Half a Gnome is better than none

I arrived a bit later than usual this morning and found 14 Members already present eagerly networking.  We finished up with 24 Members.  The only notable absence was Kieran Peaty with the admirable excuse of having recently become a dad.  Late nights and early mornings are only just beginning Kieran.  We also had a visitor who has applied to join our merry band.

The Performance League

Although I was unusually in third position (better than normal!) the leaders Matt Barry and Scott Griffiths were way ahead of me, Matt Barry leading with 154 points which is a great effort by both of them.

Education Presentation

It was the Mayor of Gants Hill who educated us today and excellently. The contents of his little talk only made reference to his business once with a reference to the use and availability of business cards that we should all have when we attend meetings and networking.  This was the theme of his talk and he started with the basics of ensuring that you are always on time.  Listen as well as talk so that you can get to know people well and thereby make appropriate referrals.  We even had the Naughty Corner giving one of their customary illustrations/performances showing how you shouldn’t huddle together when talking to each other but always “look” available to welcome any guests. A useful reminder to all of us.

The 60 Second Round

Richard Reed, as adjudicating Oscar winner, emphasised how bookings with him are protected as far as deposits are concerned and are normally more resilient that some of the recent airline problems that have arisen recently.

Marcelle Saad told of a couple whose second wedding anniversary obliged besotted husband to look for a further items of jewellery to celebrate this event.  For a January wedding she advised a Garnet being the birth stone for said month.  Such an enthusiastic husband must bear in mind that if you exclude the thumb there are only 8 fingers available for rings.

Anna Marie is looking for people in love so that she can photograph them, the approaching Valentines Day has something to do with this.

John Freeman had an unusual commission for a man in excess of 6ft.7. in height requiring a seat in a shower.  He emphasised his availability and his extensive tool kit.  What more can I say!

There was a general mood of optimism, particularly from those who are reliant on the property market to provide work for them,  Nick Cooke looked at a house on Leigh on Sea that had a problem with cracks on the front that the Seller had attempted to cover up.

Stuart Smallcome has a big job for a company employing 15 people on 3 floors and a new office.  He has to shift everything around, which is good news for him.

Kevin Radford had an insurance product for commercial property whereby the value can be checked through a desk top valuation.  Important for insurances that can be value based.

Dean Caldon reported lots of first time buyer activity.

Mason Edwards was anticipating a big contract in the Olympic Park from a large contractor with the prospect of dealing with 120 Units.

Not necessarily linked to the property side of business Scott Griffiths reported commissions for web sites, be they ever so small, are all grist to the mill.

Vincent Goode has just done some work for a barristers chambers and is looking for more, work that is and also barristers chambers.

Saj Sreedharan has found offices in Brentwood who are looking to have flowers displayed in their reception, apparently they are heating the reception which means that the flowers themselves may not last the week.  Good news for him!

Matt (call me Matty) Barry is also busy and Ben Golding has a special offer from Utility Warehouse for people who sign up this month; can be worth up to £150.00 bonus payment…and you get a debit card… and you get all of your utilities on one bill.

All that is really left for me to report upon is the winner of the Oscar.  Tina Walker was selected because of the copy book nature of her presentation; she told us what she did, she told of a new insolvency client and indicated the sort of things she could do, well done and deserved Tina!!

This weeks statistics and points of note

• 24 Members Present

• 1 Visitor

• 32 Referrals

• £19,500.00 worth of business recorded

• Tina Walker won the Oscar

10-minute presentation by Alan Moller

Alan Moller put his jacket on and walked to the front of the meeting with a determined glint in his eye

Anticipation was high and justified; electric shocks formed part of the explanation and Alan Mollerisms such as “…a bit of naughtiness was going on”

He joined a client in the shower to check on the “tingle” that he was feeling and resolved the problem.  There was a reference to “half a gnome ” which in fact translates out as “half an ohm”.  His almost parting shot was that “RDCOs are what it’s all about”.  It was thrilling stuff.  Significant however were the number of almost intelligent questions following his presentation which not only showed that we had all paid attention but that his presentation was clear.  Well done Alan.

Synergy Team Report

Paul Booth reported upon a very successful Synergy Meeting on Tuesday in Billericay 8 Members Present

Referrals and Testimonials Round

I do not normally produce much copy on this section of the meeting, however important it is for the purpose of the business side of what we do.  However in relation to Mason Edwards there was a common theme to the congratulations that he received.  Stuart Smallcome “what he did in the gents loo had to be seen to be believed” and Kevin Radford’s assertion that he had been “been around to look at my toilet”.  In the light of Mason’s assertion that he was good at polishing turds, what more can you expect.

A lively and enthusiastic meeting.