Mark Pearson, the founder of MyVoucherCodes and CEO of Markco Media, gives Real Business his predictions for 2012.
I’ll remember 2011 for… our international expansion and growth. We successfully launched across 12 territories in 2011 and the results have been nothing short of amazing. We’ve already had to revise our forecasts upwards and in some countries we are still only a few months old and already beating the competition.
2012 will be great because… there are so many new investment opportunities around the corner. I have personally invested in more than ten new or existing businesses in 2011 and this has firmly put me on the radar for new and exciting companies that are looking for funding. Every year brings new technology, new opportunities and new avenues for growing our portfolio of businesses and services.
One sector we’ll hear a lot from next year will be… geo-location. If 2011 was the year that geo-location got serious, 2012 will be the year that it truly goes mainstream. Brands need to better engage with consumers on every level if they want to survive, something I think Mary Portas should have touched on more during her recent retail review.
The lines are clearly starting to blur between a business having a presence on the web and social media platforms and consumers’ own areas, especially as we integrate brands into our everyday life, and this is going to get even greater in the next 12 months.
The one thing that would help me grow my business in 2012 would be… a fundamental, game changing review of how government departments support businesses. Not just in terms of startups and small businesses, but also existing businesses and fast-growth companies such as mine.
The incentives for investing in businesses and emerging tech companies have certainly improved under the Coalition government, but if Cameron really wants the new Facebook to come out of the UK, then the incentives need to be far greater.
My New Year’s resolution for 2012 is… to take a step back, spend more time with those who are important to me and stop working crazy hours… but I would be kidding myself. Business wise, I would like to see the international portfolio continue to grow at such a rapid pace alongside finding more investment opportunities in the emerging technology markets. On a lighter note, this is the year I am definitely going to stop biting my nails, it’s a horrible habit.
Real Business will be running the “My 2012” series for the next month, bringing you top entrepreneurs’ views and predictions of the year ahead.
