At a recent gathering of entrepreneurs, brought together to get a measure of how they are reacting to recent events and how they feel about the future, I was struck once again by their amazingly positive frame of mind. It's high time we started a campaign to get the collective noun officially recognised as an opportunity of entrepreneurs. While none were blind to the challenges facing their business in coming months, when asked about the future every single one said they felt confident.
A recession may present dangers and difficulties, but it also offers opportunities. As one put it: "Asking an entrepreneur if they feel positive is like asking a runner if they think they might win a race. They wouldn't run if they didn't."
But there was also an interesting split on the panel between younger members, who have not been through a recession before, and the more experienced entrepreneurs, who have. It might be naïve optimism, but the younger entrepreneurs felt more assured that because they don't want a recession it can be avoided. This is a generation that has grown up without boom and bust. But it made me think.
There seems to be a widespread acceptance of the idea that the media is responsible for talking us into a recession. So what's so illogical about the idea that a more positive attitude can prevent it being as bad? More experienced—or jaded—observers put this head-in-the-sand approach to recession down to inexperience. It's essential, they say, to act early and get on with re-structuring debts and risk profiles while they can, laying off people while claiming that early action will help us in the long run. But what if, for once, there is substance to the optimism of what might be called "generation why-not"?
When it comes to experienced entrepreneurs, it's hard to find one to match this month's cover star, hotelier Sir Rocco Forte. Over the 20 years he's been at the top of British business, he has been through pretty much everything, from losing control of the family business to building an entirely new chain of hotels. He found time to explain to Director his views on all sorts of issues, from what annoys him in other people's hotels to what's wrong with UK politics. It's a fascinating insight into the mind of one of Britain's most respected entrepreneurs.
Richard Cree
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