Robert Dreyfuss’s great-grandfather founded Rotary Watches in 1895. Robert is now chief executive of the family-run business. He gives Real Business his predictions for 2012.

I’ll remember 2011 for… being the year we resumed TV advertising for Rotary Watches, and the sales results have been fantastic. It has certainly helped deliver a strong set of results this year in an otherwise challenging retail environment.

2012 will be great because… we will focus on growing overseas. We’re delighted that we’re just about to sign agreements for Rotary Watches in Australia, Mongolia and Uzbekistan. This means you can buy a Rotary watch in over 40 countries, which is fantastic news for a fourth-generation family business started in Switzerland in 1895.

One thing we’ll hear a lot from next year will be… the Olympic Games – sport is going to be huge in 2012. Rotary is already deeply involved in the world of sailing as we are official time-keeper for the Clipper Round the World Yacht race. We also have a rich heritage in sports watches and as such are launching a new range to coincide with London 2012.

The one thing that would help me grow my business in 2012 would be… for the government to reduce/simplify the employment rules and regulations. Most businesses find employment law quite a minefield! Recent proposals to simplify some of the red tape are already welcome.

My New Year’s resolution for 2012 is… “Don’t worry about things you can’t control.” With so many macro economic factors at play, I truly believe that as an organisation we should adopt a back-to-basics policy, try to be flexible to ever-changing market demands and focus on meeting customers’ needs.

Real Business will be running the “My 2012” series for the next month, bringing you top entrepreneurs’ views and predictions of the year ahead.

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