Excellent news and results reported at ‘Let’s Do Business’ with fresh ideas.
The past few weeks, with much attention focussed on the EU Referendum, has shown that one subject can come to dominate the news when there are still other significant events taking place.
Local news is always a good place to start and an effective antidote to being overwhelmed by international news.
Indeed, we had an excellent business story right on our doorsteps. The Chamber’s Let’s Do Business event at Uttoxeter Racecourse on Thursday 23 June was another great success this year.
It had all the makings of a special event right back in May, when the exhibition stands sold out. The 1,450 visitors and delegates attending were further proof, if it was needed.
‘Meeting new customers, the opportunities to network, to find potential suppliers, and even potential partners, made it a total success’; one enthusiastic visitor told me when I toured the stands. And, there were other similar stories and reports.
Taking a look around the exhibition, it was inspiring to see the range and breadth of businesses and organisations represented. It immediately confirmed to me, and it was supported from my conversations with other visitors, that the economic growth of Burton and District continues to show many positive signs.
Year-on-year, we have seen the local economy continue to expand. I heard the figure of some 4%, being quoted at the Let’s Do Business exhibition, based on the formation and growth of new companies.
Our business community in East Staffordshire is highly innovative, finding opportunities to develop new markets. Simultaneously, traditional sectors, like brewing and engineering, continue to be reinvigorated by younger generations of business-people.
They bring fresh ideas, applying new technologies to improve quality and productivity; and respond rapidly to new consumer tastes in their highly competitive markets.
Equally importantly, their use of Social Media enables closer contact and relationship building with customers.
With 31 million Facebook users and 15 million using Twitter in the UK, the continued impact and relevance of these platforms to business cannot be overlooked.
Like many other businesses, Yee Group is increasingly involved in Social Media as part of its business strategy.
The creative opportunities that are presented by Social Media are boundless; and it was great to see them being deployed at the Let’s Do Business event.
Likewise, this Chamber is expanding and developing a wider influence. Our new Chamber Group web site – greaterbirminghamchambers.com – with its improved content and navigation is one example of the progress we are making with the support of our members.
Activity on Social Media, using Twitter @BrumChambers is gathering pace as an authoritative resource. It was exploited to great effect by all those finalists and guests at the Birmingham Chamber Group Awards held back in April.
We are constantly looking at potential new events. If you have a subject that you would like to discuss and expand into an event, let me know. Along with other Chamber members, you might like to sponsor that event making it attractive to other members; and, at the same time, even to a wider audience.
So, can I leave that idea about an event, even a series of events, with you?
If your company has an innovation, special announcement, or award, that you would like us to share on your behalf with Chamber members, then please email our Executive Director, Chris Plant, [email protected]
I welcome feedback and comment on this column and the work and activities of the Chamber. You can contact me at [email protected]
Simon Chapman
President of Burton and District Chamber of Commerce
Managing Director, Yee Group Limited
