In recent years we have experienced local and global events that significantly impacted us. Australia experienced some of its worst bushfires in early 2020, followed by devastating floods two years later in early 2022. We also shared a Global Pandemic in 2020-2022, something not experienced since the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918-1920. In March 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine with rhetoric reminiscent of Nazi Germany in World War II, causing immense suffering for Ukrainians, destabilising the global political system and triggering a rise in commodity and energy prices reminiscent of the OPEC Oil Crisis of 1973. Meanwhile, China continues its 'sabre rattling' over control in the South China Sea and reunification with Taiwan.

Imagine that you are an entrepreneur who is in an early-stage start-up. How might understanding how the economy works and economic policy responses help you determine the best (or worst) time to launch a new product (or business)? How might it help determine the best (or worst) time to raise funds via business angel or venture capital investors?