22 business southampton
The future’s looking bright for Business Southampton
Businesses were given an update on the latest news from Business Southampton at a lunchtime seminar held at Blake Lapthorn in Chandlers Ford
CEO Sally Lynskey outlined the journey that had seen Business Southampton grow from 30 founder Champions to 170 in 2011. And she explained with the official launch of Business Solent – from Bournemouth and Poole in the west to Chichester in the east – the expanding geographical area would bring more opportunities for Champions.
”I must stress it is business as usual for Business Southampton – we will have a city focus with a Solent remit,” she said.
The launch of Business Solent will take place on June 29 at the Rosebowl and Lynskey added the expansion meant widening the events programme to new ones with a regional focus.
New Business Southampton chairman Philip Warr addressed local businesses for the first time and explained he would be taking a strategic stance championing the region at a local and national level.
With his experience of politics at a grass roots and national level, Warr said he would be putting the case for business at the highest level.
”One of the pivotal roles will be feeding into national government about what is important for growth in our region.
”I will be talking to key stakeholders about this and also looking at the ’business prevention units’ that are getting in the way of business in our region,” he said.
Partner at Blake Lapthorn, Philip Somarakis, gave a briefing on the practical implications of the Bribery Act.
Philip Warr, new chairman of Business Southampton
With bribery costing the world economy $3 billion dollars a year, the new legislation was drawn up to tackle the growing problem and Somarakis warned it was up to businesses to be vigilant.
City plans to trade its way out of the downturn
Business leaders in Southampton are planning to introduce new products and services in a bid to trade their way out of economic gloom.
The bi-annual Business Southampton survey has shown companies are still dealing with the effects of the recession but see adapting their businesses to the needs of customers is the answer.
Sally Lynskey, CEO of Business Southampton, said: ”Our bi-annual survey has become a barometer for assessing how local businesses are dealing with the economic situation.
”While many site difficulty securing investment, increased competition and the struggle to make sales as their main challenges, it is positive that they see the best way is to trade
www.businessmag.co.uk their way out of the current situation.”
During February and March 2011, Business Southampton conducted a survey for the local business community. The results offer an insight into the current economic climate and also highlight some predictions for the near future. A total of 66 organisations, of which 51 were private, responded to the survey and a third of these employ in excess of 200 staff.
Significant findings include the following: • Businesses are continuing to cut the size of their workforce • Many have seen their turnover continue to fall • Effects of the recession are still being felt and the recovery is slow for many companies.
On a more optimistic note, in the coming six
months 35% of respondents expect to see their profits rise and the same percentage predict their profits will remain the same.
Businesses were also asked about their commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and one third of those surveyed said they were keen to get more involved with their communities.
This could include activities such as painting a community centre, assisting with the building of parks or providing time or money for other initiatives that would benefit the community in which the business is located.
The second most popular CSR activity was to become involved in activities that would benefit the environment.
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – JUNE 2011
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