When the stack of cards falls like dominoes
Every business owner knows the feeling of the long hours, the endless juggling, the constant drive to keep everything upright. You’re so deep in the trenches that you barely notice the cracks forming until the stack of cards falls like dominoes. At The Engine, we’ve seen this scenario play out time and time again. A trusted staff member quietly adds unworked hours to payroll. A manager manipulates expenses. A business leans too heavily on a single client. Each time, the fallout can be devastating; emotionally, financially, and reputationally. But recovery is possible.
Over the years, we’ve helped business owners navigate through these moments — recovering stolen funds, re-establishing financial integrity, and rebuilding trust within their teams. What’s most important is doing it without creating PR damage or employment disputes that can compound the pain. It takes precision, experience, and a calm, structured response — all of which we provide at The Engine.
A Lesson from Experience
In 2007, I learned this lesson the hard way. Fifty percent of one of my businesses was stolen by an employee I trusted. I pursued and won a restraint of trade, but the greater victory came in reflection. I had to ask myself where my blind spots were, and how I could prevent this from ever happening again.
A year later, in 2008, I secured the international merchandise rights for Rugby World Cup 2011 – a major milestone for a kiwi company. But even in that moment of success, I knew I needed to plan for life beyond 2011. Without that forward planning, I would’ve been right back in the same vulnerable position as 2007.
Those years taught me that business isn’t just about managing growth; t’s about managing risk. Because when something shifts, whether it’s a key client, a trusted employee, or even your own role as a working director, you need to know your structure won’t collapse.
The Wake-Up Call: GrabOne
The recent GrabOne liquidation has been another wake-up call for many business owners. Dozens of businesses have contacted The Engine in the past week alone, anxious about what could happen if they lost their biggest client or main source of income. The reality is, you don’t need to be in trouble for trouble to find you.
Life and business can turn upside down at any moment — and having the right people beside you is as critical as having the right structure in place.
The Business Warrant of Fitness Audit
That’s why now is the perfect time to take a closer look under the bonnet of your business. At The Engine, our Business Warrant of Fitness Audit gives you an independent, expert view of how your business is truly performing — beyond the surface-level numbers your accountant reviews. This audit is a practical, hands-on assessment that identifies your business’s strengths, weaknesses, and risks. We analyse your people, processes, systems, financial alignment, leadership capability, and future strategy. You’ll receive a clear, actionable plan outlining the steps needed to strengthen and future-proof your business. It’s not just a document — it’s a roadmap for business resilience. As the year draws to a close, make the last thing you do for your business this year the one that matters most — book your Business Warrant of Fitness Audit. It could be the single most important investment you make before the year ends. Because when the unexpected happens — and it will — you’ll want to know your business isn’t built on a shaky foundation.Let’s make sure your house of cards stands strong.
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