I loathe it.

Normally, it passes me by and leaves me be.

Today, I had to stand up to it in all its horror. I wasn’t really prepared for the fight after two days in Dublin, during which I walked a marathon, and barely five hours’ sleep having arrived back in Cork late last night.

But people were depending on me, so I rose from my bed with the elegance of a zombie from its grave, and ventured out to this year’s BNI Big Breakfast.

It was worth it.

Three measures determine the success of my business day:

1. Did I take a worthwhile photograph?
2. Did I learn something valuable?
3. Did I strengthen my business relationships or start a new one?

Simply attending BNI’s annual Big Breakfast pretty much guarantees that 2. and 3. are taken care of.

As far as item 1. goes, I was asked to take documentary photographs of the event. In particular pictures of Rob Brown, the keynote speaker, in action. One of those is already one of my favourites for the year.

I got lucky. Sure, I recognized an opportunity when it presented itself and planned the shot when I saw the potential, but luck did play a part.

One of Rob’s final presentation slides showed a lighthouse.

I knew immediately what I wanted to do, but I needed him to move towards me into a band of ceiling light.

Rob’s a walker-talker, so the odds were in my favour. As he stepped forward, he raised his hand as he spoke.

Rob Brown, an expert in reputation, speaks at the Maryborough House Hotel in Cork on 3rd February 2010 during BNI's Big Breakfast event. (c) Roger Overall 2010