Chairman’s blog Thursday 31st October 2024

The meeting was auspicious in two ways; it was the morning after the budget and the morning of Halloween. In relation to the former, 20 people who are not classified by our government as working people assembled and in relation to the latter, all were prepared to deliver  60 seconds replete with references to ghosts and ghouls.

The Performance League

Scott Griffiths is well out front with an already record-breaking 564 points followed by what would otherwise be a winning total of 346 points by Leann Reason with Paul Corrigan with 235 points. This is the last week of the month so we are not done yet. Please note that all three leaders have introduced visitors to the group this month. Although they have benefited from bonus points it is worth bearing in mind, not only is the invitation of visitors incredibly beneficial to our group because of our conversion rate but the bonus points remain for the month of November. Let’s try and have plenty of visitors this next month.

Education Presentation

With the headdress of a bat but the wisdom of a serial networker, Jane Malyon emphasised the importance of the pre-meeting time when we all get together and talk to one another. Making people feel special is noticing something special in them. The exchange of small details that affect us all can create connectivity that greases the wheels of networking and the consequent business referrals. The exchange of ‘unconsidered trifles’ can be the key to our success as a group.

The 60 Second Round

Paul Corrigan, the current Oscar holder had the task of creating this week’s Oscar winner as well as kicking off the round. He delivered a poem spookily themed to be reflective of his plumbing business that, if he were not adjudicating, would have been a contender.

Matt Barry followed and was suitably scary and produced the word of the day….’ Oomphy’

Mike Skinner gave examples of scariness by quoting Edward Lear’s ‘man on the stair’ and telling of the man who won a staring contest with a doll. And maintaining a literary theme was nothing more than we should have expected from Catherine Foley. Reference of course was to Shakespeare and what could have been better than the witches from the Scottish Play.

Nick Cooke told of a scary survey that he carried out where he had to go into an old unused loft. Fortunately there were no bodies and the house turned out to be structurally sound.

Toby Acton used fear as his theme in relation to the owners of small businesses and their day-to-day concerns. Fears of failure and fears of taking risks to name but two. Toby is there to guide and  support.

Vincent Goode produced an atmospheric piece about being approached by a stranger on a foggy and atmospheric night and converting him into a satisfied customer. Talking about atmospheric’ Blake Hammond had a soundtrack for the horrors that can be found at Ammo Hive.

The TM Law contribution was a little more mundane but equally frightening. Terry Maylin in was all about difficulties with regard to solicitor’s costs and I warned of the failure to get legal advice over things such as wills, LPAs and shareholders agreements at the right time.

If Blake Hammond was feeling tired after his soundtracked 60 seconds his life was about to get less stressful when the ‘bat lady’ from the English Cream Tea Company produced a burger scone suitably filled and finished her presentation with presenting her version of fast food to Blake, his comfort food.

Sartorial award of the week would have gone to Scott Griffiths who had managed to display throughout the meeting a bolt through his neck. It didn’t stop him from eating his granola however!

It was nice to see everyone putting in the effort to the presentations and however good they all were they did not top Ben Golding, who’s poem about customers of Utility Warehouse not being scared by utility bills with only shrinking bills to contemplate and a final invocation to…’Treat your mummy’ sealing his award of the Oscar

This weeks statistics and points of note

16 referrals and just in excess of £16,000 worth of business was announced by Scott Griffiths together with the note for your diary. Last meeting of the year is Thursday 19th December 2024 on the first meeting of the new year will be on the 9th January 2025.

10-minute presentation by Howard Bullock

Wholly appropriate to the morning after the budget was this week’s presenter Howard Bullock from Clear Financial Advice. As always he took a sensible and measured view of not only the budget but the importance of getting your finances right as you look towards saving, pensions and generally the organisation of your financial affairs. Despite his youthful appearance he’s been around for a while; and despite his apparent urge to become a masseur he really is a safe pair of hands as far as referrals for pension and other financial advice.