Group reveals blind spots for struggling Tassie businesses

Business owners seeking tips and strategies to ride through the coronavirus period can now access knowledge from nine of Tasmania’s most savvy experts. Full details >>

BUSINESS owners seeking tips and strategies to ride through the coronavirus period can now access knowledge from nine of Tasmania’s most savvy experts.

The Business Blindspots Tasmania initiative has combined a handful of businesspeople boasting an array of expertise from company innovation and marketing to managing debt and accounting.

Business model design adviser James Baker said he and business coach Mick Denehey dreamt up the idea before COVID-19 to share their experiences with business owners who have faced confusion over how best to deal with challenges impacting their livelihoods.

“We’re picking up common themes among our clients who are struggling with a lot of the same things,” he said.

Members of Hobart business group Business Blindspot Tasmania, Raz Haroon, Rachael Downie and James Baker. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“What we’re doing is encouraging them to start thinking about everything around their business and to start searching for the right information.”

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While a website is in the works, brand marketing adviser Raz Haroon said Business Blindspots Tasmania were currently posting advice on LinkedIn and other social media platforms.

He said one common misconception or “no-no” was that ceasing marketing and advertising campaigns would save costs and benefit businesses.

“We’re all Tasmanian, we work (predominantly) with small Tasmanian businesses,” he said. “There’s a lot of insight and experience we can share.”

Business success mentor Rachael Downie said she hoped the shared information would resonate with business owners and provide value in an uncertain time.

“(COVID-19) is a really great example as to how people can adapt and make decisions quickly,” she said.

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