Wear I duz wurk fings r gud rite now
(pretencious waffle follows)

Typically engineering (in my case electronics) is very sensitive to overall market fluctuations, but high technology in the media domain (ok yah daahrlings) is directly linked to advertising which took a huge hit over the last 3-4 years (remember the collapse of ITV digital?), this has recovered recently and has created a wave of investment in this sector (HDTV roll outs accross europe), but this is offset by some serious consolidations by some of the large players. BT, BSKYB, NTL and a number of large european Telco/broadcasters are laying off staff.

These firms don't want to be taken by suprise if the bubble bursts and they seem to think this is possible.

It's no suprise when you see that one of the largest employers in europe and one of the heaviest recruiters is the UK Gov. The public sector is squewing our economic health badly and this cannot continue (someone has to pay all of those salaries, and if the private sector is in trouble Tax revenues will go down, public spending hole anyone?).

The Gov is not certain of our economic health either, anyone heard that the Gov is unlikely to carry out its council tax banding reform?

Any way, time to take my pills...

Rich

Sounds like the Electronic Security sector is one of the exceptions. We've doubled our engineering staff (from 2 to 4) and still have more work than we know what to do with. I suspect a lot of that is driven by insurance companies insisting on certain levels of security cover as house values increase........

Not that I'm complaining........

I think its the real me and not my accountant. I'm not worrying, more a case of finding out if my gut feeling is right.

Previous recession's have always had some benefits as well, weeds out the weaker competition and indeed provides an opportunity to acquire the strugglers.

In addition we do some work for insolvency practicioners and they get busy.....did get worrying once when we had to deliver from one of them to one of our own clients:(

Still prefer the boom times though:D

The feel good factor definately has gone, look at secondhand Ducati prices (and motorcycles generally) :o however it seems to these aged bones like a slow down or soft bump recession. As you say Shaun there can be benefits - especially if you are into the stockmarket which always seems to do well in a recession.

BDG: You'll be wanting to watch this weeks Panorama you will...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programme...ma/4243108.stm

Rich

Shaun,
Start a new thread as a poll then edit your original post to point to that thread.
Could word it as :
Is your glass half empty?
or is your glass half full?

For those of us old enough to remember (or even have a mortgage when) interest rates up around the 14% mark, I think we'd be saying we're not in recession.

Are we heading for recession? I think a lot of people think we are so that's why they're holding onto your money Shaun.

Personally - unless you're prepared to go into politics and try and change the world from there (or perhaps earn some dough for doing sweet FA), then sit back and enjoy the ride.
From recent experience: - tax on your earnings, tax on your living, tax on your death. They gotcha all ways.

Sunny day, get out and ride

If you start a poll Shaun I can merge this thread with the new poll - job done.

Thanks for that, it'll make a change form watching Thomas the tank engine, and my current favourite Duck Dodgers, (thats got some good adult humour buried in it:D)

TP pol coming up thanks.

POLL ON \'IS THE ECONOMY GOING INTO RECESSION?\'
 

This poll is being added to a thread i started yesterday, so many of you may added comments already bbut i'd be very grateful if you still voted as well please.

You never know the DSC may get on Panorama as well:lol:

Thanks

[Edited on 21-9-2005 by BDG]

We have been in a recession for at least a year now, no one wants to use the R word though.
Just look at industry and small business.
All I need is a mini boom to be able to buy a new bike then I would be happy !
K