BRX Bond Street

Another cracking meeting was had by all this week, especially our resident mortgage broker Nigel Hakkak. This week he was very specific in what he was looking for and asked for friends we know who are getting divorced. A lovely theme for Valentines Day, don’t you think? The amazing thing is, that he picked up 5 of the 39 referrals passed this week in our BRX Bond Street meeting. Well done sir.

And I suppose a key way to be specific is to go through the exercise I told you all on Friday. Do you remember what it was? Just four simple steps to improve your 60 second presentation.
Step 1. Suppose you have been asked by someone to go out and rent a movie. What would it be?
Step 2. Now suppose you were meant to bring back a movie for a loved one, would it still be the same movie?
Step 3. Now suppose that the loved one in question was not your spouse, as I am sure you were thinking it was, but it was for your nephew. Would it still be the same movie?
Step 4. Now suppose I said that your nephew has a love for a superhero. And that that the superhero wears a red and blue costume with a big “S” on his chest. Which movie would you rent now?

I do hope you all picked the same character as me and that it is Superman. That is the way to be specific. So please spend 20 minutes each week, maybe on the afternoon before the meeting, and think about what you are looking for. Write it down and be specific. You could end up as next weeks top receiver when it comes to the referral round.

As always it was nice to see visitors in the room this morning. I do believe there were 5 around the table. Which brings me on to the league table for visitors. Thanks Mike for keeping a tally. Here is an extract from his email sent out after the meeting.
—
As you are all aware we are part way through our drive to recruit new members to Bond Street. Consequently I thought it a good idea to update you all on the competition standings so far:

Lewis – 3 guests
Richard – 2 guests
Mike – 2 guest
Hiten – 1 guest
Mab – 1 guest
George – 1 guest
Louise – 1 guest

I could also add to the list those members who are yet to invite a guest but that would be harsh wouldn’t it!!!!! YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!! We need you help and support to build the numbers.

I know a number of you have more guests invited over the coming weeks. It would be great to see everyone with at least one invite to their name.

Your efforts are much appreciated and remember we will all benefit as the membership increases. More people round the table, more referral will be generated.

Regards and keep inviting.

Mike Nightingale
—
Well, thanks Mike for the update. If any members do have guests coming, please inform our beautiful guest coordinator Louise and she will add them to the list. If you are one of the many people who read this blog every week and don’t know anyone personally in the group and would like to attend, please email any of us and we will be more than willing to help.

On a personal note, thank you to a few of you who have already sponsored me for the London Marathon which is in 9 weeks. I am trying to raise money for an excellent cause and do need your help. It’s best to do it now so I don’t hound you in person. Just click here and it will take you to my Just Giving page.

Enjoy your Valentines Day, and if any of you are looking for proposal ideas, then click here and take your pick. If you want to add your own thats not listed, please email me through the website.

See you Friday, Lewis.
You can follow me at twitter.com/lewismalka

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There are a number of strategies we can use and each has its own merits, depending on where our group is in its growth cycle – being a large group we will have a different approach to a small group that might be struggling to make up the numbers.

The first thing to bear in mind – is that when you invite a person to your BRX meeting, you are not inviting them to become members (that is a decision for the membership committee).

The moment you understand that, inviting people becomes so much easier, because all your job entails is inviting them along to a networking breakfast.

The following wording might be useful: “I’d like to invite you along to my breakfast networking meeting next week – you will get to meet potential customers and learn something. On top of that the coffee and cooked breakfast is a pleasure and well worth getting up for!

Now where are you going to find these people? I am sure that we all have working allegiances not represented in the group. Invite them.

Most of us shop these days, and whether it’s Tesco, or any other supermarket, or in fact just about any DIY store, people to invite are just sitting there right in front of us at the checkout.
If you haven’t done so before, have a look at the wall behind the tills: you will find a large business card holder full of cards of companies looking for business. The companies that advertise there are spending a great deal of money to have their cards on display. They are looking for business.

And, that’s the key: they are looking for more business. That’s all a visitor is, someone who is looking for more work, nothing more. It doesn’t even matter if there are 3 people from the same category. This is called a focused approach where by more than one person from a category comes and the 2nd one feels the first one will join, so they sign up too and there is suddenly the luxury for the committee to decide which one to have. Perfect scenario.

Now in the past I have mentioned to be selfish and invite someone who you will benefit from. Lets move the goal posts slightly and let me say this.

Look for clients instead of strategic alliances. I want you to think,
1. Who do your clients use before they use you?
2. What do your clients need during their time with you?
3. Who do your clients use after they have used you?

Wouldn’t it be great to become a resource centre for your clients? Just imagine what that will do to your reputation. Those are the class of people you should be inviting.

Good luck and I hope you are as excited as I am to get our group back where it belongs. 30+ members. It’s nothing less than we deserve.

As always if there are any questions, or if anyone is struggling, please ask me for help. Only to happy. See you Friday with a guest.

