19th September 2008 – Hallo Lawrence, goodbye Gavin

19th September 2008 – Hallo Lawrence, goodbye Gavin

Sep 19

Mike Chan sends Stephanie as a sub from Shadow Finance (we’re behind you all the way!) as Abbey Alliance have merged.

Richard Houldsworth reminds us that 93% of customers prefer something to touch and feel and is sponsoring a Young Enterprise initiative for 14-18 year olds. Martin Dunn of Sayers Burtterworth wants referrals to directors of AIM companies and can save 25-50% on accountacy fees. Alexis speaks about talent retention – actually cheaper than replacing good people who have left – might have a referral here as I am having a conference call on Monday with clients of an accountancy firm who want to set up a comprehensive employee benefits scheme and enter for a caring Employer Award.

Jamie Denham of Sliced Bread Animation is moving to Shoreditch near yours truly, so perhaps we will meet more often and he wants people with bugs – not the contagious variety, he has the golf type in mind.

Gavin M-H starts talking to Lewis calling him Lawrence, a trend which continues through the meeting and would like intros to companies considering changing their name – or maybe need to be reminded what it is.

Richard Church the photographer subs for Zoe and her Siemens equipment impressing with his train journey from Croydon to Victoria after photographing the world’s ugliest politician (give us a clue please!) Perfect example of wonderful modern technology where it is quicker to take the train than send the pictures by e-mail!

Roy Duncan wants Financial Directors and Controllers while Mike Nightigale reminds after his 10 minutes last week, that his service is largely about consolidating rather than pure money saving. Simon Dickens of YouMeHeShe architects is busy enough not to need any referrals and keeping him company, Tino Marco wants a holiday home for his mum for her Cyprus holiday getting 3 referrals as a result.

Caroline does a hachet job on a client’s home web page reducing the verbiage fom 500 to 200 words rather like clients who have visited educogym where Neera Menon is subbing for Karelia of Mans & Garrett Property Selection. The latter is still looking for honest reliable people who can be at a client’s new home when they move in and help with little things like: just being there, making a cup of tea or perhaps doing a bit of shopping.

Gavin Hirst’s booming voice reminds us that Paul Marmor of Sherrards solicitors likes suing people and tells the men not die intestate or perhaps look at this website http://www.prostate-cancer.org.uk/info/info.asp Christian wants intros to the House of Commons where there is a huge tender for surveys going which reminds me that I must refer Sarah Inness to you – she helps people with big tenders.

Mike Segall mentions that while 47% of new business comes from existing clients, 43% comes from cold calling which most people hate. A welcome visitor is Mike Bradley of 1st Page Prophets an SEO company who reads out a testimonial where the client says he under promised and over delivered.

Always trying to maintain a cheerful note, my own 60 seconds reminds everyone that this will not be the last economic bloodbath as I was there in 1973 which with hindsight was a very useful financial lesson. George Soros thinks we are still going into the storm rather than coming out of it and a financial plan could provide a path through it,

Louise Hassett of Delfont Mackintosh tells us of the press night of Ivanov by Anton Checkov starring Richard Branagh – you will see the posters on the underground. Kirsty wants intros to event organisers and Hiten is working with Kiss FM a lot. Lewis Malka variously referred to as Lawrence and Elliott throughout the meeting now has £3,000 sponsorship money for his NY marathon with 6 weeks to go.

Master coach George Metcalfe is back fitting a blonde joke into his 60 seconds and gives us the five easiest ways to get new business i) repeat business ii) ask customers for referrals iii) keep in touch with them iv) strategic alliances (no money cost) and v) showcasing.

Christian’s 10 minutes maintains the high standard where the actual questions in his surveys are crucial but letting people write their own comments can poduce much more useful data. A manager like the guy fom The Office thinks he is wonderful but his colleagues think otherwise.

Lastly, Gavin Hirst founder member of Photowonder in the UK is sadly leaving us for Oz 3rd October and will be buying drinks all day at a venue to be decided – starting at 09.30 hrs after the normal meeting. Hope we all heard that correctly

George Emsden