Julia Homan of the HR Dept

At the March Andover Mutual Business Group breakfast Julia Homan, of the HR Dept, will discuss this change which is part of the Coalition’s Red Tape Challenge to trim burdensome employment law. It will increase the qualifying period for an employee to be able to bring a claim of unfair dismissal from one year to two years, as from 6 April 2012.

The legislation means that employees whose employment starts on or after 6^th April 2012 will need to have 2 years continuous employment to make a claim for unfair dismissal.  These new rules do not apply to anyone employed prior to 6 April 2012.

It is increasingly common for those who do not qualify to bring an unfair dismissal claim to “tag on” a claim for discrimination on the grounds of race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, marriage or civil partnership, religion or belief, pregnancy or maternity, age or disability.  There is no minimum qualifying period for an employee to bring a claim of unfair dismissal related to discrimination.

Employers should ensure that any dismissal is for clearly identified reasons and that anyone handling a dismissal has the skills to manage the process competently.  Employers can manage conduct and performance issues fairly, legally and promptly by having robust policies and procedures and ensuing Managers are fully trained in how to use them.

The HR Dept, Andover and Winchester specialises in providing a range of tailored, outsourced HR Management, Advice and Support solutions to SME’s.  Join us on Tuesday 27 March at 07:30-09:00, and every fourth Tuesday. Enquiries to Dennis McNamara, email: dmcnamara@parkesbrowne.co.uk

Marc Denton, Independent Financial Adviser

Big-hearted Marc Denton, Independent Financial Adviser from Andover will, on 28^th February, tell Andover Mutual Business Group how he helps cultivate capital for his clients and why, in his ‘leisure’ time, he digs deep for charities.

Marc is a fully qualified IFA, giving mortgage, pension, protection, investment advice; also writing for What Investment magazine on ‘new investments’. His special area of expertise is advising ‘divorcing professionals’; helping them to de-stress their divorces by offering an honourable service, giving them financial clarity and peace of mind.

Marc says “The description The Financial Gardener, Helping Cultivate your Capital comes from my vision of my business. With the turmoil of divorce, it is a tranquil place for clients and my holistic approach is one of complete recovery from financial concerns, to return to the feel good status.”

Marc’s leisure time is packed with charitable work. He’ll run the London Marathon in April for Whizz-Kidz charity, which provides disabled youngsters with mobility equipment, support and networking; then in November he’ll jet over to run the New York marathon.  Topping that in July, he’ll tackle the Three Peaks Challenge, raising funds for Andover Young Carers.  And to boot, as a UEFA B-licensed coach, Marc also gives coaching at Andover Streets Ahead football club; an inclusive football club for children and adults who cannot manage to play for a ‘mainstream’ football club. Contact: 07931 295116.

To hear more, join us on Tuesday 28 February at 07:30-09:00, and every fourth Tuesday. Guests are welcome. Enquiries to Dennis McNamara, email: dmcnamara@parkesbrowne.co.uk

Bliss founder Larraine Mitchell

Now in its 25^th year, Bliss is the colourful Beauty Salon in East Street, offering extensive treatments and Clarins products to make all ages, sizes and genders feel and look good. Its founder, Larraine Mitchell’s early experience began at the Elizabeth Arden Beauty Salon in London’s Bond Street, treating clients in the glamorous world of royalty and film stars which has led to the unique quality and service you see today.

Apart from extreme male and female waxing, Larraine specialises in hair removal and advanced cosmetic techniques. Using the latest Apilus Platinum Pure computer, you can not only have hair removed permanently and pain free, but all sorts of lumps, tags, veins, hairs and crusty bits removed from all those secret little places you would rather no one knew about!

Supported by fantastic therapists and friends, Sam, Amy and Jane offer Bio sculpture gel nails Sienna spray tanning, Deep Tissue Massage and many other treatments.

A testament to this successful business is that clients are still returning for treatments 25 years on.

So in the knowledge that you will feel comfortable and safe with expert confidentiality check out www.blissbeauty.com “Its Bliss!”

At Andover Mutual Business Group’s meeting on 18^th October 2011 Larraine will give you an insight into the fascinating business of feeling and looking good.

Visitors are welcome to join us, every third Tuesday of the month at The Copper Kettle at 7.30-9.00. Enquiries: Dennis McNamara dbarnes@parkesbrowne.co.uk

Tim Pearce of Grape Expectations

Warm and spicy, intense, smooth or fruity – these words could describe members of the Andover Mutual Business Group but, in fact, they are the wine characteristics we will learn about on 16^th August - over breakfast!

If you appreciate wine, or would just like to know how to select a bottle, this shouldn’t be missed! Guests will harvest many top tips about wines, brought to you by Julie & Tim Pearce of Grape Expectations, Andover’s Independent wine merchant, at 159 Weyhill Road. Sadly, we won’t be sampling actual wines, just ‘notes’ of them, over our delicious breakfast.

Tim will tell us about the wines he has experienced on extensive travels around Europe’s wine producing areas. Tim is an accredited Wine & Spirit Education Trust tutor with many professional qualifications. He’s been in the wine business for 30 years, so there is little he doesn’t know about wines. At Grape Expectations’ wine store Tim has personally selected a refreshingly different collection of delicious wines.

We’ll hear about grape varieties and styles and matching wine to food. Also, Grape Expectations’ new, special treat: their ‘How to Taste’ monthly Wine School, which will explain all the things you’ve wanted to find out about wine. A perfect treat for you, or someone you know; for just £25 you get wines plus complementary foods and barrels of knowledge, plus convivial company.

This breakfast’s a must! Join us at The Copper Kettle on Tuesday 16 August at 07:30-9:00. Guests are welcome. Enquiries: ed@andovermbg.com,

At the June Andover MBG David Hopwood and Stephen Dollin-Browne of DS Networx

David Hopwood (right) of DSNetworx

(DSN) will translate Linux Ubuntu into plain language.

Aha, Linux - but what does that mean to me? Here’s a brief summary - it saves real money on your IT as Linux operating systems and software programmes are free - and give near virus-free computing.

Too good to be true? Amazing, but it is true! Compare Linux against Windows, which is known to have 100,000 viruses and for which each user has to pay a licence fee for every programme.

Why’s it free? The system and software are open source – written and made available by developers, for free-download on the internet, with programmes equivalent to Windows applications, i.e. Open Office equates with Word.

If the software’s free where do DSN come in? While you could download the system and programmes yourself, unless you’re a ‘techie’, you’ll probably want it installed for you. For David and Stephen’s one-off fee you get installation and support for a year, plus training and a personalised manual. What’s more you’ll never have to buy another annual licence-update as programmes are free to download.

DSN recently saved one client in Kent around £7,000 on licences alone when installing Ubuntu and also saved MacMillan Publishing serious money when installing Linux to run their Facebook application.

To get the full translation, hear about their offer of 1-hour free remote support, plus a great breakfast, join us at The Copper Kettle on Tuesday 21 June at 07:30-9:00. Enquiries:  Dennis McNamara dbarnes@parkesbrowne.co.uk.