The ultimate Brexit survival guide

The UK’s departure from the European Union will bring change for businesses of every size and in every sector.

It’s not only importers and exporters that are affected. Businesses that employ EU nationals or who supply or are supplied by businesses exposed to EU trade all face potential impacts.

That’s why the British Chambers of Commerce has drawn up a Brexit survival checklist.

Rob Johnston, Chief Executive of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, said: “While some companies are already planning for the challenges and opportunities ahead, we believe that all firms – not just those directly and immediately affected – should be undertaking a Brexit ‘health check’, and a broader test of existing business plans.

Time spent thinking through the changes that Brexit may bring to your business could yield real dividends.

“Time spent thinking through the changes that Brexit may bring to your business could yield real dividends.”

While the final settlement between the UK and the European Union is still to be negotiated, there are steps that businesses can take now to start planning ahead.

Recent Chamber surveys have asked:

Have you devoted time to considering the potential consequences of Brexit – direct or indirect – on your businesses?

If you have one, have you consulted with your board of directors on Brexit – or scheduled an opportunity to do so?

Have you mapped your supplier and customer base – and considered how changes in the UK-EU trade relationship could affect them?

Our Brexit survival checklist has been shaped by the responses we received to these questions, which suggest that a significant number of firms are either watching and waiting – or taking no action at all.

We hope you find it useful as a basis for business planning at both operational and board level.

Your business doesn’t have to navigate Brexit alone. Call Cumbria Chamber of Commerce on 0845 226 00 40 to find out how we can support you.

© Cumbria Chamber of Commerce