[Peter_]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

You make a very valid point, but this time it's "for real".

A lot of my time is spent analysing financial issues and I have never known things to be this bad. ALL of my business contacts report trading difficulties to a greater or lesser extent and some are hanging on only by a thread.

Even well respected financial experts are now alarmed at the future prospects for most of the world, including the UK.

Extraordinary circumstances require extraordinary solutions and it is my belief that the old social, class, political etc divisions that many cling onto must be cast aside so that we can all work together to get through this.

As disposable income continues to fall, VM, like all other businesses, must continue to be run as efficiently as possible. The austerity measures taken by the Government haven't even filtered through yet. Massive voluntary/public sector job losses, tax rises, benefit cuts are all on the way.

I have reduced the amount that I draw from my own company and in turn have had to reduce my personal outgoings. Because I reduced the hours of my cleaner, she says that she no longer goes to the bowling alley midweek to balance her books. It's like a pack of cards, as people receive less, they spend less and this has a knock on effect on the employees of the businesses that they spend money at.

Another example is Pay TV. In previous recessions, Pay TV has done well as people see it as a cheaper form of entertainment than, say, a night out. As disposable income continues to fall dramatically, people will face a stark choice of Sky Movies or paying the mortgage.

A lot of employees seem to distrust their employer, when, in reality, most are fair and want the best for their workforce.

I have ensured that all of our staff have been informed as to why unpopular measures have had to be taken to ensure the future of the business and, consequently, their employment.

You must want to go back to the past and the image below seems to be what you believe the future should be, how sad.



Next you will be advocating a return to the workhouse because you see others as a lower class little better than animals.