So many reasons to be optimistic

As published in the Suffolk Free Press, Thursday, April 12, 2018;




 
To be honest, I struggle with ‘experts’. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that ‘experts’ have a disproportionately negative impact on how we view ourselves and this country. In my opinion ‘experts’ are frequently bad for Britain.

You will note that I have deliberately placed the word ‘experts’ in inverted commas. This is because, in many cases, their opinions are no more – and sometimes far less – based on relevant expertise than those who are actually doing the things the ‘experts’ have opinions on. An academic and theoretical understanding of an issue can quickly become out-of-date, especially in the fast-moving world of business..

I’m not against listening to people with knowledge and experience – far from it. But ‘experts’ frequently overreach themselves and assume that their insights are infallible and of infinite validity.

I think the reason for this is that those in authority have a very narrow view as to what constitutes knowledge.

‘Experts’ are very good at playing the knowledge game. They present their insights in a formal way, using language that the powers that be, mainly politicians and bureaucrats, can cope with. In other words, they recognise a type of knowledge that can be written as a policy paper or as an academic account.

But the great and good and their favoured ‘experts’ totally fail to recognise the kind of knowledge that exists among those who actually do things: whether that be running businesses, being a community nurse or filling potholes.

Such knowledge is usually tacit – people just know what’s right and what works – or it’s informally expressed and so doesn’t get treated seriously.

That’s why ‘experts’ are often wrong and ‘ordinary’ people – you, me and the man on the Clapham Omnibus - are frequently right. As George Orwell said, “to see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle.”

Nowhere has that struggle been so intense – and ‘experts’ been proven so wrong -than over the issue of Brexit.

I backed Brexit because, from my business experience, I saw that we can be a freer and more prosperous nation by not being tied into a single protectionist trading bloc.

But then I’m an optimist and have faith in the British people’s capabilities and willingness to work hard and well.

Compare that with the constant stream of negative opinions from ‘experts’ about what Brexit would mean to the economy.

Yet, in virtually every single case, they have been proven wrong.

According to the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, our manufacturing sector is enjoying the longest spell of rising output in 23 years.

Exports are at an all-time high according to the Trading Economics website. Indeed, in one month alone (January 2018) they increased by 1.6% over the previous month.

The export of goods to the EU grew by only 0.8%, but that to South Korea and the US was up by 20% and China by over 4%. Good signs for a truly global trading Britain.

Closer to home, Suffolk businesses are enjoying a sustained boom. The latest figures from Suffolk Chamber of Commerce’s quarterly economic survey – based on the views of real businesses and not ‘experts’ – suggests that business is booming across our county.

According to the 170 local firms who responded, the quarter on quarter figures also show a further strengthening in business performance and sentiment from Q3 to Q4 2017.

Manufacturing firms in particular are doing really well in terms of domestic and overseas sales and orders and recruitment plans.

The only main concern is that, possibly as a result of this strong performance, a very high percentage of Suffolk businesses are struggling to recruit staff. Unless this is addressed soon it could become a brake upon the further economic success of the county.

 

So, you now understand my views on ‘experts’. My solution to this problem is simple. ‘Experts’ should only be allowed to offer their opinions if they can e clearly demonstrate recent involvement in the real world.

Now, I’m more than willing to help out. Any ‘experts’ that want to see how a hard-working warehousing and logistics business works, are welcome to contact me.

Over to the ‘experts’.

 

Ends.