The six participants in our first-ever Round Table (left to right) Jonny Muncer, Matt Fretten, Matt Peacock, Sarah Spivey, Mark Northey and Warren Munson. Picture: Dorset Biz News.
Published: May 7, 2021 | Updated: 8th May 2021
It proved to be a fascinating – and thought-provoking – discussion.
Our first-ever Biz Round Table, in association with Frettens Solicitors and Inspire.
Six leading lights of Dorset business reflecting on the last 14 months and, crucially, looking to the future.
And also offering their three Top Tips for business success in this new environment.
Our participants?
The location?
Evolve Members’ impressive co-working hub at the Old St Peter’s School, Ashley Cross, Poole, pictured right.
The first topic to be covered – changes, challenges and opportunities as a result of the pandemic.
During a lively two-hour debate, there was much agreement between the service and manufacturing sectors.
But here there were differing views.
Without question the pandemic has changed business communication, not least with the rise and rise of Zoom.
And WFH – working from home – will become the new norm for many businesses.
But, said Sarah, pictured left: “Working from home is all very well but our welders can’t weld at home.
“Other people involved in manufacturing, such as warehouse staff, supervisors and managers, also had to stay office and factory based to manage the workload.
“In manufacturing you have a different set of considerations around balancing homeworking and making the factory environment safe.”
Mark, also in the manufacturing sector, said: “It’s been very tough.
“International trade has been restricted and we’ve had Brexit.
“We’ve lost business all over the place but the composite market is growing.
“Our business development involves travel and trade shows. We’ve missed that.
“People do business with people.”
Jonny said: “Clients like visits but using Zoom we can speak more frequently.
“We’ll be led by our customers but we’ve actually won our two largest clients in lockdown.”
Matt Peacock, pictured right, said his business had reassessed processes and become more efficient as a direct result of the pandemic.
He added: “Overall it’s been positive for us and I feel our business is in a stronger shape in many respects.”
Both Matt Fretten and Warren highlighted the pace of change.
Matt said: “It’s been a rollercoaster of a ride.
“Exhilarating and exhausting.
“It’s accelerated a change in business further than I would have expected.”
Warren added: “We’ve had five years of change in 12 months.”
Next subject area was the importance of location.
Jonny said the training of new staff since the start of the pandemic had been challenging and very difficult to do over Zoom.
Both Mark and Sarah pointed to the cost of living, level of salaries, low unemployment rate and shortage of suitable development land in Dorset which were a challenge for manufacturers.
Mark, pictured left, said: “This is a lovely area but it’s tough to expand.”
Matt Fretten said his law firm had opened a third office – and its second in Ringwood – this year.
He added: “We’ll always have offices but with a hybrid way of working.
“We do a lot of our work remotely now, but some aspects of our work can’t be done well virtually.
“Many of our clients really value the human element of our service.”
Matt Peacock said for his car servicing business: “Location is crucial and clients like a chat.”
So now we’re coming out of the pandemic what plans are there for growth and recruitment?
Here there was a definite air of positivity but recruiting the right people could be the stumbling block.
Sarah said: “We’re on a growth curve right now and are currently recruiting four welders but have only one potential candidate.
“If we were located where manufacturing is a more dominant industry that would help recruitment and growth.
“It can be a struggle to find the best candidates for roles in our location.”
Jonny, pictured right, “The future looks very positive.”
Mark: “The wage premium is not enough to get people to move.”
Matt (Fretten): “We have big recruitment plans on a flexible basis.
“Digital content is driving our services and we’re winning business from afar.
“Change creates need for lawyers.”
Warren: “We’ve won clients through the pandemic.
“Doing all we can to put information out and support the community has promoted our brand.”
Matt Peacock: “The biggest challenge for us will be recruitment.
“The sort of people we’re looking for are few and far between.”
So to the next 12 months.
All participants were, unsurprisingly, reluctant to predict too far into the future.
As Sarah said: “I stashed my crystal ball away last year.
“Three months at a time, maximum, for me.”
Matt Peacock: “I see a lot of change with ‘zombie’ companies unable to pay off their loans.
“It’s going to be tough.”
Matt Fretten, pictured left: “I feel optimistic.
“Those businesses that went into the pandemic in a strong position are coming out in the same way.
“Other businesses, finding themselves in tough circumstances beyond their control, could find themselves struggling.”
Mark: “Businesses that survive will be in a leaner and better position.”
Warren: “Business failures are going to be a problem.”
Jonny: “We’ll be building on our successes and get even closer to our clients.”
Finally we asked our six guests for their Top Three tips for business success.
Mark:
Sarah:
Matt Peacock:
Jonny:
Warren, pictured right:
Matt Fretten:
++ Our thanks to Evolve Members for hosting the Round Table and Lewis Barr, Marketing Manager, Frettens Solicitors, and Rachel Hadfield, Marketing and Events Executive, Inspire, for organising the event. And a special thank you to all six participants in the first-ever Biz Round Table, in association with Frettens Solicitors and Inspire.
