Networking in Surrey News – week beginning 16 April 2012

April showers are here - an ironic reminder that we’re experiencing a sub-Saharan drought and won’t be able to use the hose to water the rhubarb, or indeed, wash the car (‘every cloud’, as they say :0)

So you’ll see me swanning around in my dusty jam-jar proudly claiming to be ‘doing my bit for Britain’ (or at least for the sun-dried south!)

The Exhibition season gets under way with Nick Taimitarha’s Richmond Expo  at Twickers tomorrow. It’s a massive networking day on NiS, with our first NIS Boardroom Brainstorm in the morning at Silvermere, Martin Davidge-Stringer's Best of Farnham evening, and Jeff Scott's free Digital Berkshire event over the county line in Bracknell.

There’s also tomorrow evening’s buzzing Guilfast mega-bash with Louise Camby - featuring ‘Speed Networking, Deep Networking and Social Networking’ – plus paella and tapas, and special guest Arsenal and England footballer Ian Wright - not a Member of NiS - yet (on me ‘ead, Wrighty!)

And of course as always, you'll find scores of events in our Regular Group Meetings section!

Diary of a Networker...

I’ve been to the usual eclectic mix of events since my last newsmail, which was before Easter. I celebrated the first birthday of the Thameside Business Association with Ruth Fogg, Steve Bridger, David Endersby, Deepa Veneik and Ian Jackman. There was a huge cake and free booze – not my sort of do at all1!
I was at the Surrey Business Club curry evening last week with Ian Hamilton and Deryck Svensson and the Trafford Elmbridge Dinner on Monday with David Denovan-Smith, Dominic Jones and Jeremy Webb. Last night I headed down to Farnham for the free sell-out Digital Surrey evening with US Academic and Social Media expert Mark Shaefer telling us all about Klout (don’t ask!) – it was quite brilliant, as it happens.

Laura Netley’s ‘Suit-ability’ event at the University of Surrey was inspirational and humbling in equal measure, discovering how people with disabilities are getting magnificent support as they successfully take their places in the local business community – words fail me to describe how fantastic they all are. Also present were Sally Burrough, and Sandra Collins, and I was sorry to have to leave before Veronica Pullen’s presentation. This evening I’m off to Steve Bridger’s Walton Business Group event for start-ups, as I’m one of the example businesses featured in his terrific book on the subject. Steve wasn’t exactly clear whether I’m a good or bad example (or indeed, what of!)

Watch out for Friday’s NiS Bulletin on what’s coming up on NiS next week, and meanwhile...
Happy Networking!