January is the time of year when traditionally predictions are made about the coming year. I thought it might be useful to pull together some which might be relevant if you have been made redundant or are worried about being made redundant. Can any of these help you with planning or giving you ideas for next steps?

1. www.realbusiness.co.uk This is probably one of the best ones. Predictions for small businesses from Real Business, a support organisation for entrepreneurs. Its predictions include the fact that small businesses will lead the way out of the recession and support will be increased from the government. http://tiny.cc/ks9yc

2. www.thisismoney.co.uk – finance website of the year last year – predicts a slow recovery with the financial sector continuing to take the brunt of the pain. http://tiny.cc/txYrj

3. Also from This is Money, an interview with HSBC chief Stephen Green who says the worst is over but a full recovery will take until 2012. http://tiny.cc/qBhWg

4. Predictions not only for house prices but changes in the structure of the market, from Anne Ashworth of The Times. From people making the most of the homes they are in, to couples looking for innovative ways of overcoming their housing problems when relationships breakdown. http://tiny.cc/H1ulB

5. www.Utalkmarketing.com a community website for marketers, predicts a continuing love of shopping despite the recession and more demand for online and international services. http://tiny.cc/BJ1hC
Do you have an idea for a product you can supply to a population of shopaholics?

6. www.personneltoday.com thinks that pay freezes will continue this year. http://tiny.cc/XKfWM

7. Mintel, the consumer research specialists, predict that:-
a. there will be some social and behavioural shifts as a result of the recession. This will mean growing skillsets in cooking, meal planning and food budgeting.
b. the home will be at the centre of everything for consumers, more than ever before. Businesses which can deliver what consumers need as a result will benefit.
c. escapism will be a key trend of 2010 both in and out of the home as consumers look for ways of forgetting all the cutting back and saving with increasing numbers investing in larger and more sophisticated home equipment
d. consumers will be more focussed on value, not only buying discounted brands but paying more attention to ensuring the goods they are buying are good value. Businesses that can convince consumers their goods are worth the asking price will do well.
e. With a growing awareness of ethical responsibility, ethics will pay a big part in building up brands and influencing purchase – nearly half of UK adults view environmental and ethical issues as important

8. And finally, from the Times, an article on 2010 being the year when misery and opportunity will converge. http://tiny.cc/dLN90

Which camp will you choose – misery or opportunity?

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