Alistair Flower, owner of Hastings Hotel, Settlers Inn, Fernhill Tavern, Lake Cathie Tavern and The Little Shack, said now is the time for businesses to find opportunity in the challenges ahead. Now is the time to innovate.

The Federal Government's Jobkeeper supplement has created a space for his team to all contribute to a solid strategy and way forward.

Mr Flower said it is time for outside-the-box thinking because on the other side, the way we all do business will not be the same.

"We have got an additional 25 people coming back today and ultimately we will have all up 41 staff working for Flower Hotels," he said.

"We are only running two bottle shops and cafe takeaway coffee at the moment. But today we're strategising about what we do now with the staff we have.

"I'll be able to offer a few additional services like home delivery food and we have partnered with Lifeline to help provide care packs for people on Lifeline's watch list.

"There are a lot of people out there with anxiety about leaving the home and we are able to create frozen meals and also work with people like Kenny Little and others to make these care packs for them."

It's ideas like this and nurturing a culture of collaboration with his staff when planning for the future that will underpin how business evolves over the next six to 12 months.

But it hasn't been easy and there were plenty of moments when decisions could only be made on a day to day basis.

"I really watched and digested what's worked well in international markets for our industry and looked for niches in the market. There has been plenty of uncertainty around what you were going to do with staff," Mr Flower said.

"JobKeeper has been a lifeline for small business and now we have an opportunity to explore, an opportunity to plan and opportunity to really innovate.

"The last two weeks we've really been looking at ways we can innovate - it won't be the same as it was. We need to adapt and the important thing is it can't hurt anyone to try."

Flower Hotels will be adapting through technology and social media to connect with their diverse market. His staff are also playing a crucial role in helping to develop everything from business plans to marketing campaigns.

"We have the luxury of time now - use it. If you are going to read a book, make sure it is a book about business," he said.

"I've got chefs painting and managers mowing lawns. We are using this time to be ready and they are really embracing it."

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