Customers, Farmers and Choristers

18.09.12

Today was a triple header, that is breakfast, lunch and supper. Or to put it another way, what might be regarded as mammon, meat and music.  The first event started at 8:00am at the Southbank offices of IBM where I attended a seminar hosted by Criticaleye. Preceded by breakfast, well bacon and sausage rolls and coffee, the subject of the morning was "Who Owns the Customer Relationship?" and was addressed by an impressive line up led by the IBM VP, CRM, Global, Bill Payne. An excellent Q&A followed which, as might be expected from a hand picked audience, raised many important questions, and even a few answers. My un asked question was, will the CCO take precedent over the CMO? I doubt it, but time will tell. And so, at 10:30, on to the office to sign things and thence to the Farmers.

The Worshipful Company of Farmers hosted a luncheon for Masters and Clerks of other companies at the Farmers Fletchers' Hall close by Smithfield, the meat market. In all, over 100 people were in attendance representing companies ranging from the great twelve to the modern liveries. Clearly thought was put into the seating plan in that one of my neighbours was a farmer who is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. The highlight of the speeches was a presentation by a young farmer, and Nuffield Scholar, who had been sponsored by the Farmers to carry out world wide research into the marketing and business growth of niche food and other products. The final appreciation must go to the meal and particularly the beef, but then the hosts were The Farmers.

And so home and then on to St Paul's Cathedral with the Mistress for a recital by the choristers of St Paul's. In addition to the delightful, and at times very moving, singing under the dome, there was also an open Q&A session with choristers, the youngest being eight years old and the oldest twelve. The reception, hosted by St Paul's Cathedral Foundation which followed, was held in the Crypt- a most impressive space. This was to thank those who are supporters of St Paul's, amongst whom is of course the Marketors. 

John Flynn
Master Marketor