Lion Event.... the afterglow.

[armouredbear]

Well that was very interesting, I learned an awful lot more than I expected and in ways I certainly did not expect.

Star attraction for me was Jim Anderson on the "Business of framing". I've only been in the framing business for a couple of months or so and the overriding feedback one gets from others is generally quite negative, but Jim was a real breath of fresh air, nice and positive about the potential for making a decent living and with a good attitude towards driving business rather than being driven by business (be that up or down) no lottery here, just good old fashioned common sense and ambition, coupled with intelligent and interesting ideas.

Our very next seminar was the exact antithesis and more in line with the mindset of the Framing industry I have come to expect so far, very much bogged down in the insignificant details rather than the big picture stuff (sorry couldn't resist that one). There's much more I'd like to say on this topic but I think it would be unfair and perhaps a little too critical of the individual in question to do so on here.

Having said that, five hours wasn't enough, I would have loved to have seen a lot more demos like the ones held in the marquee at the front but we're newbies so I guess we would say the wouldn't we?

Lions hospitality was bob on in my opinion, free refreshments all day and a very nice and welcome lunch. Well done you guys excellent stuff, looking forward to next time already. However, we only had to travel from Bath so I'm not sure I would have bothered if an overnight stay and a flight from Glasgow was involved!!!

Thanks for the goody bag, nice touch

Oh and sorry I didn't get to meet up and introduce myself at the FF meeting place, didn't realise it was there until about 2pm

Regards,

Bear.

[The Jolly Good Framer #1]

Took a few photos of some of the Forum members who were there
Fraggle - J2M - Jon Buck

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huntvambo - stcstc

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Jim (Gesso & Bole) - Fraggle

Lion Event 05.jpg (85.59 KiB) Viewed 6041 times

[jon buck]

Enjoyed the day, nice meeting the two Johns and Fraggle. And thanks to Mike for driving .

I must say I thought Lion put on a good show

[Keith Hewitt]

I thought it was excellent and congratulate all the team at Lion on organising a slick, educational and very open Framers Event

A word to Jim, Gesso and Bole - sorry I could not stop to thank you for an excellent talk, but had to take one of my overseas visitors to Manchester airport.

Make a note - never call a double mout a double mount again - simply call it a mount! - Brilliantly simple !

[stcstc]

i enjoyed it

nice to meet paul and john, sorry i missed the others

stuck in a hotel now till the morning

was a very good show, jim was the stand out for me, talking real practical sense

and paul thanks for the lift too

[Roboframer]

Our very next seminar was the exact antithesis and more in line with the mindset of the Framing industry I have come to expect so far, very much bogged down in the insignificant details rather than the big picture stuff (sorry couldn't resist that one). There's much more I'd like to say on this topic but I think it would be unfair and perhaps a little too critical of the individual in question to do so on here.

Why mention it then; why dangle the carrot?

I don't relate to the "mindset of the Framing industry I have come to expect so far" bit. Can you elaborate?

It doesn't take the brains of an archbishop to work out who you are on about, there were only a couple of 'business' type seminars, and there's nothing wrong with criticism, as long as it's constructive. Go on, fill yer boots, you started it; finish it!

[spike67]

I think I know who & what armouredbear is talking about.

Lets put it this way it was nearly the opposite to what Jim Anderson had said, I believe it was how you treat customers etc...

Jim's talk even without his powerpoint stuff was excellent, I'm going to have another listen tomorrow (amazing modern phones)

The way Jim approaches customers is spot on in my opinion, Know me, Like me, Trust me & Pay me.

Thank you Lion for such a great day, excellent talks, great lunch and met some great people.

[framemaker]

Well done Lion for putting on another very successful, informative, and enjoyable event.

It was great to meet some forum members, just sorry I did not get to meet and talk with more of you.

I wish there had been events like this when I started framing 15 years ago, personally I think I would have benefited greatly as a newcomer to framing, listening to those with considerable experience and success who are willing to share some knowledge. I only sat in on two seminars but left with some good tips and ideas, that I can apply to improving my framing and business.

Richard

[AllFramed]

I thought Lion did a great job. Very well organised, helpful people and good catering etc. Content of all presentations was excellent and there was something to take away from them all whatever your own views of the world. I certainly learned a lot and came away with plenty of food for thought and things to try. For any of you former IT workers, it was a bit like a Gartner event but without the slick hair and smart suits.

Didn't get to meet any of you Meeting point was empty whenever I visited and I had to wait by the tills lunchtime as there were some bits missing from my pre-order (only glitch in the day but well recovered by very helpful staff). Never mind, there is the Framers Forum event next year.

[AllFramed]

As another after thought on the above. One thing 30 years in IT taught me was that the big picture is very helpful, if not essential, but is easy, fun, even dramatic to talk about. The devil is always in the detail.

[Ricky]

Well Done Lion

Had A fabulous time yesterday, my Son was so overawed by it all, he wanted to start learning as soon as we got back home, the refreshments and lunch where spot on and the goody bags were a great idea.
But, I can't believe I missed Jims Talk, my head must've been on another planet perhaps Spike can send me his recording

Any how thanks again to everyone at Lion for a great day out 10/10

[Trinity]

I'm echoing the sentiments expressed about a well organised and informative day - there's no compunction for people to give up their time of course, yet we were treat to to some first class learning opportunites. I got something from each, and left with 3 priceless nuggets of experience - one correcting a total misunderstanding of my underpinner. The Lion team went out of their way to make things run well and I truly appreciate thier efforts.

