Business Networking Blog 20th April 2023

We were missing our Aidan, but the meeting was beautifully run by Scott (who is also topping the Leader Board!) – and it all began in style with brave Ben Golding giving us Food for Thought. He likened our search for referrals to an internet search.  If you write into Google something vague like Tickets, you’ll get overwhelmed with unhelpful, numerous and varied ticket options.  However, if you write in something specific like Sports Tickets for Cup Final Wembley on X date – you’ll get exactly what you’re seeking – and so it should be with our referral requests!

The 60 seconds rounds started with Toby Acton explaining that Motivational Maps don’t just apply to individuals but can also produce valuable team information too, highlighting those with the ‘lowest drivers’ amongst them.  Then it was Neil Bellhams turn (welcome back!) and he talked about communication barriers when presenting food to those who don’t speak English, doing flapping arm movements to indicate chicken etc! I wonder what he’d have done to show Tuna or Pulled Pork? Anyway, no sooner was he back, but he’s going to be away again on a film set for up to 6 weeks.

Vincent Goode had a very elderly lady client return after years and she had remembered her previous transaction with pleasure and even the name of Vincent’s dog.  She was so charming, he ended up doing the new work for free!  Howard Bullock followed on and told us about Ethical Investing for those who don’t want their money supporting fossil fuels etc – very interesting.  Paul Booth was next and told us that a good referral would be someone with an expensive London accountant who perhaps gave poor service – whereas Paul could offer a local and caring option instead.

Stuart Smallcombe told us about a VOIP phone enquirer who explained she was getting bad service for £10 a month, but refused to consider £15 a month which came with excellent service.  We wish her luck with her terrible service and £5 a month saving!  Fran Brabham-Neil went on to tell us that now is a good time to sell because the trees and gardens can look lush – and also how they help sellers with advice to get their property in its best form! However, she also told us that Probate Solicitors are a great referral because her co offers a service where they can deal with the property in a considerate way.

Ben highlighted the rises in prices (eg water going up from 50p to £2) but he can help to get the cheapest energy and broadband etc for anyone with his Bill Busting Boost offerings! He’s particularly looking for home owners who’s mortgage is coming up for renewal.  Mike Skinner reminded us that he enjoys small-scale customer work that he can turn around quickly and fit in with his other existing work.  This could be head shot photography, product filming, location/properties and more.

James Humphreys loves to quote insurance-wise for people who graft and get dirty for a living!  These are people often doing challenging, manual work – and invariably their current insurance would be totally inadequate should an accident happen.  Yikes.  Meanwhile, John Hammond would like us to refer him to people who have automatic gates and doors which should be manually tested for Annual Certification.

Rosemary Driscoll deferred her 60 seconds to her 10 minute presentation, so next came Tina Walker who is interested in organisational work for clients who want to show appreciation for their staff in the form of events, fun outings (eg go-karting) and so on.  She omitted to mention she’d just won a National award for her skills, with the prestigious Miss Jones competition!

Jane Malyon (me!) followed with a Poem What I Wrote, all about booking up for our special and very British Coronation Afternoon Tea on Sunday 7th May at 4.15pm – with prizes for those wearing red/white/blue!

Scott Griffiths was next and focussed on his ability to help those who want to advertise companies which are associated with a specific area, eg. Ice Cream in Southend.  He can help to get their ranking higher.  After that, Terry Maylin (who arrived in a very interesting car!) mentioned Debt Recovery and that the interest rate is now 12.5% plus compensation per invoice between £40 and £100.  Oooh.  He’d like to speak to Credit Controllers about his services.  Finally, with the sun shining through the windows, John Freeman has been inspired by Spring to ask for outside painting jobs, eg windows, fences and gates!

Judging was done by Toby who was, luckily for me, swayed by the Poem What I Wrote. Yay!! However, I also went on to win the Speaker Prize later, so it was indeed a very fortunate day. I should buy a Lottery Ticket immediately! Whoop.
Reminders: 

* Take action on your Member Profile on the EBF site.  Even make a 1-2 minute video (or get Mike to film it!) to help someone know what you do and who you are etc!
* Next week – a Synergy Meeting straight after the networking.

Ten Minutes:

After that, we had the absolute pleasure of hearing Rosemarie talk about her Travel Counsellor services.  This included a short geographical quiz for fun – followed by a wonderful mini-history of how she went from working in Going Places at Stanford Le Hope for £4 an hour…to a foreign exchange role and then onto helping customers book their dream holidays.  Her desire to put care for the customer before the corporate profit margin, led her to become an independent TC operator backed by a 24-hour head office support team. Perks of her job include trips to the Caribbean, Asia, Dubai etc and her favourite place would be Thailand.  We learned about ABTA and ATOL protection but the fact of the day was about why airplanes dim the lights for take off.  If you want to know the answer – ask Rosemarie! 😀