Summary - July Joint Meeting

Venue: Algarve Golf Academy, Albufeira

Despite the roads changing after our directions had been circulated, we had a great turn out of members and new guests to the impressive venue of Daniel Silva’s Golf Academy. (www.hoteisreal.com).

Daniel Silva is a former European tour player and two time winner on tour. Recently voted Portugal’s best ever player by the Portuguese Golf Federation, he has been coaching full time since 2000. He opened the Algarve Golf Academy on 20th September 2008, as part of the Hoteis Real hotel group.

We were all thrilled with the function room that looked over the impressive golf course and were delighted to discover that Network member Lis Jensen’s company had been responsible for the creation of our beautiful surroundings. This reminded me that all our members know people or businesses that could benefit from belonging to Network and we need to pool knowledge more often. With this is mind, as we look towards a joint meeting at the end of the year, please have a think. Are you are already a member that has a business that could host a central meeting? Do you work with people or businesses that might be appropriate? Do contact the Vice President for your area if you are interested.

Our speaker, Greg Stebbe, brother to Marilyn (Sweet Marilyn), gave us an in depth reality check on the current economic picture we find ourselves in. The first part of his presentation outlined how this recession would hit deep and be worse than any of us had perhaps seen. Greg suggested that though it was a longer term issue than we realize, there still are some real differences one can make to keep afloat. He also reminded us that many businesses streamline to better efficiency when faced with a crisis, many start up, only some fail and that people still need products.

The second part dealt with the how to think innovatively to stay on track. Product - what is your product and is it the best it can be? He emphasized that all businesses would need to improve on. This may be harder for some than others, but look at Internet utilisation, signage on vehicles, lways being ready to hand over business cards and have your Martini speech ready when meeting new people, and also Networking.

He used Network as a great example to illustrate his point. Greg suggested also trying to find other businesses to liaise with co-operatively – a subject Network touched on in April. Greg reminded us that exchange of goods and products (Bartering) could be better utilized, e.g. exchanging marketing advice for printing.

There were hard facts to deal with on a monetary angle including flexible or part time staff hours, a general necessity to really look at all angles of your business and review if you are efficient. Talking to Banks and re-negotiating deals can be a great way to both cut expenditure and also free up capital, so communication is key. Good negotiating skills are a must. Greg reminded us that we all have leverage in some way so start by thinking that way and implement new things, this is no time to be scared! Keep moving forward!!

Lindsey Hanson VP West