Should we believe all we hear and see on the news, or should we ignore it, and rely on our own observations and beliefs. I am referring to the general doom and gloom which is currently being thrown at us by the media, convincing us that the optimism of 12 months ago is already long gone, and we should prepare ourselves for a general downturn in the worldwide economy.

It would be naïve to completely dismiss all these depressing reports, and far be it from me to suggest that I know better than these erudite economists and journalists. However, isn’t this in part how we found ourselves dragging along the bottom for so long in the recession, creating self fulfilling scenarios, and refusing to believe that there might be something better out there?

From a rather parochial aspect, there is still plenty of good news around, and from my networking experiences, on the whole I would say that things are looking very positive. Building work is going ahead very positively which is always a good sign, and all my clients are growing and becoming more profitable, be they engineers, gas and heating suppliers, luxury goods retailers or service related. So, as I said, all I see and hear around me is optimism and positive feedback. The drop in oil prices I believe to be positive also, for the majority of us, and we should all be able make savings on this front, both privately and in our business.

Of course if we look hard enough it is always possible to find businesses which are struggling. But on the whole I would suggest that if we maintain a positive outlook, keep investing where appropriate, and keep setting goals which will continue to grow the business, then we can keep the economy growing, and we will all benefit.

A belated “Happy New Year” to one and all. I hope you all had a good break over Christmas, and are now raring to go.

Lots of uncertainties face us in the coming year, weather anomalies, terrorist threats, and economic problems in particular emanating from China. So it is all the more important to do everything you can in your business to ensure its safe passage through times of turbulence.

Make sure you have clear financial targets in place, and have set a marketing plan that will allow you to achieve them. Have you set targets for individuals as well, so that you can hold your team accountable?

What are you going to do differently this year so that you don’t just keep getting the same as previous years? You may think that to match last years results is O.K., but a business which doesn’t keep growing, can easily run the risk of stagnating and bit by bit shrinking and then dying.

Have you looked at your product/service portfolio recently and decided if this needs refreshing or updating? Have you raised your prices recently? Do all your customers know everything that you do, or do you just assume they know?

Are you a bit too comfortable in your business at the moment and settling for good enough? When did you last actively get out of your “comfort zone” and challenge yourself and your team?

So lots of reasons to pause for thought, and decide on the best ways forward. Take a good hard look at yourself and your business, make some decisions as to where you want to go, and make 2016 a great year.