Lunar New Year is more than a cultural celebration, it’s a season of renewal and optimism across Asia, from Vietnam’s Tết to Malaysia’s Spring Festival. For businesses in Greater Manchester, it’s a timely reminder to embrace fresh energy and bold thinking.
This year marks the Year of the Horse (馬), a symbol of speed, strength, and independence. Horses don’t stand still,they move forward with confidence.
Here’s how your business can channel that spirit.
Accelerate Decision-Making
The Horse is admired for its agility and ability to act swiftly. In the same way, businesses that hesitate risk missing opportunities. Lunar New Year traditions emphasise clearing out the old to make way for the new, so start by reviewing your decision-making processes.
Are approval chains slowing you down? Could teams be empowered to act faster within clear boundaries? Speed doesn’t mean recklessness; it means structured agility.
Just as a horse gallops with purpose, your business should move decisively toward growth. If you need help streamlining governance or setting up rapid-response frameworks, our advisors can guide you.
Explore New Horizons
Horses are natural explorers, and in many cultures, they symbolise travel and expansion. Lunar New Year is a time for bold beginnings, so why not make 2026 the year you venture into new markets or launch a fresh product line?
Start small with low-risk pilots, such as a limited export batch or a regional campaign, and use data to validate before scaling. Like a horse crossing new terrain, your business can stride confidently into unfamiliar territory with the right preparation.
Our Growth Hub specialists can support you with market intelligence, export-readiness, and strategic planning.
Invest in People Power
Horses thrive in herds, reminding us that success is rarely a solo journey. Lunar New Year traditions celebrate family and community, values that translate into strong teams and partnerships in business.
Investing in your people through skills development, leadership training, and wellbeing initiatives will pay dividends in resilience and innovation. A motivated, future-ready workforce is the engine that powers growth.
We offer tailored programmes to help Greater Manchester businesses build capability and confidence for the year ahead.
A Hero’s Lesson: Galloping Beyond Limits
The Horse’s symbolism of freedom and progress isn’t just poetic, it’s practical. History offers a powerful example in Sakamoto Ryōma (坂本龍馬), who even carries “Horse” in his name.
In 1865, amid the rigid constraints of feudal Japan, Ryōma founded Kameyama Shachū, later known as Kaientai, a pioneering trading and shipping company often described as Japan’s first modern corporation. At a time when Japan was isolated, Ryōma imagined a future of open trade and modern logistics, creating a business model that bridged domestic needs with global opportunities.
His story connects directly to our three themes: speed, exploration, and collaboration. Ryōma acted decisively when others hesitated, ventured into uncharted territory by embracing global ideas, and built alliances that powered transformation.
For Greater Manchester firms, the lesson is clear: combine bold vision with strong networks and modern capability. Just as Ryōma galloped ahead of his time, businesses that embrace agility, expansion, and people power will thrive in 2026 and beyond.
Ready to Gallop?
Lunar New Year is about fresh starts. Let’s follow the spirit of Ryōma (龍馬精神), dare to challenge the status quo and explore new horizons. If you’re planning a bold move, whether it’s faster decisions, new markets, or workforce investment, we’re here to help.
Contact GM Business Growth Hub for tailored advice and resources.
Get in touch
Please contact us at 0161 3593050 or query below.
Take that first step and we’ll support you with whatever you need to succeed.
Sign-up to our newsletter
Insights, news, events and opportunities straight to your inbox.