SBC MEETING REPORT NOVEMBER 2006
Well, once more we tried
a new venue for our monthly meeting, and we were very
pleasantly surprised – more of that later…We
headed eastwards across Surrey to Cuddington
Golf Club, near Banstead,
where SBC stalwarts Richard Jones and Paul Cawthorne
are both members (needless to say, they both took
the opportunity of playing the course that same afternoon!)
We had been looking forward
to a presentation from SBC’s very own award-winning
marketing professional Gerry Brierley, but even ‘super-woman’
entrepreneurs are only human, and she unfortunately
had to drop out through illness at the eleventh hour.
Luckily Paul used his massive contacts database to
draft in local marketing specialist Nick Schreider
to fill Gerry’s half of the double bill. Thanks
Nick!
The evening began in the
Members’ Bar - so the initial networking session
was informal rather than structured, and none the
worse for it! Then came the biggest surprise of the
evening as we were all ushered into the Club Dining
Room for a sit-down meal. Every one was amazed as
we lined up for a hot pasta main course with a prawn
salad alternative, and then were served a choice of
desserts, including exotic steamed pudding and custard
and brandy-snap boats with fresh fruit and ice cream
– delicious!
The presentations took
place right there in the dining room over coffee and
mints, and it really was like having two after-dinner
speakers. Vintage sports car enthusiast Eddie
Barnes of Brian Johnston Insurance
proved as entertaining as he was informative, regaling
us with stories, jokes and anecdotes, whilst at the
same time highlighting some key issues we should all
beware when it comes to protecting ourselves and our
businesses with essential cover. There were a few
very thoughtful expressions on the faces around the
room by the time he finished!
Nick Schreider
then stepped into the breach to deliver a light-hearted
look at marketing for small businesses, again with
some great underlying messages for us all, with tips
including remembering to say ‘thank you’
to our customers. Common sense it may well be –
but how many of us actually do it?
Finally – well fed,
watered, informed and entertained - we adjourned to
the Members’ Bar to round off yet another great
SBC evening. Perhaps we should seriously consider
changing to become a Supper Club? Then again, looking
at the waistline, with Christmas in the offing, perhaps
not!
Click
for slideshow
