The summer holidays make us all intensely interested in the weather, even more than usual. And if there’s a run of bad weather, it can have us end up feeling down in the dumps and resentful, thinking life is conspiring against us.

I’m just back from an awesome trip around the South Island, through some of the world’s greatest landscapes in places such as Fiordland. We visited some stunning spots, but as it is in that part of the world, we had some days of bad weather. It’s par for the course.

This had me reflect on plans for 2009, and it came to me that in the current economic conditions, more than ever before, we have to look at not simply riding out the storm but thinking about what actions we can take to make the best of the market.

It’s a natural reaction for many when conditions are tough to put their heads down and deal with the costs and ebbs & flows of market conditions and make conservative decisions to simply survive.

I have a different take when it comes to the property lease market. Any commercial tenant with three years or less to run on their lease has an opportunity to reassess their business needs and enter discussions with their landlord about their lease terms and conditions.

Rather than simply riding out your existing lease until its term expires, I recommend taking a close and creative look at how you might renegotiate.

For landlords, security is going to be paramount and they will be as keen as mustard to secure tenancies for the longer term. That means there is going to be some room for trade offs.

For instance, if your business plan determines you will need less space in the coming years, you could be in a position to negotiate a longer lease that would be good for the landlord, but for a potentially smaller or more appropriately sized space for your needs.

In my last posting just before Christmas, I talked about the two big C’s that will be the winners this year; confidence and creativity. I’d like to add a third big C – customisation.

In 2009 Parallel Directions will be further customising its services to meet the distinct individual needs of clients. It will be custom-made solutions that carry the day for businesses in the current volatile market. This will ensure win-win deals can be achieved.

There is a potential to find creative solutions in this market through negotiation that would not have been considered in the pre-credit crunch market.

Adversity always opens up new opportunities to those who look. Which reminds me of a favourite quote…

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

So rather than battening down the hatches I suggest you take a look for hidden opportunities.

This entry was posted on Tuesday 20th January 2009 and is filed under Property Leasing. Both comments and pings are currently closed.