Article contributed by James Cruickshank.
Givers Gain is alive and well in Kent
When Vic King, Managing Director of Kingfisher Blinds Ltd and a BNI member of the Ashford Eureka chapter in England, decided to plan his 35th wedding anniversary, he did not realise that he was about to have an even bigger Eureka moment.
The problem was that he and his wife Marion had visited the restaurant of fellow chapter member, John, before, but felt that the atmosphere and condition of the restaurant was not wholly conducive to the romantic evening they had in mind.
Enter Vic’s wife Marion, with the now classic statement “You belong to BNI and keep mentoning Givers Gain – why don’t you do something about it”.
So at his next BNI meeting Vic approached a number of members who he thought might be able to help, and then approached John, the unsuspecting owner of the Worlds Wonder pub and restaurant John not only agreed that his restaurant lacked the X-factor, but also shared the fact that in these uncertain economical times, he simply did not have the funds to smarten up the restaurant.
When Vic outlined his plan, John nearly broke down with emotion.
Six weeks ago the members of the BNI Eureka chapter got to work and very quickly
1) Re-built the bar
2) Re-varnished the bar counter
3) Re-painted both the restaurant and public bar
4) Re-stained the bar floor
5) Carpeted the restaurant
6) Put up new poles and curtains
…….and all this at no charge. Now that is what I call Giving!!!!
Such was the effect of this transition that it wasn’t long before Clive Member of BNI Dickens in Rochester Kent heard about it and arranged for the BBC to film the new look This was also picked up by a local television station and the Kentish press, giving the Worlds Wonder restaurant, and John & Kathy a much needed boost in publicity.
And Vic…….. he is now looking at opening up another side of his business – PUB REFURBISHMENT
