CHAMBER NEWS ‘Our new


something will suddenly come out of left field and force you to modernise! Devon Chamber’s no stranger


to that scenario. However, the increasingly rapid change in the business world is forcing most savvy businesses to confront the fact that digital and organisational transformation is imperative. This new role at Devon Chamber focuses very


website will give members greater access to us as a Chamber Team and to fellow members’


purchased last year. Its full integration with our new website will give members greater access to us as a Chamber Team and to fellow members, with many more opportunities to communicate


effectively and build business. The Board is currently tackling the issue of


much building a new team approach willing and able to ‘bite the bullet’ and embark on major changes and improvements on behalf of our members. Under the leadership of Chief Executive George Cowcher, this is a team determined to move forward as a credible, professional and strong voice for Devon businesses of all shapes and sizes across all industries. Building the right team is key and we have


appointed a new Events Manager, Lisa Glendenning, who has already developed an inclusive, topical and informative events calendar for much of 2018. We are now recruiting a Marketing Executive who will bring a dynamic new focus to promoting the Chamber and its events as well as contributing to our efforts to improve engagement with our members. Our new website, developed by Plymouth-


based Konstruct, will be going live as you read this article (if it hasn’t done so already) – a website which will be powered by the comprehensive CRM system Chamber Masters,


improving our membership offer, making it more robust beneficial and relevant for the way in which we all do business now. We are striving to bring about membership benefits which are of real value, encouraging members to build better business and using regional companies who have a vested interest in Devon, rather than falling back on national organisations which rely on merely signposting. We are already seeking out and setting up commercial partnerships which can enhance the membership offer, bringing innovative ideas to our table and building true working partnerships where there is mutual respect and benefit, rather than unrealistic expectations. Shortly, I will be looking at further definition


of Devon Chamber’s visual brand, the collateral and the marketing channels we use. All of this will take a little time. Rome wasn’t


built in a day - but in the meantime, we really want to encourage you to be part of a two-way process to put something into your Chamber and then get something out of it.


Since 1998, there have been two key business representative bodies in Plymouth for businesses to join, Devon (formerly Plymouth) Chamber of Commerce, and the Plymouth Area Business Council. With time, energy and money becoming


ever more precious for all business people, discussions took place during 2017 to better align both the Plymouth Area Business Council and the Chamber of Commerce. The feeling is that the Plymouth Area Business Council provides an excellent platform for discussion and the distillation of business views and this will be even more powerful with the backing and weight of the Chamber of Commerce alongside it. With the election of Richard Stevens,


Heather Ancient and Craig Moore as joint Chairs of Plymouth Area Business Council and Richard Stevens remaining Chair of the Chamber, we’re now engaging in joint activity.


IN BRIEF


Heathrow is seeking views on options to deliver and operate an extended airport, alongside principles of new airspace design. The consultation is a major milestone in


delivering an expanded airport - Europe's largest privately funded infrastructure project, and the best way to keep the UK connected to global growth.


For more information about Heathrow's consultation on expansion see www.heathrowconsultation.com


Over the past 20 years, there has been a steady increase in the amount of business services that have been outsourced to third parties. The likes of HR, finance and IT are all now regularly outsourced. With specific reference to IT, what are the pros and cons?


Focus An attraction of outsourcing is simply that it enables an IT expert to manage your IT, whilst you get on with running your business. The expert will be (the theory goes) more skilled, more up-to-date and more efficient than your own team could be.


Finance A well written outsourcing agreement will ensure that you pay a fixed monthly fee for your IT support, making budgeting easier.


However, as in all things, there are also areas where caution is required. You need a partner that has a solid understanding of the issues related to your industry (if you’re a business that runs extended hour operations, can the IT support desk mirror them?) and is able to demonstrate that they have the resource and skills required. Is your chosen partner liked and respected within their customer base? Talk to their clients and make sure that their delivery is as good as their sales pitch. Do they have a dedicated support desk? And, do their staff talk to you in a language that you understand?


Ultimately, outsourcing your IT can deliver you a better service. But, pay close attention to who you outsource it to – not all partners are the same…


March/April 2018 Chamber Profile 11


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