Dorset Business Festival.pdf

The Dorset Business Festival conference, "The Future of Business," discussed five key areas, including productivity, government debt, inflation, and the global economy. Key points from the keynote speaker, David Smith, included:

Productivity and wage stagnation since the 2008 financial crisis
High government debt and inflation caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine
A subdued global economy due to energy price shocks, labor shortages, and supply chain difficulties
The impact of tighter monetary policy and higher interest rates

The conference featured five panel discussions, including:

1. The Workforce of The Future, which discussed retaining staff, flexible working, and attracting young people
2. ESG for Business Growth, which covered environmental, social, and governance strategies and the importance of taking responsibility and making changes
3. Town Centre Regeneration (discussion not fully provided)
4. and 5. (discussions not provided)

Key takeaways from the panels included the need for businesses to adapt to changing workforce demographics, prioritize ESG strategies, and take responsibility for their environmental and social impact.