3/4/09
Red Alert leads the way by offering high-tech help

BNI member Red Alert Telecare has picked up a top award from the Kent Invicta Chamber

Clive Gawler’s new company helps councils introduce high-tech care systems that keep older and vulnerable people out of hospital.

The life-changing equipment allows people to stay at home, safe in the knowledge that sophisticated monitoring equipment will raise the alarm if they need help.

At the Kent Invicta Chamber awards, presented at a glittering ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge, the innovative and rapidly-expanding company was named Most Promising New Business.

Collecting the award, sponsored by HSBC, Managing Director Clive Gawler said he was “delighted that our efforts to help councils make life better for older and vulnerable people have been recognised in this way”.

Red Alert Telecare was set up just two-and-a-half years ago and has since won contracts from numerous London councils and others across the country. Its flexible service ranges from installing the equipment to maintaining customer databases and holding stock for the councils involved.

“Some councils just need us to install the equipment, which can range from simple smoke alarms and panic buttons to temperature, out-of-bed, flooding and fall sensors, while others rely on us to make appointments, hold stock and do everything except monitor the equipment,” said Clive.

It was the company’s flexibility, professional approach and customer care that impressed the judging panel, which consisted of Carole Barron of the University of Kent, Nick Rowell of The Portable Business School, David Butler, Canterbury Enterprise Hub, Graham Jordan, HSBC, Henry Nydam of Brachers Law and Morag Welham from the Kent Messenger Group.

For more information go to www.redalerttelecare.com or contact Clive Gawler on clive@red-alert.ltd.uk

1/2/09
Shelling out, and about, for the Kent Air Ambulance

Shelley Hathaway-Batt of Ashford based Colin Batt Removals will be getting up at the crack of dawn for the next 2 months in aid of the Kent Air Ambulance. The Ashford group have adopted the Kent Air Ambulance as its chosen charity for 2009.

Shelley plans to visit every one of the 25 BNI groups in Kent between February 5th and March 25th. As BNI meetings finish at 8.30am to allow their members to get to work for 9am Shelley will be waking up at 5am for the next 2 months! She already has pledges of £300 and by visiting all 24 groups in Kent hopes to raise at least £1000 towards the £1.5 million it costs each year to keep the life saving helicopter in our skies.
Setting out on her 2 months of early starts to raise money for and the profile of the Kent Air Ambulance, Shelley said “BNI members have a givers gain mentality, and I can think of no better cause to give to as you never know when someone may gain from the air ambulance’s rapid response ”.
David Philpott, Chief Executive of The Kent Air Ambulance Trust said “The Kent Air Ambulance are thrilled that Ashford BNI have chosen to make us their Charity of the Year. We look forward to working in partnership with this dynamic organisation over the coming months as they help us raise vital funds. We would like to thank BNI for their much needed support that will help keep our life-saving helicopter operational over the South-East of England.”

The Ashford BNI Chapter has adopted KAA as their charity for the whole of 2009. They have a range of other fundraisers planned, including a BIG raffle and another member who is hoping to carry out the longest off road bike route in England.

5/1/09
Why BNI?
Let me tell you a story!
When I joined WPA in early 2003 my manager suggested ‘very strongly’ that I join BNI for the benefits of business, friendship, help and giving.
I was sceptical at first about BNI- I expect very high standards for my Health Insurance policyholders and for myself – could this organisation really come up to my standards?
Well, that was 5 years ago! On average roughly 60% of my business comes from contacts obtained via the BNI network -an excellent investment return!
My self-confidence and development has grown since 2003 – because I wanted it! I used to ask for business – now I sow seeds of hope and interest!
Needless to say I have had to work at it, to learn how to explain the benefits of my business and how I could help people they may meet daily. I have been able to visit chapters all over the country traveling many miles! Some people laugh about this – but when I say that I earnt £600 by 0900 – they nod quietly!
Friendship? Yes – I would say that I think that I could be regarded as a ‘friend’ to anyone in BNI who needs help; I enjoy the ‘repartee’ in the mornings. I enjoy going to BNI. The social events such as Karting, darts, visiting pubs/restaurants, ten-pin bowling all helps us to understand each other better.
Giving? Yes – I would also say that I believe that I am a good giver – a little while ago I overheard a BNI colleague saying to another that they wish they knew where they could get a loan for a hotel development in Dubai. I asked around in my networks and got a reply within 30 minutes from a company in Wall Street offering them million dollars!
Without doubt BNI has exceeded my expectations.
Join BNI, be prepared to grow and profit.
Tim Chappell. WPA.

Ashford Chapter are moving venue.

As of the 7th January 2009 we will be meeting at the newly refurbished Ashford International Hotel.


“Ashford BNI - First Among Equals!”

Under the leadership of Shelley Batt, possibly one of the most innovative and hardworking chapter directors in recent times, Ashford BNI has scaled new heights not simply by earning the status of being the leading chapter in Kent they also secured further accolades as the best performing chapter in the whole of the country.

The success of a chapter is judged on a range of criteria including its ability to pass business (in the form of refer rals), encourage the attendance of visitors (potential new members), the conversion of those visitors into members and the attendance and participation of it's own members. Clearly in all those areas Ashford has excelled, breaking all goals set down in April.

It is likely their clear enthusiasm for meeting the challenges of BNI membership will continue to drive the chapter forward in the coming months.
Trevor Leigh.

37 members and still counting!

In April the chapter set some targets and goals that it wanted to achieve by the end of September. These included:

•    Growing the chapter to 35 members
•    Passing (on average) 50 referrals per week
•    Each member having at least 1 1-2-1 meeting per month.

The committee is very pleased to report that we have exceeded our expectations and have now reached 37 members!  In addition to this success we are now passing (on average) 58 referrals per week and have carried out 148 1-2-1’s in the last 5 months. The members have also been very busy training, with 22 members going on a training session since April.

“Ashford BNI is buzzing at the moment. It’s a great time to be a member”
Clive Gawler. Red Alert.

Shelley hands over to the new Committee.

Ashford BNI, King of the Castle
 
Ashford BNI do it in 13th century style.

Ashford BNI held their first networking lunch at Lympne Castle,  a beautiful 13th century, grade 1 listed building, set high on a hill overlooking the Romney Marshes.

Shelley Hathaway-Batt, of Colin A Batt Removals and Chapter Director of Ashford BNI, arranged the lunch and the fantastic venue.

Chapter members invited other business and potential visitors to the Chapter for an informal sit down lunch, with lots of networking.  Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce also sent a representative.

Several of the members, led by Philip Carter, did a short presentation between courses to promote BNI by telling everyone why BNI had been so successful for them and their businesses.

The following week, the Ashford chapter benefited from 3-4 extra visitors at their meeting, and they all continue to work on the new contacts they made at the lunch.
Well Done, Ashford BNI, for a great event.

For more details contact Shelley, Colin A Batt Removals, 01233 740395,   colbatt@aol.com