Let’s Talk: Financial Resilience

Let’s Talk: Financial Resilience – Profits Through the Pain

The last time our Byron region was so heavily affected by circumstances outside of its control, was around 12 years ago as a result of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). 

The region - and businesses within it - were accustomed to the traction and momentum that Byron already had as a loved and well-established tourist destination. 

Cameron Arnold, Chair of Destination North Coast, and CEO at Regen Tourism, said, “If you are part of a business in this Shire, and you do not think you are part of the tourism industry – even as a service station owner, or a butcher – think again. You realise the traction business takes for granted, when that traction stops.”

When the tourist momentum dropped and businesses lost traction during the GFC, the groundswell of discontent gave way to concern – very similar to what has been felt throughout the Shire these past months. Undaunted, the business community and the Chamber of Commerce rallied, problem-solving the impact of that unprecedented impact.

Back 12 years ago, at that business forum, a spirit of inventiveness, cross-pollination and collaboration saw the emergence of a whole new way of promoting the Byron region and doing business together at a time when it was desperately needed.

But have we become complacent? This is the question the forthcoming Let’s Talk business event is putting to the business community. Facing the ongoing effects of COVID, and impacts from the most recent floods, the region is again facing the biggest loss of economic momentum due to circumstances that are once again outside of its control.

Was that community business event a success for the region? Yes. The group collaboratively brainstormed new ideas, and someone who remembered that grassroots initiative said the atmosphere in that meeting of 80 business owners keen to change their situation was 'electrifying'.

“After that GFC event and once the region had recovered, people went back to life as before, and that awakened sense of urgency and collaboration has not been felt as strongly since,” added Cameron.

Cameron will be recreating that same opportunity for the business community to think differently, co-facilitating with Susan Wanmer, Business and Brand Strategist at Ausana Marketing Institute. Supported by the Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce and The Community Hub, their event Let’s Talk Financial Resilience: Profits Through the Pain is coming up on June 9th, 2022.

This live and interactive event is partially funded by the Byron Community Initiatives Grant, and part of the popular Let’s Talk series.

Building on the need to embrace technology, livestreaming a hybrid event for the first time, ticketholders can choose between attending at the Byron Community Centre, or accessing online with an ‘Attend-from-Anywhere’ ticket giving them access to the event, and remote participation in live questions and audience inputs.

Jason Bentley - whose local company Aurora VR is donating the professional livestream - added, “Ease of access like this, is the future of engagement for business. Anyone with an ocular headset can also choose to get the 360 degree view of the Byron Community Centre venue, from their own home.” 

 

Event Details of the live and interactive event:
Tickets are available from Humanitix: https://events.humanitix.com/lets-talk-financial-resilience
Thursday, 9 June 2022, 5:30 - 7:30pm at Byron Community Centre
Tickets ($25 / $20 BBCC members)

As an ongoing contribution to recovery, the facilitators have also set up a Northern Rivers Business Literacy group running a free talk every Tuesday at 3pm on Facebook. Anyone with an interest in business local to this region is welcomed as we rekindle the movement towards shared solutions.

Collaboration is at the core of life in the Northern Rivers, and collaboration between businesses facing adversity left that original group inspired, awakened to possibilities, creating a groundswell of grassroots solutions when none existed previously, plus a shared sense of purpose within the business community.

A community Facebook group has been set up as part of this Financial Resilience program to listen, share, and steer towards tips and resources as a resilient business community finding its feet.

Speakers

SUSAN WANMER

A two-time flood veteran, Susan has authored The Bulletproof CEO, and The Bulletproof Brand. Navigating back from the brink of financial distress due to unexpected and volatile challenges, Susan upskilled in business turnarounds and realtime marketing financials, adding an 'iron core' and depth to her business consulting and coaching. She has survived through waves of business challenges and successes, and her promise is 'not only can we help business make money, but we now reverse-engineer all strategy from facing bankruptcy, mitigating the risk of that happening'. Susan is Brand Strategist and CXO for Byron-based Ausana Marketing Institute.

Cameron Arnold

Cameron has a long and celebrated career in the tourism industry and owned restaurants, accommodation and glamping businesses across Australia, including the Byron Region. From an industry perspective: “I have seen the prolonged Impacts of bushfires, floods and the pandemic pile up for business owners and have looked at how I can gear myself to support the recovery. I knew the major pain points would be seen financially and the staff shortage issues and have been ready myself when required to assist by completing a Financial Counselling Diploma and researching technology solutions to fulfil the staffing gaps.”

Cameron Arnold [CEO of Regen Tourism] will be co-facilitating with Susan Wanmer [Business and Brand Strategist at Ausana Marketing Institute] and Jason Bentley [President Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce] creating a fresh opportunity for the business community to think laterally and innovatively about doing business differently.

Supported by the Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce, Byron Community Centre and The Community Hub.

Previous Events - Let’s Talk: Menopause, The Community Hub Let’s Talk: Women in Leadership (in cooperation with Sourdough Business Women), Let’s Talk: Women in Politics

The Community Hub is an online platform to distribute knowledge, further education and support local business. Its vision is to facilitate a more inclusive, resilient and connected Byron and beyond community. Contact Sabine Muschter: info@thecommunityhub.com.au 

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