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.
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!
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.
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
