Macro and Micro

Throughout history, there have been numerous times when as a Nation, we’ve had to contend with events and issues that arrived with potentially devastating consequences.

I wonder if we’re not in one of those now.

Now please understand, I don’t want to be an alarmist in what I’m about to say, but I do want to be a realist, and offer a solution.

When you operate a business as I do, you’re always looking at what is called the Macro and Micro environments, Macro being the environment you have no control over such as world events, micro being the one you do have control over such as how many staff you want to employ. Business owners are always responding to what’s happening around them and making adjustments as needed, but of course we can only do so much, and only in the prevailing circumstances that we have some control over. Things in the Macro environment that impact on our business, well these are out of our control and when some real problems can emerge.

Right now, given what’s happening in the Macro environment, I’m fearing very challenging times ahead.

From where I sit, this virus the World is contending with at the moment must be having devastating effects on many countries. Cruise lines, airlines, the travel industry, accommodation outlets, restaurants and so many others who rely on the tourism industry for much of their income must be feeling the pain of this virus, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to end anytime soon. Here in Australia, we’re also contending with the effects of drought, bush fires, losing industries like Holden and seeing a growing number of major retailers falling by the wayside. It’s not a pretty picture, some might describe what we’re facing as a perfect storm for economic disaster.

That said, when faced with potential disaster, good business owners will as a first step, look at ways to combat impending issues. In other words, a good business owner would never simply go down without putting up a decent fight. Of course, some circumstances are impossible to overcome, but I’m not talking about those here.

Here in Orange, we’re not sheltered from what’s going on around the country and the world, but like any business faced with trouble ahead, we do have the opportunity to put up a serious fight to either overcome the situation or at worst, postpone the inevitable.

Good sense says that with everything going on around us, unless we decide to put up some sort of fight, we’ll just be like everyone else and let what will be be. That’s a terrible strategy by any good business standards.

Over the years, we’ve seen some Federal and State Governments show outstanding business savvy, leadership and vision. We’ve heard of local Councils who have shown outstanding vision, enterprise and leadership, and even now we know of local Business Chambers not far from here who are on fire as the saying goes. Successes like these are the result of outstanding leadership.

There’s not a lot we can do locally in regard to the Macro environment, but we certainly can take control of many of the circumstances in the local Micro environment.

Now more than ever, Orange needs strong, visionary, enterprising and wise leadership from our Council, and our local Business Chamber. Time will tell whether they are up for the challenge ahead.