A Perry van removing another satisfied customer

Bob addressed the first SBB of 2012 and the audience were delighted to hear about the removal from Downing Street and other prestigious moves that his team have undertaken. Perry’s head office is in Dunmow but they also have more local outlets in Essex, Cambridge and Suffolk.

During the second breakfast meeting of 2012, Steve Daniels (Access To Profit) drew our attention to the article
During the second breakfast meeting of 2012, Steve Daniels (Access To Profit) drew our attention to the article ‘Cuts that leave your firm leaner and fitter’ featured in the Entrepreneur column of the Financial Times, January 14/15 2012, by Jonathan Moules. The article describes how companies are converting austerity drives into long-term benefits by deploying cost-reduction experts such as AccessTo Profit.

We also heard from Lyne Driscol about NLP communication systems and how we process information differently by a combination of audio, visual and kinesthetic receptors. By recognising which of these traits colleagues rely upon most to assimmilate information can help us communicate better with them. If you wish to learn more about NLP or just need a stress relieving session then contact Lyne direct via lynedriscoll.co.uk

We look forward to further 10 minute presentations in February from Derren Bridge and others.

Visitors to Friday’s SBB included business promoter Riitta Soininen from citylocal Epping Forest, Lynn Bound MD of storage and logistics experts TASS Enterprises and Ian Westall representing data-storage provider Sentry42. We also welcomed the very brave and inspirational campaigner T. Sandeman-Charles.

In the ten minute slot “T” spoke about how her highly successful business career was curtailed having been diagnosed with a life threatening condition. She is now devoted to encouraging more organ donors and through her save5 campaign aims to recruit 10,000 extra organ donors. Learn more from the save5 website or follow save5lives on Twitter.

SBB dates in October feature Mitch Horner, Horner Office Solutions on the 28th but next up is Angie Rains from the Malins Group. All visitors are especially welcome, no pressure to join, just mix, join the fun and make valuable contacts.

Choosing TenderAssist as a volunteer, David Owen presented an interactive demonstration of how to examine the business and understand the aspirations of the owner to identify the critical factors.

He went on to explain how these key factors are inter-related and what action should be taken to create a robust repeatable process.

This presentation prompted lively debate and several members were keen to air their views. David’s presentations are always very interesting, informative and inspiring. Learn more by visiting David Owen Associates.

Next up 02/09: Mark Arnold (CDRDA) – Architectural graphics and visualisations

Paul took the ten minute slot to introduce a new on-line platform to help organise and promote events. Eventility is a free organisational tool that deploys distribution partners to promote activities through the Web. If your are a football coach organising training session and fixtures or a fundraiser participating in a charity event eventility will help widen your appeal.

Look them up on Twitter @eventility or  facebook eventility.

In our next meeting 24 June Rob Conroy (Icon) will brief us about more succesful business strategies.

However, we could benefit from more members participating and more frequent tweets. Take StationeryBob for example, who regularly beats the competition’s prices for replacement cartridges and office supplies. When Bob announces his latest offer to his 79 followers, he also benefits from a feed to this page – reaching you and our legions of readers. Furthermore, being a member, Bob’s message gets amplified by re-tweeting to SBB’s 100+ followers.

Who is likely to receive Bob’s tweets? For a start Bob can broadcast his message to reach buyers in Cheshire through CreweNantwich, Cambridge via TrinityBNI, Colchester(ColchCirclemag and Coolcolchester), Harlow (PINGHarlow and harlowchamber), Braintree District Council, essex_business, Loughton through 4NLoughton and London (londonchamber). Whats more, other SBB followers, predominantly local businesses also get the message.

We are looking forward to the day that Bob takes his first order as a direct result of our social network and hopefully that day is close. In fact, as you read this blog you just may be reminded that your printer cartridge is low or you need more paper or a new desk, if so tweet StationeryBob for a quote!

In the meantime, you can join us for business breakfasts at our future meetings. No pressure to join just test the atmosphere and see if it suits.

Visitors wishing to promote their businesses will find SBB members engaged, accommodating and willing to offer helpful advice on a range of business issues. So if you are considering the benefits of local networking why not try visiting our next breakfast? Just £12!

Attendees can look forward to home security expert Eric Chorley demonstrating the very latest Wi-Fi technologies to keep your family, home and office safe from unwanted intrusion.

The SBB Golf day at Warley Park, Brentwood will take place 12th May 2011, contact Lisa Symons (Abbey Antiques) for details.

NB Mike Symonds latest travel blog accessed via http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mikeanddyana/1/1301436403/tpod.html

Property solicitor Danielle Lane presented Bains Cohen, Paul Turner of Ladybird Communications introduced new generation telephone systems and FOREX consultant Jeff Slade explained the benefits of jbe associates for foreign transactions.

We also heard from business coach, Nick Ruddle (action coach), promotional gift specialist Maxine Churchman from Monk Marketing, SEO specialist David Viniker and Ian Hudson from local copier and printer Copyzone.

