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#TuesdayCatchUp brought to you by CBF www.cbfnet.co.uk

I am starting to get better at this #TuesdayCatchUp review blog, It has only been 14 days since the event this time.

Sadly I did not manage to get an official head count but what I do know is we had by far our best turn out to date. I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that came along and also the people that helped spread the word of the event.

Some of our lovely regulars were greatly missed but I am sure we will see them at the next event in March. @TrainWithKirsty @ChapelSpa @Eveslegwear @LukeStephens @fwh to name a few.

It is not a bad thing for #TuesdayCatchUp and the followers of the event but I am getting to the point where I feel that I need to apologies to the Exmouth Arms bar staff for making what should be a nice quiet shift one of the busiest night’s of their week. In fact here is an image of the people arriving to the last #TuesdayCatchUp.

This way to #TuesdayCatchUp .. Jump aboard

Using my powers of mathematics and all my worldly knowledge I have come to the conclusion that as we had our biggest turn out yet we must have had a lot of new comers. Apologies if I did not manage to get around to introducing myself and showing you the ropes but I am confident you all managed to mix and mingle in the correct manor. I do not recall seeing anyone look particularly lost or scared amongst the group, if anything it was most likely me looking a bit dazed and confused because of the overwhelming turn out.

I cannot account for everyone else’s mingling but I certainly found myself speaking to some new and very interesting people, including a children’s book publisher, an accountant, lettings agent, charity worker and a company that deals with specialist painting prints.

The event also saw the return of the #TuesdayCatchUp #BigQuestion. This is a little, fun game we play to raise money for our local charity Winston’s Wish http://www.winstonswish.org.uk.

Everyone who wishes to get involved makes a small donation to our ever growing Winston’s Wish pot and get one guess at the #BigQuestion. This time around the question was “What is the combined amount of twitter followers of the people that have attended this month’s #TuesdayCatchUp”. With my ever fading memory I cannot remember the exact answer (32,000+/- I recall) but the three closest guesses came from @EllyPittaway @Taxationsaver @Creative_Scoop.

Between them they shared out the amazing prizes of a bottle of Moet kindly donated @LawsonWillett , A meal for two plus a bottle of wine donated by @TheExmouth and the top prize of a Twilight Spa for Two donated by @ChapelSpa.

http://www.chapelspa.co.uk/

http://theexmouth.co.uk/

To show the extent of the amount of people that turned up to the event once all was said and done and most people had left after an enjoyable evening of networking (23), that’s right 23 of us went out for a very enjoyable curry at the Indus Curry house on Bath Road http://www.induscheltenham.com

http://www.induscheltenham.com/home.aspx

Not to get big headed, okay well maybe slightly big headed but 23 people is more than some networking events have turn up to the whole event not just the after party curry.

But to me that is not enough. I want more and more Cheltenham (Gloucestershire) business people to experience the joys and benefits of coming along to a #TuesdayCatchUp event.

So if you came along and enjoyed it then please feel free to bring a + 1,2,3,4,5,6,7….. next time you come along. If you have never been before then why not join us? The event is totally free and all enjoyed in a relaxed networking atmosphere.

I will be posting more information with regards to the March event closer to the time but for now so you can get it in your diaries the next #TuesdayCatchUp event is on the 6^th March.

As always it will be taking place at the Exmouth Arms on the Bath Road in Cheltenham from 18:30 onwards.

Until then.. Adam out!

Miriam Pethania

www.iconoclast-images.co.uk

This week is it time for us to take a #CloserLook at a local business called Iconoclast.

Over to you Miriam..

Hi, I’m Miriam Pethania and I run Iconoclast – a bespoke art printing company, and something I’m very passionate about.

Iconoclast started in 2006 – we specialize in digital imaging, and work with designers, photographers and artists across the spectrum. We found our clients were wanting to create something beautiful and unique in print, so Iconoclast spun off from there. Our clients have a particular vision in their minds – and come to us to bring it to life.

