TheBusinessDesk.com looks to accentuate the positive

THEBUSINESSDESK.COM has launched a search to find the companies bucking the downturn.

In response to calls from our users, we are aiming to find and publish even more positive stories which show how innovative Yorkshire companies led by strong entrepreneurs are swimming against the rising tide of bad news.

Since our launch in November 2007 we have always aimed to be a cheerleader for Yorkshire business, reporting on its unique entrepreneurial spirit and introducing sections aimed at SMEs, property and finance.

While we accept that the UK faces its toughest economic outlook in a generation, we also recognise that there are plenty of business people striving to grow their firms despite the downturn and we will look to highlight their stories as uplifting examples of good news.

David Parkin, Editor of TheBusinessDesk.com, said: “While not wishing to underestimate the impact of the current downturn and the effect it is having on company finances and jobs, our users are really keen for us to highlight some good business news to shine some light on what has become a relatively gloomy outlook for business.

“Our users have made the point to us that the national media are increasingly focused on the latest corporate victims of the downturn and rarely balance that with anything positive.

“They have liked the positive approach we have taken to stories when we can and given the current climate, would like to see that more than ever.

“We understand that despite the gloom there are some great businesses out there that deserve to have their stories highlighted. Our audience is made up of people in high level roles across the region and they understand that if we all just accept that the outlook is bad and getting worse then no business will look at opportunities to grow.”

Do you agree with our approach? Is the media too negative or is it just reflecting the reality of the current economic situation. Feel free to add your views below.

Cliff Sewell managing director of Yorkshire-based recruitment firm Sewell Moorhouse, feels that there are positives to focus on.

“In my sector there are lots of businesses doing lots of recruitment. The idea that everything is doom and gloom in every sector could not be further from the truth. They say that the biggest cuts are in junior jobs but we are searching for more junior roles than we did a year ago.

“There is an issue out there, we all accept that. But equally why should we just accept that everything is bad when it certainly isn’t. We have a lot of work in the engineering and finance sectors,” he said.

Jude Palmer has experience of business and the media. She runs Palmer Developments Northern which is currently selling 14 apartments in the former Linton Springs hotel near Wetherby and also works as a media consultant advising on commercial television projects.

“I think there is a responsibility that the media have in terms of the confidence factor. I think some reporting of the current situation really has knocked confidence.

“You sometimes find if there is any good news reported, then it is tagged onto the end of all the bad news!

“In the current climate businesses like ours must work harder. We are holding a brand association event – which is a US concept – to work with brands such as Jo Malone, that share the same approach. We try to work our database harder and develop new marketing techniques,” she added.