Following his recent presentation at the Cranleigh Chamber of Commerce networking breakfast, we are pleased to share details of this new event from local Social Media expert Phil Calvert.

How well are you using Social Media to attract new customers and increase sales? 

How much business have you missed out on?

Well there’s a powerful and proven lead generation tool which you’re probably not using – and it’s guaranteed to dramatically improve your visibility online.

Most businesses think of LinkedIn as little more than a fancy jobs site, but most don’t know that there are many little-known tips and secrets to using LinkedIn to find new customers and increase sales.

In fact one of the most powerful lead generation tools on LinkedIn is one that hardly anyone knows about!

So why not join us on 5th November when internationally renowned LinkedIn expert Philip Calvert will be sharing a wealth of proven tips tricks and techniques to attracting new customers on LinkedIn – including:

-Three huge mistakes that you’re guaranteed to be making on your LinkedIn profile
-Three ways to dramatically improve your Google search results – simply by using LinkedIn
-How to dominate search results on LinkedIn for your area of expertise
-Little-known techniques that actually encourage people to read your profile and contact you
-The three single most important elements of your LinkedIn profile – and why you must update them NOW
-A simple technique that is guaranteed to start gainful discussions with potential customers
-Examples of outstanding LinkedIn profiles and what you can learn from them

and

-Three simple adjustments to your LinkedIn profile which are guaranteed to make an immediate and measurable transformation to your visibility on LinkedIn

Bring your laptop on the day and you’ll see the transformation of your LinkedIn experience happen live in front of your eyes!

Further details and sign up here – don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to discover how to use LinkedIn to find new customers and increase sales.  Limited places available:

It’s just possible that a car parking revolution will reach Cranleigh soon.

Cranleigh Chamber of Commerce has taken the lead with Waverley Borough Council and Cale BriParc to investigate the installation of new technology.

The current pay-and-display system has been criticised by shoppers who have to hurry back to beat the expiry time of their ticket. The new parking system supported by the Chamber of Commerce, and now under consideration by stakeholders, enables visitors to the village to pay at the end of their stay using either a credit or debit card.

Those that prefer to pay for their parking with cash will be able to continue to do so. Current parking machines can be simply adapted to accept both coins and cards.

Bob Bayley, Vice President of the Cranleigh Chamber of Commerce and committee member responsible for infrastructure, is enthusiastic about this cost effective solution to car parking in Cranleigh.

He said: “We are keen to make shopping in Cranleigh as free of stress as possible. Both residents and visitors to the village desire the ability to relax while taking advantage of our great choice of shops, services, cafes and restaurants.

“Dashing back to the car park in fear of a substantial parking fine can spoil an otherwise enjoyable time in our unique village. The proposed system does not require notoriously unreliable barriers and offers total freedom to visitors”.

Cranleigh Chamber of Commerce committee member Martin Bamford attended the Cranleigh Parish Council Planning Committee meeting yesterday, to speak up for business in Cranleigh.

After welcoming the new Planning Committee on behalf of the new Chamber of Commerce committee and our members and saying we look forward to working with them on planning matters which are relevant to the local business community, Martin explained one of the goals of the Chamber was to provide appropriate increased accommodation for employment.

He spoke in support of a planning application for a new retail unit adjacent to 110 High Street, saying we support this application as it would create a valuable new retail unit at the heart of the village, contributing towards a thriving High Street environment.

Martin explained that retail space in the High Street is currently at a premium, so the addition of a new retail unit will improve supply which we expect to be met by growing demand in this recovering economic climate.

He also commented that the plans submitted will mean vehicles will no longer be crossing the High Street pavement, which is positive for the safety of shoppers and pedestrians.

The Cranleigh Parish Council Planning Committee discussed the application and agreed to put it forward to Waverley Borough Council with no objections.

They commented that parking in the village is at a premium and also had a concern about lighting behind the property, as there is a bin store area for residents of the flats above.

We look forward to representing the Cranleigh business community at future Planning Committee meetings and with other key stakeholders in the village.

Don’t be a target of rural crime.

In recent weeks, Surrey Police have seen an increase in non-dwelling rural crimes.

Thieves have targeted rural businesses and residential (rural) non-dwellings. In some cases Land Rover vehicles have been stolen in order to commit these crimes by ramming through gates.

Large and small rural businesses have been targeted.

The local policing team and specific proactive teams are continuing to patrol overnight to catch and deter these criminals.

The Cranleigh Chamber of Commerce welcomed Cllr Alan Young, Surrey County Council representative for Cranleigh and Ewhurst, to our latest committee meeting yesterday evening.

This meeting was an opportunity to discuss with Alan the aims of the new Cranleigh Chamber of Commerce committee, and also to understand the Surrey County Council priorities and support for local business.

The committee was also able to gain feedback and views from Alan on a wide range of topical issues for Cranleigh, including transport, parking, availability of business premises, housing, education and tourism.

We were pleased to hear Alan and Surrey County Council share the goals of the Cranleigh Chamber of Commerce which acts as a positive voice to attract, retain and encourage growing businesses.

Also attending the committee meeting was Carol Squires, Head of Business Development for Surrey Chambers of Commerce.

Cranleigh Chamber of Commerce is an affiliate member of Surrey Chambers of Commerce and it was great to hear from Carol about the various member benefits of this affiliation.

Carol invited the Cranleigh Chamber of Commerce to participate in their quarterly economic survey, the results of which are used nationally to inform monetary policy. We will also be working more closely with the Surrey Chambers of Commerce to host and promote events, offer access to free business advice and establish a discounted membership to the Surrey Chambers of Commerce for Cranleigh Chamber of Commerce members.

We thank Alan and Carol for taking the time to meet with the committee and look forward to continuing our working relationship with both organisations in the future.

The Cranleigh Chamber of Commerce is going for growth, with an ambitious goal of recruiting 40 new members by the end of the summer.

The newly elected committee has set a target of growing membership to at least 100 businesses from Cranleigh and the surrounding areas.

Richard Graham of One Forty, recently elected as President of the Cranleigh Chamber of Commerce, commented:

“We inherited a membership of 60 businesses when the new committee was elected in April. The new committee is passionate about business in Cranleigh and the best way for us to be a strong voice for all enterprise in the local area is to attract a considerably larger membership.”

Cranleigh Chamber of Commerce members who have joined during the past month include One Three Seven, Celebration Cakes, Maddelenas, The Park Hatch and Jigsaw Trust.

With a target of reaching the milestone of 100 members, the Cranleigh Chamber of Commerce has removed its historic joining fee and simplified the annual membership subscription, which starts at £50 a year for businesses with up to 5 employees.

Membership benefits include invitations to events, a free listing on Cranleigh Chamber of Commerce business directory, promotion of member interests at a local and regional level, and being an affiliated member of Surrey Chambers of Commerce.

To join, businesses should visit cranleighbiz.co.uk/members or contact Roger Coupe, Membership Secretary on 01483 268555 or email .

A number of the Cranleigh Chamber of Commerce committee members will be attending the on 3rd June – will we see you there?

The Guildford Means Business Exhibition, is the destination for businesses to grow and prosper. It’s free to attend and offers visitors the chance to network with local business owners, plus offers the chance for you to gain free business advice and support from local organisations and speakers.

Registration for Guildford Means Business is free and the programme of seminars looks excellent.

Last year, the event consisted of 100 exhibitors and attracted over 800 business people as visitors.

Attending this exhibition should also provide a good opportunity to find information, new suppliers and network with potential customers.