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The May Newsletter
*** Now a report on the fifth meeting of 2008, was held on Thursday 29th May at The Marriott Hotel, Bexleyheath ***
We had the usual networking introductions by members, guests and visitors.
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A welcome to new faces and those members we have not seen recently.
A welcome to :
Rhoda Mountford
Nick Bartlett – Barnes Roffe Accountants
Ben Bradley – Barnes Roffe Accountants
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Finally our speaker for the evening was Don Mackenzie.
Don Mackenzie has lived and worked in Africa since 1965 and was to describe a little bit about his involvement in the management of “Self-Help projects on the shores of Lake Malawi” to provide facilities and equipment for the local technical school in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Limbe. (Nkhudzi Bay is on the southern most tip of Lake Malawi)
But first he wanted to describe his view of Africa and why in view of the vast amounts of aid that have been pumped into Africa is it still necessary for people like himself and his friends to try to help. He was concerned that despite all this aid - it is needed more today than ever before.
Some time ago he was watching a TV programme during which an African academic was saying it was high time the developed world stopped viewing Africa as a problem and looked on it as an opportunity. But then history shows that so many opportunities often turn into problems.
He gave a quotation from George Ayitteh who said that “Africa's potential is enormous but mired in conflict, steaming squalor, deprivation, misery & chaos, all arising from bad leadership”.
If you believe that there are two extremes – an external solution or an internal solution, but which is right as Africa is not a single country so there is no simplistic solution. It is an extremely complex question and DM went on to give some limited key observations and experiences.
“What I can say is that I have moved over the years since 1965 from optimism, to cautious optimism, to hopeful pessimism, to pessimism and now approaching despair. He gave the most obvious case of despair as Zimbabwe and previously Zambia, two countries he knows well.
He summed it up in the story of Chirundu Bridge in 1980.
Two African soldiers were guarding opposite ends of bridge - one Zambian and one Rhodesian (about to become Zimbabwe).
The Zimbabwean chides the Zambian with the chaotic state of Zambia compared with the flourishing economy in Zimbabwe. – “no bread, no fuel, corruption,etc.”
The Zambian replies "but we have freedom"
The Zimbabwean - "next week we will have freedom"
The Zambian - "next week you start moving towards no bread, no fuel, corruption, etc.”
How incredibly true this story reflects post independence Africa and the story could apply to just about any country in Africa. Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Ethiopia, Sudan, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, and worryingly RSA probably next
He then went on to discuss why this should be and listed some common excuses given by African leaders.
Colonial heritage – the most common excuse of the African politician – but what of India, Malaysia - same heritage - different outcome and what of Ethiopia which was never colonised.
Tribal heritage – the power of the chief and the expectation of wealth and power. This is nonsense because in reality the tribal structure at rural level is sound, structured and democratic.
Population growth - outstripping capacity of natural resources.
Corruption - certainly is a major problem but a degree of corruption has existed in many successful economies including India and Malaysia
Insufficient aid – Another common African complaint but is it justified when between 1960 - 2000 over US$500billion was input and in the 10 years 1991-2000 “The Elite” have syphoned US$200billion out
George Ayitteh says that tribal heritage has been taken over by gangsters & vampires and they suck the wealth out of the country. The donors are well intentioned but they are naïve and help to sustain the gangsters not the people
Weather – has always been a problem.
Democracy - elections have not brought improved quality of life for the average citizen.
Technology – Africa abounds with poor infrastructure and unemployment but where are the priorities
But is there any hope?
Commerce – a robust private sector is the best hope
The People - remarkable robustness in face of seemingly endless adversity
The awareness of the bad leadership — need to motivate people towards getting on with it themselves
So where is an answer.
The reality is that you cannot release the potential unless the countries leaders create the conditions for this to happen and this is made more difficult when many skilled and educated Africans do not find it sufficiently attractive to live in own countries and foreign investors find it increasingly hostile to be involved.
The countries leaders should look at themselves and question their own motives as change will only come from within — “gangsters have to give up personal greed for common good”.
