We are also delighted to report that we have over 20 businesses who have signed up to the Marlow Brand which was launched on the 19th September. The long term project is to develop a unique marketing initiative for Marlow to attract visitors and create more business opportunities. The theme of the concept is ‘the Marlow experience’ so that when you visit the businesses who signed up, you can be confident to have a courteous, helpful and enjoyable experience. For more information on the branding of Marlow and how to get involved, please visit the Chamber website on www.marlowchamber.com.

The business meetings have continued to be well attended with the last one being kindly hosted by Burgers. The business meetings will continue to be held on the third Monday of the month at 6.00pm at a venue near you – should you wish to host a business meeting please contact me.

In this issue, as well as an overview of the last business meeting, our featured member business is excel communications, we have a word of warning provided to us by Martin Spittle of Colston Bush and a link to useful information on the economic climate from members, Dun and Bradstreet.

I hope you enjoy our newsletter and look forward to seeing you at our AGM on the 19th October, kindly hosted by The Crowne Plaza, Marlow.

 

Twitter for Business

Twitter started to provide friends with a way to communicate as a group:  This sort of social banter is still very common but so is business activity.  The average age of Twitter users has risen to 31, it had 10 million unique browsers in February 2009 and is growing at 10 million per month and accelerating.

Companies are using Twitter for numerous purposes - monitor comments about themselves, develop alliances, provide customer service, find suppliers, gain information and developing relationships with prospects.  It is critical to have a planned usage and measure results.

Twitter itself has few features but it has an open interface which has allowed other companies to develop a massive range of applications.  Two of the most commonly used to improve productivity and help essential time management are:

·        Tweetdeck, which provides the ability to segment the messages sent by those being followed and monitor all messages for a few search phrases

·        Tweetlater, which allows a group of messages to be entered at one time but sent at set times in the future

Credibility can be build with the content of sent messages - be generous and give away useful information to demonstrate expertise in your field.  Direct messaging allows the development of 1:1 relationships. 

Customise the background to your Twitter account to provide more information about your company.  Encourage people who follow you in Twitter to connect in more rich environments – offline or perhaps in a social networking site such as Facebook, Linked-In or Ecademy.

Some ‘rules’:

-         don’t repeat messages (often)

-         don’t try to sell in Twitter unless you’re as big as Dell

-         learn about the conventions for using RT, @ and #

-         large imbalances between following and followed are not allowed

Some thoughts:

-         you can have multiple accounts for different purposes

-         make use of Twitter’s RSS feeds

-         find relevant opinion makers and befriend them

-         for most ‘quality’ of followers is far more important than quantity

-         keep messages to 120 characters so they can be retweeted

There is growing interest among search engines and other social sites to compete with Twitter for up-to-the-moment information:

-         Facebook has a beta with an emphasis on improving real-time search features

-         Internet Explorer 8 launched with real-time social search features

-         Google Wave offers integrates components of Twitter and other platforms into its search results

-         Topsy, an independent search engine, determines the value of real-time discussions based on how often they're repeated

-         There are add-ons to incorporate real-time Twitter search results into search engines like Bing.

Examples of businesses currently in Twitter – Dell, Financial Times, Ford, Asda, BBC,  Easyjet, Pizzahut, Bucks Free Press, Rightmove

Useful article:  http://www.copyblogger.com/grow-business-twitter/

Tony Thornby

Living Streams (Internet) Consulancy UK Ltd

www.twitter.com/coffeemate49

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

01494 440019

Spending time, or rather, wasting time on problems with your PC, laptop, network or anything to do with your computer system is infuriating. It’s non-productive, inefficient and does nothing to improve your mood at the end of the day!

You’re good at your job, possibly even enjoy it so don’t waste your time trying to do somebody else’s when a phone call to Switch Technology Ltd will avoid any bad moods.

After working for 15 years running a European wide IT Department for a Japanese Multinational company Marlow based Neil Wragg, 38, started Switch Technology as a response to new businesses starting up and requiring a reliable, efficient IT network and support.

We provide complete unlimited support contracts for companies in the local area from High Wycombe to Harley Street, Windsor to Marlow.

Any size of business receives the highest level of service, whether you are a sole trader with a laptop and printer or SME with multiple servers, Switch Technology treats all calls with the urgency you require. Ad hoc jobs repairing laptops, removing viruses or creating a dynamic website are always catered for.

It is the high level of customer service that sets Switch Technology apart from other IT Support companies, being local Switch Technology provides the rapid response to minimise your wasted time.

View Switch Technology as a pair of invisible hands supporting your business allowing you to get on with what you do best.

From setting up a website, installing hardware, firewalls or printers to installing trusted anti-virus software, allowing your staff to work from home or creating new appointment sharing and collaboration software systems Switch Technology works with you to get the most out of IT.

You probably have already purchased software that you aren’t using to it’s potential, chat with Switch Technology and have another partner in your organisation.

Local businesses in Marlow pay from just £300 for a whole year’s unlimited support for their IT kit, get in touch and we can provide you with references from local businesses you’ll probably know who trust Switch Technology Ltd.

Neil Wragg
Switch Technology Ltd
Trusted by local businesses since 2000
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Tel: 01628 473419
www.switchtechnology.com

Welcome from the President of Marlow Chamber.

Welcome to the latest Chamber newsletter, once again it has been a busy month at the Chamber with the continued development of the website – do not forget to get your business information on the member’s directory. E-mail me with your company details and logo and we will arrange to have them uploaded onto the site to get your business promoted free of charge. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The business meetings have continued to be well attended with the last one being was kindly hosted by Spinvox based in the Brewery site. The business meetings will continue to be held on the third Monday of the month at 6.30pm at a venue near you – should you wish to host a business meeting please contact me.

In this issue, as well as an overview of the business meeting, our featured member business is Switch Technology Ltd, we have an article by member Tony Thornby on the world of ‘Twittering’ and an update on the Scarecrow Event being held on the 11^th and 12^th July.

I hope you enjoy our newsletter and look forward to seeing you at our next business meeting on the 20^th July, kindly hosted by Media Friendly, Cedar House, Glade Road, Marlow.