| 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 | |
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| | be key for Britain’s
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 | |
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| | competitive future, and
should be a priority for
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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| | financial gloom,
managers’ long-term
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 | |
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