30 September, 2009
Actions speak louder than words
Helping people start their own venture or business is a very rewarding experience for me. We all like to do a bit of good and in very different ways I suspect. Running marathons, organising charity events or sponsoring good causes, the bottom line is that we give something and we get something back that makes us feel good.
That is how I feel about helping people become financially independent by running their own enterprises. There is a further payback, healthy businesses create jobs and pay taxes, taxes build schools, hospitals and homes.
March 17, 2001
Why no bush fires so far in this downturn?
This is an article I wrote in 2001, I believe it might be just as relevant now as it was then.
I met up with a supplier recently to talk about an estimate they had provided, and as inevitably happens, the conversation turned to the economic climate and how their business was doing. I expected and heard the usual calming mixture of difficult trading but an upturn in sight, and then they said something that really got me thinking and provided the answer to a question that has been bothering me.
I noticed in late 1999 that the first signs of a downturn were evident but partially hidden by millennium celebrations, Y2K euphoria and a noticeable delay in the world ending. Since then there has been, let’s say, a downward pressure on profits.
This is my fourth recession, and you do get to know how to survive, but this marked slow down in economic growth is different and in my view very much more serious. The others have been no less predictable but they have been ‘sudden’. The effects have been felt immediately, with the press trumpeting longer and longer dole queues along with the end of capitalism.
There has been some of that, and I certainly know plenty of people who are between jobs or becoming involuntary freelancers, but this recession just doesn’t have teeth, it doesn’t seem to bite. For some it must feel more like being nibbled.
Back to my supplier and what they said ‘It’s not too bad though, because we own the factory.’ Gasp! I am probably reading things into what he said that weren’t there, but my jaw dropped at the thought of using accumulated capital to subsidise a business with an uncertain outcome.
Put aside the obvious business reasons for not following this course, if this is what companies are really doing — using their reserves to stay afloat in an environment of thin profits — then this down-turn could last a very long time indeed. The danger is that businesses will become so weak that they will not be in a position to meet new demand when it appears, prolonging their demise.
Agree or not, it is worth reading an article in Forbes by Victoria Murphy and Quentin Hardy, ‘The Undead’. The article talks about over capacity in the software industry, and the very good point they make is that a rationalisation of the sector (which I believe is the bush-fire of business that lets the new growth through) is not about to happen any time soon as many companies have substantial cash reserves to keep them going for quite some time (like my supplier).
To give you an example, one prominent company, has sufficient cash at the current ‘burn rate’ for another 12 years or more. Wow, how long is that battle going on for?
October 4, 2009
Actions speak louder than words
Helping people start their own venture or business is a very rewarding experience for me.
March 17, 2001
Why no bush fires so far in this downturn?
This year has seen some of the worst bush and forest fires in a hundred years. Some experts believe that too strict a control of fires over the past few years has prevented nature taking its course and periodically clearing the forest floor. The build-up of debris allows a wholly different and far more destructive type of firestorm to take hold.
Is there a valuable lesson to be learnt here and one that the business world could use?
October 4, 2009
Who’s got those missing billions?
Have you ever asked yourself what happens to the missing $billions? Surely someone must have them, right?
October 4, 2009
You should certainly be informed and in a position to make up your own mind about the current economic climate.
October 4, 2009
No one will argue with the fact that Britain is a great place for creative talent or that we let others exploit our talent and reap the rewards.
October 4, 2009
There is nothing like the real thing and I avoid talking about aspects of business I have not experienced first hand.
This particular experience you might find interesting, as it demonstrates a point I often make about where to find profit.
October 4, 2009
Investing, trading or gambling – what’s the difference?
If you fancy trying your hand at trading the financial markets, there are a few things you should think about.
October 4, 2009
The most important thing I have learnt as a practitioner is that the creative process can be much more effective and productive if it is well managed. I asked myself if this experience could be put to use to help others, and the answer has been most emphatically yes.
My experience tells me that in the right environment, managed sensitively, creatives can achieve amazing things but managed poorly they can be a disaster.
Those commissioning work also need help to interact in the right way with their creative partners.
January 8, 2009
Behind these short articles in the library there exists in-depth research. The articles have been written over a period of time and some have been updated off-line. The following selection serves to show the breadth of subjects I have enjoyed researching.
October 4, 2009
Each Case History is a précis of projects undertaken by Town Group and marketing managers will find the scenarios familiar. If you have a particular situation which requires some outside help, or would like to know more about a particular project then please contact me for further information.
November 28, 2006
Improving the return on creative resource investment.
Click on the title to find out more or on ‘Presentation’ to see a short slide show.
November 28, 2006
Providing synesthetic solutions to new challenges.
Click on the title to find out more or on ‘Presentation’ to see a short slide show..
November 28, 2006
Getting better results through better communication.
Click on the title to find out more or on ‘Presentation’ to see a short slide show.
November 28, 2006
Improving the return on creative resource investment.
Click on the title to find out more or on ‘Presentation’ to see a short slide show.