For start-up businesses finding information on websites and from the experts, can be a mine field. BizChat is a new NZ business community website, for sharing information and experience. BizChat’s RUTH McDAVITT talks to IN-Business about the latest online community.

Bizchat's Ruth McDavitt

“There is a lot of good information already out there for Start-ups, but government sites can be overwhelming with too much information. Corporate sites have gems of usefulness, but it soon becomes obvious they’re trying to sell you something.  And while they’re potentially useful solutions, they don’t necessarily connect or engage with the person, or come across as accessible or transparent.  If you’re in business, you probably want to know things like – how to pay less tax, or who’s a good accountant in my town, or what’s the best online accounting system”, says Ruth McDavitt, who founded BizChat with friend and business journalist Ben Kepes.

“The main focus for the site is the Forums, where business people ask questions and discuss issues. If you can’t find an answer to your specific question in the resources, it can be fired out to the community, – someone out there will have been there, done that, or have a great solution for your issue”.

BizChat is a non-profit initiative, designed to build and support the business community by providing a platform for information sharing.  It has received endorsements from people like Andy Hamilton at the Icehouse Business Incubator in Auckland, and Grow Wellington has come on board as a content partner, as has IN-Business magazine.  Experienced people are already active in the forums, sharing their wisdom from the real world school of business.

McDavitt is very pleased with progress so far and positive about its potential, “we hope to become the pre-eminent NZ business community website.”

For more information www.bizchat.co.nz