FocusMarketing

13/08/2025

My temporary office for the afternoon. Worked well, very comfortable.

16/10/2023

12/10/2023

My relaxed supervisor has just joined me. She has a good eye on my desk from that position.
Not sure what she's been up to today other than patrolling the perimeter and snoozing.

22/09/2023

Glorious Swiss chard is back. What does Swiss Chard taste like?

It’s not quite as intense as kale. Swiss chard becomes a pleasant, tender green when cooked. It pairs well with an acid like lemon or lime and a bit of salt (like pecorino or parmesan).

The stalks are mild and taste more like celery, delicious when cooked with garlic. I like to blanch the stems and leaves, then stew them with sausages or meat cuts. The stems and leaves are also nice cooked with good quality oil, seasoning, garlic if you wish, or a pinch of nutmeg, until tender.

Get yours from the community stall this Sunday.

25/08/2023

The boss sleeping on the job. Busted! Do you have a pet that joins you in the office?
PS Have a good weekend.

23/07/2023

Hey there!

Ever found yourself in the awkward position of needing to delete or temporarily unpublish a page? Facebook seems to always be changing things, (what's new?) and this feature can be a bit tricky to locate. But don't worry! We've got you covered. Check out this helpful YouTube video that I found that provides perfect instructions on how to do it.

By the way, if you're looking for some social media help, you've come to the right place! Whether it's content creation, content management, audience growth, or lead generation, I'm here to lend a hand. For the first time in 3 years, I'm opening my books to take on new clients.

Let's connect and have a chat. Feel free to reach out, and let's make your social media presence shine together! 😊

Here's the link to the video

19/07/2023

People’s Choice Award

A week ago I took part in the weekend. Our team won, quite unexpectedly, the People's Choice Award. Amazing.

Yesterday at the Tech Startup reunion, I was reminded that winning the people's choice award ment that the whole room saw the potential in the idea, and that it was worth persuing, if I and my team wanted to.

Friday a week ago I pitched one of 18 ideas, throwing it in the ring. Little did I think that the idea would get selected. Four of us formed a complementary team and got to work.

During the 54-hour weekend, we created a business case for this innovative tech solution tackling the lost revenue to fruit growers from poor pollination.

We put the idea through its paces. Validation with growers proved the idea had legs.

The regular 1-minute team updates kept on the pressure.

After research, crunching the numbers, pitch practice and the final pitch to a full room of participants, guests and judges, our Bee Drone project won the People’s Choice Award!!! Totally unexpected.

Tech Marlborough Startup Weekend is a good way of remembering how to test an idea. Be it for a business or new product development. The discipline is the same.

It’s also great for meeting new people and stretching yourself. For me, after a 3-year hiatus from networking, it was refreshing to be amongst like-minded, passionate people who support each other in the quest of the competition.

This was the second year for this event, and the winners from last year recently launched their idea, Dog Along NZ.

A big thanks to Tracey and the team at Marlborough Startup NZ . Thanks to the incredible mentors who gave of their time freely over the 54 hours. Thanks to my Bee Drone team. Thanks to new connections.

Will my team members be passionate enough to continue the quest?

Tracy Atkin Brian Dawson Chris Walbran Decision Time Help Ltd

13/07/2023

This week I learnt a lot about Matariki by taking part in as many of the Matariki activities as i could, led by Plant & Food Research at the Marlborough Research Centre - MRC.

Matariki celebrations

This week we took part in Matariki celebrations held on campus, led by Plant & Food Research . We remembered those who have passed by planting a native garden at the edge of the campus.

The plants chosen all have Rongoā or healing properties.

Please feel free to share with us what you are doing to mark Matariki.

08/07/2023

We are going through the process of validating our Startup idea, using LeanCanvas.
Here is our team.

Did you know that the bee population in NZ is declining?
That will have effects on pollination of our bee pollinated food crops.

If you are a commercial grower, we would love to hear from you. Please take 5 minutes to complete our survey.
https://forms.gle/LayQcMsTR33VBPtS7

thanks
the team

Prin, Tom, Steve and Sigrun

Marlborough Startup Mixer Bee Drone

21/04/2023

I am stoked for the team at Dnaitech and the Marlborough Research Centre - MRC.

Murray Broom and team are doing wonderful things right here in Marlborough.

We’re overwhelmed with DNAiTech’s Supreme Award win last night at the Cawthron Marlborough Environment Awards. It’s double gold for Marlborough Research Centre (MRC) as Dnaitech is part of our Grovetown Park science group.

We couldn’t be happier that DNAiTECH won the Supreme Award, jointly sponsored by Marlborough Research Centre - MRC and Plant & Food Research.

It’s a perfect result for emerging new TECHNOLOGY that’s conceived and built in Marlborough.

DNAiTECH creates trail-blazing technology to test for disease and environmental issues in the field.

The Blenheim company has developed DNA sampling and analysis that gives on-the-spot results for a quick response and action, rather than waiting for samples to be sent to a lab for analysis.

The software and equipment is easy to use and has a wide range of applications in testing for harmful pathogens in water, soil, plants, insects and humans. There is also an educational element to the business, which aims to introduce students to applying science to real-life situations.

The judges were impressed by the innovation and wide range of environmental applications, the ease of use, and DNAiTECH’s commitment to engaging young people in science.

Photo: 2023 Environment Award Supreme Winners DNAiTECH with category sponsors. From left to right: Dr Roger Robson-Williams (Chief Sustainability Officer, Plant & Food Research) Dr Anindita Sen, Tatiana Ceban, Dr Murray Broom, Dr Callum Morris, Gerald Hope (Chief Executive, Marlborough Research Centre).

📷 Lisa Duncan Photography

16/11/2022

I feel very blessed to have been able to help organise this momentous occasion attended by the RT Hon Jacinda Adern, PM. It's one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
Last time was the opening of Shakespeare Bay Port in Picton, attended by another female PM, then it was Helen Clark. You won't spot me in these very nice images by the excellent Richard Briggs Photography Limited - Marlborough New Zealand - I am in disguise.😊
With Marlborough Research Centre - MRC
NMIT , Plant & Food Research ,