10 news
Free copy of Data Protection Report
All survey respondents will be able to download a free copy of the Penningtons Manches‘ 2015 report on data protection regulation trends across Europe. Not surprisingly, one of the key findings of the report is that businesses aim to stay under the radar of their regulators against a background of red tape and uncertainty about the forthcoming new legislation.
Let your voice be heard by taking part in our second quarterly business sentiment survey
Has the post-General Election glow worn off or are you still confident about your business‘ prospects for the last quarter of 2015? How concerned are you about the new Data Protection Regulation? What impact will the growth of Reading and the Thames Valley have on your business?
Our Taking the Temperature quarterly survey gives you the opportunity to make your voice heard and to enable The Business Magazine to keep its finger on the pulse on the issues that matter to its readers. By completing the survey – which should take you a maximum of five minutes – you can help to paint a picture of business conditions in the Solent region and highlight the current concerns of companies of all sizes.
David Murray, publisher of The Business Magazine, said: “We would like to encourage readers to use the survey opportunity for their voice to be heard. When we report the findings of the new survey in late autumn, we want to feature readers‘ views. This is your chance to tell us what you think.“
To complete the survey either click on the link on our weekly e-newsletter throughout October or on the link on our website:
www.businessmag.co.uk
Anyone who would like to be sent the survey questions to complete by email should contact Peter Laurie, head of client relations.
Details:
peter@elcot.co.uk
Consumer power gives economic growth a boost
Economic growth is expected to continue throughout 2015, but a sharp drop in business confidence suggests that the current momentum is under threat, according to the latest Business Trends report by accountants and business advisers BDO LLP in Southampton.
BDO‘s Output Index increased marginally to 104.5 from 104.4 this month, indicating that businesses expect continued robust growth in the latter part of 2015. Strong consumer spending, enabled by rising wages and near-zero inflation, is the driving force behind this.
But cracks are emerging in the longer-term outlook. BDO‘s Optimism Index suffered a sharp drop to 101.9 this month, down from 103.3. This is a fifth consecutive monthly drop in business confidence demonstrating that companies are concerned about their prospects beyond 2015.
Manufacturers are particularly concerned, recording their lowest level of confidence – 86.2 – since November 2012. This is dramatically below the 95 mark which indicates growth.
www.businessmag.co.uk
Exporters, already pressured by the continued strength of the pound, are increasingly nervous that economic turmoil in China will start to affect growth around the world, hitting their core markets.
Commenting on the findings, Malcolm Thixton, partner and head of BDO in Southampton, said: “While the expected continued economic growth is encouraging, falling business confidence suggests we‘re approaching a turning point in the economy.
“Policy makers cannot ignore this, otherwise they run the risk of an economic slowdown. Any rumours of a rate rise in the near future must be squashed. Now is not the time to cut household spending, the very thing driving economic growth, or to introduce moves that will strengthen the pound further and hit our exporters.
“We cannot rely on consumer spending and services in the long-term. Policy makers must focus on steps to rebalance the economy and give support to manufacturers and greater wealth creation in the central south and away from the City.“
Details:
www.bdo.uk.com
Taking the Temperature is a confidential survey and no submissions will be shared with third-parties or agencies.
New venture offers workspace and services for start-ups
A part-time business incubation lecturer at the University of Winchester has launched a business centre venture, IncuHive, on the Chandlers Ford Industrial Estate, near Eastleigh in Hampshire.
Steve Northam‘s venture offers local start- up businesses easy access to office space, hot desks, an onsite café, a photography studio, mentoring services and investment. Currently, it has attracted a wide variety of student and alumni start-ups ranging from a company offering video and media production services to a gym clothing business, an events promotion firm and a YouTube video blogger.
Councillor Seán Woodward, executive member for economy, transport and environment at Hampshire County Council, said: “I am thrilled to see the realisation of IncuHive‘s recently-launched business centre which provides a great resource for entrepreneurs and evidence of the growing opportunities for start-up businesses in Hampshire.“
Details:
www.incuhive.co.uk THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – OCTOBER 2015
The three most significant issues currently affecting lawyers and their clients‘ data protection practices are the restrictions placed on businesses by the plethora of rules and regulations; the challenge to keep up to date with the regulations; and the transfer of data outside the EEA.
The four industry sectors most heavily targeted by regulators over the past 12 months are perceived by the respondents to be health/social care and marketing/ advertising/PR – cited by 53% of respondents – followed by accountancy/ banking/finance (47%) and technology service providers (40%).
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