JANUARY. I was asked to stand for our Town Council. After saying no because of time constraints I was persuaded that I was already involved in community-related work so I changed my mind. Invited to speak at FWD annual conference. Accepted invitation to become a member of the FWD PR Action Group (PRAG), which drives the MSYS campaign.
FEBRUARY. Met with Alan Toft, MSYS chairman, and our local press to explain MSYS. Held a Valentine's wine tasting with help from the FWD Take Home Blueprint team. No one proposed marriage, but customers loved the wine.
MARCH. Bill and I attended a No ID No Sale seminar at Taunton Racecourse. Invited to assist our local Community Beat Manager on speed checks in our area; my job was to record the speeds but I didn't get to book anyone. Won the Zero Tolerance category in the Top Shop Awards in London. Returned feeling very proud - it makes the hard work worthwhile.
March 26 was the big day for me when I addressed the FWD conference. I urged the audience to take the independent sector more seriously. As I stepped off the stage, Booker chief Charles Wilson offered to join us in Barnstaple during NIW (National Independents' Week) and prompted several other major suppliers and wholesalers to join in.
Bill said this should be: phase one, mission accomplished.
APRIL. I visited both Booker's Barnstaple and Exeter depots to inform them about how MSYS was great for our business.
MAY. Elected as town councillor for our area polling the second highest result.
JUNE. This was a busy month, starting with my first civic function in full robes attending Mayor's Sunday. June 4 saw the start of NIW.
We entertained several visitors both from the trade and the press and our local MP. Rounded off the month with taking part in our community action day helping to clean up the local estate.
JULY. We took a stand at our town Community Fun Day with the opportunity to promote the services we offer and to run some competitions. Took part in our Community Woodland open day.
AUGUST. Took part in civic events such as Our Town Without A Car Day, and the town's carnival. Guest at seminar at Goodwood Races with Convenience Store magazine. With other independent retailers invited to be 'C-Store Champions'.
OCTOBER. With Devon Trading Standards, spoke at a seminar at County Hall. Rewarding.
NOVEMBER. Completed some updates to the store layout thanks to help from Booker and some helpful suppliers and their representatives.
Came third in the C-Store MSYS competition and won £250 to buy long-handled litter pickers for our local 'street champions' to use.
November 22 was a day to remember. Nominated for two awards so dispatched off to London. First win was at the Responsible Retailing Awards. Later we were awarded the top prize in the Service to the Community Section of the IAA Awards. Fabulous. Travelled home with two awards. Good coverage in local papers.
Back down to London as a guest of the FWD at the Café Royal as a finalist in the Gold Medal awards for our work during NIW. Lovely evening with great fellow independent retailer finalists fully involved in MSYS. Dennis and Linda Williams went the extra mile to win the Gold - more proof MSYS works!
DECEMBER. Town carol concert with children from our local school. Many of our customers in the audience. It all takes place in the Town Centre and our involvement makes it feel closer to us.
Finishing the year with my final exam to complete a qualification in Licensed Hospitality. When I have completed the diploma course I will be applying to upgrade to a Fellow in the BII (the first in the Off Licence sector I'm told)
Here's to 2008.
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=== prag is tops ===
Too many people are unaware of the work carried out by an important industry committee set up by the Federation of Wholesale Distributors to organise MSYS and especially the crucial details of National Independents' Week. Its formal name is the FWD PR Action Group, but it's PRAG for short.
As one of the independent retail sector representatives I have taken part in discussions with major wholesalers and top brand suppliers who make their contribution on a constructive industry-wide basis rather than on their own interests and it is very refreshing.
This think tank and its culture is unique - if there was more of this type of genuine cross-industry co-operation rather than 'spin' I am sure all three parties - manufacturers, wholesalers and we on the front line - would benefit.
Will Government proposals to ban the display of tobacco in retail premises damage the wholesale sector?
