Chairman’s blog Thursday 10th April 2025

27 members present plus visitor Charlie Portway. A total of 28 is as good as it has been for many many months and it heralded a lively and enjoyable meeting. There even seemed to be enough granola to go around.

The Performance League

After the first week of this month Paul Dulieu well out front with 144 points followed by Scott Griffiths on 89 and Paul Corrigan on 80

Education Presentation

Ben Golding at his well-prepared best talked about the ‘lens through which we see the world through’. Those of us who adopt a ‘glass half empty’ attitude will find this reflects in how we deal with our customers and colleagues in business. His message seemed to distil down to how you use the word ‘busy’ in your conversations. Express it negatively when apologising for not getting back to somebody in a timely fashion does not reflect well on you. Adopt a positive attitude at all times

New Member Induction & Existing Member Renewal

Sadly Terry Maylin had to report that Neil Bellham is not at the moment able to renew his membership due to ill health. We wish him well and members should feel free to keep in touch with him.

The 60 Second Round

Blake Hammond, the winner of last week’s Oscar, was at his multitasking best with his 10-minute presentation in prospect.

Melissa Jackson had a message for all of us who receive notification that a creditor intends to go into either administration or be wound up. Pass it over to her and she has the expertise to chase it up properly for you.

Paul Corrigan always brings a breath of fresh air to the meeting and today he was looking to bring air conditioning to our attention. There is no VAT payable and it can not only serve to keep you cool in the summer but can also be used for heating in the winter, even at Christmas. Mention of Christmas almost won the Oscar for him for an early mention of said festival was very much to Blake’s liking.

Kory Martin reminded us of his removal side of the business, particularly with regard to storage. He can provide both long term and short term storage.

The technologically advanced Toby Acton now has an app for his motivational mapping even illustrated by sending information over to Stuart Smallcombe through their mobile phones. Just think! You can get it in front of you at anytime, day or night particularly when walking down the street and carrying a cup of coffee. Toby is not the only one adapting to new technology. Matt Barry is exploring the use of AI and illustrated it with  what looked like a photograph produced by AI that appeared from a distance to look like a ‘Wanted’ poster. Dave Moore, by contrast produced before and after photographs taken by an old fashioned camera showing off the difference that his flooring can make to a room. At risk of reporting on a theme to our 60 second round, Vincent Goode showed us Foamex all appropriately printed both in 3 and 5 millimetre thickness.

Catherine Foley was bemoaning the ongoing problem of large classes particularly in secondary school. Her tuition skills can help mitigate such problems.

Jon Foster was the only one offering discounts. Get him sort you out a lock and it’ll be 10% discount for the month of April

If you do not know what a wireless mesh network is, Stuart Smallcombe is your man. He’s recently assisted a company of 30 staff to relocate in a new building that is not particularly  susceptible to intrusive installation works. Dave Roberts I suspect has fewer problems with his current pitch for upgrading lighting etc in gardens and garden rooms. He also managed an illustrative picture maintaining our earlier theme.

Howard Bullock is urging us to stay calm! Don’t be panicked by the orange man with a gerbil on his head. Liz Truss couldn’t bring us to our knees so don’t assume the president of some far-flung land can destroy us, or rather the stock market where Howard helps advise investors with regard to their pensions.

I have being given much more material for this week’s blog because of all record numbers but I shall resist behaving like the child locked in the sweet shop and limit myself commenting on two further speakers. Jane Malyon had us all reciting the adjective ‘delicious’ in relation to her recital of a list of her products. Gloriously self-indulgent!

Finally however it was Paul Dulieu with a description of his celebrancy skills at funerals that won him this week’s Oscar. Well done Paul

This weeks statistics and points of note

This week we had referrals that reached 36 in total. At risk of saying ‘I told you so’ the good numbers for referrals this week didn’t happen by accident. With perhaps an extra 6 bums on 6 seats the maths is obvious. The more members…… the more referrals…… the more business!

Synergy Team Report

Paul Booth reported upon a successful Finance and Professions meeting on Tuesday early evening and Jane Malyon warned us of next week’s Business to Consumer meeting after the main meeting.

10-minute presentation by Blake Hammond

A superbly innovative video presentation was Blake’s way of presenting his progression from early school days to Ammo Hive entrepreneur. Put together with great care and skill it would be unfair to attribute his progression to where he is today to the donning of a baseball cap however tempting that might be. It was great illustration of what he brings to not only his business but our group. Outstanding!