The first meeting of the year and as we emerged from Christmas 18 members braved the early start.
The Performance League
Despite last month consisting of only two meetings the winning points total was 149 with Matt Barry winning again. Last month he had record figures and if we let him win what will effectively be a third month on the bounce, we should be both proud of him and ashamed of ourselves.
Education Presentation
Ben Golding’s theme was appropriate for the first meeting of the year with our thoughts of new beginnings. His subject matter was the setting of goals for the New Year; not to be too ambitious but to set them nevertheless.
New Member Induction & Existing Member Renewal
Terry Maylin relayed the sad news that Rosemarie Driscoll was being forced to leave us due to personal circumstances and as our travel expert she has certainly made a difference to the group during her short stay. We wish her well and we should bear in mind her ongoing availability notwithstanding leaving the group to arrange our holidays for us until we get a replacement.
The 60 Second Round
The last Oscar winner of 2023, Jane Malyon, was not with us today and James Humphreys stood in as this week’s adjudicator. Worryingly he continued to exhibit an interest in meeting burly builders but he assured us that it was for insurance purposes. New Year’s Eve celebrations might explain the slightly sluggish response of members to the opportunity of showcasing their business on what felt to be a cold and dark morning. The way in which everyone downplayed the happy in Happy New Year was only rescued by Leann Reason whose slightly over exaggerated enthusiasm perhaps made-up for the sluggish enthusiasm exhibited by earlier presenters
Many of us chose to re-emphasise what we did by way of introduction. Nick Cooke reminded us of his core services and that this included structural design. Mike Skinner is about to go away on holiday and therefore wasn’t even looking for referrals until the beginning of February. Toby Acton reiterated the education presentation theme that there is no point in suddenly doing something radical. Keep it simple, make fractional changes but undoubtedly have a plan going forward.
Clara Downton was close to enthusiastic over mortgage activity in the current marketplace and that she was going to be making pitches in the New Year for equity release facilities that she can offer. Ben Golding of course was totally enthusiastic as always and was at pains to point out that 1999 was a good year… and why, as well as indicating Utility Warehouse savings of £19.99.
Dave Roberts took the opportunity of reminding us of the fact that they do electrical testing and small jobs as well as big jobs, Both myself and Terry Maylin, without prompting each other found a way of presenting in general terms the work that we do and the work that we are looking for.
The Hammond twins was suitably enthusiastic. John emphasising that he is looking for CCTV work and Blake, ignoring the more combative side of his business and perhaps with an eye to spring, was referring us to his camping equipment both of garments and tents.
Paul Booth used his 60 to ask us to look out for businesses to fill 2 off his available units at the Hermitage.
To some extent the round left the impression that it was a dress rehearsal for next week and future rounds and the Oscar was awarded to Leann Reason if for no other reason that she exhibited levels in enthusiasm that we should all emulate in future meetings.
Meeting Secretaries Report
Scott Griffiths was able to report £15,500 worth of business written. More importantly, with the year-end coming up an emphasis upon getting our business recorded on the website so that we can have an accurate indication of business passed over the last year
10-minute presentation by Scott Griffiths
It was Scott Griffiths again who gave us an insight into his business and how he operated by way of a sort of quiz. It did the job and emphasised how effective he is as a website designer that enables businesses to be very effectively promoted.
Referrals & Testimonials
The Christmas/New Year hangover persisted in the round that emphasised, without being spectacular, the solid business that we’ve passed between each other throughout the year.
I am looking forward to a very lively meeting next week.
Excellent first meeting back, well done to those who made it as it is always difficult after a break to get back to it!
Don’t forget to put in your thank you for the monies and referrals etc before the end of the month so that they are recorded in our annual stats!
Happy New Year everyone!!!
Thanks for the Oscar!
A great Ed slot from Ben Golding. Reminding us how to set goals and stick to them.
A fun 10 mins (actually 15) from Scott Griffiths testing us on how much we know about him and his business.
It’s great to be back!!
Good to see everyone again. Plenty of positive words in the 60 seconds round, just a bit more Ben Ben needed in the delivery next week! Looking forward to seeing what 2024 brings to the group.
Great meeting this morning!! Although it was a struggle getting up when the alarm went off!!
Brilliant 10 ( 15 ) minutes from Scott!! And even more brilliant …can’t believe I won wine🍷!!!
What a great start to 2024!!!
See you in two weeks after I’ve moved!!
A good meeting – nice to be back into the normal weekly routine of early start on Thursdays!!! Great to see everyone again.
great 10 minutes Scott! great to be be back and raring to go for 2024
Sorry to miss Leann’s win and Scott’s quiz! I’ll be back next week with gusto! X
Well after the alarm went off a few times I decided to get up. Great to see most of you after our Xmas break. Brilliant ed slot Ben need to sort out my goals for the year. Excellent 10 minutes Scott and 5 minutes for questions LOL. See you all next week.
I detected a certain Christmas hangover but nevertheless, all considered, a good meeting. Perhaps it was a rehearsal for next week. Enjoy the weekend.
Great to be back despite the bleary eyes. Very sorry to hear of Rosemaries departure from the group though.
Well done Ben and Scott for the presentation slots!
See you all in a few weeks!
It was a great to be back – and have so many members there. I’m glad I remember to reset my alarm…
The bacon sarny didn’t disappoint. And I felt truly humbled to be invited by Paul to sit alongside him in the naughty corner. Now I have the seat, I’ll have to decide if I’m claiming it for all eternity…