Only 4 Thursdays until the new financial year.

Wow! When I realised there were only 4 Thursdays until the new financial year, I was filled with mixed emotions. Financial Year 2020 (FY2020) has turned out so differently from what I first imagined. 

FY2020 will be remembered for lots of very unique things, and given my expertise is not in the area of health, I won't even attempt to critique our country's response to the health crisis, except to say I've never felt luckier to be an Aussie.

However, as we head into a new financial year, in only 4 more Thursdays, I would like to acknowledge the business leaders I've had the privilege to work with this financial year. I have been witness to:

• A business leader who has provided calm leadership to his team, knowing he couldn't take away all their fears during this uncertain time, but he could balance it out with calm, pro-active communication every step of the way.
• A salon owner who has completely reinvented herself and her business to pay the bills whilst her doors where forced shut.
• A business owner who has had to make the gut-wrenching decision to stand staff down but has used the quieter time to up-skill and position his business for future growth.
• Business partners who have backed themselves and positioned themselves for prosperity once the economy picks up again.
• A restaurant owner who started offering take-aways and has done this in such a wonderful fashion, they will keep this arm of the business going even with dine ins possible again.
• A business overhaul their digital presence to ride the online shopping wave.
• Business leaders thrive in a refined business model.
• Business leaders show compassion and understanding even in the face of uncertainty themselves.

When a lot of the world was forced home, these business leaders kept the wheels of the economy going. They kept going, they kept innovating, they kept at the grind, and for this I say thanks. It's been quite a ride.

I know we still have a long way to go, but drawing a line in the sand on the 30th June 2020 and waking up on the 1st July 2020, is a significant milestone. I'm really looking forward to it!

Planning for FY2021 has been different from any other year. I sincerely hope your hard work, perseverance and effective decision making in FY2020 pays off with a prosperous year for FY2021.

This post has been written by
​Roxanne Grey
Partner
Grey and Grey