Like many businesses our sales fell in the first half of this year, but we have increased our marketing spend, placed adverts with key media, networked through our client base, invested in training and new skills, revamped our website and added this blog, and they are paying off. 

We are back to pre recession levels of income thanks to wins for JCT600, Monument Investments, Ambitemp, Whittakers Chocolates and Purely Nutrition.  All good Yorkshire business with the confidence to look ahead, beyond the recession.

Even more promisingly our new business pipelines have never been better.

Somoene once told me that if you are looking behind cant move forward, but look far ahead and you can run fast.  That has always made sense to me, but never more so now. 

This is the time when businesses that are not crippled by the current markets should be looking to the future and planning for a time when the negative trends have stopped.  It is a time to look beyond the recession, invest in initiatives and take advantage of the opportunities thrown up by the turmoil.

Smart management of PR and marketing budgets this year could deliver more return than ever before as markets thin out and there is less competition for your messages.  Even maintaining a reduced marketing or PR spend could deliver significant increases in share of profile as the more short-sighted cut budgets and lose momentum. 

With firms reviewing almost every expense and renegotiating with suppliers, it’s vital that you give yourself the best chance to be considered for new work and make pitch lists.  Refresh your key messages; keep your name prominent in the media; smarten up your internet presence; network subtly through existing clients and in new circles.

Shrewd businesses are using the current situation to best advantage by differentiating themselves from the competition and making the most of the positives.  As much of the regional media has turned its attention to highlighting success and celebrating businesses that grow, and with fewer voices competing to be heard, despite the challenges, now is the time to invest in your profile.

It’s never been truer that cash is king but confidence is definitely next in line to the throne.

Leeds manufacturers have in fact risen to the challenges of globalisation with a winning combination of enterprise and innovation enabling them to build market leadership and new business against fierce overseas competition.

Leeds is the UK’s third largest manufacturing centre with over 1900 firms employing some 39,000 people. Manufacturing accounts for 8% of total employment in the city and punches above its weight by generating 11% of the total £15 billion output.

Specialised engineering remains the largest sub-sector with around 13,600 employees, printing and publishing, medical technology and food and drink production are also major employers. But Leeds manufacturers turn out a wide range of products used across the world, from artificial heart valves, to precision motor components and jet turbine blades.

So let’s hear it a bit more for the manufacturers, they will be a vital part of our recovery from this recession.