New Zealand business training providers Learn.fast Pacific is working in collaboration with the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI) to help small businesses achieve financial sustainability and reduce business stress.

The partnership comes as Learn.fast Pacific joined SICCI as a member in December 2016 that will follow a three-day training next month targeting small to medium size businesses.

Chris Elphick, Learn.fast Pacific director, said joining the Chamber provides a network to reach out to the business community, especially SMEs that are looking at improving productivity and becoming successful entrepreneurs.

“The Chamber is the obvious group to collaborate with where we can offer our training to the members,” said the director.

“Our trainings are very practical,” Elphick explains. “Focusing on what is needed out in the field to grow and be successful”.

Learn.fast Pacific is not new to the local business environment.

Elphick and his team came into the country five years ago through a New Zealand-funded programme.

He had previously worked with SICCI during that time and had provided a number of trainings to businesses.

He said the scope of Learn.fast Pacific is to look for potential people who have what it takes and build them to become successful entrepreneurs. Much of this focus is on small to medium size businesses and businesses in the rural areas.

Learn.fast Pacific has operations across the Pacific and mostly deals with the Chambers in establishing their relationship with the local businesses.

Elphick himself has worked across the Pacific doing training, coaching and mentoring.

“To me, the strength of the small business sector is key to the future survival of Pacific Island countries and what we do is about strengthening the sector through practical action, working closely with chambers of commerce and other business support organisations.”

The planned three-day training will take place in Honiara at the end of February with the theme “Your business in 2017 – being the best you can be”.

The training will include sessions for leading and planning for success and reducing stress in business.

This covers topics effective leadership for SMEs, strategic for operational planning including basic financial management and being prepared for possible challenges including business continuity.

In 2017, SICCI will be looking at facilitating a range of training initiatives geared towards SMEs including a mentoring and coaching program aimed at linking large businesses to SMEs.