Visited Age Concern & Help the Aged in London this week, to talk about future projects. Really interesting meeting and made me think carefully about the profile of our core team and the benefits that diversity brings. We put a lot of emphasis on innovation in our business and we gain so much from the experience levels in the team. “Been there, done that” really does help and we’re fortunate to have a good mix of age, experience and creative energy.
Had our “Year End Accounts Review Meeting” and I’m pleased to report that we made a profit. Only a small one admittedly but when we see so many businesses in our sector reporting big losses it does give us an excuse for a modest celebration. This has definitely been the toughest year since we started in 1998.
The warm glow from a celebratory cup of tea in the accounts department was unfortunately quickly forgotten when a freelancer called to complain he hadn’t received payment. Could we check with the bank to find out where his payment had gone? Hours of investigation finally proved that he himself had paid in our cheque but because he’d paid in something else at the same time he hadn’t recognised the amount! It would be laughable if it weren’t such a waste of time and it’s really frustrating. Good freelancers need to be good small business administrators too.
Thinking back to last weekend I was lucky enough to be invited to Belgium to visit friends who are building an eco-house. They’re using solar panels and taking their heat source from the ground via pipes buried in trenches. We try to be environmentally friendly at Corporate Events Plus but I’m going to see what more we could do.
Did some work this week for another production company visiting the local area as part of a simultaneous 14 venue presentation for a new diabetes drug. It was a good opportunity to work with someone else in the same market and to take on board different ideas on presentation technique and style.
The Destination Growth Event is being presented by the East of England Development Agency at Duxford on the 3rd November. There are some interesting Keynote speakers and it looks like a good opportunity to network with other business leaders in the region, so we’ve registered to attend.
Off to give blood this afternoon. I just hope I don’t have a bit of a funny turn as I did last time. Apparently I went a very funny colour before I was helped into the recovery position!