MAKE THE CONNECTION WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN

MAKE THE CONNECTION WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN

INTRODUCTION What our members say about us: What first appealed to me about the Chamber was the access to advice and support on a range of issues, and the chance to network with other local businesses. In the first month we saved enough money to cover our membership for the year. Since then we have received legal advice, attended seminars, and met new clients at networking events. If you re considering taking up membership, you should speak to an account advisor to find out how the Chamber can help you that s what we did, and haven t looked back since. Neil Brabbs, ARC Window Films Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce is all about its members. From its earliest roots in 1794 through to today s latest on line forums, local businesses have used the Chamber to connect with other businesses, communicate their key messages and create new opportunities. Whilst we have strength at national and international level, our main focus is with the business community in Greater Manchester across its 10 boroughs. We are the largest Chamber in the UK and one of 53 accredited Chambers that make up the British Chambers of Commerce network. Joining an accredited Chamber means you can have full confidence in our services. Our size helps to ensure that we have a strong and persuasive voice when speaking to policy makers and our members tell us they value being part of the Chamber community. We think joining the Chamber and making the connection is one of the best investments you can make. From day one you become part of the leading business network in Greater Manchester. You will get: 42 Action for Business events where you can network A series of money-saving member benefits First-rate business insight through our Quarterly Economic Survey The opportunity to engage with industry peers on one of many committees or Employer Skills Groups An experienced team who campaign locally and nationally A number of in-house experts across a range of key business areas, from transport to computer coding, skills provision to construction An extensive skills team offering an array of services, including our Employer Ownership of Skills programme Account management services 10 editions of your membership magazine, 53 Degrees 1 Make The Connection Make The Connection 2

CONNECT: WITH THE BEST IN GREATER MANCHESTER BUSINESS CONNECT: WITH THE ISSUES AFFECTING LOCAL BUSINESS Networking Each year the Chamber organises over 200 events across Greater Manchester, ranging from breakfast networking and Women in Business Lunches to quarterly economic briefings, and our new Business Conference in March 2014 with pro.manchester. You can attend 42 Action For Business forums a year. Whatever type of event you re looking for, we have something to suit you. The highlight of our events calendar is the Chamber s Annual Dinner (pictured below with 2013 guest speaker, Danny Alexander MP) which attracts leading figures from the world of politics and business. The Chamber s business networking lunches have provided a brilliant opportunity for Our Life to make new contacts and speak to other members about our community engagement work. I would recommend these networking events to any business. Dr Alison Giles, Chief Executive of Our Life www.gmchamber.co.uk/events Action For Business Your views can change government policy Action For Business (A4B) sits at the heart of what the Chamber does for you. Its campaign focus makes sure that the big issues that matter most to business get tackled. By using on the ground information and intelligence given to us directly by members at our A4B forums, through surveys or on line we can identify and prioritise the issues that are impacting on business and take action. Our Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) is a key part of this work and is the longest running, most accurate and informative survey of its kind in the UK. Just 20 simple questions every quarter gives us the ability to keep our finger firmly on the economic pulse of Greater Manchester highlighting everything from strength of exports to recruitment intentions. It s a leading indicator often picking up big changes in the economy long before other surveys or official statistics. The QES gives us a first-rate opportunity to brief a broad range of key influencers from MPs to the Bank of England s Monetary Policy Committee, from the 10 GM local authorities to Number 10 Downing Street so we can let those in power (or who want to be in power) know what needs to be done for business and why. The QES is a clear example of how being part of a local Chamber of Commerce means you re part of something bigger. The QES is an invaluable guide to the state of the economy, both in Greater Manchester and beyond. Thanks to the data from previous surveys, the Chamber was able to say that the UK did not enter a double-dip recession in 2012 and our view has now been confirmed by the revised figures from the Office for National Statistics. Dr John Ashcroft Chief Economist at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce www.gmchamber.co.uk/qes Danny Alexander MP at the Chamber s Annual Dinner. Photography Credit: Eden Photography. 3 Make The Connection Make The Connection 4