It can be different every day – from a fresh-faced art graduate who’s just starting out, or someone with a vintage family photograph that they want share with others – to designers and corporate clients looking for fresh design solutions, or something stunning and personal for weddings and parties.

We started off with photographic printing, then took on fine art materials like watercolour papers and pure cotton canvases. Now we’re fully bespoke – and source the material that suits the project. We’ve worked with everything from aluminium sheets and vinyl banners, to pure silk drapes and wall clings – as well as the more traditional media – ranging from the size of a postcard, to the size of a house!

A bespoke print from Iconoclast is really a work of art in itself, because it’s hand-crafted, all the way. We look at each drop of colour and make sure it says what you want it to say. Having the privilege of working with some of the finest artists in history, including Turner, Whistler and Van Gogh – was an incredibly humbling experience, to literally get under the skin of a genius.

It’s exciting to work with contemporary artists and photographers – from the more well-established, to up-and-coming newcomers. Our photographic background also comes in handy to restore historic images – a recent highlight was reviving some vintage glass plate photographs and putting them onto silk for a couple’s diamond anniversary – the first time we’ve brought tears to someone’s eyes!

If you would like to be the next person we take a #CloserLook at them please send a short blurb to me (no longer than 350 words) at alegrand@cbfnet.co.uk.

Adam out!

Over the last 3 years CBF have been proud supporters and committee members of Gloucestershire Independent Network (GIN). With over 25 members and a number of visitors meeting at Hatherley Manor Hotel every week.

All attendees get the chance to talk for 60 seconds about their business to the rest of the group. While the rest of the group get served breakfast. During the meeting there is also a chance to mingle amongst the group and find out about each other and listen to a 10 minute speaker of the week talk about their business. These speakers can be anyone from one of the GIN members to external speakers that would like to share experiences and industry tricks of the trade.

From a CBF prospective GIN has proven its self time and time again not only as a door opener to local Gloucestershire businesses but a consistent lead generator and builder of trust in industries where we would otherwise have no knowledge. As there is only one representative from each industry, all GIN members have to apply, their application is carefully considered and vetted for compatibility with the group.

We encourage all our clients and followers on twitter to visit GIN as a good introduction to networking and spring board into some of the counties best businesses.

If you would like to come and say hi, we would love to make you our guest. Drop me a line and we can talk further.

Till next time.
Lawson Willett

I did it!

After weeks of trying to get sponsorship I have finally had the opportunity to get my head around walking 20ft across hot coals for the Winston’s Wish Firewalk.

I found myself a little jaded after a long night out on at the start of Saturday the 18th.  But surprisingly calm about what I was about to put my body through.  Now I don’t generally get nervous about stepping into the unknown but way out of my comfort zone is another thing entirely.  I was thankful however that I knew a number of people also embarking on this madness which seemed to soften the blow mentally.

Arriving at Brickhampton Golf Course in the afternoon, I walked into the bar area only to find very clique groups all talking about the process, the techniques and the scare mongering they have all endured whist trying to raise money for Winston’s Wish.  After a short drink were ushered into a conference room and greeted by a tall, skinny, bearded chap called Tony.  Who after settling us all down starts explaining the most amazing life story all based around martial arts and travelling to the far reaches to hone his skills with masters of various disciplines, he went through a lovely story about fire walking in the desert at a large party, one of which I must find in the future.  On a side-line amazing how first impressions count for so much, this very nice, scruffy looking gentleman although a little eccentric in nature you would take as just one of life’s ‘characters’ but was actually a trained ‘martial arts machine’ that was dedicated to his form so much so that after a few falters in life battled his way to be the best at his game.

Anyway back to our little body language/confidence boost session, over the next 2 hours we were asked to put ourselves into various mental states to make us more aware of our physical selves and be conscious of how to build adrenaline naturally to prepare us for the firewalk.  Although this experience was very pantomime in nature and outlandish we all got involved and as a group we very much dropped our emotional boundaries in readiness.

