Brentwood Business Networking Meeting – 25th July

Chairman’s Blog Thursday 25th July 2013

In contrast with last week, a relatively low turnout. Holidays finally taking their toll on numbers.

20 in all including Danielle White from Redwood Clark.

David Plumley delivered the Education Slot emphasising the distinction between “mere leads” and “referrals”. Generally as a group we are clear in its distinction but it is worth making and reminding all members to ensure that a referral is a referral.

John Probert was a holiday casualty and he won the Oscar last week. Danielle White stepped in and adjudicated.

Jason Nortey was first up because of an ineffective use of the snooze button caused him arrive just before 7am.

On topic as always Mike Rogers tried to think of something interesting, and then told us how he had stocked up with logs, a lorry load no less. The log salesman position is vacant Mike. One of Mike’s selling points is his ability to attend clients in the “comfort and convenience” of their own home. This was something that was mentioned by both Marcelle and Graham Thurston who both offer a similar service to their clients. Marcelle rather interestingly offered a DIY design approach to jewellery. Graham Thurston has been “doing” schools this week. Compared with last week where he was “doing “ Chinese and Indians. He also, like Mike Rogers, strayed off topic offering his 18th century chateau in Slovakia for holidays. Apparently this 18th Century Chateau was formerly the home of Count Bolinski. For all those listening, the interesting fact to be gleaned from this 60 second round was that Count Bolinski was responsible for the railway system in Slovakia.

Mark Buckley attended and unaccompanied by Ian and looked slightly bemused in this appearance as a solo artist. Nonetheless his impromptu reference to the installation of garden lighting that could be controlled to light up different part of the garden at different times prompted an enquiry later on in the referrals round by Scott Griffiths wanting something similar for indoor use. Accordingly it could be defined as a very effective 60 seconds. Mark felt it was a slightly Dumbledoreish. The Hogwartian theme was preserved by David Plumley who warned us all of the dangers or Malware who or which sounds very similar to one of the A J Rowling’s. characters.

Richard Reed did not mention prices but he gets a mention because he started off by saying there were 5 things that distinguished him as a choice for who and how should arrange your holiday. The characteristics were as follows:-
Specialist knowledge, Trust and honesty, Research, Impartial advice, Protection and peace of mind. This rather usefully produces the acronym STRIP. He then went on to ruin it all by indicating there was also another reason why we should use him, namely that he had Fantastic offers. “F” does not fit effectively into the acronym” unless any of you can think of how it could (post with a comment to this Blog).

Terry Maylin warned that landlords should ensure that bad tenants who need to be removed should receive a “legal good kicking” and not an actual one.

Kevin Radford was remarkably cheerful because “apparently” we have a lot to celebrate. He mentioned somebody called George who I hope was not a reference to Boy George but then went on to mention Chris Froom’s sterling efforts in the Tour de France. Of course this was all a cynical plot to sell insurance. If you choose to take up cycling make sure your bike is covered by your insurance when you are out and about or leaving it somewhere it can be stolen. I believe this is called “peddling insurance”

Howard was into acronyms, namely EIS. This apparently is the Enterprise Initiative Scheme which none of us had heard of. Brian Painter told of a lady with Tinnitus . It was so bad she had to resign her job with RBS, which is not an acronym for Ringing Buggers up Sleep although I gather it does that as well.

Ed Crocker produced the 60 seconds of the meeting with an examination of place names in Britain that could be misunderstood. His piece has been published on the blog, keep your eyes open for this it is well worth a read.

Despite our reduced numbers there was plenty of quality in the 60 second round and that was carried over into the 10 minute presentation which was Graham Thurston’s. He gave us his early work history. He did claim amongst other things to have frequently been involved in companies that went bust…. although he did not think that he had anything to do with this! He also told us that he worked for Cyril Lord and wondered whether any of us could remember the company. I remember them for having one of the best tag lines in TV advertising…”this is comfort you can afford, with Cyril Lord”. Can you think up something similar for Graham and indeed anybody else in the group and if you can, post it with a comment to this Blog.

Despite our reduced numbers again the performance was good, recorded business passed was £9,650.00 and there were almost as many referrals as there were members present.

Finally Terry Maylin reminded us all of the Garden Party that is scheduled for Sunday 4th August. There will be 3 courses of food and drink to accompany it. The start will be at 1pm and the cost of £10.00 per head. Terry will be emailing you with the details and I will send out an email closer to the time with the directions of how to get to my Chateau.

All in all a very effective meeting and am looking forward to seeing you all next week.