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Martineau Johnson
Business Breakfast Club

2008

• On 20 March and 17 April Stuart Lotherington and Alistair Colam of SBR Consultants conducted two related but independent sessions on motivation, management, and sales.
• On 21 February Ben Thornber of Martineau Johnson spoke on current employment law topics; Ben’s summary is available here

2007

• In December, the group met for the traditional Christmas lunch on board RS Hispaniola, courtesy of Gary Beckwith of City Cruises (www.Hispaniola.co.uk).
• On 15 November, Nick Mallett, Geraldine Tickle and Richard Schmidt led a discussion on risk management across a wide range of circumstances. This discussion has now been converted into a guide-book, available from Nick, via nick.mallett@martjohn.com.
• On 11 October Sarah Beeby of Martineau Johnson reviewed recent developments in the fast-changing field of employment law, with particular emphasis on social networking sites.
• On 13 September Stuart Lotherington of SBR Consulting introduced an entirely new perspective to these events. Stuart is an accomplished and competition-standard triathlete who had recently taken part in a foot race to the North Pole; his one-day workshop, “Poles Apart” draws numerous “success principles” out of that experience, and he compressed those lessons into a fascinating appetiser.
• On 12 July 2007, Patrick Towell of Patrick Towell Consulting talked about designing the future of your business.
• On 14 June, Liam Hall of Trillium Productions spoke about podcasts, webcasts, streaming, downloads, audiocasts, websites, broadcasting and narrowcasting; the plethora of ways to deliver your corporate message can be intimidating.
• On 19 April Mike Deacon spoke again, this time on the relationship between investors, SMEs and financiers.
• On 22 March, Christine Hallett of Pointon York SIPP Solutions explained the benefits of Self-Invested Pension Plans under the new rules.
• On 18 January, Liz Cleary-Rodriguez of Martineau Johnson spoke on Wills, Trusts and Inheritance Tax.

2006

• On 21 September, Helen Driscoll, head of Intellectual Property and Information Technology at Martineau Johnson, provided an introduction to Intellectual Property, explaining the scope of copyright, trade marks, patents, confidentiality, data protection and related topics.
• On 15 June, Brenda Bell, then of David Stevens International, reviewed the development of senior management.
• On 18 May, Richard Wrigley, head of the Mergers & Acquisitions practice at Martineau Johnson, talked about the specific challenges associated with selling a business.
• On 27 April, Stephen Jackson a surveyor with WS Jackson Associates and experienced arbitrator, provided an introduction to the various forms of mediation now available in relation to commercial disputes.
• On 16 March, David Faulkner of Martineau Johnson provided an introduction to current issues of concern in relation to employment law.
• On 19 January, the meeting was led by Raymond Walley of Adams & Associates (UK) Ltd, who provided a broad-based view from his extensive practical experience of the use of psychometric instruments as management tools.

2005

• In keeping with the season, in December the Lunch Club took a break from the normal format and enjoyed lunch on the restaurant ship RS Hispaniola (www.hispaniola.co.uk), moored at Embankment pier, this being another in the City Cruises fleet, again hosted by Gary Beckwith. The Hispaniola's number is 020 7839 3011.
• In November, Dr David Perl of docleaf (www.docleaf.com) gave a presentation on crisis management with particular regard to the travel industry from which most of his company's experience derives. Docleaf provides a range of skills on a contract basis to those in need, sometimes at a moment's notice, to respond to circumstances diverging substantially from the norm. A classic example for docleaf is a transportation accident in a foreign country involving fatalities and serious injuries. This involves the management of the business concerned in exceptional demands and stress, often made more difficult by the lack of information readily available and the distances involved. Docleaf can mobilise teams to help across a range of disciplines in such circumstances. He can be contacted via david.perl@docleaf.com and 01923 681224.
• In October, Simon van Zuydam of OnBoard Consultancy introduced the benefits of following a blue ocean strategy, contrasting it with other business analysis methods with which it may be beneficially combined in practice. In essence, "blue ocean strategy" challenges a business to identify new markets and/or new customers, contrasting the blue ocean with the ocean which is red from the blood of competitors biting chunks out of one another. Simon's presentation is available here and he can be contacted (in Spain) on 00 34 971 687019 or via www.onboardconsultancy.com.
• After the Summer break, the Club reconvened in September to hear John Stonborough of Air Supremacy (www.airsupremacy.co.uk) address the fraught subject of dealing with a hostile media, and whether to opt for "fight or flight". John Stonborough's details are 07771 893 683 and JSMediaCo@aol.com.
• In July, the Lunch Club had an informal Summer meeting hosted by Gary Beckwith aboard one of City Cruises' (www.citycruises.com) boats following in the wake of the contestants for the annual Doggetts Coat and Badge race. The Port of London Authority web-site has a very informative piece on the subject - see this link. City Cruises' number is 020 7740 0400.
• In June, Brenda Bell, then of David Stevens International (www.davidstevensint.com) discussed with the group the particular problems relating to managing problem performers. For a copy of her presentation click here.
• In May, Nick Mallett provided a quick introduction to buying and selling businesses. For a copy of the presentation click here. Nick's contact details are nick.mallett@martjohn.com and 0870 763 1234.
• In April Linda Taylor, then of JBP Associates (www.jbp.co.uk) provided an outline of the services available from a PR consultancy. For a copy of her presentation click here.
• In February, Jane Byford of Martineau Johnson introduced "Employment Solutions", an insurance-backed advisory service concerning employment law matters. Click here for a copy of her presentation. Jane can be contacted via jane.byford@martjohn.com or on 0870 763 1378.

2004

• In December Ross Smith of Mindshelf (www.mindshelf.co.uk) provided an outstanding multi-media presentation on his approach to marketing. Ross can be contacted via ross@mindshelf.co.uk, or 0796 8888 044.
• In November Mike Deacon, then of Bibby Asset Finance but now at Asset-Based Financing and Leasing Limited (www.abfl.co.uk.) provided a survey of the various methods for the provision of finance for the purchase of assets, without involving debentures or, sometimes, indeed any security. Mike can be contacted at mdeacon@tiscali.co.uk or on 020 8866 0961.
• In October Christine Tebbutt, the principal of Catalyst HR (www.catalyst-hr.co.uk), a personnel training consultancy, spoke about the challenges for all concerned in implementing change. Click here for a copy of her presentation. Christine can be contacted via Christine@Catalyst-HR.com, or on 020 8643 2187.
• At the first meeting, Romek Matyszczyk, a partner in RSM Robson Rhodes (now part of Grant Thornton) (www.grant-thornton.co.uk), gave a talk about the valuation of intangibles such as shares and intellectual property rights. Romek can be contacted at romek.matyszczyk@gtuk.com, or on 020 7865 2102.