Featured Speaker - 02/07/2009
Posted by admin in Featured Speaker on July 2nd, 2009
Every week a different BNI member has the chance to present their business to the group in the form of a 10 minute talk. This week is the turn of Stella Goodman of Excaliber Associates Ltd.
As one of the longest standing memebers of BNI Drake Chapter, Stella has cemented her reputation as an expert in her field in the eyes of her fellow members. The fact that she is still keen to present her business in the 10 minute slots when given the opportunity is testament to the worth of these presentation windows. Stella recognizes the importance of reminding her ’salesforce’ about her services, her values, and the type of business she is looking for.
Excaliber Associates are an experienced group of independent financial advisors who are able to source the entire market for the best deals for their clients. Working with both private and business clients, they offer ’sound advice, simply presented’, including an initial free of charge consultation for all new customers.
Their main aim is to help their customers achieve their financial goals, and are committed to offering clear and consistent levels of support advice and guidance. Whatever your financial needs, Excaliber will produce a bespoke solution, giving you peace of mind and financial security.
The members of Drake Chapter look forward to hearing Stella’s presentation, and continuing their education into the services of a qualified and experienced IFA.
BNI Drake Press Release
Members of BNI Drake will be delighted to hear that we have an upcoming mention in the press. Within the next few days, the Plymouth Herald will publish an article written by regional BNI press correspondent Mike Elleston of And Words copywriting. Entitled ‘Plymouth Bank Broken Into at 7am’, the full article can be seen here….
When the members of a leading Plymouth Business group decided to change their meeting place little did they think they would have to break into a bank. The weekly meeting arrived at the new setting and joined the staff looking at locked doors. It was all rather fascinating as on this occasion the group had invited 11 new visitors to their meeting. An interesting introduction to business networking!
However with great ingenuity they found a place like a letter box through which they could post somebody lithe and slim. Little discussion took place as members lifted Karen, a member of staff at Bar Ha Ha for just 2 weeks, into the oversized letter box. She completed a Fosbury flop style entrance and unlocked the doors. The chef scampered to prepare the breakfast. Eventually a sleepy headed manager presented a red face to the group and explained over their bacon and eggs that a power cut had stopped his alarm.
The Drake Chapter of BNI could now begin, although some networking had been taking place on the pavement! Each week these business people meet to discuss and place business over breakfast. During the year the group has produced over £250,000 of local business for members. Chapter Director Nikos Lemanis explained “Networking has become the major marketing method bringing results. You know the saying – it’s not what you know but who you know. Today this is more important than ever. Success comes from providing an introduction to a known and respected associate. Our group has been meeting for over 5 years and has provided £2million of local business”
The Drake business day starts at 7 am and members share a hearty cooked breakfast. It becomes the most important weekly meal for the business people in Drake Chapter of BNI. The meeting is well thought-out and active
The membership comprises a wide range of businesses and trades. The group is continually expanding and is actively seeking members in the banking, marketing and recruitment sectors. Business is available for all these areas. “The average member receives £26,000 in a year, however this sometimes grows to huge contracts” explained Ben Dillon, membership secretary.
Drake BNI is part of a worldwide network. These 19 businesses are part of the global family of over 100,000 members. If 19 businesses produce regularly £250,000 of business, no wonder the global group produces over 5.5million referrals which translate into over £1.25 billion in business. Even in the UK over 538,000 referrals pass resulting in over £185 million in business. The philosophy of ‘If I give you business you will want to give me business’ is working well in Plymouth. Business can contact Ben Dillon by telephone 01752 244885 or email him at ben@bdworks.co.uk
Special Guest Speaker - 25/06/2009
Posted by admin in Featured Speaker, News on June 24th, 2009
This Thursday BNI Drake Chapter welcome Tim Cook, National Director of BNI Netherlands and Assistant National Director of BNI UK, to our weekly breakfast meeting.
Tim has been offered the featured speaker slot this week, and will be to the members about the bigger BNI picture, as well as some of his own personal experiences from his 10 years within the BNI infrastructure.
The members of BNI Drake look forward to hearing from a business networking professional like Tim, and hope we can pick up a few tips to bring back to our own enterprises.
