Business Networking Blog 13th November 2025

John Hammond showed us why so many big clients put their security into his hands and Paul Booth spoke to us about inviting visitors.
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Business Networking Blog 13th November 2025

A fairly quiet meeting in terms of attendance with just 17 members present but, what we lacked in numbers, we made up for in expertise, entertainment and excellence! As three members of the leadership team were away, we had a shift around on the top table with Scott Griffiths stepping into the chairman’s seat and Terry Maylin becoming the “handsome face” of the meeting secretary.

Performance League

Four members have already reached the monthly points target in November: Scott Griffiths, Toby Acton, Mike Skinner and – in the lead – Dave Roberts. Can they hold on to these positions as the month goes on?

Education Slot

Paul Booth encouraged us to consider which visitors we would benefit from personally as well as which we could pass the most business on to. Once we have located these businesses, we should invite them along, give them plenty of information about when and where to find us, check in with them the day before and be there to welcome them at the meeting. He warned against scaring them off by mentioning the 60 seconds presentation (hopefully the bacon sandwiches will ease that shock when they arrive!)

Membership Matters

Terry in his usual role explained why Joshua Ayettey was not renewing and passed on his good wishes to the meeting. Hopefully, as we leave today, recruitment is at the forefront of everyone’s mind.

60-Second Presentation Round

Last week’s Oscar winner, Dave Roberts, kicked us off with an update about the lady whose kitchen he rewired while she was in hospital; she is now home and fully electrified! He’s now after people who want security lighting to brighten up their outdoor spaces in the winter,

Mike Skinner said his videos can help us achieve a balance between making ourselves sound knowledgeable and trustworthy and making our services redundant by giving too much information away. Stuart Smallcombe can also help by providing business mobile and personal account management to save clients having to deal with huge, impersonal operators.

Toby Acton is diversifying and thinks he can take over from our recently departed (not in the way that might interest Paul Dulieu) architect and structural engineer. Unless he has done some very speedy training in the last week, we think this is another metaphor: he can, in fact, bring structure and architecture to businesses! Blake Hammond joined Toby with his metaphors and provided and great explanation of the difference between AI and automation. AI is the brain and automation the hands and, like a skilled neurosurgeon, the hands should get the brain to work. Catherine Foley followed Blake (always eager to get close to AI!) by asking members to talk to anyone they meet about their children in the hope that they might be able to promote her Personal Statement service.

Paul Corrigan seems to have taken over a whole street and can offer the best air source heat pump servicing around. Paul Dulieu urged us all to complete the checklist (soon to appear in the Member Resources section of the EBF website) detailing our wishes for our own funeral arrangements to save family fallouts later.

Terry Maylin, back from a birthday trip to Tenerife, wants to help landlords who are worried about being ready for new laws coming into force next year. Sarah “Smiley” Smith thinks she can give us all Fridays off if we hand over our admin tasks to her; apparently the average business owner spends a huge 10 hours a week on administrative tasks.

Sally Waters showed us some of her beautiful candle labelling and tempted us all with a members’ discount for online orders; in return, she would love us to follow Elan Home Fragrances on social media. Leann Reason asks us to hand out a flyer to anyone we know who may be renovating; she can provide flow, function and feel to anyone’s home.

Howard Bullock had an equally clear message; he wants people with “big, chunky bits of money” to invest. Matt Barry is working with a local construction company who want a strong brand to help them bid for large construction jobs and would like more clients like this.

Scott Griffiths is adding teaching to his remit and can train clients to manage their own websites. Paul Booth brought the round to a close with a request to be put in touch with people who need to verify themselves.

Dave Roberts awarded the Oscar to John Hammond  for the clarity of his message; he wants referrals to people who need broken security barriers fixed. Well done, John!

Meeting Secretaries Report

There were 14 referrals today. Terry Maylin reminded members who had done business with former member, James Humphries, to let him know the value of that business – there are points in it!

10-Minute Presentation by John Hammond

Although John took his life in his hands when he started by admitting that, lovely as his wife is, he has no idea how long they have been married, he quickly demonstrated that he is very safe pair of hands when it comes to electronic security. He has worked with an impressively long list of big clients – Amazon, Sony, Ford, MoD amongst them – across the world who are all happy to recommend his service.

He gave us a fascinating insight into the future of security demonstrating that, if you want a safe home or business, JMH is the company to call.

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Matt Barry
Matt Barry
3 months ago

John leading by example and unlocking a great 10mins

Mike Skinner
Mike Skinner
Reply to  Matt Barry
3 months ago

I hope youre proud of that

Paul Dulieu
Paul Dulieu
3 months ago

A fabulous meeting despite the slightly depleted numbers. John, your 10 minutes was fascinating. You’ve been in more high security places than Ocean’s Eleven! Have a good week all!

Mike Skinner
Mike Skinner
3 months ago

Great 10 minutes John! I still want a key fob for my house though

Terry Maylin
Terry Maylin
3 months ago

Well done everyone who attended today to make the meeting “proper”!
An excellent presentation from John Hammond showing exactly why he has such prestigious clients!

Clara Downton
Clara Downton
3 months ago

I’m so sorry to have missed you all this morning, but it sounds like another brilliant meeting and look forward to seeing everyone next week.

Howard Bullock
Howard Bullock
3 months ago

Impressive stuff from JMH!!!

Stuart Smallcombe
Stuart Smallcombe
3 months ago

Okay, so numbers were down a bit this week, but still a great meeting. Well done John.

John Hammond
John Hammond
3 months ago

Great meeting, glad you liked my 10 minutes . Great Ed slot by Paul, and thank you for the Oscar

Paul Corrigan
Paul Corrigan
3 months ago

Great meeting, thanks all!

Sarah Smith
Sarah Smith
3 months ago

Another lovely meeting, and fascinating 10 minutes, really interesting to hear about all the different projects John has worked on.
Lovely guest blog from Catherine this week too ☺️

Other Recent Blog Posts

Our Chairman Aidan Squire summarises our 2025/2026 year as we celebrate the 13th Birthday of Essex Business Forum.
Toby Acton educated us on how we make people fall in love with us, and Matt Barry presented about his career as a designer in relation to his Creative Agency Blue Serif
Ben Golding educated us on how to invite visitors along to our weekly meetings. Paul Corrigan then talked about his Plumbing and Heating business, Solitaire Group.
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