The again some Africans argue a new generation of younger leaders will emerge who want to change, but will they just change into gangsters given the opportunity.
A final word on this from George Ayitteh.
"It seems nothing has been learned — the real tragedy of Africa is that most of its leaders do not use their heads and even more tragic is that western donors, gushing with noble humanitarianism do not use theirs either.
In the meantime the struggle to raise fund to help the Nkhudzi Bay community continues.
Don, from his many years in Africa, is lucky enough to have cottage at this most beautiful spot on Lake Malawi and he described some of the difficulties and more importantly the successes of what had been done so far.
This is where he and many friends and others are trying in their own small way to start change at the grass roots level and hope it filters upwards and by being involved at village level , helping the village directly and seeing that money gets to where needed and utilizes the self help motivation.
The principle is basic education facilities, to encourage practical training in vocational skills that villagers can use to earn a living and at the same time improve the living standards of their communities. As more and more similar community projects develop we hope to see benefits where needed despite the leaders interference.
They have some fairly ambitious plans for development of the community at Nkhudzi and not just their own vocational school as they are researching alternative avenues for Vocational Training.
In the future they will be sponsoring apprenticeships and bursaries to local kids suitable for training at the Malawi Childrens Village which has training facilities already in Bricklaying, Carpentry, Welding and Metalwork, Auto-Mechanics and Tailoring as an extension of their own local project.
It is a fascinating self help, as well as externally supported, project initiative to help local youngsters gain a trade and add to the vitality of this local community in what could be said to be the most impoverished Country in Africa.
This is supported by and monitored by the Rotary Club of Limbe who are also looking at a wider community projects in health, education, water and crop diversification.
However the common aim is to start and continue the process so that help gets where it is needed and given the hope that gradually the snowball effect will somehow deal with the “gangsters”.
Don the admirably fielded questions on and around his topic.
All in all a most enjoyable evening admirably handed by our speaker
Don, thank you again.
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Bexley Business Club – Newsletter for April 2008
The fourth meeting of 2008, was held on Thursday 24th April at The Thames Innovation Centre in Erith.
Our MC for the evening was our Life president, Ron Searle who came along this evening with one of our founding members, Tony Ratcliffe from the Elephant Training Company!!!!
We had the usual networking introductions by members, guests and visitors.
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A welcome to :
Elaine Moss and her husband Alec – Simone Consultancy
Dawn Edwards – NE Law
Duncan Stannett – Barnes Roffe Accountants
Andrew Harper – Barnes Roffe Accountants
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Finally our speaker for the evening was Virginie Ott of Leftbank Wine Merchant and can be found at www.leftbankwines.com.
Her topic was “An introduction to wine” and was highlighted by a Wine Tasting
The topic was based on her knowledge of the Bordeaux region in France. Virginie comes from the region and her family has been involved in wine for a long time.
She began by explaining an aspect of wine labeling – for ‘Old World’ it was essential to look at the label whilst for ‘New World’ it was a case of looking at the blend.
We were introduced:
To the Bordeaux region, to the left bank where Merlot is the main grape, to the left bank where we find Cabinet Sauvignon and also to the less well known white wines of Sauvignon Blanc and Sauternes.
To the classification of the wines starting with Vin du Pays – Unclassified, Appellation Controlee – AOC and then Cru – for the higher standards etc.
To some of the skills in buying ‘young’ wine, the alcohol content using the ‘teardrops view’ and the reasons behind the type of cork for wine, modern ways versus the old which allow it to improve with aging.
Also ‘corking’ is a fact and perhaps 1 in 100 are corked and this is very obvious from the aroma of smelly socks – it is horrible and should always be sent back.
We were then introduced to the basics of wine tasting via its appearance – clarity, intensity and colour, nose – condition, intensity, fruit character and palate – sweetness, acidity, tannin, body, alcohol and length.
Across all this we were able to taste and judge the following wines:
Clos de las Treille 2006 – a white Bordeaux Sec based on 80% Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Ideal with cheese.
Chateau Greteau (Clairet) 2006 – a rose based on 75% Merlot and 25% Sauvignon Blanc grapes.
