General Review
You will be aware of :1 ~ the effect of the ongoing financial difficulties across the world and the resulting adverse effect on your business, of reduced demand and cost uncertainty. This is the number one concern for all businesses. If you are having difficulty, especially with your Bank, we are available to help.
2 ~ the effect the supermarkets are having on the local shops, farmers and suppliers, with their ever increasing range of cheap goods for sale. The effect of manufacturing capacity being replaced by a ‘service economy’
3 ~ the detrimental effect on traditional airlines, caused by the new business models used by carriers, such as Easy-Jet. Are your competitors changing the way they do business, to your detriment? You will know about the “Dell Effect” and just in time supply.
4 ~ the effect of China’s enormous low cost production capacity, India’s educated workers and the host of other emerging economies. They are increasing unemployment in the high cost Western countries such as Germany and France, where there is already high unemployment and labour unrest. America is losing some of its manufacturing overseas and the motor industry is suffering badly. Nationalistic protectionism is becoming more evident. The UK economy now depends on ‘services’ for the bulk of its income since most of our manufacturing has already gone. There is little word of ‘Silicon Glen ‘ now.
5 ~ the effect of North Sea Oil and Gas, the major source of our wealth, getting scarcer, but in the meantime is underpinning the success of the UK and helping to compensate for the loss of manufacturing capacity.
6 ~ the effect of the Internet on the communication of knowledge to developing countries who use it to further their economies and compete with western developed countries. The ability of consumers to buy direct online – Dell for example in the case of computers, cutting out the middleman.
7 ~ the threat of Global Climate Change - as yet an unknown quantity. What will happen to the world ecological system, resources, water supplies and all life? Will Alternative Energy and Carbon Capture/Reduction be the next business growth area?
8 ~ the uncertainty about our pensions from the economic downturn and the effect of an ageing and exploding population.
9 ~ the uncertainty about which energy technology will replace oil. If China and other developing nations were to use proportionately the same amount of energy and resources as the Western World, the Earth would not be able cope.
10 ~ the effect of unknown future shocks to the economic system. Remember that the pursuit of energy and resources is a basic requirement of the world’s communities. Current knowledge suggests that not all communities will be able to satisfy their increasing aspirations for independence, wealth and comfort.
It is an ill wind that blows nobody good :
Have you considered what opportunities will be created?