The sale of slow cookers and sewing machines has soared as has packets of seeds for home grown produce. I heard that architects have had to redesign kitchen layouts from a straight and minimal approach to one that will accommodate family dining. This can only be good news. The return to people investing in relationships and time, things close to home rather than processions and debt is long overdue.

Personally I have enjoyed recapturing and nurturing solid relationships with “wholesome” friends,  some of them had a 23year gap since last being with them and yet it hasn’t mattered one bit. As we age we all seem to learn that our real friends can be counted on one hand – but when you do recognise this and are able to turn to those friends when needed it’s a pretty great feeling. We all need to trust but it’s a two way thing and something that comes with risk,  get it right and you benefit hugely whilst getting it wrong is devastating.

I think we should all take a little time to evaluate what our personal core values are and use them. What’s really important to you?

It’s always fascinating to hear the debate about whether a  family business all about the ‘business’ or about protecting the ‘family’ – we certainly heard arguments on both sides and most importantly it’s what the ‘next generation’ family business owners need to understand for their own businesses.

Our guest speaker at this event was David Baldwin from Baldwins Accountants. David works closely with his father and talked openly about his vision for the family firm and it’s growth through acquisitions.