Might be here for a bit longer…

Originally, I was only to be working at the Chamber for a year, then my plan was to go to university or find work elsewhere. However, one of the team, Michelle, is leaving us over the new year and hence a new position has became available within the Chamber. In light of this Bob came to with the offer that my contract be extended to take up this new position whilst also continuing my own duties plus another responsibility of doing export docs. On top of all this, I will also be doing a part time uni course.

Of course, I was delighted to accept this offer.

My new job will start come the new year, so I’ll have plenty to learn in the next few weeks. The part time business course at Glasgow Caledonian will start on January 16th – this will involve attending the uni two evenings a week, as part of my new job I will also have Fridays off to keep up with my studies (just as well otherwise I might explode).

So it’s fair to say I am quite excited for the new year to get begin these endeavours – I am equally excited at the prospect of what new opportunities this experience will bring and look forward to taking on the challenges ahead.

Don’t worry, I’m still here!

I realise it’s been a while since I last posted, so naturally I have plenty to share- however I’ll just summarise my last few weeks.

The “New Member’s Event” was a hugely successful event, thank you all very much for you’re feedback! We’ll take all suggestions into account for future events.

For those unaware of the New Members Event, this was my first event at the Chamber I had solely organised, so I am relieved at how smoothly it ran. I also made a short presentation to all who attended, a total of 55 delegates, on the benefits of membership at the Chamber. I look forward to organising similar events in the future!

The ROCCO’s are now only 2days away! Kilt booked, and most of the admin for the event done I’m now excited to watch the show unveil after being so involved with the prestigious awards, perhaps on the night I may be too busy to enjoy the entertainment.. but fingers crossed I’ll have 5minutes to sit down and take it all in.

Hope everyone’s Christmas shopping is well under way, I’ve already spotted a few Christmas trees popping up. Feels like only last week I started here and had never heard of the ROCCO’s.

Its Getting Colder…

The weeks are going by quickly and the mornings are getting colder, as we come towards the end of October it is not long now until the ROCCO Awards.

In the Chamber we have been very busy organising various things for the upcoming awards. Since my last post a lot has happened, the Shortlist for the awards was announced, the judging has gone underway and Reid Kerr College has been announced as this years main sponsor. With the constant buzz around the office its hard not to be excited about such an event.

However, before the ROCCO Awards 2011 all other business in the Chamber must go on as usual. Among other things I have been organising my first event, the “New Members Event” at St Mirren. So far this has been well received and we can expect to see 50+ delegates on the day of the event.  Hoping all goes well or else it will be on my head… But I’m sure it will! In preparation for this event I’ve been creating a short slide show on the functionalities of the Chamber, and the benefits of being a member, to show how useful membership can be when used to its full potential. If you have recently joined Renfrewshire Chamber of  Commerce,  please contact me for details on the event and I will book you on.

The thing that has made me realise how quickly the weeks are racing by is that next week we have another monthly networking lunch. It feels like the previous lunch was only last week; these events are always brilliant and I would highly recommend coming along to the one every so often. Such events are a perfect opportunity to network with businesses and learn more of what is happening in markets other than your own – and also get a fantastic lunch!

If you would like more information on any of our upcoming events, or are interested in having an article in our website, app and eNews – email me ekeltie@renfrewshirechamber.com

Back after the long weekend…

Enjoyed my long weekend and started the week off well on Tuesday morning with a meeting with Audrey Cumberford in Reid Kerr. Was very interesting to hear of the involvement Reid Kerr has with the locally community, and how this active role also benefits the students and their college experience. Also met with Janet Lessells who told me more of the corporate development within Reid Kerr and showed me around Reid Kerr including their excellent conference facilities and new “ICE” building.

Had a very exciting day yesterday, started off the morning bright and early to do a presentation  on work experience at Gryffe High School with Wilma and Sadaf. This was the first time I had actually been in the school, and it seemed and very nice place! Another first for me was making a presentation to this size of audience, on the car trip to the school its fair to say I was a little nervous, but once I was in I was completely chilled and just wanted to inspire some young minds! Sadaf was maybe feeling the nerves a wee bit more but she still managed to put across her points well and delivered a cracking presentation. Delivering these kind of things is definitely something I enjoy and look forward to doing more of in the future!

After that I headed off to RBS in Paisley to meet Wee Bob and Big Bob. What I really enjoy about my job is I have the opportunity to go in and see places other people my age would not necessarily get to experience, and being in the upstairs boardroom in RBS definitely qualified as one of these occasions.

In the afternoon Bob D and I went into Braehead to have a look in the new Apple store, this was the first time I had been in the new shop and was highly impressed with the very open, fresh looking store. An event could definitely be held there in the future.

Now just about to head off to my second end of month networking lunch at the Lynnhurst!

Another Week.

Started the week off like Zoolander with a photo shoot at Renfrewshire House with Sadaf and Dale – perhaps I am in the wrong job, the camera was really working for me that morning and the cameraman seemed to appreciate my attempts at “Blue Steel”.  Was good to see Sadafty and Dale again, and I do hope they are settling in well!

