Brentwood Business Networking blog 25th Feb

Chairman’s Business Networking Blog, Thursday 25^th  February 2016.

It was our 5^th anniversary and  in keeping with our anniversary I presented the  annual review to the meeting before we got under way.  This review will be published separately on the Website.  Headline Information related to an increase in business passed and recorded showing an increase of 24% and referrals by 12%.

Scott Griffiths announced the winners of the various categories.  At Scott’s discretion points will be given to the members who can set out in the response to this Blog the names of all of the winners and their category.

There were 18 members present including Tina who we were pleased to see her able attend a full meeting.  She seemed to be impressed by Howard’s bare legs.  So she should be…… these particular legs have been exposed to the group throughout the winter and resulted in a target of £500.00 to be raised for charity being beaten.  Congratulations to Howard and all who contributed.

Apart from Mr Bullocks legs, the Naughty Corner is very much reforming and increasing its presence  at the meeting.  There was a full turnout this week with Bullock, Smallcombe, Caldon in the vanguard.    The Mikes, Rogers and Adelizzi are also now lending regular support.  It was therefore with some disappointment that the 60 second round did not produce a better effort from the more esoteric School of Whimsy. they should represent a sensible challenge to the presentations of the (bordering on thuggery) Naughty Corner.

There were however some excellent 60 seconds presentations that showed slightly surprising attitudes.

Jo Jones was telling us of her wellness evaluation and was rather enticing in suggesting that our fat to body weight might not be as great as we think it is.  It might be muscle.  If you believe that you believe anything!!!

Stuart Smallcombe was particularly smug on turning out for Orsett Hall Hotel to do some emergency work relating to WiFi for one of the hotels VIP’s.

Donna was annoyed and I suspect the rep from the particular company involved this morning would have had their ears burning.  I think Donna could be quite scary when roused….. anyone agree.

Nick Cooke and Alan Shaw stood up one after the other.  Nick Cooke gave us a general overview of the work that he does, because he had been ill for a couple of weeks and Alan Shaw told of doing real work in trying to get planning permission for a bungalow to be built in the grounds of an existing house.  With Brian Painter missing there was no whimsy to be had this week.  There is a serious risk of disqualification for the members of said school if they do not come up to muster next week.

Mike Rogers, no doubt inspired by his position at the rear of the Naughty Corner tried to get away with two 60 seconds and finished up in 3 minutes telling us about the Choo and Loo family.  For those who were not at the meeting, you will be pleased to learn that Cack Loo got a mention.

Jo Eastwood declared that she was repeating herself and that we should all drink more wine.  I think you will find that wine makes you repeat yourself even more Jo.

Peter Hood continues with the stomach churning theme.  This week an overflowing sink and foul water pipe producing a very interesting cocktail in the kitchen; just for a moment I thought the cause of it all was to be a dead rat but this was apparently a totally separate incident.

It was Terry Maylin who gave what can only be called “a businessman’s comfort” by indicating whilst businesses owed each other money there was interest of 8% payable and extra charges per invoice.  The trick is to hold off suing someone as long as you can without them going bankrupt.

As a special treat, to acknowledge his efforts, Howard Bullock was allowed to present the Oscar this week in the absence of last week’s winner David Plumley.  He was obviously impressed by Jo Jones’s wellness evaluation. Perhaps it was her suggestion that“girls would be jumping in at the end” that swayed him, but well done Jo.

The figure work was good; in excess of 23 referrals and monies recorded of £32,600.00, an excellent start to our new year.

Steve Roach’s first 10 minute presentation on behalf of Phoenix FM was a great success.  He used his flip chart to good effect and gave us a run down of his own early career and the progress of Phoenix FM.  We had a little spare time and therefore his 10 minutes quickly turned into 20 minutes but it was interesting, informative and certainly a source of ammunition for all of us who would like to try and refer people to the radio station.  Excellent performance Steve.

Apart from wishing David Plumley well in his move I bid you all adieu until next week.