Chairman’s Blog - Meeting  Thursday 31st May 2012

Well, after two weeks I am back to transfer the sunshine of my holiday into your rather humdrum lives.  It would appear that you have all managed very well without me which is disappointing.

This was made up for by seeing all of your happy smiling faces and feeling part of the team again.

29 members and 1 visitor Suzanne Riches  who appears set to joint us which will help compensate our loss of Colin Beckett.  I am sorry to see him go as he was a helpful addition to the group, best of luck Colin for the future.  We now have a vacancy for a business coach so let us see what we can do about filling this new vacancy.

Everybody seemed to be in very good spirits today which was all started off by Brian Painter doing the education slot.  As always entertaining but very much to the point.  The 60 second presentation should be able to be heard by everyone and Tag Lines help sell your services to the group; or rather this was what we all picked up on when the 60 second round arrived.  Mike Topping, both he and Mike Rogers included a strap line suggesting that you “……………….put a rubber on it……….” which seemed to cause great amusement.

Richard Read was bragging that he could get us all tickets for the beach volley ball which brought certain of us awake. For the older ones amongst us, having got excited, it was a relief to know that Michael Adelezzi had a special line in low level baths and that Alan Shaw has been doing extensions for Barristers which I assume has nothing to do with their wigs.

The greatest revelations however were to come! Has everybody but me met the Queen!!  Kevin Brooks has shaken her hand, Hugh has said Hi to her  and Richard Smith met her coming off the throne, or was it going on to the throne.   Not to be outdone Scott Griffiths shared a seat with “Wills”, all a very long way from those of us who have not been touched by greatness.  Jason declared himself the Prince of Darkness (I think we already knew this) Tina produced the best strap line at the beginning of her 60 seconds – “I am standing up”.

Brian Painter articulate as always in his 60 seconds talked about an articulated lorry driver – presumably no relation.  He apparently cured him of a phobia which is sufficient to enable him to continue to behave like a lorry driver.

I must have missed more than two meetings because I noticed that Joan was on the letter I which apparently stands for impact.

All of this left Marcelle to present the Oscar to Mike Topping.   Although richly deserved it would probably have gone to David Plumley if he had managed to get a genie to come out of the teapot with his rather furious rubbings. I did try the tea afterwards and it was still cold.

The 10 minutes was all about Hugh’s photographic skill.  Frankly to have simply left the television on with the different images flashing before us would have been impressive enough.  We really can recommend him on a family or commercial basis with absolute confidence.  The question I didn’t get to ask was whether he did funerals, maybe next time.

The referrals round maintained the intensity of the earlier part of the meeting.  Around £10,000.00 of business recorded which is likely to produce an overall monthly amount of about £90,000.00 which is slightly above average and well on target for a million pound turnover this year – brilliant.   On to the referrals and testimonials and this retained the theme of the 60 seconds.  Joan apparently attended Terry Maylin’s excellent seminar and described it as a knee trembler.  The royal theme was maintained with Mike Rogers telling a story about a paperboy’s visit to see a well known Queen – Elton John, fortunately no question of knee tremblers here but I have to say my eyes did glaze over when Graham Thurston stated that he wished to visit Scott for a penguin review.  He made this request with his hands in his pockets contrary to Brian Painter’s rather irritable outburst that he could not hear what we were passing.  Mine don’t make a noise Brian!

A good time was had by all – the powers that be at the BNI would probably shudder but amongst the frivolity serious business was passed, the skills and achievements of our  members were fully recognised and good business was passed, which after all dear reader is what it is all about.

Until next Thursday may all your mornings be Thursdays.

Posted by Scott Griffiths