I dont expect my staff to do what i do as I am the main beneficiary and i take an opposing view to them hence we close Sundays and do a miriad of other things for them, it is also worth noting our sales staff have a pay plan that ensures they have earned not a penny less in this recession; in return we have a stable, loyal workforce and a solid business.

I’ll get to enjoy the fruits of my labour when the market gets back to normal, although my management team may prefer your views as i expect at lot from them given what they receive in return.

But we are missing the point – my point was simply that I dont agree that independants have to go out of business nor that the Large plcs and car supermarkets have to impact on your business. Its simply a matter of running a tight ship and mainting a strong team and a strong balance sheet. Most the business I have seen fail have been run poorly or have been leveraged beyond belief by the owners. So in my view the author of the orginial article is wide of the mark!

Seasonal best wishes to all .

Its the same old story, if you work hard, employ and motivate good staff, invest in your team and your marketing, you will always make money and you will survive. Yes some years you make more than others but I have never lost money no matter what outside influences I have been up against. Most large plc’s would give anything to match our results and when asked why, my reply is always the same. How many of your DP’s & Senior Management work six days a week (i do but we close on Sundays for the benefit of our team and their families) from 8.30am to 8.30pm – answer hardly any!

If you want to play golf all week or weaken your balance sheet with boats in spain then why be surprised when the you lose the faith and credit of your bankers. Run a tight ship, assume the worst could happen and that the sun wont shine perminantly and WORK for a living and the market, the large and the supermarkets make not one single bit of difference. Trust me, we are living proof!