Not even the wet and wind of Cyclone storm “Rachel” could keep our wonderful members away from their favourite networking event, as The Boardroom Network met for the first time in 2015. With Christmas and New Year’s festivities a seemingly distant memory, the New Year has got off to a vivacious and productive start by all accounts. Over 70 members and their visitors gathered for our January meeting at the always hospitable Hallmark Hotel, and there was a definite sense of optimism for the commercial year ahead.
Following breakfast and the usual table introductions, we welcomed our first “2 minute warmer” of the morning – a recent local celebrity thanks to his appearance on Channel 4’s Location, Location, Location with Kirsty Allsopp and Phil Spencer – Mr Matt Annen from Pure Town Planning. Whilst proudly flying the flag for property planning projects in the local Bournemouth, Poole and wider Dorset area, it is always great to see our local businesses thriving across the UK, as PTP are.
As ever, table discussions were loud and lively, with subject matter including how to be disruptive in the marketplace, why printing companies practically give their hardware away (watch out for those consumable costs!!), and even a conversation about a recent television show about Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island – an interesting insight into how the rich and famous do business so differently (and how it might be time to free the shackles of archaic business practises…)
Our second “2 minute warmer” was from our very own Ian Siddall, a founder member at The Boardroom Network, who regaled with a story about his most recent business acquisition… He was so desperately in need of a drink in December, that he decided to buy a brewery! Outrageously, his Piddle Brewery (which is based in Dorchester) sells more beer in Devon than they do in Dorset. I’m sure our membership will be keen to politely have a word with their favourite local pub or restaurant manager about how they should be selling this local lager!
Now obviously our January meeting was held later in the month than usual, to allow those who needed a brief recovery spell after the Christmas festivities to enjoy that. However, we will be back to our more regular date of the first Thursday in February (5th), which we look forward to welcoming you too. Don’t forget to invite colleagues and contacts of yours that you feel could benefit from attending our meetings – they of course get their initial visits to try before committing to join our network – and you get your name in the hat to win the monthly bottle of Champagne!
Wishing you a prosperous year ahead!