Opinion

If you’ve followed this column over the past few years, you will know I love, love, love the snow! What you may not know is that I have a habit of being overseas when it finally arrives, much to my disappointment.

Did you make those New Year’s resolutions?

Welcome to a new year of unlimited possibilities, new ways of reaching customers, innovations in technology to make our lives easier, oh and to a new breed of spruikers peddling their quick fixes for long-term challenges.

I trust information from organisations with no need to mislead or distort. The Met Office is such an organisation and they have forecast a rise in global temperatures with increased extreme weather.

For most businesses, 2019 already has a reputation that it is going to be a tougher trading year. Some will ramp up their marketing efforts, some will keep their head down, while others sadly will be no more.

Many moons ago I worked in the travel industry, and for most of it in the retail shop of Tui or Lunn Poly as it was known back then. To keep standards high there was a rigorous training programme and regular visits from the dreaded mystery shopper!

Coun Colin Raistrick gives his views on last week’s full meeting of Calderdale Council as members discussed at length cuts to council spending.

This week I’d like to be the first to welcome business owners, entrepreneurs and sales people everywhere to 2019!

As we enter the final month of the year and some businesses slowly wind down for the year, lots of owners are looking ahead to what 2019 has in store.

Coun Tim Swift, Leader of Calderdale Council, looks at the budget and the public services that are facing a funding crisis.

It’s hard to believe we are now on Season 18 of the ITV Show “I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here”. It got be thinking of the lessons that businesses and entrepreneurs could take from the show…even if they don’t watch it!

Coun Sophie Whittaker (Conservative, Rastrick) talks about local road resurfacing and supporting the community by shopping local.

Another week, another story of woe with Marks and Spencer’s reporting a fall in sales and closure of up to 100 stores.

For years businesses have been told that “This is the year of video” and certainly it’s a great way to get extra exposure for your business on social media.

Many years ago a mentor of mine posed a game-changing question. “Why should a customer choose your business over any and all other possibilities, including the possibility of doing nothing?”

As anyone starting out in their own business knows, there is rarely a straight line to success.

Over the past month I have been out with my colleagues surveying every household that I represent as a councillor.

It’s been an emotional week for us as parents as our middle girl started high school this past week. We were talking about the changes for her and how these also applied to businesses who want to succeed and grow.