Chairman’s Blog - Meeting Thursday 28th February 2013

Good turnout, 28 present and apologies for absence from all those unable to turn up. Congratulations to all members.

The Ed slot was delivered by Scott Griffiths who had asked us all to set out 3 things we thought people did not know about us. We then had to fit the name to the information. It did help illustrate that we knew each other as members very well as identification was largely successful and helped confirm the point, namely the better you know your fellow members the more likely and able you are to make effective referrals.

All credit to Scott for not mentioning some of the more bizarre suggestions that I was able to spot.

Congratulations also to Alan Shaw for managing to write the information inside the envelope…are there no ends to this man’s talent?

Meetings that contain a new member induction are always particularly satisfying. Welcome to Chris Holmes of AD 2000 Services Limited.

The 60 second round was largely without theme and amongst the miscellany of themes was Claire Greenslade’s promotional water proof jackets. The red was particularly fetching. Dawn seemed to be promoting amongst other things the Bishop of Rochester in contrast to Alan Shaw who seemed to be looking for commission for casinos which is sort of straying towards the seven deadly sins. Staying on the seven deadly sins, Michael Adelizzi is fitting a bathroom for a lady he was seeing more often than his wife and Graham Thurston declared that he had “done an old lady”. To be fair to Graham, the context was clearly one of laying carpets.

It was Chris Sadler’s birthday but he should not look too despondent. Geoff Todd has apparently been at it for 25 years. Back to the seven deadly sins again

As we all get older we get more forgetful. Anne Clark forgot her glasses but still managed to successfully read her notes.

Scott Griffith’s theme was that if you really want to appreciate the value of a professional, employ an amateur. Howard Bullock picked up on the theme by demonstrating his own care and attention to investments and that it took time to ensure good advice. This was amply illustrated by the time it took him to deal with his 60 seconds…90seconds. Talking of pros, the secret to Neil Lewer’s exquisitely crafted cupboards is the fact that he installs a carcass in them. This is a sort of variation on having a skeleton in your cupboard but it apparently saves on paint…you had to be there!

The highlight of the 60 second round however was undoubtedly old grumble guts himself, Mike Rogers with a exquisite piece delivered in verse and without notes. Every time the resident Bard is missing someone always steps up to the plate. A well deserved Oscar awarded to Steve Carmichael Brown in one of his now rare visits.

David Plumley followed the 60 second round with a Power Group report in relation to the Business to Business Group that met last Tuesday. He very usefully summarised the Power Groups structure and invited details of the meeting to be given so that we can all enter them into our diaries on a regular monthly basis. For those of you who did not make the notes here are the details:

Professionals Power Group
– every second Tuesday in the month, 4.20 for 4.30pm at the Ivory Rooms, Billericay

Business to Consumer
– every third Monday in the month , 4.45 for 5pm at the George & Dragon, Mountnessing

Business to Business
– the last Tuesday in every month, 4.20 for 4.30pm at the George & Dragon, Mountnessing

Thank you all for listening patiently to my 10 minute slot to enable me to properly launch Quality HR. This was not an abuse of power; it was a genuine swap with Terry Maylin who was otherwise engaged at court.

The referrals round was good and steady, plenty of referrals and £9,000 worth of recorded business passed.

Finally Steve Carmichael Brown’s infrequent presence does not stop him from winning speakers prizes. It was only a few months ago that I delivered my last 10 minuet slot and he won the prize on that occasion as well. He turns 10 minutes into pounds as well

I look forward to seeing you all next week.

Posted by Scott Griffiths