Testimonials
“Not only are these events a great way of getting my business recognised I have gained a number of clients as a direct result of meeting them at one of these events. They are also informal enough to add some light relief to the serious side of developing business”.
Garry Thickett ACMA Chartered Management Accountant
“I have been an active member of various regional chambers over the last 20 years and I am not exaggerating when I say that last night (Business Club, 29th January 2008) was the best Chamber event I have ever been to - completely professional yet open, friendly and supportive. Many people, if they were honest, flinch and cringe at the thought of networking, yet the way you structured the event made it so easy...... and pleasantly enjoyable”.
Joanna Whysall Ye Olde Bell Hotel www.yeoldebell.net
Doncaster Chamber of Commerce
A Case Study in the Benefits of Member Networking
By: Jon Lister FCCA – Enterprise Accountancy Services Limited
We had been trading, quite merrily, for about 4 years and had regularly extolled the benefits of Chamber Membership to our clients recommending that they join and take advantage of the networking events and most importantly for our clients the legal & HR protection when some bright spark ‘Christopher Harrison of Tech Support (UK) Limited’ chimed up, “well why aren’t you Members then”.
From that point we haven’t looked back!
Since we joined Doncaster Chamber in December 2007 we have been able to move our business forward at a speed and it has all been as a result of Member networking.
Chris Harrison (Tech Support UK Ltd) was able to bring a set of IT and commercial skills that we didn’t possess that allowed us to develop new ideas for ourselves and also develop holistic solutions for clients as we were now able to offer a financial and an IT angle. To date, we estimate more than £50,000 of mutual work has passed between us. Plus Chris and I now run three businesses jointly by utilising our combined knowledge and skills.
Through the recommendation of the Membership Team, who took on board what we were trying to do and more importantly for us how we were trying to do it, we were introduced to Richard Byrne (The Byrne Practice Solicitors). We found this to be a great fit of styles and to date, we estimate more than £75K of mutual work has passed between us. Plus Richard, Chris and I now run a business jointly and are looking to develop future streams.
The fact that we have been able to turn a profit is great but what has been important for us has been strengthening our network with Doncaster Chamber members who run with the same values that we do of promoting Doncaster, its entrepreneurs and its potential so our team looks like this;
Chris Harrison, Tech Support UK Ltd – Our Number 1 partner, providing IT and Commercial Solutions
Richard Byrne, The Byrne Practice Solicitor – All commercial law matters
Jez Alcock, Nineten New Media Ltd – Our & our clients website design and corporate branding
Atkinson Smith – Provide our & our clients commercial insurance
Darren Wooding, Intramation Ltd – Provide our & our clients telecoms platform
In addition to these there are many others who like us have benefited, not from trying to get a quick sale from other members, but by being in it for the long haul and being prepared to put something in, to get something out.