Chairman’s Business Networking Blog, Thursday 7th January 2016
It was like a scene from Tom Brown’s School Days; the beginning of a new term.
22 Members piled into Mary Green Manor throwing their satchels and books onto the places set out at the meeting breakfast table. Excitedly they drank coffee and orange juice and exchanged stories of the hols whilst wishing each other Happy New Year. There were the smug ones who attended Jo Jones’ Boot Camp before the break; the excited who had overseen Christmas Day complete with children and grand children; and then there were just the plain relieved who had had the pleasure if dispensing Christmas and New Year frivolity to impassive and grumpy aged relatives.
The first Ed Slot of the New Year was presented by Scott Griffiths who in true boy scout tradition emphasised the importance of being prepared, particularly with reference to the 60 second round but also generally in relation to your business, to attending meetings and to generally conducting yourself in a positive way. This particularly important message was emphasised by Scott himself when reminded by David Plumley at 6.50am that he was doing the Ed Slot, his face momentarily drained of colour and then he scuttled off to the table to ensure that he was prepared.
Whilst talking of Scott, and on sartorial matters, he was wearing a pair of green but with a hint of black socks illustrating that there is in fact a Father Christmas and that there is an element of the indiscriminate about the distribution of presents. No less presentable and in a thoroughly stunning matching outfit was Brian Painter who stood from head to foot in what could be described as Khaki. Shirt, tie, trousers, shoes, all matched. If you feel I have missed anybody out in my fashion review please mention them in your comments to this Blog.
The 60 second round had a theme of New Year’s resolutions that you were intending to make or relevant to your business.
The Naughty Corner were particularly in evidence although they did not have a theme as far as their resolutions were concerned. Indeed they were somewhat diverse. Dean Caldon was going to do something different in marketing and grow his lettings portfolio. Stuart Smallcombe was very well behaved in announcing that he had resolved to prepare much better for his 60 seconds and on a business level simplify things, get back to basics. It was wet and it was dark and he was still wearing his shorts (and wearing a rather fetching red check shirt) but Howard Bullock was not having any of it. Resolutions were counterproductive, were a weight on your shoulders and he for one was not going to make one. He is however looking for administrative support as the year progresses. We would all settle for a resolution from him to permanently turn up in shorts…or maybe not.
It was Paul Booth, a recent deserter of the Naughty Corner who put us right. It is plans, not resolutions that we should be making. Resolutions are almost by their nature, there to be broken. Plans have a more permanent ring about them. Lucinda “Noddy” Wilson was with him on this, she said that she had written down all her goals. There you see… goals ,plans, not resolutions, she apparently meditates and is looking for an office.
What of the School of Whimsy? Surely they should be able to produce something esoteric on the subject of resolutions. They did not disappoint. Alan Shaw acknowledged that any resolutions tended to “peter out” as he put it and finished up with the declaration “don’t do today what you can put off until tomorrow”. Nick Cooke promised to be more dynamic, to make his 60 seconds less dull, less predictable. Don’t worry Nick, if we are all bored to death knowing exactly what you do you probably have succeeded in achieving the purpose of your weekly 60 seconds. Brian Painter declared himself simply there to help people fulfil their smoking resolutions (about giving up that is).
Jo Eastwood caught the spirit of January. She is helping promote dry January by promoting dry wines. The girl will go far!
Pride of place however had to go to Kevin Brooks who is looking to work smarter and also earn more money. Yes you guessed it, he has lots of holidays lined up. He was promptly awarded the Oscar.
Other things of note in this first meeting of the New Year included the 10 second presentation by Paul Booth. He was all tooled up and used the projector to good effect. We were shown the Hermitage when more than just one of our members carries on business from and then ran through what he had to offer. It was very much Paul’s day. For being the most consistent member of the group in the passing of referrals and general work in promoting the group he received the Good Egg Award to hold for this coming quarter.
The referrals and testimonials round was equally positive and lively as it should be as the first of a new year. There were 30 referrals passed and in excess of £7,000.00 worth of business recorded which gets us off to a good start.
For next week I am hoping that we can maintain our good attendance record. Particularly because it will be the shortened training style meeting so that we can take stock of and look to the future in relation to our recruitment. Terry will be looking to review contacts made last year and plan for this year. This is an important aspect of moving the group forward and a full attendance would be very useful from everybody’s point of view.
I look forward to seeing you all then.
I was looking forward to reading the first blog of the year and was not disappointed. Thank you Aidan. Paul Booths 10 second presentation must be a record . I was also left with an image of Brian the great white hunter in his khaki outfit ,stalking the Tarzan like Howard Bullock, all matcho and with those short fat hairy legs – or was that Ernie Wise. Happy New Year everybody.
The Mary Green Manor scrambled eggs are just right. Soft but not soggy. Enjoyed Paul’s 10 mins … especially the revised version of his PowerPoint. Thank you Scott for a really useful Ed Slot.
Good meeting & pleased to set the bar low for the 10 minutes for the year. Looking to raise my contributions to the group in particular inviting visitors which I have been poor at recently.
Good to read that the Blogmeister has not lost his touch, entertaining as always. However, if the fashion editor from Vogue was describing my apparel it would be more like this. Desert boots, colour sand, socks (not mentioned) light brown, chinos, corn (well, that’s what it said online!) shirt and tie, biscuit. Scott’s socks were mentioned, I suppose we could call that “Scottgear”
Good meeting everyone to kick us off with the new year and an excellent blog as always Aidan. Look forward to seeing you all next week.
Great meeting well attended and humourous as always but serious when necessary of course !! great 10 mins Paul it was interesting !
Looking forward to a busy new year working and finding work for you all x
Yes great first meeting of the year and what a difference it makes having decent numbers- keep it up folks!
lively meeting as always and a good start to the new year I will polish the Oscar ready for the deserving winner next week
Imposing Facetious Aristocrat, Impressive Fatuous Associate, Indecent Flatulent Arse, Iglooists For Armenians
Great start to 2016. Wish everyone best of luck achieving resolutions.
A detailed, thoughtful and humorous blog as ever Aidan, great to see you all again at the start of a New Year.