Holidays continue to encroach upon the attendance at the meeting but we finished up with 23 in all. This was a very dull morning but there was no dullness about the meeting’s attendees
The Performance League
Scott Griffiths was out front followed by Jane Malyon and Ben Golding. The full statistics will be available for next week
Education Presentation
Paul Booth addressed us, not from his desert island, but from a location much further north with wonderful views of the Aurora Borealis. His subject matter was what new members can expect from our first physical meeting at Calcott Hall Farm
Warnings for newbies were; a request that they get there early in order to network, stake your chair so that you have a place to sit when the meeting starts, dress up rather than dressed down as you have largely been accustomed to in our zoom meetings (Brian Painter being the one this will not apply to), try not to leave the meeting early unless it is absolutely necessary and remember that the 60 Second presentation is very different when we’re all together in person as will be your method of presentation. It is hoped that after this dissemination of this information we are able to get back together soon and you will get an update on this next week.
The 60 Second Round
John Freeman was last week’s winner of the Oscar and was making the decisions today. It was first day back at school for those with children and grandchildren and accordingly it was perhaps not surprising to find Howard Bullock multitasking with our meeting and preparing breakfast for his children.
Best location of the day was John Hammond who was in Liverpool, initially at a table being served breakfast and more latterly and in particular during his 60 second presentation he was walking towards the lift. How many of you turned your heads sideways to match John’s image on screen
Brian Painter is, in particular, looking for people with low self-esteem like the lady whose mother continually did things to her to undermine her self confidence. Brian wasn’t the only one looking for people with low self-esteem. Jane (it rhymes with stallion) Malyon is producing an etiquette masterclass to ensure that those consuming her celebrated cream teas can tuck in with confidence.
Neil Bellham has found a way not to be interrupted by Vince when he goes over his 60-second allocation. Basically, you tell a story that holds the audience’s interest so that we all want to hear the end. He managed to sneak two 120 seconds out of us this week. Fortunately, other others discipline made it a crocodile sandwich of a round.
It is normally me who talks about exit strategies with reference to shareholder and partnership agreements and I encourage this to be done when you first get together. It was Toby Acton who was talking exit strategies today with reference to the businesses is that he mentors.
The WordPress people whose product provides the framework for Scott Griffith’s website production provided updates which they got wrong and caused problems for all people with websites based on their product, some 5 million of them! He spotted this, made contact and enabled them to resolve the problem. I believe the cheque is in the post!
In the meantime, Vincent Goode aka the Mayor of Gants Hill Village was predictive in his approach over the sort of questions we were all gagging to ask him and he provided the answers by giving a run down as to why Speed Print is as good as it is, with the emphasis on speed.
None of the aforementioned contributors caught John Freeman’s eye. It was Paul Dulieu who did this. He’s committed for a fair period of time to doing 11,000 steps per day. Apart from demonstrating that fit bits are addictive he’s doing it for prostate cancer which also got nods of approval from members other than John, but it was Johns opinion that counted and he duly won the Oscar
10-minute presentation by Toby Acton
It was Toby Acton’s turn this week and he used it to show us in a series of slides. Pictures from boyhood, youthhood and middle-aged old git hood exactly how he has got to where he is today and notwithstanding the loss of a tooth and the inevitable loss of hair he came out of it pretty well. Not only did he own a lot of hair when a youth but he also owned a Silky Bantam, two Guinea pigs and apparently countless other animals. He even appeared on television with the iconic Bob Holness. Halfway through his pictorial life story, it became obvious that he was destined for greatness and it could be argued being a member of EBF could be his zenith. It was a very entertaining and interesting presentation which perhaps did more in advertising his abilities then a list of exactly what he did and how he did it. We kind of knew that already anyway! Thanks Toby for a great show. We should all try and find for him those businessmen who would clearly benefit from his expertise.
Good meeting, enjoyed that. Will have to wait for the conclusion of Brian’s story again. Good 10 minutes Toby!
Looking forward to the Calcott Hall meetings again, great 10 minutes Toby and Johns side on 60 seconds!, enjoy your weekend all!
Top class presentation from my buddy Toby, and Paulo Booth has certainly whetted our appetite for the return to Calcott Farm. Luckily for Neil my stopwatch jammed during his 2 minute presentation, I think you owe me one of your festival burgers mate. Look forward to seeing you all next week for more fun, frolics and referrals
Toby – what a star – great ten minutes…loved it! 😀
Great 10 min Toby, a fellow F1 fan! Thanks Paul for the Ed slot, beware the naughty corner!
Well done Toby on a slightly different but no less important aspect of you! Very interesting and as you know I am a petrol head too so am impressed at you rubbing shoulders with the racing elite! Good ed slot Paul reminding us of some of the etiquettes that will apply when we return to Calcott which we all hope will be soon. Paul D don’t forget to send the members the JustGiving or whatever page to enable those of us that want to sponsor you to do so.
Toby great to hear more about you in your 10 minutes, I’m too an F1 fan. Paul D great cause. Looking forward to catching up with everyone in person when we can. Have a great weekend and of course another great meeting.
Fascinating presentation, Toby, so much achieved and you have only lived half your life! Well done, Interesting Accountant, for laying down some ground rules for when we meet in body again.