For initial advice in expanding your business to Sydney, we found New Zealand Trade and Enterprise provided a significant level of support. While expanding to any new market requires careful planning and research, knowing where to start can often be difficult. Check out the NZTE website at http://www.nzte.govt.nz/ for more information about their services. They produce a number of booklets on doing business in Australia.

Setting up our internet connection here in Sydney was not as straightforward as we would have liked. We found that while Telstra Cable was what we ideally wanted, it was not available in our building in the CBD. Optus was willing to give us limited service ADSL internet but it would take 2 weeks to be activated.

We decided to settle for the moment with Unwired wireless internet. This is a fantastic product, and more information can be found on http://www.unwired.com.au/

These wireless internet packs can be picked up at any Dick Smith in the CBD, once connected to your computer they can be activated online via credit card immediately with no phone queues. You are able to connect to the Unwired website using the wireless modem to review plans, etc, before signing up. We were online in minutes, and the software works on both Mac and PC, using either an ethernet or USB connection to your computer.

In our “Expansion to Australia” section, we will keep customers up to date on our growth into the Sydney market from little old NZ. Also, I hope it will provide some insight and usefulness to other businesses wishing to make the leap over to Australia. Watch this space.