Treat this as a wake-up call. You can never do enough to look after your superstars. Write down all the things you do to say "thanks" and "well done". List all the colleagues you have spoken to in the past week and – be honest – look through your payroll and underline the names of anyone you don’t really know. It is more difficult to respect a boss that doesn’t get around the business.

There are many things you can do to show your colleagues that you care. Look through the lists of "Best Companies" and see what they do for their employees. But it’s not the perks such as free holiday homes, and birthdays off that matter most. Your team needs to know that their boss believes in them. Listen to their opinions, hold some small discussion groups and ask them to tell you how they see the business. Let them know what is going on, share your sales and profit figures and talk through your plans.

Perhaps you think that some chief executives are a soft touch who are too generous for their own good. I don’t agree. If you amaze your best people by becoming a great place to work they will almost certainly amaze you in return.

Don’t worry any more about the crowd who have gone, look after the people who are still on your payroll.

Given your experience with commercial landlords, what would you say are the most important things to do for a small retail business negotiating for new sites?

The right site at an affordable rent is an essential factor for retail success. The high street is full of empty shops so there are plenty to choose from, but be patient – we view at least 10 possible properties for every one we go for.

Get all the help you can. A surveyor who can negotiate a good deal is well worth the fee, but the final decision is yours – you are the one who will pay the rent.

Today’s market is in the tenant’s favour. As well as lower rents it is possible to secure rent-free periods and contributions to refit costs, but be careful, only take a shop that you can still afford after the first rent review.

As a small but growing business it helps to have a lease that gives you plenty of flexibility. If possible, secure frequent break clauses so it is easy to relocate.

Always carry out a building survey. If it reveals material problems try to make the landlord repair the property before the lease is signed.

Agree as much of the detail as possible with the landlord or his agent before the lawyers get involved – it will keep legal fees down and avoid misunderstandings later on.

Visit your selected site several times and proceed only if you think it is perfect. Take your time and don’t be tempted to overpay – if you fail to get the shop you want it will soon be forgotten, if you make a mistake the decision will stay with you for years.

I’ve read a great deal in business magazines about the "power" of social media for small companies, with commentators extolling the virtues of targeted advertising through Facebook and the importance of having a presence on Twitter. Is it worth spending time on these things?

Since my son James bought me an iPad I am starting to understand why so many people get hooked on computers. I haven’t succumbed to Facebook or Twitter but some of the computer games I’ve played have shown me that computer screens can become addictive.

With so many people frittering their time on Facebook perhaps social media will provide the perfect opportunity to plug your product – as long as you sell something that will appeal to young potential Tweeters. Alternatively, if you are selling to the family, it might make sense to use mumsnet.com.

I intend to keep a close eye on how social media develops, but for the time being we will keep clear. There are probably more important things to do.