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A new chapter begins for the members of London’s most successful networking group. BRX Bond Street has a new Chairman, Richard Houldsworth from Splatt Print. He takes over from Mike Nightingale of Green Park Insurance Services. Richard’s first meeting at the helm was of course faultless. Another change see’s Louise Hassett, from Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, take over the roll of guest and visitor coordinator from Kirsty Joly, our resident Choclatier. Good luck to all in their new roles.

The Bond Street meeting lived up to its reputation on the 5th Feb. “Vibrant, good humoured but of course professional” was how it was described to me by one visitor. Another stated “there was a real purpose in the air, everybody was clear about who they wanted to be introduced to”

A little tip for all you networkers out there, be specific with requests when pitching for business or referrals. Bond Street members are living proof this approach works. Last week a member wanted introductions to decision makers in Molton Brown, hey presto, a lead was forthcoming. During Friday’s meeting the request was for contacts within PWC, once again the member was not disappointed.

BRX Bond Street prides itself on keeping things fresh and interesting for its members. The group welcomed 4 guests to the most recent meeting, all of who went away with potential business or contacts to build upon. All this and a hearty breakfast!

I would recommend anyone who is looking to increase their business volumes to come and visit the members at BRX Bond Street. You will be welcomed with a smile, a great breakfast and the chance to network with London’s best-connected group of individuals. Don’t believe me, give it a try…..

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Hi everybody,

As it is Tuesday and as I have remembered, please make sure that everyone who passed a referral on Friday follows up on it. Go back to your yellow copy and take action.
If you received a referral, have you made contact yet? Was there a phone number? If not speak to the person who gave it to you and ask them to follow up.

IMPORTANT, when you pass a referral you pass some of your reputation and credibility too. Make sure you don’t loose any of it.

I look forward to seeing you all nice and early on Friday with plenty of visitors.
Any questions on referrals, please ask me.
You can now follow me on Twitter.
Have a good day.

Lewis

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It’s amazing how things happen. I was at our venue, The RAF Club on Piccadilly early on Friday morning flat on my back in a dark room. This was due to the fact I injured myself collecting a guest to bring to the morning meeting. However as I am not one to complain, I continued with the meeting in a professional manner.

We had a nice full meeting today with only a couple of absentees, but there were 6 guests who all were keen to meet other like minded people and try to help each other pass business to each other. Brilliant.

As a result of that there were 34 referrals passed and some amazing opportunities to do business. In fact one piece of business was carried out in front of everyones eyes as Richard Holdsworth of Splatt Print had his order delivered during the 60 second round by resident jeweller Lewis Malka of Joseph Sterling. The order was received on Monday, and I delivered the Eternity ring on the Friday during the meeting. What service!!!

A quick update for you all.

As you are all aware we are part way through our drive to recruit new members to Bond Street. Consequently I thought it a good idea to update you all on the competition standings so far:

Lewis – 2 guests
Richard – 2 guests
Mike – 1 guest
Hitten – 1 guest
Mab – 1 guest
George – 1 guest
Louise – 1 guest

I know a number of you have more guests invited over the coming weeks. It would be great to see everyone with at least one invite to their name by the end of February.

Your efforts are much appreciated and remember we will all benefit as the membership increases.

The first thing to bear in mind, is that when you invite a person to our BRX you are not inviting them to become members (that is a decision for the membership committee). The moment you understand that, inviting people becomes so much easier, because all your job entails is inviting them along to a networking breakfast.

If you have any reservations or questions, then please feel free to call me or email me and I will be only to happy to help you. Until then have a great weekend. See you Friday, and I just want to leave you with some words which I hope will inspire you until then.

“The meaning of life is to find your gift, the purpose of life is to give it away.” ~ Joy J. Golliver

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Meeting on 29th January 2010

What a full meeting it was today, with a total of 28 regular BRX members and visitors we were pretty much elbow to elbow around the table.

Scene similar to that of this morning

First to kick off the 60 seconds round was Richard Houldsworth from Splatt Print who is looking for some trousers. Well actually Pants to be precise. You see Richard has recently done some work with Pants for Poverty who have a production chain from source to supply that is environmentally friendly and socially responsible. And this is also exactly what Splatt Print is all about, they supply quality print services using environmentally friendly practices such as vegetable based inks, low energy printers and they even car share. Richard is looking for companies that have similar social values.

Richard’s pants were unavailable for comment

Next up we had Des Sutton from Man Bytes Dog who’s passion for providing IT Solutions is what drives him out of bed, even when it is pouring with rain! Des helps companies add more to their bottom line by offering them local managed services for their IT. What this means is that they can get full corporate mail services without having to invest £1000’s into IT hardware. Des does not just fix problems, he puts solutions in place. Currently, Des is looking for channel partners to market his services so he is looking for everyone’s IT consultant to make him even busier.

Another very busy Bond Streeter is Kirsty Joly from Perfectly Tempered Artisan Chocolates who provides bespoke artisan chocolates for corporate and individual clients. Not only is she working with a PR company for a big launch, she is also training 7 journalists to make chocolate. And if that is not enough, there is Valentine’s day just around the corner for which some of us will be buying chocolates for those last minute presents.

