GOING GLOBAL GOING GLOBAL


The Chamber’s INTERNATIONAL TRADE TEAM can help you navigate your way through all of the regulatory procedures and documents that you’ll need for successful international trading


EVENT HELPS BUSINESSES TO PREPARE FOR BREXIT


With just one year to go until Britain officially leaves the European Union, local businesses in Milton Keynes were invited to attend a special event, hosted by financial and business advisors Grant Thornton, to help them prepare for life outside the EU. Attendees at the ‘Brexit: Strategic Planning for


International Markets’ briefing listened to guest speakers from Barclays, UK Export Finance and Howes Percival, with discussions around the potential impact of Brexit on currency, supply chains and transportation, international trade, existing contractual obligations and tax. The event was held at Grant Thornton’s


Milton Keynes office to help support businesses navigate their concerns associated with Brexit and how to prepare and manage potential exposures, whilst also making the most of new opportunities. Yvonne Chappell, director at Grant


Thornton’s Milton Keynes office, who spoke at the event, said: “Companies are concerned about their supply chains and the practical implications when importing and exporting goods, as well as any additional irrecoverable costs which may result. Businesses need to measure their exposure under the various potential outcomes, factor these into


their forecasts and have a plan for managing any worst case scenario. “Businesses may also consider reviewing their


current trading models and their ability to adapt to changes, including those made by their suppliers and customers. In an uncertain world, businesses with the agility to adapt their processes within a short timeframe is likely to be key in order for businesses to be able to compete. “Another key area of concern is skills and how exiting the EU might impact the ability to attract and retain talent. Whilst some reassurance has already been provided in respect of EU nationals currently working the UK, some local businesses are already starting to face difficulties recruiting people to the UK.”


‘BUSINESSES MAY ALSO CONSIDER


REVIEWING THEIR


CURRENT TRADING MODELS AND THEIR ABILITY TO ADAPT TO CHANGES’


Yvonne Chappell


UNIVERSITY HOSTS SPANISH VISITORS


University of Bedfordshire Milton Keynes welcomed a group of entrepreneurs from CEEI-Burgos in Spain to their Saxon Court campus. CEEI BURGOS (Centro Europeo


de Empresas e Innovación) supports and provides effective solutions to the problems faced by entrepreneurs, who have decided to be self-employed or to set up a company, with a strong commitment to boost social and economic development. The annual visit was more


informal this year, focussing on networking and hearing from the visitors about their projects. University of Bedfordshire Milton


Keynes campus director Gordon Mellor said: “We were delighted to welcome the CEEI BURGOS team again and catch up on their latest developments. As ever, these visits are an excellent opportunity for us to meet with partners in the European Business Network, expand links, and hear about the ground breaking enterprises that CEEI – Burgos support.” The university also invited local


businesses and key stakeholders to join in the event, including Milton Keynes Chamber.


REPORT OFFERS INSIGHT INTO GOING GLOBAL


Does your vision for your business include overseas activities? There are many good reasons for expanding overseas: keeping pace with


competitors, cutting your cost base or, given the UK’s current Brexit negotiations, navigating geo-political shifts. While the reasons are plentiful and obvious, deciding how and when involves more complex analysis. KPMG’s Going Global report is an in-depth guide for leaders looking to


develop or maintain global operations. Because privately-owned businesses have diverse operating models and can be at varying stages of globalisation, the guide is divided into four sections, each covering a phase of global growth: Explore, Develop, Govern, Evaluate. To find out more, visit the KPMG content hub, which includes resources


such as:


1. The Going global guide with country profiles to help you decide where to expand


2. Our video: The drivers behind UK private businesses expanding overseas 3. Practical, bite-sized articles to help you overcome major challenges.


Visit: www.kpmgenterprise.co.uk/perspectives/going-global-develop- and-maintain-your-strategy/


JUNE/JULY 2018 inbusiness 17


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