Chateau Le Fruit Saint Ahon 2005 – a red based on 75% Cabinet Sauvignon and 15%Merlot finished with 10% Cabinet Franc. This is the second wine of the Chateau in the Haut Medoc. Ideal with Venison / Game.
Slipped in were many technical details such as:
Why do you often see roses planted at the end of rows of vines? This is to recognize early cases of blight which can be seen as ‘black spot’ on the roses.
The importance of colour where younger wines are nearer to purple whilst older and well aged wines are nearer to mahogany.
Good and bad vintages.
The different ways / options for collecting, pressing and handing the grapes.
And there was much more.
All in all a most enjoyable evening admirably handed by our speaker
Virginie, thank you again.
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The third meeting of 2008, was held on Thursday 27th March at The Marriott Hotel in Bexleyheath.
Our MC for the evening was Gavin Barclay of Vantis as part of our policy to involve members, other than from the committee, in the operation of the Club - more ‘volunteers‘ are welcome.
And a good job he did too.
We had the usual networking introductions by members, guests and visitors but with a difference this time. It seems that two of our new members had separately decided to make their presentations some what different and gave those present a rendition by way of an ‘advertising’ poem.
This is something completely new and so I decided to beg your indulgence and to include the text here in the newsletter so that all members can be regaled by their ingenuity.
*** From Chris Morcel of Travel Councellors
I have clients who don't know where to go, what to do, or what to see
so they get on the phone, dial my number, and talk to me
To take the car, fly afar, cruise from the quay
all reasons to telephone me
The London weekend, a theatre maybe
some more good reason to telephone me
So a good referral could possibly be
someone who wants to travel, and I can telephone them
Good referrals for me are families ….. Please tell the ones you know
The kids will soon be home for a spell
And life as you know it will soon turn to H*LL
They moan and complain and say they are bored
They wouldn't you know, if you took them abroad
The sun will soon make everything fine
and just think of all that great food & wine
Converse with the locals, relax by the pool
Forget all your worries and just remain cool
Home is where the heart is people do say
But don't you feel better when you have been away
Relaxed and tanned you return ready to cope
and back to your desk once again filled with hope
So give me a ring, send an email
To find something suitable, I never fail
I'm here to make life better and fulfill your dream
Just think next month you could be covered in sun cream!
*** From Alex Cleater of the Utility Warehouse
See Rupert down to breakfast come,
The sleep still in his eyes.
His father is looking very glum,
That is a big surprise.
He says, "Oh dear, what is it Pa,
What makes you look so sad?"
His father says, "It is these bills
They really are quite bad!"
"They're much too high!" his father says,
I don't know what to do.
And when I try to ring them up
I never can get through!"
After breakfast Rupert goes,
To play with all his chums.
But as he plays he thinks a lot,
About his father's sums.
He asks Bill Badger as they play,
"How can we lower the bill?"
Bill says, "I don't have a clue,
But look now, here comes Will!"
Rupert looks and sure enough
There is Willy Mouse -
He says, "We solved our problem, Rupert,
With The Utility Warehouse"
"We're really glad we went with them,
They lowered all our bills.
Their service truly is superb,
They ended all our ills."
"My goodness!" Rupert says,
"I must go off and tell Pa.
He really will be glad to hear.
Willy - you're a star!"
So Mr Bear calls up young Alex
Who soon comes trotting round;
To do the forms and show him how,
To change his costs around.
The Bear's phone calls are now all free,
Energy is super low.
Their mobile cost is really down,
And Internet's all go.
And Mr Bear tells all his friends,
How it was Willy Mouse,
Who showed him how to save his cash,
With The Utility Warehouse.
The Utility Warehouse... helping people reduce all their business and residential bills in one go, so they have more money at the end of each month to spend on the more important things in life!
(All credit to Geoff Tolson for writing the poem and for his kindness in letting others use it. )
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Moving on to new faces and those members we have not seen recently.
