Chairman’s blog Thursday 9th March 2023

Snow was forecast but thus far it has not materialised. However, stimulated by the prospect of adversity 22 members turned out and we even managed to attract a visitor, Mark Grant. Just because it did not snow, full marks to those members who did turn out. So much for spring!

The Performance League

A positive start to the month shows Ben Golding out front followed by myself and then Toby Acton

Education Presentation

More of a discussion, led by Scott Griffiths, in relation to recording monies received and giving referrals when there is an ongoing contract between a member arising from a referral. Stuart Smallcombe was involved in the discussion because he is someone who has ongoing contracts that involve monthly payments. The need for members to record these regular pieces of business resulted in the acknowledgment that regular ‘thanks for the money’ should be made during the course of the year and the members in receipt of this sort of thanks should be at least putting a referral  on an annual basis to reflect their ongoing commitment to the member. Fundamentally our concern is to ensure that members record all monies that they receive as a result of a referral but also that the referrer gets some sort of credit for his referral.

The 60 Second Round

The Oscar holder was Scott Griffiths and he got the round underway with a request that we look out for people we know who run a business but do not have an appropriate business e-mail address. It is capable of being an easy referral which is relatively inexpensive for the referee.

Fran Brabham-Neil was celebrating the need for her business to increase her team from 6 to 7, good positive news!

Brian Painter has acquired a new ‘work in progress’. A 46-year-old lady who is afraid of storms, a fear that was learned when she was four years old when she became aware of her own mothers fear all those years ago.

In the absence of anyone filling the social media seat, Matt Barry offered his company services in working with you and/or training you to make the most of social media in presenting your business to the world outside.

Although there were no real themes this week there were several good presentations including Mike Hickson pointing out that the speed of your broadband can be affected by other factors including your Wi-Fi and the number of users involved. Mike Rogers urged us all to look at our mortgages as feels the market might have temporarily ‘bottomed out’ and if you are six months away from the end of your mortgage term you should be looking to negotiate a new deal at this stage.

Stuart Smallcombe was at pains to point out that, unlike BT and other large providers, he went out and met his existing clients in order to keep up to date with their ongoing needs.

John Hammond warned of the need for businesses that have installed automatic doors to obtain annual certification. This is something he can do.

Ben Golding was his energetic self in advancing Utility Warehouse’s claim to have the cheapest energy. He was followed by another energetic member, namely Jane Malyon who advocated a happiness calendar. Always make sure that you have something to look forward to, always be upbeat. Some people however have to struggle to reach this level of contentment. Terry Maylin, for example, is dealing with a client who is a prison officer and whose personal injury claim arose from being bitten by a prisoner.

You can’t beat a good business card and Vincent Goode showed us a card that he had produced for a gardener client who’s current business card looked like a plant label.

It was Melissa Jackson however who caught Scott Griffiths’ eye In offering a service that checked out potential clients/customers  in assessing credit risks where work is done without having money up front. Something we didn’t know that she did and which is very useful.

This weeks statistics and points of note

• 22 members present

• 1 visitor in attendance

• 28 referrals given

• £11,000 worth of business recorded

10-minute presentation by Aidan Squire

Yes it was my turn and I regaled you with recent developments in employment law. Everyone stifled yawns, put on their concentration faces and even asked lots of questions afterwards. Thank you all for listening. My hope is that you not only have something to regale your friends and business acquaintances with but you might spot the odd referral

Referrals and Testimonials Round

Over the years I have developed ‘running’ into an art form that is more like a concentrated stroll. I was kept busy by the numbers of referrals this week which bodes well for the future business that is likely to be passed in the coming weeks.