What a week! Well what more could we expect from this most unpredictable and turbulent year?

I awoke on Wednesday morning with a feeling which I've had to become accustomed to over the last couple of years. I would categorise myself as a moderate liberal, so this week was now the third time in less than two years where finding out the result of an election has made me genuinely frightened and not a little worried.

It is of course not my place to inflict my sixth-form politics on the readers of Service Dealer, I just want to explain the concern I’ve felt when I keep finding myself in opposition to what the majority has voted for. However, each time these seismic results have occurred, I've found the best way to alleviate my dread, is to simply turn off the TV and go for a walk.

As soon as I begin to wonder around town, discovering that the world has not in fact ended, that normal people are going about their normal lives, just as they were yesterday and will again tomorrow, I accept and begin to move on. I'm not burying my head in the sand ignoring what's happened - nor am I any less displeased. Moreover, it's a realisation that what has been done cannot be undone and we all must get on with our lives and our work.

And getting on with our work to the best of our abilities seems more important now than ever in this era of political uncertainly. Of course, there are global and governmental factors which are out of our control which may exert an influence over how we do this - but mostly how we succeed in our business is down to us.

It was therefore a very encouraging couple of days spent at the NEC for SALTEX last week, seeing the halls buzzing and manufacturer's stands busy with both end users and trade customers. Business appeared to be achieved with a smile on people's faces and with gusto.

Which is I'm sure the atmosphere that will prevail at the Service Dealer Conference & Awards which takes place next Thursday.

There are some superb speakers and dealer panellists lined up to share with the audience their knowledge and experiences of how to make independent businesses flourish - or indeed cope with the tough times. There are representatives of dealerships both large and small from across the UK who will be participating in panel debates and smaller breakout sessions, encouraging free-flowing discussions, with plenty of opportunity for conference delegates to have their voices heard.

How to interact with your customers is the theme of the conference with the breakout sessions offering the opportunity to learn more about social media, websites or in-store merchandising to best facilitate this. The Keynote address from maverick high-street retailer John Timpson will concentrate on what makes good customer service, looking at employee engagement, leadership, service excellence and social innovation.

I do hope to see as many of you there as possible next Thursday. In these challenging times a sense of community and collaboration would appear to be a vital method for us all to progress.

The last few remaining tickets for the Conference and Awards are available here - but sales must close on Tuesday next week.

Next Thursday at the Oxford Belrfy Hotel will be a day when the industry comes together to help each other to carry on doing what everyone does best - running productive, efficient and profitable independent businesses. No matter what is going on in the news!