As 2008 drew to a close, we asked a panel of UK business owners and decision makers how 2009 would pan out and what this would mean for their business.  Opinions were definitely mixed with a third of the panel forecasting a fairly gloomy outlook for the year to come, but on the brighter side an equal number of respondents believed that things will pick up this year.

What is clear is that 2009 will be a tough year for the UK’s smaller businesses, with just under half of respondents admitting that they expect to make staff cuts.  However, there were also a number of businesses who were trying to use the economic situation to their advantage and adopt more flexible working practices to combat the recession.  

What do you think 2009 has in store for your business? Are you optimistic that things can only get better?  What measures will you have to take to protect yourself in 09?