McKinsey showed that organisations which innovate through a crisis outperformed the market – by 10% during the crisis by 10%, by almost 30% afterwards. Innovating through the coronavirus pandemic is crucial. Within your organisation, are you an ‘innovation enabler’ or

It is always risky writing a column at a time when a number of momentous situations are in play! As we go to print, the decision about Christmas mixing seems to be fairly solid albeit in the face of much

We quite often speak to small businesses who have a thriving presence on Facebook and don’t see the need to have their own website as well. There are a number of reasons why relying on Facebook as an alternative to

Given recent events, there has been a significant increase in people looking at making tax relief claims due to the additional costs incurred for working from home. Previously (prior to the current tax year), employers could pay their employees a

As we enter the third week of the second lockdown, businesses are reviewing all the changes that have happened during the last 8 months. The flexibility of working from home has become a norm for many organisations and we are

Why not make getting out in all weathers your next adventure? Whilst we love being in woodland and forests, we realise that during autumn and winter, especially when we are in another lockdown, it’s not always possible. However, getting outside

National restrictions continue to significantly affect businesses across the country and there is an enormous pressure on their financial situation. Businesses may be juggling reduced income whilst navigating new income streams such as various government support measures.  They might be

Just when we thought things were moving forward….. All change again in such a short space of time. Following a continued rise in Covid infections the government has decided to put us into 4 weeks lockdown to try and improve

What is Resilience? Resilience can be defined as how we ADAPT TO CHANGE. In the current climate of uncertainty the ability to be resilient will most likely be a key determinant of Business Success. If individual’s don’t figure a way

  The torchlight shone directly into my eyes !…. A bit of a shock: I was gradually waking from a coma in hospital having been the victim of a hit and run accident on a large motorbike in the middle

It is interesting how businesses develop over the years. In 1973 the U.K. joined the E.U. At last we had a “cushion”, a “comfort blanket”. As in fashion, there are trends.  I was lucky enough to start my first business

Writing a column in these times is really challenging as the pace of change is so fast that anything written soon becomes history. As I write, this week, we are waiting for improved support for businesses, who are shut down

Today we live in a fast paced and ever evolving world.  Recent history only goes to highlight that the future remains uncertain.  At the end of this year we will leave the European Union and, of course, we hope and

CM System Designs are proud to offer Chamber members a one-to-one consultation to review their remote working plan. Join up for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our business analysts to discover how you can protect and grow your

Louise Punter-CEO Surrey Chambers of Commerce Heading towards the end of September we all hoped that after 6 months of almost lockdown we would be able to start easing off. Unfortunately, with the growing number of infections nationally this has

By Jane Graham and Desiree Anderson   These days everyone is feeling loss of control due to the intense changes we have all experienced. Boundaries between work and life, sickness and health have blurred and with it has come the

By Desiree Anderson and Jane Graham “Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up.”  Brene Brown This quote seems particularly important since the pandemic where we all continue to feel uncertain as a human

Over the summer the Black Lives Matter movement has made headlines across the world. But what does it mean for your business? What can you do to show your support? As a trainer in Diversity and Inclusion I have seen

Louise Punter – CEO Surrey Chambers of Commerce What a whirlwind of activity we are living through! As businesses start to return to the workplace we are being told to remain even more vigilant as advice and rules are changed

If sales are under pressure, then costs come quickly under the microscope. That’s todays reality for almost every business bar manufacturers of masks and sanitiser! Cost cutting per se is a blunt instrument that achieves a short term aim but