Grim Reaper or Superman - whatever, small business goes on!

We are being bombarded with negativity, everything we are told is a gamble, and if the press were to be believed the end of the world is upon us.

Our Prime Minister stands in Davos stating that there is something so different and new about this downturn we cannot possibly find any solutions in economic world history. Therefore, we can only read two conclusions into that, either we are all doomed and our island is about to sink into the sea or that he is to once again don his Superman role and save the world! So what next Grim Reaper or Superman!


While the politicians decide which it is to be the rest of us have to continue to function while being beaten up by negativity. We have two ways to look at this situation, is the cup half full or half empty?

Motivation and a positive attitudes are vital in business and as people run businesses not robots they will have to be re motivated before businesses can regain a positive outlook. Yes it is bad with some sectors wiped out but those still working (23 million + of them) have spending power and that means customers.

It is a time to fight back and refuse to accept the negative, strive for the positive and realise that the world has recovered from many shattering economic collapses. Small businesses must band together to lobby through organisations such as the FBS or we will become the acceptable 'waste' product of this recession.

Small businesses must get imaginative, look for new or altered markets, open their eye's wide, and make the most of being small, the flexibility, the reduced overheads, and the close touch they have with their markets! Small really can be beautiful and a positive attitude is essential.

Credits -

Grim Reaper © AlienCat - Fotolia.com

Superman © Christos Georghiou - Fotolia.com

Happy New Year to you all.

Frosty it maybe but what a stunning site it makes to see the world covered in a magical dusting of ice.

The Seek It Out offices are swinging back to life after the festivities with a new vigour. 2009 might be a challenging year but even more reason why we must make our marketing work hard for us, look to new markets, and most of all keep pace with the changing market place, changing trends, and so much more.

Read Seek It Out member Rosie Consulting in the latest Border Business Magazine answering a question on customer retention - one of many ways in which Rosie Consulting helps customers to maximise their businesses potential.

Watching the birds on our bird table is a good lesson, times are tough for them as it is cold so they do not sit back they actively seek out food, making them our inspiration to make our businesses happen, even if things are scarce.

© Govert Nieuwland - Fotolia.com
© cornelius - Fotolia.com

WINTER BLASTS

The garden outside the Seek It Out office has certainly turned to autumn giving us a glorious show of colour. The temperature has dropped and that makes you thing of log fires and wrapping up warm. With the tough months ahead for all in business wrapping up warm might be a great way to save some pennies. Seek It Out as always can put you in touch with those that sell warm winter wear, such as Perilla and their wonderful socks. How about a stunningly designed cardigan, wrap, or jumper, those can be found on Judith Bishop's showcase. Something zany then a hat from Peru or Kathmandu, for those have a look at Peruse. So no need to be cold with all these divine woollies on offer, might be a greatly appreciated Christmas pressie!

Simply B at the Yoga London

Seek It Out member Simply B is going to be teaching at The Yoga Show 2008 - London

Yoga teacher Barbara Lyndley, of Simply B Yoga, is honoured and thrilled to be teaching an open yoga class at the YOGA SHOW this year. The show takes place at Olympia, London from Friday 31st October until Sunday 2nd November 2008. Tickets for the show are available on the Simply B website via this link http://www.simplybyoga.co.uk/index.php?pageid=312

Advent - brings the family back together

Autumn comes so quickly we hardly notice and for those selling for Christmas its a real race to catch the public eye in just 2 short months. Traditional advent calendars seem to be making a real come back as an important part of the December celebrations. A light weight gift that can be sent around the world to much missed grandchildren. In this age of the extended family often being hundreds or thousands of miles away it's a way to bring the family together for more than just a
day.
Making home seem so much closer.
Orchard cards sell a wide range of Advent calenders for you to order online.
http://www.orchardcards.co.uk

Learning about bees started me thinking... of alternatives to the humble guinea pig as a family pet!

A man called me today to ask about Bee Keeping Courses - nothing strange in that as we have a member Assington Mill that runs many courses on country and small holding crafts, including Bee Keeping.

Often people approach Seek It Out as a first port of call, when stuck trying to source something.

It did seem odd that a gent from Aussie was asking about UK courses but that led me to dwell on a couple of things. Firstly the UK crisis in Honey Production, a hot topic in the news at the moment which the Aussie chap seemed blissfully unaware of. The UK is in the midst of a national shortage due to a terrible disease killing colonies here and in the USA plus the wet weather, bees are vital to this country not only for the honey but for polinating many crops. The second thought was that of the the hell arable farmers are going through with golden fields of wheat and barley which cannot be harvested due to the rain - from our offices we can see this sad situation first hand, its a cruel blow as finally we see grain prices rise and the crops are the years income for the farm, lose them and they lost their income, made worse by soaring fertiliser and feed prices - troubled times continue for our hardworking farmers.

Conclusion - why would anyone wish to get into the world of small production or farming in these dire times - well maybe not full scale farming, however that is the only valuable land at the moment. However, small scale production has a greater appeal now, think of how you could reduce your budget, eat well, and have the pleasure of your very own produce or meat. As we hear that food has rocketed in price in the last 8 month perhaps growing or rearing your own is more attractive than ever.

Chickens - thanks to clever inventions by the likes of Omlet are a viable option for anyone with even a tiny garden, growing fruit or veg in pots, in windows or in your conservatory - scraps of unused space could suddenly become little food factories with little effort or outlay. It can become something you can share with the family, would a chicken laying eggs not be just as cuddly but more productive than a guinea pig or goldfish - it's a thought next time the children pester you for a pet!

However, nothing is learnt over night so it would be wise to ensure you learn or buy through the experts, especially if dealing with animals - there is a huge range of skills courses available nationwide and one of the most established and respected is that of Assington Mill. Omlet is the perfect answer for those keen on fresh eggs - they are highly knowledgeable and provide all you need.

So perhaps its time to beat the big boys prices and grow/rear our own.

Assington Mill - specialists running short courses in a huge range of country and small holding crafts - from Bee Keeping to Straw Bale building and so much more, all in stunning surroundings. http://www.assingtonmill.com


Omlet = expert providers for those wanting to keep chickens, ducks or rabbits even on the smallest scale - http://www.omlet.co.uk

Central Association of Beekeepers
http://www.cabk.org.uk/

Hen Keepers Association
http://www.henkeepersassociation.co.uk/

Royal Horticultural Society - Grow your own
http://www.rhs.org.uk/vegetables/

Photo credits - cartoon chicken = © vectorgirl - Fotolia.com / cartoon bee =© Dean Murray - Fotolia.com / chickens=.Shock - Fotolia.com

Nicki Lewis Smith - Further pictures of her 2008 win at Shrewsbury Flower Show

Nicki Lewis-Smith, MI Hort Dip GLDD - Garden Designer & Horticulturalist takes Silver at Shrewsbury 2008 - now we have the official pictures of her Lupus Show Garden 2008 - supporting the great work of the Lupus Charity
Nicki won Silver for her delightful garden - congratulations to Nicki.

Nicki magically managed to create a garden, using plants she had grown herself, that pulled you in, the feeling of relaxation and restfulness was so strong, yet this small garden was in the middle of a frantically busy show ground - it takes a true designer to achieve that! Luckily there was a rope around the garden or I am sure before long a weary visitor would have taken root in that chair!

Below just gives you a taste of the garden but it had to be seen to be appreciated - Nicki's garden was visited both this year and last by the top gardener Chris Beardshaw

See below for another post on Nicki and her 2008 show garden.