BUSINESS READY PROGRAM
PRACTICAL SUPPORT TO HELP YOUR BUSINESS PREPARE, RECOVER AND MOVE FORWARD
Finwell Support delivers practical small business support for regional business owners experiencing financial pressure, change, recovery or uncertainty.
Running a small business can involve difficult decisions, particularly following bushfire, natural disaster or unexpected change. Business Ready provides tools, information and individual support to help business owners understand their current position, identify priorities and take practical next steps.
Delivered by Finwell Support, the program is confidential, locally informed and tailored to the needs of rural and regional small businesses.
The Business Ready Quick Check is a short online assessment covering the key areas that contribute to business resilience and recovery.
The Quick Check can help you consider:
- cash flow and upcoming financial commitments
- business records, insurance and compliance
- operations and business continuity
- customers, marketing and communication
- staffing, suppliers and key relationships
- workload, wellbeing and decision-making.
It takes approximately one to two minutes to complete. Your responses can also help the Finwell Support team understand where you may benefit from additional support.
IS YOUR BUSINESS READY FOR WHAT COMES NEXT?
PRACTICAL SUPPORT TAILORED TO YOUR BUSINESS
Business Ready is not about having every part of your business completely sorted. It is about understanding where things stand, identifying what needs attention and know what support is available.
The program can help small business owners:
- understand their current business and financial position
- identify immediate and longer-term priorities
- strengthen cash flow and financial planning
- review business operations and recovery needs
- prepare for conversations with insurers, lenders, creditors or advisors
- consider customers, marketing and future demand
- develop practical continuity and recovery plans
- connect with relevant services and specialist support.
Understand your current positition
Knowing where your business stands can make it easier to prioritise decisions and plan your next steps. The Business Ready tools and resources can help you review your finances, operations, customers, staffing and recovery needs.
Running a small business in a regional community can bring significant pressure, uncertainty and personal stress — especially during difficult seasons or periods of change.
Topics may include:
• understanding cash flow
• reviewing business costs
• business continuity planning
• marketing your business following disruption
• communicating with customers
• preparing for financial conversations
• managing risk and planning ahead.
Live sessions provide an opportunity to hear from experienced presenters, ask questions and explore practical steps that can be applied within your business.
Build practical business skills
Recovery is different for every business.
The Business Ready podcast and story series shares the experiences of regional business owners who have responded to disruption, worked through difficult decisions or changed direction within their business.
These conversations provide practical insights, local perspectives and honest reflections on what helped businesses recover and move forward.
LEARN FROM REGIONAL BUSINESS STORIES
Sometimes the most useful next step is a confidential conversation with someone who understands small business and regional communities.
Finwell Support can work with you to:
• discuss the issues affecting your business
• review your priorities
• explore practical options
• identify suitable resources
• connect with additional financial, business or wellbeing support.
There is no pressure to have everything prepared before contacting us. Our team will work with you from wherever you are starting.
TALK THROUGH YOUR OPTIONS
who can access business ready?
Business Ready supports eligible small business owners in participating bushfire-affected communities.
Support may be available if your business has experienced direct or indirect impacts, including:
• property, equipment or stock damage
• interrupted trade or reduced customer activity
• supply-chain disruption
• increased operating costs
• insurance or recovery challenges
• financial pressure or uncertainty
• personal stress affecting business decisions.
You do not need to wait until your situation becomes overwhelming. Early support can help you understand your options and make informed decisions.
CONNECTION WITH ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
Eligible Local Government Areas
• Hindmarsh Shire Council
• Horsham Rural City Council
• Northern Grampians Shire Council
• Southern Grampians Shire Council
• West Wimmera Shire Council
