It was dark, rainy, windy and miserable; The perfect start to what was in fact a lively cheerful and effective meeting. There was the usual eager networking, Joshua, Ben and Toby back after last week’s absence; sausage sandwich, bacon sandwich, toast and granola abounded.
Performance League
Recording the social event of our Christmas party separated out the men from the boys. Men metaphorically included Catherine Foley and Scott Griffiths headed up the points on 176. Paul Corrigan was second on 123 and Catherine third on 110. At the time of dictating this blog I can see that many others are now making the effort to bring themselves in line so next week’s figures should be revealing.
Education Slot
Arguably it is still the New Year and Ben Golding is never one to miss an opportunity. He doesn’t do New Year’s resolutions, Like Manchester City he does New Year goals. It was a lengthy exposition that had him almost bursting into song but urging realism as to what, how, and when you set them for.
Membership Matters
The membership committee have been active as Terry Maylin reported renewals for Paul C, Paul D, Toby Acton and Mike Skinner. Lots of reasons to be cheerful!
60-Second Presentation Round
Clara Downton was the current holder and adjudicator. She went first, as it was her job to balance the various offerings and make the award at the end of the round. Paul Corrigan was also into balancing. In his case the balancing referred to the heating systems that he supervises and restores to working order. Just remember, there’s no such thing as radiators at the end of the line. It’s just a question of balance.
Ben Golding by contrast was helping his next-door neighbour balance her books by introducing her to the saving graces of Utility Warehouse.
Toby Acton’s suntan was so pronounced and his sun drenched and warm break relaxed state so evident that I can’t remember what he said.
If you run a business that uses mobile ‘phones Stuart Smallcombe can provide whatever your requirements for any business that you come across that is renewing it’s contracts. Make your referrals accordingly.
Catherine Foley is looking for failures….. Or rather people who need to resit which perhaps is not quite the same thing.
Dave Roberts has apparently had an interesting new year. Someone had put a nail through a cable in their wall which meant a loss of power which he restored; someone with electric gates that had been fitted but the electricity hadn’t been turned on, something he was easily able to remedy. It’s only going to get more difficult going forward Dave!
It was nice to see Joshua Ayettey back. He’s specifically looking to help anyone who needs planning permission in place to carry out whatever work is required to their property. Once you’ve got it you’ve got three years to use it! Leanne Reason is not looking necessarily for dissimilar referrals. She however is more concerned with the interior rather than the construction of the exterior. It can be one room or an extension.
Most of us have businesses that are in some respect seasonal. Paul Dulieu is no different. As Valentine’s Day approaches and one thing leads to another why not let him help tie the knot! Jane Malyon is also interested in the infatuated, but rather than involve herself in anything more complicated, she just wants to sell them brownies. It could lead further…..
Some of us have had a good new year, Terry Maylin for instance has settled 3 Personal Injury cases in his first week back. He’s available to help anyone who has an injury who wishes to pursue a claim. Let him help you negotiate the vagaries of our Court system.
Recognising people who work for us and their worth to the organisation, from apprentice to designer over 10 years, was worthy of the Oscar which Clara rightly awarded to Matt Barry. A worthy winner!
Meeting Secretaries Report
Good numbers this week, 23 new referrals and £18,000 worth of business recorded as reported by Scott Griffiths who also urged us to update our entries on the website for the Christmas social event.
Synergy Team Report
Jane Malyon informed us that a synergy etam meeting would follow our main meeting today, with the topic for discussion being “Strategies for efficiency and dealing with distractions!“
10-Minute Presentation by Sarah Smith
Six months since her last presentation, Sarah Smith was able to give a good account of her progress and reminded us how horribly efficient she is. It was a very well-presented account of where she is at the moment, her success in integrating into EBF and being a great referral for anyone who is either, in the short term or long term, in need of support in their business
Referrals and Testimonials round
A great second meeting of the year with lots of referrals giving ample cause for optimism. See you next week!
Thank you all for a great meeting!
Perfect 10 minutes Sarah!
Great meeting this morning!! It’s good to be back!! ( even though it was a struggle to get up and I still don’t eat my crusts on a sausage sarnie!! )
Loved Sarah’s presentation- we all need a Sarah in our lives!! Plus really enjoyed the synergy meeting too!!
Fab to see Joshua back with us too!!
My first meeting for 2026 and what a great meeting. An excellent ed slot from our UW partner Ben, who reminded us and advised us on setting intentional goals. Our amazing VA Sarah gave her 10 minutes and once again it was really interesting. It may have been dark and wet outside but the atmosphere and the members were bright and friendly (well most of them!)
Another surprisingly cheerful meeting despite the January westher blues! Great to see Joshua back, comforting to hear Toby mention Dubai after a week away, and two great presentations from Ben and Sarah. A hand drawn Oscar and Jane making the grown men blush with her innuendos.
Great meeting and excellent presentation by Sarah. Would really like to clarify that I did not use the word failure!!!
lol!!
Thank you Ben for reminding us to make SMART goals, it’s such a useful framework.
Now all remember you exchange the WHITE slips and it’s the BLUE slips you take home for your records 😂
See you all next week!
So buzzy…the time flies! Thanks Ben for the tips and well done to our wonderful Sarah for her informative talk today! 🙂
Thanks for a great Ed slot Ben Ben and well done Sarah on your plans for building your business and types of work you are taking on!