When I drove into the meeting at 6 am my car showed an outside air temperature of minus 4.5 degrees C. It felt as if Nanook of the North would have felt uncomfortably cold.
From thereon in, everything else was sweetness, light and warmth. Attendance was high, 27 members present.
By the time we left the sun was piercing through the windows and was directly in the eyes of Richard Reed and John Freeman. All the ingredients for an excellent meeting and it did not disappoint.
Education Presentation
This was delivered by Terry Maylin who illustrated the benefit of Google Reviews by referring to a client of T M Law who chose us on the website because of having the benefit of such reviews.
We should be revising and reviewing each other and also, as reminded by Scott Griffiths, for EBF too. If you are uncertain as to how to deal with this, have a word with Scott or other techy members. Ultimately Terry’s message is that we should all do it, and the sooner the better.
New member induction
Another induction this time Ben Golding of Utility Warehouse. Ben comes with a Pig that lights up which he apparently carries around wherever he goes.
The 60 Second Round
I am pleased to say that everybody was disciplined over the length of their offerings which was necessary given the numbers present.
Alan Moller turned up just as we were about to start. He has apparently been putting up a shed in his back garden. He clearly feels the need for a “man cave”. Perhaps he ought to sleep in it on Wednesday night to ensure what is normally his prompt attendance at our meetings.
Anna Cooper, our photographer demonstrated from photographs she had taken that with a portrait, “it’s what’s inside that counts”. Her claim as illustrated by the photographs is that through her photographic skills she “brings the inside out”.
There were two sets of London Buses this week. Jo Jones and Jo Eastwood obviously arrived one after the other and accordingly delivered their 60 seconds one after the other. Jo Jones was first, she was suggesting a Valentines day massage and Jo Eastwood produced a bottle (empty) that she had shared with a friend the night before. It is apparently only 5% proof, sweet and fizzy; an ideal accompaniment to banana and walnut cake.
The two Kevins were also next to each other.
No report about the 60 second round is complete without reference to the School of Whimsey and their offering. Nick Cooke was unexceptional, being all steel beams and structural inspections, although the lady who was enquiring about his services took him on because she thought he was a “nice man”. Alan Shaw was much more whimsical. First of all he had to remind himself of his name. He then asked if any of us had been watching “McMafia”. He then disclosed that in the early nineties he applied for and was interviewed for a job in Russia. Apparently the local mayor’s son was the project manager and I think he was slightly concerned about the possibility of having to design onion towers for the particular building. Anyway, it all ended well; he didn’t take the job and he still retains all the vital parts of his body if not his mind.
Brian Painter managed to go whimsical on us again. A compulsive liar who is cured of telling tales was followed by a 33 year old lady who sucks her thumb. Apparently taking her bottle away from her aged 2 forced her to use her thumb as a substitute.
John Freeman, our own “Odd Job” is still looking for quick in and out jobs. John Hammond by contrast is not concerned as to the size or time sent on the job but we would like to be indoors given the current weather.
By the time Kevin Radford rose to speak he decided the sky was blue and the sun was shining, he felt that spring was in the air. To celebrate he offered medical malpractice insurance. I wasn’t quite sure whether it covered medical practitioners looking to fend off claims or people receiving serious injuries at the hands of medicos.
Generally everyone was cheerful and messages were good and concise. In recognition of a sound recovery after forgetting his name, Alan Shaw was declared the winner of the Oscar.
This weeks statistics and points of note
- 27 Members present
- Ben Golding inducted
- Oscar winner Alan Shaw
- 29 referrals
- £18,000.00 worth of business recorded
10-minute presentation by Matt Barry
It was Matt Barry’s turn to do the presentation, he had a quiz for us which involved identifying partially obscured brand logo’s and extracts from well-known adverts. Stuart Smallcombe, who clearly watches far too much television, scored 32 out of 33. ….a bottle of beer was the prize. I couldn’t make out the brand logo or its name. There is irony everywhere.
There followed the Referrals and Testimonials Round which given the number of referrals was bound to be a success.
Next week it is half term, so all of those who aren’t tied up with half term duties, please make an extra effort to be there.
fun lively meeting as always team, well done Matt for a top presentation and well done Stu on the quiz…. shame Howard missed it… he would have enjoyed it….. trouble is… when it’s breezy you just can’t be too careful
Excellent meeting with plenty of warmth inside the room, please do go and do the Google reviews as i implored you in the Ed slot as it does help promote your business and that of EBF !
Big attendances now seem to be the norm and they create a good atmosphere. Good ed slot from the rotweiller. Amusing 10 minutes from the sheriff: I bombed, when the ads are showing I tend to flick through the channels or turn off the sound.
Great meeting and pleased the Brand Quiz was all received. Welcome to the new members – great to see our numbers swelling!
Another new member, we now have 31, and good turn out + good vibe all round.
Well done Matt on your 10mt quiz, glad some watch even fewer adds than me. I do think Anna Marie should have received the Oscar though this week… why would you give it to someone who has forgotten about it already??
It makes getting up at 5 am well worthwhile when you can have a good time but also do some business. Thanks for the 4 referrals . A great 10 minutes Matt and as advised you are my client of the week . Who wants to win that accolade next week ? That was a stunning photograph Anne Marie . I was wondering if you could make me look that good , although I suppose its hard to improve on perfection . Who is that laughing !
I achieved only 11 / 33 in Matt’s quiz. I clearly do not watch enough adverts. The buzz at EBF is consistently high these days … no doubt due in the main to a very full turnout each week. Great to have 3 new members in such a short time.
Great meeting as usual. Im quite chuffed that I scored 15.5 have a great weekend and see you all next Thursday.
Excellent meeting as usual and it was fun too. A witty and erudite blog too from Aidan. So nice to see so many people present and to rub shoulders with other business owners. And it was a pleasure to feel the sun lightening up the room and warming our bones at long last.
A blinding meeting to say the least 😊 what with the sun rising into my eyes, along with a great 10min presentation from Matt, ed slot from Terry, its good to be among like minded business owners who truly work towards increasing profits for all.
A warm welcome to the new comers, I myself was one this time last year, and have not looked back since!
Great 10 minutes from Matt. Good enjoyable meeting as always.
Just wanted to let you know I’m finding this blog so helpful – being able to refer back to a summary from the meeting is an excellent resource. Thanks for all the time you put into it.