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news opinion


The big theme in business this autumn is ‘growth’ – with companies happy to set themselves ambitious targets as they plan for 2016, knowing the economy is likely to aid rather than hinder them


There are of course businesses that grew throughout the recession – which recently-released figures have shown was not as profound as economists reported at the time – but there are also many that only now are starting to apply the throttle, after years when they were forced to pootle along with one foot hovering over the brake.


The Thames Valley SME 100 Growth Index; the Solent Business Awards; the Solent 250; and the individual profiles and feature articles in our editions this month highlight success stories across the south.


The businesses that are winning awards trophies and experiencing, in many cases, headline-grabbing growth in turnover stand out by being managed by visionary leaders and by developing innovative new products and services.


Last month, The Business Magazine staged a roundtable discussion focused on sales. Without sales, of course, a business won’t survive, so it’s surprising that sales are rarely discussed. It’s almost as if we’ve convinced ourselves that it’s all a black art, not easily defined.


It’s amazing – when you consider the importance of sales – that the salesperson is not held in more regard. That’s why it’s good to see the emergence of bodies like the Association of Professional Sales, an organisation helping to promote standards, build knowledge, enhance professional standing and promote excellence and best practice at all levels.


The misselling controversies in the banking, insurance and other financial services sectors, and the scourge of the nuisance call have damaged the reputation of sales. And yet without strong sales, none of our awards winners or top-listed companies would stand out.


Sales should be a career option. Can you imagine someone leaving university with a sales degree? Why ever not ... ?


David Murray Publisher


www.businessmag.co.uk


Economy resilient heading into 2016, says BDO


Businesses expect growth to continue into 2016 as business optimism increased for the first time in over six months, according to the latest Business Trends Report by accountants and business advisers BDO LLP in the Thames Valley.


BDO’s Optimism Index increased to 102.2 from 101.9 this month, the first uptick in confidence since February this year. This confidence is underpinned by continuing low inflation rates, which are helping manufacturers in particular. The BDO Inflation Index sits at 96.1 this month, showing that businesses expect input prices to rise slowly.


BDO’s Employment Index still sits at a high level (107.6) this month. Coupled with increasing wages,


this suggests the consumer-led recovery is set to continue.


But businesses and policymakers cannot afford to be complacent – the IMF last week warned that the risk of a global recession is still on the horizon. BDO is calling for a boost in government and business investment to protect Thames Valley growth against future global economic tremors.


Commenting on the findings, Simon Brooker, partner and head of BDO in the Thames Valley, said: “The economy looks set for continued growth in the coming months, but this should not lead to complacency.


“Policy makers must act to insulate the economy from the increasingly-


Boom not bust for region’s SMEs


It’s already recognised as a hotspot for IT and computer-related skills, and now the Thames Valley has topped the polls in the latest Red Flag Index (RFI); the UK’s leading indicator of business health and prosperity.


A staggering one in 10 businesses in the Thames Valley operate within the IT and computing sector, compared to the national average of one in 25. With such a high concentration of similar businesses, you’d expect conditions to be tough and competition fierce. So just how is it that companies here are outperforming their peers across the UK?


According to the Red Flag Index, 24% of Thames Valley businesses within the sector receive a gold rating, a significant lead over the UK average of just 21% gold-rated operations.


Local business expert Paul Maddison monitors the health and prosperity of SMEs in the area via his data intelligence bureau, Red Flag Alert. He firmly believes the RFI highlights that the Thames Valley is now one of the most attractive and prosperous locations for business in the UK.


“The IT sector is booming in the Thames Valley. In fact, it’s outperforming other sectors here


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In the December/January issue of The Business Magazine


Thames Valley Business Magazine Awards All the winners


Skills & Development Attracting and retaining talent


Corporate Finance Latest M&A activity and the best deals


Reading 2025 Report on our key seminar


To participate in these features email


Peter Laurie at peter@elcot.co.uk or


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too. I’d put this down to the sheer quality of businesses within the region and the growth we’ve seen over the past 12-18 months.


“Growth in new businesses across the Thames Valley is up 6.2% year-on-year with over 5,500 incorporations so far this year. When you compare that to the national average of just 5% it’s clear that the area boasts optimum conditions for growth and wealth creation.”


For a free report contact Paul Maddison.


Details: Paul Maddison reading@redflagalert.com 07701-281500


gloomy global economic outlook. So far our recovery has largely been based on consumer spending, but we need business and public sector investment if we are to rebalance the economy, boost productivity, and make sure that companies thrive in the region. This will put the economy on the firmest possible footing for the potentially shaky coming months.


“Government has a vital part to play – speeding up infrastructure projects would be an important boost. In addition, businesses should make sure that they are getting the best out their workforce by focusing on improving skills to help solve the productivity puzzle.”


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – NOVEMBER 2015


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