At the CEPN Business forum on 10th June, 27 businesses (21 members and 6 guests) were entertained by 2 speakers. The first was Sue Gallagher of Momemtum Performance Coaching and the second was Colin Fisher with The Real Law of Attraction.

All members had 15/30 seconds of fame

Sue Gallagher (CEPN Member) highlighted
‘Time: What is it and how do you use yours?’
There are 86,400 seconds in a day. She illustrated how we can all split our business and social time into 4 segments.
Urgent and important (Demand)
Not urgent and important (Taking control)
Urgent and not important (Delusion)
Not urgent and not important (Distraction)

Sue concentrated on ‘Taking control’ by emphasising:
Networking
Looking after business
To do list for following day: Write it the previous evening
Top 3 – 5 things; Are they moving you towards your business goal?
Sue is offering to members a free business seminar on 22nd June.

Colin Fisher stated:
We all attract the positives and negatives in life
‘I attract to myself, my life and my business whatever I give my focus to whether negative or positive’. The law of attraction is concerned with the here and now with relationships (yourself and personal), negative and positive words.

Colin also stated highlighted three areas of thought, vibration and results.
Three words we should not use: ‘Don’t, not, no’
He ended with ‘Life is what you make it’

After both speakers questions provoked discussions on their respective subjects and many people left the meeting with a greater focus on their business and social lives.

The high quality of speakers in 2010 will be continued in July with 2 members giving presentations, Julie Sillitoe (Aaron & Partners) a reputable firm of solicitors and Marie-Claire Carlyle with a ‘Brainstorming Session’

CEPN met for their second meeting of the month and highlighted it as 1 of the networking events of the year.

If you were sceptical about the trailer and did not attend, you missed an excellent evening. Fifty + entrepreneurs and the odd committee member, (not all committee members at CEPN are odd)  laid into food supplied by Office Food and drinks from Chester Beer and Wine.

The first two speakers were from 2 local charities Hospice of the Good Shepherd and The Chester Link. Sue Gallagher (standing in for James Dick of The Chester Link) and Amanda Le Breton outlined the main activities of the charities.

The main speaker was Jane Kenyon who has considerable presence and the ability to hold her audience. She talked with and interacted with the meeting for 1 hour.

The theme was ‘What is your individual brand?’ The meeting was split into 6 groups, the main questions were:

• Products have values – What are yours?
• How do brands behave in the market place?
• How do brands behave in the boardroom?
• Beliefs?

The meeting were then asked to list words which reflect yourself in:
Work – Relationships – Family/Friends

In closing Jane talked about F.L.P

• F – Focus on what you want
• L – Language, be positive
• P – Physiology, be confident

Everyone then shouted their own buzz word and high’5’ to other people in group.

If you where ther we would love to hear from you!

The meeting of CEPN on 13th May was the first of 2 meeting held on consecutive Thursday’s. A total of 27 people (20 members and 7 guests) from a variety of different businesses attended.

Everyone was given 15 seconds of fame and had their photograph taken by Linda Pelling. All stood and obeyed except 1 member who is camera shy and moved away from the photographer.

The main speaker was Neil Price, a last minute stand in for a colleague from HM Revenue and Customs. Neil is a member of the Business Education & Support Team and talked about courses which are available for individuals and businesses.. To book a place on a course www.hmrc.gov.uk/bstor or 0845 603 2691.

The member showcase slot was Ann Girling with an introduction to True Colors. She gave a brief synopsis and asked the Chairman, Amanda Daniels to help with the demonstration.

Both speakers answered a number of questions from the members on their relevant subjects.

The next meeting is the ‘Networking Event of the Year at Chester Business School on 20th May.

CEPN Business Forum met at Chester Sports and Social Club on 8th April 2010. 25 members and 2 guests had 15 seconds of fame (1 or 2 members stretched this to 30 seconds!)

The meeting was split into 2 parts.

A presentation by Paul Rutherford from Sales Leadership Development Ltd. He outlined sales actions and goals with a 5 step guide to securing the order or contract. He also provided discussion on how to close the sale/ask for the order.

The AGM chaired by Keith Wood. The Chairman’s report from Carol Pengelly was read by Les George, Secretary’s report from John Trimble read by Keith Ward. Treasurer’s report presented by James Dick and Andrew Bagnall presented the Membership secretary’s report. All reports proposed, seconded and adopted by the meeting. A new committee for 2010/11 was proposed, seconded and adopted by the meeting. Colin Brown proposed a vote of thanks to all retiring committee members.

The new chairman, Amanda Daniels outlined her vision for 2010/22 and hoped that the goal of 100 members would be achieved.

The next 2 meetings are on 13th May at Chester Sports and Social Club, Newton Lane, and 20th May at and The Business School, University of Chester. Both meeting start at 6.30pm
Speakers are
13th May – Alan Gardner, H. M. Revenue & Customs and Ann Girling, On The Threshold with an introduction to True Colors
20th May – Jane Kenyon Well Heeled Divas Ltd and The Networking Event 2010

Main Speaker:

Chris Sullivan from E Crime Solutions – The threat to businesses from IT.

Attorney General Baroness Scotland said, ‘It is widely recognised that e-crime is the most rapidly expanding form of criminality and knows no borders.

