This is a summary of Julie’s speech which she gave at Stockport Breakfast Club.

Successful Stockport – Your Business Opportunity

Julie began by talking about the Local Chamber Council (LCC) and her role as President. Along with the LCC she is committed to representing the Greater Manchester Chamber members in Stockport and is passionate about ensuring that local business have a ‘voice’.

She then moved on to talk about how things are changing and the current view of the economy. With facilities such as Facebook becoming popular, we have to combine new with old, looking at more ways to do Business.

Chamber Benefits - The Chamber primarily is responsible for formulating/influencing policy based on members needs, Chamber lobbies Government Officials, both nationally and locally. Networking is a key reason for many companies to join the Chamber. They provide services and support for business, listen to us, represent us, engage with us and take action on our behalf. Communication is two way, business owner/managers like us need to continue to share our key issues and successes to ensure our voice is heard at several levels. The Chamber needs to continue to give feedback to members and report on progress relating to key issues. Visit their website for membership services and events.
www.gmchamber.co.uk

Stockport Key Issues - Membership feedback says that staff are lacking key (and basic) skills. The Chamber are working along with the Learning and Skills partnership – collating what the skills and training needs are in Stockport, looking at barriers to employment in the borough, working to rectify the skills gap; has lobbied on the SEMMMS issues working with the Leader of council, local MP’s (great support from Mark Hunter) and writing to the local press. BIDS- business improvement districts; Incubation Unit – Mills; Bridgefield Street consultation and more.

Julie ends by summarising her key points which are:

• to ensure that issues raised by local members are heard & acted upon at GM Board level – more effective lobbying.
• to continue to build on the relationships with the SMBC and Stockport College, and local MP’s keeping them focussed on the needs of businesses.
• to continue representation on Stockport Economic Alliance (currently supporting the Citizen Awards 2008), Stockport Learning & Skills partnership, Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership, Stockport Local Strategic Partnership Board & Town Centre Management.
• to encourage members to benefit from their membership thus helping both to retain and grow our membership base.
• be available to listen to members via breakfast club and events.

Julie’s passion is for the business community in Stockport to continue profitable growth, maximise the benefits GM Chamber membership, to contribute to a ‘Successful Stockport’.

This entry was posted on Monday, January 28th, 2008 at 4:44 pm and is filed under GM Chamber/Stockport. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.