News Room

TEC In The News

2011/06 - Christchurch TEC Group still going strong

 

June 1, 2011

Barry Knight, Chair of Christchurch group TEC 704, has provided us with the following update on his group following the 3 major earthquakes of 4th September, Boxing Day and the 22nd of February (the day prior to their scheduled February meeting), and the subsequent 6,672 significant aftershocks.

TEC 704 is alive and well in Christchurch.

After the 22nd of February we went to our members and offered the following options:
1. Put the group into recess for 3-6 months and carry out one-to-one's at intervals as/when members request them - possibly 2 or 3 per month if necessary.
2. Try to continue with half day meetings - possibly as a support function
3. Hold an "emergency summit" to gain feedback/input and recommendations on the way forward for TEC 704
4. Continue meeting as normal from March.

The members unanimously chose to make the March meeting a half day event at which everyone could share an extended "Significant Events" (actually gave the term new meaning for us!) covering but not limited to discussion/sharing around :
• Impact on Health, Home, & Family
• Impact on business/implications of that
• Impact on clients/customers
• Effect on people in the business
• Where the business is currently at-hidden challenges?
• Short/ medium term plans/thinking to move forward
• Change to industry/sector/market-other factors/issues/challenges/observations

This was a great meeting at which many ideas/suggestions/recommendations and referrals were presented and taken up - the support from and for each member was simply "humbling".

The decision was also unanimously made to continue as per our planned meeting schedule and events for the year.

TEC was flexible and accommodating of the members of TEC 704, assisting them to work through the aftermath of  the extraordinary events which had unfolded. TEC's assistance was both greatly appreciated and applauded by all.

In addition to the huge numbers of emails and telephone calls of support from TEC members throughout New Zealand, Australia and elsewhere, TEC 1 in Sydney have taken it upon themselves to have two of their members attend each of the TEC 704 meetings for the months of May, June and July to demonstrate  support. This is another great example of the TEC community providing tangible support and value; again very humbling for us but also greatly appreciated.

Almost 4 months on from February 22nd and very fortunately, given the industry sectors TEC 704 members businesses are in, everyone (the first 6 weeks excepted) is in fact now benefitting rather than being negatively impacted by events - unlike many business sectors which are being severely affected.

TEC 704 with our New Zealand Alliance Partners PwC and the ANZ Bank are looking forward to our first ever Leadership Forum Event on the 28th of June. We are hopeful  that this and other such events will assist us in raising our profile and building our future membership in Christchurch.

On behalf of the members of TEC 704 thank you all again for your generosity of spirit and ongoing support.

Barry T.

Chair TEC 704

Image Gallery: See how the Christchurch CBD looks like over 3 months on