[armouredbear]

Why mention it then; why dangle the carrot?

I don't relate to the "mindset of the Framing industry I have come to expect so far" bit. Can you elaborate?

It doesn't take the brains of an archbishop to work out who you are on about, there were only a couple of 'business' type seminars, and there's nothing wrong with criticism, as long as it's constructive. Go on, fill yer boots, you started it; finish it!

You're right Robo I did dangle a carrot and that was a bit mischievous of me, but not for the reasons you think. I was interested to see who would take a nibble.

However I'm not about to start outing people for a poor show when as far as I know they are not here to defend themselves, so to say I thought some of the content was a bit lame IMHO and leave it at that, is perfectly acceptable. I understand you may get your kicks rubber-knecking for blood and guts, but if said victim is not on hand to reply, then it's a step too far.

I mean I'm quite happy to tear a chunk or two out of Jim's presentation technique (not his content, that was very good) for a bit of fun if you like, because I know he frequents these parts and can tell me to chuffing naff orf if he so wishes! So, If you regard yourself as a potential man of the cloth, no more needs saying, eh?

As far as Industry mindsets are concerned that clearly is a lot more nebulous. Again IMVHO I think a disproportionate number of people in this business have an attitude of being constrained by its limitations rather than an, anything is possible, blue sky attitude to future success. Point in case was two of the people I saw yesterday that kindly gave of their time.

For example, All Framed said, in response....

As another after thought on the above. One thing 30 years in IT taught me was that the big picture is very helpful, if not essential, but is easy, fun, even dramatic to talk about. The devil is always in the detail.

I agree.

However, I disagree that you should teach it !!!!!!

Details are too personality specific. The nuances within my business exist because of me, not because there is a sign over the door saying...picture framing.

If you need to be taught not to roll pound coins down the street then you shouldn't be in business. If you need to be taught how to speak to another human being that happens to be in your place of work with the intention of giving you some more pound coins, then you shouldn't be in business. If you need to be taught how to time-manage, you shouldn't be in business. Etc.

I'm sorry Robo, if you felt a little insecure about my views on some aspects of yesterdays show but they are my views and I'm happy to stand by them

Regards,

Bear.

[Bagpuss]

What a great day out, I didn't even know there was a meeting area for the Forum
I did bump into Framemaker and John Noy, perhaps we need a Masonic type hand shake to identify eachother

I very much enjoyed Jim's seminar, some very useful tips indeed.

Great goody bag as well, perhaps the best thing in there was this ( see below ), use it to strip the cellophane wrapping off your moulding when it's delivered, I don't know how I managed without it, it's brilliant !

lion_cutter2.JPG (41.38 KiB) Viewed 5764 times

[Roboframer]

that was a bit mischievous of me, but not for the reasons you think.

You mean not for the reasons that you assume I'm thinking? You don't know me.

I understand you may get your kicks rubber-knecking for blood and guts

More assumption

I'm sorry Robo, if you felt a little insecure

I didn't - so apologies not necessary.

You're right Robo I did dangle a carrot

I didn't assume that then.

[duvelr]

Hi everyone!

My first post in this forum, but I'll introduce myself another time in another place.

However I'd like to say 2 things:

1. BIG Thanks to LION for the fantastic event! very impressed.

2. My full support to "armouredbear" although I see it a little different: For me the combination/comparison of three seminars was THE most educational seminar (Jim Anderson, Mike Royall, Martin Tracey ...chronological order not preferential). Interestingly on my trip to Birmingham I was reading "The E Myth Revisited" By Michael E. Gerber. If you liked Jim then you'll like Michael, well... his book.

Best regards

[Gesso&Bole]

Thanks for all the kind comments on this thread.

It is quite a tricky thing to come up with a useful seminar for such a diverse audience (yes I know they're all framers, but from pre-start up to very successful and well established).

I have been asked to run a similar seminar at the Framers Forum meeting, so nearer the time will start a discussion on here, as to what subject matter would be most useful.

As to Michael Gerber, yes i am a fan too! The E-Myth is a very useful book for someone setting up a business.

[AllFramed]

Jim, please add my complements and thanks to the list. Entertaining as well as informative and worth a repeat at FF event.

Mr Bear. You have read me incorrectly. Opinions are fine, but to coin a phrase, "comparisons are odious" and in in this case unnecessarily spoils the "afterglow".

Cheers
Tim

[Jonny2morsos]

Jim, I too enjoyed your presentation and found it of use. I have already stuck some double mounts together and had success in using them with a customer. I always did offer doubles by default but having them stuck together helps as you are not having to manipulate them at the right distance apart and also the customer cannot take one away!

I have also remounted a float mounted print on the wall using Roy Rowlands method and it looks far better.

My opinions of the quality of speakers will be sent to Martin and Lee at Lion as critical appraisal because I feel this is a far more constructive way of giving our hosts feedback. That way they will also know what we like and don't like and can plan the next event accordingly.

A comments card was included in each Goody Bag.