An Epidemic of Big Gestures, Alice in Wonderland and Some Timely Advice

Our October breakfast attendance of 26 included four visitors and their feedback was that they were made to feel very welcome, enjoyed the event and were considering coming again.

Paul Johnstone, of Paradigm Shakers, opened the 60-second presentations with a tip on public speaking: if using gestures to underline a point, make them big.

Those who followed him were plainly listening and instantly took his advice on board to produce an epidemic of big gestures in their own presentations, thereby proving both the power of networking and what an open-minded lot the Stowmarket members are!

The businesses represented included everything from travel arrangements to a motorbike courier service, the full range of IT support and online content management services, internet marketing and design, legal services, architects, a provider of working capital to small businesses, virtual assistance, Health and Safety consultancy, e-newsletters, company driver training, tiling, painting and decorating, acupuncture pain relief, business consultancy and a domestic cleaning supplier.

It all goes to prove Chairman Peter’s oft-repeated “bee” that the green bit in the middle is not only about farming.

Neil Lennon from Lloyds TSB issued a timely reminder to plan well in advance for the 2012 Olympics, particularly for the impact it might have on employers whose staff may want to follow the events.

Lisa Bebbington, of West Suffolk College offered businesses a free carbon footprint energy assessment to help control their costs and improve their “green” credentials.

Rachel Henke, the Niche Expert, has a book out for sale on Amazon, called The Niche Expert. Contact her directly to get the book at a £2 discount to Stowmarket Chamber members.

Rachel@rachelhenke.com

A useful fact from Steve Lee, of Concierge Couriers, for those who use GPS when travelling in Europe: postcodes do not cover precise locations there as they do in UK, so it is advisable to have a map as back-up!

Allan Scott, of Newsletter Genie, gave us a further episode of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alice was beginning to grow larger again, much to the distress of the Dormouse who was being squeezed out.  However, when the previously sleepy Dormouse realised that Alice was growing (more big gestures) because Genie was taking care of her e-newsletter marketing he became surprisingly alert at the prospect of growth without having to use “nasty-tasting bottles and mushrooms”.

Finally, many thanks to young NVQ student Jordan Chaplin, who single-handedly produced an excellent breakfast for 26 people, working for the first time completely alone.  Well done Jordan.

Tim Meadows-Smith – Advice from the Business Doctor

Guest speaker Tim Meadows-Smith, company doctor and chairman of New Media Business Group, began his presentation by brandishing a keyboard and a chainsaw and asking which people thought was the more dangerous.

The answer was the keyboard because it encourages too many of us to take on more and more tasks to do ourselves rather than using experts who can do some of the tasks a business needs more effectively than we can.

“Many people in business take their cues from TV programmes like Dragon’s Den and The Apprentice,” he said. However, as he pointed out, they are entertainment and not the real business world.

His point was to beware of taking on too many free internet marketing aids and trying to do them do in-house. People should delegate much of this to experts, of whom there were several in the room.  That way, he said, people can focus on working on their businesses and on what they do well.

He advised that all businesses should have systems for inviting customers in, for then retaining them and for collecting and managing information. These, he said, were crucial to growing a business.

Peter’s Bees

In Peter’s absence due to a diary clash, Alison Withers, of multimedia reputations had custody of the Queen Bee to provide updates for members.

Firstly, there are ongoing discussions between Suffolk Chamber and the East Anglian Daily Times about revamping and expanding its business coverage.  The Suffolk Business Magazine has ceased publication and once discussions are complete it is envisaged that there will be a large monthly supplement in the paper in the third week of each month to provide more coverage to a larger readership. 

This provides an opportunity for those of us trading in the Green Bit in the Middle. Anyone who has any news or thoughts on items Stowmarket should highlight or campaign on please e-mail

alison@multimediareputations.com

with suggestions.

The EADT and the Chamber are also taking part in regional heats of a national competition to find growing young businesses.  The eventual national winner will get free advertising and a session with Deborah Meaden of Dragons Den.

Called Local Business Accelerators and open to companies no more than three years old, the deadline for nominations is November 14.  More information on:

http://www.accelerators.co.uk

There will be more information about the Stowmarket Chamber website currently being developed by Tim and Alison, who have volunteered their time, after the next quarterly committee meeting due to be held on Tuesday, October 25.

Any comments to Peter please

peter.avoca@talktalk.net

Dates for your diary – November breakfast at the Rugby Club

November’s breakfast will again be at the Rugby Club so make sure you go to the right place!

Next Meeting:

November 18 at the Rugby Club

phone: 01449 770965
e-mail: secretary@stowmarketchamber.org.uk
website:
www.suffolkchamber.co.uk/stowmarket_district_chamber_of_commerce