Customers just for Christmas!

Make it your New Year’s resolution to focus on your customers not just the sales this January.

A great deal of resource, budget and energy is spent building and executing marketing campaigns to urge customers to spend as much as possible over Christmas. For some businesses, it’s a key time of the year for sales.

Get it right, and two brilliant things happen:

• Customers who haven’t shopped with you for a while, some maybe not since last Christmas, shop again.

• You acquire new customers.

Don’t forget about them in January and beyond - especially as they’ve probably cost you a great deal to acquire. Our evidence shows this to be a crucial time in your relationship. We can’t stress enough the need to create a regular buying habit rather than a oneoff purchase as early as possible. The key to turning sporadic customers into regular ones is to open dialogue –and here’s how:

• Engage with them from the start –get to know them, then get to know them better.

• Talk ‘to’ them, not ‘at’ them.

The Brachers’ team was led by Kieron Cummins (Corporate Solicitor) and Claire Williams (Corporate Partner) and included Lisa Rothon (Employment Senior Associate).

Kieron Cummins, Brachers’ Corporate Solicitor, commented:

“I am so pleased to have been a part of the next step for the previous owners of SK Underwriting. It has been fantastic to be a part of their success story and want to wish them many congratulations. Many thanks to all my colleagues for their support on this transaction.” iprism was advised by Cripps and Azets.

• Send targeted communications –firing off product-based emails to everyone isn’t effective.

• Dynamic communications - update what you talk to them about and when

• Know who is a spender and who isn’t – focus your communications and resources accordingly

• Upsell – let them know what else you sell and get the timing right. They bought chocolates at Xmas from you – they might like to buy again for a birthday gift later on.

• Measure – set the metrics and keep on top of them.

Turn this year’s valuable Christmas buyers into all year round customers. insighthouse.co.uk

Every month we bring you a mix of information sessions, networking events, workshops and training sessions with some of the top local business professionals from an array of different industries. Each event is designed to offer invaluable up-to-date information tailored to our attendee’s wants and needs, as well as networking opportunities to help you grow your business.

With a mix of events held online and face to face across Kent, you’re sure to find the right one for you.

Jo James OBE Retirement Presentation

3:00pm - 5:00pm, Pre-booking Required

Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Ashford

Employment Law Update led by Furley Page Solicitors

10:00am - 11:00am, Online via Zoom

Free to Attend

Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Ashford

Thursday 14th December 2023

Join us for a special afternoon as we celebrate the career of Jo James OBE at the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce.

This Retirement Presentation is a tribute to Jo’s outstanding contributions to our business community over the years.

As Jo bids farewell to her role, we’ll reflect on her leadership, dedication, and achievements in the world of business.

This event will share some memorable moments, and an opportunity for attendees to express their appreciation for Jo’s impactful work.

Free to Attend

10:00am - 11:00am, Online via Zoom Free to Attend

Thursday 25th January 2024

Join others as we discuss what’s on the horizon in employment law and we take a look to the important changes which will be introduced in 2024.

Speakers for this event will be:

Andrew Masters, Partner and Head of Employment Law

Patrick Glencross, Senior Associate

Eleanor Rogers, Solicitor

Patrick Glencross, Senior Associate Eleanor Rogers, Solicitor

Eleanor Rogers, Solicitor

Furley Page Solicitors are a leading firm of solicitors with offices located in Canterbury, Chatham and Whitstable.

10:30am - 12:00pm

Members: Free to Attend, Non-Members: £10.00 + VAT

The Orida Hotel, Maidstone, Thursday 7th December 2023

University of Kent, Canterbury, Thursday 4th January 2024

Join others for our very popular Chamber Connections Networking event and receive a warm welcome from your Chamber representative on arrival, who will be on hand to help you meet new members of the business community.

Any business, any size, we know and understand the pressures and ambitions your business has. Imagine what you could achieve being part of a local business community.

7:30am - 9:30am

KCFG Members: £22.50 + VAT, Non-Members: £32.50 + VAT

The Village Hotel, Maidstone, Tuesday 9th January 2024

Hosted by members of the KCFG committee, Cheryl Causebrook and Ella Brocklebank, we bring you KCFG Live!

