Business Networking Blog 16th May 2024 – guest written by Terry Maylin

With a depleted leadership team and Scott acting as Chairman and Education and development officer and Terry Maylin standing in for Scott we kicked off with 21 of us.

The Performance League

Matt Barry is out front with Stuart Smallcombe and Mike Skinner close behind.

Education Presentation

Jane Malyon addressed us all on connectivity, and making sure that although we all need some time away we need to make sure that we are connected to ensure that clients and customers can get hold of us.

The 60 Second Round

Brian last week’s Oscar winner kicked off the round with each person nominating the next. Unfortunately the naughty corned lived up to their name and nominated each other in order of the person sitting next to them which Scott put an end to by awarding minus 20 points for the next person that did this!

Of note in the 60 Second round was Blake who gave a glowing testimonial to Clara Downton for getting his purchase across the line at last.

The theme of testimonials spread through the room with both Vince Good and Leann Reason reading out glowing testimonials recently received from customers and as Vince said it is better that a customer says how good you are rather than you saying it yourself.

Andy excited us by announcing that he is going to set out on his own doing the same work but just better and so he is going to be using various members services and knowledge when he does that.

On a similar theme Paul Corrigan announced that his company is opening up a new branch in Kent that he will be running and he is hoping to continue working with us at EBF.

Brian had already stated that the Oscar would only be won by someone that he could hear, and to someone who was cheerful, so it was awarded to Clara because of Blake’s heartfelt testimonial for her and how she has made him smile.

This weeks statistics and points of note

In my ‘standing in’ role, I had already announced the leader of the Performance League and at this juncture I was able also to report that this week had yielded 28 referrals this month so far and in excess of £49,000 worth of business passed this month so far.

10-minute presentation by Chris De La Prida

Scott standing in for Ben went on to announce the presenter of the 10 minute presentation which this week was by one of our newest members the groups travel agent Chris de la prida who gave an excellent presentation on why he can save you the hassle of going through endless holiday brochures and also the aggravation of booking things up. He can take your pain away and do it all.

He told us of some of the trips he has had in the past the ignited his passion for travel including being invited to the wedding of one of the restaurant waiters he met and he was driven across the border of the country (Tunisia I believe) and another occasion when he made friends with a taxi driver who he used for 2 weeks and who invited him to dinner at his home!

He urged us to let him do the research and slog in finding the right holiday and then enjoy the results of that in a relaxing holiday. Chris dealt with the questions members put to him with consummate ease and is clearly very passionate about holidays which is good news for us all.

Referrals and Testimonials

We had a very fruitful referrals and testimonials round with plenty of referrals and money passed between the members and some very good testimonials.

Brian Painter asked members to send him ideas for a summer event so we can all get to know each other better.

There was a report by Jane of the excellent synergy meeting last week and finally a big wish you well to our missing member Ben Ben Golding who is recuperating in hospital and we all wished him well.

All in all the meeting went very well considering the changes to those who normally lead it.