Business owners and senior managers from across the WAM area saw the sunrise in spectacular fashion at the first monthly meeting for Marketing WAM held at Mottram Hall.
Marketing WAM is a new B2B publishing platform designed to promote and connect businesses in the important commercial districts of Wilmslow, Alderley and Macclesfield.
Top of the bill was Mandy Fazelnia and Richard Sheldon from All Communications by Zest4 who gave a fascinating insight into the world of 5G, the Cloud and the future of communications. The pace of change in the next 20 years is breath-taking as investment grows in all things connected – our cities, our homes and workplaces.
Mandy and Richard had some good advice on how to help us future proof our businesses in this fast-moving arena and there were some great examples of how companies are already using technology – especially around the use of video.
So estate agents are now providing customers with interactive house viewing experiences online and recruitment companies are using Skype to screen candidates, saving clients and prospects time and money in talent and job searches.
There was some discussion too about the human impact of so much device-based connectivity and the effect on a generation that has grown up with it. All agreed that alongside such progress there should be proper education on how to deal with it as a society. Plenty of challenge there.
Karl Bond, founder of The Forest Distillery, brought us all back to earth by saying his team worked out of old cow shed with no wi-fi, but has used IT to successfully crowd-fund to support his new venture – whisky distilling at the Cat and Fiddle pub – exc.
Collaborating with Robinsons Karl has just raised £55,000 in 42 days by offering people a stake or experience and a part to play in the creation of East Cheshire’s first whisky distillery. He said he was blown away by the support.
He talked candidly about his and his wife’s story – from humble beginnings to supplying Harrods with its award-winning gin products and now investing in a new home for its first Malt Whisky.
Mottram Hall’s Sales Director Pamela Reckert gave an overview of the ‘Champney’s effect’ – a £multi-million investment in the hotel by the luxury spa and hospitality brand. Exciting times for them.
The group also took the opportunity to mark a couple of celebrations for members. Galloways Printers in Poynton celebrating 150 years in business next year and Synergy Recruitment winning Start Up Business of the Year 2019 in the Chamber Awards last month.
To help members maximise their membership of Marketing WAM Publishing Director Sue Souter gave some quick tips on creating and maintaining a content pipeline – news, features, opinion pieces, case studies – and the importance of a good narrative to inform prospective clients on a buying journey, which is at the heart of the Marketing WAM offer.
Commenting on the first meeting Jan Cowan, Business Development Director, said: “We were delighted with the turnout – membership is growing well – and we had some excellent feedback on the first meeting.
The next Marketing WAM meeting is on January 15th at the new Wilmslow Conference Centre at Total Fitness and will be featuring Total Fitness CEO Sophie Lawlor with insights on her business challenges.
Backed by Helen White and Richard Higginson, co-founders of neighbouring organisation Marketing Stockport Marketing WAM will replicate Marketing Stockport’s success in putting the spotlight on an area that is already attracting inward investment and has huge potential for sustained growth.
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