As if we didn’t have enough dramas in the UK at present with a recession, global warming and skyrocketing unemployment. Now, we are under a blanket of snow that is instantly immobilising thousands of businesses across the UK. It is interesting that we have the technology to avoid disruption but seem to be failing to deploy it. Of course, there is the argument that the investment is massive for a once in 30 year event so it has been hard to justify the spending on snow technology. But, there are countries across the world enjoying uninterrupted trade such as the Nordic countries and so on who must find it amusing or frustrating that Britain stops under a couple of feet of snow.

On the plus side, it has been of great interest to us at the Sussex Innovation Centre that most of our businesses are relatively unaffected in the sense that they can access their computers remotely and happily carrying on emailing and blogging from our warm, safe homes. That said, it’s a lonely life being an entrepreneur and, despite the ability to operate and function from home, it is ever clearer that the community and human contact made possible from a physical building is vital.

I’ve spoken to several entrepreneurs via Skype, mobile and email in this snow-in and in each case, the thing they mention that is affecting their business is not technology but lack of human contact. This aspect of business is so important to morale and a sense of community and belonging. The sense of purpose one gets through community effectively gets the troops fired up. Without human contact, a feeling of being unsettled can build. To address this, web cam meetings can help where you can all see each other and realise you are not actually alone in the world. There are many other great innovations that don’t cost the earth that small businesses can deploy in these situations. I had a meeting via Skype with a company in Denmark for example which was great, especially as I was unable to even leave my house having been snowed in.

The main message here is ‘Come on Britain, get innovative!’ Just stopping work is extremely costly to us all so look for alternatives, support your people and empathise with your customers who are also struggling to maintain a business. And it might just be time to buy a snow plough.