It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.
It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years.
Here we speak to James Pinchbeck, Partner at Streets Chartered Accountants.
At the time of writing this we are over halfway through the first month of 2022, therefore on looking at new year predictions it is perhaps worth looking at what the Chinese New Year might hold. Starting on 1st February 2022 is the Chinese zodiac year of the Tiger, symbolised by strength, exorcising evil and braveness.
In the face of the challenges individuals and businesses face over the year ahead the characteristics of the Tiger will probably mean 2022 will bode well. Certainly, the brave stand to do well if they embrace the opportunities that present themselves as we move from living with a pandemic to an endemic. These include the chance to re-imagine hospitality and leisure, create an exciting environment and conditions for returner workers and to retain staff, through to looking at innovative ways of addressing the productivity gap, skills and labour shortages. For leaders, managers and staff there is likely to be a real appetite to do this differently.
In the face of rising costs, not least energy and an increasing focus on net zero, the year ahead should be a great time to focus on business inputs but also looking to how a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach is at the heart of strategic thinking.
Whilst not advocating a baby boom, the year of the Tiger is deemed to be a good year to give birth, it certainly is likely to see a boom in new business starts with growing numbers switching from employment to self-employment, along with those looking to bring new ideas, products and services to market – many inspired by experiences and challenges faced over the last 18 months to two years.
Finally, not least for those ardent networkers, those born in the year of the Tiger are believed to be good at socialising. Therefore, as we all start to get out and about more, you will be probably be able to recognise the Tigers!
