| Managers are optimistic about British business recovery – but need government support |
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| | Figures published by the
Chartered Management
Institute show that 85%
of managers in the
consultancy sector think
the government should
provide tax breaks for
investment in the skills
of their workforce. The
Economic Outlook Survey,
which is conducted by
the Chartered Management
Institute on a
six-monthly basis,
surveys British managers
across all industry
sectors and examines
their views on the
economy and its impact
on their organisations.
According to the
latest survey, managers
are clear that ongoing
skills development will
be key for Britain’s | |
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| | economic recovery, but
are no longer able to
support it without more
government help.
The data reveals that
managers in the sector
recognise that cuts in
skills development will
negatively affect future
performance, but they
have had little choice
given the current
climate.
Lord John Eatwell,
chief economist at the
Chartered Management
Institute, said: “The
positive, ‘can do’
approach of British
managers should be
cherished. Our research
shows that despite the
financial gloom,
managers’ long-term | |
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| | the recovery programme
embodied in the Budget.”
Alan Downey, chair of
the Institute of
Business Consulting,
commented: “The survey
shows that management
consultants, like
managers in other
sectors, are generally
gloomy about the
business outlook: a
substantial majority
(75%) expect the
recession to last for
two years. However,
there are some signs of
optimism. As many as
two-thirds feel secure
or very secure in their
present job, and a
surprisingly high number
(19%) expect the
recession to have a
positive impact on their | |
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| | business.
Nevertheless, there
seems little doubt that
consultancy budgets will
be reduced, as
businesses and public
sector bodies cut back
on discretionary
spending. The challenge
for consultants will be
to demonstrate that our
services add real value.
The consultancy projects
most likely to survive
are those that generate
an immediate financial
return, and consultants
may increasingly be
asked to place some or
all of their fee at
risk, contingent on the
delivery of tangible
financial benefits.”
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| | outlook remains
optimistic. Business
managers are convinced
that a skilled workforce
will be an integral part
of the recovery process,
and are recommending
that, especially in
these difficult times,
government should
provide further
financial support for
skills development and
training. This would be
an investment in a
competitive future, and
should be a priority for | |
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