Chairman’s Business networking Blog, Thursday 28th August 2014.
Once again, notwithstanding that it is holiday time, a good turnout, 21 members in all.
David Plumley delivered the Ed slot and rather dramatically called 3 volunteers. Now volunteering so far as our Education and Development Officer is concerned has its roots in the army, or at least the armed services. Stuart Smallcombe, Peter Hood and Richard Reed were therefore ordered to the front. The rest of the audience were asked to guess certain things about the 3 stooges. A recent screening of the Full Monty left Tina somewhat disappointed that nobody took their trousers off but generally David managed to get our attention and get over his message as to how we find out information about our fellow members to enable referrals to be made.
The “3 volunteers” returned to their seats.
What could happen next, well… a new member induction!! Maintaining the cinematic theme, Alex Pinks induction is probably the longest story ever told. Nonetheless he as duly inducted, welcome Alex!
All of this could have been too much for one meeting but we are a hardy bunch. We dove, yes once again, dove into the 60 second presentations. If I appear to have introduced a cinematic theme it is perhaps as a result of subliminal indoctrination by Alan Shaw. After explaining how a builder wasn’t well as a result of asbestos related diseases and thereby moving on the extol the virtue of this country’s Health and Safety regime Alan moved on the mourn the loss of “Dicky”. He told of how, in his early days he went into a flat previously occupied by Haley Mills in the Kings Road and came away with some memorabilia. Probably worth very little unless you like Haley Mills; she is the rather less famous daughter of John Mills who is only well known to those of Alan Shaw’s age…nuff said!
Although Alan’s 60 second rendition re-established him as the king of whimsy, his understudy and recent convert, Nick Cooke talked of looking at houses whose only way was down. He talked of building a bigger basement. He also talked of a green minded client that needed a wind turbine installing. It was his job was to build the bridge that was to take the weight of the wind turbine as it was transported to its final resting place. On second thoughts…you are just about as good as Alan, not quite!
David Plumley, not content with forcing people to volunteer in the Ed Slot now talked on the nether regions and thresholds, something to do with Windows and upgrades. I suggest a 1-2-1.
Brian Painter din’t help by telling of a 19 year old boy who was serious about his girlfriend but only like mashed potato. Apparently you hypnotically hold them upside down, clear the blockage and they’d eat any spud that you stick before them.
Now Allan Moller joined in, talking of circuits for sockets, pots and pans and short circuits. He has been working both inside and outside this week, must have been either a touch of hypothermia or sun stroke, not sure which.
As you can see the 60 second round was as good as any there has been over the last few months. The winner of Oscar however was the only person to produce a sensible well structured 60 seconds. This was our new member Alex Pink who explained his methods of approach with different clients in producing videos for them. You can be constructive, creative, or strategic. Constructive is where you use the clients material, creative is 50/50 and strategic, he does all the work…simples. Alex quite rightly won the Oscar.
And so to the 10 minute presentation; Kevin Brooks has during the month of August stylishly led the “men in shorts” brigade with both the stylish and the colourful. As if he was the harbinger of autumn he arrived short less. No flip flops for him but straight forward hush puppies a neat line in grey slacks with a matching belt and then the sort of blue check shirt that you could die for. Not only that, he had forgotten that it was his 10 minute presentation but nonetheless gave us a brief rundown of his early career and then took questions,…. what is normally the recipe for disaster left him smelling of roses. A great interaction between the members and Kevin produced a thoroughly informative session that only increased his reputation. What else can I tell you about the meeting…well there were 13 referrals and just under £5,000.00 worth of business written. We await the final figures for August next week.
Oh! I nearly forgot, Richard Reed not only attended, nor only stood out at the front at the behest of David Plumley but he also delivered his 60 second…I know he likes a mention.
See you all next week.
great meeting today really good buzz in the room and a lively 10 minutes from Kevin Brookes of Inline Building contractors….worth the attendance fee alone. looking forward to the return of the absentees
Excellent meeting again everyone. Welcome to Alex as an official member. Loved the Q&A with Kevin’s 10 minutes, really got a lot out of that, especially the fact never to stand in foundation trenches more than knee height !! Unfortunately I can’t make next week, but have a good one!
Welcome to our newest member Alex and very well done Kevin Brooks whose Q & A highlights the benefit of having 1 to 1’s – they greatly increase your knowledge of what a member can do/does.
For those who were not present I used the “Guardian Money” section to highlight the risks of booking direct on line – no such worries if you use Prestige!!
A great meeting and informative 10 mins. Roll on next week!
The 60 second trailers were good this week. Sorry to have missed the main event.
We do have the best chairman’s blog on the planet! … and, for those who were there to hear it, Aidan announced that he now has the best chairman’s bog on the planet.
… extra points Scott?
Great meeting really buzzing look forward to next week and of course welcome to our new member Alex Pink.
Great meeting, welcome to the club Alex!