The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 47: Feb/March 2020 | Page 37

BUSINESSWISE
GROWING MEMBERSHIP, NEW
RELATIONSHIPS & POSITIVE
COLLABORATIONS
BusinessWise, the Swindon-based independent, not for profit referral
group has gone from strength to strength over the last few months
and members have used the beginning of the year to really get to
know each other. Fiona Scott, chairman, shares some of the story
so far in 2020.
When our first meeting took place back in January,
we reflected on a year of unprecedented growth in our
membership. We’d gone to more than 30 members quite
quickly and we took the decision that during January and
February we would focus on getting to know each other and
would not invite new visitors during that period.
At each meeting we take time to have a focused discussion
with another single member and then we can, if time allows,
stay on and have an informal conversation after the meeting.
Normally we have a policy that any new visitor, if their
business doesn’t conflict with that of an existing member,
can visit twice free of charge to ‘try us out’ as a group and
make a decision around joining us. For this year we won’t be
welcoming any visitors until our March meetings.
This has proved very beneficial and allowed members
to start collaborating on a regular basis with each other –
and natural partnerships are emerging. We are now in the
process of discussing an open networking event for all later
in the year with a high quality business speaker. More details
on that will follow in due course.
Recent new members to the group include:
DARREN CHAPMAN OF DC COMPUTERS (UK) LTD
Darren and his associates provide IT hardware and software
solutions to domestic customers and SMEs.
JAMIE MARTIN OF CORRECT CAREERS COACHING
Jamie focuses on modern sales training and employee
retention. He can also help people find their dream career or
keep their careers on track.
MARK PUFFETT OF MLL PRINT & DESIGN LTD
This West Swindon-based company can support all of your
printing requirements from business cards, to signage
through to exhibition stands. The team have more than
60 years’ experience in their sector and can find the best
printing solution for your needs and will tailor to your budget.
NEIL MOORE OF MOORE PHOTOGRAPHICS
Neil is a commercial photographer who works with
businesses large and small across the UK including products
for e-commerce and catalogues, commercial, photography
for advertising purposes, agricultural, marine, farming,
industrial, and team and corporate headshots. He also has
a photographic studio in Marlborough and can help people
record those special moments in life.
SIMS PARKER & KIDD
Lewis Kidd and his colleagues offer full drone assisted high
access drone photography, aerial inspections, surveys, aerial
videography and documentary style aerial filming.
TARA COZENS OF TLC PROPERTY
An independent sales & letting agent managed by Tara who
has a wealth of experience gained in the commercial and
independent sectors. She will help you to sell or let your
property and offer a proactive service to maximize your
property asset.
LIZZIE BAYLEY OF ZERODRYTIME
Lizzie runs the local franchise for ZeroDryTime
professional carpet cleaning services which offers holistic,
environmentally friendly cleaning solutions. The company
is the nation’s leading provider of premium, long-lasting
cleaning for dry carpets, hard floors, wooden floors and
upholstery. Lizzie and her team offer a dry organic system
which controls the moisture used. This means no more wet
carpets, and immediate use of carpets straight after your
professional dry cleaning process.
Let us help
spread the word
about your business
www.businesswise.org.uk
Member Benefits:
• Not for Profit Organisation
• Fees re-invested into the group
• Exclusive business category
• Opportunities for new business
across all sectors
• Low annual membership fee
VISITORS
If you are interested in visiting BusinessWise (all
visitors can come along free of charge), we meet
every other Friday morning from 7:30am at Jury’s Inn,
Swindon town centre. We are run on a not-for-profit
basis and, as a non-competing group, one member
will be the only member representing his or her
sector in the room.
We are currently looking for new members in
these areas:
Hospitality - hotel or high quality B&B
Therapists - across all disciplines
Office Supplies
Hair dresser
Nail technician
Beauty Specialist
Fitness or martial arts business
Interested?
If you would like to find out more – or come along
as a visitor, please visit our website or call:
01793 238 030
For more info:
www.businesswise.org.uk
THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2020
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