Whilst we are talking about Valentine’s presents, Lewis Malka of Joseph Stirling has an inventive way of helping us buy jewellery for our loved ones. Lewis hosts Gold Parties in which you and your friends can sell all of your unwanted gold, a bit like the tupperware parties of the 80’s only without the shoulder pads and dodgy perms. Lewis will allow you trade in your old jewellery against some lovely new shiny designs for your partner, bound to make them happy!

Some dodgy perms yesteryear

News and views are just a few of the things you will hear from Mike Segall on Jnet Radio. Recent guests on his business program have included Gerald Ronson, Ron Proser and singer Natalie Williams and all BRX members are welcome to chat to him live on the show. What a great way of getting your message across the airwaves.

If you would like to get your message across visually, then Hiten Thakar of Revolution can help with his innovative graphic design agency based in East London. He understands client’s requirements and creates a visual style to position them in the market place. They also ensure that corporate images are always up to date.

Being up to date is crucial, especially if you run your business whilst travelling. Mab from Tancroft Communications provides just that. With solutions from Blackberries to Mobile Broadband, you will find a way to spend less time in the office and more time presenting to your clients.

Client presentations are always a tricky thing and if you use Powerpoint, you may want to tap the brain of Jamie Denham from Sliced Bread Animation. Jamie has been doing work with Powerpoint and can put together animation bits for slides. He has also done 20 pieces for a large well known bank recently. Jamie is currently looking for internal comms and marketing directors.

Caroline Hampstead also works with people in marketing. Caroline is a copyrighter and her role mainly consists of thinking up ideas and writing marketing based material. She is currently working with an ad agency for a holiday and is looking for other ad agencies.

Someone who did take a bit of a holiday this morning was Louise Hassett from Delfont Macintosh Theatres as she had a staff party last night and may have had a little tee many Martoonis! Delfont Macintosh own 7 theatres in West London and Louise can organise a luxury experience complete with lots of Champers and even a private loo!

Experiences that are seasonally and geographically challenged are what you get at Your World which launched last year. This morning, Justin Beavis told us how they are about to open their first centre in Lakeside this year with more centres around the country in the future. He would like a public figure to act as a chairman and represent the business.

If you want your business to represent and run itself, Christian Ingerslev from Danesoft can provide tools such as online order processing, shopping carts and ensuring security levels are up to date. Current projects include the Poppy Appeal website and Christian can also make your lovely website fit perfectly on all mobile phones just like magic.

“Nobody is told to do anything, the magic comes out of the client,” Wise words indeed from our wise Coach and Mentor, George Metcalfe who is currently looking for lonely afraid CEO’s of major companies.

Afraid and lonely too is David Coburn of BRX who spends all his time focussing on BRX and finding new members.

Looking for high net worth individuals is premier banker Liz from HSBC who can also offer them overseas accounts if they relocate to any country where there is a HSBC.

And high net worth individuals always need bespoke and specific insurance for their assets. This is where Mike Nightingale of Green Park Insurance comes in. Mike has helped a client with their building insurance when they converted a large house into 4 flats and would like to speak to anyone who has a need for general insurance. Naturally, Mike’s client is very happy.

And happiness is what you would find from Alexis Garnaut-Miller from the Happiness Centre who help companies cope with stress management and employee well being. It is a well known fact that people are 20% more productive when happy!

You know you can’t help it!

Chuffed are the clients that set up their mortgages with Nigel Hakak from Red Brick Financial. Nigel recently dealt with a couple who were about to sell their business and were looking for a mortgage that they could pay off within the next 2 years. Nigel found them a mortgage that was flexible enough for their needs.

Nigel also had the 10 minute presentation slot today where he spoke about the mortgages he offers and also the types of referrals that are good for him, namely Estate Agents and First Time Buyers.
We also heard of his other business, ZFA Inventory, who work on behalf of Estate Agents and Landlords and provide a schedule of the condition of properties.

“How much have I got? LOADS!!”

When it comes to money matters, Farhad from HSBC can help companies with their commercial banking. Farhad is always on the looking out for companies that are sized from 1 man to medium sized. And if you need help in counting all your money, the Roy Duncan from RG Duncan can provide you with Financial Directors to Bookkeepers. Roy is a qualified accountant himself and he is looking for new financial employees to place.

And Martin Dunne from Sayer Butterworth has been helping out a family architect business save money. Just like Martin, all the partners at Sayer Butterworth have worked at the top 20 accountant firms in the UK. An ideal referral for Martin would be an entrepreneur.

Finally, we had a few guests this week: Jay Dignan from Namuh who deals with adventure holidays, Ben Bavy from BCP who deals in project finance, Navneet Hult from Ghrow who trains sales people, Bal from Pure Finance who is an IFA, Guy Stores who is a professional diver and Michael Dodd from Michael Dodd Media who deals presentation training.

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