Chris Barrow’s Blog

Sunday supper, originally uploaded by coachbarrow999.

A few days of rest are putting a smile back on my face.

Trying not to think about a 4.00am start tomorrow!

Falmouth is a town that boasts, amongst many other things, a nationally recognised arts and media campus – so it’s no surprise that the only cinema in town is The Poly, which doubles an an art gallery and shows eclectic seasons, combining a few bestsellers (largely for the tourist visitors with bored kids) with the more obscure.

In fact, there is a campaign in town at the moment to open a multi-screen cinema in a converted army drill hall that has served as an anitiques market for many years.

I have my fingers crossed that the attempt fails because even though I am a movie fan, if I want to see mainstream I can drive to Truro, just 10 miles way and visit The Plaza, a beautiful art deco building which has been voted as one of Britain’s top independently owned theatres.

Here in my seaside hometown, I prefer the quirky – especially since the choices do often represent the tastes of a largely over-50 or student demographic.

Honeydripper was last night’s choice – slow in the way that perfection is slow – but a lovingly executed reminiscence of 1950 Alabama and the black music of that time.

Danny Glover is an unexpected surprise after decades of typecasting – and the music is just wonderful.

The whole movie is an atmospheric sauna of Deep South heat, injustice and the blues.

You wouldn’t get that in a multiplex.

 

5 degrees west, originally uploaded by coachbarrow999.

My number one favourite eating and drinking place.

Franchises work, originally uploaded by coachbarrow999.

Here’s what I spotted on the counter at Costa Coffee.

Its a system.

In a box.

So that the young store manager doesn’t have to reinvent any wheels.

That’s the beauty of franchises.

And it reminds me that there is a business opportunity in UK dentistry
to sell similar toolkits.

That would selling expertise and not time.

Less travel for yours truly.

What we need is people who can help with the construction of a series
of dental business toolkits.

We have the knowledge but lack the time and the people to do content
development and design/construction.

Amazing how I call in for a quick cappucino and emerge with my mind
racing away.

Switch off CB!

Saturday morning, originally uploaded by coachbarrow999.

On my way for a haircut (at Toni & Guy of course) and noticing how
quiet the town is at 9.00am.

Is this recession or last night’s partying?

Shake up, originally uploaded by coachbarrow999.

Can’t resist a treat on the way back to my desk.

The Shake Shop opened recently and carries so many flavours I am
bewildered.

I choose banana and honey.

Interesting that every combination has its own name – products
presented as processes.

My favourite Falmouth shop, originally uploaded by coachbarrow999.

A bookstore is always a sanctuary, an oasis, a haven.

Back in Falmouth and determined to re-charge my batteries over the
next few weeks, I head here to see what’s new.

Even here, they have a loyalty scheme and my purchases qualify me for
a generous voucher.

My choices are Peter Block’s “Community” and “the Gone Away World” by
Nick Harkaway.

Dentistry is show business, originally uploaded by coachbarrow999.

I want to thank John Ayres and all the team at Cowbridge Dental Care in
South Wales for an excellent practice visit and team training day yesterday.

They have converted a Georgian building, over a bakery on the High Street
into a beautifully presented private practice – all in light-oak and
contemporary – just how my demographic like it.

The Aston Martins and Maseratis in the car park of The Bear Hotel gave a
clue as to the level of affluence in this area of South Glamorgan and,
although the team told me that “they don’t like parting with their money
around here” – they clearly don’t mind paying for the things that they want,
rather than the things they are told that they need.

Best bit of the day was working with John’s team – a fabulous group who were
all eyes and ears as I ranted on about customer service.

They have a lovely Cathy Johnson Welcome Pack, a lovely practice and a great
team.

Missing are an attractive web site, John taking more of a leadership role
(and letting go to his managers) and some higher value treatment sales.

A work in progress.

Breakfast in the basement, originally uploaded by coachbarrow999.

A rather unusual arrangement. 6 sad businessmen, sat in the cellar,
waiting for two rather indignant Polish waitresses to serve cooked
breakfasts as David Gray laments a life of loneliness on the hifi
system.

I should write a book about business travel.

Having escaped from London, I am now in Cowbridge, South Wales.

I’m noticing some useful comments on the “PCT” post a few days ago – take a look.

It’s my last day on the road – and I’m looking forward to an individual practice visit before the 4-hour drive to Cornwall this evening.

It’s been a heck of a week on many levels – especially heart-warming is a number of emails this morning, thanking me for a stirring show yesterday.

That’s my job satisfaction – a “thank you” and the knowledge that I’ve made a difference.