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| The issue of continuation is crucial for 2010 |
by PAUL BRENNAN
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Caring Times, February 2010
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_'Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.'_
The above quote is from Sir Winston Churchill and seems quite apt after the difficulties of 2009 and with, I believe, a more difficult 2010 ahead of us. It is a statement which can apply to so many companies and people in various different circumstances.
For the healthcare sector the one important caveat to the above is that failure (of care) can lead to fatalities, as we all sadly know. However, the overall principle which the great war-time leader was advocating is still relevant and, in particular, the issue of 'continuation'.
Whether you are doing well at present or suffering problems, having the courage, the skills, and strategies to continue and survive is needed and is what counts.
Recently we have seen the likes of M&S celebrate 125 years and Sainsburys 100 years in business, and along the way they have experienced ups and downs - but during the bumpy patches they kept on, adjusting their strategies to meet the needs of their changing circumstances.
By that I don't mean just cutting back and reducing expenditure, headcount and similar; I mean adapting all aspects of their proposition and offer, their service, how they promote themselves and how they engage their own staff and their end user in these changing strategies.
As one specific on this, be careful you don't cut your expenditure so that your standards are affected - while you may get a short term saving on your bottom line, the long term affects on your home or company and then on the image and perceptions, could potentially be catastrophic.
At present many groups and homes in the care sector are experiencing difficulties with the need for some 'belt tightening' - and I am sure others will in 2010 and 2011.
However, look to the long term and ensure your strategies and recovery strategies are in place. If you haven't really had to consider these commercial points in the past, during the 'good years', now is the time to urgently address this (or get someone to do it for you) and formulate a short, medium and long term plan for your business. I don't mean a meaningless shelf filling document, but a practical and usable directional map for you and the rest of your team to use.
If you are currently experiencing success, don't become complacent and again keep in mind a clear focus and the strategy which may have brought your current success, but may now need to adapt due to the economic conditions.
Include in such planning the strategies necessary to ensure the key pillars of the business are in place - the delivery of quality care in your homes with an appropriate environment ; a service and care-orientated trained team of staff; suitable promotion of your home and brand; with delivery of the required fiscal returns.
Ensure all these are cognisant of the current and future external economic, political and market conditions. Get them in place and you have the groundwork and preparation to continue forward for the rest of 2010, whatever that may bring!
# Paul Brennan is an independent advisor now working in partnership with companies in the care sector. Email: pjbrennan1@gmail.com or tel: 01625 875351
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