Business Resilience Strategies Worksheet

Name:

Date:

📚 Part 1: Key Concepts

Answer the following questions to demonstrate your understanding of business resilience.

1. In your own words, define business resilience in the context of a New Zealand business.

2. Which of the following best describes financial viability?

A business making a large one-off profit

A business generating enough revenue to consistently meet its expenses and obligations

A business that has no debt

A business that only sells products online

3. Select ALL of the following that are examples of disruptions a New Zealand business might face. (Tick all that apply.)

A major earthquake or flood damaging premises

A drop in the New Zealand dollar affecting import costs

A loyal customer making a repeat purchase

A supply chain shortage causing stock delays

Increased competition from a new local business

4. Match each resilience strategy to the benefit it provides a business. Draw a line to connect each pair.

Maintaining emergency financial reserves

Cross-training staff

Using local suppliers

Moving sales to a digital platform

Reduces reliance on overseas supply chains

Keeps sales going when physical premises are unavailable

Covers unexpected costs during a crisis

Ensures operations continue if key staff are absent

🧠 Part 2: Scenario Analysis

Read the scenario below and answer the questions using your business knowledge.

Scenario: Kaimoana Fresh is a small seafood restaurant located on the Kāpiti Coast. After a severe storm causes flooding, the restaurant is forced to close its doors for three weeks. The owner, Hemi, is worried about losing customers, paying staff wages, and covering ongoing costs such as rent ($4,200/month) and insurance ($180/month).

5. Identify two immediate financial challenges Hemi's business faces during the closure.

6. Suggest three specific resilience strategies Hemi could use to maintain financial viability and customer relationships during and after the closure. Explain how each strategy helps.

7. How could Hemi use crisis communication (e.g., social media, email) to keep customers informed and maintain trust during the closure? Give one specific example.

8. Do you think Hemi's business will be financially viable after reopening? Justify your answer with reference to at least one resilience strategy he should have in place before a crisis occurs.

💡 Part 3: Reflection

9. Think about a New Zealand business you know (local shop, family business, or well-known brand). Describe one resilience strategy that business could use to survive a difficult period. Explain why this strategy would be effective.

10. Exit Ticket: Complete both sentences below.

One strategy a New Zealand business could use to survive a period of disruption is: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Financial viability is important for a business because: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________