-audience dynamics
Increase rapport building skills
Strengthen individual style and presence
Achieve better outcomes
FEEDBACK
The course was incredible… it was insightful, thought provoking, challenging and humbling. It put you in a position where you were outside your comfort zone and vulnerable – but in a good way. It provided a safe environment to test new skills and receive constructive feedback – it changed the way I perceive work, customers… and interactions with others...[and has improved] my overall confidence and self-respect.
~ Nicola McKenzie, ANZ, South Canterbury
Next dates: Thursday & Friday 13-14 October 2022, 9am -5pm both days
