"The Barsley Brief"

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I Lovefilm.com update

Oct11
2009 Leave a Comment Written by Charles Barsley

I thought it was time to do another Lovefilm.com update.

Master and Commander: The far side of the world

Master and Commander was the first of my rentals, this was a good action packed film, the story of one ship going to the edge of the world to fight another.  I felt I missed out a bit of the story by not having read the books.  While it was a good film I couldn’t see the bigger picture of why they were doing it.

Buy now from Amazon UK

Poseidon (2006)

The 2006 film Poseidon is a remake of an earlier film.  A cruise ship is struck by a huge wave which turns it upside down.  Many of the passengers stay in the large ballroom area but the story follows a group who attempt to make their way to the bottom of the ship where the propeller tubes could provide an exit.  The boat is struck by the wave early on in the film so most of the film follows the group through various challenges they face.  Its quite a typical story line, as the characters face a range of trials during which they are slowly killed off and you are left wondering how many / who will survive.  The film is a good one to watch once but it lacks good character development, you don’t really get to hear much of the characters back stories, and as a result you don’t feel their pain when one dies.

Buy now from Amazon UK

Angels and Demons

Angels and Demons had a lot to do to live up to the book!  I don’t think I have ever watched the whole Da Vinci code film, It never lived up to the book in my opinion.  However Angels and Demons is a fantastic film.  When I watched the film I had forgotten most of the book, including some of the key themes, but the movie was not diminished by having read the book.  There were some differences between the book and the film but nothing major.  The film is fast paced, but still detailed enough to provide enough background on the characters.  The story is a classic treasure hunt, taking Robert Langdon from church to church but not so long that it is repetitive.

Buy now from Amazon UK

Knowing

The trailer for Knowing makes it look like a fairly grounded psychological thriller, though the film is perhaps the oddest film I have ever seen.  As the trailer says, 50 years ago school children each put an envelope into a time capsule, 50 years on the capsule is opened and the envelopes are handed out.  The one picked by Nicolas Cage’s son contains a list of seemingly random numbers.  Nicolas Cage’s character realises that these are dates and numbers.  The dates of major disasters over the last 50 years and the number of casualties and there are three dates still to come.  Cage’s character believes he is tied into these events after being present for one and sets out to find out more.

I rented this film as I enjoy several of Cages previous films and this film was definitely worth watching, though it gets stranger and stranger as it goes on!

Buy Now from Amazon UK

If you’ve seen any of the above films, leave a comment with your thoughts

Next Month,

I only subscribe to the 2 DVD’s a month package which is just £3.91 a month, Lovefilm has several packages which include unlimited DVD’s and Blurays for £9.78 a month and packages which also include computer games.

My DVD queue is full of films which are released in November so I am hoping for some good films soon!

Join Lovefilm today with the Barsley Brief and get your first month Free!  That’s two weeks more than the standard Lovefilm offer.

Click here to find out more and join Lovefilm

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Dragons Den: On Tour Episode Two

Sep20
2009 Leave a Comment Written by Charles Barsley

In Episode Two the Dragons were visiting both successful and unsuccessful pitches in and around London.

Sean was first in the episode with his tangle teaser hairbrush.  He had failed to get investment in the den but two years on the tangle teaser is in fairly wide use and available to buy online at Amazon.  Duncan Bannatyne had a go and admitted it was better than a normal comb, and seemed surprised that Sean had solved over 250,000 units.  Duncan was impressed how far Sean had come and thought he may be the “one that got away”

Next on was Jason Roberts who just this series got funding for company Tech21 which produces a range of items which protect gadgets through the revolutionary D3O material.  See some of their products here on Amazon.  He partnered with both Theo Paphitis and Peter Jones and Peter visited him just 4 weeks later, the first post den meeting.  Jason was able to use the Dragons money to secure the exclusive global rights to the D3o technology.  It’s still early days but Peter is confident.

Ian Chamings was looking for £150,000 in 2006, for his software “Mixalbum” which mixes dance music.  He got the investment with Deborah Meaden and Theo Paphitis.  Three years on Mixalbum has become very popular in gyms, and has taken up the licensing route suggested by Richard Farleigh.  The company is currently turning over £500,000, most successfully from licencing which Ian wasn’t keen on initially.  The profits weren’t mentioned though.

Blinds in a box were next up.  I couldn’t believe it originally when they got investment from James Caan and Duncan Bannatyne.  It seems quite a odd, and potentially unnecessary product.  A year on and they made an exclusive contract with a catalogue retailer but did not get the sales they wanted.  Now in their second year they can go to other retailers so must sell, sell, sell!

