Clive Lewis, head of enterprise at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW), offers a number of practical steps that businesses can take to ensure that they face 2010 on a positive note.

Based on primary research and expert analysis, The Future of Digital Print for Textiles: market forecasts to 2014, breaks down the global market by end-use sector, print process, region and country, with five-year forecasts to 2014. The study also provides an up-to-date overview of the latest technology developments, analysis of the competitive landscape and identifies specific market opportunities for raw material and print technology suppliers.

Jill Granger, director, I.S.E.

"I predict the new Result Air Down range will be a top seller. The idea behind this range is completely innovative and a totally new concept for the company.

“The Result AirDown range quite literally takes your breath away. Simply blow into the provided mouthpiece to inflate as the temperature drops to keep body heat at an optimum level.

A return to what customers know

Alison McKenzie, brand director, Fruit of the Loom

Simplicity is the key to success in 2010. The garments that will secure orders are those that offer added value. Buyers are looking to maximise their promotional budgets as much as possible and they are demanding affordable, proven products that represent genuine value for money.

The promotions market is a hugely important part of the overall sales and marketing strategy for Powertraveller, the UK manufacturer of the powermonkey – the UK’s favourite portable charger for mobiles and other gadgets.

This year Powertraveller won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for their range of portable chargers. And according to the company, the prestigious award has helped increase interest from promotional companies both in the UK and in Europe.

Editor, Debbie Eales asked some industry insiders for their thoughts on the year ahead. After a bumpy ride in 2009, they are surprisingly upbeat about the New Year, although lead times, pricing and cashflow will still present challenges for some.

Visitors and manufacturers attending the BTC Group private Promotional Merchandise Exhibition at the new Wembley Stadium on October 21 were all agreed on one thing, according to the company's senior marketing manager, Jon Birrell. This was arguably the best private show ever produced within the industry. Attendees arriving at the magnificent stadium were greeted by the massive bronze statue of England hero Bobby Moore standing proudly at the entrance. From the marbled halls of the reception area up to the impressive Bobby Moore Room, it was first class all the way.

In March 2008, when Mascot opened its own factory in Northern Vietnam 50km from Hanoi, social responsibility was already a natural driving force in the organisation.

Managing Director, Michael Grosbøl explains: "It is important for Mascot not only to create value for the organisation but also for the society we operate in. We do this, particularly, by acting as a responsible citizen and to secure stability in the operation and being a good employer for the employees."

Whether you need to prepare a business plan, undertake a strategic review, or review your forecasts and business plans, a chartered accountant can help.  With an independent perspective and a network of finance providers to call upon, chartered accountants can advise businesses at all stages of development from start-up to exit.

Roy started his career in embroidery in 1976 when he joined the industry's then leading supplier Geoffrey E Macpherson Ltd. He began as a young engineer and his enthusiasm was soon spotted resulting in a swift rise to a management position looking after a growing team of technicians.

Printwear & Promotion previews PenCarrie on Tour which kicks off next month. The initiative has been designed to give garment decorators a head start for 2010, showcasing all the new products and highlighting the market-leading support offered by the distributor's business development, marketing and customer services teams.

The Tipping Point

Anyone who read the book published in 2000 is likely to have been impressed by the concept that success can be achieved by recruiting as your advocates a small number of very influential people.

We all know safety matters and none of us intentionally sells unsafe products. We all recognise that the vulnerable - for example, children, the elderly and the less able - are the highest priority. So why all the fuss, some would say even paranoia?

When it comes to branded goods, nothing works better than a well-known image or logo to make it sell in greater volume. But as we all know, you can't just print any image onto a T shirt; in fact the most well-known images are protected by intellectual property laws making it illegal to sell something with a licensed image without prior agreement by the brand's owner.

Fifteen minutes of fame

Boo hoo, I'll never be famous! Teens and early twenty somethings are suckers for the fame game. The reality TV shows, celeb mags and a big chunk of the red-tops sell the idea to them that fame and wealth go together without much talent or effort being required. Just getcha bits out girl! Who'd be a teacher? In everything bad, there is good, in this case a printwear business opportunity. Create the ultimate teen birthday/Christmas present - instant fame.

Financial statements are vitally important and a key plank in a good system of planning tax payments. As well as forming the basis of the tax liability, and for limited companies filing with the registrar of companies, financial statements will be important to providers of finance and for credit reference agencies. It is worth making the extra effort to get the statements right.

When Result Clothing started out in 1994, its aim was to provide jackets and clothing accessories suitable for embellishment.

In 2006 White Duck branched out and began printing on paper as well as onto wearable merchandise, which is causing a buzz about the business as well as bringing the work in.

The Continental brand is one of the most up-to-date wholesale blank T-shirt names in the world. But two years ago, and with 99% of its garments traditionally being sold via retail channels, Continental began looking for a product to offer the promotional market with the aim of targeting large and progressive corporations.

Small businesses must keep a close eye on current and future financing while credit is tight. It is no good putting your head in the sand. The most important thing is to raise the issue at every management meeting and not let it out of your sight.

We’ve turned the tables on new editor Debbie Eales and put her in the firing line…

A poorly designed website will lose you customers. Not having a website at all will make your competitors happy. So there is a balance between a website presence and proper website presence that can mean the difference between failure and success.