Pandemic inspired fantastic response by business
Chamber joins move towards online working
Chief executive Charlene Wallace said: “West Lothian Chamber of Commerce continues to monitor government updates closely and we know that, whatever this pandemic has thrown at our fantastic business community, the response has been compassionate and innovative.
“There is not enough space here to list all those businesses and organisations that have rallied around to help the community and essential workers but we know the support has been amazing.
“Your team at West Lothian Chamber remain very much open for business and are working hard behind the scenes to guide, support and inform all of you with the most up-to-date and relevant information.
“During this difficult time I have been in regular contact with Scottish chambers, our wider chamber network and the Scottish Government to ensure West Lothian is well represented and that our voice is heard in all the right places.
“We continue to work with our economic partner West Lothian Council, most recently on their West Lothian Jobs Task Force.
“The Covid- 19 lockdown has also forced a shift in habit for millions of businesses, accelerating us into flexible working that, prior to the pandemic, seemed quite a way off for many of us.
“In this new era of working from home, businesses of all types have been forced to embrace remote working practices and solutions, entering into online meetings with virtual collaboration tools like webinars and Zoom that can be done at the simple click of a button. I know this is also a challenge for many of you who cannot work in this way.
“The Chamber has adopted these new practices and has moved our events to the virtual platforms with webinars offering tips and hints from experts on various topics to support you, your team and your business in the recovery process.
“You may just need some advice from like-minded businesses in keeping your team connected and supported.
“Looking forward, the Scottish chamber network are working together to support businesses entering new markets, albeit at this time virtually, and here at West Lothian we have already investigated our first international link which may take us to Mongolia, with other countries to follow soon.
“Our Erasmus project with European partners’ young female entrepreneurial programme has been able to continue virtually and, although the timelines have shifted, we are confident we will achieve our joint goal to support and motivate young women into business.
“We want to support our business community and ensure that you benefit from all of the services and initiatives we can offer so as part of our efforts in doing this we are pleased to announce that we will be organising regular virtual events and focus groups in the coming weeks, covering various topics of our activities.
“So far we have held virtual network round table events with minister for business, fair work and skills Jamie Hepburn, followed by another with cabinet secretary for economy, fair work and culture Fiona Hyslop MSP discuss a range of issues that are impacting our businesses in West Lothian and the next one in the calendar will be with cabinet secretary for the rural economy and tourism Fergus Ewing.
“We are so proud to be a part of and represent West Lothian and I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to our members for your continued support.
“However, we do want to hear from you on how best we can support you and your business through these extraordinary and challenging times.
“If you have any particular issue you would like us to raise on your behalf please let me know and let’s work together to help people be apart together.
“Contact us on chamber@ wlchamber.com.”
Businesses of all types have been forced to embrace remote working practices
Our webinars are hosted and managed by Dangerous Studio.