The final pitch was for ice blades, rollerblades which are made like ice skates so that you can “ice blade” without the ice.  They got funding from Theo Paphitis.  Peter Jones though felt this was one of the most ridiculous investments in the den.  Just 5 weeks later and Theo went to visit, and carry out the due diligence and his other condition “a world expert telling him it was just like ice skating”  so he brought along ex Olympic figure skater Haig Oundjian.  The product passed the test and Haig Oundjian loved them.  They won’t get investment though until the patent is approved.

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The Online Dragons Den Episode One

Sep16
2009 Leave a Comment Written by Charles Barsley

The Online Dragons Den has become so successful that it is going offline… to BBC2.

The Online Dragons Den is the same concept to the Dragons Den we know and love but is much more accessible to pitchers.  Anyone can submit a video to the Online Dragons Den asking for an investment of up to £50,000 and the best pitches are selected by the BBC and the entrepreneurs are invited to pitch to the online dragons Shaf Rasul and Julie Meyer.

Shaf Rasul

http://www.shafrasul.com

Edinburgh based Shaf has made his millions in property and computers. His E-net Computers business is worth £35m and has other interests in Dubai and property.

Julie Meyer

American by birth and European in spirit, Julie came to Paris in September 1988 and has been working with technology business leaders and entrepreneurs ever since.

Episode One

The BBC2 show is hosted by Dom Bryne who presents the highlights from the online pitches.  This week the show includes Graeme and Tom Hill’s Mpod and Victor Scott’s commuter-friendly trolley trike. Plus Brian Loughborough’s economical haircare solution and Christine Turner-Crowe’s Hay Hammock.

Graeme and Tom Hill’s Mpod never got as far as the dragons, it was a large sack with the words SOS on it which you put over yourself to signify the need for help if you break down on the motorway.  All very Odd.

Marcus Reoch http://www.dragonsineurope.com did get into the den, dressed like a court jester, he was looking for £50,000 for 15% in “the Chinese dragons club” teaching afterschool mandarin to children.  Marcus was questioned thoroughly in typical Dragons Den style.  The dragons first discussed the concept of the company and then went on to discuss financials.  Julie was out because she didn’t feel Marcus was hungry to grow and increase revenues.  She felt this was more of a lifestyle business for Marcus rather than an investment.  After Julie was out Marcus revealed more to Shaf to try and get his investment.  Shaf just couldn’t see how he could get the investment to stack up and make a return so he was out also.

Lisa Penn and Matthew Penn were next to make it into the den with their cosy shopper baby blanket.  They wanted £20,000 for 15% for their business and gave a positive pitch, however the dragons felt the couple weren’t committed to giving enough time to the business.

Family fridge limited http://www.familyfridge.co.uk, is a free website the invention of Alexi Deak who wanted £20,000 investment for 20% in this free website.  The website is a free planner, it includes calendars, pictures, gift lists and more, everything you might stick to the fridge!  (as soon as the pitch started the Family Fridge website went down!).  Alexi struggled to really articulate what family fridge did.  Shaf has website investment experience and felt the return might not be their from advertising.  Alexi revealed that he was nominated for young entrepreneur of the year.  Julie offered the £20,000 for 30%.  Shaf matched the offer but highlighted that he was an entrepreneur not just an investor and would work closely with him.  Alexi accepted the offer from Julie.

Summary

An interesting start to BBC Two’s Online Den.  Some of the “raw” pitches are a little cringe worthy but it is fascinating to see the smaller investors getting the chance to pitch.  Since the Den, Marcus has published several Chinese books, the cosy shopper is available at several retailers, and Alexi’s Family Fridge is growing fast.

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Dragons Den: On Tour Episode One

Sep06
2009 Leave a Comment Written by Charles Barsley

Well the Den is closed for another season, but don’t worry for all is not lost as now perhaps the best bits are on TV.  It’s all very well seeing entrepreneurs go into the den, but often what I want to know is what happened next.  This season the BBC doesn’t disappoint with 5 episodes of “Dragons Den: on Tour” following the Dragons as they tour the country visiting entrepreneurs both who they invested in and turned down to see where they are now.

Today in Episode one the tour heads south, featuring the colourful father and son team behind Ladderbox, the opening of pop sculptor Guy Portelli’s exhibition, and olive oil enthusiast Michael North, who dared to take on Deborah Meaden during his time in the Den.

Peter Jones catches up with one of his investments, Rachel Watkyn from Tiny Box Company, and the Den Destroyer Theo Paphitis drops in on the man behind one of the most popular products not to get investment – Rob Law’s Trunki – to find out if he was wrong to not invest.

Below I’ve covered some of my favourite bits from the episode.

The program starts showing the Dragon’s Den On Tour Bus, I find it hard to believe that they would all travel together on a bus.but you never know.

