20% of respondents expect lower interest rates to have a positive effect on
investment plans to a high or relatively high extent and a further 45% to a
lesser extent, while 36% expect the change will not affect investment plans at
all. In terms of demand for products or services - while 11% expect an increase
in demand, 87% do not expect any change resulting from lower interest rates.
From the results of last month's survey, 78% of businesses participating face
considerable competition. This month's question looks at how businesses
maintain their competitive advantage. Over half the respondents mainly rely on
reputation, with a further 28% mainly depending on quality. These responses are
strengthened by another result from last month: nearly 70% said then that
customer feedback is valuable or very valuable in providing the information
needed to maintain competitive advantage.
Staff retention has become a greater issue to more companies over the last 9
months, with 35% of respondents in the two top categories of importance, as
opposed to 19% last May. This increase is more marked in the Production and
Manufacturing sector. More companies also now find staff retention is not an
issue to any extent. - 32% in February compared with 22% last May.

There was general agreement between respondents to the Business Barometer and
those to the Business Advisers Barometer on the two most likely causes of
challenge to would- be women entrepreneurs: number one was thought to be family
commitments and number two level of confidence, and in both cases access to
finance came lower down the list than level of family support and degree of
business experience or skill.

Listed below are extracts from feedback received in Survey
BB57 February 2003.
Comments are listed under sector headings.
Views expressed are those of individual panellists and may not represent those
of the University.
Production & Manufacturing
Hugely inflated premiums and/or a reduction in the maximum claim value has
already impacted upon us last year and is a MAJOR issue for medical device
manufacturers. We had to use 2 insurances to ensure that we got the cover the
NHS demand - and we have a good track record!
I am gratified that at long last, the pound is realising a more realistic value
against the Euro. My other main concern is that the government appear to be
obsessed with the Iraq issue, to the detriment of their much needed interest in
the performance and support of our industry. Get on with it! We in industry do
not enjoy the luxury of such hapless dithering.
Re Q10 What is the main area through which you maintain your competitive
advantage?
Our competitive advantage comes from shorter delivery lead times to our
customers particularly in the busy summer months.
Business Services
Q7 To what extent do you think that there is a danger of rising insurance premia
leading to reduced or inadequate cover?
My professional indemnity insurance has risen by 40 plus, yet the broker gave no
explanation or comment. But this level of increase, which I hear from
colleagues is not extortionate [sic] is very worrying, not to mention,
expensive.
Your question 12 From your observations, which of the following is most likely
to present a challenge to a woman wanting to start a business?
I strongly feel that the level of confidence is due to the male attitudes in the
UK, that will reduce the opportunities, which in time reduce the confidence and
increase frustration
Re q12 the same problem relates to men as well as women who are looking to set
up their own business
Construction
Increasing insurance premiums and massive drift towards a litigious society (no
win no fee employee claims) coupled with health plan fees, tax on pensions and
increases in NIC will force many businesses out of business sooner than Gordon
Brown realises. If he came out of his ivory tower he would see that UK Limited
is being crippled at the SME level by his recent 'innovations'. - and it is the
SME level that employs most people in the UK these days. Eastern Europe and
China here we come!
Retail
Q6 In which area do you find government legislation most time consuming?
[employment, pensions, taxation, health & safety, environment ]
All indicated areas are significant time absorbers which I am sure could be
better used more productively in more practical ways.