Brexit: a practical response strategy

Following the EU referendum in the UK, businesses around the world are assessing what impact Brexit could have on their operations and relationships in the UK, the EU, and internationally.

There are many unknowns. Acting quickly but proportionately is key to managing the risks and seizing the opportunities. The key elements of a practical response strategy are:

  


1Organize
2Inform
3Analyze
4Capitalize
5Prepare
6Monitor
7Engage
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As you would when planning for a major incident, crisis or takeover, set up a dedicated core team to develop your strategy - a “Brexit Taskforce”. This Taskforce should capture knowledge and expertise from your whole business, while ensuring strategic issues and core decision-making resulting from Brexit do not occupy all the senior team members.

How we can help

Using our experience of working with a wide range of businesses we can help you to design a best practice approach.

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The potential impacts of Brexit are very wide ranging, directly or indirectly touching every aspect of business. In such a fluid and potentially confusing situation it is important that people across your business, from the Board downwards, understand the facts, have a sensible perspective on the possible implications and understand the business’ approach to the issue. A communications strategy should not only provide information and reassurance but also contribute to the process of analysis and preparation.

How we can help

We have briefing packs both for Board level and wider engagement and can work with you to tailor these to your business.

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Analyze your business and the market in which you operate. Identify the potential areas of change that may arise, or which your business would like to arise, as a result of any action undertaken by the UK or EU governments while navigating Brexit. Consider all areas of your business, from sales to employee retention, to identify current or future EU initiatives which are relevant to your business and that might now change in scope or direction.

How we can help

We have checklists which can be used to drive a program of review and analysis and can support you in implementation.

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It is a cliché that business dislikes uncertainty. However, periods of turbulence and change also create opportunities. There may be opportunities to strike deals on advantageous terms, push through long planned changes or acquire assets, businesses or interests which would not otherwise be available. You should ensure that your business keeps these opportunities under review as well as the potential uncertainty.

How we can help

Our Brexit team can help you identify and take advantage of Brexit opportunities.

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With the direction of travel still very uncertain, there is currently no pressing reason for business to rush into costly or radical change. However, there are some steps a business should consider taking immediately to mitigate potential risks. Looking to the longer term, you need to be ready to move quickly as soon as the shape of the post-referendum world starts to become clear and so you should begin to prepare for a range of possible outcomes.

How we can help

Our Brexit team can involve the right technical and sector specialists to help you think the issues through.

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Developments remain very fluid. Over the next weeks and months your business should keep abreast of thinking in London, Brussels and in the EU Member States. It will be important to be well informed about developments – both as to the shape of the UK’s broad relationship with the EU and the very detailed specific issues which will have an impact on your business.

How we can help

With teams across Europe, as well as in the UK and Brussels, we can help you track the latest thinking as it develops.

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At the moment, there are many unknowns. However, whatever sector or country you operate in, the sooner you are ready to shape the impact of Brexit on your business, the greater the opportunities will be. Consider how you can most effectively engage with government to optimize the business landscape for your business, your employees and your stakeholders.

How we can help

Our global policy advocacy team can help you to identify policy priorities and to find the most effective way to engage.

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