Cumbria Chamber of Commerce

[KN Photo]

Has anyone from Cumbria (obviously) joined the chamber?

I am contemplating but would like to hear what the benefits are from someone more impartial than a member of Chamber staff.

Any help or feedback appreciated.

[wendolene]

I've been a member of Cumbria Chamber for a year now, not seen much benefit really. They hold Lunches and evening "networking events" but these are without any structure and the attendance is very up & down. You need to be good at networking to reap any sort of return

[papverpoppies]

They run free courses if you are just starting out in business - which can be useful.

They offer these courses on a day or evening basis.

They cover the basics such as bookkeeping, marketing etc etc, and getting your new business off the ground.

It depends who is there on the day/evening as to what you can take from these events - and who they have giving the talk/course.

Poppy

[KN Photo]

thank you to the both of you for your replies! I appreciate it.
Poppy, are you a member and have you benefitted from the courses? It doesnt sound so bad as I never knew they had courses running.
Wendolene, your experience is what I am afraid of. I know its on £150 odd to join but I could better spend the money at face value. I believe you still have to pay for networking events, albeit subsidised if a member so that's what led me to wonder if it is worth it.
Incidently, what business are you two in and where are you based? I am in Carlisle.

[Simon-M]

Just to say you are a member of the chamber of commerce can add credibility to your business. To be honest you get out of stuff like this what you put in. I am a member of the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce which is apparantly one of the top ones in the UK. Have I got anything out of it? Not much but then again I have put next to nothing in. So I don't expect to get anything back.

[KN Photo]

Thanks for the input Simon and you're definately right; as with everything, it's about what you put in to it.
I originally looked into it for the sake of the networking events along with BNI and another in Carlisle.
I am finally finding my feet in terms of gaining clients and commissions for the business (a long and winding road!) but am yet to meet anyone who is a member of the Chamber here so have only had the "sales patter" (cynical much?) of the staff at the Chamber to base decisions on.

[papverpoppies]

The course I went on was free - give them a call and see when the next course starts.

Yes, I did take something from the courses - as it was all new to me, so it was interesting and I did learn from it.

A lot also depends on the other people on the course with you.

Its good to be able to talk to people who are going though the same scenerio as yourself - but they do not all open up and chat - so sometimes there was not much feedback!

I have not joined as I am not sure what benefits I would gain from it.

Perhaps it depends on your line of business, as to whether the 'networking' works for some - and not others.

I would see what they are offering for free - to start with, and then see where you want to go from there.



Poppy

[papverpoppies]

Forget to say - that you only need to make one contact (the right contact) and your business may never look back.

Poppy