When The Chips are Down Business Needs to Act; Wet Weather and Escalating Fuel Costs Provide Wake-up Call says Obsidian.

M2 PRESSWIRE-1 October 2007-Obsidian Consulting LLP: When The Chips are Down Business Needs to Act; Wet Weather and Escalating Fuel Costs Provide Wake-up Call says Obsidian(C)1994-2007 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

RDATE:01102009

Adapt and Prosper Seminar, British Antarctic Survey 29th November 2007, 9.45 a.m.

It is the rising cost of fuel that is driving business interest in sustainability issues, according to Tom Serpell, Strategy Marketing Consultant of Obsidian Consulting. Feedback from clients has revealed that although many mid-market organisations lack a strategy for coping with the impacts of climate change, the need to act is becoming more acute as energy prices bite into their bottom line.

It has become apparent to Obsidian that there is a need for pragmatic business advice and it is conducting in-depth research into the issues concerning businesses in the region. It will be presenting its findings and recommendations at a seminar, 'Adapt and Prosper', on 29th November 2007, hosted by the British Antarctic Survey and sponsored by Handelsbanken.

Tom Serpell comments: "No one in business can have failed to hear the environmentalists talking about climate change and carbon footprints, but it can feel very tangential to the owner or manager of a mid sized business when your efforts are focused on trying to run a profitable company.

"However, our initial research has shown that this is set to change. Fuel costs are hitting hard and this has brought sustainability issues higher up the business agenda. This and the market impact of one of the wettest summers since records began has created a new urgency for business."

Wholesale gas has trebled in price since 2003 and major energy supplier Npower has increased its prices by 44 percent over the same period. This puts pressure on companies both to cut usage and investigate ways of changing business processes to reduce reliance on fossil based fuels.

There have been winners and losers from the wet summer - Argos has reported booms in its television and consumer electronics as people stayed in and Internet sales jumped 80 percent in July. British tourism took a hammering with less overseas visitors but destinations promising sunshine benefited in a rush of last minute summer bookings.

Closer to home, producers of East Anglian potatoes and mushy peas may have a bumper year as failures in harvests across Europe have created a shortage, boosting the price of fish 'n' chips on the high street.

"Businesses that exploit the challenges of climate change are the ones that will prosper," says Tom Serpell. "Now is the time to assess the implications and create a road map for responding to them.

"For example the food industry in the East of England is a major employer and contributor to the economy. This year we have seen tight supplies, changing weather patterns and rising demand in emerging economies. These are all contributing to rising food prices, and point to a long-term, structural change. The industry needs to consider its response."

The seminar 'Adapt and Prosper: Leadership in a changing business climate' is to be held at the British Antarctic Survey, on 29th November 2007 at 9.45 a.m. It is aimed at owners and chief executives.

Notes for editors

Obsidian Consulting LLP is a long-established management consultancy that excels in bringing clarity to business issues. It has organised the seminar in response to requests from its clients. The consultancy has conducted in-depth interviews with representatives from across the business community to assess the issues concerning directors and owners and the strategies they are considering. Obsidian will present these findings and its responses at the seminar, providing a useful benchmarking exercise for business leaders. www.obsidian.co.uk

British Antarctic Survey, part of the Natural Environment Research Council, provides both a unique insight into the scientific basis of the concerns over climate change and case studies demonstrating the management issues arising from operating within extremely demanding environmental parameters. www.antarctica.ac.uk

Handelsbanken is sponsoring the seminar. The bank, one of the largest in Scandinavia, has had a presence in Britain for over 25 years and is now rapidly expanding its UK network. It has a strong environmental policy and was recently awarded "best in the financial sector" by the Folksham index for corporate social responsibility of Stockholm registered companies.

CONTACT: Salli BanksTel: +44 (0)179 954 3707e-mail: enquiries@obisidian.co.ukWWW: http://www.obsidian.co.ukJustine Smith / Rachel Holdsworth, PR consultants, Holdsworth AssociatesTel: +44 (0)195 420 2789Fax: +44 (0)195 423 2022e-mail: Justine@holdsworth-associates.co.ukWWW: http://www.holdsworth-associates.co.uk

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