Latest updates and stories from Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce and its Members

It’s that time of year again when we look back to the triumphs and tribulations of the past and raise a toast to the opportunities of the future. And from where we’re sitting, there’s much to report!

Businesses have adapted to remote working to protect staff and to help curb infection rates during the pandemic. The world changed almost overnight and Zoom and Teams meetings soon became the norm, so it comes as no surprise that returning to “normality” would present some challenges.

Boosting your sales performance is a main objective for any business, regardless of size.  But how do you increase sales effectively?  The customer should always be your main focus, as opposed to just focusing on profit, but there are some other key ways to enable you to take your sales to the next level.  Here are eight ways to enable you to do just that.

With the UK’s exit from the EU now officially achieved, (ongoing wrinkles and wrangles notwithstanding!), many businesses are revisiting the prospects for international trade both within and outside the EU.

For us at the Chamber, international trade is now scheduled to become a year-long focus, and we have added extensive content to our website to give your business access to the international trade resources and services it needs now more than ever, as we explore briefly below.

Twitter recently made the bold announcement that employees would be able to work from home “forever”. The change comes as companies across the globe weigh up how to manage their offices in the coming months - and beyond.

There has been much controversy around the planned government changes to IR35, the legislation meant to prevent employees from passing themselves off as freelancers in order to avoid tax.

Winning new business is essential for growth, and in the early days as a small business, gaining just a handful more new customers can make a big difference.

As an entrepreneur or small business, you’re always on the hunt for new business opportunities. Being able to spot these opportunities is essential for growth, especially in today’s business environment.

Referrals can be incredibly powerful for your small business - they are the simplest and most consistent way to grow your customer base.

It used to be that a CEO would reach the top spot after years of having worked their way steadily up the corporate ladder. People would stay in one organisation for their entire career, and their experience and dedication to the business would earn them that coveted top spot.

Do you, as a leader, fear change?

Perhaps you've noticed employees are becoming stuck in their ways. Or things have become stagnant.

Does a "this is the way we’ve always done things" attitude permeate the business?

Luton, Bedfordshire: EFM announces the launch of their new business advisory division, EFM Growth. Separate from their more financially focused counterpart, EFM Growth is a new venture with a specialist team, working alongside business owners to support their growth strategy and overcome a wide range of commercial problems. 

Attempted recruitment in services firms at lowest for 25 years

The British Chambers of Commerce’s quarterly economic survey – the UK’s largest private sector survey of business sentiment, and a lead indicator of UK GDP growth - shows little to be cheerful about as growth flatlines and business confidence weakens.

The Chamber of Commerce has been in existence for over 100 years. And in that time it has used its power and resources to support, enable and elevate businesses around the globe. But today, the Chamber of Commerce conjures up very different meanings for different people.

Starting now until November, Velocity Growth Hub has brought together local business owners and trainers in a programme of new, fully-funded business skills workshops that combine local business knowledge and expert training to give you the best client experience.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has today slightly downgraded its growth expectations for the UK economy, forecasting GDP growth for 2018 at 1.3% (from 1.4%) 

The business landscape is notoriously disruptive, volatile and unpredictable. And for businesses to withstand this level of uncertainty, it’s not enough to simply have the best product, the best price, or even the best service.

Two major new regional distribution centres are to be built in Bedford Borough for popular nationwide retailers which will create an estimated 1,400 new jobs for the area.

Today marks the one year countdown until the UK officially leaves the EU. And with the Brexit divorce progressing day-by-day, it’s only natural for business owners to feel uncertain about the future.

Meet Kimberley Nahar Business Growth Enabler at NatWest 

With Brexit negotiations and warnings on the impact on growth hitting the headlines regularly, we’d be forgiven in thinking business is in stalemate in deciding on whether or not to invest in growth.

Addressing the BCC Annual Conference 2018 today, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, will remind the government that the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the UK business community, and country, are not related to exiting the EU, but to the fundamentals in the domestic environment.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) launched its flagship Chamber Business Awards at the London Stock Exchange. London Chamber of Commerce & Industry members AnyJunk, last year’s winner of the ‘Business of the Year’ award, has the honour of opening the day’s trading.

To keep your business growth strategy steady and alive, it goes without saying that business leaders should always be on the lookout for new opportunities.

We’ve previously written about how to approach networking to get the most out of it. And it’s worth getting it right as it can help you grow your business.

There’s huge variety in what businesses need to do to stay successful. Luckily, there’s a lot of information and business support out there to help. So what are the key elements of success that business owners and directors need to focus on?

Whether you have a business idea, are starting or scaling up your business for rapid growth, equity investment can be a viable source of funding.

As part of our business support offer, we continue to run the Autumn / winter ERDF business growth workshops.

As part of our business support offer, we officially launch the Autumn / Winter ERDF business growth workshops.