Happy New Year to all members, particularly those who are extending their post-Christmas hibernation until next week. It was dark, surprisingly mild and a pleasure to be back networking. To get things moving into the new year we had an intimate gathering whose relative informality was not only a change from the usual but pleasantly effective. Metaphorically it was a warm up for the regularity of the main event that will be next week’s meeting. We will be missing Ben Golding for a few weeks as he tussles with the National Health System and we wish him well and back with us as soon as possible. In the meantime Paul Booth will be his stand in
The Performance League
Scott Griffiths reported the result of last month’s league and the winner was Tina Walker ahead of Terry Maylin and Paul Booth.
Education Presentation
Paul Booth, in the chair in Ben’s absence, delivered this week’s presentation. EBFs Anniversary is towards the end of February and he suggested that it would be a good time to review our statistics to date and make sure that we record all referrals and monies passed. It is important for the group to have accurate figures as well as making sure the points are properly and are allocated. Check your diaries and your records and make sure you bring everything up to date using the electronic recording facilities afforded by the website.
The 60 Second Round
A more relaxed affair than usual, with our reduced numbers, creating the impression of travellers huddled round the campfire exchanging hopes and fears for the new year.
Stuart Smallcombe was adjudicating the Oscar and indicating that Open Reach’s getting rid of something to do with copper wire by 2025 probably wouldn’t happen but that was no reason to discourage any potential new clients for Stuart contacting him over this perceived reorganisation.
Tina Walker by contrast was looking back to the end of the just gone year and the possible failure by any of us to keep our paperwork up to date. She can help to enable any business owner to look forward rather than back. Part of looking forward is to make sure you’ve got your paperwork in order when you deal with your clients and the work that you do for them. Terry Maylin was able to recite a case where the client had not sufficiently identified the person that he was contracting with. It made proceeding further to recover monies owed impractical. TM Law can assist in making sure that you’ve got your contractual documentation in order as well as chasing money for you where they can.
Mike Skinner has his eyes on bigger contracts in relation to the video work that he does. He’s happy to continue working with SMEs to help bolster their websites but bigger organisations looking to video conferences, speeches etc would represent good business going forward. Vincent Goode continues to consider the business card the most cost effective way of getting your name in front of people and apart from his usual high quality product he also produces beautifully crafted and very expensive business cards that would make you look good and make him feel even better.
James Humphreys, perhaps trying to maintain the Christmas spirit, is looking for pubs and restaurants although his reason is not to eat but sell them insurance products that might well be necessary but not hitherto contemplated.
Paul Booth has been getting unusual clients through his doors and is happy to continue doing so…… Celebrants and Falconer’s to name but two. There is obviously money in eradicating vermin as far as the latter is concerned.
And the winner of the Oscar was Mike Skinner for his ambition as well as his presentation!!
10-minute presentation by Scott Grifffiths
A very effective and interesting presentation was also well suited to the ‘campfire’ atmosphere. After Scott had given us a run-down of his working history he introduced us to his new venture that is currently in the making. He is introducing website care plans to maintain an ongoing service for the websites that he hosts. He outlined his ideas and his approach and sought feedback which was very forthcoming, very useful and helped him get over his new approach to his website management. Brilliant!
Referrals and thanks for monies received were passed round the table and there ended the first meeting of the year.
Great 10 minutes Scott. The back and forth questioning approach was really interesting. Great way to take advantage of the experience in the room.
Good to be back!
Thanks for the Oscar, though may dig out this work appeal again down the line to the rest of the members!
Sorry for not being there this morning. My absence was due to Lily’s 18th birthday. I’m not happy about it and am trying to figure a way of turning the clock back 10 years. Any tips would be most welcome!
Great to be back!
Great meeting and a great 10 mins Scott. It has certainly got me thinking!!
A superbly crafted blog from our spiritual leader Mr Squire Esquire. It was intimate and very enjoyable, but I can’t help bemoaning the 14 or so members who were absent for whatever reason which I’m sure were perfectly valid. It’s a weekly committment and we should all be mindful of that. Rant over, happy new year all x
Ruddy marvellous! Missing all the meeting buzz. Well done everyone x
A great meeting for the start if the year, a really interesting 10 minutes from “The Webmaster” and an inspiring Ed Slot. See you all next week.
well done Scott it’s not easy to do something different when you have been doing it as long as you have! Nice intimate meeting and those who weren’t there lost out on an excellent presentation.
Small but perfectly formed – and that’s just Tina!
Great meeting despite the low numbers and a good introduction back to work and the year ahead
Wow, top of the leaderboard for December first time. Well done Scott on your 10 minutes and great ed slot Paul B. Although short on members it was a great meeting for the first in 2023. Happy new year everyone!
Have a great weekend and see you all next Thursday.
I was absent only in body but not in mind. Some unwanted bug has invaded my person and annihilated my appetite, and, worse, demolised my taste of alcohol! However, I enjoyed our Chairman’s blog, it raised my spirits. Congrats to the winners, particularly our pocket rocket, Tina, so well deserved. On a positive note, the “bug” has shed 11lbs of unwanted fat and still counting! Hope to be with you next week.