Be in it to win it in 2012 by working smarter

27-Jan-2012 - Last updated on 12-Mar-2017 at 02:07 GMT

Related tags Pub sector Bbc radio 4 Bbc Tripadvisor

Business boosting: Money-making ideas are essential in 2012, says Gerry Price

Tim Martin has been on BBC Radio Four, with his droll manner and demands for VAT and duty reductions. Ralph Findlay’s Personal View was published in The Telegraph’s business pages, saying that the pubcos have done ever such a lot and can now make codes legally enforceable and that sorts that out.

The Government has looked at the pub sector and unsurprisingly glazed over. Trying to get any joined-up thinking about alcohol into a coherent policy remains elusive with powerful vested interests such as the brewers, pubcos, supermarkets, medics, police and politicians, all jostling for profit and popularity, taxes and savings, to suit the current time of austerity.

Herding cats? Easy!

In the absence of adult, joined-up thinking, we have to focus on what we are doing in our outlets and keep giving our customers what they want, but aren’t there a lot of distractions? Make sure you have the paperwork for the EHO and H&S inspections.

Don’t ignore the utility contract that’s up for renewal or they will sting you, probably over several years. Make sure your payroll and personnel files are up to date. Get competitive bank quotes. Keep an eye on customer feedback systems such as Tripadvisor.

Well at least we have finally got as far as the customers — the ones who come to our pub because they enjoy the food/banter/staff/fun/open fire/real ale/boules and spend their ever- decreasing cash, for which there is ever more competition from other pubs, restaurants, the internet, mortgage lenders.

I’m surprised we haven’t got nervous twitches from looking over our shoulders for the next predator!

Do I sound negative? Well I am not, but if you aren’t aware that this is a fight for our financial lives, you may not be in this game much longer.

As well as putting the customer and their needs first, you have to look at every possible way to take more money, save more money and work smarter.

Don’t be afraid to try a Sunday curry night, reply to that Tripadvisor slating, have a go at Twitter and Facebook or ask advice from someone you think may know more than you.

Do be sceptical about anyone offering to help, including signing something — especially, dare I say it, if it’s your area manager or a utilities supplier.

If you can retain your sense of humour and sanity, plan your time and business activities so that your cash-flow is positive, and grab a bit of me-and-her time to keep your personal life worth having — maybe you’ll be here next year with spare time to talk on Radio Four about what you think is wrong with the rather smaller pub sector of 2013.