At the beginning of this year, we made four predictions for 2017.
1: UK business investment will pick up significantly when a coherent Brexit plan and negotiating position emerges and is properly communicate
2: Brexit will present plenty of new opportunity for businesses and people who are prepared to explore doing things differently
3: UK Government will continue to try and focus company investment into improving worker productivity, as this is the UK’s best route to improving wage growth and everyone’s living standard
4: The use and convergence of artificial intelligence, big data and the internet of things (IOT) will have a big impact on consumer electronics and will increasingly be integrated into and support the operation of our buildings.
It’s interesting to see exactly how far off the mark we were, with the benefit of hindsight, as 2017 ends.
It’s difficult to judge our first two predictions, as I think we’re still waiting for a coherent Brexit plan and negotiating position to emerge, let alone be properly communicated. However, we’re getting closer and I do think once one emerges and our future is clearer, there will be lots of new opportunity for businesses and people who are prepared to explore doing things differently.
On our third prediction, the lack of the UK’s productivity development is clearly exorcising the Government, with it being referenced in our most recent budget, but we are yet to see real joined up thinking into how this can be properly addressed.
And finally, we’ve seen lots of advances and acceleration in the application of artificial intelligence, big data and the internet of things (IOT) to the operation of buildings. Our team have been working with a number of clients over 2017 to exploit these technologies, in new and exciting ways, to make their buildings, people and organisations more productive.
Whilst we did not predict many of the big events that challenged us all in 2017, I am in no doubt that we will all need to continue to adapt and respond to Brexit, driving productivity growth and advances in technology in 2018 and beyond.
I would like to wish all our customers and partners a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, my team and I look forward to working with you to continue to make your buildings, people and organisations as productive as they can be in 2018.
Contact John O’Brien, Founder and MD of LCMB on t: 01295 722823 e: [email protected] to explore how the LCMB team can help you improve your buildings, people and organisational performance and productivity in 2018.