As I write this, I’m sat here at my desk on a Friday evening. Everyone has left and there is a calm across what is normally a bustling office.
A time to reflect.
As we approach the end of 2024, I’m just amazed that another year has passed by. Where does it go.
Another year in business of ‘ups’, celebrations, forward momentum and big wins. Of course accompanied by ‘downs’, losses and frustration.
Thankfully for Howarths this year, and in fairness for many years previous, we’ve had a lot more ‘ups’ than we have ‘downs’.
But I never discount the ‘downs’ – that’s where we learn the most and sharpen our pencil accordingly.
We ended this year on a big high, having surpassed our 6 month stretch targets. As readers will know, it’s no mean feat to achieve growth in this economy, especially after the Government’s budget in Q4.
And I put that growth down to one thing – our people.
There may be some who are tiring of hearing me say it, but I can’t emphasise the message enough – it’s the people that make a business.
Many will read that and nod along, but fewer take action against it.
If people truly do make a business, then how much importance and effort are you attributing to building a high performance culture? This is no trivial matter – the businesses that do this into 2025 and beyond, are the ones that win.
And that’s what we do here. Put our people first, carefully and deliberately build a environment that allows and encourages them to thrive, and watch it take off. We practice what we preach, and our HR Growth team are helping many other SME’s do the same thing. Will you be one into 2025?
Anyway, enough soapbox from me. I want to end with a ‘thank you’.
Thank you for trusting in Howarths for your HR, Employment Law and Health & Safety needs. We never take it for granted.
From all the team at Howarths, we wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas. Enjoy every moment and we’ll see you on the other side – ready to take it to the next level!
Gavin Howarth, Managing Director at Howarths.
