Auckland adventures

Earlier this year I joined a global business networking organisation called EO (Entrepreneur's Organisation). It's an incredible global network of local chapters filled with some amazing talented people - and access to some impressive contacts and business content. I’ve been surprised to discover a number of people with high public profiles are members including two of Artiwood’s key supplier contacts in Hong Kong.

Membership comes with a range of benefits including regular networking dinners headlined by entertaining speakers, plus online and in-person learning (training) events. As part of your membership, they split local chapters into smaller groups (called Forums). To join a forum, you must apply to a forum and be voted into the group by its incumbent members. Each forum meets once a month and once a year the group organises its own mini offsite retreat to bond and share life and business experiences.

Each local chapter also organizes an annual retreat for members. Garry and I decided to join this year’s four-day retreat which was held in Auckland, New Zealand. Over four days we spent time with more than 50 members and their Significant Life Partners (SLPs) dining in some eclectic locations and learning plenty of business and life lessons from a bevy of guest speakers.

This included some of New Zealand's top All Blacks, All Black coaches, and incredibly talented entrepreneurs. I also got to me Jeff Wilson, one of New Zealand's all-time top 10 All Blacks. However, the most productive day for me was an all-day training session where we heard from three of New Zealand's most talented business entrepreneurs. Their business insights and experiences were simply mind-blowing.

In between speaking events, the group toured Auckland’s Eden Park stadium, visited a winery on Waiheke Island, and flew a helicopter over the summit of Rangitoto Island. Attendees were booked into the SO/Hotel on Auckland’s waterfront. It’s a quirky boutique hotel with superb harbour views from its rooftop terrace bar. Garry and I also squeezed in a couple of hours of dining at Viaduct Harbour before heading to the airport.