Featured Speaker - 18/06/2009
Posted by admin in Featured Speaker on June 10th, 2009
Every week a different BNI member has the chance to present their business to the group in the form of a 10 minute talk. This week is the turn of Steve Mason of Citadel Accountancy and Bookkeeping.
As the newest member of BNI Drake, this Thursday is Steve’s first opportunity to present his business in more detail to his fellow members. Based in Beacon Park, Plymouth, Steve has held influential positions in many large companies throughout the country, and his love of numbers have always kept him close to the financial sector.
Citadel Accountancy and Bookkeeping specialise in offering professional services to small and medium enterprises, and Steve enjoys helping individuals and small businesses develop their ideas and future plans.
Plymouth Land & Sea Show
The time has finally come for the Plymouth Land & Sea Show 2009. This weekend (30th and 31st May), over 70 exhibitors from a variety of leisure, community, and sporting backgrounds will gather on Plymouth Hoe to entertain and educate members of the public for free.
And amongst them will not only be a stand manned by BNI Devon and Cornwall, but also a number of delegates from BNI Drake Chapter. Among the confirmed Drake envoys will be Steve Mason of Citadel Accounting Services, Stella Goodman of Excaliber IFA, Robin Fletcher of Steele Rose & Co, and Nikos Lemanis of Orange Crate IT Solutions.
It is expected that the event will be well attended on both days, and the members hope to spread the word about both their own businesses and the benefits of BNI.
Featured Speaker - 04/06/2009
Posted by admin in Featured Speaker on May 29th, 2009
Every week a different BNI member has the chance to present their business to the group in the form of a 10 minute talk. This week is the turn of Robin Fletcher of Steele Rose & Co Ltd.
Steele Rose & Co are a will writing company with trained consultants throughout England and Wales. A family company established in 1997, they currently have over 30,000 clients throughout the UK and have never had a will fail at probate. They specialise in a whole range of services from single and partner wills to power of attorney and pre-paid funeral plans.
Robin is a fairly new member of BNI Drake, and although many of the members already have a greater understanding of the importance of maintaining an up-to-date will through Robin’s 60 second presentations, we hope to find out more about Robin and Steele Rose this Thursday morning.
Featured Speaker - 28/05/2009
Posted by admin in Featured Speaker on May 22nd, 2009
Every week a different member has the chance to present their business to the group in the form of a 10 minute talk. This week is the turn of Martyn Gingell of Inkspot.
Inkspot provide cartridge services for both domestic and commercial clients, offering refill services and great deals on new cartridges. Martyn also runs a cartridge recycling centre to help raise money for a local children’s hospice.
Despite their name, Inkspot specialize in supplying a wide range of office accessories - from stationary and consumables to PC and electronic media. Offering highly competitive prices, a personal and relaible service, and fast responses, Inkspot are the perfect solution for all office requirements.
The Featured Speaker - 21/05/2009
Posted by admin in Featured Speaker on May 16th, 2009
Every week a different member has the chance to present their business to the group in the form of a 10 minute talk. This week is the turn of Ken York of Security Management South West.
SMSW offer a wide range of professional security services including reatail security, event security, manned guarding, mobile patrols, key holding, and alarm response. They aim to forge strong partnerships with their clients, and believe in offering exceptional performance by being open, honest, and transparent in all their dealings.
Security Management South West form a focussed, stable, and well-motivated team, dedicated to protecting their clients without compromise. As fairly new members of BNI Drake Chapter, they have a great opportunity of showing what they can do for their fellow members and their contacts, and we look forward to Ken becoming a key part of our chapter.
BNI at Plymouth Lifestyle Show
On Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st May, members of BNI Drake will be representing BNI Devon and Cornwall at The Land and Sea Show on the Plymouth Hoe. Organized by BNI Drake members Redrok, the event will be a showcase of everything ‘lifestyle’ in the South West, including local tourism, sport, culture, health, and general fun.
With over 70 exhibitors such as Pioneer, Plymouth Argyle Football Club, and the National Marine Aquarium confirmed, it’ll be well worth a visit. For more information, visit Redrok Events.