Not really much of a recession was it...

Hmm, what about this:

Careful, matey!

Recessions are very personal things. If your business has continued to flourish, it may seem that there has been no recesion at all. If you are the one person in your company who has lost their job, it can be the worst recession ever.

Spot on, Steve.

The 90s recession was totally shitty for me (current one, jury's out) but I knew many others who were doing quite nicely thank you. Some people are affected profoundly, others escape. On one hand many pubs and restaurants are packed to the gunnels, prompting thoughts of 'wot recession?' but on the other hand there's the sight of empty retail units and offices everywhere. I have a number of friends currently suffering due to company restructures and failures. Many with mortages are right now benefitting from the interest rate cut.

Everyone's affected differently, but like climate change, it's happening, no doubt about that.

It does seem to be an all or nothing thing at the minute, both of my business's are doing well but some of my friends and business contacts are really suffering, mainly the one's to do with property and financial stuff, as to where it's going??

Would suggest you try standing in front of 400 staff and telling them to go home, whilst letting them know that the last 3 weeks work was for nothing as the business is insolvent! Then giving them an RP1 form which will see them receive a pittance on the other side of Christmas!

Then, as they walk out the front door of the place thay have worked for 20 years, they are confronted by the press, who film them walking away.

Welcome to the world of HR consultancy over the past 2 years! Not nice and neither was the recession.

I may be wrong here, but I reckon most people who are prepared to start their own business and have that life adventure are generally going to be positive thinking people with an optimistic attitude, or at least people who are prepared to put effort into things.

Within the 4N bubble you sit Brad, means you spend a lot of time talking and working with those types of people. Therefore, although most people who understand about networking properly are not going to pretend all is well if it is not, perhaps just the fact that they are positive thinkers means they're generally going to find ways around a bad situation, like a recession. This doesn't mean it is not happening.

 Either that is a joke or one of the most ridiculous comments yet.

1000's of redundancies a month across all sectors. 12,000 independent shops and nearly 7,000 branches of major chains closed so far this year in England and Wales etc etc etc

My neighbour who 3 months ago was made redundant is about to have his house repossessed with a wife who is 8 months pregnant. Ask him how he thinks the recession is doing......

If it's a joke , it's a sick one.

If it is serious it is technically wrong and completely inappropriate in respect of those that have suffered , continue to suffer or will suffer into the future.

Not good, I hope he gets through it Paul. I have two kids myself and know how important it is to have a secure home around you and your own space as a family..

The recession will affect and is affecting people in different ways. Its not a nice gig for those it is clearly affecting.

Security for anyone during these times is a tough gig.

Choose self-employment... risk no money during any period..

Choose employment... risk redundancy..

The only people its not likely to hit are rich people or people who are financially secure so to speak.

Well Brad has got a bit of a grilling.

Any response as to the meaning?

Like James, I too make many calls to prospects who are telling me the same: Redundancies, cost cutting, no investment in training or marketing (Mad!!) Also lots of my contacts are moving on to different companies (and sectors) making it difficult to keep up.

This year is the quietest I have been in years for new business sales. Panicking!!

Cheers

It wasn't a joke, far from it, recession forces change, i've lost my job numerous times, been on the dole for 4 years.. So i know about adversity no one can tell me different.

But right now, this recession is a good thing, its normalising markets and forcing change.. crappy businesses and practises are going to the wall.

We're getting inventive again.Using resource properly instead of throwing it around.

Unemployment rates up 2%..

So 93% in employment.. it depends how you look at the world kids.