We’re now two weeks into this period of lockdown in Australia. When it was first mentioned by the New South Wales and Victorian Premiers as a possibility on Sunday 22nd March, 2020, I can honestly say I was both shocked and concerned for the many family businesses across the country.

As Australia moves into a situation that the Prime Minister and Treasurer are referring to as Economic Hibernation, and as my own state, New South Wales, moves to restricting movement outside the home to very limited circumstances, the effects of the COVID 19 virus continue to be felt far and wide.

As the COVID 19 situation continues to unfold, family business owners and managers are having to adapt quickly. The Prime Minister’s announcement last night about further enforced shutdowns means you need to be prepared to make quick decisions – and, unfortunately, change them quickly.

Right now, we’re in a completely fluid situation in terms of the COVID 19 outbreak. Companies are having to make rapid decisions to deal with what, in essence, seems like a war situation.

The world is gripped by and grappling with the impact of Coronavirus right now.

Camden is my closest shopping village. It’s 3 kilometres from home, so it’s always been very convenient for me personally and for business.

Mrs King was my PE teacher when I started Year 9 at Palm Beach-Currumbin State High School on the Gold Coast in 1982. Having recently relocated from Sydney, I ended up in a school that was completely sports obsessed – something I wasn’t.

In Edition 65 of Growth (Why Holden is dead in the water – 19th April, 2017), I prophesied that “Australia’s Own”, Holden will not survive as a full line importer.

It was Easter Saturday 1993 and the plan was to pop out to the supermarket and pick up some fruit and vegetables. We were in the middle of a lazy Easter weekend and the weather was overcast. As we headed into Campbelltown Mall, the Pet Shop strategically positioned on the corner of one of the main entry had some Boxer dogs inside.

My wife likes shoes. Lots of shoes. Not necessarily expensive ones and most often quite well priced. It’s just that Trish really can’t walk past a shoe store without stepping inside just like I can’t walk past a patisserie. Sigh!