May 2012 - Somerset Chamber of Commerce

2
Rupert’s Review
My 6th Year at the Chamber Helm
As I celebrate 6 years as the
Somerset Chamber’s Chief
Executive on 2 nd May it is fitting
that while we can recognise our
successes over this period of
tremendous growth and change,
the Board are already looking at
the next 3-year business plan.
Several years ago I heard a
speaker use the phrase “your
past is for reference and not residence” and this is
something that has left an indelible mark on me as we
try to progress the Somerset Chamber forward to its
next phase of development. We will not live the past
and dote on previous success although we will learn
from our successes and failures as we build for the
future.
The new Business Plan, to be launched at our AGM in
November 2012, will be owned by the Board and I hope
embraced by the membership and our other
stakeholders; so over the next few weeks and months
everyone who has a stake in the Somerset Camber will
have the chance to contribute to shaping its future.
When you get invited to get involved through our
surveying or through a focus group, please do, as this
will help us deliver what our membership wants and will
value.
We know our members are at the centre of all we do
and that will remain so. We are setting an ambitious
target of achieving 1,000 members by 2020 (over the
lifetime of more than one 3-year plan). This is a 150%
increase, but will only bring us to the average
membership for BCC accredited Chambers. To deliver
this level of growth we have to put in place not just a
robust recruiting mechanism, but also a benefits
package that is meaningful, tangible and cost effective,
Our Patrons
You can find the Somerset Chamber of Commerce
on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
and a member relationship process that provides our
members with the level of service they deserve.
From our early deliberations we are keen to develop the
principles of the successful Hinkley Supply Chain
project, into mainstream procurement opportunities by
inviting our largest employers and businesses to use
the local supply chain more proactively. This will provide
benefit to both sides of the procurement process.
We will work with other agencies to support exporters
and those who may wish to export to garner more
business from international trade. We will continue to
project manage Into Somerset and the Hinkley Supply
Chain and make sure that our members can make the
most of business opportunities that arise from them.
We will also continue to represent the views of our
members and the Somerset business community on
matters of economic development policy at a local,
regional and national level such as broadband capacity,
skills & training agenda or road & rail infrastructure
development.
What do you think? What do you want your Somerset
Chamber of Commerce to do to support your business?
Is it new business opportunities; networking events;
discounted products or services; strong lobbying voice;
advice service; start-up or mentoring service?
We should not or will not be “all things to all people” as
this will devalue our brand and our services, but we will
endeavour to understand the needs of the Somerset
business community and provide a membership
package and pricing structure that will attract a wide
cross section of businesses to membership as we know
that the bigger the pool of members, the more business
opportunities there will be.
Please email me with your views to
rupertcox@somerset-chamber.co.uk and also
contribute more formally to our summer consultation.
A big thank you to the Patrons of the Somerset Chamber of Commerce whose continued
support is vital to the growth of the Chamber.
FRONT COVER IMAGE COURTESY OF NEIL PHILLIPS PHOTOGRAPHY