I know it’s dark in the morning now, but once the daylight arrived it was beautifully sunny and if darkness is your excuse for not getting up in the morning to come to EBF, shame on you. 15 members managed it this week and despite a late arrival Toby Acton joined us to make it 16. If you wake up and you appear to be running late, don’t turn over and go back to sleep. We would rather you were late then didn’t attend that all. If this sounds like a rant, it’s not because I’m not going to carry on with it any longer but, if numbers don’t improve next week I promise to give you a proper rant.
The Performance League
Lots of us have beaten the 100 point benchmark. Jane Malyon had 169 points, Terry Maylin 175 points. And, totally against the run of play, I was in the lead with 180 points.
Education Presentation
Ben Golding was due to deliver the education presentation this week but illness prevented his attendance. Hoping things improve for you Healthwise Ben and hoping to see you next week. In the meantime Ben’s thoughts were delivered on his behalf by Paul Dulieu. It’s Ben’s birthday this coming Sunday and the members extend to him best wishes for this anniversary.
As to the topic that was delivered on his behalf by Paul, it’s theme was how to be a great networker. Think who will be at your networking meeting and what you can do to help them. Arrive early and leave later than others. Don’t spend time with just one person, mingle. Fundamentally try and listen more than speak. This is the heart of what makes a good networker.
The 60 Second Round
Terry Maylin was the current Oscar holder and was therefore first up. He won the Oscar last week by celebrating a victory over Essex County Council in a PI claim. He’s got a new tripper this week and is about to start action against Southend borough council. EBF’s equivalent of Hurricane Ian is about to be unleashed.
Hannah O’Shea produces a golden hour for £45 whereby she brainstorms with you how best and effectively to use social media. She uses that time with you to make sure you get it right. Mike Skinner explained the virtues of using video in order to get it right. He observed at the go karting event, how go-karters should conduct themselves was presented by way of a video. This ensures the correct message is got over and consistent and accurate information is given. The illustration and the structure of his presentation won him the Oscar. Sorry to give you the information early on in the blog but the link with Hannah was too good to miss!
What makes a fleet, three or more vehicles in insurance terms. James Humphreys offers his services to make sure the insurance you take out for such a fleet works properly for you.
Congratulations to Nick Cooke on adding a new grandchild to his extended family. this avuncular figure also does structural inspections. Are there no ends to his talent. Talking about talent, Paul Dulieu sees himself as a ‘translator’. Translating a business’s description to make them more accessible and particularly if the business owners first language is not English. In a slightly different way Vincent Goode helps people get their message across with personalised key rings. Not a bad idea, everyone needs a key ring.
Matt Barry regaled us with a list of ongoing matters that stretched beyond his 60 seconds allocation. If he can manage to turn up for meetings, is there really an excuse for anyone else who wakes up in the morning and realises that they’re still breathing.
Stuart Smallcombe is in the process of moving office. Guess what, he knows someone who can produce a good Internet connection wherever they move to, even in the middle of a field.
Leanne Reason can offer her design skills anytime and for any room however small. Get a 1-2-1 with her and find out more.
Scott Griffiths pointed out Google will penalise you if your site is slow. If you are confused, ask him about it and at the same time, if you’re currently very confused about the way taxation is going you should also consult with Paul Booth who will use his best endeavours to make sense of what would be regarded generously as uncertainty over the government’s current plans.
And so ended a lively round which belied the numbers.
Meeting Secretaries Report
Scott Griffiths was pleased to report his fund raising race night, attended by some members, raised £1,600+
Go Karting Night
A well attended social event organised by Brian Painter and reported on by Vincent in Brian’s absence told off acts of derring-do by aspiring F1 drivers. As we all know, it all starts with go karting. Apparently the podium photo might not be 100% accurate!
10-minute presentation by Tina Walker
Tina talked about her early years of employment leading up to setting up her business in 2010. She of course emphasised her cost-saving abilities for small businesses, her availability as an extra pair of hands and also, in working for various small businesses, the ability to make referrals to members of the group. Having been a beneficiary of such referrals I can attest to her talent on this front. We should also be thinking about referring her as an excellent support act for any small business we might come across in all day-to-day dealings.
Referrals and Testimonials
Terry Maylin won the speakers prize because he passed more referrals today than anyone else so it was well deserved. As he won a raffle prize from Scott Griffiths race night he departed laden with gifts. We all in fact departed in optimistic mode if for no other reason than there was glorious sunshine to greet us as we left the building.
Positive: It was once again, a fine meeting.
Negative: The numbers are low, we had 15 members missing this week.
The Go Karting was great fun, isn’t it lovely that we can come together for these social events, and enjoy each other’s company? We’re all good friends, and it must have a positive effect on potential business we can pass to each other.
Absolutely agree with you on all points Vince. GoKarting was excellent fun, thanks Brian for organising.
Well said Vince !
Great meeting but come on the rest of you -please make the effort to get to the meetings -you wouldn’t like it if when you were doing your 10 minutes only 14 people watched it
I’m not a fighter, rather a lover.
Give me a call and I’ll check your cover!
Now if anyone can come up with anything more creepy than that I’ll be astounded!!
Wouldn’t it be a shame if your shop burnt like hay
you better pay your money to James at RMK
(its the mafia approach to insurance)
slightly menacing Mike:)
We’ve got you covered
Already been done Vince!
Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring
For insurance give James a ring
Call James at RMK for your in-sur-ance
We sort out cover without a song and dance
How about “Taking the risk out of your business and your life”
Well done Tina on a simple but great explanation as to how we can help find business for you!
Sounds like a great meeting! So sorry to miss it ( according to the dr I have pneumonia ) though I will be back next week!!
Thank you all for the birthday wishes too! 🥳🎂
Wish you well Ben
Get well soon mate.
A pleasure to step in for you Ben-Ben. Hope you are feeling better.
A low turnout today, but a great meeting all the same.
I’m so pleased that during Vince’s listing of GoKarting members with their new Formula 1 surnames, he didn’t mistakenly give Mike (either of them) the surname of James Hunt.
Sorry to miss all the interaction today and Tina’s ten minutes too. See you in a fortnight poppets x
Stay safe from Ian, Jane x
A great meeting working hard and playing hard. It’s fun and friendly. A great presentation by Tina.
A small and perfectly formed meeting this morning. Well done Tina.
It seemed like a very short meeting today. But I enjoyed it 😉