How many times have you met someone at a party and, for want of any other small talk, asked them what they do for a living? Right, we all do it, it helps break the ice. But equally, how many times does your companion ramble on about doing this and that, and quite a few other things too, and when you probe a little further and ask who, in the main, are his clients or customers, says ‘Oh, just about everyone, really’. Is this the way to engage your audience? Is this likely to lead to new or enhanced business? Absolutely not. But it’s lamentable how many people, in a business...

The BBC have given up including in their traffic alerts the daily gridlock that now subsumes much of west London . Yet those of us living in the area (Chiswick in my case) have had our daily lives totally disrupted for several months now by the part closure of the A4 Hammersmith flyover. Last week was half term and the roads were noticeably quieter, but traffic was still awful in Chiswick. This week, with many schools now back, I was literally unable to turn out of my road yesterday morning (car essential on that day) and it took twenty minutes to cover the first mile. Buses are backed up -...

Just back from a hugely energetic room full of 4N networkers enjoying breakfast at One Kew Road, Richmond. So many people to talk to that I’m bound to go back to meet them properly next time. Have made a date to go to the Hammersmith meeting on Tuesday, too. That will make two ‘Full English’ in one week! Disaster for waistline and cholesterol but brilliant for the brain.

I’ve joined 4Networking which seems to have been a good move.  Lots of different branches to visit for breakfast at the civilised hour of 8 a.m. Lots of different people to meet and my membership is already paying dividends.  One important reminder from a fellow member today is to keep this website up to date!  More next week.

Not my usual sort of post, but please follow this link if you, or anyone you know, might be interested in buying a simply gorgeous house in south west France.  It belongs to very good friends who would love to sell it to someone who relishes the peace and charm of this beautifully restored Maison Maitre.  Fabulous pool and views to delight you.  Click http://www.bolton-by-bowland.com/sauboires.htm and you’ll see what I mean.

If you’re a news junkie you can’t have missed me last week.  BBC Radio London, BBC London News, Daily Telegraph and BBC Breakfast!  What a cornucopia of media attention for a Chiswick marketing consultant. The reason for this celebrity?  The King’s Speech.  Despite the spin put on Lionel Logue’s speech therapy for George VI in the movie, The King’s Speech, it turns out that perhaps his speech impediment was not as ‘cured’ as we are led to believe.  Back in 1941 my father, then a lowly sound engineer at the BBC, was called on to edit out the fluffs...

Some are avid networkers, others avoid it like the plague.  I’m in between.  But yesterday’s do at Sam’s Brasserie was definitely one of the better events I’ve attended.  I met some genuinely interesting people with whom I think I can do business.  Conversation was eased by the most exquisite canapes I’ve EVER had! Sam Harrison and his team run a great neighbourhood bar and brasserie and I’m lucky enough to have them right next door.  Mulling this over later led me to realise how very important (for me, at least) is the location of one’s business...

I’ve always been an Hispanophile, but nothing prepared me for the glory of Seville.  I can’t imagine why I’ve never been there before, but I know I shall certainly go again. If you’ve been to Seville, read no further.  But if somehow, like me, you’ve missed it up until now, read on then book your flight. The city is physically astounding - stunningly beautiful whichever way you turn.  Despite being Spain’s fourth city, it has an intimate feel and is warm and welcoming.  My visit was in March when the trees in the streets were laden with orange blossom - the...

To Murrayfield on Saturday for the lacklustre England Scotland Calcutta Cup match.  Despite a distinct lack of oomph on the pitch, Edinburgh itself was in very fine form.  The sun shone without a break from early till late and I was happy to join the thousands of visitors wandering round this very fine city until it was time to repair to the pub for some pre-match socialising. Popped into the National Gallery of Scotland which is probably the most delightful, small gallery I’ve ever been in to and was surprised and delighted to find Canova’s Three Graces there - surely one of the...

Unless we’re very unlucky, we’re all more family-focussed at this time of year. Even if we’re merely reconnecting by sending a card, our extended families are in our thoughts. To a certain extendt the tradition of following one’s parents’ footsteps into the family business has disappeared, though it still gladdens my heart to see the legend ‘family butcher’ or ‘John Smith & Sons’ above a business premises. Family business can be great - or ghastly. We’ve all watched with horrid fascination the television series’ showing family...