BNI Endeavour Chapter

A notable moment at this week’s meeting as Martin Newton (centre) a financial advisor with City Investment passes the group’s 6,000th business referral to Maxine Wilde of Omega Vehicle Contracts, car leasing specialists; an introduction for four new vehicles. Watched by (from left) Martin Toole of Inspired Images, Mike Gelder of Redleg IT Support and Russ Treasure of Lambogenie.

This group of local businesses meet regularly to help each other out with introductions to new clients and opportunities – it is very successful business networking, achieved by applying word of mouth marketing. Have a look at the recent post about ‘Thank You For The Business’ to see just how successful.

Think I recall that the average value of a referral is something like £400, multiplying up means the group has introduced around £2.4 million of business – now that’s worth getting up early for.

ps thanks to Michael Sewell our resident portrait and wedding photographer from www.weddingsbymichael.co.uk for the above picture

Having started collecting the white cards to say “Thank you for the business”, we’re very pleased to report a total of £170,387 worth of business after about 6 weeks. That is business invoiced from the introductions made by this group. Do you want a share of that next month? Click here to visit BNI in the Preston area.

Plenty of testimonials this week, just thought I’d pick a few highlights:

From Martin Toole of Inspired Images to Jackie Eastham at Smoothgear “These guys are so far out in front of the rest and pleasant with it, I would not hesitate in recommending them to you all. My car is their showroom.”

From Bob Renshaw of Utilities Warehouse to Duane Raidy at MDR Promotional Garments, “It is refreshing to know that MDR will go out of its way to ensure the customer gets what they want at a time they want all at very competitive prices”

Another to Jackie at Smoothgear, from Martin Newton of City Investment, “This level of honesty in pricing for work would particularly prompt me to recommend them”

Stephen Colbert of NDAC to Norman Gibson of Legacy Estate Planning “It was easy thanks to the simple and precise way you explained to us our options and the fact you did everything for us … I have no hesitation in referring you to family, friends and business associates”

David Taylor of Perfect Finish has almost 30 years in the industry, initially as a electrician with Norweb, and then further hands on experience in other trades. His partner Peter has 25 years‚ experience in installation work.

From off the shelf to bespoke prestige kitchens or bathrooms‚ Poggenpohl, Smallbone, DeVol – Perfect Finish can design and install to any budget – their most recent project being a full property refurbishment on a 3 storey, 6 bedroom £1m+ house in London. The job entailed, design, project management, installation for all trades for the full property.

Nothing is too big or too small. The customer always comes first.

Martin has been a Financial Adviser for over 17 years, starting his Financial career with the CIS and then leaving to set up City Investment & Insurance Services Limited – consisting of 5 IFA’s and 1 General Insurance Adviser.

Prior to being an IFA Martin worked in the Nuclear Industry from the age of 16, serving his time as a toolmaker and finishing his career as a project Manager. He blames his lack of hair to his time in this industry.

He is married to Julie and has 1 daughter – Sally Anne and a cocker spaniel called Ichy.

He prides himself on being available to all his clients, all the time.

Great 10 minute presentation from Sarah Mottershead (Crystal Eternity Bridalwear) this morning, especially as she’s usually quite nervous about public speaking.

we really got to see her stunning Crystal Bouquets, buttonholes and other wedding accessories in context thanks to our stand in Bride (Debbie Gill, House of Colour) and Groom (Chapter Director, Russ Treasure, Lambogenie.co.uk)

Well done Sarah…

David Borrow, MP for South Ribble visits BNI Olympus

After we heard about Gordon Brown making a surprise visit to a BNI chapter in Liverpool, we contacted David Borrow our local MP to see if he was interested in seeing how companies in the area were leading the way in developing new business. Fortunately the February recess was approacing and he was able to schedule a visit.

As well as meeting a group of very motivated local companies, he heard first hand about business challenges and opportunities in the area and was able to put members in touch with networking events involving junior ministers.

Pictured here, from the left; Martin Newton of City Investment, David Borrow MP, Carmen Parkinson BNI Assistant Director, Louise Coxhead of Coxhead Cleaning Services and Russell Treasure of Lambogenie. Photo by Martin Toole of Inspired Images.

Five years ago a group of local business people started meeting near Preston to share contacts and pass business. The group meets every Tuesday morning at the recently refurbished Farington Lodge Hotel where an average seat is worth around £26,000 to its members. Mike Gelder, one of the long standing members explains, I receive over 50% of my business through members of the group! It’s allowed me to significantly expand my client base with very little marketing spend.

The group is planning a visitors day on the 27th November where members of the local business community are invited to attend. The group is run by BNI, an international organisation with over 15,000 members in the UK. Meetings are every Tuesday and start at 7am, so members are doing business before the competition is even out of bed!

Several milestones are expected to be reached this month with the passing of the 3,500th business referral and the arrival of the 500th visitor who will be celebrating in style, with the champagne in the picture. Anyone interested in attending the open day should contact Carmen Parkinson, BNI Assistant Director on 07818 620163.

When unavoidable absence from the BNI breakfast table means having to find a substitute, then it’s important to ensure your replacement is not going to let you down.

Happily, Russell Treasure – a member of the Olympus Chapter in Leyland near Preston – had no such doubts when he had to miss a recent meeting, after arranging for his substitute to be collected from home in a beautiful orange Lamborghini Gallardo sports car, and then be chauffeur driven to work afterwards!

In fact it was all in a day’s work for Russell, whose business ‘Lambogenie.com’ hires out prestige sports cars for celebrity events and special occasions.

He said: “I’d asked a business colleague, Martin Cooke from Ribble Insurances Ltd, to act as my substitute and of course he would have been very willing to oblige, even without the VIP treatment. But I thought that since he was making the effort to get up very early on my behalf, the least I could do was provide one of my eye catching cars and have him chauffeur driven to and from the chapter meeting. I gather his arrival caused a minor stir among the other Olympus members.”

Our photo shows Martin being greeted by Chapter Director Gary Baldwin outside Olympus’s venue, Farington Lodge Hotel in Leyland.

Photo:www.inspiredimagesltd.com Contact Martin on 07737 393485 www.ribbleinsurance.com and Russell on 01254 854414 www.lambogenie.com

Hayes Architects can advise both purchaser and vendor on all aspects of Town Planning and Building Regulations prior to the purchase or sale of a property and are proud of the close working relationship developed with all the Local Planning Authorities throughout the North West.

This professional advice can include, for example, highlighting any development potential with a prestige property, be it an additional dwelling to the rear or side or replacement dwelling. This might influence the sale price for the property or reduce the amount of land being offered for sale. Depending on the requirements an informal meeting with the local planning authority is usually undertaken with feedback to the client.

This is all in addition to design and planning of new builds or refurbishments with enthusiastic personal attention from Nick, working with your ideas and adding flair, creativity and expertise to the mix.