Management by instant message

Posted on June 20, 2021 by Chris Warburton

Last week seemed to be a reset week. There was a reset on the weather, a reset to the date for ending lockdown restrictions and a reset of sorts, with the start of a change between projects… sometimes a reset can bring exciting new things… so here’s hoping… a couple of observations for this week.

Is anyone else having a problem with masks? They seem to have become the new version of hotel pens at home, seemingly appearing from nowhere, then gradually migrating and amassing at certain spots in the house… usually away from where they are needed… a tracking spreadsheet in development on I feel!

This last year we have all become intimately familiar with instant messaging (in particular WhatsApp here). It has been great during lockdown and who would have thought we would be having interactive chats, across multiple, cities, countries and even continents, all live, 10 years ago. It really is amazing and lots of fun.

However, try to arrange anything or get a decision in a chat group… seemingly every decision has multiple opinions kicking the can down the road, so no decision taken… it can be painful… time to bring back the real meeting for this one…or at least a video call!

Have a good week everyone…

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It’s a game of two halves

Posted on June 18, 2021 by Chris Warburton

With G7 leaders gathering and the start of the Euro football competition last weekend, we had some echoes of normality once again… only to be dashed at the start of the week with another 4 week extension to lockdown restrictions.

This new variant seems tricky. With high degrees of transmissibility, it is now the dominant strain in the UK. Once in the population, it seems it spreads rapidly, especially amongst without antibodies or not vaccinated or. No wonder the borders are still shut to many countries, although I fear it is only a matter of time before we see the same pattern there too. Rather frustratingly the stalemate between virus and governments seems to be continuing.

Despite this, it is not to say that things are not busy. In fact most people I have spoken to, over the last few weeks, have talked about just how busy they are.

There already seems to be a bounce back, and for those that have saved during the pandemic, it seems like the money is burning a hole in their pockets. Sales of garden renovations, even hot tubs and lazy-spas all seem to have increased.

The question… and it’s big question, is how long will any spending bump continue.

Is this a one-time summer splurge or will this be maintained over the longer term to help with economic recovery?

This was echoed in an excellent talk this week from CICM. It was an economic perspective from an insolvency practitioner’s point of view… we have likely yet to see the full impact… we are only at the start of a chain of events.

  • Furlough finishes
  • Companies have to pay 100% of salaries again
  • These need to be supported by sales
  • If not, businesses will close
  • People need to find new roles
  • If not, there is risk of financial difficulties from economic change in circumstance
  • Arrears and defaults rise

All this takes time…. with a summer spurge Q3 and Q4 are now looking likely the critical landing dates, compounded by potential inflation watch too.

With so many moving parts, all of this can be quite chaotic and as a result unpredictable. We just need to hope the bounceback is stronger than expected and any impacts minimized.

In the meantime summer is here, the football is on, it is time to relax and forget about it for a bit… we have a little more time, the weekend at least 🙂

Have a good weekend everyone.

Other stories of interest this week

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Jammy, trick or treat?

Posted on June 13, 2021 by Chris Warburton

Getting out and about is now starting to add up again financially.

Starbucks, Cafe Nero, Pret-a-manager, a little treat here and there is all very tasty, however now noticeably more expensive than the tea and biscuits I have got used to at home it seems… not a surprise, but definitely a new consideration these days.

And, it is getting busy again.

Traffic jams, to be honest, were not something I have looked back on fondly, nor missed during the lockdown. They now seem to be returning again… and quickly too as we all try to eschew public transport, where we can, to get to the office.

However, workwise, it has been genuinely great to see everyone again, to get some stuff done and have a bit of a laugh together. Long may this continue.

Life is all pros and cons I suppose… and with more caution on the horizon, let’s hope this progress safely continues too.

Have a good week everyone.

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