How are you coping with COVID 19? EastCoast HR Group has approached leaders and politicians within our SE QLD community to see how they are maintaining a positive focus. And, explore how they are navigating through this current health crisis, and what subsequent changes it will mean for the business landscape and our local community.
Follow our Friday Feature – “Local Business Innovation and Leading positively through Crisis”.
Today we chat with politician Fiona Simpson. The LNP Member for Maroochydore, the Shadow Minister for Finance and Better Regulation, and the Shadow Minister for Integrity in Government
Do you have any advice for business owners, managers and/or job seekers during these unprecedented times?
- As a friend said about COVID-19 impacts, everyone is in the same boat but not everyone is facing the same weather. Some are facing a cyclone, others a storm and others still don’t know what they are facing. So my advice can’t be the same to all as everyone has a different situation. If people need help as business owners, particularly the sole traders who may not know they’re eligible for Jobkeeper, get up to date information as so much as changed with the release of multiple economic packages from the Federal Government (www.australia.gov.au).
For job seekers, if your industry – particularly hospitality and tourism – may take years to recover, this may be the time to upskill or even retrain to another industry where there are still jobs and growth. I’m certainly lobbying for more flexible training to be made available. To date, the State and Federal Government have announced free on-line courses but I’d urge people to go further and get good career advice for industry approved and in-demand areas of training.
How have you personally or professionally been effected?
- It has been a very intensive time working around the clock to try and help people who’ve just suffered the shock of losing their businesses or jobs, but I have a job and that’s an honour and privilege to do what I can to try and connect people to help. On a personal note, I have a 91-year-old mother who I care for – but she’d argue that she cares for me! It’s really changed all our lives but I’m grateful for family, friends and the best country in the world.
Has this change in business circumstance inspired any innovations within your business or industry sector?
- It’s hard not meeting people face-to-face. I’m not running a business, but providing support to businesses and workers – and I’ve found the move to video meetings as a necessity actually has some great advantages. I’m “zooming” with the best of them. Having said that, I can’t wait till we can savour coffee and face-to-face conversations again. Relationships in life – and work – matter, and regardless of the technology, you have to be intentional, genuine, and proactively engaged. That’s not so much innovation but a renewed focus. COVID-19 has forced a rethink for many on priorities.
What do you see as being the biggest challenge we will face as Business Owners / Leaders in integrating back into the “new normal”.
- Great question. I want to see as many businesses as possible not only survive but thrive beyond this time of extended crisis. I think it’s critical that Government (all levels) work more in partnership with all sizes of business – particularly small businesses – to co-create solutions and not to “stuff it up” by putting barriers in the place of the rebuild, particularly with dumb regulations or outdated tax structures.
Individual innovation will always win out but to get wider benefits across our economy, we need a “post war” reconstruction effort that focusses on removing barriers to business and jobs and champions productivity. I’m keen to work with people with ideas to transform our economy and local efforts. Profit is not a dirty word – we need people to be profitable and that means productivity and that means more jobs and benefits for everyone in our community. Please share your ideas with me!
