Hot Stories Business Networking

30/10/2026

Do You Have a People Problem or a Systems Problem? | Faris Osmanbhoy, Forge Protocol

When something isn't working inside your business, do you actually ...

29/10/2026

Videos Shouldn't Just Look Good. They Should Generate Business | Jamie Ellam, Ellam Media

What is the point of a great-looking video if it doesn't help your ...

28/10/2026

Your business has grown. But has your website kept up?

And what does a potential customer see when they visit it for the first time?

At our October Hot Stories Business Networking event, Paul Lane from Savvy Design Limited raised a question many business owners should be asking themselves.

Paul has worked in design since 1986.

Yes, 1986!

Long before websites became essential to almost every business.

He started with graphic design, brochures and print, before moving into the digital world.

And during his three-minute story, he reminded us that businesses don't stand still.

They evolve.

Their services change.

Their customers change.

But sometimes, their branding and website stay exactly where they were when the business first started.

Paul also had everyone smiling with his comments about the frustrations of managing WordPress!

His solution?

Professional branding and website design starting from £75 per month, helping startups and established businesses take their next step without a large upfront investment.

But here's the bigger question.

If your business has moved forward, shouldn't the way you present it move forward too?

Your website is often one of the first places potential customers go to decide whether they can trust you.

And that first impression matters.

Thank you, Paul, for sharing your experience, humour and practical approach to design.

This is exactly why we created Hot Stories.

To give business owners the opportunity to share their expertise, show what makes them different and build credibility long after the event has finished.

Discover Savvy Design:

https://www.savvy-design.co.uk/

Connect with Paul:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-lane-3a43448/

Have a business story worth sharing?

Join our next Hot Stories Business Networking event on Wednesday, 11 November, 10 AM–12 PM, at The Red Lion, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge.

Come to network, share your story and meet people who understand the journey of building a business.

Book your place:

https://www.hotstories.network

Don't Just Network. Become the Story.

Photography: Chris Hornby Photography
Video production: Gemini Web Media
Event sponsor: KENTAURA Ltd

P.S. How old is your current business website?

Less than 1 year

1-3 years

4-6 years

Over 6 years

27/10/2026

What if your business could save £3,000 on something you were already planning to install?

Would you know where to look for that saving?

At our October Hot Stories Business Networking event, Duncan Grindley from Cambridge Electrical Services and Cambridge EV Points shared a real example that caught everyone's attention.

A business in Abington wanted to install EV charging points for its directors and employees.

The installation went ahead.

And the business saved £3,000 through grant funding.

That's money the business didn't have to spend unnecessarily.

Duncan has been working in the electrical industry for many years and established Cambridge EV Points in 2020.

Today, his team helps businesses, landlords and homeowners across Cambridge with electric vehicle charging installations.

But here's something many people may not realise.

EV charging grants aren't necessarily just for large companies.

Depending on eligibility and current scheme rules, financial support may also be available for:

• Businesses installing workplace chargers.
• Landlords providing charging facilities for tenants.
• Eligible businesses operating from home.

Duncan also offers free surveys to help customers understand their options before making a decision.

The biggest lesson from his story?

Before investing in something new, find out what support is available.

Sometimes the opportunity isn't about earning more.

It's about knowing how to spend less.

Thank you, Duncan, for sharing practical knowledge that could genuinely benefit other business owners.

This is why we created Hot Stories.

To give professionals the opportunity to share their expertise, demonstrate what they do and reach people far beyond the networking room.

Discover Cambridge EV Points:

https://www.cambridge-evpoint.co.uk/

Connect with Duncan:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-grindley/

Want to share your business story?

Join us on Wednesday, 11 November, 10 AM–12 PM, at The Red Lion, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge.

You can come simply to network or take the opportunity to share your own story.

Book your place:

https://www.hotstories.network

Don't Just Network. Become the Story.

Photography: Chris Hornby Photography
Video production: Gemini Web Media
Event sponsor: KENTAURA Ltd

P.S. If your business could save £3,000 on an investment, would you want to know how?

26/10/2026

Nobody plans to have a car accident. But how many of us are actually prepared for one?

And would you remember what to do when stress takes over?

At our October Hot Stories Business Networking event, Neil Hamilton-Meikle from Cooper Barnes Automotive asked everyone a rather unexpected question:

"Is anyone planning on having an accident on the way home?"

