Chris Barrow’s Blog

When I arrived at the Preston Marriott last night, I was dog-tired after a crazy week (so far) and a long day.

At least it wasn’t the Holiday Inn Express – counting my blessings – Marriott can be relied on for a good night’s sleep. Their beds are always good.

Lovely hotel set in the grounds of an old country house in Broughton, a few miles North of the city centre.

I lived here for a short time 25 years ago – and loved the area (out for a run this morning along Garstang Road brought back many memories).

The receptionist was busily checking me in, going through her “brand standards”, when another guest arrived behind me.

This is 9.30pm and the hotel reception is deserted bar the three of us.

The new arrival is clearly a regular – a distinguished looking gentleman.

As soon as she sees him, she breaks eye contact with me, ends our conversation mid-stream and reaches round to pick up his key, waiting in an envelope with his name printed on the cover.

He queries the choice of room.

She suggests he take a look and if not happy she will move him.

I have been abandoned – the baton dropped.

I had my key and was organising a taxi for 7:45 this morning to take me to a dental practice nearby.

She and he are chatting about what type of room has been allocated – to him.

My blood pressure is rising, my chest tightening – I’m just too tired to cause a scene.

So I wait – until he has been satisfied and wandered off to check his room.

And she then returns to me.

Unforgivable.

And at 5:45 this morning my room phone rings out and the overnight duty manager tells me that my 5:45 taxi is waiting outside.

Stupid cow.

I don’t want a multi-tasking receptionist, thank you very much.

They get stuff wrong.

Bloody good job I was up and about – if I had wanted a longer sleep there would have been hell to pay.

Make sure your receptionist doesn’t ever do that with a patient – had I been at a first consult for dental implants, I would have taken my business elsewhere, however good the dentist.

I’m amazed to be able to blog direct into Wordpress from my iPhone on the go.

I’d like to win the lottery tonight and spend the rest of my life speaking, coaching and writing about the use of technology to build small business.

Sun is shining so best get outdoors.

The glamour of air travel, originally uploaded by coachbarrow.

Exeter International.

Waiting to board the 18:55 to Edinburgh.

Missing home.

I love what I do and who I do it with – but I’m not loving when I do it.

However, a conversation with Phillippa this afternoon has been the
start of putting that right.

True Success will be restored soon.

Taking the first steps is energizing.

IDH National Ops meeting, originally uploaded by coachbarrow.

My colleague and friend Matt Jackson presents a progress report on the
Private & Specialist Division.

At the show, originally uploaded by coachbarrow.

At my age I’m explaining social networking to these two!

Is it me?, originally uploaded by coachbarrow.

Since when did you serve salmon fillet with chips, a mushroom, grilled
tomato and a fried onion?

Congratulations to The Holiday Inn, Eastleigh for the least appetizing
dinner I have seen for some time.

Referral study clubs, originally uploaded by coachbarrow.

With Afshin Khalessi of College Street Dental Practice in Petersfield,
Hampshire.

He and Bita are launching a quarterly study club for their referring
dentists this evening with the first of a series of business
development meetings.

They are working hard to keep the business flowing.

After a champagne reception at the practice we will all be off to ASK
and a room hired over the restaurant.

That’ll be me then – "How to beat the credit crunch"

What do you call a group of bankers?, originally uploaded by coachbarrow.

A wunch.

Here’s the wunch from HSBC this lunchtime, explaining their results.

Unlike their branches, they were all over 30 years old and there was
no disco music playing in the backgound.

Pret a Manger, originally uploaded by coachbarrow.

I’m sure that if I could be 21 again I would work for this company.

I’d love to run a dental business with as good an attitude towards
people.

The Northern Deanery, originally uploaded by coachbarrow.

Just arrived in Durham to spend the day lecturing on personal
development and marketing.

I am impressed with this superb new teaching facility. Full set of
photos on my Facebook site.

Inspiring young dentists. What a great way to invest a day of my life.