Onwards and upwards

Business seems forever to be a two-sided coin. When we think everything is going well, something proves us wrong. Then, when it’s all doom and gloom comes the flip and it takes just one (or two) effervescent Kiwi entrepreneurs to boost confidence.

A recent Asia-Pacific SME business survey, conducted by CPA Australia, shows Kiwi SME owners are generally optimistic about the future despite Europe’s financial woes which have even shaken our Aussie neighbours.

In fact, 68 per cent of those surveyed expect growth both in their own business and the economy over the next 12 months.

On the other hand Treasury has slashed its forecast of economic growth next year although at a predicted three per cent some might argue that’s not dramatically down on the earlier prediction of 3.4 per cent growth.

Obviously, with Europe’s problems, the world continues to sail perilously close to another recession but just when one thinks it’s all over, another flower of hope appears.

As we near the end of 2011 I believe we should take heart from those companies that continue to defy the odds and grow.

The New Zealand Herald this week highlighted Rod Duke’s Briscoe Group as one that shone this past year. Mr Duke would have to be pretty pleased with a 27 per cent increase in sales on the same time last year.

Mainfreight is another buoyant company that continues to defy pessimists and on a different scale, Janene Draper from Farro the Fresh Food Market reported growth of 65 per cent in the last year, similar to the previous year.

What’s more, she’s in the gourmet food business where one might have expected a fall off in demand. Yet Farro, established five years ago, is set to open its fourth shop next year and remains a well-run family business which is not content to sit on its laurels.

My point is that as 20011 nears an end we should all take heart from businesses which are doing it right and making progress.

So, here’s hoping readers can take a positive approach into 2012. That doesn’t mean running needless risks or being reckless about spending but it does mean planning, realistic goal setting and perhaps a little less temerity when seeking finance to go forward.