In Chamber Shoes - Daniel Cargill

Puddle

I kick off a busy week by parking in an enormous puddle… I then waded along to Henderson Loggie to catch up with them and discuss hosting one of our DACC123 Lunches, they will be later in the year! Afterwards it’s back to the office - Shirley who looks after the majority of the Exporting Documents is off on a long weekend so I’m back-up for when she’s away. A few stamps later and a bit of catching up with my own work and it’s 4pm before I know it. Last thing before heading home is a meeting with a fabrication company, the MD is interested in being mentored so we have a good chat and I’ll look to match him up with a suitable mentor in the next couple of weeks!

Catch up meetings

A meeting first thing at Robertson Construction Tayside with MD, Kevin Dickson. Myself and Alison went along and it was great to catch up with him and learn about all the work they’re doing in the area. It also gave us a chance to update Kevin on what we’ve been up to, and discuss better ways of us connecting. Back to the office for a short while before up to Insights to meet with Chris Dodds, Andy Lothian’s PA. Again, similarly to the meeting in the morning we catch up about what we’ve been up to and discuss better ways of keeping connected. A successful day all in all apart from the failed attempt to get myself to the gym after work.

Off to Bristol

A morning in the office – we’re putting together an International Trade Influencers Group which will be member led and help us shape some of the new International Trade offering the chamber is to provide. So, I’m following up on the invites sent out to make sure I’ve made note of all those attending and a couple of follow up calls with those who had some questions. If you’re interested in learning more don’t hesitate to get in touch! In the afternoon, I’m off to Edinburgh Airport to catch a flight to Bristol. I mentioned I’m back-up to the Exporting Docs service here, well only half, I’ve only been trained to complete half of the documents so this trip to Bristol Chamber of Commerce will see me complete a course to be fully accredited across all of the services. I’m in Edinburgh airport way too early really, so grab some dinner before the flight at 1900.

Big hotel breakfasts

A later start than I normally have which is nice - I don’t need to be at the Bristol Chamber until 1000. So, it’s down to the hotel restaurant for breakfast. I’m not normally one for breakfast but a cooked breakfast buffet gets my interest. Its a bit of a waddle up to the room to get my stuff for checking out. I can’t hold back at those buffets so it's just as well it’s a rare occurrence. Taxi to the Bristol Chamber which is based in a beautiful old manor house. Once the course finishes it’s right back in a taxi and straight to the airport. I’d never been to Bristol before, and still haven’t really!

Late start

Since it was a bit of a late one last night - not getting home until near 11 from Bristol - I’ve kindly been offered to take a few hours back in the morning which I do. I’m not in the office until near lunchtime (made up for that missed gym session on Tuesday) and it’s catching up with emails and getting some of the business mentoring details I’ve taken recently into the database. A meeting with Fiona from the Old Course Hotel breaks up the afternoon and I finish the day by sending some catch up emails out to members. We've implemented a Keeping In Touch plan at the chamber so expect an email or a call at some point in the future if you've not already received one! My partner Lucy is away on a Hen Do this weekend so it’s a night in front of the TV watching some sport, a pizza and maybe a beer or two (this mornings gym session was pointless).

If you’d like to see how you can make more of your membership, find out about the Business Mentoring Programme or learn further about the increase in the Chamber’s International offering please contact Dan on danielcargill@dundeeandanguschamber.co.uk.