Tonight is the last group game in England’s Brazil 2014 World Cup disaster formally relegating the country, who invented the “beautiful game” and a football giant, to an also ran, and out of the top ten footballing nations. How many of the global top 50 corporate businesses, by turnover/brand, around 100 years ago are still around today? Never was it truer that “past performance is not an indicator of future performance”.

Manchester United FC have also suffered from upheaval in top management in the last year and for the first season in many the team will not be competing at the highest levels of European football. This could be turned around in a year, but for the England team, some fundamentals have to change to reverse the decade on decade decline.

Lack of regularly updated business plans, complacency and lack of succession planning within any business can lead to the decline of a company in many areas. The economic background has improved in the last year and businesses should be making the most of the opportunities available. This could include organic growth initiatives, investment via borrowing or an acquisition strategy, coupled with streamlining the core business.

You cannot rely on history but instead aim for “future history”.

MW Interim Finance is an independent interim finance director resource who can work with your business to deliver your specific strategic or operational initiatives. Contact Martin Walby FCMA CGMA on + 44 (0) 7876 566875 or email martin.walby@mwinterimfinance.co.uk