We’re constantly being accused of talking ourselves into a recession, and listening to the news every day is enough to severely test the resolve of even the most optimistically sunny of us. But, if we can talk ourselves into it, can’t we talk ourselves out of it? Perhaps a few little positive signs might help lift the gloom, and Susan Hayes, The Positive Economist, is at her most positive in telling us:
1. Last year, Ireland exported €13 billion of goods and services to other countries, despite the fact that only 3.5% of services businesses export. I see this as a MASSIVE opportunity! If we are gaining so much from such a small percentage, imagine what we could do! Businesses can look to Irish Exporters Association and Enterprise Ireland for information, funding and support to look outside our green shores. Now that the world goes online to do its ‘shopping’, our potential markets are closer to us and greater than ever!
2. Ireland has gone a long way in ‘regaining competiveness’. To put it in relative terms, we are back under 2006 prices if we exclude energy prices. While it is of small comfort when one has suffered wage cuts (if not job loss) it does mean that it costs us less to go about our daily lives than it did three years ago. Also, it makes our country a more attractive place to set up and create jobs in than at earlier stages in the decade.
3. The Irish are still able to throw a great PARTY! A €700,000 investment in the Fleadh Ceoil in Cavan was expected to yield €30,000,000 for the town. The Volvo Ocean Race generated €55,000,000 for Galway. Oxegen is worth €34,000,000 worth to the Irish economy.
4. Last year, there were 13,327 start ups in Ireland. This year, very unfortunately, we have witnessed 1,012 closures so far, but that is a 13:1 ratio! Admittedly, those who ceased trading had built industry links, possibly had staff and supplier contracts, but it shows that we, as a nation, are not going to lie down! We will stand up to this recession with entrepreneurialism!
