Thinking Business April 2022
Welcome to the latest edition of Thinking Business. Over the last few years, it seems as though the country has lurched from one crisis to another. After years of austerity following the financial crash of 2007-08, we’ve had the fall-out from Brexit, two years of disruption caused by the CIVID-19 crisis and now a conflict in eastern Europe which threatens world peace, global trade, and security of energy supplies.
In this context, it has not been an easy time for our battle-hardened businesses, which will now face further energy bill increases and more uncertainty surrounding raw material supplies and costs. The recent interest rate rise will come as another blow at a time when many firms are struggling under a myriad of rising cost pressures.
I am writing this ahead of the Chancellor’s Spring Statement so it remains to be seen what incentives will be on offer to help businesses through these challenging times. At the Chamber, we’re continuing to support our members and other companies across the county by ensuring your voice is heard by government and providing opportunities to meet new connections through networking events, one to one advice and services to reduce your costs. If your ambitions stretch beyond the UK, we can connect you to accredited British Chambers of Commerce across the world throughout our Global Business Network.
Business can also do things to help themselves, particularly around the theme of sustainability (the focus of our cover feature in this edition). Many are now embedded sustainability within all of their business operations, rather than treating it as a separate add-on or “nice-to-have”. this is encouraging, not just for the climate but for the businesses and their staff. It enables organisations to cut unnecessary costs and waste and to show that their brands are meaningful and relevant, while workers are far more inclined to stay at a company that has values which align to their own.
Jo James, Chief Executive
Kent Invicta Chamber Commerce
