Business News Business News Latest news from Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Learn how to manage your staff
Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) is launching Growth Through People as a campaign which aims to help SME business leaders to more efficiently and effectively manage their employees. The West Midlands and the UK face a productivity
gap, with Office of National Statistics estimates highlighting that productivity is around 30 per cent higher in London than elsewhere in the country. Addressing the structural causes of this imbalance will require high-level strategic thinking and careful policy decisions. However, there are steps that all
businesses, especially SMEs, can take in order to increase productivity within their own organisations by implementing straightforward and cost- effective people management processes. The GBCC will be working with a wide
range of partners to deliver a campaign including a variety of events, training sessions, seminars, and a series of expert blog posts. This activity will highlight tools, techniques, and ideas that can help business leaders from all sectors to make adjustments that can yield real results. GBCC chief executive Paul Faulkner said: “Effectively managing people can be difficult for businesses of all shapes and sizes.
Midlands recipients on honours list
Allen Matty, who has spearheaded international trade in the West Midlands for a number of years, has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year honours. (See page 26). Other West Midlands award
recipients included: • Stephen Maddock (OBE), chief executive of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra for services to music, particularly in the West Midlands.
• Bob Sleigh (OBE), leader of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, for services to local government. Coun Sleigh is also chairman of the West Midlands Combined Authority.
• Colin Bryan (OBE), chief executive of Drayton Manor Theme Park, for services to charity and the community in Staffordshire.
• Les Ratcliffe (MBE), head of community relations for Jaguar Land Rover for services to business, education and the community.
• Neena Gill (CBE), MEP for the West Midlands for Parliamentary and political services.
6 CHAMBERLINK February 2017 However, it is one of the most important elements of
building a successful enterprise. Larger firms are able to address some of these issues by having large HR teams whose objective it is to manage the people that work there. This is not an option for many SME business leaders whose main concern is keeping the business running day to day. However, research suggests that many of our best and brightest SMEs are being held back by ineffective, or in some cases non-existent, people management processes. “The Growth Through People campaign will look to gather information and expertise into an exciting menu of events and free training sessions. This menu will
provide our SME business leaders with Managing people is key to success
accessible guidance on how they can quickly and cost-efficiently make simple changes within their organisations.” Diane Rance (pictured), executive at Creating Value with People Ltd.
and Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Council Member, said: “As a GBCC Council member I’m delighted that our Growth Through People campaign is providing leadership and support for local organisations, particularly SMEs, alongside partner organisations including Acas, the Growth Hub, CIPD and Engage for Success.”
‘I’ve seen first-hand the amazing impact the progressive and professional management of people can have on the fortunes of organisations’
Regional confidence soars in Quarterly Business Report
Businesses in Greater Birmingham recorded a “remarkable” end-of-year performance in a post-Brexit bonanza, according to Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC). But the labour market in the
service sector remains challenging, with all firms surveyed stating they were having difficult in recruitment. However, according to overall
Paul Faulkner, Chamber chief executive
figures all sectors have contributed towards ensuring the West Midlands is out-performing the rest of the UK. That record was forecast by EY, with the West Midlands expected to outperform other UK regions in terms of its economic performance in 2016, with GVA growth of two per cent and employment growth of 0.9 per cent. The upbeat Quarterly Business Report (QBR)
produced by GBCC, supported by Birmingham City University, reflects a growing confidence and determination among the region’s business community, says chief executive Paul Faulkner.
Confidence among
manufacturers that turnover would improve in the next 12 months soared to 72 per cent, the highest figure for at least two years. And the percentage of firms expecting to improve profitability improved from 50 to 62. Mr Faulkner said: “This does
show the remarkable resilience and determination of companies in the region and demonstrates that Greater Birmingham is open
for business since the Brexit vote. Businesses ability to bounce back and sustain performance never ceases to amaze us and it’s a huge feather in their cap to outshine the rest of the UK.” In the manufacturing sector, all factors for sales at
home and abroad have shown an upturn. Thirty- eight per cent, up four per cent from the previous quarter, reported increased sales in the UK while 48 per cent (against 44 per cent) had increased orders. However, it was the export market which was the
star performer for manufacturers, with 48 per cent, the highest figure all year, reporting increased sales.
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