With England out of the World Cup it may have gone unnoticed that the domestic fixture list has already been published.
As a West Brom fan I was keen to see who we would face on our return to the Premier League. Well our first four away games are Chelsea, Liverpool, Man Utd and Arsenal oh and Tottenham as our second home game. The FA computer must be a Wolves fan!
With this uphill battle at the start, strategy for plotting a path is going to be key. Our manager Di Matteo will have eight weeks before he gets to the first game which should be plenty of time to purchase a double-decker bus to park in front of our goal if nothing else.
However, as an intermediary how do you create a strategy to survive during the current credit blocked market whilst still trying to run the day to day business?
We are nearly three years in since the securitisation market shut and the beginning of the liquidity issue but advisers are still leaving the market and networks are still closing.
It has been said a number of times that if you are still here now then you will continue to trade and hopefully prosper during 2011 and 2012. Firstly lets hope this is true and 2011 gets a little easier.
Secondly whilst the market may become more liquid just doing nothing will not mean you survive.
As with the good times if you stood still you went backwards, in these economically challenged times if you stand still it may well be your demise.
I will not challenge your intelligence to say you need to diversify as this has been a theme for a number of years.
I will say though that if you have diversified then the new mantra should be all leads and appointments are maximised. A full kitbag should be used.
This alone though should not be the end of it. The next few years will see the outcome of the Mortgage Market Review, the introduction of RDR and the changing regulatory landscape of the Bank of England swallowing up the FSA.
None of these should be feared but seen as opportunities. These opportunities will require spotting, researching and launching with potential changes to your operating model.
Time will need to be spent away from the business to formalise these and make sure they work. If you are part of a Network you maybe able to borrow ideas they have put together and adjust to fit your circumstances.
What is important is that a few days away from the office not earning money but planning for the future will be more beneficial in the long run.
It may not feel that way at the time when money is tight and everyday seems a struggle but long term planning is critical for long term stability.
Lets remember whether it is Chelsea away or MMR there can always be a positive outcome with planning.
