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:

PERSONAL BRANDING  - REVEALING THE AUTHENTIC YOU!

Do you understand how others see you? Are they seeing you for who you really are? Your personal brand says a lot about you, but is it saying what you want it to say? And it is helping or hindering your career or business?

Branding is big business these days and quite often, in noisy, competitive markets the only differential that matters. The same is true for individuals. What messages do you project and is that message getting you what you want?  What are employers, customers, your staff, your boss buying?  What about your values and beliefs?  What do you stand for?  What will you NOT stand for?

During this interactive presentation you will explore the key elements of your identity to ensure that your personal brand is clear and being heard. It’s all about recognising the true, authentic YOU. This will be a fascinating session. Not to be missed!

ABOUT THE SPEAKER…

Jane Kenyon is a serial entrepreneur, well respected business coach, inspirational speaker and Founder of The Well Heeled Divas Ltd, an organisation dedicated to female empowerment and inspiring women and young girls to step up and shine.  After a successful corporate career in marketing and brand development, at age 28 Jane walked away from a Director level job to start her entrepreneurial journey and has never looked back.  Jane is 46, married and lives in Knutsford, Cheshire.

Venue:

The Business School, University of Chester, Liverpool Road (although entrance is Victoria Road), Chester. CH2 1AE

Time:

6.00pm Bar and Buffet

Main Speaker

Alan Gardner, offering free help and advice from HM Revenue and Customs Advice Team

Introducing a series of local workshops specially designed to help you.

10 minute speaker

Anne Girling - “An Introduction to True Colors”

True Colors is a versatile and fun tool that can be used in any organizations for team building, leadership, change management and personal wellbeing. This talk will give a brief introduction and a short demonstration.

Venue:

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

Time:

6.30pm Bar and Buffet

Paul Rutherford, Sales Leadership Development Limited – Sales Management Coaching and Development

Paul coaches sales professionals, sales managers and business owners to improve results. Businesses and the people working in them have different needs. There is one common aim… to increase sales!

Cheshire County Sports Club, Plas-Newton Lane, Chester, CH2 1PR 6.30pm Bar and Buffet

Eric Hearn from Business Scene – “Helping you raise your visibility to achieve more local business”
Our aim is to help you connect, network and promote your business offerings to give you greater connectedness, visibility and business in your local areas.

Cheshire County Sports Club, Plas-Newton Lane, Chester, CH2 1PR 6.30pm Bar and Buffet