Warrington’s Business Exchange is helping keep business connected during the COVID-19 lockdown.
The Business Exchange – which brings businesses together to network and collaborate – has moved its networking meetings online since the lockdown began.
Local businesses have embraced remote working and are continuing to connect, work together and support each other.
A number of local companies are benefiting from the Business Exchange’s weekly, virtual networking meetings – hosted on Zoom every Monday – and are joining the sessions from home offices, kitchens, bedrooms, lofts and even gardens.
Each session sees a group member carrying out a presentation aimed at helping the other members on issues such as HR, accounts and tax, remote team management and mental health. Andrea Newton from local training company ABD CCT recently presented on ‘Keeping Safe and Sane in Lockdown.’
Other networking groups are also holding their own zoom meetings which are promoted on the Business Exchange website.
Members are doing their own things too:
• Callum Morgan from Morgan Branding is helping Farm Shops and Garden centres to change their businesses to online
• Chris Perkins from One Objective is writing free business marketing tutorials
• Jen Perry from Room Forty is doing on line baking each week
• James Perryman and Krystyna Petersen, who launched My People Club in March, are doing Lunchtime Learn sessions
Warrington Borough Council Leader, Cllr Russ Bowden, said: “It’s fantastic to see how well local businesses are dealing with the crisis, and it’s great news that the Business Exchange is providing a forum for them to connect, share ideas and support each other during this difficult time.
“We want to continue providing all the help we can for our businesses, and the use of technology is one of the ways we can do that. A number of our businesses said that had never even heard of Zoom before, so it’s really encouraging to see how quickly they have adapted to new ways of working, which will continue to benefit them when lockdown ends.”
Jackie Emson, who heads up the Business Exchange, added: “Many of our members have been personally affected by Covid-19. However they have been really keen to help each other during these challenging times.
“We were concerned at the beginning of the pandemic that it was going to stop the Business Exchange doing what it is set up to deliver – valuable networking. Technology has prevented this from happening and an added bonus has been getting to have a peek inside our members’ homes!”
About The Business Exchange
The Business Exchange by Warrington & Co. is the place for businesses of all sizes and sectors, individual entrepreneurs, established business networks and trade associations to collaborate, resulting in a better connected, more cohesive and stronger economy in Warrington.
You can find out more about the work of the Business Exchange at warringtonandco.com/the-business-exchange/
For the latest information on coronavirus in Warrington, please visit warrington.gov.uk/coronavirus