We were then taken outside to see the lighting of the coals! EEEEK! This was also used as a test to see how many paces it takes you to walk the 20ft length, for me 7 paces were pretty average in comparison to the rest of the group but boy! That number stuck in my head! (The thought of tripping, not good!)

Back inside we had one final HOORAR of building adrenaline between us and I was singled out to play the part of Elvis coming back from the grave to a large crowd this was quiet the buzz for me as I walked down the aisle to them all whooping and cheering, clapping and whistling.  We were then rallied together to collectively take deep breaths and build each other up.  Once all buzzing we went outside again like lemmings to meet our impending doom only to be greeted by 250+ people, camera flashes & a wall of flame 20ft long! Ummm, Gulp.

Now bearing in mind it must have been minus 2 degrees outside we had to take our socks and shoes off then and there and wait in line for the organisers to go first the floor was the only sensation I could feel and it was freezing!  Right so I think I was 4^th in line, as I got close to the flames and hot coals 20ft became 100ft and the crowds were non-existent around me, all I could here was my trusted trainer asking me some pre-prompted questions 1. To tell him my name and 2. If I was ready to go. Thank god I got that right!

As I stepped out onto the coals all I can tell you is that as my feet were so cold, the adrenaline was pumping at an all-time high I walked my 7 paces on what felt like a cold surface that had a texture that can only be described as feathers.

I got to the end and the elation can only be described as epic! I think the photo below looks like I have just won Gold at the 100m Olympics final and that’s how it felt.  What a great experience.  I highly urge anyone that is looking to conquer a fear or just do something out of their comfort zone go find out where you can do a firewalk.

Of course this was about me as much as the charity and both have gained massively so thank you to Winston’s Wish (http://www.winstonswish.org.uk ) I’m proud to support you and your work.  Thank you for Blaze (http://www.blazefirewalking.com/)  for the safe and well organised opportunity.

For those of you looking to see what I raised for this event or you may like to donate further click here http://www.justgiving.com/lawson-willett0

Thank you for all your support.

These photos were kindly taken by Blenheim Photography more available here: https://www.theimagefile.com/?skin=765402&Action=_VC&id=94345402&ppwd=93659hkn

Photo kindly taken by Richard Bell – @richard_bell

Today we are taking a #CloserLook at Suzie Goodman, also known as @KarmaKarsCots.

Over to you Suzie.

Hi, I’m Suzie Goodman from Cheltenham and I’m the very proud owner of Karma Kars Cotswold. We are a wedding car hire company operating across the Cotswolds as far as Oxford, Bristol and Birmingham.  Karma Kars started in London in 2000 with four Ambassadors imported direct from Calcutta. These iconic Indian cars, based on the 1950s British classic the Morris Oxford are classic looking, similar to a Morris Minor only bigger and with a boot! What makes a Karma Kar so special is the painstaking time & attention to detail spent on transforming each car into a veritable work of art. Both bumpers are festooned with exotic flowers and every inch of their interiors are decorated with sequins & beads.

Riding in a Karma Kar is a truly enchanting experience, guaranteed to make every bride’s special day jaw-droppingly stylish.  Karma Kars are practically celebrities in their own right, we’ve been in the music videos of Lily Allen and Keane, booked by Bloombergs and Selfridges and have driven many a celebrity client including Kate Moss, Sienna Miller and the Jaggers.  One of our cars even appeared in a Coronation Street wedding! (Dev & Sunita – fact fans).

After having a Karma Kar at her own wedding in London in 2005, Suzie brought the concept to the Cotswolds in 2010 offering a girly chauffeur experience quite like nothing else. She wanted to buck the trend of a traditional wedding car company so she dresses to impress and certainly doesn’t wear a chauffeur’s cap!  Her first year saw a bumper crop of twelve weddings, this year is already looking busy when you consider that this time last year when she launched she had zero bookings!

