Welcome to the March issue of the Chamber enews.

Our membership continues to grow each month and we have had another bumper month of new members. If you haven't discovered the benefits of being a member yet, listen to what our members have to say.

There are lots of events coming up for you to book on and many more in the pipeline. If you enjoy getting our enews each month, why not attend our Email Marketing workshop on 22nd March so you can start your own!


 
 

Thinking of Starting a Business: Business Basics
Obtain expert, practical advice including legal structures, finance and business planning.

Networking Lunch and Learn
A peer group learning network for local people to interact, share information and learn from each other.

Caring for your Customers
Focus on your business’s levels of Customer Care and explore different approaches to ensure that they are of highest standard.

Go Green Toolkit
For all Go Green Plus businesses we are now able to offer a toolkit enabling businesses to take control of their carbon monitoring.

Email Marketing
The benefits of email marketing campaigns as well as e-newsletters. Learn how to avoid being a ‘spammer’.

Environmental Policy
Looking at your environmental impacts makes commercial sense – this workshop will provide practical, no-nonsense “help you to help yourself” support and you will leave the workshop with a draft policy.

Essential Marketing: Blogging for Business
Find out how a good blog can become one of the most powerful tools in your marketing repertoire.

Networking - Raynes Park Business Breakfast
Network, share your views with local businesses and hear about local plans and issues.

Awareness and Introduction to ISO 14001
This tutorial gives you an overview of the purpose and requirements of this international environmental standard.

Emergency First Aid at Work
What will you learn? Basic life saving first aid and workplace heath and safety regulations. Ideal for smaller workplaces that present few H&S risks.

PR on a Shoestring
Build enthusiasm for your business, and in successfully doing so, create widespread awareness and drive sales.

To book on any of these events click on the event title above or visit us at www.mertonchamber.co.uk/events or call Caroline on 020 8944 5501 or email caroline@mertonchamber.co.uk


 

 

 

 
 
   
 

Go Green Plus is supporting businesses to reduce their environmental impact. Read what one of our clients, Prentice Glass, have to say and see how we can help your business…

“With assistance through Go Green Plus we were able to understand how we can reduce our direct impact on the environment. It was vital in the development of our Environmental Action Plan and our continued commitment to reducing the environmental footprint. It was these improvements that honoured us with becoming the runner up in Best Reduction/Recycling Project at the Green Business Awards in 2009”

To read the full article please visit the Prentice Glass website And to find out how Go Green Plus can help your business contact us at southlondon.biz on 020 8947 0055, email gogreen@southlondon.biz - or visit www.southlondon.biz/greening

This service is provided free of charge to businesses as it is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
 
 

 
   
 


The Merton Means Business programme has just successfully completed its first year!! In that time we have helped and supported 35 people to set up their new businesses in Merton.

“Merton Chamber of Commerce is absolutely amazing like a breath of fresh air. They have been like a catalyst for me. I may have got there in the end but not as well and not as quickly or as confidently. They gave me all the advice and guidance needed, help me fix up my business plan and really got me started. They helped me realise my own potential which gave me the confidence boost required to run my own business. I see them as a backbone of support which is ongoing as I continue to use them.”
Let My Roof Ltd, Wimbledon

One way that we help these new local businesses is by running our popular Networking Lunch and Learn events. It gives them the opportunity to meet likeminded people, potential clients or mentors. We are still supporting these businesses today and we can do the same for you. So please call us on 020 8619 0700 and find out how we can help you!

Merton Means Business is a Merton Council service managed by Merton Chamber of Commerce.
 
   
 


Many businesses are struggling to develop because they can't raise the finance they need to take their business forward. We can provide FREE support to get your business ‘finance ready’ and introduced to potential funders.

Make the most use of our established connections with banks and other financial institutions. Visit our website for more details or call our helpline 020 8619 0700 to get started.

*to be eligible for the free support your business needs to be based in South West London, been trading for over 6 months and employ less than 250 people.

This service is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
 
   
 

WIMBLEDON BUSINESS FORUM: Wimbledon Going For Gold - 2 Years On!

Over 35 Wimbledon businesses attended our special forum on March 9th at Cento where Wimbledon Town Centre Management celebrated the achievements of the Wimbledon Going For Gold campaign on its second anniversary. 

A key element of the campaign is Wimbledon’s plan for a Business Improvement District in 2012, and attendees gave their views through focus corners, on their visions for the improvement of the town centre.  We will be continuing to gather Wimbledon businesses’ views as we shape a business plan for the Wimbledon BID through an online survey which will be out soon.  You can download a summary of the Going For Gold Achievements and learn about the BID from our website at www.wimbledongoingforgold.co.uk

THE WIMBLEDON WAY - this exciting project for Wimbledon is gathering momentum and a Project Plan has been released. You can download your copy here.

Book your place online or email Tracy at tracy@wimbledontowncentre.co.uk

Keep up to date with Wimbledon Town Centre by FOLLOWING US!!

 
   
 


.…Thank you to all who attended our Networking Lunch at Chang Thai this week! We were delighted to have a full house and were joined by a number of our new members. Looking forward to the next one!

…heads up on a date for your diary - the Chamber's popular AGM & Networking Evening has now changed and will take place on 14th July. Details to follow.

...member weblink winner this month is Crossroads Care, South Thames - congratulations, a bottle is on its way to you.

...Merton Green Energy Forum, 22nd March - find out what it is, why you need it, how much it costs, funding available and how to install it. Find out more...

...a new Food Lovers' Market comes to Wimbledon town centre on March 25-27th on the Piazza.

...Is your business benefiting from the Olympics coming to London? Have you won a contract in connection with 2012? If so tell us your story and we will provide you with a promotional platform to promote your business and capitalise on your success.

...we are hosting a special event on 5th April at Piccolino's from 4.30pm to welcome our new members to the Chamber and to introduce the Chamber to those who would like to find out about us and what we can do for their business. Look out for your invitation by email - we hope you'll join us.

...spurred on after attending our "Creating a website" workshop, Chamber member darling magazine have just launched a brand new website at www.darlingmagazine.co.uk - full story coming soon.

...changes to bus stops in Wimbledon town centre take place from 12th March. You can see the changes here.
 
   
 


A big welcome to our many new members this month - we look forward to working with you.....

JG Legal Consultants
Balloon Crazy
Big Yellow Self Storage
Zentec Security Ltd

Are you going to appear in that list next month? You too can enjoy a host of benefits by becoming a Member of Merton Chamber of Commerce...

We represent the business voice, let us represent yours

www.mertonchamber.co.uk

Call us on 020 8944 5501

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK | TWITTER | LINKEDIN

Visit our sister sites - www.southlondon.biz - www.wimbledontowncentre.co.uk - www.wimbledongoingforgold.co.uk

View this enews online