With an elected Advisory Board comprising knowledgeable
representatives from both client side and supplier businesses, CatEx Direct
Commerce Association has always sought to reflect the needs of its members.
Whether that is by campaigning to ensure that members have a voice over key
issues like the proposed changes to EU Data Protection Regulation, or seeking
out special “deals” that deliver cost savings via group buying schemes, this unique
group always aims to deliver optimum return on investment to all of its
members.
“Delivering true value is at the heart of everything we do
here at the secretariat offices,” said Monica Carter-Burns who leads the small
team which manages everything from the handling of member enquiries to the
planning of member events, adding. “We aim to help members in every way we can,
and to ensure that every member company benefits from being part of CatEx DCA.”
A typical day for the team might see it field requests for
recommendations for suppliers, queries on legal matters, requests for details
on member buying schemes, or help with pressing issues. “Last year we began to
offer all members BusinessCare so that they could access legal support, help
with employment issues, leases, contracts and on other matters without
incurring professional fees,” commented Carter-Burns. “This was recommended as
a “must” for our members by Advisory Board Member Mark Wilby and was
immediately adopted as an additional inclusive benefit for all member
companies”. CatEx DCA also offers its members preferential mailing rates via a
unique member buying scheme established with Secured Mail, as well as special
rates on telephony services, and merchant fees. Other potential areas for delivering
savings via member group buying schemes are under constant review by a working
party of the Advisory Board.
Unlike many trade groups CatEx DCA aims to be accessible to
businesses of all sizes, at all stages of development and its modest membership
fees are based upon annual sales for its client side members. Supplier
organisations are offered associate membership with a special reduced rate for
sole practitioners, typically independent consultants, copywriters, designers.
This makes for a really rich blend of members, all of whom
enjoy and benefit from meeting, networking and sharing information and
expertise with each other. With training courses and conferences running around
the UK, as well as national events in London, there are many opportunities for
member company teams of all disciplines to meet their peers, and for 2014 the
schedule has expanded to take in new areas. Most events feature special
interest group round table discussions to enable deep discussion on specific
matters. These include, for example, discussions specifically for Business to
Business members; for those from the Charity sector; groups focused on
Operations & Fulfilment issues; along with a range of other pertinent
topics. Members are invited to suggest topics, to join speaker panels, host
round tables in order that events always cover the issues that really matter.
Business owners, board directors and principals of client
side businesses have exclusive access to “board room” discussion sessions for
the discussion of high level matters with their peers. A programme of dinners
is also under development for this elite group.
All CatEx DCA member companies are offered special rates for
event places as well as special packages when registering multiple team
members. Non-members are welcome to most events too, subject to availability.
Rates and programmes can be obtained from the CatEx DCA
office team by calling Monica or Jenny on 01271 855545 – or visit
www.catexdca.org.uk (please bear with us if the site is slow – our brand new
one is currently under redevelopment.
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