And So The World Turns
How quickly things change. One minute we had the big giveaway mini-budget from Truss and Kwarteng, and now Sunak and Hunt are the new double act doing their thing in Downing Street. And what a different set of fiscal ideas they announced on 17th November. I don’t propose picking them apart here; you’ll be happy to know.
What we can be sure of is it will be a difficult winter for households and businesses alike, and if any Enso clients need to review their forward finances, you know where we are. But, with all that in mind, maybe we can discuss other changes that might help…
Time To Go Green(er)?
I wanted to talk about something hovering at the edges of the news cycle, but it hasn’t quite had the coverage it deserves for various reasons. You may have seen reports of people climbing onto motorway gantries or hurling cans of soup onto priceless artworks to highlight the precarious issues resulting from climate change.
Whether you agree with these tactics or otherwise, this is a vitally important topic that deserves much greater attention. But, for example, how much have you seen from COP27 held in Egypt recently? I’ll wager not a lot, as ironically, it’s being drowned out by a European war that highlights our over-dependence on fossil fuels. Go figure.
So if you want to help the UK on its journey to Net-Zero, here are a few easy changes you can consider as a 2023 New Year’s resolution.
Go Paper-Free
Using less or no paper helps save carbon by saving trees and eliminating all the energy that goes into paper manufacturing. Today’s rise of secure cloud storage technology, self-contained business tech (like Xero), and the ability to sign documents online (using apps like DocuSign) means the need for paper is significantly reduced. Would an office campaign encourage your staff to wean themselves off using paper with all the cost and environmental benefits that will bring?
WFH
The COVID pandemic exploded the myth that WFH was the domain of malingerers and the work-shy. On the contrary, research shows workers are just as productive and often happier with the flexibility home working offers. A structured, negotiated approach with your staff could mean less need to heat and maintain business premises, moving to a smaller space, or even not having an office. It won’t work for all businesses, but even some tiny concessions for those who want to spend some part of the week WFH will make an Eco-difference.
Green Procurement
This means implementing a policy where products and services used by a business are assessed not only for the price but also for sustainability and environmental aspects. For example, look at large brands like M&S, which has been reviewing ways to eliminate plastics and waste from their packaging or make it 100% recyclable. All are good for the planet, and it’s no coincidence that there are valuable PR opportunities too. As time goes by, consumers will increasingly consider Eco-credentials in their buying decisions, so maybe look for ways to get ahead of the game.
Review Your Providers
When the current issues abate, maybe take the opportunity to review your energy and water provision thoroughly. Think about using a company that uses renewables, has carbon reduction projects and offers support in saving energy. Many companies specialise in matching you with suitable providers, so if you need help, get in touch with one or two and see what they can do.
Charge Up Your Wheels
I was an early adopter of EVs and have had several over the last five years, and I love them. You may have seen this on my blogs. So I’m keen to telegraph the benefits. EVs may be a good investment if your business uses vehicles for sales or deliveries. Issues with charging points and range anxiety are diminishing every day, and there’s an EV at every price point these days. In addition, there’s government grant funding available to install home-based charging points (at the moment). Alas, EVs are now subject to road tax, but at least you can still freely enter the many clean air zones lighting up around the UK.
Of course, the Enso team can help you assess any changes you might make in this area, so do drop us a line.
Is it Only A Game?
I won’t be the only one who recalls former Liverpool manager Bill Shankly’s famous quote: “Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you it’s much more serious than that.”
Whether it’s an accurate quotation or not, it takes on an extra degree of poignancy with the 2022 World Cup currently underway in Qatar.
To say this tournament is mired in controversy would be an understatement. It started with the bizarre decision to hold a high-energy sporting event in a scorchingly hot country. That’s why the matches are played in the Qatari winter, avoiding issues of playing football in crippling heat.
Then there’s the murky antics of FIFA in awarding the event to Qatar in the first place. Or the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the building of the stadia. Add on the attitudes to sexuality and alcohol consumption in a profoundly religious country, and you have a heady mix of reasons to think you might give this one a miss, and maybe some of you have.
And yet I decided to go to Qatar and enjoy the football for a week or so. I love the beautiful game with all its dazzling skills, superstar players and heart-stopping drama. It’s a massive part of my life, and the World Cup is a unique event that offers avid footie fans the chance to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience (see pic!).
There were many Brits there. They’d travelled to Qatar, ready to cheer on England and Wales or see as many world-class football games as possible. Like me, they’re fans of the game. I’m equally sure they all know what’s happened in the run-up to the tournament and are as disquieted by what’s occurred as I am. It’ll be on all our minds as we watch the action play out, but if one of our national teams makes it to the final stages, I suspect many will be hard-pressed not to watch.
If there’s good news here, footballing organisations are learning valuable lessons about the broader implications of awarding and preparing for tournaments. These will be front of everyone’s mind in the future.
Things are rarely perfect in our lives, and the World Cup 2022 has given many reasons to test the resolve and commitment of even the most passionate soccer fans, me included. To paraphrase Bill Shankly: football may only be a game, but on this occasion, it might be more serious than that.
It’s Here Again!
After so much serious stuff, let’s lighten the mood and discuss the upcoming holidays. I’ll send you a Yuletide newsletter in mid-December, and you can be sure it’ll be chock-full of the seasonal cheer we all need. But to get you in the mood and give you something to elicit groans from colleagues at your works party, here’s a selection of some of the best Christmas cracker jokes with a business theme. As voted for by the Enso team, so ready your funny bones, here we go…
What is the tax status of Santa’s helpers? Elf-employed.
How can you get out of talking to your boss at this year’s Christmas party? Put him on mute.
What does Father Christmas do when his elves misbehave? He gives them the sack.
Why did Santa have to fit airbags on his sleigh? Elf and safety!
How does Santa’s accountant value his sleigh? Net Present Value.
Why couldn’t the skeleton go to the office Christmas party? He had nobody to go with
Hopefully, you haven’t displaced too many ribs laughing at those; perhaps they’ve lifted your mood and put you in the yuletide spirit!
So until next time, enjoy the run-up to Christmas, and, as ever, call my team on 0161 511 2143 or email me at adam@meetenso.co.uk if there’s anything we can help you with festive or otherwise.
All the best
Adam