Ladderbox

http://www.Ladderbox.co.uk

Rob and Geoff Hill came onto Dragons Den in 2008 wanting £100,000 for 15% equity.  They were quite an entertaining pitch but ultimately didn’t get investment in the den.  The company had been in place quite a while and Duncan Bannatyne felt they had come to Dragons Den to bail them out as they couldn’t sell them.

A year on Duncan Bannatyne, their harshest critic goes to visit them.  The pair are keen to show him the newest product in their range, but it’s an odd start as they chauffeur him to the house in a golf cart.  They had lost £93,000 on the Mk1 Ladder box, but invested a further £50,000 in development of the Mk2 Ladderbox with paint roller.  Rob and Geoff think it will take another £40,000 to get it to market.  Duncan believes they should just give up.  However the pair have a licencing deal on the table which will mean they don’t have to put in any more money and they’ll get £1 per unit.  If they can sign this Duncan thinks this is the best way.  However he still believes fundamentally it is a bad idea, do date they have not signed a contract.

Tiny Box Company

http://www.tinyboxcompany.co.uk

The Tiny Box Company produces ethical recycled packaging boxes for the gift and jewellery boxes.  Duncan was disappointed with the quality of the product, even Deborah “the ethical dragon didn’t invest”.  But Theo Paphitis and Peter Jones were interested, they invested together for 40% total and £60,000.  The other Dragons were surprised.

A year on and the Tiny Box company have a new warehouse, and Christian has left the tiny box company leaving Rachel alone despite giving Peter the assurance that he was committed.  Peter Jones visited the company and is very pleased with the progress so far.  Rachel has a great business but Peter Jones isn’t convinced if it will ever become a big business.

Trunki

http://www.Trunki.co.uk

Rob Law is the creator of the Trunki, perhaps the most popular product to be turned down by the Dragons three years ago.  As ever Theo tested the Trunki to breaking point and snapped the strap, this stopped most of dragons from investing or asking for a large equity stake.  Theo went as far as saying he was wasting his time in the den.

Theo “the destroyer” goes back three years on to meet Rob in Trunki Towers.  Theo Paphitis says he now sees them everywhere when he goes to the airports.  The company has expanded from Trunki’s (now on the Mark 3), to saddlebags and rucksacks which convert into booster seats.

The company is has an annual £1.4 million turnover, but fairly low profits.  Theo said it is imperative to ensure he has the cashflow to go forwards as he was worried about the low profit margins and wished Rob the best of luck.

Buy a Trunki today direct from Trunki

Guy Portelli

http://www.portelli-sculptor.co.uk

Guy Portellis offer was an unusual one, he was offering 25% of 100 of his Pop art sculptures which he would display and sell for an investment of £70,000 at a large exhibition.  The dragons were interested and this sparked a bidding war.  Guy Portellis got Theo Paphitis, James Caan and Peter Jones for £80,000.  A key point of this was that this would give him three guest lists.

In Royal Tunbridge Wells James Caan visited Guy in his studio, and admired the range of pieces Guy had already produced.  A year later the sculptures have been created and he is ready to exhibit.  With the dragons help they have a impressive guest list at the exhibition, but would people buy?  Since the exhibition 4 pieces have been sold for a total of £60,000 and guy is now touring the pieces.

Michael North

http://www.oliveoilclubs.com

Michael is passionate about fresh seasonal olive oil.  His company was an olive oil club giving his club members 12 bottles of olive oil a year of fresh seasonal olive oil.  He annoyed Deborah in the den after contradicting her and none of the dragons chose to invest.

Deborah Meaden went to visit Michael a year to see how he was getting on.  Deborah has bought one of her favourite oils and asks how old it is, and he correctly tastes it as a 2007 olive oil.  They go on to taste several of Michaels newest freshest oils.

Michael isn’t making a product from the olive oil clubs but he has other products which he now sells, including a Balsamic vinegar spray, for instant salad spraying!  Deborah is sceptical that Michael has no unique selling point and he has not spoken to any supermarkets.  Deborah feels he needs a business partner to focus on the business side while he focuses on the Olive Oil side.  Deborah feels she was right not to invest.

Dragons Den is back again next Sunday at 9pm on BBC2

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Dragons Den Series 7 Episode 8

Sep02
2009 Leave a Comment Written by Charles Barsley

It’s the final week in the Den and the series has flown by.  Its been a strong series with a lot of deals done in the den.  Hopefully a good final episode tonight.

Michael Lea – Earle’s

http://www.earles-direct.co.uk

http://www.earles-sandwiches.co.uk

Michael was seeking £100,000 for 15% in his mobile hot and cold food van company.  Earles was formed 12 years ago and delivers pies, sandwiches, drinks etc to businesses.  Michael gave a overview of the company history but was light on what the money was for.

He wanted to franchise his sandwich company, specifically with his new van design which combines hot and cold food storage and an ice cream machine.