A welcome to :
Joanna Love – A4G Solutions
Douglas Watts – PR Options
Katie Weeks – Barnes Roffe Accountants
Finally our speaker for the evening was Hugh Sylvester of Sylvester & Co Accountants
This was Hugh’s annual take on ”The Budget and the effects or otherwise on Small Business” and as always was given in his usual informed and confident manner.
I have just set out below the headings from his presentation as an aide to those not present. There was much more detail, as ever, but see also below.
BUDG£T 2008
INCOME TAX
Basic rate reduced to 20%.
Lower 10% rate abolished.
Tax Free allowances indexed.
Child tax credit frozen at £545.
SA deadline brought forward.
NATIONAL INSURANCE
All NIC rates remain unaltered.
Employed Class 1 at 11% and 12.8%.
Class 2 £2.30 p.w. and 8%.
Bandings increased dramatically.
How to pay yourself?
What business structure?
BUSINESS STRUCTURE
Limited Company:
Lower Taxes, Limit of Liability, More Qudos,
More Administration, some extra costs.
Sole Trader:
Higher taxes on profit, unlimited liability.
Simpler administration and lowest costs.
REVIEW annually both commercially and for tax purposes.
CORPORATION TAX
Main rate reduced to 28% BUT
Small Company Rate up to 21% then 22%.
£0 to £300,000 @ 21%
£300,001 to £1.5m @ 29.75%
£1.5m + @ 28%.
OTHER TAXES
Value Added Tax
Inheritance Tax
Capital Gains Tax
Business Taxes Generally
If you want to know more detail, we were given a copy of a much more detailed review including many “highlighted” points to consider and I am sure Hugh would send you a copy – his contact details can be found on our website Directory.
Hugh, thank you again.
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The second meeting of 2008, was held on Thursday 28th February at The Marriott Hotel in Bexleyheath.
Our MC for the evening was Kirsten Gibbs and she presided over a very successful evening.
We had the usual networking introductions by members, guests and visitors. Again we had a number of new faces amongst our regulars and those we have not seen as often.
A warm welcome to our new members:
Alex Cleater – The Utility Warehouse
Chris Morcel – Travel Counsellors
David Tanti – Aquilina Technologies
Simon Morgan – The HR Dept
Sylvester La-Tunje – Bliss Finance
Visitors:
Ben Bradley – Barnes Roffe Accountants
Ariel Zephaniah –
Kofi Sarpong –
And a return welcome to:
Ken Thornton – Woodlands Manor Golf Course
Mario Cientanni – Barnes Roffe Accountants
Felicity Carne – Bexley Education Business Partnership
Kevin Hunt – Computerco
Finally our speaker for the evening was Sarah Cresswell of Rich Picture.
http://www.richpicture.ltd.uk
Her topic was“Relax, Rejuvenate and ReMotivate” – talking about personal motivation and goal setting.
She began by asking if any of us had kept our new year resolutions?
Indeed in the group some had and were to be commended.
But then she asked how we could all make this happen? And what about work and life balance – what do we want?
A few definitions followed for Relax, Rejuvenate and Motivate.
Then we were asked to gain a focus and asked whether we could take five minutes out of our day – to relax and potentially give back some of our energy.
We scored ourselves from 1 to 5 about how we saw ourselves and whether we were getting the right balance for us. 1 was bad, 5 was very good. In the group we had a good number of 5’s, mainly 3’s and a few not so good.
Sarah explained that anyone less than 5 needs to be thinking about getting more relaxing time – a longer bath, walks, more golf, shoulder stretching were group ideas – but find simple , low cost ideas and be SMART.
When we did this we were encouraged to try and describe what we were doing in terms of the senses and to look for feedback on how effective it had been. This is a key trigger to do more and allow ourselves to stop ‘working’ and relax for these short times.
Remember it is OK to “Stop” so long as you choose what to do with it.
Part of the feedback is about “will you be productive” – if you work too long. Perhaps in order to make this work for you then you may need to find others doing the same thing to be motivated
The short presentation was rounded up with - Always remember that by saying “this is what I am going to do” means that you are more likely to do it!
Sarah, an enlightening presentation. Thank you
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The first meeting of the New Year, 2008, was held on Thursday 31st January at The Marriott Hotel in Bexleyheath.
