Blake Hammond anticipated our Christmas meeting by two weeks wearing full Santa onesie complete with matching cap (reversed). That no one seemed to notice is a tribute to something……….We were 19 including Blake although it seemed more.
Performance League
The results were for the month of November and Scott Griffiths was the winner on 229, Mike Skinner on 224 and Paul Corrigan on 202. With 90% beating the month’s baseline it was a good month.
Education Slot
Sarah Smith was interesting. It is normally Toby Acton who talks maps….of the motivational kind. Sarah talked maps of a networking kind. First, map out all of your connections, then categorise; strong ties, weak ties, fresh ties and dormant ties. It is the weak ones that can surprise and become magic ties!
What stood out however was a new vision of what a spanner is. Not something that enables you to tighten your nuts but some thing or rather someone who spans. A networking connector. We can all aspire to become spanners!
A highly interesting and inventive intro to the meeting.
Membership Matters
Terry Maylin had a lot for us today; Dave Moore and Mellissa Jackson have not been renewed. Catherine Foley has and has successfully applied for the Mark of Excellence. If you’ve been with us for a year and have not done so feel free to do so.
He also warned that there were about six renewals in the pipeline for the early new year so watch this space.
It is always disappointing when we lose a member but on the basis that ‘the King is dead…….’ We are reminded with the loss of James earlier this year and Mellissa this month that there are very valuable seats available, namely Insurance Broker and Insolvency practitioner. We should all specifically give some thought to these two categories. Let’s try and get replacements in place for the New Year.
60-Second Presentation Round
The theatrically clad Blake Hammond was adjudicating the Oscar this week. His array of choice was characterised by a ‘short but sweet’ approach by a lot of the members.
Sally Waters was looking for stockists for her products, Mike Skinner for businesses to benefit from the power of video in their promotion.
Paul Corrigan was looking for Boilers to service, Catherine Foley for home schoolers, Dave Roberts ,small jobs, and Clara Downton, people looking for a Mortgage now that we have lost Budget uncertainty.
John Hammond is only concerned that in relation to security you get some one who will ‘do it right’ and Sarah Smith limited herself to asking for businesses that might need holiday cover over Christmas.
Terry Maylin unusually was explaining why mediation is not always the way forward and Toby Acton with the mask of Janus in mind as we approach the end of the year was looking both back at the year gone by and the new year in prospect for his business clients.
Pride of place went to Stuart Smallcombe however for his explanation as to how in the provision of Microsoft Licences he was supplying a service that his clients might not know they need!!!
10-Minute Presentation by David Roberts
It was Dave Roberts this week who, with the aid of a TV screen illustrated the extent of his business. Highlight for some of us was that he had been involved in changing all the Lamp Posts in Lakeside Retail Park. It was a comprehensive and helpful review for members. From Battery Storage Systems to Fuse Boards it was all there to see. Very effective!!
Referrals and Testimonials Round
It’s always a good sign when you average a referral per member. That plus £15,000.00 worth of business recorded represented a good return and a lively round and there was the additional celebration as announced by Scott Griffiths in the Meeting Secretary’s Report that the EBF forest has spread to a ground covering 360 trees.
See you all next week
Very enjoyable meeting off to a great start with Sarah’s’ ed slot and an excellent presentation from our electrician Dave who clearly knows his stuff!
Great meeting as always. Sarah’s Ed slot was really practical and helpful and Dave’s presentation was excellent.
Can’t wait to see what Blake will wear next week!
Dont encourage him Catherine!!!
Thanks one and all for a great meeting! As always, leave buzzing!
Excellent meeting, great ed slot from Sarah and ten minutes from David. See you next Thursday.
Lovely to see everyone, and especially enjoyed Dave’s 10 minutes, really informative. I left energised and inspired, as usual!
Excellent Ed Slot from Sarah followed by an insightful and interesting 10 mins from Dave. Well deserved Oscar for Stuart
Waking up early and driving in the dark along the A12 at 6am is not the best, but it is worth it. These meetings never fail to disappoint, I come away motivated and like I’ve just had a coffee with friends. A really great ed slot from Sarah, reminding us all what networking is all about. A great 10 minutes from our electrician, David of Mercury Electricals. Knowing I’ve got someone who keeps up to date and so knowledgeable is such a comfort. Thanks everyone, see you next week.
This was another great meeting.