VIEW FROM THE CHAMBER

Uncertainty is the enemy of business – remember when uncertainty about Brexit’s implications for our economy was the biggest worry on most business-people’s minds?

That uncertainty is now utterly dwarfed by our current situation and how to best find a way through it.

At the moment all that businesses can do is take all the steps open to them to get through the shutdown and try to be adaptable in approach: creating new ways to keep going such as adapting product delivery or services where possible, working from home, scaling back, furloughing staff and applying for all applicable government assistance while getting ready for a return to activity and what could be a whole new business reality.

One of the simple but most important things Lochaber Chamber of Commerce can offer at this unprecedented time is community. Our monthly networking lunches have temporarily evolved into weekly informal ‘cuppa and cake’ virtual meetings and we are in daily contact with our members by phone, video call and emails.

Last week we ran an interactive members’ session on furloughing workers with employment law specialists from one of our member businesses Ledingham Chalmers Solicitors. This gave members the chance to ask their questions directly to those who make it their business to understand the details of the new job retention scheme.

With so much information flying about, it was great to be able to look at the reality of what putting staff ‘on furlough’ really means for employees and employers.

As a business organisation with strong roots in Lochaber, we are here to support our members personally and to help businesses support each other.

As part of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, we have also got the wider support of being part of Scotland’s biggest business network, a strong business voice that speaks up for the needs of its 30 chambers representing 12,500 businesses throughout Scotland.

Stay safe, stay in touch and stay connected with your Chamber of Commerce.