Chairmans blog Thursday 22nd June 2023

A bright, sunny and warm start to the opening of the longest day, or was that yesterday? Four members absent on holiday but notwithstanding this we had a turnout of 19 which happily included two visitors. Maintaining the summery feel of the meeting once again four members sported shorts and knees.

The Performance League

Paul Booth is currently leading the charge with 219 points closely followed by Terry Maylin

Education Presentation

It was Ben Golding himself who addressed us on the epithet, ‘there is no second chance to make a first impression’. First impressions can be at the heart of networking and he first of all reminded us of the rule of 12. What do you look like from 12 feet; what do you look like from 12 inches  (check your clothes, have you brushed your teeth, do you smell of cigarette smoke, and have you got business cards.); what are the first 12 words out of your mouth. 12 inches seems to be a bit close but otherwise we got the idea. The second rule is apparently the 6 Ws…… But I’m afraid by then he had lost me. I have to say however that he left a lasting impression on me and I confess to having brushed my teeth on my return home from the meeting.

The 60 Second Round

Mike Skinner, as current Oscar holder, started the process by explaining that he had had an influx of drone work recently. One in particular found him at a site that was located at the end of Stanstead airport’s runway. Certain permissions were needed before he could proceed but nothing gets in the way of a good video. If Mike Skinner provides a personal service so does Fran Brabham Neil who was at that pains to explain the benefits of the personal service that her organisation offers residential landlords as opposed to the larger letting agents who used departments to ensure that somebody different probably deals with each stage of the letting process. Paul Rogers is having to use all of his personal skills and guiding his clients through the current very difficult mortgage market for commercial premises. Toby Acton is also in the business of instructing business owners not to be too busy to talk to clients. Focus on your working day and plan your strategy so that your clients do get a personal service that they are pleased with.

Mike Hickson can be a fund of useful information in relation to it matters IT. Automation is at the heart of advancing technology. Mobile phones can be used to turn lights on, turn lights off, operate the central heating, and all sorts of other uses. The problem is that they go through a router which can be hacked. Passwords are crucial, however irritating. Improved technology also relates to Stuart Smallcombe’s business. Post covid there is much more hybrid working between the home and office and effective connections between employees and their clients can be best addressed through V0IP.

In a presentation that was an echo of Ben Golding’s education presentation, Scott Griffiths declared himself to be in the business of first impressions. Your website is frequently the creator of such first impressions.

I apologise if I continue rattling on about the importance of attendance at our meetings during the holiday season but that kind of linked up with Tina Walker’s pitch that whilst you are away on holiday she is a potential solution to keeping things under control whilst you are away.

Worst joke of the meeting was produced by Paul Booth. He has been dealing with five ants who were trying to rent a property, they couldn’t but when joined by another five ants were capable of being successful tenants….

Best of the bunch however was Rosemarie Driscoll not only for her skill in arranging holidays in Dubai but also participating in getting her clients to go to Belfast in order to get their passports up to date.

This weeks statistics and points of note

Scott Griffiths used this slot to emphasise the importance in the holiday season of activating any Subs that you have to attend if you are not going to be present.

10-minute presentation by Nick Cooke

Another veteran of the 10 minute presentation. He always comes up with something new. This week he revealed his love for a Sausage Madras. On a more mundane level, he then gave us an outline of what he did together with two illustrations of how he can be used in slightly bizarre circumstances. The first was a lady who had a car crash into her front room and his report was needed before the premises could be released by the police on the basis that it needed to be secure……… it wasn’t. Even more bizarre was his commission to assess the strength of a floor that was due to have a large fish tank placed on it, presumably full of water and fish. Always entertaining.

Referrals and Testimonials

As always a positive round that sent us out into the world in the right frame of mind. Both visitors also showed positive signs of coming back for more and joining us us as proper members.