The end of austerity.

In the UK, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has signalled a kind of U-turn by scrapping his plans to cut tax credits and offering more money for the health service, for defence and for the police.  This seems to be the end of his austerity planning - though he says he still intends to cut the deficit by the end of this parliament.

I'm not an economist so I tend to think in simple - perhaps even simplistic - terms.  I can see the sense in not spending more than you earn - at the personal, at the organisational and at the national level.

I also know that the Uk needs to improve its productivity.  The best way the government can help do that is to get the macro-economic climate right, to cut regulation and to invest in infrastructure.

So, write to George .. and make sure he spends his money where it will do you some good.

Can you survive Christmas

Saturday 12th December has been dubbed “Out of Stock Saturday” by logistics analysts Clear Returns, as it will be the day when the largest number of UK retailers’ stock will be tied up in the returns loop and unavailable to buy.  

They know this as it happens every year.

So does Christmas!

Yet peak, seasonal demand seems to surprise many firms each year.

Of course this doesn't apply to you, does it?

Seriously, if you haven't fully planned your operations over the next month to allow for any seasonal demand - you are too late.  But you could learn the lesson for next year- or for Easter, or whenever demand for your product/service is raised.

Help those who help themselves

I make no apologies for what some might consider an irrelevant and inappropriate post.

The title of this post is one of those things our parents taught us when we were kids. It was suggested that we should prioritise our support towards those who were already attempting their own recovery from a problem.

Well, if you still subscribe to that philosophy, I urge you to contribute to the current appeal to help Ethiopia deal with its current severe drought.

Over the last few years, Ethiopia has made great progress with its underlying productivity and economic situation - becoming one of the fastest growing economies in Africa with lots of entrepreneurial activity. They have tried very hard - and largely succeeded - in building a modern economy.

They deserve our help.  Please give up a little of your success to help others trying to do the same.

You might need help

Do you read the wise words of the business gurus, the management thought leaders?

No, me neither.

Of course these guys (for they usually are guys) must have done something right to get to where they are - to achieve their fame/notoriety.

But that doesn't mean they can necessarily create simple, pithy messages of use to you and me.

Perhaps they can when filtered through a professional writer or editor - but possibly not using their own literary skills.

Similarly, there are times when we all need help translating our raw knowledge or skills into useful end products.

The best thing you can  do is to build a team around you that has skills that complement - not duplicate - our own.