There was OpEx (operational expenditure) which was perfect for funding your consulting and Cloud Computing services.  This was great as it is far easy to get than CapEx (capital expenditure).

 

Sadly, OpEx and CapEx have come under the axe. Budgets are being slashed based on the uncertainty of the future. 'Cut harder and deeper than you feel is necessary' is the mantra, "so you do it just once".

 

But thrive rather than just survive should be the thinking.  In a recession there are always going to be winners. Question is, are you going to be one of them? 

 

That depends on how you support your clients, manage costs ( yeah, yeah, yawn 8-O ), but also how you invest (now it gets interesting...)

 

But how can you invest with budgets being cut away from underneath you.  That's where a new budget category is emerging.  StratEx.   Strategic Expenditure. So no matter what else happens, these budgets are protected because they are ring-fenced for strategic investments. There are the projects which will secure your continued existence, and your dominance in the post-recessionary world.

 

As my Chairman told me recently - "Ian, you need to have a short term plan to deliver your long term vision".  trite but true.

 

So what are your StratEx projects?

 

If you are selling to corporates, how do you get your project into their StratEx bugdets?  How do you make yourself urgent and important?