BNI Endeavour Chapter

A very Happy New Year to all our members past and present and especially to anyone coming to Shaw Hill to visit us this year. We’ve got plans to grow the group and develop more contacts, more referrals and more business. That’s what we’re all here for.

If you’re interested in coming along one time and seeing what its all about, hopefully pick up some new business and meet some local companies, take a look at the details on the When and Where page. Alternatively give Mike Gelder a call on 01772 860776.

Above, you can see the new BNI logo to celebrate 2010 and the fact that the organisation has been running 25 years this year. That’s a lot of experience at helping companies grow, whether you’re looking for contacts that are local or global.

If you’re looking to do business, come and see how we do business – what have you got to lose, more importantly how much do you want to gain?

Looking forward to seeing you at Shaw Hill in 2010.

At National Driver Assessment Centres training for road drivers is our remit and the benefits of having your fleet vehicles and company drivers assessed and trained cannot be underestimated, particularly if you have exposure to the effects of the Corporate Manslaughter and Health & Safety (Driving for Work) Acts which have both been revised recently. – please read at www.ndac.uk.com for more information.

Our Skid Car fleet, with twelve skid pans’ across England and Wales is mainly aimed at training the company driver although it can be done as a purely fun exercise – see www.nccc.uk.com for more information. The benefits of having a trained driving force are that you can save money on fuel, get insurance discounts though our scheme with Towergate TLC and mitigate against prosecution should one of your drivers have an accident whilst on company business.

BNI Olympus played host last night to one of the other BNI groups, known as Invincible. The venue was Tenpin at the Capitol Centre in Preston. Invincible failed to live up to their name and you can see the winning Olympus team pictured above. A successful evening enjoyed by all, one that is sure to be repeated in 2010. Maybe we’ll even line up a trophy.

10 pin bowling last night did yield a photo or two which cry out for a caption. We’ll spare you the gangrenous one of Martin in favour of this. Click the picture to go large.

Click in to the comments and post your own caption … we’ll find a suitable accolade for the best one at the next business network meeting.

Coxhead Cleaning Services is a family run business offering a quality & reliable service.  We are based in Penwortham, near Preston and cover all surrounding areas including Longton, Chorley, Leyland, Preston and Tarleton.

All our staff are highly trained; CRB approved and always provide a professional & friendly service on a daily, weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis.

Coxhead Cleaning Services are fully insured whilst working in your premises and our aim is to provide a personal service at a high standard ensuring you are always satisfied.

Commercial Cleaning

We carry out contracts with Nurseries, Accountants, Solicitors and I.T Consultants.

We offer an out of hours service during the working week (where possible) to avoid disruption to the running of the business.

Domestic Cleaning

Coxhead Cleaning services offer a tailored service so you are paying for what you want.  We pride ourselves on going that extra mile for our customers and because of our friendly and reliable service we build a good relationship with our customers.

Ironing Service

Ironing can be collected and returned to you within 48 hours.  It is presented to you as you wish either folded or on hangers.

Our resident architect in BNI Olympus is none other than Nick Hayes of Hayes Architects Ltd, formerly a partner with Cassidy & Ashton. Nick specialises in a range of projects from small domestic work, through extensions, new build and into commercial work. He’s able to draw on many years experience in the business. Schools are one area he loves to get involved in and he received an introduction to a fantastic referral from the group’s commercial photographer.

Martin Toole of Inspired Images had no hesitation in introducing Nick when he was speaking with Broad Oak Primary School about their site and future developments. Martin’s photography skills and experience were put to good use providing images for the feasibility study. Nick wrote “the quality of those images enabled a professional looking bid which helped in securing the project”. He went on “this work could potentially lead to a 14 year involvement with the school”, probably making it one of the longest running referrals we’ve seen.

“This project would not have happened without Martin’s focus and awareness in understanding the potential” commented Nick.

He concluded his testimonial, reminding us all why we get involved with BNI, “this referral is one in a million and I am so pleased that you included me in your thinking”.

Roger Bessent – Managing Director

A founding partner of Gleeson Bessent is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Accountants. He is also a member of the Academy of Experts and the Society of Expert Witnesses and has a listing in the Law Society Directory of Expert Witnesses.

In his 25 years in private practice he has acquired extensive expertise and experience which he brings to bear on his client portfolio which is varied ,both in size and nature.

He specialises in personal injury litigation and has acted as an expert witness on a number of occasions. He has also held the position of Single Joint Expert.

Another specialised area of work is Strategic Planning for small and medium sized businesses for which he has accredited status.

Providing Solutions For You And Your Business

Every client has their own individual requirements and business needs.

Our aim is to identify those requirements and needs and provide appropriate solutions.

Our practice has been built on the development of long-term relationships with our clients and on providing a high-level, quality service. Because we work closely with each of our clients, we are able to offer them timely, individual advice.

As you would expect from any firm of accountants, we provide the traditional services of bookkeeping, auditing, accounting and tax. However unlike most firms, we have developed a much wider range of services that we feel fully meet the needs of modern business.

So, whether you need help growing your business or advice on optimising your personal or family finances, we are here to provide you with the best solution.

Congratulations to Primary Graphics for putting together the best 60 seconds ‘Radio BNI’ ad at this morning’s meeting.

The new leadership team with Chapter Director, Tracy Parks, wanted something different to launch her 6 months in the role and lay down the challenge last week for her first official meeting. There were many amusing and original ideas presented and it all gave an extra ‘buzz’ to the meeting, which members and visitors alike enjoyed very much.

Radio BNI, Primary Graphics

Roger Bessent hands Susie Poppit of Derian House a cheque for £1,200

Roger Bessent of Gleeson Bessent accountants, who have offices on Preston Riversway docklands, decided to turn a hobby into a good deed and raise some money for a local deserving cause. His first choice was Derian House children’s hospice having met Susie Poppit, marketing manager at the hospice, at a recent meeting of BNI Olympus Chapter, of which he is a longstanding member. The challenge was a 68 mile bike ride from Manchester to Blackpool in the annual fundraising event held on Sunday 12th July 2009. It was a first time for Roger, and, after weeks of intense training, he completed it in a respectable 4.30 hours and raised a fantastic £1,200 for Derian. The cheque was presented at Shaw Hill Golf Club where Olympus meet every Tuesday at 6.45am.