Welcome.

Rata is well known for its ability to bring people together and encourage individuals and organisations to think creatively about ethical, sustainable business practices and the importance of creating people-centric company cultures.

We aim to encourage New Zealand organisations to focus more on employee health and well-being to create happier, more innovative, and more productive workplaces. This approach to business not only helps New Zealand organisations attract and retain top talent but also has a ripple effect across industries, leading to stronger, sustainable partnerships. It will also open doors to innovative new supply chain practices that can boost profits while delivering for society and our planet.

This newsletter will provide our LI readers with helpful news and views to encourage better outcomes in their organisational company culture and business practices.

In this month’s newsletter:

• The relaunch of 'Connect@Rata' (C@R): A Business Community for Ethical and Sustainable Knowledge – Plus Much More.
• Rata wants to talk to New Zealand Exporters and International Customers.
• Rata is often asked: What are some of the biggest challenges facing New Zealand’s Ethical Sustainable Journey right now?
• Best Practices for a Successful Business.
• Business Ethics: An Interesting Read.

The relaunch of 'Connect@Rata' (C@R): A Business Community for Ethical and Sustainable Knowledge – Plus Much More

Rata is delighted to announce that we have decided to bring back the C@R membership network due to numerous requests from people.

This membership is for individuals and organisations wanting to be part of a natural movement to create more innovative, ethical, sustainable business practices, supply chains, and people-centric company cultures.

Wouldn’t it feel satisfying to have ‘peace of mind’ from being part of a network that not only helps but also moves away from outdated conventional thinking and helps to leverage competitive advantage in the marketplace?

To learn more, please request a copy of the C@R INFO book. Or feel free to reach out to Sandra Pringle with any questions at +64 274 572 825 or email: [email protected].

Rata wants to talk to New Zealand Exporters and International Customers

Exports of primary industry products are critical to New Zealand’s economy and jobs.

With the growing global consumer protection directives to eradicate greenwashing and unethical behaviour, New Zealand must protect its international reputation.

Therefore, Rata is keen to talk to New Zealand exporters and second/third-tier suppliers about whether their global customers are asking them about ethical, sustainable business practices in RFP responses. Plus, international customers seeking help with due diligence on their New Zealand suppliers.

If this is the case or you are seeking help, feel free to contact Sandra Pringle via DM or email: [email protected]

Rata is often asked: What are some of the biggest challenges facing New Zealand’s Ethical Sustainable Journey right now?

New Zealand needs to understand the importance of having a real plan to become greenwash-free with clear, accurate, and substantiated claims for products and services. Sadly, we still have too many organisations:

• Making fancy marketing claims regarding products and services that don’t stack up upon investigation. In other words, Greenwashing Tactics, if called out, cause irreversible damage to a company’s brand and reputation, creating significant challenges for domestic and global customers.
• Needing more supply chain transparency.
• Using carbon credits to offset emissions financially, which is a tax rather than an investment in the company and its people.

Investing in ethical sustainable business practices creates opportunities to improve your revenue, employee engagement, innovation, and productivity. Think of this as an investment – not a cost. Waste is a cost.

7 Best Practices for a Successful Business

If you want to build a sustainable business over time, so that your clients keep coming back, who are happy to provide referrals for your work, you need to ensure that your clients are happy.

Below are seven areas for you to consider.

1: Communication. Clients often feel suppliers don't keep in touch, which is their Number One complaint. Therefore, it is important to inform clients regularly of progress or contact them when there is an issue. When a client doesn't hear from you, they think you've forgotten about them. Don't assume clients just think you are diligently working away. Remember to send updates via email or the phone or arrange a quick update meeting.

2: Communication Style. We all have different ways of communicating with others. If your communication method is well below par, this will frustrate your client. Work out at the start how you and your client will engage with one another. For example, Rata's communication style is as follows: 'At no time will you be left in the dark when working with Rata. To us, communication is key to a successful partnership. This ensures you are up to date and informed about where the team is at, and you can relax knowing everything is operating smoothly.'

3: Don't Over Promise and Under Deliver.?Of course, as a supplier you want to get the contract. And yes, you are excited about what you or your team might be able to do for the client. However, one of the main conflicts between clients and suppliers is that the 'sale pitch' doesn't match the 'experience' because of different expectations.??When a supplier fails to deliver or didn't apply?their best efforts to the project, they fall well short of what the client expected, resulting in?the?client feeling unvalued.

4: Don't Wait until the Client Pushes You. As a supplier, you were contracted to provide a service or product. Inevitably, the client has mentally transferred some of the project management responsibility to you. Clients have many things on their minds and projects on their to-do lists. Therefore, you must take ownership of the project to ensure its success.

5: Meetings. No-shows, cancelling the last minute, or arriving late is not professional.? How you treat your clients clearly indicates how seriously you value them.? Team members involved in the project or sale must also understand this.? Don't make excuses; follow through on what you committed to.

6: Unexpected Invoices. Don't surprise your clients with unexpected costs. Before any project is started, a precise written quote is critical and must be agreed to before the project or sale is commenced.??This eliminates any misunderstandings. If you are charging by the hour, give a realistic estimate of what the cost is likely to be and agree to a budget. Let the client know which actions will add additional fees, as clients sometimes change the project's scope or scale or make unanticipated revisions. As you approach the total amount, please communicate with your client and ensure they sign off on any additional costs.

7: Late Invoices. It's frustrating for clients when they need to get your invoice on time. Small businesses must manage their cash flow, and large organisations or Government agencies have requirements to use their budgets within a quarter or fiscal year. When your invoice is late, it's more work for your clients, who could take longer to pay you.

RNZ Article – Business Ethics: An Interesting Read

Survey sheds doubts on NZ companies' actions on ethics – published by RNZ on 31 January 2022.

It is well worth a read as it highlights EY's Global Integrity Report, and given it is now September 2024, we don't believe there has been much improvement here in New Zealand since this article was published.

Here is the link to the article: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/460559/survey-sheds-doubts-on-nz-companies-actions-on-ethics

Rata would be keen to hear what you think!

Finally, we hope you have enjoyed this month's newsletter and that you subscribe. If you require help with the following:

• Developing Ethical Sustainable Organisations.
• Supply Chain Evaluations and Audits.
• Certification.
• Employee Training.
• Keynote Speaking.

Feel free to contact Sandra Pringle via DM or email: [email protected].