Of course, nobody raised their hand!

Neil runs an accident repair centre and body shop in Linton, near Cambridge, and knows how quickly common sense can disappear after a collision.

That's why he introduced us to something incredibly practical.

The Crash Card.

A simple checklist you can keep in your glove box to remind you what information to collect after an accident.

Neil shared some important reminders:

• Take photographs of both vehicles and the surroundings.

• Collect the other driver's contact and insurance details.

• Check the phone number you've been given actually works.

• Record vehicle registration numbers.

• Collect witness details where possible.

And, of course, make sure everyone is safe and follow your insurance notification requirements.

Because the worst time to remember what you should have done is after you've left the accident scene.

What I particularly enjoyed was Neil's ability to turn a serious subject into an engaging story, with plenty of humour along the way.

That's what makes Hot Stories special.

Business owners sharing knowledge that might genuinely help someone one day.

Thank you, Neil, for supporting our community and reminding us that preparation matters, even for things we hope never happen.

A small card in your glove box could make a big difference when you need it most.

Discover Cooper Barnes Ltd Automotive:

https://www.cooperbarnes.co.uk/

Connect with Neil:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-hamilton-meikle-21358312/

Our next Hot Stories Business Networking event is Wednesday, 11 November, 10 AM–12 PM, at The Red Lion, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge.

Come and share your story, demonstrate your expertise and build meaningful connections.

Book your place:

https://www.hotstories.network

P.S. If you had a car accident tomorrow, would you know exactly what information to collect?

Photography: Chris Hornby
Video production: Gemini Web Media
Event sponsor: KENTAURA Ltd

25/10/2026

Does business networking actually work?

Neil says YES. And there's a reason why.

I've always believed that networking should be about more than exchanging business cards.

It's about building relationships, earning trust and creating opportunities through genuine connections.

At Hot Stories Cambridge, we give business owners the opportunity to share their experiences and become known for the people behind their businesses.

Discover Hot Stories Cambridge:

https://www.hotstories.network

Neil shares his perspective on why business networking works.

Watch his story:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1bt-avzIww

P.S. Has business networking ever brought you an unexpected opportunity?

Does business networking actually bring you customers?Neil Hamilt...

23/10/2026

What if your dentist knows something about business that you don't?

And what if one simple change could save you weeks of chasing payments?

At our October Hot Stories Business Networking event, Chris Hornby, founder of Chris Hornby Photography, shared an unexpected business lesson.

It started with a visit to the dentist.

Chris noticed that payment was collected before treatment.

That got him thinking.

Why do so many businesses complete their work and then wait another 30 days to get paid?

In his own photography business, Chris takes a 50% deposit and collects the remaining 50% on the day of the photoshoot.

A simple approach that helps protect his time and cash flow.

But Chris had another story to share.

He's just celebrated his first year as a professional photographer!

And his mission is clear.

To help businesses get noticed.

Not just with a professional headshot, but with a collection of photographs ready to use across websites, social media, brochures and marketing materials.

Because when you're ready to share something about your business, you shouldn't have to start searching for a suitable image.

Your photographs should already be working for you.

We're particularly grateful to Chris, who is also our wonderful Hot Stories event photographer.

His photographs help us capture the people, conversations and moments that make our community special.

Thank you, Chris, for sharing your experience and for everything you contribute to Hot Stories!

Two lessons from one story: value your work and make your business visible.

Discover Chris Hornby Photography:

https://chrishornby.co.uk/

Connect with Chris:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-hornby-photography/

Our next Hot Stories Business Networking event is Wednesday, 11 November, 10 AM–12 PM, at The Red Lion, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge.

Come and share your story, demonstrate your expertise and meet people who genuinely support one another.

Book your place:

https://www.hotstories.network

P.S. Do you collect payment before or after delivering your services?

Photography: Chris Hornby
Hot Stories video production: Gemini Web Media
Event sponsor: KENTAURA Ltd

22/10/2026

What if your leadership training is working perfectly in the classroom but changing nothing in your business?

People attend. They learn. They return to work.

And everything continues as before.

At our October Hot Stories Business Networking event, David Bovis, creator of BTFA and founder of Duxinaroe, challenged the way we think about leadership development.

With over 35 years of industrial experience, David has worked across engineering, manufacturing and international business leadership.

But his most interesting discovery wasn't about machinery, systems or processes.

It was about understanding how people think.

