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Opportunity in Recession

Do economic downturns create opportunities for business people with vision? Or do we make things worse by talking about how bad things are? Plus a plea to use numbers before you say "do the math".

The global economic outlook is pretty bleak.

If you believe some commentators, we could be on the edge of the precipice facing another deep recession.

Obviously bad news for many of us, those who lose their jobs, have their pay cut or see their business fail.

But what about the visionary entrepreneur who can see things other people can't?

Is there something about a downturn that creates an opportunity?

Then again, is there a danger that just by talking about recession we make it more likely to happen?

Andrew Walker discusses the potential danger, and the opportunities, with two people from the world of business; David Kauders, an investment manager in Britain and John Warillow, an investor and entrepreneur in Canada.

Also, Zimbabwe has put one problem behind it - hyperinflation.

A change of currency brought some stability.

The Zimbabwean dollar was replaced with the US dollar and the South Africa Rand two years ago.

But the economic recovery is fragile and the country's industry is struggling to get back on its feet.

Clothing is one example of a sector in severe difficulty that is fighting back. The 成人论坛's Steve Vickers reports from Harare.

And a plea from regular commentator, Lucy Kellaway of the Financial Times: Please use some numbers if you're going to deploy mathematical terms.

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18 minutes

Last on

Mon 5 Dec 2011 11:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Mon 5 Dec 2011 08:32GMT
  • Mon 5 Dec 2011 11:32GMT

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