Michael had separated his original business from the Franchise operation that he was asking for investment on.  Michael revealed that he had put approximately £160,000 to date, is surprised me that he was only offering 15% when he has not put in much more.

James Caan was worried about the principles behind the business as he had been in a similar business and lost a lot of money.  James was out.  Deborah Meaden shortly declared herself out too.

Theo Paphitis was out too, he was critical of there being no unique selling point to make his company different from anyone’s else.

Duncan Bannatyne who had previously run his own ice cream van business, felt ice cream vans were better and was out.

Peter Jones asked for the current business to be included aswell as the franchise, and offered £100,000 for 35% of the entire business.  Michael went to the back of the room for a think and although he didn’t seem convinced accepted the deal.

Peter said this taught the other dragons a lesson – the benefit of declaring last!

Vernon Kerswell – Extreme Fliers

http://www.extremefliers.co.uk

Vernon was seeking £75,000 for 15% in the world’s first remote controlled micro-helicopter and car in one.  Vernon has already manufactured several products and gave a strong knowledgeable pitch.   He was very honest that he was looking for a dragon to get the product into toy retailers.

He answered questions well from the Dragons and showed that he was enthusiastic and put a lot of effort into the range.

Theo Paphitis wanted a play with the Terror wasp.  Deborah tested the business skills of Vernon questioning the patents and product protection.

Peter Jones revealed he owned 25% of Blaze toys which is one of the biggest radio controlled helicopter in the UK.  He spent over £100,000 in legal costs to fight a legal patent for the rotor design of remote control helicopters, and eventually settled.  For this reason he was out.

James Caan was interested but after Peter Jones revelation he was out.

Duncan Bannatyne loved Vernon but he felt there were too many competitors.

Deborah felt Vernon was highly investable but had heard too much from Peter Jones and was out.

Theo Paphitis started questioning Vernon’s academics, and was considering an investment in him.  He felt this wasn’t the right time, and Vernon should finish his degree, while developing his products, and then launch the business and at this point Theo would be ready to invest.

Susan Bell and Jonathan Jones – Butterfly Technology

http://www.butterfly-technology.com

Susan and Jonathan wanted £75,000 for 15% in their company which created an invention that dispenses all product from a tube without any wastage “Squeeze with ease”.  They gave a good presentation explaining the key design and points of their product.  I felt their equity offer was incredibly low when they are still at the prototype stage.

Peter Jones felt that this would have a slow take up as manufactures wouldn’t want to reduce their sales by users getting more out for their tubes.  Duncan thought the best money saving way would be to use a key to wind the tube and force the contents out.

If this product works to their expectations they have incredibly high profit expectations.  Deborah Meaden was familiar with Susan’s from very positive previous press she had received.  However Deborah felt that this was not an environmental / ethical product that she claimed it to be so she was out.

James Caan agreed that she had so much publicity in the past that if this were a good idea she would have already have been offered investment, so he and Theo were out.

Duncan Bannatyne didn’t believe in the product and was out.

Peter Jones felt Susan was talented but didn’t listen and the product shouldn’t be on the market so he was out.

David and Patti Bailey – Motormouse

David and Patti were looking for a £100,000 investment in their company for a 20% stake.  They have created Wireless computer mice in the form of supercars.

Originally I was unimpressed but they couple had strong sales to date and they were quality “executive toys” rather than very plasticy cheap cars.  They also revealed they have a licencing agreement with a Italian sportscar manufacturer.

Peter Jones started questioning and Patti answered strongly showing that they were aware of similar toy’s but there’s was an executive gadget not a toy.

James dug a little deeper and discovered that the “missing link” was the retail market and they needed help breaking into it.

Theo loved the quality of the product and the packaging but felt the competition was very high and this was a price sensitive market so he was out.

Duncan Bannatyne felt the market wasn’t big enough so he was out.  Deborah was out for the same reasons.

Peter Jones felt he would have invested less but £100,000 was too much for the market they were looking to enter.  This left just James Caan.

James again liked the product but didn’t feel it was big enough.  He did like the creators and their expertise and wondered if they would help with his other companies as an investment in David and Patti, for 50%.  The couple were flattered, but didn’t want to do a flat 50/50 split. James Caan offered 49% but they challenged for 60/40.  He pushed back for 45% but David and Patti beat him down to 40%!

Conclusion

The Den has closed for the last time this season.  I had mixed feelings on today’s episode,the people were very interesting and lead to a good episode but I wasn’t so impressed with the products.  I liked Earle’s Sandwich company as this gave us some insight into some of the dragon’s past.  Vernon was a great inspiration of how much a young entrepreneur can achieve but I felt the product was to similar to other things on the market.  The tube device was quite odd and the computer mouse while well made is ultimately quite faddy.

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