The Chamber Blog
Talking Shop Launch
Salena Dawson 21st September 2011
The Talking Shop project gave the Chamber the opportunity to work closer with local business and to capture the story and face behind the "Shop" front. This stories were put to audio and can be found on our website, with a link from the homepage.
This has been another highly visible project which the Chamber again worked in partnership with Breckland Council and Breckland Pride. Together we instructed Artist Lydia Martin, who through audio and photographs has managed capture the passion behind 9 local business owners.
On Wednesday 21st we launched the project with cake and coffee at Sandras Cafe. To spread the word we even took cake into the participating stores which was greatly received. Edwards Newsagent kindly displayed pictures promoting the project, which were photographed by the EDP and we even had Helen Mcdermott from Norfolk Radio come on to the High Street and do a feature for her morning show.
Events like this bring the business community together. I am very proud of this project and hope through more projects the Chamber continues to raise the profile of the Wayland Area.
"Technical problems don't dampen enthusiasm for a bit of speed dating in the business community"
Salena Dawson 1st June 2011
At the latest breakfast business forum, much enjoyment was had by local business people in a Speed Networking event which is the business equivalent of speed dating. With a few hints and tips, attendees had 5 minutes to learn about their partner and explain about their own business before moving onto the next person. The event was lively and a great deal of fun as most local business people don't have the time to find out who they are trading alongside in the Wayland business community.
Unfortunately, due to a technical hiccup the mailing advertising the event didn't reach all Wayland members so sadly many people weren't able to attend.
Due to the very positive reaction to the event the Chamber of Commerce will be repeating the Speed Networking Event at a later date - watch your emails for details and make a date with us!
Fourth Business Breakfast Forum
Salena Dawson 2nd February 2011
On the 26 January 2011 the Wayland Chamber of Commerce held its fourth Business Breakfast Forum which was kindly sponsored by Shaun Jolly on behalf of St. James Place.
I have to admit I was somewhat anxious in the Chamber running a Breakfast Forum in January, as I appreciate that many businesses are extremely busy at this time of year. However, our Chamber wanted to provide an opportunity for businesses to network as January is often that time where businesses sit and review the year ahead and business leaders are proactive in seeking networking opportunities. This was shown by the attendance of businesses which had not attended previous Business Breakfast Meetings.
Coffee was kindly provided by Office Water Supplies Limited. This business is a perfect example of a Chamber member whose business is outside the Wayland area but because they conduct business within the Wayland area are eligible to be Chamber members.
All delegate members received a reusable shopping bag which gave the Chamber the opportunity to inform local business of the project it is undertaking along with Pride in Breckland and the Co Op to install pride in the community by reducing plastic bag use.
Richard Wills from Pride in Breckland also informed delegates of the Hero’s Welcome in Watton scheme and Breckland Pride Awards.
Exhibitions were held by Mike Parkinson of the Federation of Small Businesses and other delegates; including representatives from Business Link, Breckland Economic Development and Foundation East.
I again would like to thank the members of the Chamber who are volunteers for their effort to make such events a success.
The next Business Breakfast Forum will be on the 26 May 2011, the Chamber looks forward to seeing delegates from Wayland business in the future.