What interesting times we are in - and what
an interesting time I've had in the last few
weeks!
- I've had an armed guard escort me
from the
airport to my hotel.
- I've spoken at the lovely Arts
Hotel in
Barcelona.
- I've had an operation on my back.
- My wife Chris is giving up teaching
and has
been accepted on a two year photography course
- I've run a first workshop for
the fascinating Young Presidents
Organisation
- I've started working with three
fascinating
new Business Advice Clients, Systems
Group,
Eternity
Clothing and Thomas
Graham.
- My son, Russ, is getting married in
France next
Spring to his gorgeous Finnish fiance,
Paivi
- Last but not least, I'm very excited
to have been booked to
speak in Iran
in July.
(and I seem to have become a doctor!)
So what about business generally and all this
crisis talk?
Well I
remain optimistic. I come across many
companies in every possible business sector,
from start ups to multi national corporations
- worldwide and I have to tell you that in
the last six months there's only been one
that has been adversely affected by the
"credit crunch".
They were a hotel group
where the bank withdrew funding for an
acquisition at the last moment.
Just about
everyone else seems to be doing well from
what I see but,
nevertheless, we
must accept that if the banks do
tighten up and stop lending then that can
only adversely affect business,
but will they
really do that?
I can't believe they will
- sure they've messed up big time as an
industry - but, fundamentally, they are there
to lend money - nothing else.
My worry is
that , if we are not careful, as business
leaders we will stop
investing, stop taking the essential risks of
business because of our concerns about a possible
recession due to the credit crunch.
That
could be self fulfilling
- I do strongly believe that if demand is
there then we should still be
investing for the future.
Next I must take the opportunity to
congratulate BIRAL -
where I'm a
Non-Exec Director - for winning an over
£4million
contract for bio detection equipment - a
fantastic achievement!
I mentioned last time that I had been the
guest on "Face to Face" on City 7 TV, Dubai.
Well it's finally been aired and you can see
it here
any
minute now.
Finally let me remind you of the "Helicopter"
awards
for outstanding
service and for lousy service.
Just one "Golden Helicopter" Award, this
month!
I welcome nominations for either
category.
Explanations of why they're being
recommended should be put on my blog
to back up the
listing.
I hope you enjoy this newsletter and find it
valuable
and may I thank you for your support and smiles.
PS. There's inflation happening out there again and remember you simply MUST pass price increases on to your customers to protect your margin!
New "Helicopter" Programmes
