Chairman’s Blog – Meeting Thursday 2nd May 2013
Good attendance, 27 in all including guest Barry Hicks from RM Magazine and Magician.
A Lively meeting was very effectively kicked off by David Plumley’s Education Slot when he emphasised the importance amongst other things of fully preparing your 60 seconds and 10 minute presentations. As if to illustrate this he explained “I have got something here and I am working through it”. Your comments are invited as to what that might have been or could have been.
Following the Education Slot there followed a new member induction, Alan Pegg of B Bright Cleaning Associates, welcome Alan.
Thence to the 60 second round where Stewart Roberts, last week’s winner was presenting the Oscar.
As my regular readers will know, I always try and seek out a theme that has emerged from the round. It was only when John Probert stood up that I realised what it was…but let me start at the beginning.
First up was Dawn Ribnell who showed us a photograph of a King Charles Spaniel. The dog is apparently called Isabel and belongs to Dawn. This rather cute but talented dog was in Barclays Bank, presumably looking for a 1.2.1 with Jason. Whilst in the banking hall he found a lost Czech. Nobody seems quite sure how he got lost but everybody seemed to be very pleased about it and Dawn perceived it as a marketing/PR opportunity. Hopefully not for UKIP on this day of local elections. Anyway “the dog done good”. He had to wait however until half way through the session when Adrian Crosdale produced a “Dog Bone”. This silver shiny spanner (not spaniel) like object needed Adrian to explain what it was called. Unfortunately he did not go on to explain what it did. And so to John Probert who asked whether any of us had seen Watchdog last night. So there you have it, the theme was dogs, or was it spaniels or spanners.
Stewart Roberts made us all sit up by opening with the question “is it working?” Fortunately it was a business related theme. He apparently had alleviated the pressure on some of the slaves in his business by giving them the late night opening sessions off. I guess that there just so many blue rinses that you can do in any one day…
Jason Nortey was top of the performance league this month which not only makes a change from Paul Booth but also was deserved and perhaps explained by the fact that he turned up today, although on holiday, sporting a rather neat Barclays’s blue shirt coupled with Khaki- like slacks and no doubt wearing loafers ( I didn’t see his feet) but it made him a typical inhabitant of the more up market American crime novels. Once again he was offering to lend money and referred to what I now think is probably a “virtual” cheque book.
Kim Douglas told us about a VAT inspection for one of her clients and that “he was looking at 4 years…” It was only later that I realised “he” was the VAT inspector and the “4 years” were 4 years of accounts. You see, after all, it seems that accounts really are boring!
When I called Howard Bullock to the floor he emerged from what is normally the seat occupied by our Pilgrim. This prestigious location at the breakfast table clearly inspired him to spend 90 seconds delivering his 60 seconds. If we thought that meant that Brian Painter would complete his rendition in 60 seconds we were to be only slightly disappointed. He was very close. Not only was he very close but he was his lurid self. A lady mysteriously called “Jane” regularly pulled her hair out. This was thick black hair that was a similar colour to that of her father. This father would not only beat her but strip her mother naked and beat…Brian please can we be confronted with the horrible effects of smoking next week please…
David Plumley hit us with his memory stick whilst Michael Adelizzi gave us a virtual tour of his shop. The only other item worthy of note was Scott Griffiths‘ revelation that he sometimes wore a white hat but at other times wore a black hat. He produced something that looked a bit like a weather beaten Homburg to illustrate his point… and what was that you might ask? The answer is, that he will play dirty if necessary. My suggestion is that when he does play dirty he wears a white hat as a disguise rather than the black hat…well I am sure you get the idea.
So who won the Oscar from all of these excellent contributions. Yes, you have guessed, Adrian Crosdale with this dog bone, can’t fault that!
So after such a vigorous 60 seconds what else could possible occur that was worthy of report?
Two things in fact
1. Terry Maylin produced very efficient run down of the new T M Law set up. Such is the extent of its expansion that he moved at almost breakneck speed to get it all into the 8 minutes allowed before the questions, a good succinct evaluation. All you now have to do is go out and get us some work. A well delivered 10 minute presentation,
2. Perhaps of greater relevance and importance to us as members of EBF is a really exceptional referrals and testimonials round. 3 people with at least 5 referrals, Dawn being the winner with what I counted as 9. No doubt if I am wrong comments to this blog will put me right.
There were 44 referrals in all and £11,300 worth of recorded business. A great effort! It should encourage us all to attend next week and try and better it.
Finally please note that Scott Griffiths, Kevin Brooks and myself with the added possibility of Ed Crocker are currently committed to playing golf next week and if you think you would like to do likewise please let Scott know.
I look forward to seeing you all next week.
Great meeting and there is something bizarre almost macabre about the tea cosys in the picture.
Welcome to our newest member Alan Pegg.
Aren’t you all beind well behaved this week.. not even a mention of Adrians bone, sorry, but you had to be there.
I never even got a mention this week!! Note to self, must try to be more memorable hmm too hot now for a silly jumper, suggestions invited. I think I might regret that.
It was a great meeting. The shirt in fact is from Next. One of my favourites…and John Grisham is one of my favourite authors. 🙂
Welcome to Alan Pegg. Thanks very much for the win…
Have a good weel, all.
J
Yes a very interesting 8 minute talk even if it looks like I am falling asleep in the picture.
Alan Pegg
B Bright Cleaning