Outside of weddings and beautiful cars, Suzie enjoys her 2 gorgeous children, ridiculously high-heeled shoes and cheese of any persuasion.

If you would like to be the Gloucestershire business we are taking a #CloserLook at then please drop me a blurb about yourslef and your business (no more than 350 words to alegrand@cbfnet.co.uk.

Adam out!

First of all I would like to thank everyone that took part in the #BigQuestion at last night’s #TuesdayCatchUp and donated towards our Winston’s Wish Charity collection.

I am pleased to say we are now up to an amazing £120.98!!!!

We are accumulating the pot until the summer so let’s keep up the good work and keep on adding those pennies.

I would now like to say a HUGE thank you to the people that kindly donated the winning prizes for the #BigQuestion.

Firstly a massive thank you to Sarah Capewell & Sam Tribe (@TheExmouth) the managers of the Exmouth Arms Pub. They don’t only put up with us taking over the pub on the first Tuesday of every month they were also kind enough to donate a MEAL FOR TWO INCLUDING A BOTTLE OF WINE towards the #BigQuestion prize draw. http://theexmouth.co.uk/

Next is one of the most genuine, lovely Cheltenham businesses people I have had the pleasure to meet. Emma Whitelaw of the Chapel Spa (@ChapelSpa) in Cheltenham kindly donated a TWILIGHT SPA FOR 2 as the 1^st prize for the #BigQuestion winner. http://www.chapelspa.co.uk/shop/search.php?search_q=Twilight+Spa&srchsubmit=Search&fromprice=5&toprice=325

Last but not least my very own partner in crime (I mean business) Lawson Willett (@LawsonWillett) of CBF group for donating a fine bottle of Moet Champagne. http://www.cbfnet.co.uk/

So now, what you have all been waiting for. Here are the three lucky people who had the closest answers to the #TuesdayCatchUp #BigQuestion.

The question posed to the attendees of last night’s #TuesdayCatchUp was;

What is the combined amount of twitter followers of all the people that have attended #TuesdayCatchUp tonight (07/02/12)?

Answers (which took me nearly two hours to figure out by the way at 1am) 31,859

In 3^rd place winning the lovely bottle of Moet is the lovely Nina of @Creative_Scoop

In 2^nd place enjoying a meal for 2 including a bottle of wine at the Exmouth Arms Pub is Aynsley of @Taxationsaver

The Big winner of the February 2012 #BigQuestion who will be enjoying the relaxing Twilight Spa at the Chapel Spa in Cheltenham is the ‘First time lucky new comer’ Danielle of @EllyPittaway

I would like to say from myself and everyone else at #TuesdayCatchUp massive congratulations to you all.

To claim you prize please DM at @CBFprinters or email me at alegrand@cbfnet.co.uk.

Adam out!

The face behind the @GlosOx twitter account

Welcome to our first #CloserLook segment of the #TuesdayCatchUp blog. This is going to be an ongoing project where you will have a chance to have a closer look at local Gloucestershire businesses and what makes them tick.

The first person we are having a #CloserLook at is Rachel Davis also known at @GlosOx on Twitter.

Over to you Rachel:

My name is Rachel Davis (aka “Dizzie”), and I am a community fundraiser for the British Heart Foundation(BHF). I cover all of Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire –and quite frankly, I love my job!

I grew up in Gloucester (love the Cherry & Whites), but I now live with my boyfriend and our two dogs in Droitwich (handily situated on the motorway between the two Counties that I cover!)

I spent 8 years as a Trading Standards Officer, before being made redundant in August 2010. I started work for BHF in January 2011. It’s a charity very close to my heart (all puns intended) – and if you want me to tell you why, I will do – without obligation!

I have been a volunteer before, and I am fully aware that charities large and small could not do the job they do, or raise the money they do without volunteers – I am extremely grateful to everyone who gives time or expertise to charity (whether it’s BHF or another charity).

