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MARCH'S WORM

Once again the Wriggler has burrowed deep underground and slithered across the keyboard to provide this month's words of wisdom. He/She has informed me that they are surprised that intellectual people from the ICT profession agree 100% with the ramblings...this must be the case as in nearly 800 viewings no one has contradicted the Worm Go on let the Worm know your thoughts on the subject, be they in agreement or disagreement, at the end of the day they're only a worm, it's not like they're the Godfather

So, posted on behalf of the Worm:

What a jolly little fellow am I, travelling back and forth along my clandestine tunnels. I have a privileged view of small business from below and I sometimes wonder really how it is all expected to work. Most of us started out with an exciting idea, an original product, or a clever little service, oozing with creativity. Being in business however turns out not to be quite what it seems for the new entrepreneur. The scales seem to be stacked against us, with bureaucracy at every turn.So after a year, given that the creative entrepreneur has taken on board much of what has been instilled as good business practice, what does a typical week look like?

MONDAY
Clear in-box of unsolicited matter
Send graphics and instructions to printer for new letterhead
Search for competitive insurance renewals.
Start on-line tender for local authority contract
Attend Chamber networking lunch (2 hours)
Ring three referees for tender. Two are out. Scan two insurance documents
Interrupted by cold callers 3 times
Ring govt agency about training – answering machine

TUESDAY
Attend marketing seminar other side of WM
Clear in-box
Receive email with negative result for a “Three quotes” proposal
Trade survey incoming call
Chase some overdue invoices for the second time. Reissue one - lost
Sack first debt collection agency and search for second on an ageing debt.
Speak to Govt agency about training. Person knows nothing about letter she sent. Promised someone will call back in the morning.

WEDNESDAY
Pay in cheques at bank
Interview prospective student for work experience
Peruse insurance quotes
Fume at insults levied by a cold caller
Kept on hold by franking machine firm.
Send out two invoices
Complete tender as references return calls.
Attend evening meeting for professional organisation

THURSDAY
Attend Breakfast Club
Spend hour on phone with customer who wants final version changed.
Telephone hosting company, as Outlook won’t function
Phone Govt agency again. Promise someone will ring me.
Receive another brief for “Three quotes” business opportunity.
Visit accountant about tax return

FRIDAY
Visit solicitor about possible unforeseen IP problem
Return laser printer to supplier
Complete VAT return despite mysterious lost invoice
Fend off seven cold callers and one anonymous “Ball park figure” caller
Renew on-line directory entry
Customer rings questioning delay on his project
Enrol on time management course.
* * *
Surely this is a parody of business life isn’t it? Of course we are all very efficient well-staffed little businesses in this nation of small shopkeepers aren’t we? Or does this ring any bells with you?

I hope someone responds or I might be found all dried up on Nigel’s doorstep

The Worm
March 2008

1 General Category / All General Discussions / “Local Internet Marketing” Help, on: May 05, 2008, 07:37:47 PM
Started by sona_sona - Last post by sona_sona
Hello I am new to this and I was takes to get my companies website up in the SE list. Can anyone out there help me, I would like to know what would be the best first steps in getting this site up in the SE's, I would be grateful for any help anyone might offer.. Thanks!!!!

2 Black Country Branch / Other / Re: 'The Worm' on: March 05, 2008, 04:06:10 PM
Started by Nigel Babb - Last post by Nigel Babb
MARCH'S WORM Once again the Wriggler has burrowed deep underground and slithered across the keyboard to provide this month's words of wisdom. He/She has informed me that they are surprised that intellectual people from the ICT profession agree 100% with the ramblings...this must be the case as in nearly 800 viewings no one has contradicted the Worm Go on let the Worm know your thoughts on the subject, be they in agreement or disagreement, at the end of the day they're only a worm, it's not like they're the Godfather So, posted on behalf of the Worm: What a jolly little fellow am I, travelling back and forth along my clandestine tunnels. I have a privileged view of small business from below and I sometimes wonder really how it is all expected to work. Most of us started out with an exciting idea, an original product, or a clever little service, oozing with creativity. Being in business however turns out not to be quite what it seems for the new entrepreneur. The scales seem to be stacked against us, with bureaucracy at every turn.So after a year, given that the creative entrepreneur has taken on board much of what has been instilled as good business practice, what does a typical week look like? MONDAY Clear in-box of unsolicited matter Send graphics and instructions to printer for new letterhead Search for competitive insurance renewals. Start on-line tender for local authority contract Attend Chamber networking lunch (2 hours) Ring three referees for tender. Two are out. Scan two insurance documents Interrupted by cold callers 3 times Ring govt agency about training – answering machine TUESDAY Attend marketing seminar other side of WM Clear in-box Receive email with negative result for a “Three quotes” proposal Trade survey incoming call Chase some overdue invoices for the second time. Reissue one - lost Sack first debt collection agency and search for second on an ageing debt. Speak to Govt agency about training. Person knows nothing about letter she sent. Promised someone will call back in the morning. WEDNESDAY Pay in cheques at bank Interview prospective student for work experience Peruse insurance quotes Fume at insults levied by a cold caller Kept on hold by franking machine firm. Send out two invoices Complete tender as references return calls. Attend evening meeting for professional organisation THURSDAY Attend Breakfast Club Spend hour on phone with customer who wants final version changed. Telephone hosting company, as Outlook won’t function Phone Govt agency again. Promise someone will ring me. Receive another brief for “Three quotes” business opportunity. Visit accountant about tax return FRIDAY Visit solicitor about possible unforeseen IP problem Return laser printer to supplier Complete VAT return despite mysterious lost invoice Fend off seven cold callers and one anonymous “Ball park figure” caller Renew on-line directory entry Customer rings questioning delay on his project Enrol on time management course. * * * Surely this is a parody of business life isn’t it? Of course we are all very efficient well-staffed little businesses in this nation of small shopkeepers aren’t we? Or does this ring any bells with you? I hope someone responds or I might be found all dried up on Nigel’s doorstep The Worm March 2008

3 Black Country Branch / Membership / Members and numbers on: February 27, 2008, 01:15:56 PM
Started by Nigel Babb - Last post by Nigel Babb
Please find attached the latest membership numbers for WMita/UKita. Black Country has returned to it's peak of 38 members. We should concentrate hard to break into the magic 40s. I will be posting shortly a list of members to be chased for their renewals and upcoming renewals as part of our buddy calls - feedback at Monday's committee meeting if possible