Chairman’s Blog – Meeting Thursday 16th August 2012
28 in all present including guests. An improved turn out from previous weeks probably reflecting the end of some members holidays.
The Ed Slot was a David Plumley special with the theme –“ no pleasure: no leisure”. David urged upon us micro breaks, mini breaks and macro breaks to keep ourselves fresh during the working day. He suggested we all drank a lot of water and breathed deeply. He further advocated singing in the car and shouting in a cupboard. Joan Jaggernauth atleast thought it was a good idea.
Adrian Crosdale put in what turned out to be his final appearance. He brought with him his successor at The Electrical Shop, Diane Boyle. Adrian departs with our best wishes in his new employment and we welcome Diane who will be straight into the thick of things next week.
The 60 second round took off slowly. Joan Jaggernauth was on the letter “S” which was for science, sugar and nothing else. She mentioned Panna Yama which I understand is transcendental for bad breath. I probably got it wrong. I promise to listen more carefully next week. Whilst Joan preached the alleviation of stress she was followed by Terry Maylin who from a business point of view was looking to thrive on it. If anything was stress inducing, however, it was Kevin Brooks shirt. Was it magenta? If anybody wants to respond to this e-mail they might like to indicate what colour they thought his shirt was.
Jason Nortey told us how he nicked a Client from NatWest because he was Chinese. All very surreal, but Brian Painter brought things down to earth. He managed to once again entertain us with the dire consequences of smoking which surely is enough in itself to make you give up. Perhaps we have an insight into his success in this aspect of his business. Instead of hypnotising he simply recites all of the worst consequences of smoking to someone who has just eaten a full English breakfast and the results are there for all to see. It was left to Kevin Radford once again to provide the appropriate poetic interlude in trying to persuade us away from Direct Line, Compare The Market and Go Compare. Don’t worry Kevin, the adverts are so irritating that when something cuddly comes along everybody goes for it……and he won the Oscar.
This week’s 10 minute slot was slightly different. Mike Thwaites, an Independent who is looking to be elected Essex Police and Crime Commissioner, gave us an interesting insight into his credentials and his approach to the post he is looking to be elected to. At the very least we were reminded that there is such an election taking place and in November.
His interesting talk and subsequent questions made us run late, but a swiftly executed referrals round produced an excellent quantity of referrals and recorded business of just under £19,000.00. We are almost at £75,000.00 for the recorded business passed for the month with two weeks to go.
It was good to see Hugh Nicolas back in the fold. Remember to turn up smartly dressed the week after next as he is taking shots during the meeting for the new web site and the week after – the first Thursday in September could all new members who have not had their photographs taken make sure they turn up as he will be taking the portraits for the new Directory as well a the web site.
May I urge you all to get distributing the remaining Directories. Let’s flood the market so that our new Directory, that will be ready in September, will already have a captive readership.
I look forward to seeing you all next week.
Not Magenta, i’d say more Fuscia.
Perhaps Dawn or Hugh could provide an exact pantone colour reference?!