"CBD Sydney Chamber" BiziNet™ Articles

The challenges associated with the pandemic continue. Many businesses with which we engage are struggling to know what the future may hold. One of our key roles is to connect businesses to assistance and to identify meaningful data that can be used to generate influence and advocacy among those in government.

The CBD Sydney Chamber is fortunate to have BSI Learning as a Sponsor Member. We believe that training teams and managers of the future is of critical importance. But to get there, people need access to expert training. And as business owners and managers, I'm sure you'd agree that your efforts to upskill, motivate and ultimately retain the best talent provides your business with a far better chance of continued success.

Late in 2020 businesses endured the ripple effect of a December Northern Beaches lockdown and a subdued retail period. Throughout 2020, it was impossible to get together in a group other than over ZOOM or telephone. The good news is that 2021 confidence is much higher that personal business interaction will return.

The December COVID-19 spike, Northern Beaches lock downs and health-related mandates around compulsory mask wearing are now in the rear-vision mirror. Each served as stark reminders of how quickly things change and the speed at which such spikes can impact businesses. For example, during the week of the pre-Christmas lockdown one CBD-based retailer advised that trade was down some 60% on expectations.

Sydney is Australia's largest city. Its population exceeds 5 million people and it contributes over 24% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the Australian economy.

The cluster of activities in Sydney city and its surrounding town centres creates an economic engine and a symbiotic relationship amongst its businesses. It generates competitive value for the businesses in this area and in return businesses benefit from increased connectivity, access to labour and talent, infrastructure, and the flow on effects of innovation.