He gave us an excellent example of process improvement via an ideas wall.

The ideas wall is a place where employees can express their thoughts and ideas that could make positive change to the organisation. 

Such a wall is a great idea for Maitland Business Chamber members and business owners of our region.

So, rather than having a physical wall I would like to open this up to email. 

Ideas can be small but make a massive difference to the effectiveness of an organisation.

So starting thinking about what it is that you would like to see from Maitland Business Chamber or what alterations you could make that would be a positive change.

Here is a simple example: in 2015 we decided to move the winter monthly chamber meetings from breakfast to lunch. 

It was such a small change, but such a large leap that paid off with different people attending the meetings and attendance numbers rising during these three events.

Our next lunch will be a big one as the federal election candidates for Paterson spar in the great debate of 2016. 

So now is also a great time to start thinking about ideas or issues that affect your business and ideas, that can positively impact the economy of Maitland, that you would like to raise with the political candidates.

Over the next month, we will be giving members a chance to contribute to the structure and questions of the debate.

So get thinking and send your ideas to Fiona via admin@maitland.business.com.au.

Save the date, lunch at the Best Western Thursday June 16, at noon.

Tickets cost $37.50 for Maitland Business Chamber members and $53.50 for non-members.

Liberal candidate for Paterson Karen Howard and Labor candidate for Paterson Meryl Swanson have been confirmed as guest speakers.

The chamber held a successful debate between state candidates in the lead-up to the 2014 NSW elections.