As the winner of The Edge competition to join Jay-Jay Feeney on a whirlwind trip to the royal wedding, Shannon will party with celebrities, kiwi expats and John Key during the four-day visit. Winning was no easy task. Shannon had to prove she had what it takes to team up with Jay-Jay by conducting an impromptu radio interview.

"I had to show that I was able to interact with people and so I interviewed all my work mates about the nine reasons I shouldn't go to London, just for a bit of a laugh," she said.

"We knew she’d entered the competition a couple of weeks back," no 9 marketing + design + online owner Amanda Sye said. "When we found out she was a finalist we helped her to brainstorm for her interview, hence the nine reasons not to go to London because it fits with the company name. We came up with the idea that she is the one who always knows everything (true!) and I was the cow of a boss who wouldn’t let her go. I did make her promise if she won she had to tell everyone I’m not really a cow – well, not all the time!"

PrintStop, New Zealand’s only nationwide, kiwi-owned printing franchise network will become part of a ‘glocal’ community when it joins the Manchester-based international printing powerhouse, printing.com on Friday, 1 April 2011. That means a fresh look for our stores here in Hawke's Bay - thanks to the UK! (Of course for us it's a great excuse for a party, so pink drinks at 4pm for anyone who can make it to no 9 tomorrow avo!)

PrintStop CEO Steve Messenger says the core focus for both PrintStop and printing.com is on maintaining and developing strategic client relationships at the local level and making quality print services readily available to small and medium-sized enterprises.

“Through our partnership with printing.com we can provide both our clients and our franchisees with the benefits and credibility associated with being part of an internationally respected brand,” says Steve Messenger.

“That also means access to the latest developments, a wider pool of resources and expertise while still retaining our locally-owned presence throughout New Zealand – it’s incredibly inspiring and exciting for everyone involved!”

The PrintStop model is built around a ‘direct to end user’ approach which places local presence and local relationships at the heart of the PrintStop process.

“We’re aiming to empower our team of franchisees by providing them with the key tools for success, such as processes, technologies, training, information and support through the network to enable to them to focus on building more strategic client relationships. We’ve already started to notice the trickle-down effect working through the network and expect this to grow over time.”

The PrintStop network is already tapping into the ongoing research, development and business initiatives generated by printing.com in the UK. Joining the global network also means access to environmental initiatives such as printing.com’s tree appeal initiative.

“The UK Tree Appeal is supported by Professor David Bellamy and involves tree planting events around the UK and Ireland,” says Steve Messenger.

Franchisees attend the events, local press and photographers are present and the local franchises get some great exposure – both locally and further afield as the events are also promoted using social media tools such as Twitter and Facebook.

“Our partnership with printing.com means we’ve become a classic example of ‘glocalisation’, where we’re backed by an international organisation driving development and technology advances and upgrades which are filtered through the system to our people on the street at the forefront of the customer relationship. We’re thinking global but acting local.”

Sarah and her Trilogy co-founder sister Catherine De Groot established their self-funded natural skincare company in 2002 with just $20,000 and last year sold it off to candle company Ecoya – with Geoff Ross of 42 Below fame at the helm – for a lovely $20 million. But the dollars haven’t meant a newfound life of laziness for Sarah – at least not yet! She is still currently hands-on in the company and is sure “something will come up” for her soon.

But back to that chair. Sarah believes the basis of a successful business is having great people on board, and that’s when a swivel chair comes in handy. When you’re recruiting, have three chairs in your reception area – two standard, straight back chairs and one groovy red chair a little further away. These days Sarah personally greets wannabe-Trilogians to suss out where they’ve chosen to sit. They’ve had huge success with red-chair-dwellers, apparently!

Sarah also reckons you can learn a lot about market trends from the yoghurt aisle in your favourite supermarket too! When she was working in finance in London some years back she was captivated by the depth and breadth of yoghurt brands available, and the overwhelming trend towards natural products. She kept this in mind when she set up a company manufacturing ingredients for the natural cosmetics and supplements industries, in her pre-Trilogy days. From there it was a natural (sorry, couldn’t resist!) step to creating a skincare range the world would love.

Another insight from Sarah was her view on giving. Be a giver, and surround yourself with givers. Check out the Trilogy ‘giving’ list online – this is one business woman who walks the talk. And yes, Sarah was literally glowing with health and vitality as you’d expect from a natural skincare guru, but she was so forthright and likeable we forgave her!

trilogyproducts.com

The Hawke’s Bay A&P Show is coming soon. Treat your staff, your clients or yourself to a day at Hawke’s Bay’s largest and most popular show. Grab your corporate A&P membership today!

The Hawke’s Bay A&P Show brings together town and country and attracts over 40,000 people every year. With trade sites selling everything from tractors to teaspoons, there’s fun for all.

20th, 21st, 22nd October 2010 (8am – 5pm)

For just $195 your corporate A&P membership includes:
•    10 any day adult entry tickets to The Hawke’s Bay A&P Show
•    10 admissions to the members’ marquee including complimentary bar and refreshments
•    10 premium member parking spaces
•    Your company name displayed on the corporate membership registry at the show and on the A&P website
•    Preferential booking rights to other A&P events including The Mercedes Benz Hawke’s Bay Wine Awards and The Silver Fern Farms Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year
•    Preferential booking rights for exhibition space, trade sites and or facilities at the showgrounds
•    Plus you will become part of a long established Hawke’s Bay organization working hard to support our rural roots.

For more information or to apply visit the website www.hawkesbayshow.co.nz

Publisher and editor, Susan Hoyle, was named Editor of the Year in the same category. The judging panel described Upstart Magazine as: “Fresh, fun and lively. Punches above its weight. Serves an important niche market, and this is recognised by the alliances it has established. Has a vision and purpose that demonstrates the power of magazines and the way they can create and enable change. It is making a real difference as an advocate for its readers.”

The judging criteria for Magazine of the Year included some pretty serious stuff: editorial positioning and content; commercial success; and design and presentation.

The judges also commented on Susan Hoyle’s performance as editor, saying of Sue: “Clever editing, a safe and readable magazine. Vibrant, interactive and stimulating. Perfectly pitched and managed by an obviously passionate and deeply involved editor. Full of energy – a reflection of its audience. Great work-life project and a positive role model for kids.

Go Sue - taking on the country's top magazines and editors from the heart of Wine Country!

You have been a busy boy, Mr Drury... any insider insight for you fellow fruitbowlers?!?

It's a fabulous seaside village with wonderful places to relax, watch the sunset, wander the boardwalk, swim in the waves - yes, we do have sand here too!

We've even got the Old Customhouse opening regularly now that the Ahuriri Business Association has formed an alliance with the trust that runs it. Why not check it out this weekend? It's open Sunday, 1am to 3pm.

Old and new, it's all interesting in Ahuriri. You'll be hooked!