business focus
THAMES VALLEY
GLOBAL LEADER
When they land at Heathrow, they shouldn’t just turn east to London…
The Thames Valley is a powerhouse in the UK economy ...
Thames Valley: Global Leader is the title of a significant breakfast seminar, being staged by The Business Magazine on June 11.
The event, at the Royal Berkshire Conference Centre, Madejski Stadium, Reading is sponsored by CoStar, Vail Williams and Westcoast, with further sponsors due to be announced later.
The theme is the Thames Valley’s position as a powerhouse in the UK economy – and will ask the question: How well known is the Thames Valley in, say, the US or Far East?
“When they land at Heathrow, they shouldn’t just turn east to London.”
How well does the region promote itself globally? Can the Thames Valley do more to attract inward investment and build trade bridges between this area and global markets?
With or without Brexit, the Thames Valley is in search of a powerful identity and a strong promotional package.
“The Thames Valley has so much to offer – from location, the proximity of Heathrow, its tech clusters, quality companies, skilled professional services and a renowned knowledge base,” said David Murray, publisher of The Business Magazine. “Yet the region should be better known internationally – especially as post-Brexit, the competition
for trade and investment could become even more intense.”
Vail Williams said: “Vail Williams is delighted to be part of the Thames Valley: Global Leader seminar. As leading Thames Valley property advisers to occupiers and investors, we understand the market and intend to highlight at the seminar just why companies should locate and invest in the region.”
Alex Tatham, managing director of Westcoast, added: “We are situated in the Thames Valley because it is the centre of the IT industry in the UK with the headquarters of many of the world’s leading IT companies here. As the Thames Valley’s largest privately-owned business, there is no better place to influence and assist the world’s leading businesses in the most important of global sectors. This position is under threat and Westcoast look forward to this seminar where participants can speak loudly for such an important location for our country and its position in the world.”
The seminar will be staged alongside a special report on the region to appear in both digital and print formats. In addition, a White Paper will be produced for overseas markets the US and elsewhere – featuring the region’s success stories, presentations from the seminar, and local business profiles.
To appear in the special report, email Peter Laurie at
peter@elcot.co.uk For tickets contact Pauline Moore at
pauline@elcot.co.uk
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I will survive: Building resilience in your business
writes Jane Wills, partner, Haines Watts
UK SMEs are undoubtedly operating in a time of unprecedented change and uncertainty. While Brexit remains top of mind, disruption lurks around many corners. Building business resilience seems to me to be vital if SMEs are to meet the challenges of the future and stay relevant in an ever-changing competitive market.
Building resilience is much more than putting in place business continuity measures that enable you to deal with disaster recovery. It’s about focusing on how to position your business so that you protect your brand, your staff and your resources. So how do SMEs build better resilience?
Innovate: innovation is about creating opportunities and a culture that enables your teams to solve problems and challenge current ways of thinking. An innovative environment can attract new talent but also equip your team with the experience to deal with surprises and unexpected outcomes. For UK SMEs the risk associated with innovation is partly mitigated by the Government’s generous R&D tax credit scheme.
Diversify: it doesn’t matter what sector you’re in, reducing dependency on a particular product, supplier or market opens wider revenue opportunities and makes your business stronger at the base.
Use the talent in your business: regardless of how well you deploy technology, manage working capital or reduce dependencies, solutions come from trusting the people in your business. Enable your people to take initiative and responsibility. Give them the right tools and then get out of their way – you alone cannot build resilience.
Challenge prevailing wisdom: just because your business has always done something in a particularly way, doesn’t mean its remains the best way. Look for alternatives that are more flexible. Whether it’s a new employment model mixing full-time or contract staff, or more flexible pricing and payment options – take time to reflect on the way your business operates and whether new ways of doing things can make your business more adaptable.
Building resilience is about recognising that businesses today operate in a climate of continuous change – it’s about evolving your people, practices and thinking so that you preserve the value in your business.
hwca.com
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THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – MARCH/APRIL 2019
businessmag.co.uk
43
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