The Kent Construction Focus Group (KCFG) is a one-stop-shop for local businesses to discuss the future of Kent development, giving companies access to local knowledge, expertise and contracts. During the morning you will enjoy a full English breakfast which will be followed by a presentation from our guest speakers.

12:00pm - 2:00pm

Free to Attend

Hempstead House Hotel & Spa, Wednesday 31st January 2024

Kent & Medway Manufacturing Focus Group (KMFG) is a networking and business group for Manufacturing & Engineering organisations across Kent and Medway offering unique access to peers and colleagues, sector specific information, advice and support.

The group meets every last Wednesday of the month. KMFG is open to all organisations operating or directly supporting the Manufacturing and Engineering sector in Kent & Medway, whether they are Chamber Members or not.

10:30am - 12:00pm, Online via Zoom

Free to Attend

Tuesday 12th December 2023

Tuesday 16th January 2024 | Tuesday 30th January 2024

Each event will be an eclectic mix of conversation topics as we interview our guest business and encourage questions from the attendees, making sure we bring you the networking event you want to be involved in.

Conversations with our guest speaker will be followed by 3 breakout room sessions where attendees can delve deeper into this discussion, or discuss their own topic in more depth.

Christmas Special Kent Construction Focus Group

Tuesday 5th December 2023 | 7:30am - 9:30am

The Village Hotel, Maidstone, ME14 3AQ

Chamber Connections Networking

Thursday 7th December 2023 | 10:30am - 12:00pm

The Orida Hotel, Maidstone, ME14 5AA

Virtual Business Networking

Tuesday 12th December 2023 | 10:30am - 12:00pm

Online via Zoom

Jo James OBE Retirement Presentation

Thursday 14th December 2023 | 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Ashford, TN24 0LH

Chamber Connections Networking

Thursday 4th January 2024 | 10:30am - 12:30pm

University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NY

Kent Construction Focus Group

Tuesday 9th January 2024 | 7:30am - 9:30am

The Village Hotel, Maidstone, ME14 3AQ

Business Bites

Thursday 11th January 2024 | 1:00pm - 1:30pm

Online via Zoom

Virtual Business Networking

Tuesday 16th January 2024 | 10:30am - 12:00pm

Online via Zoom

Business Bites

Tuesday 23rd January 2024 | 1:00pm - 1:30pm

Online via Zoom

Employment Law Update

Thursday 25th January 2024 | 10:00am - 11:00am

Online via Zoom

Virtual Business Networking

Tuesday 30th January 2024 | 10:30am - 12:00pm

Online via Zoom

Kent And Medway Manufacturing Focus Group

Wednesday 31st January 2024 | 12:00pm - 2:00pm

Hempstead House Hotel And Spa, Sittingbourne, ME9 9PP

Two individual awards were made during the evening. The first was the Chamber Legacy Award presented to Jo James OBE, Chief Executive of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce in recognition of her 33 years at the Chamber and ahead of her retirement at the end of the year. It was presented by Roger Gough, Leader of Kent County Council, the Award’s partners.

The second award was presented to Miranda Chapman, Managing Director of Pillory Barn. She received the Outstanding Contribution to Business in Kent Award for her years of working with many organisations, including the South East LEP, and as a Governor of EKC Group. The award, judged by a panel from Kent County Council and Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, recognised Miranda for her impact on the business landscape and the communities she serves.

Chris Hare, Chairman of Kent Invicta Chamber, said: “Congratulations to all the winners and finalists who continue to inspire us with their resilience and commitment towards the County. Their collective achievements are testament to their hard work, and we look forward to seeing their continued success and growth.

“Special congratulations must also go to Jo and Miranda for their years of tireless support for the County that has helped make it a much stronger place and it was great to recognise and celebrate this.”

The Awards, now in their 18th year, celebrated the winner’s outstanding achievements in the local business community at a gala ceremony held at Westenhanger Castle, near Folkestone, with the dinner sponsored by Evelyn Partners, the wealth, accountancy and business advisers.

For more information about the gala dinner and the award ceremony, please visit: www.kentchamberawards.co.uk