The second in my ‘Why’ series is about my company Piko. A group of us formed Piko in early 2016 in Aotearoa/New Zealand. In September 2017 I expanded Piko into London.

So why the name?

Piko is a Māori word which means to bend or curve.Piko was a road address for one of our directors at the time we formed the company. Much of our work is about helping our clients run campaigns for change, or to refocus clients strategic aims. Thus the name seemed appropriate.

But why did we form Piko?

The founding directors had worked in political parties, government departments, trade unions, Iwi organisations and private sector companies. One of the issues we had found in running campaigns is that often knowledge from successful projects or campaigns weren’t shared. We had run successful political campaigns within our various organisations. We wanted to build a company that helped organisations develop their capability so they can achieve their strategic goals or campaign outcomes.

Piko provides an opportunity for individuals to broaden their experiences and develop in their careers. It is very easy to end up in a certain sector or organisation, and soon find you only get opportunities to work in that area. Piko offers the opportunity to work across the public and private sector. To run campaigns for unions, charities, NGO’s and other not for profits, but also for political parties or businesses. We want people to develop their skills and capability, and not be limited by siloed organisation or sector thinking.

Much of our work has involved helping organisations run successful social media and digital campaigns. We are not a digital or social media company. We are a company that helps organisations run successful campaigns or promotions, and social media is one of the tools in the kit.

Why expand the business form New Zealand to London?

This why is addressed in the previous post. In the context of Piko’s overall business strategy campaigns and projects are often run across national boundaries. The UK retains strong connections with New Zealand, but also is a larger and more complex market in many ways. Both countries have much they can learn from each other, and Piko’s expansion in the UK can help facilitate this.

 

Recently someone recommended I look into Simon Sinek’s Start With Why. I’m not usually one to get over excited by the latest motivational speaker or concept. But this one spoke to me. It spoke to me as it was so simple, so obvious, yet often the very question that businesses and organisations ignore. Why?

So my first blog posts are going to be dedicated to this theme.

Why London?

The UK and particularly London is about to go through the most significant period of uncertainty and change since the end of the second world war. Brexit will fundamentally change the economic, political and cultural landscape of the country. Commentators and pundits can try and pick what will happen over the coming months and years (and I’ll inevitably do the same). But in reality there are so many variables that at this stage it is anyone’s guess as to how things will play out. Last nights upset vote in the House of Commons being just the latest sign of turmoil.

Uncertainty, change, turmoil. These don’t sound like reasons why do they? Or are they?

When there is a risk, often there also is an opportunity. Since 1973 Britain has been part of the common market. In March 2019 that will come to an end. All of the UK’s trading arrangements will need to be revisited. EU regulations will no longer automatically apply and parliament will need to pass a considerable amount of legislation. The politics of Northern Ireland have already been brought to the fore, with concerns that a soft border may not be retained with the Irish Republic. This was further complicated in the 2017 general election when the Conservative Government were forced to go into Coalition with the DUP. Likewise the issue of Scottish Independence looms in the background, as like Northern Ireland the majority of voters in Scotland voted to remain in the EU.

The above may not look like opportunities for positive change. But in times of change comes and opportunity to fundamentally revisit the political and economic structures of the United Kingdom.

Coming from New Zealand, I have grown up in a country that was never part of the EU. New Zealand has been forced to make its own trading relationships. As a small country in the South Pacific we have had to develop relationships with superpowers like the US and China. We hold our own on the world stage despite having a population of just over 4 million people. I don’t mean to put NZ up on a pedestal, and future posts may address some of the challenges that country faces. However coming to London from New Zealand, Piko Consulting comes to the UK with fresh eyes and a different perspective. This fresh perspective and openness to change is something that would greatly benefit many organisations in the UK.

So why London? For me and my company Piko, London at this time offers exciting challenges. There are opportunities for Piko to make a positive contribution to the UK at a time of significant change. For me it is an opportunity to move into new areas of work in a different economy. The city of London is full of many opportunities for me to expand my company at this time. And for London I offer a skills, experience and a fresh perspective that will be incredibly valuable, especially during this time of change.

I am excited to be here, and I can’t wait to make a positive contribution in London.