“May you take over the editorship of a business magazine in interesting times,” might be a timely variation on the old Chinese saying.
Well, interesting they are indeed. Interesting, challenging, worrying in some respects. Every day we, like you, are hearing about redundancies and closures, and the latest survey from the Work Foundation on unemployment levels makes grim reading for Birmingham in particular.
But may I be forgiven for accentuating the positive. While I’m no better informed than anyone else about when the situation will improve, I’m convinced the Midlands has the potential to come out of this recession in decent shape.
That’s not because I subscribe to the survival-of-the-fittest theory but because every day I speak to people in the professional services sector, the property industry, the public sector and those working at the coalface in SMEs and larger corporates and I am always impressed with the level of talent, entrepreneurial nous, initiative, willingness to work hard and commitment to the region.
One of the characteristics of the Midlands is that we don’t often shout our achievements from the rooftops, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there.
And future talent keeps coming through, as is demonstrated in our 42 under 42 feature this issue.
So, on the whole, while there is uncertainty, I don’t detect despair. There will be winners and losers in these turbulent times, but the region as a whole will emerge intact.
Businesses will be bought and sold; dealmakers will be on hand to advise; property developers will regain their confidence; property agents will get busy again; the big regeneration projects will regain momentum; manufacturing will come out of the crisis leaner and better equipped to deal with market pressures; and fledgling business talent will come out of our world-class universities and business schools.
I returned to the Midlands in 2002 after 20 years away. The place was unrecognisable, in a good way. We have moved on in leaps and bounds since then and I don’t think it’s false optimism to believe the curve will continue upwards in the medium to long term.
While Insider always tries to lead the debate, we ultimately reflect what is going on in the region. That’s why it’s important that we hear from you when there is news to tell.
Let’s break the habit of a lifetime and crow about what we have done.
Many of you will know me from my time as a freelance business journalist in this region. I look forward to making the acquaintance of those of you I don’t know yet.
My predecessor Kurt Jacobs has done a cracking job in positioning Insider at the heart of the Midlands business community. We wish him well in his new role at Marketing Birmingham.
I hope to continue his good work, and if we prove as relevant and thought provoking over the next few years as the magazine has been during his stewardship I will be happy.
The next year will be an interesting journey for us all.
Andy Coyne, editor
Also in: May 2009
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Still worth aiming for
Thinking of floating your company during a recession? Are you mad? Not really, as there are still good reasons to. Peter Baber reports.
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The power of power
This year’s Top 500 reflects the recessionary pressures on certain sectors but also highlights the strength of the region’s corporate giants. Andy Coyne reports.