October 2016 breakfast: Buttons, a book launch and business support
Our October 2016 breakfast had 18 breakfasters and included two guests, Tony Addison, of Free Rein, Hadleigh, and Hadleigh Chamber of Commerce, and Tom Cridland, of Chicane Internet.
With the disappearance of the local bank manager, and indeed local bank branches, from many high streets where do businesses go for financial help? Neil Lennon, of the Babergh/Mid Suffolk waste management team, gave information about the financial help available from local councils, particularly if they want to make their buildings more energy efficient.
Business support with IT is also available from Shelli Moyes, at MPMIT, and for creative software solutions from Venitia Billings, of Syrinx Systems, who has just devised a technology solution in less than an hour to automate a membership process for Stowmarket Chamber’s website.
Sammy Teather, of Teather Creative Design, has been obsessed with buttons – of the virtual kind. She has been designing a new range of bespoke buttons that can be added to websites to make them stand out.
Allan Scott, of Mill House Media, has been occupied with providing the online marketing campaign for Rosemary Muntus, and with publishing her latest book ‘Quilt It & Colour It’. A new website, publicity and a social media campaign have resulted in the sale of 50 copies in the first week.
Peter Stanway, of Project HR, had his dinner interrupted by a client wanting help after discovering that a member of staff had been using the company’s stationery budget to order themselves boxes of chocolates. Albert Peters, of Pegasus HR, is advising a client on the TUPE regulations and managed to fit in a visit to the Houses of Parliament.
And finally – even though we’re only in October, we cannot avoid the C word any longer thanks to a reminder from Danny Cuff, of Gipping Press, that we will soon be needing calendars for 2017.
October 2016 presentation from David Tombs
For families, David’s pictures start while the baby is still a “bump”, giving parents a record in a two-picture folder set that includes the bump and the new-born. He also offers a “watch me grow” three-picture package of babies at 3, 6 and 9 months. He also encourages clients to include fathers and other children.
David started taking pictures while still in the Army and has turned it into a thriving business after qualifying with the Master Photographers’ Association. He is fully insured and offers a 100% money back guarantee. The Association will also mediate if there are any disputes with clients.
He explained that his work starts well before he points the camera at his subject by discussing with clients both the format in which they want the pictures. It could be anything from an album to a website to a picture on canvas for the wall. He can also advise them on what to wear, what will work and how to prepare for the photography session.
Preparation is particularly important for baby photographs. He advises people to try to feed the baby before the session and to not let them sleep during the journey to the studio, nor wrap them in too many layers. It also helps if the baby’s mum is not too near to her baby during the photo session.
Raffle Prize reminder – the C word again!
We will be holding a raffle to raise money for this year’s adopted charity, the Stowmarket & Area Foodbank, at our Christmas lunch at the Golf Club on December 16th. Anyone willing to donate a prize please contact our secretary Keely Taylor (details below).
Tell us what you want
Chairman Allan Scott is happy to receive any suggestions for what members want to see the Chamber doing in the future. Please send your ideas (and your want lists) to [email protected].
Dates for your diary:
| November Coffee Morning | November Breakfast |
| Needham Market Community Centre | The Mix, Stowmarket |
| Friday, 4 November | Friday, 18 November |
| 10am-noon | Starting at 6.45am |
For more information contact Keely Taylor
phone: 01449 770965
e-mail: [email protected]
Anyone who has a story to publicise should contact marketing officer Alison Withers:
