Girling Supplies

Having booked a ticket to London, discovering that there is a tube strike on the day of travel is not the best preparation to visit a food fair. But I got there using London Overground!

The first meeting after arrival was a networking event organised by Jane Milton. She is a lady who has energy and presence. During the networking, I met a number of people who were either food manufacturers or businesses working within the food industry. Questions were asked  about, plastic containers, stainless steel tables, rack, pallets and bespoke equipment.

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As Francophiles, Ann http://www.onthethreshold.co.uk  and I have spent many years on holiday in France. After this years trip and staying in a house surrounded by vineyards in the Languedoc, I decided to list some places where I have stayed, eaten or tasted a little wine. They are all my and Ann's personal views. If readers visit these places and do not get the enjoyment we have, please remember they are just our suggestions.

Some 30 - 45 minutes drive from the Channel Tunnel there are some hidden gems in the French countryside. Our first stay this year was at Auberge d'Inxent  a small hotel in Inxent which is in the Vallee de la Course. The hotel has 6 bedrooms. Restaurant menu is local food and the wine list extensive. The owner is a Somellier and this shows in the wine list. This is 1 of 4 hotels I have stayed in in the region. Another is Chateau des Tourelles, Le Wast http://www.hotel-le-wast.com/. The hotel is owned and run by Monsieur and Madame Feutry Rooms on the 2^nd floor are spacious. Food is excellent with an extensive  wine list.

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What did June 2010 mean to you?

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The early days of May were dominated by the General Election. The electorate didn't want the incumbent party to form a new government, were not sure about the main opposition and made great noises about the party in 3^rd place. Within a week after polling day we had a coalition or was it a collaboration.

The OED definitions of both as follows:
Coalition: Temporary alliance of combined action
Collaboration: Work jointly especially in a literary or artistic production.

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April: Spring is here and the illusion of peace and calm is shattered after a general election is announced on 6^th April. The month was taken up with extended news on radio and television, party leaders told us how they would be the most competent at running the economy and trust us , we are MP's working for you! We even had volcanic ash clouds stopping all flights over British air space. Did not read of any MP's getting stuck outside the UK. All busy canvassing!

Amongst all the hype and a public holiday at the beginning of the month, sales were reasonably good; stainless steel racks, baking trays, aluminium foil containers, stacking containers, bespoke stainless steel frames, Robot Coupe stick blender, bread pans, nest/stacking containers, shelving. Three other orders of  particular interest; stacking containers made in a special polypropylene material and supply to 2 shops of tables and sinks where the company is rolling out a refurbishment programme.

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In the business world where buyers are constantly trying to get more with less, why is it that most companies rely on resellers for a vital part of their sales turnover? Most of the companies I buy from openly admit that resellers are often closer to the smaller account than their own sales force and the reseller sells a wide range of products.

Maybe I should not have been surprised by an advert in British Baker last month which whilst extolling the virtue of their pricing also added ‘Why Go To  The Middle Man'. On the basis that this company has something different to offer, I searched for their web site (there isn't one).

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Ring a mobile phone and the message you will often hear is ‘The person you are calling is not available, please leave your name, number and message'

Why have this message or a mobile phone, if you have no intention of responding to the call. At the risk of upsetting people, are we all to busy to respond, or have we lost the art of communication? As a salesman, I contact businesses and individuals because I believe I have something different to offer. If knowledge is power, are we a nation of MENSA geniuses or not interested in expanding our knowledge base.

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Amid all the hopes for 2010, people forgot that sometimes in the UK, it snows. The country did not grind to a halt, but slowed down dramatically. Many people could not get to work. Exhausted,  after hours spent in traffic jams and all because we forgot how to cope when the snow fell. It was pretty, the country ran out of salt and the snow and ice lasted for over 2 weeks in some places.

The affect on work was huge. I found many business's struggling to manufacture and get the goods delivered. It was a difficult tracking down contacts and making appointments, but gradually the diary started to fill up. Appointments, in all the counties in the North-West, except Cumbria. Driving up the M6 to North Lancashire was not pleasant, and over the Pennines into West Yorkshire the hills still a lot of  snow left on them. The M60 has road works!

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For many business's 2009 has been one that will only linger in the memory for bankers bonuses, M. P's expenses, business failure and cash flow. Most of us have come through  the year relatively unscathed.

The end of November saw un upturn in business and while December has not produced a high volume of orders, I am still waiting on decisions from 2 companies 48 hours before we all start the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

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I ask the question as during the last 2 weeks, I have been to 3 networking events/meetings and listened to ‘Motivational speakers'. All have made their mark and have ideas to offer the employer and the self employed.

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