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September's meeting
by Tim Lowe
Faringdon Business Breakfast Club (FBBC) attracted almost 30 local businesses to the Sudbury House Hotel on Monday 5th September for its monthly networking event.
After the usual hearty breakfast and an introduction from Club Chairman, Paul Brame, each delegate spoke for 60 seconds about their activities and the kind of referral they are looking for.
Many attendees seem to have more than one business interest and did well to cram their pitch into 60 seconds; Jonathan Rees-Russell talked not only about his accountancy practice but also his on-line food and drink business; Andrew Hoon talked about career change consultancy and Venison Sausages and Derek Gale brought magic into his talk about photography. David Burn likened his Marketing Business to a Swiss Army Penknife - the right tool for the right job at the right time and Chairman Paul Brame finished things off as usual with an amusing poem.
After the 60 second round, guest speaker Lisa Whiteside of House of Colour provided a very educational talk on Sumptuary Law - the importance of dressing for the occasion and choosing the correct colour scheme to match an individual's hair and skin tones.
August's meeting
by Tim Lowe
Despite the expected holiday 'lull' Faringdon Business Breakfast Club (FBBC) managed to attract in excess of 20 local businesses to the Sudbury House Hotel on Monday 1st August for its monthly networking event.
After the usual hearty breakfast and an introduction from Club Chairman, Paul Brame, each delegate spoke for 60 seconds about their activities and the kind of referral they are looking for. Departing from his usual poetic efforts, Paul this month amused delegates with a 'legalese' description of networking that only a Solicitor would see!!
After the 60 second round, each delegate chose three businesses to have an individual 1 to 1 with, enabling a more in-depth understanding of each's business.
June's meeting
by Tim Lowe
Faringdon Business Breakfast Club (FBBC) had yet another storming morning on Monday 6th June when almost 40 local businesses met at the Sudbury House Hotel, Faringdon for its monthly networking event.
After coffee and informal networking, each delegate stood for 60 seconds to talk about their activities and the kind of referral they are looking for, whilst onlookers tucked in to a hearty breakfast.
Worthy of mention were Derek Gale of Gale Photography who used his opportunity to engage the audience in some Punch & Judy style participation and ended with a magical flourish; Andrew Krajewski from 'The planet Zosfran' talked about building a property portfolio, Anne Griffiths of Vision Coaching took a leaf from Paul Brame's book by giving her 60 seconds in verse and David Burn of Marketing and Research Projects likened his various services to a Swiss Army knife!!
Guest speaker was Merrill Jacobs of Genero Web Design who gave a leading edge presentation on the rise of 'smart' phones and the need for websites to be optimised for this next phase of the technology rollercoaster. For those of us still struggling to get to grips with the web at any level, Merrill's presentation was a much needed wake up call.
FBBC is an informal Business Networking Club which has been attended by in excess of 300members. It meets at 7.30 a.m. on the first working Monday of each month at the Sudbury House Hotel. There is no membership fee and no limitations on which businesses can attend. More information can be found on the Club's website
FBBC's next meeting will be on Monday 4th July. Guest speaker TBA. Cost will be £10.00 to cover Breakfast and Refreshments.
May's meeting
by Tim Lowe
Faringdon Business Breakfast Club (FBBC) attracted over 30 business people to its monthly breakfast meeting at the Sudbury House Hotel, Faringdon on Monday 9th May.
Monday Morning syndrome doesn't affect these people, who rise at the crack of dawn to enjoy breakfast and share business opportunities. After a period of networking and an introduction from Club Chairman, Paul Brame, each delegate spoke for 60 seconds about their activities and the kind of referral they are looking for. Neil O'Reagan of Shawcity Ltd is famed for showing off Health and Safety gadgets and this month was no exception with his Gas 'Sniffer'!
In place of the usual guest speaker, members selected three indiviudals for a more in-depth '1 to 1' meeting to gain greater understanding of each other's business and the opportunities for mutual business referral.