COMMUNICATE: TELLING GM BUSINESS ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS It s easy for you to keep in touch with the Chamber. You can get regular updates throughout the day by following the Chamber on Twitter, while our website and weekly e-newsletter (Chamber News) feature all the latest news from the Chamber and our members. Our monthly magazine, 53 Degrees, carries in-depth interviews with leading business people, looks behind the scenes at some of Greater Manchester s leading companies and turns a spotlight on the key sectors driving the local economy. 53 Degrees is the members magazine and a great way to promote your business. You can also keep in touch with the Chamber by joining its Facebook page or Linked In group. Chamber staff and members regularly appear in the local, regional and national media commenting on everything from the economy to transport. www.gmchamber.co.uk/services/53-degrees-magazine The Lowry Hotel. Photography Credit: Eden Photography. We are fortunate to live and work in a region where we have one of the North West s most dynamic and effective Chambers of Commerce. We rely on the Chamber of Commerce to keep us apprised of important changes in local regulations, development plans and special events which might have a significant impact on our business. The members are both large and small, which gives everybody great networking opportunities. The team is very proactive and approachable and we consider them a great support function in the local area. I wouldn t hesitate to recommend joining as a member. Juliette Davenport, Centre Manager, MWB Business Exchange www.gmchamber.co.uk/membership 5 Make The Connection Make The Connection 6

CREATE: VALUE FROM YOUR INVESTMENT CREATE: A WELL-TRAINED WORKFORCE TO ALLOW YOU TO GROW Member Benefits Joining the Chamber, gives you access to 42 Action for Business events and a whole series of benefits including: Saving Money the Chamber offers potential savings on indirect business costs through best practice procurement and supply chain expertise. With expert support and a full analysis of your indirect costs, we use our leading suppliers to negotiate services for you. Chamber City Card get discounts of up to 50% on a wide range of leisure, lifestyle and business related products and services throughout Greater Manchester. Legal Support members have access to a Legal Advice Line 24 hours a day, 365 days a year as well as free Legal Expenses Insurance. Export Expertise the Chamber is the leading provider of Export Documentation Services to companies in Greater Manchester. Recently we have invested in new staff to service this growing part of what do. We issue over 30,000 documents per year to exporters. Members receive up to 50% discounts on European Community Certificates of Origin, EURs and ATRs. Other documents available are Arab Certificates of Origin and ATA Carnets. You can apply for documents electronically at www.e-zcert.com. We also offer translation services and Letters of Credit. Skills Our skills team is working hard with GM businesses to create the best possible workforce it can. The Chamber s skills initiative is unique giving businesses the opportunity to influence the skills system. Working with businesses and colleges/training providers, the Chamber is investing in businesses to cultivate their talent. In partnership with GM employers we are developing proposals that improve skills, create jobs, and drive enterprise and economic growth. The offer covers 14 key sectors: Construction, Creative Technology & Infrastructure, Engineering Financial & Professional Services, Health and Social Care, Hospitality, Housing, Legal Sector, Logistics, Low Carbon, Manufacturing, Sales & Marketing, Spatial, Textiles. Pannone Managing Partner, Emma Holt, who chairs the Chamber s Legal Sector Employer Skills Group: The legal profession is changing dramatically and law firms are employing more paralegals to meet the demand to deliver legal work in a different way. The Legal Sector Employer Skills Group offers young people the opportunity to pursue a career in law without incurring significant tuition fees and where there is no guarantee of a training contract at the end of university. The scheme will enable young people to learn the skills practically required to be a paralegal whilst also undertaking a course leading to a paralegal apprenticeship qualification. For those who wish to become solicitors there will also be pathways leading to qualification through the apprenticeship programme. For law firms, it provides them with the opportunity to recruit ambitious, bright and enthusiastic young people to support the delivery of tailored legal services required in the modern legal world. www.gmchamber.co.uk/skills_and_development 7 Make The Connection Make The Connection 8

MAKE THE CONNECTION Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Churchgate House 56 Oxford Street Manchester M60 7HJ Registered in England No: 05245944 0161 237 4047 info@gmchamber.co.uk Stella Bowdell Head of Membership stella.bowdell@gmchamber.co.uk Paul Smith Head of Communications paul.smith@gmchamber.co.uk Louise Timperley General Manager Skills louise.timperley@gmchamber.co.uk Churchgate House. Photography Credit: Eden Photography. Mark Hayes Commercial Director mark.hayes@gmchamber.co.uk Chris Fletcher Director of Policy and Communications chris.fletcher@gmchamber.co.uk The Chamber has been good for our company since we joined this year. The networking events have given us the chance to meet other businesses that we would never have had the opportunity to meet if we had not joined the Chamber. Brendan Derham, Curtis Contracts (NW) Ltd 9 Make The Connection Make The Connection 10

www.gmchamber.co.uk 0845 602 9469 Churchgate House 56 Oxford Street Manchester M60 7HJ