You've spoken and we've listening

The recent members survey has given us some really useful feedback to gauge where we are on our own journey to be the best chamber of commerce in Scotland. Here's a summary of what you told us:

• Nearly half of you think we are an "excellent" chamber and almost everyone else said we were "good".
• Networking, meeting peer, marketing and learning what makes other businesses successful are the most popular reason for joining Fife Chamber.
• Email, face-to-face meetings, telephone calls and enewsletter/eshots are the best ways for us to stay in touch with you.
• Tackling skill shortages is the issue that is most important to members, followed by better digital connectivity and developing the young workforce.
• Our networking and events, and our members enewsletter were both rated "Excellent" or "Good" by 90% of you.

Although we are really pleased that members rate us so highly, we know that we can do better, and that is what we are determined to do this year:

• We have already started Fife Learn Developing Talent and it will crank up another gear in the next 12 months with some exciting Master Classes and Workshops planned to let you share insights and experiences with each other.
• We will re-energize Fife Social, while keeping the relaxed atmosphere that makes it such a good way to start new relationships
• We will be launching Fife International
• We have already introduced a new and fresh look for the members enewsletter so that your good news reaches more people
• We are also starting the year with a great team, and we'll make sure that we use our talent to make Account Management more focussed on the 'how' and 'when' that adds most value for each member

One of the most encouraging stats from the survey was that 96% of existing members would recommend membership to another business, and we would ask you to make this your priority in 2019! We could double the size of the membership and the subsequent learning and networking opportunities overnight if you did. And it is important to remember, if you recommend someone to us and they join up, you will receive a complimentary e-shot to thank you.

Here's to a prosperous New Year!