Call for leaders to put in the hours

Jun 22 2009 by writer1, Birmingham Post

A former captain of industry has called on business leaders to put in extra hours to cope with the demands of the recession.

Malcolm Lines, former managing director of Massey Ferguson, said it was important that business leaders should be on top of their game and vigilant across all areas of their business.

“This means putting in the extra hours to scrutinise the finances, to keep in extremely close touch with suppliers and customers, and to identify what the competitors are doing,” he said. “Now is not a time to be caught unaware.”

Clive Mason, a former director of British Airways, together with Mr Lines, heads a new division at Leamington agency Newsline Public Relations, specialising in business advice.

“Above all, we need to be upbeat with customers and to contact existing buyers regularly to build confidence and repeat sales,” said Mr Lines, who lives in Kenilworth.

“We must not stop advertising and promotion but rather find ways to keep it fresh as well as cost-effective. We should visit and stay very close to suppliers.

“Nor should we forget our employees – let’s keep them informed, let’s know what they are thinking and make sure we have identified and are motivating the key players.”