I am so inspired by the work of BHF, which is why I can do my job with so much enthusiasm. I meet many people who have benefitted from the work of BHF, but also some people who have lost loved ones to heart disease – these are the people that I work for.

I am always looking for new ideas to raise money – it’s tough out there – there are so many charities wanting money, and everyone believes that BHF is a rich charity (it’s not!). It’s my aim to tell as many people as possible that Heart Disease kills more people in the UK than anything else. (also women are 3 times more likely to die of Heart Disease than breast cancer).But I won’t nag about your eating habits….I will look disapprovingly when you sneak outside for a fag tho!

Come and chat to me at #TuesdayCatchUp – I’m a fundraiser, not a mugger!

Next week we will be have a #CloserLook at Suzie Goodman of @KarmaKarsCots

If you would like to be one of the Gloucestershire businesses we take a #CloserLook at then drop me a tweet to @CBFprinters or email me at alegrand@cbfnet.co.uk.

Adam out!

It has been a good week and it has been an even better day in the CBF Towers and because of this I am in a good yet slightly cheeky mood.

I have decided to throw it all out there and be slightly controversial.

I have compiled a list of my Top 15 influential Tweeters in Gloucestershire. The list has been created by twitter research, hard facts and a tiny bit of me just liking how people roll on Twitter.

If you are mentioned in the list this does not give you an excuse to get all ‘High and Mighty’. Firstly because you should be setting an example and secondly because this list has been created by ME. If I thought for a second people actually listened to what I say I would be far busier compiling a list of the top 100 biscuit treats people would have to supply when visiting me at the office.

For the people that care, Fox’s crème fudge would be at number one by the way.

Any who, back to the list, so here are the top 15 tweeters that I believe to be influential in Gloucestershire.

15. @thomaslegal

14. @allintheimage

13. @photoglow

12. @welsh_pr

11. @LawsonWillett

10. @winstonswish

9. @bw58

8. @finewinedrew

7. @economummy

6. @chapelspa

5. @tammylynn_17

4. @cotswoldlife

3. @nibleyfestival

2. @carersglosshire

1. @10yetis (sorry people, I actually cringed typing that but it can’t be denied.)

So there we go, if you are not already following all of these people I seriously recommend you start doing so. You may learn a thing or two about this Twitter business from them.

Ironically I started researching this so I could waste time before picking up the wife as she was working late.

I am sure now after reading this you are now feeling it has been a waste of your time.

Thank you for wasting time with me.

P.S I am not sure if that was ironic at all, it is really have to use ironic in the correct manor in a sentence.

As part of the ever growing and demanding force of nature that is the #TuesdayCatchUp I am now adding a section to the blog called ‘Closer Look’.

It is kind of what it says on the tin…

Life seems to move at such a fast pace now that you can be speaking to people constantly on twitter and meeting them at #TuesdayCatchUp but you never really get a chance to find out who they really are.

I am giving people an opportunity to reach out to their fellow Twitter followers and readers of the blog and give them a #CloserLook into who they are and what they do.

To get involved with #CloserLook all I am simply asking you to do is email me @ alegrand@cbfnet.co.uk with a blurb (350 words max) giving people a #CloserLook at you and your business or the role within the business you work in.

Then what I will do is publish one of these #CloserLook articles once every 3-5 days or so. What I am looking to do is ask people to keep updating their #CloserLook every 6 weeks or so. This gives the followers an opportunity to build up a relationship with you and keep track on how you are doing.

The whole idea is personality sells, the more existing and potential customers know and like about you and your business the more they are likely to buy from you.

When I was sound boarding about this idea with my brother he posed the question of what should people write and how will it evolve from article to article?

My answer was simply that #CloserLook is not a chance to give a sales pitch. The person writing the #CloserLook should be informing people about; how they started in the business, work ethic, achievement, Goals, upcoming projects etc. People always say about first impression is all that counts, I don’t believe that is necessarily true but personality does sell a business. If people can connect with your personality then the customers will not only come but will also be loyal.

