Chairmans Message

Review 2008 - 2009

Chairman’s Report 2008 – 2009

For the 2008 – 2009 Solihull Business Club programme the committee set themselves the task of providing a place where members could meet and feel part of a club rather than a networking venue. The key goals were to

· Educate,
· Entertain and
· Provide a support forum for members

Rather than just a business card exchange.

The 2008 – 2009 season has been marked by an excellent variety of speakers: -

September

Jon Upton kicked off the September meeting with a talk about marketing for the small business, with the advent of the Internet it is quite possible for a business to ‘punch above its weight’ enabling it to succeed in markets and ways not previously possible. Jon provided an overview on successful and practical techniques along with some traditional marketing methods, which are returning good levels of success.
W: www.thinkanddo.co.uk

This session was followed an introduction to the concept of Google PageRank – by Charles Willcock, possibly the most important word in business you do not fully understand.
W: www.website-doctor.com

October

Word4Word Sue Richardson Sue spoke about the opportunities available to anyone who would like to publish a book to promote their expertise and raise their profile.

Sue practised what she preached and sold a number of her “how to books…”
Sue Richardson
Business Development Director
Word4Word
Evesham

Web: www.w4wdp.com

November

Entrepreneurial Coaching
Andrew Nicholson and Diane MacDowall provided an inspiring presentation, living what they teach and sharing real examples of how to overcome

· Fear,
· Turn around limiting beliefs,
· Attract and sustain positive thoughts.

This was a lively informative evening, which included exercises to lift the spirits and increase positive attitudes.

Web: www.cosmic-attraction.com

Web: www.dimacdowall-lifecoaching.co.uk/

Web: www.executive-relationship-coaching.co.uk

Web: Cosmic Attraction Blog

Blogging
In the second half of the evening Tom Upton provided an introduction to Blogging! If you think blogging is just for those with too much time on their hands consider this fact, the giant American plane manufacturer Boeing relies on a blog (amongst other communication medium) to get their message out, written by Randy Tinseth VP of Marketing for Boeing Commercial Services in Seattle. Companies do not come much bigger than Boeing - so why not consider a blog for your website?
www.tomuptonphotography.com/blog/

December

Christmas festivities held at the StayPutt golf venue.

Golf putting
Skittle Alley
Golf Simulator
Nearest the pin
Longest Drive
Pool

Bar Food and Prizes were handed out.
W: www.sigc.co.uk

New website launched.
December also saw the launch of the clubs current website – many thanks to Jon Upton for his skill energy and resources which were put in to the getting the site up and running.

January

Present your business from your briefcase evening.
Whilst the emphasis on Networking has been reduced it would be wrong to suggest that the club is not partly about making and forming new contacts and January was a chance to present your business in a briefcase or 3 foot square surface area. This was a fun and informative evening and the winner was Roger Loads nephew.

Feedback Session
The club also ran a feedback session in the second half of the evening and received much valuable feedback including a request for a forum on the club website. It is worth noting that information posted on the club forum is picked up and available in Google. You can test this for yourself by inserting site:http://forum.sbcw.co.uk/ in to the Google search box.
W: http://forum.sbcw.co.uk

February

Sales
Steve Wright presented an excellent talk on sales and the need to get out and sell and close that deal.
Steve’s experience shone through and delivered an excellent thought provoking talk. It is easy to think you’ve heard everything you need to know about ‘sales’, but Steve provided new angles and a fresh approach.
Web: http://birmingham1.sandler.com

Twitter – www.twitter.com
Jon Upton provided members with an insight in to a service / technology which has swept around the world

March

Ivan Vickers made a welcome return to the club with some frank advice and tips to beat the recession.

Web: www.ibslocal.co.uk

April

Clive Mason from Leadership Management International, provided an interactive session on winning attitudes and motivation for success.
Web: www.lmi-ukfranchise.com

Maggie Throup Prospective Conservative MP for Solihull provided an insight in to Conservative Plans for Business, and the action the Conservatives are calling for during the recession, with a focus on local business.
Web: www.maggiethroup.com

May

Members shared best practice ideas regarding Technology evening where the topics covered included: -

1. Google – Jon Upton W: www.thinkanddo.co.uk
2. Email – the importance of not letting your Inbox grow substantially – John Staley W: www.myfirstserver.biz
3. Digital Photos – Tom Upton W: www.tomuptonphotography.com
4. The importance of backing up your data Brian Martin
W: www.superbrains.co.uk
5. Open Office a chance to save hundreds of pounds – Brian Martin W: www.superbrains.co.uk
6. Google Adwords for many businesses a greatly under used and misunderstood form of advertising. – Charles Willcock
W: www.miraquel/co.uk/adwords/

June

Was a chance for members to provide feedback and have a round table discussion about a wide-ranging set of topics including limited company status v sole trader. The future direction of the club.

July

AGM

Quiz Night Congratulations to Jon Upton's team the Wallies who triumphed over the XXX's by clinching the last round.

The above represents the programme for 2008 to 2009. Hopefully something for everyone and the club is keen to build on the platform of excellent speakers which educated and entertained members.