IT'S hard to imagine a more volatile period in which to consider launching a new business or touting a new commercial idea around potential backers.
More has happened to the business world in the 11 months of 2008 than had happened in the previous few years.
Close to home, I am sure there are many business and political leaders in Merseyside who are very glad that so many of the major regeneration and investment schemes we have seen completed this year are just that – complete. In current markets, it's hard to see where the same or similar level of private sector investment we have recently attracted to Liverpool would be secured.
Today, with all this uncertainty to the fore, we find ourselves in the middle of Enterprise Week, which is the UK contribution to the worldwide Global Entrepreneurship Week.
It's a national celebration of enterprise with thousands of events and activities happening across the country. Last year, there were over 5,000 events and more than half a million people took part, according to the organisers.
More than 2,000 organisations are running events and activities during the week to encourage people to have ideas and bring them to fruition. This can be by starting up a new business or social enterprise, or by having ideas and making them happen in the workplace. Find more at www.enterpriseweek.org.uk
Like a great many others right now, those behind Enterprise Week are probably facing an even tougher task in getting their voices and views heard.
But I think we'd all be making a big mistake if we simply jettisoned the sort of ideas which emerge from events like Enterprise Week just because of prevailing economic conditions.
In fact, I'd go further and say the sort of ideas and solutions that emerge from nurturing enterprise could actually solve some of the far bigger problems being faced by business right now.
After all, by its very nature, enterprise is not about the old, the tried and the tested.
It's more about creativity, problem solving, risk taking, resourcefulness and selling ideas.
Sounds what the great and good who gathered in Washington last weekend needed.
Let's get on with it!
* MATT JOHNSON is chairman of Mando Group.
