John Timpson: Bad weather can be great for retail, especially shoe repairers It failed because I didn't delegate. I knew how to buy and sell shoes but that didn't give me the experience to tackle the rag trade. I didn't know what styles or sizes to buy in what quantity and how to do the display. The whole episode taught me a few lessons: a good idea in theory doesn't always work out in practice; being successful in one business doesn't mean you can transfer your skills in another; that I don't have the patience to deal with the detail; and find an expert and delegate. It was an expensive way to gain experience, which I have never forgotten. It cost £75,000 to shut up shop at Shoetique. I have kept clear of fashion retailing ever since. Although maternity leave is now an accepted part of corporate life, how do you manage the effects, particularly in those small but important departments where the paid absence of a colleague for up to 39 weeks must be most difficult and costly to organise? Maternity leave costs money and takes time to organise but at least you get a few months" notice to get things organised. I quite understand the problems this brings to small businesses and specialist departments but it pays to be positive. See it as an opportunity to create a great workplace for talented women that others may be less keen to employ. Although the rules are rigid, personal circumstances vary so be prepared to take a flexible approach. If you need temporary cover use the chance to provide work experience to a possible future superstar - but limit their contract to less than 12 months to avoid giving a long-term commitment to an extra name on the payroll. Find out how you can helpfully support the expectant mum while she is on maternity leave. You may find many ways you can help her, while also helping the business. It is often wrong to stick to the statutory period - in nine months some people can get so out of touch they find returning to work very stressful. For others it can be too tough to leave a 12-month baby behind. It is much better to work out what best suits both new mum and the business instead of religiously sticking to the timetable set by the maternity benefit. Maternity benefits are here to stay but they still influence recruitment. I was talking to a talented businesswoman last week who openly admitted that the prospect of pregnancy had such financial implications she tends to recruit older women. As long as business has to foot much of the maternity bill plenty of managers will do the same. But despite the extra cost, most maternity leave works out much better than expected. By the time the new baby is brought in to the office for other colleagues to admire you can be pretty sure it won't be long before mum will happily return to work. This summer looks like it's a washout already. Bad news for retailers, notwithstanding the impact of the Jubilee weekend and the Olympics? Wet, cold summers are certainly unwelcome to sellers of skimpy clothing, sandals and ice cream. Add the continuing problems in the economy and retailers have plenty to complain about. But bad weather for one retailer can be good news for another. Our Max Spielmann photo shops do better in a heatwave (people take more pictures when the sun comes out). On the other hand rain is great for shoe repairs (puddles show up holes in the soles). The climate doesn't make any difference to the demand for key cutting or watch repairs but wet weather is wonderful for selling our umbrellas. Trading hasn't been great but our like for like sales are 2pc better than last year so we are one of the lucky ones, in what is going to be a disappointing year for retailers. There is one reason for optimism. Next year, with poor figures from 2012 to beat, there is every chance that retail sales will show an improvement. Perhaps that will trigger the start of an economic recovery!