Chairman’s Blog - Meeting  Thursday 26^th July 2012

23 members present including Jamie Harrison substituting for Steve Carmichael-Brown. The holiday season always provides an attendance problem, but hopefully the recent e-mail to you all will help us focus on getting the best of attendance possible at any one particular time and I look forward to having too many bums for seats for next week.

Nick Cooke took the Ed Slot this week and very usefully reminded us all of the value of testimonials. His suggestion of the use of photographs was open to misunderstanding. Be warned that the next time some body does any work for me on a referral basis I will try and be there with a camera.

The 60 second round saw John Probert as our bell man. 4 weeks in Australia had not dulled his ability to tell the time, but having heard from Brian Painter that Australia required people to sit an exam in English before emigrating, it got me wondering as to whether they also check to see whether you can tell the time. Talking about people returning after absence it was nice to see Dawn Ribnell. We can all agree that she hasn’t changed. Also welcome back Richard Reed from holiday, he seemed to have a sun tan and to that extent was a fine advertisement for his business. Michael Adelizzi was hawking round low level baths. This also got me wondering whether you have to be more careful when you sit in it to ensure the water doesn’t go over the side.

Geoff Todd gave us all a brief lesson in turfing. Made me realise that I was right to put seed down.

I knew I was in good hands when I asked David Plumley to swap with me over our respective 60 second presentations. His “Pam Ayres “ I found to be a worthy champion of the firm. May I encourage you all to think of doing a swap. It provides a different slant for members on your business. A deserved Oscar winner.

Despite our slightly reduced numbers good business was passed and this month £68,000.00 has been written so far.  Let’s see if we can make the £100,000.00 for this month.

The 10 minute presentation saw us once again have Howard Bullock set out for us his methodology and approach to the advice that he gives. As always he was “Clear”. I suppose if I had said that he lived up to his name you would all wonder how he could possibly have been “Bullock”.

Referrals and testimonials showed Dawn Ribnell with 18 referrals. Well done Dawn, I promise not to average this out, the referrals round was once again lively and positive.

We had several special reports, Adrian Crossdale wanted us all to be reminded of his 6.30 venue at the Blue Boar, but I am afraid that I forgot to take the date down. This statement should excite you all to check with Adrian if you haven’t got the date down which I think was a Friday in September. Sorry Adrian I will try and pay more attention in the future.

Terry Maylin did a sterling job with the Sweepstake. I think we all discovered countries that we had never heard of.

My own contribution was to remind you all about looking for an alternative epithet to “Givers Gain”. I have had some response, but I would like you all to get your thinking caps on, details to me as soon as possible of any suitable phrase or saying that might encapsulate what we do that can be used on our literature. Remember, if used, you get a £50.00 voucher.

With renewed optimism I look forward to next week.

Posted by Aidan Squire