Interview: Doing Business in the Pandemic

Despite the circumstances, it was a pleasure as always to be a guest on local BBC Radio CWR talking to Phil Upton about how different industry sectors have had opposing ‘feast or famine’ experiences through the Covid crisis.

As we are all aware, many companies in sectors like hospitality are really struggling; whereas other areas of our economy have seen significant growth either through increased demand or successful diversification. 

Personally, the only way to describe my pandemic experience – as a technology business owner – is chaotic! We have been extremely busy supporting our customers to adapt to working from home as well as managing our own team to do the same. We recruited two new apprentices in February 2020 and took on another two members of the team later in the year to help meet our current need.

Through my work with the FSB, I have seen impressive successful diversification from businesses. For example, a local Warwickshire company which constructs exhibition stands has diversified their products to appeal beyond the events market and specifically target new pandemic-related use cases. They have constructed ‘pods’ for pubs to maintain social distancing outside as well as providing external visiting spaces for care homes.

We have seen companies really use their initiative in order to keep going through the pandemic.

Being interviewed with me was Paul Marsh whose Coventry based company are also thriving through the pandemic due to increased demand for their cleaning products globally. The company turnover has increased from £30m to £45m over Covid and now they are recruiting in every department from production to marketing.   

Whilst growth is not without its challenges, it was positive to hear stories of success during these darker times.

One of the many things the FSB are doing is working with businesses who sadly are having to make people redundant as well as those who are having to close their business due to the pandemic. Support is given to these people to help them look for other opportunities including the self-employed.

With all the new technology coming to key sectors in this region including automotive, creative, and logistics; we need to think strategically about our long-term skills needs and how we best support people as they transition to new roles and workplaces.

The pandemic has brought with it immense challenges for business; but with it there are also positive opportunities for many both now and in the future.

Listen to the full interview below:

Written by Ellie Wiltshire