Chairmans blog Thursday 26th June 2025

With the summer solstice now behind us and holidays just round the corner, we had a good turnout of 21 members with one visitor to make up 22. It remains warm and the numbers wearing shorts appeared to have swollen, if only slightly. The warmer weather also meant the granola eaters were also out in force.

The Performance League

With our meeting secretary’s administration being brought up to date the position is as follows: Scott Griffiths has 181 points, Nick Cooke 215, but heading the league so far is Toby Acton with 225 points.

Education Presentation

Paul Booth has taken up the baton of ‘members loin girding’ with regards to visitors. Our aim is for four to six new members by September. He wants us to focus on increasing our membership in the coming weeks. He reminded us the synergy teams can be a halfway house in encouraging visitors and he pointed out that an emphasis on a 6.15am start might not be the best encouragement when we seek to sell EBF. He urged us to get out there but…. Don’t daunt!

The 60 Second Round

Toby Acton was our adjudicator rousing us as business owners to seek clarity direction and focus in our business dealings. It was perhaps more important as a reminder to the following presenters as to how they should deal with their 60 seconds.

It would appear the events season is upon us. Matt Barry Is involved with events and festivals as he promotes his business and Darren Lamb was attending the London Climate Conference last week So we can see that current direction of travel.

Paul Dulieu is now focusing on bookings into next year as James Humphreys is focusing on burly men and women and property owners as a focus for his insurance offerings. Sarah Smith wanted us to focus this week on business owners who are looking for assistance to enable them to better concentrate on productive work rather than use her to help with holiday cover. Dave Roberts was equally focused on schools as the summer holidays approach. Head teachers or school site managers would be ideal referrals. Howard Bullock was focused on anyone who has recently come into some money and was panicking as to how to invest it. His message was to take a deep breath and consult him.

If our members have shown awareness of direction and focused on the business they’re looking for there was also plenty of clarity around. Scott Griffiths has pointed out the AI effect. Make sure your website has a reference to FAQs and your brand. AI is out there looking for it. Leann Reason was clear about the benefits of curtains. Having them lined and keeping them closed in hot weather is actually a way of keeping your house cool as well as enhancing a rooms appearance. It might be boring to review your mortgage but now is the time to do it Clara Downton is available to assist.

Terry Maylin told of a mediation he had attended this week that had in fact failed. He remained clear however that mediation was an effective way of trying to resolve disputes and also inexpensive. Having outlined the importance of clarity direction, and focus Toby Acton came down on the side of clarity and awarded the Oscar to Terry.

Meeting Secretaries Report

Scott Griffiths produced an information packed report this week. £34,000 worth of business recorded and 15 referrals…. Good. Offers to go on the EBF notice board have been received. Let him have more so that he can get things set up….. Better. It is possible that Darren Lamb is having a subliminal effect on Scott  — He outlined the ways in which we can continue with the creation of the EBF Arboretum……Best.

Your 60p trees could end up anywhere in the world but it is a positive approach to reducing carbon footprint. Talk to Scott or Darren about how you can arrange to plant a tree, whether it is celebrating a business success between members or simply recognising journeys that we make to our meetings. Let’s join in with Scott’s infectious enthusiasm.

10-minute presentation by Melissa Jackson

Melissa Jackson was this week’s presenter and she presented an interesting introduction that both explained the name Kennway Francis. And the accounts lady who loves VAT and Excel spreadsheets. Melissa managed to do what all 10 minute presentations should do; it informed us of her areas of work and therefore enabled us to find her referrals.

So as I send you all on your way for another week, may I urge you to think visitors, think trees but most importantly, think referrals.