In November the Chamber conducted a survey of businesses in Glebe – this was not confined to members although 90% of respondents were Chamber members. 31 people completed the survey, which is a fair response rate – and on which we intend to build. The survey was anonymous and not statistically based so cannot be taken as fully representative. However the primary role of the Chamber is to represent our members and those who wish to engage with the Chamber so these results are very relevant to our planning and activities. This information is also the most current available.

The industry sector breakdown shows a large diversity of business in Glebe with the largest groupings being:

·      22% IT / Web services / Graphic design

·      19% Hospitality – Food / Accommodation

·      19% Antiques / Art & craft / Floristry / Interior design

·      13% Real estate / Property management

With significant numbers also in:

·      Accounting & legal

·      Building services / architecture

·      Health & fitness / Beauty

·      Marketing & photography

·      Medical & dental

Also 51% of businesses were established over 10 years ago.

The next question posed was whether respondents expected their income for the current financial year to be more, the same or less than last year. The answers were:

·      42% More than last year

·      35% about the same and

·      23% said lower

This is fairly encouraging and perhaps indicates some recovery from the GFC or more locally, the Glebe Point Road upgrade

We asked about business size (in terms of staff numbers) and 38% of businesses employ at least 5 people with a further 32% being solo operators. A follow-on question showed that for 42% of business none of the staff lived in Glebe (and 32% had only some staff being Glebe locals).

51% of responses had shop or office fronts onto the street showing there are significant numbers of ‘hidden’ businesses that the Chamber also represents.

We asked about challenges or obstacles that business faces, generally and specifically to Glebe. Some of the most relevant comments or issues included:

·      Parking (on and off street); lack of outdoor seating

·      Competition and price pressures; fewer customers around

·      Glebe becoming unfriendly

·      Lack of support from government (local, state & federal)

·      Council red tape and bureaucracy

·      Not enough trading/activity during the day

·      High rents; empty shops

·      University focussed (v quiet during holidays)

·      Poor flow of traffic to/from Broadway

·      Some crime but Glebe reputation improving

Communication and how members want to hear from the Chamber – 93% prefer e-newsletter by email. Respondents could give more than one answer with 20-30% also choosing each of networking events, website and social media.

We also wanted to gauge attitudes and satisfaction with the Chamber:

The final question asked for additional comments for the Chamber:

·      More advance notice of events please

·      Use alternative days (not always Tuesdays)

·      Have big named bands and artists for the Fair

·      Be objective about Glebe today and not just hark back to how it used to be

We will take on board these responses and suggestions in our planning for 2012 and beyond. A follow-up survey will be conducted in 2012 to monitor any trends and gauge the level of ongoing engagement with the Chamber.

Thank you to everyone who participated.

Gallery Red presents 'Doorstop Portraits in Glebe,' a solo photography exhibition featuring recent artworks by North Sullivan.

Focusing on the diverse characters of Glebe, esteemed photographer North Sullivan has explored his love of small cameras, creative post production and street portraiture in Doorstop Portraits. This is in stark contrast to North’s usual high definition and complex post production photography, by choosing to shoot and post process all portraits on his iPhone 4.

  

Please join us for the opening of the exhibition Friday 11th November from 6-8pm for drinks and to meet North Sullivan.

“In today’s tech savvy environment, creativity is all about choices. It’s about what I want to say, who my subject is, how and when I frame that subject and above all, it’s about the aesthetic decisions I choose to make."      – North Sullivan

Doorstop Portraits in Glebe runs from 11th to 29th November.

Gallery opening hours for this exhibition are Mon – Fri 10am – 5pm, Sat 10am – 3pm and Glebe Street Fair, Sun 20th November 10am-3pm.

Many of you are undoubtedly already using some or all of these channels. But for those who aren’t let me explain a bit about them:

Facebook     wwwHYPERLINK "http://www.facebook.com/".facebook.com

This is the best known with the most users

500 million users worldwide (of which 50% use Facebook on mobile devices)

It is not just for social contact – if you ‘like’ the Chamber you will not be sharing any personal information unless you decide to make it publically available

You can start discussions or comment on (or ‘like’) those made by other members

You can upload photos and links

Twitter     www.twitter.com

Twitter has 200 million users worldwide and is a way of sharing short messages

Messages (or ‘Tweets’) are limited to 140 characters but can include web links

They are searchable by the whole world (although you can also send direct messages to a particular user only) but broadcast only to your ‘followers’

You have limited control over who follows you but the aim is to be followed by people who are interested in what you have to say

You can elect to follow as many users as you like – businesses, friends, celebrities, media etc

LinkedIn     www.linkedin.com

There are 100 million users and this has a purely business focus.

They all have privacy controls but the best control is not to put in details you don’t want to share – you don’t have to give them everything they ask for just because there is a field there! Also you don’t need to use them all – just whichever suits you the best.

All the Chamber social media accounts above will be controlled and moderated by staff or members of the Executive who are elected by Chamber members at our Annual General Meeting (normally held in September).