Predictions of business limbo: as robust as a reading of the rennet?

When the UK election exit polls were published on Thursday evening, I knew we were in for a long night.

Many pollsters, pundits and media commentators had predicted a somewhat different result. Perhaps they would have been better using the ancient art of tyromancy to foretell the outcome.

Tyromancy, in case for some reason you’re not aware, is “a form of divination involving observation of cheese, especially as it coagulates.” That’s right: making predictions based on watching milk set.

And whilst tyromancy might have some tasty by-products, it clearly deserves about as much respect as homeopathy, or religious-inspired bigotry. IE none whatsoever (says this generally pretty tolerant person).

But it’s worth remembering that many in the media make their money by peddling fear. And an uncertain political environment is grist to the mill when it comes to selling newspapers or securing eyeballs and ears (and the media makes money from your and my eyeball-time). So you might notice plenty of reports from gloom and doom merchants in the press over the coming few days.

For instance, The Institute of Directors (IoD) has warned that businesses have now been “thrown into political limbo.”

Yet simultaneously the star investment fund manager, Neil Woodford, has commented that the increased likelihood, because of the election result, of a “softer” Brexit will be better for businesses and society.

Are their predictions valid? Or are they as robust as a tyromancer’s reading of the rennet? Well – both. But it doesn’t matter.

Now don’t get me wrong. Politics is vitally important for a well functioning society. I’ll chinwag with you to your heart’s content (when I’m not working) about policies, and their impact on business, social enterprise, productivity, education, the health service, and dealing with inequalities.

But us small businesses and social enterprises also need to get on with what we need to do, stay focused, and not be derailed, distracted and even dismayed by external factors we can’t control (nor start talking ourselves into a spiral of doom). If our businesses and social enterprises thrive, then we have (and create) opportunities and impact.

So whatever your view on the election outcome, don’t let your focus waver. Don’t be distracted. And there are some things you can do immediately to protect yourself from the impact of external events.

I’ll be discussing “Three things businesses and social enterprises can do, right away, to increase revenues and resilience despite the best efforts of politicians to destabilise them” at an Enterprising Partners Networking Roadshow on Wednesday 14 June (but if you can’t come or are reading this after then, see below).

It’s hosted by the Wosskow Brown Foundation. The idea is that socially responsible entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals (does that sound like you?) can discuss how to become more resilient, sustainable and collaborative.

There are also one-to-one sessions with industry specialists at hot desks on areas including marketing and PR (featuring Keep Your Fork’s Faye Smith), digital and social media, governance and legal structures, accounts and financial management.

So if you’re available on the 14th, come along (if you’re not, then see below). 73 people have registered already and there are just a few places left – so you’d better book now if you want to come. I’ll bring the cheese.

Can’t come? Then here’s what to do: