Green Shoots or Weeds! - Jo Haigh

My view is its definitely green shoots but then again I am the eternal optimist. Putting aside my half full glass of G&T for a moment, being realistic we probably still have some way to go but the housing market seems to be on the increase and this must surely be a good barometer for anyone after the meteoric fall of the last 18 months.

So what action should business owners take to maximise their positions. Here is my 10 point plan;

  1. Money is cheap and likely to remain so. If you can borrow, do so. Fix the amount and go for as long a term as possible with minimal penalties for early repayment.
  2. Recruit. There are loads of great people on the market, many through no fault of their own, find them and tie them into your company with creative share ownership schemes.
  3. Expand and grab market share with clever pricing and innovative marketing.
  4. Get rid of your ‘dog’ products. We all have them and however good it was in the good old days, those are gone for good so move it out and move on.
  5. Spend your marketing budget on the website, this is where you will maximise your business value.
  6. Segment your market. Some areas have really grown in this economic climate and are poised and ready to buy from you. Anything remotely environmentally friendly is on the government agenda and worth a serious look at.
  7. Just because there is cheap money doesn’t mean you should slow down on your cash management process, in fact, just the opposite. Monitor ‘can’t pay’ from ‘won’t pay’, as a starter, and take appropriate action.
  8. Shout loud and clear about any wins, however mediocre. It gives staff a boost and keeps your name up in lights. 
  9. Think global but forget China for a while. Australia and Brazil are where its going to be in the next 5 to 10 years.

And finally

    10. Remain positive and be brave. The future may not be orange but its certainly looking a bit greener and fresher than it has been for quite a while.

Jo Haigh
Head of Corporate Finance for MGR
www.mgr.co.uk
Jo.haigh@mgr.co.uk
0114 223 8621 / 0207 644 9674