I'm Only Happy When It Rains (again)

As I've said here before a significant % of our revenue comes from a product with a rainy sales trigger.

When it rains sales go up.

When the sun shines sales go down.

So yes I am happy when it rains.

Hard to sell to your wife when it pours throughout your all too infrequent holidays but a hard fact of business life at Severn Delta.

So of course I find myself reading the met office summer report for 2007.

2006 was in the words of the Met Office:

"the warmest on the long standing Central England Temperature (CET) record.The record that dates back to 1659 is the longest instrumental temperature record in the world and May to September 2006 has been warmer than any equivalent period since then."

2003 is high in the chart as well. Given that we completed our MBO in March a long hot, dry summer was not what we needed, but it was what we got.

2007 looks to be not so hot. Higher than average rainfall in Northern Europe.

So when you are cursing the thunder storms this summer, you know I for one will be smiling.

My point?

There are factors that will routinely affect your business that are simply beyond your control.

That does not mean you can ignore them.

Information is at your fingertips on just about every subject under the sun.

So look it up.

Even if you cannot influence or change it. You can make sure you are informed.

I worked in a plc that went on a spending spree that ran counter to the global climate. They ignored the implications of WTO agreements that would turn their industry on its head. They couldn't influence the outcome of those talks but they had years of warnings which they ignored. Unsurprisingly turnover collapsed. They were unable to service the huge debts piled up in pursuing the ill conceived acquisition spree and thus no longer exist.

So whatever the rogue factor that lies beyond your control but influences your revenue. Make sure you know what it is, where it is and make sure you are at least informed.

Forewarned is forearmed after all.

So I know the Met Office may be wrong. But I am watching. And if they are not I will be Happy When It Rains again this summer.