Chamber of commerce

Hi guys Have any of you joined your local chamber of commerce is it somewhere you can meet the right contacts to grow your business.

I think it very much depends on where you live as to the benefits of joining a chamber of commerce.

Much more useful perhaps to join a local networking site. There are many that have breakfast meets. There you meet local businesses either weekly or monthly. A good way of getting your name about.

There is a tendency to join everything, but spread yourself too thinly and it becomes pointless.

For me, its all a bit "rolled up trouser leg" brigade. I'd rather be known for doing a good job, than for knowing the "right people" but whatever works i guess...

Up until last year, we were members of our Chamber, and I think all it did was drain our bank account of a couple of hundred pounds a year!

i joined the FSB (federation of small businesses) plenty of benefits including free banking, they do lots of things like breakfast meets etc although I have not been to any of them yet. Much like speed I like to be known for a job well done not for who I know. As we all know though this job is all about the right contacts.

Hi Speed iam like that myself would rather be known for a good job. But its getting in to do a good job. I do plenty of work as a subbie and never had a complaint even had one customer take there time to wright a letter to someone commending his driver (me) and what a fantastic job i had done but all this reflected on his company not me

Schofields couriers said:

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Hi Speed iam like that myself would rather be known for a good job. But its getting in to do a good job. I do plenty of work as a subbie and never had a complaint even had one customer take there time to wright a letter to someone commending his driver (me) and what a fantastic job i had done but all this reflected on his company not me

Well of course it would reflect on the company you took the job off. Just the same if a complete 'clown' had done the job! giving a less than satisfactory picture of that company. When you take work off a vendor for all intent and purpose you are representing that company!

Schofields couriers said:

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Hi Speed iam like that myself would rather be known for a good job. But its getting in to do a good job. I do plenty of work as a subbie and never had a complaint even had one customer take there time to wright a letter to someone commending his driver (me) and what a fantastic job i had done but all this reflected on his company not me

And there is the problem we all face in a nutshell

How does anyone get to find out how good we are if they know we're here

Correction "if they DON'T know we're here"

I will always en devour to do a job to the best of my ability. Doesn't matter if its subbed our for my own customer. But as you say in a nutshell they don't know who you are until you meet them and complete a job. Which is why iam asking about the chamber of commerce

Well down here to join as a sole trader is £80 + vat

Another website to look at BNI

Down our way there are a number of events throughout the year that try to bring together local businesses together so always best to keep your eyes peeled cos it only takes one to get your foot in the door

All a question of how much time can you afford to give it really. Some would say while you're not driving you're not making any money, but how can you quantify that if one of your networking events gets you a 3k a month contract while the other bloke was doing a £50 trip instead?

From what I hear is you would get plenty of work from members within the organisation, which is all well and good if you are joining a sizeable organisation. Also, it doesn't get your name out beyond their membership.

All far too cliquey for me.

Fastback Parcel Solutions said:

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i joined the FSB (federation of small businesses) plenty of benefits including free banking, they do lots of things like breakfast meets etc although I have not been to any of them yet. Much like speed I like to be known for a job well done not for who I know. As we all know though this job is all about the right contacts.

You mean you don't get free banking already?

Speed Couriers Nationwide Ltd said:

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Well down here to join as a sole trader is £80 + vat

Another website to look at BNI

Down our way there are a number of events throughout the year that try to bring together local businesses together so always best to keep your eyes peeled cos it only takes one to get your foot in the door

All a question of how much time can you afford to give it really. Some would say while you're not driving you're not making any money, but how can you quantify that if one of your networking events gets you a 3k a month contract while the other bloke was doing a £50 trip instead?

Along exactly the same lines as my post a few days ago, getting out there and meeting your prospective clients face to face is often better than just sending emails, business flyers or just simple phone calls.

Never underestimate the additional impact that YOU can add to your business directly.

I'm sure that a local commerce exchange is a good idea, never heard of it before so I will now go and look into it in my area, but I always find that turning up on the threshold of a prospective client with all my documentation in order, looking presentable, with a good condition van is the best way. Good old fashioned leg work.

As Speed said, you only need 1 to kick start your new business or to boost your existing business.

That's the problem isn't it...

People trying to re-invent the wheel.

It doesn't matter nowadays if you're better at being a courier, builder, manufacturer, painter and decorator, anything at all, its about whether you have presence, how much you spend on marketing.

What you're "selling" has become secondary.

How you sell it is where its at.

Yes Mr G I do get free banking I was merely stating it was one of the benefits... Amongst many others.