We can’t plan for every eventuality, but can we be prepared? With comments from leading business organisations on both uncertainty and planning for the future, this topic is at the top of everyone’s agenda.
An uncertain climate
We all know that the current climate is uncertain, few predicted the outcome on June 23rd or its fallout now 4 months on. Commenting on the announcement that UK GDP grew by 0.5% in the third quarter of 2016, Mike Cherry, National Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said:
“The growth we have seen is, in no small part, due to small businesses’ hard work and resilience. This is against a backdrop of unavoidable economic uncertainty following the referendum result, coupled with growing domestic challenges. In fact, 62% of businesses in our most recent survey cited the domestic economy as a barrier to growth.
For GDP to rise, small businesses must get the help they need to get on and succeed, expand and employ more staff. The challenge is clear. The Government must now move on from the decision on Heathrow to the Autumn Statement and use it to prioritise long-term national, regional and local investment, enterprise policy and innovation. Above all, it must not place extra burdens on business. An Autumn Statement that backs UK small business will stand us in the best possible stead for 2017 and uncertain times ahead.”
Firm Foundations
It’s not rocket science to suggest that underpinning business with robust frameworks and sound principles is critical to maintaining the resilience that businesses need to build success out of uncertainty.
Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director-General commented on CBI’s priorities for the Autumn Statement:
“With huge variations in productivity between different parts of the country, the top priority must be to set out a programme that will get our regions firing on all cylinders and supports businesses to innovate, invest and create jobs in the years ahead.”
Whilst no-one can plan for every eventuality, confidence comes from building on a set of firm foundations, operating sound approaches and putting in place simple and effective measures, leading and lagging, to monitor constantly the results you are achieving.
How can you go for growth?
So, if you want to ensure your organisation can grow and succeed against this backdrop, what do you do? At Investors in Excellence we are dedicated to helping you identify and understand the critical success factors of your organisation, maintain focus and ensure that all improvement actions deliver maximum benefits against What Matters Most.
Get in touch
If you haven’t considered the Investors in Excellence Standard of late, we welcome you to do so. Commit to the IiE Standard, receive your roadmap and build up your resilience. Contact Judy today on +44 (0)121 746 3150 or email iie@investorsinexcellence.com to find out more and receive your free copy of our 20 point productivity plan.