Ten working days into the New Year and there appears to be little sign of the recessionary storm clouds disappearing over the horizon. Newspapers full of job losses, house for sale signs gathering cobwebs, the strength of the pound becoming something of a joke, end of year pension statements causing wrinkles.
All of it gives business strategists, marketing managers and even financial directors food for thought at a time of year normally reserved for vibrant optimism and renewed energy. But what level of optimism do you plan for?
“This time next year Rodney, we’ll be millionaires”
The vibe out there at the moment is one of cost-cutting, downsizing, outsourcing and at best consolidating. But is this the way to steer even the most unsteady ship through these rather murky waters. It might keep you afloat in the short term but is it the right long term recipe. For a minute, let’s look at the positives of the situation most of us outside Abu Dhabi are in.