In the minute presentations, Chairman, David Hatmil announced his new venture, Tender Assist aimed at helping organisations compete for public sector tendering. Services include preparation for OJEU tendering, accreditations, completing the PQQ questionnaire, completing the ITT documentation and presentations.

During her 10-minute presentation, Sue Ellen described how she had helped a range of local companies expand their customer base by scheduling sales appointments and conducting telephone surveys. Assignments have included canvassing polls of listeners for two local radio stations. For more information, contact Sue Ellen at DMS.

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SBB Twitter – new followers: Amanda Hill, social media | NationwideBiz, businesses for sale | Ian_McCulloch, best of Bishop’ s Storford | MonkEssex, promotional gifts. Now following: Leisurebreaks | CopyzoneLimited | maandco | wearemulberry | AdamBFernandes | Nigel_Cook | paulahine | Amanda_Hill | janemalyon | and FSBEssex.

Next meeting, 3rd September. Clay pigeon shoot, 4th September.

Deal of the week – 750g Nescafe £19.99

Sally Loxton’s Advance Digital Graphics will go to any lengths to provide their clients with quality display graphics for banners, pop-ups, vinyls and signage. Based in Witham, just off the A12, look them up for your next expo media.

During breakfast Simon Rose (Rose Opticians) suggested a collaboration for “Bishop’s Stortford Means Business Exhibition” in October, several members expressed an interest. We also heard praise for Lynne Driscoll from Rob Conroy, for her role in a recent business referal.

Steve Daniels, MD of Access to Profit presented their cost reduction services. Of particular relevance to venture capitalist and multi-site organisations aiming to drive down operating costs. In a recent case, the energy saving achieved by ATP effectively saved the jobs of three of their client’s staff.

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Forthcoming social events include clay pigeon shooting, Proms at Audley End and a picnic on a canal barge.
Followers on Twitter: 78

Rob Conroy transforms underperforming businesses

In thirty years of senior management in telecoms and mobile telecoms Rob has directed national and international sales teams and commissioned national marketing campaigns. He has been responsible for network operations, logistics and specialist project management and has run businesses up to £100m turnover.

With the support of internationally renowned ICON Business Solutions Rob delivers measurable success for businesses that had previously underperformed. In one recent case, Rob employed a new works manager leading to a vastly enhanced bottom line for the owners, who now have time and the money to enjoy their hobbies.

Hard pressed business owners, working 60+ hours a week should call Rob for a free initial consultation – 0845 434 9566.

Thanks to Sue Ellen (DMS) who introduced the group to Maxine Churchman from Monk Marketing Partnership. Specialists in promotional gifts and branded corporate clothing, they source gifts globally to offer innovative and competitive branding ideas. We were also delighted that Jill Poet, Managing Director of the Organisation for Responsible Business (ORB) visited again to remind the group about the responsible business directory.

+ + + News Extra + + +

lengthWISE campaign – Ladies are you fed-up with buying a dress online or trying it on in the fitting room, only to discover that what looked to be nicely knee length is halfway up your thigh?  Yup, us too.  That’s why 60&Sensational has launched its lengthWISE campaign for women of ALL ages to encourage brands and designers to provide details of skirt and dress lengths to make it easier to buy, especially online.

Whatever age you are, do join the lengthWISE campaign on our website http://www.60andsensational.co.uk/html/s02_article/article_view.asp?keyword=Campaign

or on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/lengthWISE-campaign-for-more-information-on-labels/107900772593689?ref=sgm

An audience of advocates heard David explain just how he helps companies mature by introducing structure, systems and organisation. His current portfolio of clients include a bio-tech group,  he is assisting them secure clinical approval for their oxygen healing pads. He is also guiding several technology companies through their respective ISO accreditations.

Based in Cambridge and London, David has close ties with several business associations and is a keen supporter of SBB. Organisations seeking the path to the next level should contact David Owen for an exploratory discussion. dowen@iee.org

Later this week (9th) we look forward to a presentation from Rob Conroy from Icon Business Solutions. Rob focuses on helping business owners achieve more value from the day-to-day business activities.

Bob, Dennis, Eric, Rob + 2, Debbie, Steve, Clive and Lisa ready for off, next stop The White Hart.

July 4th, several SBBers cycled twenty miles through the Essex country lanes to the White Hart in Moreton. There Simon Rose met up with our group. Casualties including Bob’s “stationary” bike and Steve’s “worn” tyre. Nevertheless, glorious sunshine and a scenic route taking in thatched villages, country piles and classic sports cars made for a very enjoyable and relaxing Sunday afternoon. Thanks to Debbie and Clive for planning the route.

New followers on Twitter include restaurant guide Istarvin, June Wilson and expert marketing coach Debra Zimmer. Forthcoming socials, 1st August – Narrow Boat from Harlow, Proms at Audley End – contact Lisa Symons, Abbey Antiques.