2012 ICSB Public Agencies Forum
Chairpersons:
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Dr. Martina Battisti, Deputy Director, New Zealand Centre for SME Research, Massey University, m.battisti@massey.ac.nz
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Dr. Michael Schaper, Deputy Chair, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, michael.schaper@accc.gov.au
Theme: Building Engagement with the Small Business Sector
Government bodies and public agencies interact with the SME community in a wide variety of ways: as providers of advice, information and assistance; to regulate, police and enforce compliance with a wide range of laws and legal requirements; to solicit policy input; and to disseminate information about the functions and role of government. Yet the SME sector has a number of characteristics that often make such engagement a particularly challenging process.
How can public agencies ensure that they develop the most effective means of engagement, communication and information sharing with small businesses? The theme of this day is to explore the many different ways that agencies have done this, and to also share the findings of research activities which can shed some light on how such engagement might be more effectively tailored in future.
Who should attend the forum:
- Government policy departments
- Regulatory agencies
- Business advisors and mentors
- Economic development agencies
- Business, industry and professional associations
- Researchers and educators with an interest in small business policy
Date: Thursday, 14 June 2012
Time: 9am to 5pm (Please be there early and allow at least 15 minutes for security screening)
Venue: The Beehive Theatrette, Parliament Buildings, Molesworth Street
Registration Fee: NZ$350 including refreshments and lunch
Please click here to register online
For further information, please contact Dr Martina Battisti m.battisti@massey.ac.nz or +64 801 5799 extn 62604
The Forum is kindly supported by the Ministry of Economic Development.
Program
Introduction: An Overview
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Time |
Programme |
Speaker |
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9:00 - 9:15 |
Welcome |
Dr. Don Bradley, President of ICSB 2011 - 2012 |
|
9:15 - 9:30 |
Ministerial Opening |
Hon John Banks, Small Business Minister, New Zealand |
|
9:30 - 10:30 |
Keynote Speech |
Mr. Denny Dennis, Senior Research Fellow, National Federation of Independent Business Research Foundation, USA |
Morning Tea Break
Session One: Disseminating Information & Advice
This session focuses on agencies & bodies who distribute information, knowledge, business counselling, advice and support. What tools do they use currently? How effective are they? What future changes are likely?
|
11:00 - 11:20 |
Mr Michael Schwager, Head of Division, Industry and Small Business Policy
|
Department of Industry, Innovation, Science and Research, Australia |
|
11:20 - 11:40 |
Mrs. Samantha Seath, CEO |
EDANZ - Economic Development Agencies of New Zealand |
|
11:40 - 12:00 |
General Discussion/Debate with Audience |
Chair: Dr. Michael Schaper |
Lunch - Interested parties are invited to join a free, guided tour of Parliament to visit key parts of Parliament’s buildings and learn about parliamentary processes.
Session Two: Policy Development & Review
How do government agencies consult with small firms, their industry associations and others to develop new policy initiatives?
|
1:00 - 1:20 |
Ms Yasmin King, New South Wales Small Business Commissioner |
Government of New South Wales, Australia |
|
1:20 - 1:40 |
Dato’ Hafsah Hashim, CEO |
SME Corporation Malaysia |
|
1:40 - 2:00 |
General Discussion/Debate with Audience |
Chair: Dr Martina Battisti |
Session Three: Compliance
In this session, regulatory agencies discuss their experiences about how they advise SMEs about their regulatory obligations and rights, and how they enforce the laws applicable to small firms.
|
2:00 - 2:20 |
Dr. Michael Schaper, Deputy Chair |
Australian Competition & Consumer Commission |
|
2:20 - 2:40 |
Mr Andrew Conway, CEO |
Institute of Public Accountants, Australia |
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2:40 - 3:00 |
General Discussion/Debate with Audience |
Chair: Prof Claire Massey |
Afternoon Tea Break
Session Four: Looking forward - What does the future hold?
This final session seeks to draw together some of the points raised earlier in the day. It will also discuss different methods of evaluating the effectiveness of government agencies, and provide an overview of overall trends across different jurisdictions.
|
3:30 - 3:50 |
Small Business Research Centre, Kingston University, London |
|
|
3:50 - 4:10 |
Mr. Peter Strong, CEO |
Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia (COSBOA) |
|
4:10 - 4:30 |
General Discussion/Debate with Audience |
Chair: Prof Thomas Cooney, President ICSB 2012 - 2013 |
4.30 - 5pm Conclusion & Close
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