Tuesday morning I was up early for a Breakfast FatBuzz event, which was very interesting. Definitely learned a few things that could be implemented into the chamber’s own facebook page. As well as being a thoroughly enjoyable morning, the bacon roll was a fantastic start to the day.

Yesterday was another busy day. Assured 24 in the morning, followed by 4 hot dogs in Ikea (£2!!) then a brilliant tour around Diageo, truly remarkable the scale of operation in there with a very friendly and welcoming workforce.

Today I am attending the PSYBT Regional Business Awards, this is an area I have particular interest in so hope to have a chat with a few people. This afternoon I’ll be at The Recruit 2011 evaluation – definitely a good way to finish off before the weekend!

My Week.

Had a very productive week! Started off the week with a meeting about starting a modern apprenticeship, looking forward to the challenges this will bring me. One of the units involved with the modern apprenticeship is organising an event of my own – this I am very excited about. Already I’ve had a chat with Bob D and Bob G about what kind of event I’d be looking to organise. I’ll definitely keep you all posted on  the development of this, look out for upcoming events on the chamber website… one of them might be organised by me! On Monday I also attended a council meeting which was interesting to see within Renfrewshire House and gave me a useful insight into the formal proceedings of a meeting, another factor which may well come up in my modern apprenticeship.

On Tuesday afternoon I met with John Armstrong of On Track Training and Coaching, I used this opportunity to express some of my own business ideas and hopes for the future to John, who gave me some useful advice for the future and valuable information from his own experiences in life.

Another point of interest from this week was the Hollister event I attended in One Up in Glasgow on Thursday night. Of course this wasn’t a Chamber event, however  it was a good night and looking forward to my part time work there in the future!

This morning I was in Paisley with Bob G meeting with Alan from Thomson Cycles, this was where I purchased my road bike which I cycle to work (weather permitting).  Alan seemed a great guy and Thomson Cycles are now a new member of the Chamber!

Looking forward to the weekend now, doing a first aid course at Bellahouston Ski Centre tonight and tomorrow…. However, still haven’t seen Inbetweeners – definitely need to be making time for that sometime soon.

A busy Wednesday!

Had  a good day yestererday! Although I didn’t cycle in, by the end of the day I was shattered. Throughout the day I was busy perfecting the eNews for the Chamber, being the first time I had done this there were a few flaws, but in the end I sent it off error free – I hope! I also got my first chance to meet some of the board which was great, hopefully I will be spending some time with some of them over  the coming weeks. At 5 o’Clock Bob G and I shot off to the Glynnhill to attend an event held by Martin Stepek and George Stevenson to give an insight into the running of family businesses and offer a helping hand to find a solution for any problems family businesses may be facing. Bob opened the proceedings then was followed by a short introduction to the problems facing family businesses by Martin Stepek. Martin faced his own share of difficulties being part of a family business – being from a large family, when the time came for his father to divide up company shares to Martin and his 9 siblings, this caused problems for the  business and dispute within his family. George lead on from this well discussing the need for business and family issues to be treated equally within a family business, for if the two were treated separately, things would simply not function – on both fronts.

After this Bob kindly dropped me off at rugby training. Having not eaten all day and being shattered I treated myself to a well deserved kebab after training.   Oush!

Finlay has left the building

This is my official first week working by myself without the assistance of Finlay. Last week I got to grips with the tasks I would have to carry out throughout the year at the Chamber. Among other things, I attended my first chamber event at David Lloyd. The lunch was with with Dr Lena Wilson, CEO of Scottish Enterprise who gave a  very interesting presentation which included the benefits of entering the international market which had a large growth forecast of 10% as opposed to the 2% growth of our national economy and also the prosperous future of businesses dealing with renewable energy sources. Here I was also presented with my first opportunity to meet Chamber members, thus giving me a better understanding of the diversity of businesses that attend these events – after having the brilliant lunch I had decided this was definitely the job for me. After a few ups and downs figuring out how to make changes to the website I think by Friday I definitely had the hang of things. Finlay’s departing was made official by a ceremonial cake presented to him on Friday morning, I think everyone will miss his presence here and I know I have big boots to fill – a task I am more than willing to achieve.

I started my week off with a refreshing cycle to work, which took about 15 minutes saving me a few quid and a carbon footprint guilty conscience – however I did forget a pair of socks. Hopefully things will continue well throughout my busy week regardless of my lack of socks! I am looking forward to the week ahead and keen to tackle the challenges I will be faced with each day.

“Teachers open the doors, but you must enter by yourself.”  Chinese proverb

Settling in…

I started at the Chamber not two days ago and already feel very at home. The staff are all very welcoming and friendly, especially Finlay who’s job I will be taking on myself starting next week. So far Finlay has shown me a few of the tasks I will be undertaking over the year, it was all very confusing to begin with but I think I am starting to get a hang of things! I am very excited and enthusiastic at the prospect of what lies ahead for me and can not wait to attend some of the Chamber events to gain a better understanding of what the Chamber does.