For the fun of it, I re-read SR/A’s end of Year 2021 message and I had to grin a bit. Last year I had called 2021 a Tempest and was looking towards clearer skies and gentler winds in 2022 – Ha!
Image courtesy of Adobe Stock
To be fair we had clearer skies but as far as gentler winds … not so much. It is curious how one is always troubled by the current situation. One either fights to push forward past luffing or fights to stay afloat in a storm. Gentler winds are truly a luxury out at seas, but they are just as rare while captaining an interior design firm.
We had an incredibly busy year, and I hear from the reps that the entire industry was in the same proverbial boat. Why is it that deadlines like to compete with one another? No matter how much one plans down the pipeline, deadlines truly have a mind of their own. In other words, 2022 was a year of consistently concurring deadlines!
I am not complaining though. Deadlines mean that contracts have been signed and fees are being paid but all at once – really? Nonetheless, this year the SR/A crew proved its worth under high pressure and I could not be prouder of this team, veteran and new team members alike. They are brilliant and mature beyond their age, devoted to the clients and projects, and their work is top notch. Should I tell you how much fun my team is to work with? I always encourage humor as I see it as a proof of intelligence, but this bunch has it in spades. Makes the day and the work enjoyable.
So, I am grateful for a good, if blustery, year 2022.
Image courtesy of Adobe Stock
Though SR/A has many projects continuing into next year, 2023 looks to be volatile. The financial gurus are forecasting a slow first half with a better second half. Meanwhile the Feds are doing a balancing rope act between inflation and interest rates and who knows how this will end up? With China’s current COVID-related upheaval and other international uncertainty still looming, supply chain disruptions look to potentially continue well into 2023. I am just glad we are not operating in Europe and especially not in UK where the war in Ukraine and a potentially bad winter might mean a tough year.
Still, I can’t help myself. I have an optimistic nature and we have more than a few irons in the fire so I am hopeful 2023 will surprise us with gentle winds.
Welcome 2023, we are ready for you.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Sabine Roy is President + CEO at SR/A.
