Running a business means constantly making decisions about what comes next. Managing cash flow, reaching new customers, improving systems or finding time to plan for the future can all be challenging when you’re also dealing with the day-to-day realities of running a business.
Through YES GROW Tonga, Australian Business Volunteers and BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP) are working alongside local businesses, providing practical tools, shared experience and one-to-one support based on the priorities each business identifies for itself.
In June 2026, 31 people representing 20 businesses across Tongatapu took part in YES GROW workshops. The businesses came from a wide range of industries, including retail and consumer services, construction and trades, tourism and hospitality, fisheries and transport, bringing their own experience, ideas and goals to the program.
Over three days, participants explored areas including business planning, budgeting, cash flow, break-even analysis, record keeping, marketing, customer service and compliance. The activities were grounded in their own businesses, giving people the opportunity to focus on what was useful and relevant to them. By the end of the workshops, business had developed their own 90-day action plans, setting out the priorities it wanted to work on and practical next steps.
One participant said:
“Great course and facilitators. Thank you. Absolutely appreciate the opportunity and will be incorporating some of the strategies presented.”
From the workshop to the business
Following the training, ABV Skilled Business Professionals Colin Scarlett and Catherine Corderoy spent time visiting participating businesses across Tongatapu. The visits were a chance to continue the conversations started during the workshops, see the businesses in their own environment and better understand the priorities each owner had identified. They also provided a natural bridge into the next stage of YES GROW: individual coaching and mentoring.
Experience to draw on
Colin has extensive experience in finance, commercial management, strategic planning and business systems. Throughout his career, he has worked with management teams across the private and government sectors, with a strong focus on mentoring, improving business processes and supporting people through change.
Cathy is a Chartered Accountant who has spent much of her career working directly with businesses. Her experience spans budgeting, financial management, business advice, accounting systems, risk management, training and mentoring.
Their experience gives business owners another perspective to draw on, while recognising that local owners know their businesses, customers and communities best.
What has come out of YES GROW so far
The first stage of YES GROW has given participating business owners an opportunity to look at where they are now, identify what matters most to them and put clear next steps in place.
So far:
The relationship continues
YES GROW workshops are just the beginning of the journey. From July to December 2026, businesses are continuing with one-to-one coaching and mentoring from ABV Skilled Business Professionals, with BSP’s local team maintaining close connections with businesses and supporting the process.
What that support looks like will be different for every business. It might mean talking through a cash flow question, looking at a plan, considering ways to reach new customers or working through how an existing business system could work better.
The aim isn’t to provide a set of answers. It’s to give business owners access to someone with experience they can draw on when it is useful, while they decide what is right for their business and what happens next.
Join the ABV Monthly Newsletter http://bit.ly/4fu1pMh
Learn more about Volunteering: https://abv.org.au/skilled-business-volunteering/
