ICDP is seeking to bring together Pacific Connect Community members and new faces from the Pacific and Australia for our next Pacific Connect Network Dialogue. Join us to hear from four inspiring individuals who will share their insights and lessons learnt about how they managed to pivot their business during the pandemic. If you want to be part of the discussion and real conversations

Overview

Never before has the knowledge on how to pivot your business been more important. During the pandemic, pivoting has been all about creating new offers, markets, and delivery mechanisms.

Many businesses have been forced to innovate during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cafes and restaurants are offering take-away and home delivery. Face-to-face meetings are being conducted through video conferencing. And shop-front retailers have switched to selling online.

The post-COVID world economy will be dramatically different from the old. The possible effects of the crisis include a retreat from supply chain globalisation, heightened technology adoption, and an increased reliance on virtual and digital networks to conduct service businesses.

Our Speakers

Maria Ronna Luna Pastorizo-Sekiguchi (Founder, Greenhouse Co-working space, Fiji)
Pauline Fetaui (General Manager, River City Labs, Australia)
Varo Fesaitu (Founder, Bula Market, Fiji)
Nynette Sass (Chef de Mission - Team Samoa (SASNOC), Samoa)

Our Facilitators

Shurti Kumar - Pacific Connect Hub Coordinator Nadi/Lautoka
Simone Pensko - CEO, ICDP

What are we aiming for?

This dialogue will help you better understand how pivoting your business and embracing the digital way can lead to growth by sharing four case studies that have been successful.

Through real conversations, deep explorations and genuine exchanges participants will:

Enhance your understanding of how successful businesses operate.
Learn how tech can help power your dream.
Create opportunities to grow businesses through connecting entrepreneurs and practitioners.
Understand ways to develop your own economically sustainable ventures.
Expand personal and professional networks for ongoing success.

Who can join?

We are looking for people with leadership skills, a positive, ‘big picture’ outlook, and a record of achievement in their chosen field.

Our participants will be courageous and passionate free thinkers willing to share their own networks and ideas to build a better tomorrow for all. A keen interest in digital technology is necessary, but technical skills are not.

How will you benefit?

Pacific Connect offers exciting opportunities for outstanding people in Australia and the Pacific to forge new relationships through continued engagement on common challenges. Opportunities may include:

Business capacity building, including opportunities for informal/formal pitches.
Study tours to experience Australian start-up and entrepreneur communities.
An invitation to participate in future Pacific Connect Dialogues and international forums, including the annual Ideas Exchange.
Unique networking opportunities with regional entrepreneurs & leaders.
Mentoring and internships with Australian and Pacific organisations.
Development of new commercial partnerships.
Seed funding for select projects.

What is the ‘Network Dialogue’?

The Pacific Connect Network Dialogue brings together small groups of dynamic emerging leaders from the Pacific and Australia to build business capacity and foster collaboration. Using the unofficial, informal, consultative style of the ‘Second Track’ process and incorporating the Pacific ‘Talanoa’, the dialogue aims to set realistic goals in a trusted and safe environment. Facilitators encourage participants to share ideas and develop practical steps to reach them, whilst ensuring different perspectives and the expertise of others is valued in a respectful cultural context.

What is ‘Pacific Connect’?

Pacific Connect was launched by the Prime Minister of Australia in September 2017 to forge stronger, strategic-level relationships between Pacific and Australian leaders across the public, private, academic and community sectors. Pacific Connect is delivered by the International Centre for Democratic Partnerships (ICDP) and sponsored by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It operates in Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu. ICDP designs a program of activities to promote collaboration and business opportunities between Australia and the Pacific in applying digital technology to support sustainable development, with a focus on women and entrepreneurs.

Through Pacific Connect, ICDP brings together Australian business and emerging leaders with Pacific Islander counterparts to deliver locally led solutions to challenges, and to create an active network of engaged change makers.

It’s not just one day…

If you are already a Pacific Connect Community member – your stories with us have already begun. If you are new to our Community – welcome and enjoy the depth and breadth of knowledge, experience, and warmth. We also host post-dialogue connections, workshops, mentoring and project development – the Pacific Connect Community stays active, vibrant and collaborative! Click here to find out more!

Timing

Thursday 28 October 10:00am - 12.00pm Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time.

A program and more details will be sent to registered participants in the lead up to the dialogue. To assist Pacific participants to get online and network, we will convene where possible and pending COVID19 restrictions, through our physical networking hubs in Port Moresby, Lae, Suva, Port Vila, Honiara, Nadi/Lautoka, Apia and Nuku'alofa. Other participants can dial in via a zoom link provided to registered participants.

Pacific Logistics

To assist Pacific participants to get online and network, we will convene where possible, and pending COVID restrictions, through our face-to-face networking hubs in Fiji, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu. Other participants will be able to dial in via a zoom link.

If you want to be part of of the discussion and create change register before the closing date of Friday 22 October.

Pacific Connect Dialogue - Pivoting Your Business