Chairman’s blog Thursday 11 September 2025

This week, despite holidays, we were 22 in number. Might it be because autumn appears to with us that the balance between sausage and granola has now swung very much in favour of the pork product. Anyway, good pre-meeting networking atmosphere pervaded and everyone seemed ready for the fray at 7:10.am.

The Performance League

One week of input leaves us with Ben Golding in 3rd place with 108 points. Leann Reason 2nd on 136 and heading the table is Scott Griffiths with 138.

Education Presentation

Paul Dulieu had a walking metaphor to hand that left Toby Action drooling. If you set off in the wrong direction you can find yourself lost or further from your goal rather than closer. Paul Booth was selected to set off in a northerly direction but finished up facing West. In business you need to know where you want to go and you should always be willing to step back, look around, and adjust your route to enable you to reach your destination.

New Member Induction & Existing Member Renewal

New member Sally Waters received her membership certificate and Blake Hammond has been renewed, perhaps in all senses of the word.

The 60 Second Round

Catherine Foley, last week’s winner, is on holiday and this week’s adjudication was undertaken by the Naughty Corner. Stuart Smallcombe got things underway and devoted his time to promoting of Brentwood rugby club in its search for local sponsors. Paul Booth’s theme was to search for anyone who might need to sort out tax problems over declarations made to HMRC.

Following Stuart’s lead, Paul Corrigan mentions the Maldon Car Show that Solitaire are involved with, inviting us all along and suggesting we try the ‘buzzer game’ that he had demonstrated last week.

It was left to Joshua Atteyey to really get the ball rolling in actually promoting his business. He showed us some drawings that he is currently working on that included a bathroom with ‘his and her’ sinks.

Mike Skinner had a simple message; video photography can enhance your business message.

If Paul Dulieu thought he had got away with his metaphor, he was very wrong. Toby Acton was not to be denied. He used the recent visit to Bletchley Park to compare the ethos of the Second World War Code Breakers with how we should approach the running of our businesses. The master of metaphor was not to be outdone

Just as it was getting interesting Sally Waters ruined it all by mentioning Christmas. She used it attract referrals by suggesting that people sampled her fragrances, 11 in all, which can be done by either visiting or receiving samples. Leann Reason was offering the luxury of black as a colour to give depth to the interior design of your home. It was therefore inevitable that Darren Lamb should follow her and exhibit his green credentials. Encouraged by Sally, Blake Hammond followed with a reminder that there are 15 Thursdays to go before Christmas. More of him later

Jon Foster, despite his upcoming 10 minutes slot used his 60 seconds well by starting the process of explaining the importance of his being able to break into broken or otherwise compromised Locks.

Scott Griffiths revisited the colour theme In explaining how to best position yourself with Google. Black is bad, white is good, and light grey is probably where you should be in order to be most successful.

Two members had something to show off. Sarah Smith had a signed shirt from a visit to the cricket and Paul Dulieu, his new brochure aimed at funeral directors.

Before I touch on the Oscar, interesting fact of the day was the term ‘naughty but nice’ was originally uttered by Salman Rushdie.

I said I would come back to Blake Hammond, and I do so because he won the Oscar. Amongst other things it is often an EBF suggestion that you mention specific individuals or organisations that you are looking to reach and Blake mentioned Warner Brothers and was rewarded with the possible referral later on in the meeting arising from this request. Bear this in mind everybody as you prepare your future 60 second presentations. Congratulations Blake.

This weeks statistics and points of note

Of late Scott Griffiths has been heavily engaged in revamping our very effective website. Members will get a chance to see this later today and try it out before it is finally launched. He would welcome any input from you, and you will get points for going onto it.

Synergy team meetings.

Paul Booth reported on this week’s finance and professionals meeting and Leann Reason was advertising the property section meeting which was due today.

10-minute presentation by Jonathan Foster

Jon Foster had all of the many tools of his trade laid before us on the floor between the tables. He employed his methodology in demonstrating how to break locks and gain entry, the skill he shares with successful burglars. It was a highly entertaining presentation and great advert for him as a member who can help you in emergencies. It was obvious from comments made in the referrals round that several of us have had need to use his services.

I will leave you all to fiddle around with the new website and bid you farewell until my return the week after next