OPINION PIECE Neil Clarke, Franke

NEIL CLARK, MANAGING DIRECTOR AT FRANKE, REFLECTS ON 2016 AND LOOKS FORWARD TO THE YEAR AHEAD

There’s no doubt that 2016 will go down as one of the most unpredictable years in history. Who would have thought 12 months ago that Britain would vote to leave the EU, that Donald Trump would be the US President, and that Leicester City would be Premier League champions? A £10 bet on all three would have returned £30m! If only…

I’m sure that 2017 will bring further change and I’m not foolish enough to try and predict where the year will end up. We’re already seeing it within our industry with new brands emerging, changes in distribution, changes in the retail landscape, new product launches, new technologies, innovations in the how and what, which will succeed only if they satisfy the needs of consumers, business owners and/or tradespeople.

Change is inevitable. We can’t control it and we all need to embrace it, whether we like it or not. But whether we are manufacturers, business owners, designers or installers, we should never lose sight of what it is that our customers value about what we do; quality products, great service, inspirational design and high quality installation.

We should look forward to 2017 with a mix of confidence and trepidation. It can’t be any more tumultuous than 2016 … can it??

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