As part of the #CloserLook article I am also encouraging people to attach a #LookCloser offer code. Like Twitter this will be limited to 140 characters, simply just added to the end of your #CloserLook article stating an offer.

For example: Contact me and state #CloserLook2012/A to receive 10% off your order.

This is all means of free marketing people, jump aboard and make the most of it.

Email me now with your #CloserLook article and I shall inform you to when it will be published on the blog.

Keep up the community out there!

Adam

February 7^th #TuesdayCatchUp Update

To quote a phrase from a wise man “The wisest man has long ears and a short tongue”.

This appears to be extremely true in the case of #TuesdaycatchUp. Using the likes of the new #YVH (Your Voice Heard) hash tag and just generally sitting back and listening to what people are saying I have received some very interested and useful feedback.

Because of the feedback I’ve received I have slightly changed my methods of interacting with people with regards to #TuesdayCatchUp and the response I have got has been phenomenal.

Since the end of 2011 #TuesdayCatchUp has been mentioned in the Cheltonian Magazine, been added to 5 or so online social calendars and had numerous mentions on various networking related blogs. With all this going on #TuesdayCatchUp is having its best invite response since it began.

I would like to say a huge personal thank you to Rachel from @GlosOx who has been really getting behind #TuesdayCatchUp and speaking to me behind the scenes about finding ways to help it grow.

This reminds me; keep your eyes out for future #TuesdayCatchUp blog posts as there is some big news to come out shortly…..

Anyway, back to the 7^th February #TuesdayCatchUp event, as I have already mentioned we are having some fantastic invite feedback so I am expecting a HUGE turnout.

We have 3 or 4 of the regular attendees celebrating their birthdays at the event so we are expecting the usually bubbly, friendly atmosphere times a million (I can confirm there are no exaggerations in this blog what so ever). A little “hint hint” if any of your cakey, bakey people are looking to come along then some birthday tasters would be a great way to showcase your skills.

You should all be please to hear after the success of the last #TuesdayCatchUp ‘The BIG question’ it is making a second appearance. For those of you that were not around for the first questions the game is as follows.

First of all I shall explain why we play the ‘#TuesdayCatchUp BIG question’ in the first place. The #TuesdayCatchUp event are official supporters of the local charity Winston’s Wish, so from time to time I come up with silly little ways to help raise some money for them. You can find out more about Winston’s Wish by visiting http://www.winstonswish.org.uk

I will be posing one question to everyone that attends the 7^th February #TuesdayCatchUp event and even though you do not have to pay to enter a small donation to go towards our Winston’s Wish pot is appreciated.

Then on Wednesday 8^th February I shall reveal the 3 people with the closest answer to the question who will all win a lovely prize. After the last ‘BIG question’ @Lifebooth walked away with a lovely bottle of Champagne, @photoglow enjoyed a box of Luxury Chocolates and @EllaStella will be enjoying a FREE drink on me at this upcoming event.

This time around I have arranged for some even BIGGER and BETTER prizes!

Keep an eye out for a blog post in the next couple of days revealing what the ‘BIG question’ is going to be. Don’t worry if you miss the blog post as I will be telling everyone the question on the night as well.

Apart from the ‘BIG question’ I am just expecting the usual high quality mingling and networking that people have grown to know and love from the #TuesdayCatchUp events, so make sure you all have a handful of business cards on you.

If any would like to join us I am sure we will be paying a visit to one of the local Curry houses after the event which usually takes place around 21:00/21:30. This is always a great way to carry on the work banter and fill those tummies after a night of networking.

If you know anyone that would like to come along to this event then please feel free to bring them along of get them to contact me at @CBFprinters / alegrand@cbfnet.co.uk for more details.

I look forward to seeing some friendly faces and new comers on the 7^th!

Enjoy the rest of your week you beautiful people.

Adam