Chairman’s Blog – Meeting Thursday 7th June 2012
Good attendance 27 members and 2 guests
Charlie Coppin from Coopers at Chelmsford for the second time and Suzanne Riches whose application for membership was approved by the committee following the meeting and who I will be pleased to induct as a Member next week.
Paul Booth stood in for David Plumley and delivered the education slot. I would endorse his request that we all find ways of delivering and passing on Directories. They are there to be circulated. I would invite any member to give examples of the Directory proving a positive benefit in obtaining a referral.
The 60 second round was slightly more subdued than last week. Mike Topping, probably still recovering from having won the Oscar last week, suggested alterations that could have been made to the seating arrangements at the Jubilee. He totally reorganised the Royal Barge. I think it was intended as a cure for bladder infections. Graham Wright reminded us that he has been around almost as long as the Queen – dealing in furniture since 1975. Almost as impressive as Graham Thurston’s connections with the Latvian Embassy. Apparently they get so much snow in Latvia that they have asked him to deck the whole Embassy out with that famous carpet that he produces that looks like grass.
Joan, ever mindful of our health was today flaunting the letter “J”. Yes that’s “J” for jeopardy Joy and Jangled nerves. Which dovetailed rather neatly with Brian Painter’s warning about panic in lifts, the underground and on airplanes. Claustrophobia is a frightening thing which I suspect might affect all of the students Anita is hoping to attract for storage at £42.00 at time if they get into the space that she is providing rather than storing their kit there. The Oscar was won by Nick Cooke who managed to recite-yes not sing! – Pete Segar’s little boxes. It is of course a meaningful and iconic song but I really did not appreciate that its underlining sub-message related to structural problems in houses rather than society.
Any lack of excitement in the 60 seconds round was more than adequately made up in the 10 minute presentation. Graham Thurston, who kept his hands out of his pockets (Brian Painter please note) regaled us with his early years as a bubble gum salesman and talked to us about carpets being “whipped and bound”. At this point Joan definitely sat up and took notice. I know that there must have been excellent commercial reasons but given the opportunity of working from any of Allied Carpet outlets, Chadwell Heath seemed an unusual choice and a more exciting part of the world than I had ever appreciated. However when I thought about it I realised the immense humanity of the man. His choice was probably based upon being in an area that was within walking distance for his now 80 year old tortoise. It was however a very polished 10 minute performance without notes and with only a few swathes of carpet. I have only managed one referral for Graham since he had joined but that referral sang his praises.
Scott produced the stats for the month of May. £88,000 worth of business recorded which is excellent and 113 referrals.
Today we recorded over £8,500 worth of business.
Before I draw to a close I feel I must say a few words about Mike Rogers. He is apparently now looking, not to mortgages, but to little old ladies. Having revealed this in his 60 seconds and then in the referrals and testimonials round declared that he was telling us something interesting by confirming that bananas start out green become yellow and then turn brown. I have horrible feeling that his 10 minutes is imminent, never mind Mike – we all thought you operated the bells very well today.
See you all next Thursday.