During an interview for BBC Radio Shropshire about a month or so ago, I boldly attempted to sum up my perception of the UK economy and the current recession.
At the top end of the scale we had the successful businesses, companies that were growing and going places. Looking at recent financials I’d like to think my own business to be in this category.
At the opposite end, we placed those companies that are struggling. Business owners are making their staff redundant and losing money by the bundle.
None of our own customers are “just doing OK”; it just seems to go from one extreme to the other, for whatever reason there appears to be no middle ground.
On paper the UK economy is in a rough patch, unemployment is at a record high and it is everyday that one company or another ceases to exist.
Looking at the evidence you cannot ignore the fact that some companies are genuinely in trouble, but I would also table the suggestion that some business owners are lazy and just using the recession as an excuse to do nothing.
Doing just enough to get through the next couple of years is not good enough; you should pack up your tools and go home, do yourself a favour!
The next couple of years are about growing and being successful. If you are not moving forward then you are dead in the water; innovate with new ideas, make business efficiencies and bring new products to market.
More important develop a positive mental attitude, my business coach quotes: “your customers are but a reflection of yourself”. This might sound a little cheesy, but try and remember where the money comes from.
If you own your own business and do nothing to grow out of this recession, there is only one person to blame for not trying. Get out there and do something positive!