A century ago, ships set sail from this Wharf, delivering their cargo to all points of the globe. As you can see the dock has frozen-over.

This image is a metaphor for business conversations we’ve experienced over the last week. Things seem to be on hold; budgets are frozen, investment is halted, marketing and development plans suspended. Whether this is due to post holiday season inertia, pre-election hesitance, impending fiscal year-end or some other reason is any one’s guess.

Until the metaphorical and meteorological thaw sets in, it may be prudent to revise business plans for the ensuing flood. After all, we know from experience, when the snow and ice melt, the water has to go somewhere. Happy planning.
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If like me, your mind is constantly thinking of new schemes and improvements to existing products and services you’ll know it makes life interesting. If like me you have a ration of 20:1 ideas to action you’ll know we are still waiting for our proverbial ship to come in.

Despair not, history records most of the great ideas came about after years of toil. Tom Peters that great storyteller suggests we should ‘fail spectacularly and fail quickly.’ I prefer the ‘challenge, question and choose’ philosophy.

Great ideas that only exist locked in our heads or as notes on a pad may never see the light of day. Connectivity afforded by the internet allows ideas to be tested with a speed-of-response barely imaginable only 5 years ago.

How will you know unless you try is the mantra for those considering any entrepreneurial endeavour. It’s not a blank cheque to start without a plan or due consideration though. Minimise the risk but not at the cost of action.