David explained how he and his business partner, a former president of Toyota in Turkey, developed a different approach to leadership learning.

Combining neuroscience, psychology, philosophy and animated storytelling, they focus on helping people become more self-aware rather than simply telling them what to do.

And David shared some remarkable figures reported by a company following work with its leadership team:

• 2.8 times output.
• 2.4 times revenue.
• 1.8 times EBIT.

These were company-reported results, not guaranteed outcomes.

The bigger lesson?

You can invest in the best processes, technology and training.

But if people don't understand, engage with and adopt the changes, lasting improvement becomes much harder.

Thank you, David, for sharing your experience and giving our Hot Stories community a different perspective on leadership.

And here's what made his contribution even more special.

David arrived without a prepared presentation.

Just decades of experience and a story worth hearing.

That's exactly what Hot Stories is about.

Real people. Real knowledge. Real conversations.

Discover Duxinaroe:

https://www.duxinaroe.com/

Connect with David:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/duxinaroe/

Our next Hot Stories Business Networking event is Wednesday, 11 November, 10 AM–12 PM, at The Red Lion, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge.

Come and share your experience, demonstrate your expertise and meet people who value genuine connections.

Book your place:

https://www.hotstories.network

P.S. Have you ever attended training that sounded brilliant but changed nothing when you returned to work?

Photography: Chris Hornby
Video production: Gemini Web Media
Event sponsor: KENTAURA Ltd

21/10/2026

What do Aston Martin, Invisalign and construction sites have in common?

The answer might change how you think about marketing your business.

At our October Hot Stories Business Networking event, Jamie Ellam, founder of Ellam Media, shared how video brings completely different industries to life.

From filming luxury cars at Aston Martin to creating Meta and Google advertising content for a private orthodontist with over 800 Invisalign cases behind them.

From construction projects to health and safety training courses.

Different industries.

Different audiences.

Different messages.

But one thing connects them all.

People need to understand what you do before they can appreciate the value you offer.

And sometimes, showing your expertise is far more powerful than simply talking about it.

Jamie reminded us that video isn't just for big brands or businesses with huge marketing budgets.

It can help businesses of all sizes demonstrate their work, explain their services and create content that continues supporting their visibility.

Your business may already have an incredible story. The question is, are enough people seeing it?

Thank you, Jamie, for sharing your experience and showing our Hot Stories community how versatile professional video production can be.

Discover Ellam Media:

https://www.ellammedia.co.uk/

Connect with Jamie:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-ellam/

Follow Ellam Media:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/ellam-media

Our next Hot Stories Business Networking event is Wednesday, 11 November, 10 AM–12 PM, at The Red Lion, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge.

Come and share your expertise, meet other business owners and create connections that last beyond the event.

Book your place:

https://www.hotstories.network

P.S. If you could show potential customers just ONE thing about your business through video, what would it be?

Photography: Chris Hornby
Hot Stories video production: Gemini Web Media
Event sponsor: KENTAURA Ltd

20/10/2026

AI could save your business hours every week. But what if you're automating the wrong things?

More technology doesn't automatically mean more productivity.

At our October Hot Stories Business Networking event, Faris Osmanbhoy, founder of Forge Protocol, shared an important message about AI, automation and business efficiency.

Before you automate, understand what you're automating.

Faris explained why businesses need to look at their entire customer journey, from the first enquiry to the final delivery.

Where are the delays?

Which tasks waste valuable time?

What could work better?

Only when you understand those processes can you make informed decisions about introducing AI and automation.

And his message wasn't simply about technology.

It was about giving business owners something they can never buy more of: TIME.

Time to grow.

Time to focus on customers.

Time to spend with family.

Thank you, Faris, for sharing your expertise and helping our Hot Stories community think differently about the future of business.

Because the smartest business isn't necessarily the one using the most AI. It's the one using it with purpose.

Connect with Faris:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/faris-osmanbhoy/

Discover Forge Protocol:

https://forgeprotocol.co.uk/

Our next Hot Stories Business Networking event is Wednesday, 11 November, 10 AM–12 PM, at The Red Lion, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge.

Come and share your story, demonstrate your expertise and build meaningful connections.

Book your place:

https://www.hotstories.network

P.S. If AI could give you five extra hours every week, where would you spend them?

Photography: Chris Hornby
Video production: Gemini Web Media
Event sponsor: KENTAURA Ltd