Dear Member
Well what a fantastic meeting we had at the Quality Hotel last month. Attendance was in excess of 120 and although it was a joint event with Sunderland Business Network, attendees from South Tyneside accounted for just over half of those present – a record attendance from STBN members and one we hope to see repeated at forthcoming meetings.
Feedback from the event has been very positive and culminated in 4 guests joining the Network by the end of the evening. I am encouraged by the large number of guests that did attend and am sure that more and more businesses will turn to the Network as it is clearly a cost effective way of marketing your businesses to others in the area. I should also point out that with the new members the Network’s membership now stands at 102 – the 3rd largest network in the Business Clubs North East Limited. It would be great to think that this time next year we could be the 2nd with a little help from our current members as you spread the word as to how effective the network is. Unfortunately we have some way to go to reach Durham Business Club who are at the top of the pile with around 300 members – but then they have been in existence for over 25 years!!!!!
As I pointed out in last month’s newsletter, membership renewals have begun to be sent out and I trust that those of you who have received them will act upon them immediately, so as to avoid being removed from the database and web directories. The committee and I would also appreciate prompt payment in order to ensure the finances of the Network are secure over the forthcoming months.
The annual South Tyneside Business Week is taking place from 29th June till 6th July. I am pleased to let you know that the Network is staging an event within Business Week for the first time.
It is entitled “I hate Networking! But it works”. This is being targeted at those businesses that never get involved in networking, so if you know of a business colleague who you think would welcome the opportunity to come along to such an event to ”test the water” as it were please let him or her know of the event which takes place on Wednesday the 1st July at The Quadrus, Boldon between 12.30 and 2.00. A light buffet will be served.
Full details will be appearing on our website within the next couple of days.
My final item this month is to remind you that with your username and password you can place news items and information on the site that will promote and raise the profile of you business. If you have lost either of these pieces of information please email info@stbn.co.uk with a replacement request. The more items on the site the more coverage it will get so please take sometime to visit the site – update your information and add some news.
The summer edition of ‘Your Business’ will be with you in the next week or so – thank you to all who have contributed and I look forward to seeing you either tomorrow at our June meeting or in the near future.
Regards
Peter Brumby
TWO of South Tyneside’s leading entrepreneurs gave tips to fellow borough business bosses in a special ‘chat show’.
John Lightfoot, MBE, managing director of SolarSolve, based at Tyne Dock, and Richard Ord, owner of Colman’s, South Shields’s award-winning fish and chip restaurant, took part in a David Frost-style interview at the annual general meeting of South Tyneside Business Network (STBN) .
During an interview by STBN executive member David Baxter, Mr Lightfoot and Mr Ord both told how they built their business up from humble beginnings to nationally-known brands, their biggest challenges and hopes for the future.
After an engaging and humorous session, Mr Lightfoot and Mr Ord were presented with thank-you gifts from the membership.
Chairman Peter Brumby commented: “This was the first time we have tried this “chat show” format and the feedback I have received as been very positive. Both John & Richard are sucessful local businessmen and our members really appreciated to here directly from them how they built up their respective businesses. The ability to chat on a one to one basis after the formal interviews was also appreciated. This is what networking is all about.
The Committee are already planning a similar event for later in the year.”
Where does each month go!
We are already a quarter of the way through 2009 and it seems only yesterday that we were welcoming in the New Year.
However in terms of the Network our new year is only a month old which means we begin the task of sending out membership renewal letters following the ratification of the £75 annual membership fee at the AGM which was held in conjunction with our April Networking meeting. The executive committee took the decision not to increase the fee based on the current economic climate and in the hope that you, our member, would continue to recognise the great value for money that it represents, especially following the re launch last year of the website with its directory listing, event section and recently added news section incorporating new member information, member press releases, business news and network news. If you have yet to visit this section why not take a look now, www.stbn.co.uk, and even take time to add your comments.
On behalf of the Committee, I wonder if I can ask you a favour? As you renew your membership for the current year, we were wondering if you would like to recommend the Network to a business colleague? The more members we have the stronger we are and the more we can offer members. The Network is here to give real benefit to all local businesses. Please, please spread ‘the word’!
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My thanks once again to everybody who attended last month’s member meeting which looked at Customers and how to make the most of them. Although I was unable to attend, the reports I have received were all very positive and it is great to know that attendance continues to be around the 50 mark.
Attached you will find details of this month’s members briefing. The meeting will incorporate the Network’s Annual General Meeting. The AGM is important and allows members to ask the committee any questions about the running of the Network as well as formally approving the accounts, the appointment of the committee for the coming year and to conduct any other business relevant to an AGM.It is anticipated that the AGM will take no more than ½ an hour.
After the formalities of the AGM it will be back to networking. Our own David Frost (read Baxter!) will be in conversation with local businessmen, John Lightfoot of Solar Solve Limited and Richard Ord of Colmans’ Fish & Chips Restaurant. Both of these very successful businesses are based in South Tyneside and I will be surprised if you do not receive a nugget or two of hints to help your business.
Our usual buffet will be provided at the end of the end of the discussion. All in all, another stimulating night is in prospect.
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Once again we had a fantastic turnout for the February meeting with numbers once again topping the 50 mark. Our thanks go to Paul for his very en-lightening presentation, which seems to have hit a cord with a number of you and also to James for providing a number of you with hands on experience!! of stress relief.
Attached you will find details of this month’s members briefing which takes a look at the phenomena that is our customer and how we should cherish and nurture them in order to make the best of them. Roz Gadd from Desiderata Coaching will be making the presentation and members will be able to take away with them a selection of hints and tips on how to attract and retain those all-important customers.
Following recent developments on the website you are now able to book your place at STBN events on line by simply visiting www.stbn.org.uk/events.html clicking on the relevant event and then click on register for the event. Alternatively you can complete and return the attached fax back form or e-mail to info@stbn.co.uk.
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