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ALL THE LATEST NEWS, ADVICE AND EVENTS FOR THE SOLIHULL BUSINESS COMMUNITY


Business lifecycle series gets off to a great start


Solihull Chamber of Commerce Wellington House, Starley Way, Birmingham Int. Park, Solihull B37 7HE T: 0121 781 7384 • F: 0121 781 7385 E: info@solihull-chamber.com W: solihull-chamber.com


From start up to selling (L-R): Mark Hobart (Clearview), Mo Page (The Ticket Sellers), Matthew Pearson, (Webmoco Ltd) and Richard Smith (NC Creative Group)


BY SUE COOKE


Businesses in Solihull were given the opportunity to find out how to handle the key stages of their entire lifecycle, from start-up through to selling. It was all covered in a Business Lifecycle


Forum with three sessions, covering starting a business, how to grow it, and how to sell it. Each session featured key speakers, most of whom run successful local businesses. They spoke about subjects ranging from the pitfalls of starting a business, and where to go for advice, to the best way to go about selling or exiting a business. Businesses who attended were urged to


consider whether people who were with the company are still right for moving the business forward. The market is constantly changing and businesses should be looking at what the market will be doing in two years or more time. Businesses were also encouraged to look at a bigger market than just the UK. Panel speakers suggested that companies can improve their profitability by slotting their customers into gold, silver or bronze categories. Jane Weaver, managing director of AYS


Logistics Ltd, said: “This was a really good event. It was great to hear real business peoples stories. I would definitely like to attend further events like this.” The audio visual equipment for the event was sponsored by PSG Events Ltd.


Joe Kelly: membership is at the heart of the Chamber


President praises rise in member numbers


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Solihull Chamber is holding its annual golf day and dinner at Robin Hood Golf Club on 10 July.


Members and non-members are welcome,


and various prizes are on offer, including nearest the pin and longest drive. The event starts at 11.30am and the dinner afterwards commences at 6pm.


For further information call the Chamber on 0121 781 7384.


24 CHAMBERLINK MAY 2014


hamber president Joe Kelly has given his half-term assessment of his two year tenure in office. He


was addressing the organisation’s annual


general meeting on 28 March. Mr Kelly, deputy chief executive officer at Birmingham Airport, said that one of the key achievements of his first year as president had been to oversee a return to a growth in membership.


He said: “I am pleased to report that membership has started to grow again, which following the most prolonged global recession since the 1930s is no mean feat. “The Chamber has been serving its members


now for more than 200 years and that desire to serve will remain critical to its future success, as responding to the needs of the members will drive this organisation forward.” Mr Kelly said that membership was one of


three key areas that the Chamber was focusing on, the others being innovation and sustainable growth.


He said: “Membership is at the heart of the Chamber. The range of its membership and the on-going meeting of their varied needs remains the critical challenge. “The Chamber will flex and respond to meet those on-going and developing needs over future periods.


‘I am pleased to report that membership has started to grow again’


“Growing membership by adding real value to its members will remain the benchmark test by which the Chamber shall measure itself.” Mr Kelly added that feedback was vital to the Chamber’s efforts in meeting the needs of its members, and he made a plea for this to include negative as well as positive input. “Listening carefully to what members need


and responding directly or sourcing through partners will evolve the Chamber and ensure it remains a valuable resource to its membership.”


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