This was our AGM and I took the first turn as MC for the meeting, a change mentioned in the reminder announcements. We had a successful evening and I presided over the regular networking introductions by members, guests and visitors. This time we had a good number of new faces amongst our regulars and those we have not seen as often.
A mention of these new faces :
Paul Rose – Onmydoorstep.co.uk
Alex Cleater – The Utility Warehouse
Chris Morcel – Travel Councellors
Hugo Simon - Barnes Roffe Accountants
Crawford Bunch - Barnes Roffe Accountants
Our speaker for the evening was Hazel Smith of Fruberry Foods (www.Fruberry.co.uk ) and assisted by her husband Mike.
Unfortunately our speaker was very new to this type of presentation and was very nervous. Thus the presentation was not nearly as accomplished as our previous speaker, Robert Wicks of the Westerham Brewery Company and this was unfortunate considering the effort that she and her husband had made in bringing along both samples, as well as items for sale, of their delectable produce.
Her topic was “Switching from being an outside caterer to being a specialist producer of preserves and chutneys”.
Hazel had been a caterer for over fifteen years but over time she felt the pressure of getting her wedding and party catering right, all of the time. Also both Mike and Hazel wanted to change their life balance. However aware that she needed an exit strategy, and also trying to maximise on the use of their available commercial kitchen, she began experimenting with her versions of preserves and chutneys using fresh produce from the Kent countryside. This proved to be successful and so it was that one year ago the business was born.
The business organisation was clear, Hazel was in the kitchen and Mike looked after the office and administration.
Hazell explained that it was not all that easy, there was a need to find jars and the right type of labels with limited suppliers, she needed the recipes to be additive free, the main ingredients had to come from Kent, the fruit stock quantities available were limited by their own storage capability, then there was the bar coding dilemma plus much more.
However they have both prevailed and they now have a range of 20 Jams, 7 Marmalades and 5 Chutneys for all tastes.
These are sold through country fairs as well as a growing number of outlets throughout the county.
At the end we had a lively questions and answers session followed by the opportunity to taste their wares and to purchase those that took our fancy.
Our thanks go to both Hazel and Mike for an interesting presentation.
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Our last meeting of the year was held on Thursday 22nd November at The Marriott Hotel in Bexleyheath.
Our speaker for the evening was Robert Wicks of the Westerham Brewery Company and he was a most accomplished one too.
His topic was “From Broker to Brewer”.
Robert took us through his own biography to date, from his early beginnings as an International Investment Banker until he retired from this at the age of 38 to become a ‘brewer’. He then introduced the thread through his father with the Theakston family that had introduced him to brewing from the age of 8 and in so doing explained some of his intentions of establishing the Westerham Brewery Company in 2004.
The brewery is located in the old dairy of a National Trust farm in Crockenhill. In opening the brewery he specifically intended to revive the much loved flavours of the old Black Eagle (Westerham) Brewery which closed in 1965.
The Westerham Brewery Company brews for both bottle and cask, it sources the majority of its hops from Kent – from a small area around Lamberhurst and Goudhurst – plus the business encompasses many ethical and green issues plus charitable donations.
The business promotes reinvestment in planting new hop gardens, tythes part of its profits to the Church and other charities and is one of only three “fair trade” brewers in the UK .
It is important to look at their website at www.westerhambrewery.co.uk to get a fuller picture of the way that this is integrated into the business model.
It was impressive to note that the “William Wilberforce Freedom Ale” in bottle features in the Waitrose British Beer Showcase in EVERY Waitrose store in the UK .
Robert is Chairman of the Society for Independent Brewers (SIBA) and the Westerham Brewery Company are just one of 600 micro breweries and for once a trend helped by the Government with their introduction of progressive beer duties!
There then followed an interesting sequence of questions from the floor centring around the ‘health benefits’ of Real Ale and safe levels of consumption. Substantial advice was proffered on both counts.
We are indebted to Robert for his impressive presentation and the opportunity to taste his “Freedom Ale” at our meeting. (Yes you did miss out if you were not there!!) It was a fascinating insight into the man, his business and motivation, his initiatives alongside his tales and many aspects of local history.
