Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word…

By and large, with one exception, I’ve had a good week this week. We are trying a new system at work of more consistent communication, keeping action points from our three-weekly managers' meetings more in the forefront of our minds. Trying also to maintain the impetus we started 6 months ago on our OKR’s. These are a set of ‘Objectives and Key Results’ the outcome of which we measure, evaluate and reset every three months.

On Wednesday I had Nick Ryder round for lunch who, until a month or so ago, was Le Creuset’s UK CEO and the man responsible for overseeing an incredible team of people who have been putting 10% increases on their sales consistently, year on year for longer than I can remember. I’ve known him since he joined Le Creuset in 2002, as Sales Director, and over the years have admired both his intellect, his attitude to the business and the people in it.

And, as if that wasn’t enough, I've spent a large part of my free time this week wrestling with the most needy member of my household. A month or two back, my old friend Francis, came to stay one weekend, and brought with him his Benchmark DAC3. If that leaves you a little puzzled, or beginning to shut down with instant boredom because you know a DAC has something to do with HiFi, then you’ve two choices. Move on down to Product or close this email and move to the next irritating company that have emailed you on a Saturday morning. I suppose you could even stay where you are, carry on reading and just try harder to stay awake. In fact, I've just thought of another option. Andrew, one of my readers, when my email arrives, goes downstairs, makes himself a cup of tea and brings that, and a plain digestive biscuit, back to bed. A sort of fortification for when I'm going on too long. And yes, that apparently works.

So, as a result of that weekend's trial (of the DAC3) and the positive transformation to my system, I decided that I couldn’t really live without it any longer, despite its rather eye watering price and rather underwhelming appearance. I ordered it through my favourite HiFi retailer in Reigate, Richer Sounds (thank you Richard and John for your ever friendly knowledgeable service).  Although the installation of it has been a slightly rocky road* a few nights ago, with the combined help of Paul (who amongst other duties also looks after our IT), my son Jonathan and friend Francis, we got it installed and working. This led me to listen to a variety of music, where the clarity and sweetness of both voice and instruments leapt out of the speakers, along with a touch more balance and greater emphasis on the bass notes, it was just mesmerising. So, I spent a delightful couple of hours listening to this eclectic mix, finishing with Elton John's, ‘Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word’. And this last track got me thinking about how I sometimes find it difficult to do. The challenge (counter intuitively for some?) increasing, the guiltier I feel about whatever it is that I need to apologise for. I’ve not got the time and space now to go into this, but it’s something that I will return to, and if you have any thoughts that you'd like to share on this topic I’ll happily read them and reply of course, and possibly include (anonymously) in a future email.

*nothing to do with the product, all to do with my somewhat demanding requirements.

To Product

At the Exclusively Housewares show that we went to three weeks ago, amongst others, we visited Black & Blum’s stand. They are manufacturers of high quality stuff for eating and drinking when on the move. The first product that we bought from them many years ago was their Box Appetit (now renamed Lunch Box Originals), which I have waxed lyrical about on a number of occasions over the years. It's a brilliant lunch box beautifully and thoughtfully designed and improved over time.  

Jeanne looking less impressed than she actually was!

Over the last couple of years they've expanded their range, creating a wide variety of food and drink containers.   I can't emphasise enough the cleverness of the design and the quality of the materials that Dan Black employs.   These are the Rolls-Royce of food and drink containers for the person or family on the go.   Rather like a Le Creuset Casserole or a Demeyere Frying Pan, they may be pricey, but this is actually one of those rare instances when I'd say that price is entirely justified.     As they themselves say, "Buy once, buy well."

Black & Blum Stainless Steel Food Boxes

A few years ago, they introduced stainless steel food boxes with clear plastic lids that you could put in the microwave. This is a game changer, because for anyone who has used Lock & Lock plastic containers (or its many competitors) in the microwave will attest, heat anything fatty or sugary in it and it tends to blister the plastic subtly. Stainless steel, doesn’t of course. All you have to do is pluck up the courage to put something metal in the microwave in the first place….! **

As it happens, we have not enjoyed the level of sales that I was expecting from this ground breaking product, and I asked Nick Cornwell, Black and Blum’s MD, if he had any idea why?

He told me that ‘it was all about meal prep’. He described what his wife does on a Sunday afternoon, making her week's lunches in one batch, that she then ladles into 5 of her stainless steel food boxes.  These she takes to school (she’s a teacher) and sticks in the microwave at lunch time. Apparently, it’s the fastest growing part of the business at the moment. So, reconvinced about the efficacy of these boxes, I've ordered in a load.

I picked up the set of three from the shop, separated the top one that nests easily within the stack.  I then removed the vacuum-sealed lid, having first opened the valve and peered in at the smooth satin finish interior with its gentle curves between sides and base. It was obvious how easily the food could be removed without leaving anything behind and how easy it would be to wash up by hand afterwards (although they are, of course, dishwasher safe as well).   

These high quality boxes (which have no flex in the body, whatsoever) are available in four sizes individually, but also in a variety of multipacks.

There’s an offer at the end of this email to tempt you down the Black and Blum path. They are not cheap with pricing for singles starting at £14.95 to the medium set of three at £48.95, but I doubt you’ll regret the money spent as these should last many times longer than their plastic equivalent and, as always, backed up by our guarantee of, try it out, and return it for a refund if you find it's not for you.

** it may go against the grain, but it does work safely every time, due to the rounded corners

Black & Blum S/S Explorer Flask Duo £49.95 Moving on, there is a 1 Litre vacuum flask. This is the flask to beat all flasks.   Constructed almost entirely from stainless steel, it sports two full sized insulated cups. The ability to pour from it without removing the stopper (just loosen it a turn), a ‘fabric’ handle that is removable so that you can put it in the dishwasher, one cup acts as the lid and the second full size cup is attached to the bottom.   This is a simple, beautifully executed design that exemplifies the work of Dan Black. Really quite beautiful.

Oh, and it keeps liquids, hot or cold, in that state for 24 hours…that’s a hell of a long time in the vacuum flask world. Yours for £50 all bar the shouting.

Black & Blum Insulated bags

Lastly, there are four sizes of bag with up to four different colours (Black, Moss, Clay & Slate), that I am running out of time to talk about in detail. What they all have in common is a good level of insulation, interiors that are water tight, so if, say, you have a spillage of milk or something sticky, it is safely contained and pretty easily washed out.

Additionally, they are all made from recycled water bottles.

There’s the Insulated Bottle Bag with long strap which has room for your phone as well as any receptacle up to the size of a champagne bottle.

An insulated lunch bag with roll-top and handy hook closure that also makes it easy to attach when in transit.

An Insulated Tote bag with a divider, long and short handles and an internal zipped pocket.

Lastly a huge Insulated Cooler Bag, with a very large 25 litre capacity which can keep ice frozen for an incredible 36 hours.

Spend over £40.00 on Black & Blum this week and we’ll take 20% off your bill.

Tell us who you are if shopping in Reigate and Cobham. Use code B&B20 if shopping online 

That’s it for this week, I trust you have a pleasant and peaceful weekend.

Warm regards,

Andrew