What we learnt from pandemic

Notmany of us will be sad to see the end of 2020. While the economy is finishing off the year inmuchbetter shape than anyone expected nine months ago, it’s been a tough ride. But what canwetake from the weird experience of the last 12 months:

Homeis worth focusingon

There’s nothing like being stuck athomefor six weeks to focus your attention on your living situation. Newzealanders have done that en masse— as soon as lockdown lifted there was a rush to renovate, do up and add to our homes, ormoveto a new one entirely. It’s a good reminder that it’s worth getting the things closest to you right first— whether that’s having yourhome in order or getting your business fundamentals right.

Wehaveto prepare for the unpredictable

Most businesses wouldn’t have had “how to survive a pandemic” in their plans. This year is a reminder that even the most organised and prepared business can be hit with something unexpected. It’s good to have an emergency plan in place and it’s good to be thinking about the future— because the next upheaval might notcome with awage subsidy in place.

Don’t take advantage of taking help

Formanybusinesspeople, the wagesubsidy schemewas their first experience of seeking government help. With closed borders, a shuttered economy and no clear idea ofhowbad things were going to get, many put their pride aside and applied. But as things improved, heat went on thosewhosuddenly returned to strong profits. One by one, big firms that paid out dividends to shareholders paid their subsidies back. It was a good reminder that government moneycomes from taxpayers, and the social licence for businesses seen to be taking advantage is limited.

Wecan allworktogether

I sawa lot of people, businesses, public and private enterprise band together to support each other. I hope thatwetake that lesson forward.