Liverpool Chamber is not a social networking expert. Nor are we a ‘guru’ or a ‘Jedi’ (shudder) in these matters.

But we do try to engage with tools such as Facebook and Twitter to better communicate with our members and beyond.

Like everyone else involved with new applications, and despite what they may say, we’re pretty much learning as we go.

We have, however, come across a few simple tips that other Chambers may find useful if they’re thinking of taking the plunge.

1. Just do it! Sign up, have a look around and start posting. There are lots of articles already out there explaining the business benefits. Start enjoying them. Other Chambers have said they can’t persuade the decision makers it’s for them. Show them what’s to gain. And if it turns out it’s really not for you? There is a ‘delete account button’ and you need never mention it again.
2. Have a policy document in place, explaining why you are using social media and describing best practice. This needn’t be a massive document. Liverpool Chamber’s is a few bullet points that simply states we will use social networking to promote ourselves and local businesses, and refrain from bringing anyone into disrepute. Basically, that we will play nice. Such guidelines are especially handy if multiple staff members will be Tweeting.
3. Make sure you upload an avatar image (your logo is ideal) and fill in your short bio. Make your Chamber easy to find and identify.
4. If you can spare ten minutes, you’ve got time. It doesn’t take long to write a post. A couple of minutes here and there is enough to get you going. Got an event coming up? Tweet it. Offering a great money-saving service? Tweet it. You don’t have to make a massive commitment to start seeing the benefits.
5. Remember – Twitter is searchable. Both within the Twitter site, and now in Google’s live search, people can search for users and topics. Just as you would with your main website, use keywords to make your posts easy to find. Instead of saying, for example ‘Here’s some great business tips’, try ‘Liverpool Chamber’s top Twitter tips’. Both you and the subject matter can now be found.
6. Download and use a Twitter client to make managing you account easier. We use Tweetdeck, which allows you to manage followers, lists and multiple accounts. Check out what’s available and pick the one that’s right for you. Here’s a list of the top 21 clients.
7. Find other Chambers and follow and support them. There are a lot of us on there. We can use Twitter as a tool not only to help our members but to strengthen and promote the Chamber way of working. That can’t be bad, right?
8. Don’t buy in followers. It’s tempting to fall for one of those ‘get a zillion followers here’ scams. But it’s better to concentrate on relevance, not numbers. Search for local businesses, partners and agencies and follow them. You’ll soon have a group of followers who are actually interested in what you have to say.
9. Support all local businesses, not just members. Yes, we are membership organisations, but what’s good for the local economy as a whole is good for us. Twitter is a great way to connect with, and help, all local companies. Retweets (RTs) and Follow Fridays (#ff) can quickly build and cement relationships. And who knows, if they see how Chambers can help, they may join one day.
10. Go off-topic. Nothing is as unappealing as a Twitter feed that’s pure self-promotion. Yes, we want people to know what we’re up to. But Twitter is also about conversations and (say it quietly) fun. Sometimes it’s good to chat with others about non-work stuff. Discovering you love The Smiths but can’t stand olives might not affect your bottom line, but does turn you into a real person. And people ultimately do business with other people, don’t they?

This list is far from definitive. Each Chamber will be different in how it uses Twitter. Hopefully, though, we’ve given you a few handy pointers to get you up and running without too much pain.

Nick Jones
E-Content Officer
Liverpool Chamber of Commerce
Email Nick

These selected ten tips of “practical advice that works” will help  MDOs* in all SME** businesses to bring their companies through recession in the best possible shape.

1. Treat Cash as King

This is your first priority. Daily & weekly control  are worthwhile over the next year of recession. Lack of cash is why business fails more than any other reason.

2. Monitor your business against a plan

A rough & ready plan is better than none for starters.

Monthly accounts are a good framework for reviewing actual v plan. Be clear what your key performance indicators  (KPIs) are. Use “variances”   from plan to drive your corrective action.

3. Allocate your time so you are working ON your business as well as IN your business.

Beware the pressures of recession which tend to squeeze you further into the detail of business.

4. Choose  experienced external advisers you can trust  & build an ongoing relationship.

Use them as a virtual “board” or “consultancy “ to help you work ON the Business.  The MDO role in an SME is lonely in comparison with the MD in a larger company with a Board of directors & management team. This investment is always worthwhile.

5. Prioritise team work – delegate  to employees to work IN the business which will motivate them.

This is more effective even if you could do everything better yourself. Spend your time with those things they cannot do &  also control your delegation.

6.  Set & monitor realistic objectives with your team

Feed these back through team meetings. Measure results & use KPIs where you can.

7. Use Grant & soft loan assistance.

Your external advisors will help  you access it & immediately reduce their cost to you– there is lots to help SME’s in training, business development & investment. This cost reduction should help justify your moving ahead.

8. Hold regular team meetings

These should be brief, results oriented & with clear purpose.

Use these as a tool of development, delegation & maintaining focus on business objectives.

9. Use Advisors & employees together in teams.

Review but don’t  be involved in everything. Control but don’t dominate. Bring the IN the business and ON the business together where helpful.

10. Review budgets & priorities using your team(s) but avoid an ill considered rush to cut.

Use advisors / team to help you get maximum value for every £ spent. Set & use targets to help match expenditure & results.

*MDO:Managing Director Owner **SME: Small & Medium enterprise

Written by Tony Wilson , MD Proofsouth Ltd,
twilson@proofsouth.co.uk
www.proofsouth.co.uk

Proofsouth is a member of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce & makes available  to fellow members the Management & Consultancy expertise of Northern Business Advisers all of whom are accredited IIB associates. The IIB motto is “practical advice that works” for independent business.

Tony established Proofsouth in 1997 after a successful career in general & financial management with a number of companies. He is a Chartered Management Acccountant, PRINCE2 Practitioner and business systems / software specialist. He is an  accredited associate of the Institute for Independent Business (IIB) and member of Northern Business Advisers.

More information is available on the Proofsouth website. Proofsouth offers a free 2 hr business audit – just contact Tony on 0845-052-2741 or twilson@proofsouth.co.uk