Many businesses from sole trader’s to SME’s rely on Information Technology to either manage their administration, create items for customers or actually trade online.  The average cost of a company’s worst incident was £12,000.

In Wales it is estimated that attacks from e-criminals cost the economy more than £290m a year. This includes financial loss, interruption of business, theft of valuable data and identity theft and other deceptions caused by unauthorized and unwelcome access to computer systems.  Chris Sullivan from E Crime Solutions will give some real life examples of incidents that have effected businesses and suggest measures you might want to adopt to stop you becoming the next victim.

2nd Main Speaker:

Debbie Riley from DNS (North West) Ltd – DNS stands for Developing New Skills

“So you think you can sell”…..

Venue:

Cheshire County Sports Club, Plas-Newton Lane, Chester, CH2 1PR

Time:

6.30pm Bar and Buffet

Main Speaker:

Sally Inkster from Diva Dressing – Dressing with Confidence

Contents of talk – Show the importance of that initial impression!  How to define your body shape for both Male and Females and then how to select and wear styles that will be most advantageous for your shape.

10 minute Member Showcase:

TBA

Venue:

Cheshire County Sports Club, Plas-Newton Lane, Chester, CH2 1PR

Time:

6.30pm Bar and Buffet

Main Speaker:

Rachel Brown from Approach Sales – How do you define a successful salesperson?

If you know by heart the 101 all-time great closing lines, are you a successful salesperson? Maybe.

If you know everything there possibly is to know about how your product can be used, how it is made, and how it stacks up against the competition, are you a successful salesperson? Maybe.

If you have the most sophisticated and well-thought-out prospect tracking system, and use it, are you a successful salesperson? Maybe.

If you arrive at your sales job at seven in the morning, eat lunch at your desk, and get home by nine at night, are you a successful salesperson? Maybe.

If you keep meticulous records that make getting reimbursements a snap, are you a successful salesperson? Maybe.

If you habitually buy the latest sales training video and tapes, and listen to them, are you a successful salesperson? Maybe.

10 minute Member Showcase:

Steve Lewis from Your IT Co – IT, Where have we come from, Where are we now & Where are we going – The importance and relevance of development & progress

It has only been a relatively short period of time since the first PC was introduced along with a few basic applications. Since then the work place has changed beyond recognition with the development of PC’s, Networks, Communications & not least the Internet.

However much you may not like these progressive changes and advances in technology, during your working & social life, you will be involved at some time with these new technologies such as Wireless, e-mail, facebook, e-commerce etc have changed our lives dramatically.

If you do not keep up with new developments then you run the risk of missing out on many different opportunities in life. I hope to explain the importance of keeping abreast of technology and not becoming a commercial dinosaur.

Venue:

Cheshire County Sports Club, Plas-Newton Lane, Chester, CH2 1PR

Time:

6.30pm Bar and Buffet

Main Speaker:

Julie Sillito of Aaron & Partners LLP – Employment

This 20 minute presentation will give you a practical and commercial guide to handling grievances and disciplinary situations under the ACAS Code of Practice. The presentation will also discuss recent legislation and forthcoming changes. The seminar is aimed at business owners, directors, managers and HR staff, but it is also relevant to anyone who is an employee.

Julie Sillito is a Solicitor within Aaron & Partners LLP Employment Team. The Team, comprising of 3 partners and 3 solicitors, is recommended by both the leading independent client guides to the legal profession, The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners.

10 minute Member Showcase:

It is a well known fact that two minds are better than one and at CEPN we have a wealth of business expertise, from accountants to life coaches, from hotel owners to web designers.

Guaranteed to give you fresh insight and inspiration for your business, Marie-Claire Carlyle will be facilitating a “Business Brainstorm” session. Simply bring along a problem that you are facing in your business eg how to double the number of clients you have in the next 3 months and be prepared to contribute ideas and solutions for others.

You will be amazed at what we can achieve!

Venue:

Cheshire County Sports Club, Plas-Newton Lane, Chester, CH2 1PR

Time:

6.30pm Bar and Buffet

Main Speaker:

Sue from Momentum Coaching – Performance Coaching with Momentum Performance Coaching will be speaking about TIME, What is it? How do you use yours? How to make the most of it!

2nd Main Speaker

Colin Fisher from ‘The ‘Real Law of Attraction’ – “The Team that Vibrates Together – Stays Together!” How to make sure you are giving off the right ‘vibes’!

Venue:

Cheshire County Sports Club, Plas-Newton Lane, Chester, CH2 1PR

Time:

6.30pm Bar and Buffet

A food survey was carried out at the last meeting held on March 11th. Please find the results below.

I refer to the above matter and have now analysed the 16 completed surveys which I received from our recent CEPN event. The consensus is that people would like the choice of a hot buffet (Chili, Curry, Stew etc) in the winter and a cold buffet in the summer (rice, pasta).

The majority of people would like small desserts or biscuits to be provided.

The majority of people would be happy to pay between £1- £3 more for a hot buffet or more variety. One person suggested that they would like salmon sandwiches, however the majority of people want a selection of sandwiches and hors d’oeuvre such as vol au vents, sausage rolls or quiches (which I believe Ann does anyway).

On a personal note, I think that the buffet went down very well at the last event and that nobody had any negative comments to make in respect of it, so a big well done to Ann.