Blogs

Networking was a bit of a theme at the Exeter and East Devon Business Club event at the Deer Park Hotel in October. Not only was there the usual networking lunch with local business professionals, but there was also a valuable presentation from Michael Mertens of Mertens Consulting on how to procure IT support to keep your critical IT networks running reliably.

During his presentation Michael exploded a few common myths and exposed some of the inappropriate advice that small businesses often receive from ‘experts’. His personal favourite was the ‘stronger aerial’ solution...

Especially for Fellow Mums working, in business or Fulltime Mummys looking to go back to work. I am not going to keep this from you as I want you all to know that what I am telling you I speak from experience and I want to share with you my tips and techniques that helped me dramatically to get my ideal balance when my business took over my life a couple of years ago.

I am not afraid to tell you that two years ago I thought I was running a successful business and nothing else should matter. I thought as long as I did the VAT returns, logged the accounts, looked after my...

I pretend it’s not happening until autumn is right on top of us. The unstoppable, overwhelming green tide of growth turns round and meekly disappears into the ground.

We get a fiery display as the leaves drain of green, going out in a blaze of glory. Let’s hope for more of the glowing light of September to give October that incandescent quality.

The wet, cold summer gave extraordinary growth to cool country plants, and things that need warmth suffered. Fewer insects - the cows never got besieged with flies - meant that all those insect-eating birds did not...

Sunday morning and I’ve treated myself to breakfast out. Scrambled eggs on toast, coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice. I am listening to my favourite songs and people watching – things I love doing. In the last 24 hours I have bought ridiculous amounts of chocolate, drunk wine and had a long soak in a bath. All telltale signs that I am not in the happiest of moods. So what has caused that? One word – football. Let me explain.

It all started with a trip to Highbury to watch Arsenal when I was a kid. I couldn’t tell you who they played, the score or who won. The vivid...