FBBC is an informal Business Networking Club which has been attended by in excess of 250 members. It meets at 7.30 a.m. on the First Monday of each Month at the Sudbury House Hotel. There is no membership fee and no limitations on which businesses can attend. More information can be found on the Club's website: http://www.fbbc-networking.co.uk
FBBC's next meeting will be on Monday 6th June. Guest speaker will be Merrill Jacobs of Genero Web Design who will give us some ideas on making the 'web' work. Cost will be £10.00 to cover Breakfast and Refreshments.
April's meeting
by Paul Brame
Businesses came from far and wide to the Faringdon Business Breakfast Club (FBBC) in April. Yet again there were nearly 40 businesses represented, an A to Z of professions from architects and accountants through to web designers and wealth strategists. As well as many Faringdon businesses, some had travelled far; one person in particular had come all the way from the planet Zosfran, if he was to be believed.
It being early on a Monday morning, hot coffee was the order of the day before members were invited to help themselves to the superb buffet breakfast that the Sudbury House has to offer. Everyone then got the opportunity to introduce themselves and their business in 60 seconds and there was plenty of good advice on offer including how to save money on utility bills and an illuminating minute on light bulbs. Some members now bring props and Neil O'Regan of Shaw City did not disappoint with his smell detector.
The Club's treasurer, Lawrence Harrison of Tax Assist in Swindon, then took to the floor and gave a comprehensive overview of the recent budget concentrating particularly on how it affects the small business owner. Lawrence revealed that there are some fairly significant concessions and breaks for SMEs if you look at the detail; a reduction in corporation tax, a commitment to simplification of the tax system and small business rate relief holiday to name but three. As if the breakfast wasn't enough, Lawrence's presentation gave plenty of food for thought and a lively question and answer session followed.
From time to time we have three 1-2-1 mini-meetings each in place of the usual speaker. So, if you survive the flurry of Bank Holidays, and fancy a productive chat with three other members at our next breakfast be sure to put Monday May 9th into your diary and phone or email me now to book your seat at Sudbury House Hotel.
March's meeting
by Tim Lowe
Faringdon Business Breakfast Club (FBBC) continues to impress! Nearly 40 local business people crammed into the meeting room at the Sudbury House Hotel on Monday 7th March for its monthly networking event, continuing the trend of recent months and reinforcing the importance of this group to the local business community.
After the usual hearty breakfast and introduction from Club Chairman, Paul Brame, each delegate spoke for 60 seconds about their activities and the kind of referral they are looking for. Ann Griffiths of Vision Coaching told of her search for a new 'tag line' by comparing her service to a good gravy!! This raised the stakes for those following to make increasingly amusing announcements. Carol Stamp of Carol's Creations trumped everyone with her 'prop' of a section of curtain pole with numerous knobs (Carol tells us the correct term is 'finial') which had everyone in stitches!!
Guest speaker was Sandy Briscoe of Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres who told of the stirling work done to enrich the lives of cancer sufferers and of the plans to create a much needed centre at the Churchill Hospital, Oxford. Several members gave donations or purchased raffle tickets following Maggie's moving but uplifting presentation.
February's meeting
by Tim Lowe
Faringdon Business Breakfast Club goes from strength to strength!! a record 40 local business people packed into the meeting room at the Sudbury House Hotel on Monday 7th February for its monthly networking event. With every seat taken it may be 'standing room only' at future FBBC events!!
After the usual hearty breakfast and an introduction from Club Chairman, Paul Brame, each delegate spoke for 60 seconds about their activities and the kind of referral they are looking for. In addition to businesses, Trudy Godfrey from South Oxfordshire & Vale of the White Horse District Councils used her 60 seconds to announce the forthcoming 'Shaping Faringdon' event on 17th February and Mohinder Kainth attended to promote Faringdon Craft Fair and to establish links with local businesses.
Ann Griffiths of Vision Coaching then took the floor to tell us about her experiences as a Healthcare professional and how this has helped her to build her practice as a life and business coach, using a couple of pertinent case studies to illustrate her strategies for increasing personal and professional effectiveness.
Our next meeting will be on Monday 7th March when the speaker will be Sandy Briscoe, the Community Fundraiser for Maggie's Cancer Caring Centre, Oxford.