Chamber president on the importance of community

Community has always been important to me, writes Fiona Rouse. 

Being part of a community gives not only a sense of belonging but also security and support. 

This year I celebrated 35 years as an adult volunteer in Scouting and the people I have met and the experiences I have had through this have had a significant impact on who I am today.

In today's interconnected world, the concept of community has taken on a new significance. It's no longer just a geographical location or a shared interest - it's a network of individuals and organisations that interact, support, and collaborate.

Charlie Elliott, our head of Lichfield & Tamworth Chamber, launched her strategy for 2025 at our recent AGM and at the core of it is our business community.  This led us to think about what community really means to businesses and we broke it down into three levels.

Our internal community:  This is one our most valuable assets and getting this right gives us a solid foundation on which everything else within our businesses can be built.  Encouraging colleagues to voice their opinions, and acting upon these, develops a sense of ownership and shared purpose. Cultivating a company culture that values diversity, equity, and personal growth helps drive workplace positivity, improves colleague retention and recruitment success. Ensuring communication is two-way and free flowing increases trust, reduces misunderstandings and promotes collaboration.

Our local community:  This isn’t just the locality we are in but equally the networks we belong to, the advisors we collaborate with, and the shared purpose we have with other companies within our sectors. Being part of industry or professional networks and sharing experiences, demonstrates our commitment to learn from, and to provide support to, each other. However, our businesses should be part of our local geographic community, even if our products or services are not.  We can support colleagues to volunteer, operate in environmentally sustainable ways, and can reach out and engage with our future workforce through schools or youth organisations. This all enables us to move from being “based in” to being “part of” an area. 

Our global community: It’s rare now that businesses are not operating across borders or have supply chains that include other countries.  These international links allow us to build strategic partnerships, increase our brand reach and widen our supply chains so they are dependable, sustainable, and ethical.  Equally, they allow us to widen our cultural understanding, develop empathy with the challenges others face, provide support for change and develop respectful, meaningful connections.

Building a strong community is not just a nice-to-have; It is essential for long-term business success. As business professionals, by investing in internal relationships, fostering local connections, and building global partnerships, we can create a more resilient, and socially responsible future. Together our businesses become forces for good, leaving a legacy that benefits both our companies and the communities of which we are part.

Many people ask why my company is part of the Chamber and it is about the knowledge and relationships we have built through it.  Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce has allowed us to upskill our team, build a strong network of trusted advisors; increase our visibility within the business community, and given us a platform to advocate for the needs of our company as a globally trading SME. Making use of the resources and support the Chamber offers has helped us navigate challenges and seize opportunities, ultimately contributing to our business's growth and success. 

As Charlie and I have discussed with many of our members – the Chamber is more than just networking, it is all about championing our own businesses, growing our regional economy and working together to build a stronger community. Take a look at what more the Chamber can offer you.

Fiona Rouse is president of Lichfield & Tamworth Chamber of Commerce and director of PI-KEM Group

This column first appeared in the November edition of Chamberlink magazine