How can the Chamber improve your connectivity?

Amanda Williams joined Cornwall Chamber of Commerce late in 2014 and has been an active supporter ever since.  Amanda’s background in Pharmaceutical Sales/Marketing and also Clinical Research has led to her become, what she describes as a ‘Hybrid Marketer/GDPR Consultant’.  She started WaveMediaUK in order to help small businesses navigate their way through social media in 2013 and in 2014 she started the hyper-local blog, ‘Secret Truro’.  The blog supports independent businesses in Truro through the use of social media and content marketing. She has worked with many businesses in Cornwall and across the UK consulting and training on social media, content marketing and, more recently, helping them implement GPDR.  

Amanda, why did you join Cornwall Chamber of Commerce?
When I first started up in business, I didn’t think that the Chamber of Commerce would be for the likes of me. I was under the impression that it was for large corporates and that it would be far too formal for a freelancer – how wrong I was! 
Cornwall is a small place and it’s not long before you get to know people – and it’s not too long before business colleagues become friends.

What were your first impressions?
The first event I attended was the Christmas breakfast at the Penventon Manor Hotel where the end of year awards were handed out. I didn’t know a soul, so stepping into the room for the first time was a little daunting. I grabbed a coffee and looked for someone else who was standing by themselves and launched into conversation. 
That breakfast was eventful in more ways than one, as it was there that I met Calvin Lovelock who worked for ROC and was handing out leaflets for the forthcoming fundraising race.  That meeting led onto me, via the sponsorship of Alban Digital, becoming the social media organiser for the ROC5K for the next three years.


What was it like being Networker of the Year?
I remember distinctly wondering how you would become Networker of the Year and quietly making it a goal of mine for 2015.  I attended a lot of events and I can honestly say that I enjoyed them all.  I’m outgoing and inquisitive, so although it came naturally, you can only really enjoy networking if the community you are meeting are equally engaged.  Since I’ve been in business I have found, on the whole, the community to be tremendously supportive and close knit. There’s always someone on hand who can point you in the right direction and if you’re networking well, then you have the privilege of doing the same for other people. Cornwall Chamber of Commerce does a superb job, not only in putting on great events, but also in promoting a supportive working environment.  The Chamber also represents Cornwall’s interests at the highest levels including at the British Chamber of Commerce conference which I had the pleasure of attending with Mel Colton-Dyer.

What are your plans for the future?
I’m really enjoying the data protection aspect of marketing.   I’ve worked with numerous companies including a large multinational organisation, a local marketing agency, a popular heritage visitor attraction, a healthcare clinic and a charity.  I studied hard last year and became a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/E) and I’m looking forward to doing a Post Grad Certificate in Data Protection and Information Governance at the University of Northumbria in September.  It’ll be distance learning, so I’ll still be able to network and continue to help organisations as they build trust with their customers and staff by putting privacy first.