I Remember When with Milton Rendell

Do you remember when you were planning for 2016 and the expectations you had and thought the year would deliver?

That was me in November and December in 2015 and I don’t know about you but boy oh boy I certainly got it wrong.

For many business owners including myself, last year was very different from our expectations.

For me, it was a year of learning and I for sure had to go back to some basics I had not used for a long time.

We have been very fortunate because the previous fifteen plus years have seen a very strong economy and filled mainly of optimism.

However 2016 brought many of us back to the reality that each year presents challenges and this particular one decided to present a few more than we had in the past.

Talking with many good business people during year in a variety of businesses, each did not expect the harshness that the market delivered and a number compared the year being similar to the recession of the nineties.

During the second half of the year it seemed that many business owners were tired with continuous issues of lower turnover in business as a result of less sales in retail, motor industry, real estate and housing to name a few.

No one predicted Brexit and the Trump win which many thought not possible and so if the so called experts could not get it right what chance did the local deli owner have of knowing how things were going to change.

WA’s economy was working in the opposite direction to the east coast so like many I was stumped at times which led to us reinventing ourselves and our business during the year.

So what do we see happening in 2017?

I think we enter this year a lot more aware than we did 2016 as well as being better prepared and having a more realistic outlook overall. This year I see as a time for rebuilding which will present opportunities for business and encourage investment across the board.

I look forward to seeing you during 2017 and all the best to you and your families.

Fingers crossed on January 2018 we will be talking about the great year we have just had and look forward positively.

If you have any memories like mine, email memories@realestateplus.com.au.

– Milton Rendell, chief executive officer