Galway Independent Column - 12 January 2011

January is a time of resolution. It’s a time when we think about the year ahead, when we plan and regroup. It’s a time for focus. This resolution applies to both our personal life and our business life. It’s a time for getting fit in body, mind and business.

RTE’s Operation Transformation is back on our screens. We would like to wish local leader Ronan Scully, Goal’s western manager, every success on the programme and urge as many people as possible to follow Ronan on the RTE/OT website. The success of this programme, now in its third series has a lot to do with being able to choose a leader and be part of that leaders road to success.

It’s a good time of the year for joining…a gym, a club, a nightclass or a business organisation. Memberships of organisations are important in many ways. It’s always good to know that there is an organisation out there to support you in your particular area of need. Mostly its good to know that there are other like minded people out there who are looking for the same thing, who have similar needs, wants and ambitions. It’s good to know that a solitary voice can become one of many and therefore be stronger and more effective.

Membership organisations are even more important in difficult times. Being a member lessens the feeling of isolation that can result from stress and problems. Being able to talk to others in similar situations helps. As a membership organisation Galway Chambers networking events are popular for these very reasons. We begin this years series of Business After Hours networking events on Thursday January 27 when Iarnrod Eireann, www.irishrail.ie will be our hosts.

We also lobby on members behalf, we have a full time, professional executive team to help members, we host the Europe Enterprise Network to promote your business in Europe and we represent members on various boards ranging from business to education. Galway Chamber engages with the following organizations as part of its work in support of the continued economic development of the City and the West Region:Galway City Council, Galway County Council, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Failite Ireland, Udaras na Gaeltachta, the County and City Enterprise Board, FAS, Galway City VEC, The Revenue Commissioners, NUI, Galway, GMIT, the GCBA, The Western Development Commission, the West Regional Authority, Westbic, ITAG, The Irish Hotels Federation, IBEC, The American Chamber of Commerce, Gaillimh le Gaeilge, The Galway Harbour Board and the Gardai.

We believe that strength in membership increases our lobbying power on behalf of our members. For more information on becoming a member of Galway Chamber please contact us on 091 563536 or log onto www.galwaychamber.com