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Ian Crighton: Chamber Chat - 23/02/10
Lord Kitchener famously stated 'Your Country Needs You' and now we're at a point where a new rallying cry, to the business community, can be heard – 'Peterborough Needs You'.
Lord Kitchener famously stated 'Your Country Needs You' and now we're at a point where a new rallying cry, to the business community, can be heard – 'Peterborough Needs You'.Although Peterborough has fared slightly better than many of its counterparts throughout the recession, life still looks to be challenging for months to come.
The recession is over – just – but the financial experts are still predicting some very difficult times ahead. In fact they are calling these times a 'Perfect Storm', a set of circumstances which all combine at the wrong time to produce an unprecedented period of difficulty.
Without doubt, irrespective of the outcome of the impending election, it is forecast by Price, Waterhouse, Cooper that the Public Sector will be forced to make cumulative savings of up to 30 per cent over the next two or three years. Although no one is prepared to give detail to this, we can safely assume it won't be pretty! So, just as you think your business is starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel, the storm clouds are gathering and darkening the horizon with a whole new set of problems.
So, given the above scenario, why should the Peterborough business community respond to the cry of 'Peterborough Needs You'?
Throughout the city the key partnerships and lead organisations are all recognising that one of the ways in which we'll survive, and thrive, through this 'Perfect Storm' is with economic growth, and the best people to deliver this is the private sector. But the business community needs to be more closely aligned and engaged with the City economic strategy.
Here is a sample of some of the areas that the business community could help and support, but, at the moment, in many cases are totally unaware of:
National Indicators. The city is measured, scored and financially rewarded, against a complete range of criteria aimed at improving the lives we lead.
These include:
Adult Skills in the workplace.
Economic Growth.
Environment Capital status.
Health and Wellbeing.
Community Cohesion.
In many cases the business community is unaware of these indicators, the scoring system, or what they mean to us.
Yet, as the drivers of economic growth, they are actually among some of the best organisations to help improve the Peterborough scores.
When we begin to understand how these indicators work, and are
measured, it can be seen how the business world can be a true partner to the City.
If we fail to improve in some key areas, and at least maintain our position in others, we stand a very real risk of losing large amounts of Central Government funding. In the context of a 'Perfect Storm' this is money Peterborough can ill-afford to lose.
Historically the Public Sector and Private Sectors have sailed along in splendid isolation, generally heading in the same direction.
We probably would arrive at roughly the same place, but very rarely at the same time!'
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, recognising the disconnect between the Private and Public sectors, understanding the lack of knowledge being shared, and seeing the absence of a cohesive business database, are embarking on an ambitious project to pull together the powerful forces of Peterborough.
The first phase is to create the ultimate business database, both Chamber members and non Chamber members, ensuring that we know who the key people are within each business. This will allow the creation of a communication system to share valuable knowledge and gain critical feedback.
The second phase is to assess the current skills levels, the future skills requirements and the existing training provision. The business community must have a say in the direction of future training in the City.
Phase three onwards is about engaging more and more partners, so that everyone communicates along one common channel.
If you would like to be one of the first businesses to be a pilot to this exciting initiative, the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce would be delighted to hear from you, and you can help to create the new Peterborough Engagement. Remember – 'Peterborough Needs You!'
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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