Chairman’s Blog, Thursday 18th August 2016.
Again decimated by holidays it was nonetheless a turnout of 18. Also once again it was a very successful meeting.
I will avoid making sartorial comment this week. Turning up as I did in shorts sporting a knee decoration that looked very much like a rare steak I will simply comment that everybody seemed to be very sensibly and neatly turned out. Having said that I can’t resist pointing out that David Plumley wore a very fetching line in blue socks.
It was our shortened meeting this week and we went straight into the 60 second round.
Matters of note:
Kevin Brooks, Marcelle Saad, Matt Barry and Carmel Jane were back from holiday and looked refreshed and ready to go.
The decimation of our numbers was particularly evident at the Naughty Table that had only 2, namely Dean Caldon and Michael Adelizzi.
The School of Whimsy was depleted by Nick Cooke’s absence and yet, in the absence of such stalwarts we managed just fine.
Jo Jones kicked everything off by talking of massages and observing “everyone’s pain thresholds are different!” This hinted something of a little too exciting perhaps for the older ones of us at this time of the morning.
Richard Reed and Dean Caldon were both pondering a reduced market in certain areas. Dean feels the housing markets downturn is only short haul and Richard Reed was talking about holidays makers preferring short hauls.
Jo Eastwood was still scraping the paint off from under finger nails but managed to show us on her tablet her new venture which contained “a beer cave”. This is the alcoholic equivalent of the bat cave and she is still looking for her Robin to run the place.
Alan Shaw was still assisting the client who does not know whether he wants a detached house or an extension. He feels the matter had been properly dealt with by a pre application. He didn’t make it clear how the punter decided to proceed…but then, that’s what the School of Whimsy is all about.
If in the Spring you get Tulips from Amsterdam, in the Autumn you have conferences in Amsterdam which is what is currently exercising Matt Barry immediately upon his return from holiday.
I shall feel forever grateful to Brian Painter who last week talked about the adverse of effects of what you inhale when you have a cigarette. I had built my 60 seconds round an alternative, based on the fact that smokers seem to choose death by exploring the advantage of making a Will. I was down to follow him, and sure enough he carried on with the smoking theme, but this time showing a foot with gangrene. This has the makings of a double act.
Donna Evans produced an informative 60 seconds. She produced a tie back that looked like the tail of a racoon and told us of Roman Blinds that could be lowered and raised by remote control (very Essex…her words). I am looking forward to her 10 minutes next week.
David Plumley included among all companies business assets their data, quite rightly pointing out its importance and his function in protecting it. Nick Cooke was the winner of the Oscar last week and in his absence Marcelle awarded the Hollywood accolade to Terry Maylin for explaining how freezing bank accounts can get claimants their money when least expected.
So a really good 60 second round.
Terry Maylin was standing in for Scott Griffiths as meeting secretary and was able to report £41,350.00 worth of business recorded which was a really good effort. Plenty of referrals for such a small turnout and then we went into the presentation.
This allowed Steve Roach on behalf of Phoenix FM to put forward an advertising proposition for the benefit of members. Once he got into his stride he was very positive in advancing the benefits of Phoenix FM for advertising generally and us in particular; the whole process of members agreeing to his proposals was decorously left to an email vote that is being currently administered by Terry Maylin. Steve’s presentation was well received and questioned. Members generally kept their counsel as to how they were going to vote.
May I ask all members, particularly those who did not attend today to look carefully at the proposals that were sent round by Steve in advance of the Meeting and note the email from Terry that gives you access to the voting process. Feel free to raise any further queries that you wish with Steve before making your decision. We are looking to have a full response from all members.
I hope next week that we can at least maintain our numbers and I will try to turn up fully dressed.
Thank you to Steve for all the work he put into his presentation. Everyone needs to follow the link, emailed by Terry Maylin to everyone, so that votes can be cast privately.
Great blog Aiden and great meeting really enjoyed the presentation about advertising Steve even though I heard it first time round at the synergy meeting ?
Excellent presentation Steve clear explanation as to how it will help us as a group and individually!
great meeting , Steve good presentation and the advertising if goes ahead would be good for EBF in my opinion
Good to be back into the thick of things!
We, the EBF committee & board, agreed to allow one of our members this week to make an advertising proposal to all of the members for their consideration. It is not right for us to deny Steve Roach, Phoenix FM, the opportunity to do this.
All members were sent details of the presentation beforehand for their perusal so that no one missed out regardless of attendance on the day. It is imperative to the decision making process that every member takes part.
Furthermore, Terry Maylin has sent to all members a voting form so that they did not feel pressured into making a decision on the day. This will enable each member to make their own informed decision in private.
Having said all this we are still reliant on members actually reading their e-mails and the attachments or links contained within.
Please do so.
very good meeting everyone and a good presentation from Steve. see you all next week!
I had a first last Thursday. It was the first time I’ve seen a solicitor’s naked knees. Normally they are well protected by trousers and a big, thick wooden desk! We have the Naked Chef now we have the (near) Naked Solicitor! Well done Steve for the presentation, I’ve voted. Well done also to Terry for the Oscar
Sorry again to have missed folks! Ninja Warrior was simply too good an opportunity to miss 🙂
Only just entered my vote (that was a nifty gadget).
Any chance that The Knees might make a subsequent appearance?