How confident are you about your business prospects? Your answer is likely to depend partly on your geographical location, the local economy, and the work that you do.
Bus operators in England continue to face uncertainty, largely due to the threat of changes to the business models they work in.
If you are a coach operator your answer may be different, although if our letters pages in recent years are anything to go by, the outlook is sometimes gloomy.
But you have an advantage in that you know all about your business, plus a bit about your competitors, and you have the freedom to make any changes you see fit – subject to funding and staff.
Over the years we’ve seen a number of people enter the industry and perceive it to have a number of positive qualities. Some have not only been successful, but become award-winning operators.
It is easy to be caught up in the day-to-day bustle of operating, and sometimes it’s helpful to have the view of someone who is a couple of paces removed from this hurly-burly.
There are a number of leading coach operators who have non-executive directors on their boards for this specific purpose, and they benefit from the focus it brings.
Sometimes, taking not only a long-term view, but also one from a slightly more distant position, is helpful.
