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news opinion
Have you noticed how many times Ed Balls, the shadow chancellor, uses the phrase, “the cost of living crisis“? He has obviously been told that if you repeat the word “crisis“ enough times, people will simply assume that a crisis exists
Similarly, the chancellor George Osborne constantly uses the phrase “hard-working people“, and keeps repeating the mantra that the Conservatives are the only party on the side of such people.
It’s really best not to listen to politicians who have all the subtlety of snake-oil salesmen. Listen to business people instead. They tend to talk far more sense.
And if you do, you will hear some very positive noises as we look forward to the brighter days of spring.
For instance, Britain’s bosses are the world’s most confident. Six out of 10, according to a recent PwC global survey, believe the UK economy will improve over the next 12 months – a higher level of confidence than any other nation.
A whopping 93% are confident about their company’s own turnover prospects over the next year – much better than the global average of 85%.
They are right to feel so buoyant. The jobs outlook is improving, manufacturing is posting some positive results, and the focus of many CEOs has shifted from survival back to growth.
This positivity was reflected at the Roundtable debate we staged at Cliveden last month (see our Thames Valley and iPad editions). A key theme that was common to all successful businesses at the event was how remaining nimble – quick to adapt to changing circumstances – was a vital ingredient of success. So too was the focus on people, and not just profits.
Get the people right, and the profits will follow.
David Murray Publisher
www.businessmag.co.uk Burgess signs the double
Burgess Marine, Britain’s largest independent ship repairer, has scored a double by way of new long-term contracts with ferry operators Wightlink and Gosport Ferry. The contracts are worth more than £5 million and secure ship repair jobs now and into the future.
Burgess Marine is refitting Wightlink’s high- speed craft and Gosport Ferry’s four ships, utilising the 1,000-tonne Rolls Royce syncrolift in Portchester, at the top of Portsmouth Harbour, Hampshire.
Wightlink is signed for five years and Gosport Ferry for three years.
Brian Needle, Burgess Marine’s technical director (commercial marine and defence), said: “This is great news for the site and really great news for the business.
“Wightlink and Gosport Ferry are arguably our most important local customers and it’s fantastic news that they’ve shown us a long- term commitment to both the Portchester site and Burgess Marine.
“We’re all extremely excited, grateful and very proud that they’ve agreed to come back year after year.“
The cumulative contract value exceeds £5m and will help to secure many ship repair jobs in Portchester for the immediate refit season and coming years.
@TheBusinessMag Business THE M A GA ZINE TM
John Burrows, operations director at Wightlink, said: “The facility is ideal and the experience in-house within Burgess Marine is second-to- none.
“I’m 100% confident that this is exactly the right move for Wightlink; long-term deals secure not only commercial rates but also high levels of service commitment. We look forward to working with the team at Burgess Marine both on and off the Portchester footprint well into the future.“
Capt Keith Edwards of Gosport Ferry said: “The location really is ideal, it couldn’t be bettered.
“By making a long-term commitment to Burgess Marine and the shiplift we can plan our schedules and manage our budgets better, and also develop a formal working partnership with Burgess Marine to the obvious benefit of both parties.
“Longer term it’s a win-win situation and really positive news for the local economy here in Hampshire.“
From the Thames Estuary to the Bristol Channel, Burgess Marine has workshops and offices in Portchester, Portsmouth, Southampton, Dover, Poole and Avonmouth, supporting passenger ports and shipping throughout the English Channel.
Details:
www.burgessmarine.co.uk
In the March 2014 issue of The Business Magazine
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THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – FEBRUARY 2014
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