It seems that I was the only one interested in seeking to maintain the fiction that summer was still with us. No one else wore shorts but otherwise 16 members turned up. We remain reduced in number by virtue of holidays. Nonetheless there was a buzz about the place, and we consumed our breakfast with the aid of flags designating the member’s choice. At least it produces a small toothpick for use after consumption of anything that might stick in your teeth.
Performance League
Scott Griffiths was able to announce the winners for August. Paul Corrigan was the runaway victor with 365 points. John Hammond was a brave 269 points behind closely followed by Terry manning with 248 points. A good month!
Education Slot
Stuart Smallcombe was our presenter with perhaps as thoughtful a presentation as we have had so far this year. His subject was reputation which is something that we all have the need to be aware of. Your reputation is not what you say about yourself, but what others say about you. Tips for maintaining our reputation
- Do what you say you’re going to do
- Try and be useful in your contact with others….. How can I help you?
- Be consistent. If you arrange to do something, do it; if you say you will be at an appointment for a certain time, be there on time.
There was nothing that Stuart mentioned that wasn’t both common sense and good sense but that does not necessarily mean that we regularly meet the challenges that he referred to.
Membership Matters
Terry Maylin performed the honours and presented David Rose with his certificate and cardholder.
60-Second Presentation Round
Toby Acton occupied the empty seat vacated by an unwell Jane Malyon (hope you’re feeling better!) He proudly displayed the Oscar and opened the proceedings with a request that people should not be put off by the thought of making a business plan. His will do the job and is only one page long.
Matt Barry has been involved this week in the marketing preliminaries for Brentwood’s first pride event on Sunday. Apparently a very pleasant distraction from the usual day-to-day stuff!
Blake Hammond was it great pains to point out all the ways in which we use AI on a daily basis. A lot of us end up talking to it in the home or in the car as we go about our activities ….. Frightening! He set us up however for a theme that emerged subsequently.
Catherine Foley indicated that in providing her writing services she does not need an AI induced diatribe to reconfigure. Just tell her what you want!
Terry Malin took up the theme complaining about several new inquiries that he had received for initial advice that were at best voluminous and undoubtedly AI induced. He paid no attention to them. His advice was that people should talk to him and he should be able to help them or he can easily clarify if he can’t.
Stuart Smallcombe acknowledged the diversity of his services and did not want to discourage people who were looking to have only one problem looked at. Once again, he is more than happy to have an initial chat.
Our theme was rounded off by Scott Griffiths who acknowledged the simplicity and effectiveness or just chatting to him about what you are looking to achieve with your web sites.
If nothing else the round represented a call to arms for people who just want to behave like normal human beings
Other matters raised by various members included
Paul Corrigan…. Now is the time to get your boiler serviced
Shannon Savedge….. Don’t forget equity release if you’re over 55
Dave Roberts……. Three different ways to deal with condensation and
Howard Bullock……. Beware of the effect of your pension pot on your Inheritance Tax exemptions.
What a good round it was and partly as a nod towards the education slot, Toby Acton awarded the Oscar to Stuart Smallcombe. Which seemed to attract general approval. Congratulations Stuart
Meeting Secretaries Report
This week 12 referrals and £16,500 worth of business recorded. Following up on last month £71,000 things are looking very positive for us
10-Minute Presentation by Member-Name
It was David Rose’s maiden voyage and a very effective one it was too. He gave us a rundown of the events leading up to joining his current business and his involvement in it. He explained about both their storage facilities and also their removals service. Despite having just joined, a couple of us had already taken advantage of his services and were suitably fulsome in their testimonials. Welcome to the madhouse Dave!
Referrals and testimonials
A lively round given the referrals and new business that is being passed.
Finally, as announced at the beginning of the meeting, we are actively pursuing visitors and thereby new members. Each month there will be two target businesses and for September we have selected jewellers and travel agents. If we could all focus not only on visitors but these particular ones hopefully, we’ll maintain the momentum of recent weeks.
A most excellent Ed Slot from Stuart followed by a relaxed and assured first 10 mins from Dave
A worthy Oscar win from Stuart too – excellently judged in my opinion too…
Good meeting this morning, and well done Dave. And me.
Great meeting today! Wonderful energy in the room and some brilliant referral opportunities being passed around
Great first 10 minutes David – well done. What can I say – the Ed Slot was sooooo good that it deserved a whole blog of its own!
Great meeting all. Dave Rose, 10 mins was superb! Loved ed-slot and everyones company, hope you all have a great weekend
A great ed slot from Stuart to start us off and is really is true, reputation is everything.
Also a great first 10 minute presentation from Dave II really enjoyed that.
A great meeting and an entertaining blog as usual (I love Aidan’s ruminations on shorts and toothpicks!) Excellent presentations from both David and Stuart.