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For our last meeting held on Thursday 25th October we returned to our usual venue of The Marriott Hotel in Bexleyheath.
As ever it proved to be a successful evening with Kirsten Gibbs in the chair and she presided over the regular networking introductions by members, guests and visitors.
A mention of some new faces :
Simon Morgan - The HR Department
Jan Jensen - Computer Co / OnlyIT
David Tanti - Aquilina Technologies
Our speaker for the evening was Deborah Turner from Hamlyn Nash – Image Consultants.
Her topic was “Free Marketing – How your image can win (or lose) you business".
Deborah took us through a whole series of concepts and ideas from which I have retained the following bullet points.
• Personal Branding – your role as head marketeer for your business
• You already have a personal brand but is it winning or losing you business
• Treat the concept of ‘ourselves’ in the same way as big companies
• What needs to be communicated and what values need to be expressed. These are things that you live your life by and are your core values
• How do you portray these values
• One needs to ask others to gain an insight on how we are perceived (i.e feedback).
• Research into the subject of image has shown that it is based upon the following breakdown
• 55% - Appearance
• 38% - Voice
• 7% - Words
These themes were illustrated by reference to her experience with many well known personalities and characters.
But in the end I remembered the basic – stand up, smile and be enthusiastic – most of all.
There then followed a longer than usual period of questions from the floor all very capably fielded by Deborah.
Do look at www.hamlynnash.co.uk
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Our last meeting was held on Thursday 27th September at the Thames Innovation Centre, Erith and it proved to be a successful evening with an ecclectic mix of both existing members, guests and visitors.
We had a late change of speaker in John Donnelly who gave us some -
"Winning Strategies for Networking at the highest levels".
John has spoken to the Club before and we were again enthralled by his practical, motivating and fun presentational style.
Based on his past work and research with senior people in business who he has termed - ‘The Rainmakers’, John gave us an insight into how they work and achieve results, creating deals in a business desert.
Using his anecdotal style and personal humour he introduced us to topics such as –
How to go where the big fish go and make an impression
Techniques for creating an instant Super Team
How to break through the ‘old boy network’
and
Developing the ‘WoW’ factor as an unstoppable referral generator
Have a look at the John Donnelly website at www.learningpoint.co.uk
***** Our thanks also go to Lesley Anne Rubenstein, Chief Executive of the Thames Innovation Centre for inviting us to use the TIC for last Thursday's meeting.
Our Chairman was moved to say that he thought the meeting went very well and the facilities were appreciated by all those present. He also hoped that maybe this would be a forerunner for possible future collaborations too.
Please all have a look at www.thamesinnovationcentre.com as the Thames Innovation Centre is a state-of-the-art 50,000 sqft innovation centre with the freedom to innovate!
For details of our upcoming events - www.thamesinnovationcentre.com/events
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Presentation to the Bexley Business Club on Thursday 28th June, 2007
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"The Benefits & Pitfalls of Employing Staff"
We had a most interesting and stimulating presentation by Terri Johnson and Debbie Towersey of HR2HR SOLUTIONS LTD on the subject of "The Benefits & Pitfalls of Employing Staff"
Introduction
HR2HR Solutions are an outsourced human resource service assisting businesses to maximise the benefits and limit the pitfalls of employing staff.
They have over 67 combined years of experience within the team working with small, medium and large companies in the areas of manufacturing, banking, retail, service providers and charities.
Debbie handled the presentation and after introducing us to their business – HR2HR Solutions Ltd (have a look at their website at www.hr2hrsolutions.co.uk).
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Speed Networking at the Bexley Business Club on Thursday 31st May, 2007
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The Club's May meeting at the Marriott Hotel, Bexleyheath featured our annual Speed Networking evening where everyone gets the chance to talk "one-to-one" with everyone else attending the meeting.
These evenings are always popular and more than 20 members and guests took the opportunity to trade information and conversation with fellow business people in a friendly environment.
If you missed this meeting, make sure you don't miss the next one.
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