As Ian said, before he left, this is going to be brutal and unrelenting. The gruelling schedule is two hours rowing, two hours resting non stop for 30 days. Six men in a very confined space, energy sapping pace, no shower, bucket and chuck it toilet, lack of sleep, erratic weather conditions, are you getting the picture?

If you are interested in their progress click on this link http://www.atlantic-odyssey.com/live-updates/#.TwK-o3NNX_E.twitter

Ian, as well as being an inspirational speaker, is one of a team of six, who are attempting to break the world record for rowing non stop across the Atlantic, in under 30 days! Ian will be telling us how they intent to achieve this incredible feat and how their dedication, commitment and team spirit can help you reach your goals. Click on the link to get a taste of their mission, then book your place!

Atlantic Odyssey Info

Potential unlocked at Grapevine with Ayd Instone

Charisma, energy, music and an unmistakable desire to help business people unlock their potential were the hallmarks of Ayd Instone’s presentation at the Grapevine open event on 6^th October at the David Lloyd centre.  It was the kind of presentation that changes lives: looking around the audience you could see lights appearing behind eyes, despite the newness of the hour, as the 50-strong group warmed to Ayd’s style and, more importantly, his message.

On the day that Steve Jobs from Apple died, Ayd inspired those present, in words and song, to ‘think different’, not to do things the way they had always done them.  He asked that they try new things and step outside their comfort zone.

He talked about branding.  “It’s what big business does.  That’s what’s made them big,” he said.  “But it’s not about putting a gloss over your business.  It’s about finding your uniqueness and shouting about it. It’s about stripping away the veneer to reveal who you are.  It’s about what you say when you are not in the room.”

Ayd urged the Grapevine members and visitors to consider who they are, why they were there and what was the point of them being in business.  He said if you identify who you are, what makes you an expert, people will come knocking at your door.  “Do it because you believe in it,” he said.

Ayd’s business is helping people produce books for people that show off their expertise and what makes them special.  It’s something that he has done since childhood.  Something he was busting to do.  It’s what he is.  “An expert is someone who has information that others will pay for,” he said.  “What better way to capture your uniqueness than to publish a book?” Of course it shouldn’t be just any book.  It has to be one that matches your brand, one that defines who you are, what you do and why you are in business.  It has to be a book that people will want to buy.  Magazines, brochures, blogs and websites are all thrown away but Ayd said that books never are.  “At worst they will eventually be given to a charity shop,”– and continue to spread the word.

In closing Ayd invited the audience to join him for a workshop on 15^th October to explore the book that was within them and burning to escape. It would give them the opportunity to work on their core story, strip away the gloss to allow their true selves to emerge, and to plan a book that would be irresistible to readers and help them change their lives too.

Filed under: Business Tagged: Networking ]]> http://grapevinemk.wordpress.com/2011/10/11/grapevines-unique-open-meeting-is-a-great-success/feed/ 2 grapevinemk Ayd Instone http://grapevinemk.wordpress.com/2011/09/09/grapevine-open-meeting-6th-october-2011-unique/ http://grapevinemk.wordpress.com/2011/09/09/grapevine-open-meeting-6th-october-2011-unique/#comments Fri, 09 Sep 2011 14:04:12 +0000 grapevinemk http://grapevinemk.wordpress.com/?p=231 ]]> To stand out and be noticed in business we need to be different,
we need to be like nothing people have seen before:
we need to be UNIQUE.

• First of all learn to generate referrals for your own company, until you can successfully achieve this you are unlikely to generate referrals for others.
• Use feedback forms which can act as testimonials or may generate leads.
• Each member should work out an average amount of referrals required per annum to justify membership. This will be monitored and updated from our referral slips by Ashley and Mark. 
• A one off historical chart will be produced based on the last 15 months referral slips, compiled by Melvyn. Then each member can let us know how many these were converted into business. Ashley is sending all members a breakdown of the referrals they have received to enable us to establish how successful and effective our referrals have been. 
• From the statistics we can see which members require more help in attaining their goal.
• All members should carry the concertina of members, or the Grapevine card holder or insert all members phone numbers in their mobile, the combination is up to the individual. Marlis to organise concertinas.
• Each member should consider putting a Grapevine link on their website and/or include it in their email signature.
• Change the one minute round to the end of the meeting. Ask questions during the one minute round.
• Change the format each week to suit the group.
• More one to one discussions, either at Grapevine or individually organised.
• Stricter time keeping for one minutes and closing of the meeting.
• Form power groups, with members of similar trades or interests.
• Listen for triggers when with customers or at other events.
• It is up to us to as a group to instigate these changes/suggestions as applicable. 
• Our future success is in our hands!

By M.Page (6/7/2011)

Preparation is key, allocate time, clear the desk, use notes for guidance and do not read from a script. Research your target audience carefully, use a reputable database, set yourself goals and reward achievements (even if it just a cup of coffee). Most of your phone calls may receive a no, that’s good, ask why and learn from it. If for the example, the time is inconvenient offer to call back. Always be in the right frame of mind, be upbeat and smile as you speak.

Be creative and pick up on type of personality you are dealing with and adjust your pitch accordingly. The most common types are audible, visible and kinetic. One of the most important criteria is to listen, how many of us have experience the caller reading from a script and not listening to you!

With an audience of over 40, Phil received a great response to his presentation, and I would say without exception we all learned some valuable lessons .

The venture would allow basic but legal Wills to be provided online for the 70% of English & Welsh adults who presently don’t have a Will. In particular Ashley sought the views of members regarding website names, price/positioning in the market, basic and value added service propositions.

This led to a lively discussion where members provided their views, useful comments and valuable guidance.

So, if you are looking for something a little bit different with your breakfast, why not give Grapevine a try? We are a non-profiting making, independent breakfast group and our meetings are conducted in a relaxed informal atmosphere!

The laughter was caused by our ten minute speaker Terry Cordery, he is our resident plumber and after today comedian. He had us in fits of laughter whilst informing us of his experiences, from a wheel clamp on his van, to taking out a boiler at a vets and working in a pigsty, literally!

So in you want to join a vibrant, interesting and fun breakfast group please contact us!