THE UNEXPECTED IMPACT

There is no easy way to describe the impact of the invisible Coronavirus enemy on the world's population when in fact our immediate point of reference is New Zealand.

There is no easy way to describe the impact of the invisible Coronavirus enemy on the world's population when in fact our immediate point of reference is New Zealand.

PopUp (Now Rebel) Business School has relevance in the realm of small business and yet this is the very market that has had the rug pulled out from under it. The government and us were thrust into an impossible scenario... let people die or let businesses (in particular small to medium sized business) hit a wall at speed. 
The pandemic happened at speed and we also had to respond at speed to combat the undeniable impact of this deadly virus. In the end we did things as a nation that were unimaginable only a month or two ago. 
If there was one thing we did as a nation, irrespective of anything else - we doubled-down. The Collins Dictionary describes this as: to reinforce one’s commitment to a venture or idea in spite of opposition or risk. 
And then what happened was that we kiwis (as a general rule - there are still some idiots out there) got into a rhythm. That allowed us to have a largely united front.
In the middle of all of this we honoured the fallen, the unsung heroes as we celebrated Anzac day at letterboxes and in driveways around the country. Our fallen are a reminder of our nations courage and its collective strength.
I look on in awe at what our small country at the bottom of the planet has achieved. Our new front line of doctors, nurses, police, ambulance, fire service, armed service, volunteers and more... have been a spectacular backbone in trying circumstances. The numbers (of deaths, of infections) are tragic and yet compared to overseas as a country we have achieved success and it has forced a personal and business 'reset'.
And in that is an unexpected impact. 
To a large extent business rule books are being rewritten. The creative, inventive and innovative nature of kiwis is bringing a new wave of pivot and change. Our #8 fencing wire mentality is indeed alive and well.
Like many other businesses across Aotearoa, at PopUp Business School we have grabbed the opportunity to instigate change that hopefully will enable more businesses to grow and be sustainable from this devastating time in Aotearoa's history. 
We are, after all, a business whose prime purpose is to enable business owners to seize the chance to make their business dream real.
We are facing a new and uncertain future and yet I have hope, mainly because of who we are as people. From the time of our early pioneers our nation has continually punched above its weight.
As a nation of individuals we have an attitude of following our own path to get the job done and yet the world also knows of our ethics and our ability to collaborate. Examples abound: Giving women the vote before any other nation or saying 'NO' to nuclear ships and creating a nuclear free zone around our country... and so many more. 
​We will bounce back from this once in a lifetime event and as a nation, as a world we will be stronger. Kia kaha.
Tony Henderson-Newport
Founder - Rebel Business School Aotearoa

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