A round-robin email inviting people to participate in a workplace sweepstake in the run up to a popular sporting event seems like a bit of innocent fun – no need for an employer to intervene, surely?

In fact, sweepstakes, lotteries and all forms of “betting” in the workplace are regulated by the Gambling Act 2005, so you’d be well-advised to be aware of what it says, to avoid falling foul of its…

Holidays are a wonderful time when the whole family gets to spend good quality time together, relaxing and having fun. It's a perfect time of love and harmony, isn't it?

Yes, it can be and it can also be a trying time for a lot of people. It can be a time when the whole family is forced to come together with false promise of this "wonderful, mystical time" that we are all supposed to be having.…

I read the other day about a little boy who was very sad because the girl in his class turned him down to go to the school dance.

What did his Mother say:  NEXT !

I think the same is true if you are facing redundancy; it’s a time for a new challenge and it can be very exciting but frightening at the same time.

You have money in your pocket – yippee – but what to spend it on?

Paying off your credit cards, loans?

Buying a new wardrobe of…

Click on the image above to watch Jane's Video Blog on YouTube

If you have any other hints or tips for keeping your kids happy and amused (on a budget) over the summer holidays it would be lovely to hear from you.

With kind regards

Jane

Jane…

It's a wonderful time of year, looking on the internet or browsing the glossy holiday brochures for that perfect break that has been hard earned.

Yes, we can Google locations, hotels or self catering apartments and of course airfares, but wait, please don't book straight away.....   Check with a Travel Agent and ask them for a quote too- it's always worth shopping around and of course make sure that however or whoever you book with they are members of ABTA and ATOL.

Check those…

Timing is not just crucial for comedians. It’s pretty important for managers too.

In a recent Tribunal case involving the theft of stock, an employer dismissed two employees summarily, i.e. without notice or payment in lieu of notice, following an investigation which proved their involvement. The termination letter stated that the date of dismissal was 5 October 2010. The employees appealed, and after hearing their…

Surrey Networkers Evening THIS COMING THURSDAY, JULY 12th

at The LIGHTBOX in WOKING from 6pm to 9.30pm

Go to: http://surreynetworker.eventbrite.co.uk

A unique networking evening with a special emphasis on growing your business profitably whatever the economic circumstances.

What you’ll get from the evening:

• Surrey Networking has secured 2 of the UK’s best speakers who will focus on how you can win more…

Listen to this 15-minute free mini-webinar in which Keith Grover interviews  NiS+ Member Jo McHale of Talking Truly - click here to learn how to improve your personal communications skills in business…

The team here at Surrey Chambers of Commerce are working hard on the Activity4Charity Health Challenge.  If you haven’t already heard, us Surrey Chambers staff and over 130 off our members are taking up the Challenge of taking 10,000 steps a day over six weeks!

The challenge is designed to help change behaviour of individuals; to become more aware and ensure they are active on a daily basis. The challenge not only helps to improve the fitness and health of those taking part, but also…

Since 2009 we have been able to share our professional conversations on LinkedIn and Twitter - so what we posted on one, would appear on both platforms.



Now Twitter has changed its strategy on the way our Tweets appear in…

Amazed to be reminded that the infamous Torch will be carried from Godstone Fire Station To Godston Green (distance around 400 metres and that it'll take FOUR locals to get it that far!!). This event has run the distance (pardon!) and I for one will not be making the 2 mile journbey to watch it!!

Tuesday 26th June saw Surrey Chambers of Commerce jointly hosting the Festival of Science breakfast event with Festival organisers Surrey SATRO.

This annual event took place at the Brooklands Museum Pavilion, and saw almost 100 school and company exhibits.  Surrey Chambers CEO Louise Punter, who attended the event said; "The energy and enthusiasm was so strong that it drew visitors into the exhibits and it was evident that the learning achieved was well beyond the…

Here's a salutory tale about the super smart networker I came across last week, as my long-suffering partner Angela and I were on our way to our current favourite Greek island of Skopelos (where they filmed Mamma Mia).

We were in transit on Skiathos, where the plane lands, with a couple of hours to kill before catching the Skopelos Ferry. So, we settled outside a…

In an ever more complex world, it is not surprising that we find ourselves yearning for simplicity. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just pay somebody what we think they are worth, as and when we need them, without worrying about contracts, PAYE, NICs, National Minimum Wage and all the other employment bureaucracy?

Many small businesses baulk at the prospect of taking on employees, thinking it is complicated and onerous, and that it is easier to hire in the services of…

World's first 'professor of networking'

As usual there are lots of events going on at Surrey Chambers this week. 

Tuesday 26th you will see us at Brooklands Museum to support the SATRO Pavilion Breakfast.  This event forms part of the SATRO Festival of Science and Engineering.  This is an excellent opportunity to find out why over 500 companies work with SATRO to engage young people and inspire…

New customer + right product + trusted recommendation = sale

Today with millions of brand conversations happening every day, I would estimate 8 out of every 10 purchases have been influenced by a trusted recommendation, whether from family, friends or a respected person.

Are you helping your brand advocates refer you business? Here are 5 tips on becoming their best…

Whether you're sports mad or all this athletic 'kerfuffle' is driving you crazy, you may like to check out what's happening when, on the Official 2012 site where you'll find this schedule

http://www.london2012.com/schedule-and-results/

 …

As a result of breaking news this morning concerning LinkedIn, we endorse the advice they have broadcast. Please ensure you change your online password without delay.



Erring on the side of caution - password secured internet sites



There is no harm in reviewing all your online passwords. Generally speaking,…

You may have attended one of my Google Places Workshops recently, to discover how you can use this free marketing tool to bring you a steady stream of new customers from the UK's favourite search engine. 

Well, things are hotting up! Google has changed the positioning of Places in order to integrate it with Google+, the search engine giant's answer to Facebook. …