Christine Young posed some questions for representatives from two of TBBA’s business sponsors.
Asha Tierney
Asha is an Associate Director in the Deloitte Private team. She is passionate about reporting and forecasting, accounting and system process improvements, and helping businesses find efficiencies to drive growth.
CY: What are the big issues facing your business at present?
AT: Disruptive technology and automation are changing the accounting and finance functions and businesses can struggle to keep up. In future, periodic reporting will no longer be the fundamental driver of decisions and operations as data becomes more readily available in real time. Our focus is moving from hindsight to foresight in our services. By using the technology available to us we are can focus more on advisory services and data analytics.
CY: Please tell us what you like most about working at Deloitte and at Smales Farm.
AT: Deloitte is really forward thinking and I am surrounded by a strong team with a real breadth of knowledge which provides opportunity to learn and develop. I like that there is a career pathway at Deloitte and they support flexible working. I love being part of the team at the B:Hive; it’s not just an amazing building, but also a great collaborative workplace. Being surrounded by so many innovative businesses is really inspiring.
CY: What do you like most about living (and working) on the Shore?
AT: I’ve always lived on the North Shore, and couldn’t imagine anywhere better to live. I love the beaches, coastal walks, and running around the lake. My older children attend Belmont Primary and Belmont Intermediate – I love the network of mums and dads who support each other and get involved in the community and sport.
CY: What is your favourite way to spend a winter weekend in Takapuna?
AT: When the mornings are crisp but clear, I love running (from where we live in Belmont) up to Takapuna beach and enjoying the scenery and energy from everyone walking dogs and taking their morning stroll or runs. I ensure my run finishes at the Sunday markets where I love to buy my fruit and veges, and grab a bacon and egg sandwich and coffee.
Chris Maclean
Chris is General Manager of Canon Business Solutions, which focuses on imaging technology for businesses (printers, digital signage, interactive display, video conferencing, and scanning hardware). He’s been at Canon just over three years. “It’s been an awesome ride,” he says. “We’re just warming up – Canon New Zealand is now the fastest growing region in the world so I’m very proud of how far we’ve come.”
CY: What are the big issues facing your business at present?
CM: Some of our markets, e.g. printing, are declining, so we’ve diversified into new areas which still fit with our passion for using imaging technology to provide companies with the freedom to focus on their customers, their teams and their communities. Our technology is easy to use and good enough quality to not have to travel anywhere near as often. That saves money, family time and carbon emissions, so it’s a great fit for us.
CY: What do you like most about working at Canon?
CM: I’ve got a great team who are genuinely customer focused. Our customer retention rates are over 98%, which I think is because we do a great job taking customer experience really seriously. We don’t just tick boxes, be it product quality, service outcomes or environmental commitments. We work hard to deliver the actual intent of our claims. We’ve been recognised by RepTrac as one of the Top Ten Most Reputable Companies in the World, as well as one of the Top Ten Most Responsible Companies in the World.
CY: What do you like most about living and working on the Shore?
CM: For me, being able to access the sea easily is a huge bonus. I think it’s a slightly lower key, but no less professional, business community here. There are so many super smart, amazing people around. It’s also a bonus that it makes for a much shorter commute, meaning more time with the kids, for exercising or whatever it is you’re passionate about.
CY: What is your favourite way to spend a winter weekend in Takapuna?
CM: My perfect weekend tends to be kids’ sport on Saturday, getting stuff done Saturday afternoon, then a Sunday of chilling, starting with a paddle to Takapuna for coffee and a smoothie bowl. I get a few weird looks for being in board shorts and bare feet at Jam Café in winter though. The afternoons tend to be all about food… a long late lunch out or cooking up a storm with friends and family.
TALKING TAKAPUNA
The air is colder, the nights longer, but here in Takapuna we are warming your winter up with heaps of activities and goodies.
Our Winter Warmer Shop & Win promotion continues, thanks to House of Travel Takapuna, running until the end of July. Simply shop in any participating retail store in Takapuna for your chance to win a luxury cruise for two around New Zealand. Make sure you’re in to win, and any time you spend more than $20 with a retailer, grab an entry card, and follow the instructions on the back to enter online. We also have travel vouchers up for grabs, so make sure your next shopping trip is in Takapuna.
There is always somewhere to warm up this winter, and some delicious food offerings to warm you from the inside out! Reminisce about the summer days with the view from Regatta while indulging in new menu items like the slow-roasted beef cheeks. Warm up the insides with a beautiful curry or the clams from Tok Tok if you think an Asian-fusion style meal will hit the spot. For the more informal diners, there is the ever-popular Mexico, with its brand new menu featuring some old faves – Mexico’s fried chicken will always satisfy! – and some new, like xocolate braised beef short ribs, new tacos and more margaritas and sodas.
Cosy up for a warm winter lunch with the team at Zomer, with its Takapuna-famous coffee, great cabinet food and fantastic full menu – there’s something to satisfy any craving, appetite, hankering or fussy-eater!
From all of us around Takapuna, we would like to congratulate Channel Magazine on its 100th edition this month. They’ve always been a great supporter and provide a quality product that brings all of the North Shore together, so congratulations Channel! We look forward to the next 100 editions!
Don’t forget to follow @ilovetakapuna on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date - or visit our website: ilovetakapuna.co.nz to sign up to our newsletter. We also love to see what you get up to in and around Takapuna, so if you’re posting on social media, don’t forget to tag us, or use the hashtag #ilovetakapuna.
EVENTS – JULY
29 June – 20 July: The PumpHouse: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
4 July: The Commons: Beats by Bingo
12-13 July: Bruce Mason Centre – Matariki for Tamariki
13 July: Takapuna Family Bear Hunt
17-21 July : Bruce Mason Centre – Room on the Broom
25 July – 4 Aug: The PumpHouse – Murder on the Nile
4 Aug: Bruce Mason Centre – Auckland Symphony Orchestra, Film Favourites
