‘Think outside square’
Expert tips for operators to stay resilient Directive to close hits club set hard
A BUSINESS hub manager is urging Cairns businesses to think outside the square in order to successfully survive a pandemic-caused economic shutdown.
Complete Business Solutions managing director Petina Tieman, who also runs coworking office space iiHub on McLeod St, said she was dealing with an inundation of enquiries from business owners keen to know how and when they could access available federal funds.
“The biggest question regularly asked is ‘what grants or financial support is available?’,” she said.
“Business owners are dependent on government handing money out, but there is a time delay with these processes.
“So the most important thing for business owners to do is to think outside the square – very difficult for them to do when they are in panic mode – and find another way to earn the income they need to pay staff and bills.”
Ms Tieman said her team was calling on its eight years of experience to help link businesses with COVID-19 business resilience, recovery and support programs.
The iiHub space was also coming into its own for another reason.
“With the pubs, clubs and other venues closed down, iiHub is getting smashed with bookings and inquiries from businesses still needing to hold meetings or training as per business commitments or government contract and funding obligations,” Ms Tieman said.
“Other venues can no longer host them.
“We comply with the four sqm/1.5m social spacing rules.
“We are also about to launch COVID-19 program that are very low cost including business resilience, diversification and finding new clients and opportunities, grants and funding sources, debt and creditor negotiation and low cost or no-cost marketing when the budget is tight.
“People management during COVID-19 is also a hot topic, as is extreme business budgeting and coping with stress.”
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THE community club sector in Queensland is in mourning after a directive to close last night.
“This is a very sad day for our industry, but as community organisations, we know how important it is that we follow the directions of our Government and play our part in ensuring our communities are safe,” said Clubs Queensland CEO Doug Flockhart.
“This situation is unprecedented and over the last week our clubs have been responding to the escalating situation as the health advice changed.
“Clubs are, by their very nature, community oriented. Their staff are family. This has hit them all very, very hard and we know this will reverberate through the local community.”
Community club members have also been hard hit, with many people relying on their club for social connection and affordable, good food.
“That’s the irony of all of this isn’t it? The very thing that makes community clubs special – community connection – is the very reason we must close at this point,” said Mr Flockhart. “Our clubs are now looking to how they can continue to support their community and keep some staff employed – takeaway bottle shop sales to members and takeaway food offerings are all options some of our clubs are currently exploring.”