Confidence steadies in the Waikato  

Waikato businesses are expecting ‘more of the same’ from the business environment during the next six months, according to the Waikato Chamber of Commerce’s latest business confidence survey.

The major shift since December’s survey is that a number of those previously expecting improvement are now looking ahead to more stability.  Businesses that expect the general business environment to remain consistent over the next six months rose to 41%, up by nine percentage points since December.

Wayne Walford, chief executive of the Waikato Chamber of Commerce is positive about this outlook.

“Increased stability in forecasted conditions will mean businesses can plan more effectively and with more certainty.”

In addition, the survey showed the number of businesses having difficulty recruiting skilled staff rose by two percentage points, and has been climbing steadily since the middle of last year.

Wayne said growing recruitment challenges would force many businesses to re-evaluate their approach towards employment over the coming months.

“It is no longer an employer’s market. Businesses will need to respond by investing more time, effort and resources into their people if they expect to recruit and hang on to valuable talent.”

In addition, optimistic profitability expectations for the coming months have grown by three percentage points.The survey was undertaken electronically for the week ending Friday 19 March across all business sectors in the region.