So, we find ourselves at the end of 2020. It has clearly been a very difficult year with huge health, economic, social and climate challenges and now we enter a festive season that will be immeasurably different for many of us.
Working from home
So much has changed. Personally – working from home was a shock. In theory, I had no issue with it. I had worked at home on occasion before but never permanently nor for an indefinite amount of time. Getting over the immediate shock of having to work from home and being able to log on and join video meetings my mind moved to important questions like - how am I going to manage a team, maintain targets, engage with our members and support them through tough times all whilst sat in the same room on my own. You find your way through for sure; by hook or by crook.
Keeping in touch with our members became ever more so important so we embarked on a customer care call campaign to check in and update with members. Conversations ranged from ‘we’re all ok’ and ‘business is fine’ through to thankfully a smaller number of more distressing calls.
Many businesses severely impacted dug deep; to find new ways of surviving like changing their business model, launching new products, taking their entire business online for the first time. Some businesses decided to just take a deep breath and use the time to reflect, review and get ready to rebound.
Regular Online Networking
Early on in lockdown we decided it was important to maintain a regular slot in our diaries to continue to come together for networking and connections. A space we can informally meet to do business with each other whilst maintaining and establishing good connections and a place where we can share what’s on our minds. We brought our popular breakfast networking event online and as the moment allowed us some creativity – Zoom Around the Room networking was born. But we did not know if we would be the only ones turning up. We need not have worried. The event proved popular throughout the pandemic, with up to 70 delegates attending an event. Feedback we received showed us even as lockdown hit there was a wish to connect and this encouraged us to carry on. So I for one have been really pleased we have been able to offer this to our community this year and want to say thank you to everyone who has joined in enthusiastically – thank you.
Going online of course broke down any need to get to an event so we did see more people from further afield which was great. With that in mind – we are partnering with our chamber colleagues in Dorset on a networking focused event on 27th Jan. Will be great so see you there!
Trading through Coronavirus Hub
Government announcements to the business community exploded like an avalanche. Guidance, staying safe, grants, payment holidays – and the list goes on. For our members we hurriedly found a way to provide the most up to date information to as many of our community as possible.
TTC was born which went on to help many 1000’s of businesses online and many hundreds by answering questions directly, ensuring they were aware of and making use of all the support available to them and directing them to further help. By staying in close contact with our community via meetings and polls we quickly found where some members were falling through the cracks, and our policy team together with our regional and national colleagues via the accredited British Chambers network we helped secure extra funding so they had hope of surviving.
Finance Hub
Access to finance has always been a hot topic ever since I have been involved in business support and this need would likely intensify. We launched a hub to help businesses understand finance options, which were most appropriate and available to them and to link them to suitable finance providers.
Trading through Brexit Hub
Our award-winning Trading Through Brexit service has helped 1000s of businesses over the last two years; addressing their biggest issues related to leaving the EU. As the EU transition period comes to a close, we continue to support businesses as we rapidly move into 2021.
The British Chambers Network
The British Chambers network worked tirelessly through the year to relay to our members important updates and news and maintained a deep connection across the UK into our communities. This provided a unique understanding of how the impact of the pandemic was playing out for all sorts of businesses enabling the network to talk to government on their behalf, force urgency and push for what was most needed. We have always come together to share best practice and ideas and but this was done with more gusto than ever this year.
End of year reflections
The end of the year brings us the opportunity at Business West to wish you all a joyful Christmas and a healthy and prosperous new year and also to thank our members for supporting the Chamber and each other. Our members have done this brilliantly by sharing ideas and via blogs on our platforms, hosting webinars with us on key topical issues, launching new products and benefits for our members, and for continuing to come together to work through some of the big challenges we face as a business community. Amidst all the difficulty we have witnessed resilience, flexibility and a strong sense of togetherness which I am sure will continue into 2021.
I leave the year extremely proud to be part of the chamber network and honoured to have worked with colleagues across the UK who offered great care and determination for their members and communities and continued to build value now and for the future.
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