Business in the Driving Seat

Friday, 13th August 2010

• Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce takes the lead
• Government Cuts bring opportunity for businesses

“News of Government and other cut backs continues daily unabated. We are slowly beginning to enter a new world order, where, hopefully, business will take the lead, grab the opportunities created by the cuts, and fill an often artificial void with both realism and sustainability.”

“We are living in exciting times, in the hope that less Government interference will create space, motivation and determination for a renewed entrepreneurial spirit in the UK. The past decade has seen a very frightening rise of quangos, agencies and government funded groups and initiatives, often to each other’s detriment. It’s hard to correctly assess the worth and tangibility of an organisation when it’s propped up by funding and measured by extraordinary criteria, that often, business cannot understand or devote the energy to finding out about!”

“Understanding the ramifications of these cuts is paramount; how they impact on individuals, society and business. The Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Group has been actively working with its membership, the wider business community and, where appropriate, the public sector, to ensure that we achieve the best possible outcome and opportunities as well as minimising the associated risks. The Chamber has been run and operated on business lines, to support its membership for many years. It receives no blanket government funding. It stands on its own feet thanks to membership subscriptions and its own commercial services. The Chamber is, to use the phrase, an SME in its own right. When energy and other costs rise, we suffer, just the same as any other business.

We constantly need to attract new members, retain existing ones and deliver benefits and value; process International Trade documentation and give advice on exports; reflect the business community with policy guidance; and last but not least organise and deliver in excess of 230 business events each year. We are only able to do this successfully by listening and responding to the ever changing needs and demands of our membership and the business community. It’s essential we understand, manage and grow our business, otherwise we would no longer exist.”

“Business over the past few years has responded to the Chamber, by supporting our endeavours financially. Of equal importance, members have given their time to assist with the future direction and scope of the work we are able to do. We are proud of our successes and constantly examine how we can improve and deliver further value to the membership. Whilst the Government will continue to make cuts, the Chamber, funded by its membership, will continue to provide practical assistance for business of all sizes during these difficult times. It’s worth emphasising that the Chamber is only able to do this, and remain independent, due to the commitment and support of its membership.”

Paul Briggs, Chief Executive, Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Group

Ends

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