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When he was publisher of the Prince George Citizen, the late Del Laverdure once mused aloud that long-term business planning was difficult at the best of times and outright impossible in Prince George.
The only thing it seems Prince George businesses can plan for, regardless of their sector, is a bumpy ride, filled with unexpected obstacles and opportunities, he would argue, with the only certainty being uncertainty. That means the annual plan was actually a strategy of nimble vigilance, of identifying obstacles promptly, then quickly overcoming them, while identifying opportunities early and rapidly exploiting them.
A two-time World Series of Poker Main Event qualifier (that means he won his way there through tournaments, as opposed to just buying a seat), Del understood better than most that knowledge, technical expertise, and thoughtful, methodical action go a long way but in cards – as in business and life – you can do everything right and it still comes out wrong. Luck and other variables outside of your control play a role. Optimizing good luck, minimizing bad luck, managing risk, and knowing the difference between skill and chance is the real game behind every game.
We all live in challenging, uncertain times. Tariffs, inflation, politics, government action and inaction at all levels, supply issues, crime, and a host of other factors are all causing significant harms to local employers, their employees and the overall economy. Some of these problems have been around a long time, others are relatively new, some foreseen, most not. These challenges – along with whatever storms lurk just beyond the horizon – make business owners and workers vulnerable. Yet local entrepreneurs continue to charge forward, believing in themselves, their teams, their ideas, and their products and services.
Just as forestry has been pounded by more ridiculous tariffs, other opportunities have opened up in the natural resources sector. Just as some Chamber members are pivoting to other international markets as a matter of survival as their American business has evaporated, other members are seeing well-deserved gains from improved interprovincial trade, combined with a strong “buy Canadian” agenda that shows no sign of waning any time soon.
Confidence and resilience is what we do in Prince George, regardless of the hand we get dealt.
All the best to you and your business.
Neil
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