Speed Networking Success

"All you want for Christmas"

"All you want for Christmas" will be at the NETWORK Spirit of Christmas Fair taking place on Bank Holiday Tuesday, 1st December at the Hotel Garbe in Armação de Pêra from 1100 till 1700.

This year in an exciting new development the Algarve’s biggest and best Christmas Fair will be held in the main Por do Sol Restaurant, which is extremely spacious and light, has spectacular views of the beach and access to the terraces.

The fair at the Hotel Garbe has grown to be one of the most popular in the region, hundreds of people come from far and wide.

Something for everyone in the family as Mums and Dads love the opportunity to do their Christmas Shopping, children flock to see Father Christmas and the seasonal carol singing will creates a traditional atmosphere that everyone appreciates.

Gifts Galore, as well as all those special Christmassy traditional treats will also be on sale,:- homemade Christmas Puddings, candles, boxes of Christmas cards, handmade tree decorations, crackers, novelty stocking fillers to name but a few.

Don't miss this opportunity to do all your Christmas shopping under one roof.

Porches Pottery, one of the Fair regulars, have a range especially for Christmas making it very easy to chose the perfect gift. Beautiful handcrafted and hand painted Cruet sets, soap dishes, candle holders to name but a few, and don’t forgot to check out their unique Christmas tree decorations. Or visit the Lemon Tree stand for a festive range of soaps and beauty care. Movison are bring giftware, and James Wilding will be there with his much sought after Jewellery.

Stay for lunch – the Raj Indian Restaurant will have its famous Indian buffet running from 12.30pm onwards. Or enjoy a turkey sandwich and a mince pie in the Hotel Bar.

Don’t miss Father Christmas and his Magic Elf arriving in his "sleigh" to open the Fair at 11.00am. The Silves Keep Fitters Carol Singers will welcome Santa at 11.00am and then sing many of the traditional Carols that we all know and love at Christmas time.in the Bar Boa Vista at 11.30am and 3.30pm.

A Grand Raffle and Tombola will raise funds for the NETWORK Charity of 2009, the Bom Samaritano in Alvor

Street theatre, Carol singing, Fashion Flashes and Dancing Displays will make up the entertainment programme of the day.

Entry to the Fair is free

NETWORK SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS FAIR, Hotel Garbe, Armação de Pêra.
Tuesday, 1st December, 2009 11.00am to 5.00pm

For more information please contact Verna Kinder on 282 449395 or Vicki Good on 282 320260

Photo: Father Christmas helping Porches Pottery get ready for Christmas.

Gifts for him and her – give an experience this Christmas

It is not always easy to choose the right present at Christmas, it can be time consuming, tiring and expensive.

Why not give an experience - everyone loves a voucher - especially when it is to treat themselves.......

At the Network Spirit of Christmas Fair taking place at the Hotel Garbe, Armação de Pêra on 1st December you be able to choose from a large number of "treat yourself" presents.

A photography course from Portugal Photography, a beauty treatment from Lara Costa, a dance lesson from Strictly Come Dancing, a supply of smoked salmon from Fumeiro do Algarve, a Bowen Treatment from Lindsey Hanson, dinner for two in the Raj Restaurant are just a few of the experiences you will be able to buy at the Fair.

Vouchers will come with special designed cards for you to write in your own personal greeting.

Visit the Network Spirit of Christmas Fair on 1st December at the Hotel Garbe and treat your family and friends to an experience this Christmas.

Entry to the Spirit of Christmas Fair is free.

For more information please contact Verna Kinder e-mail pvkinder@mail.telepac.pt

Network Spirit of Christmas Fair, Hotel Garbe, Armação de Pêra.Tuesday, 1st December, 2009 11.00am to 5.00pm

Network Spirit of Christmas Fair on the Be Hip Show

The Spirit of Christmas Fair organisers are delighted that the Network Fair at the Hotel Garbe on 1st December is being promoted on Be Hip Show - please see http://www.hipalgarve.net/.

Christmas fashion can sparkle even through the economic gloom!

by
Network Member - Alison Slater of 'Collections'

People have been asking me which are the colours for this winter season, and I am delighted to be able to say that they are much brighter than in some years. We all like more colour here than in the rather grey UK, and this year there are some really gorgeous bright purples and blues, as well as greens and a range of browns. When it comes to Christmas, there is a wide choice of the usual reds, golds and silvers, as well as other metallic finishes, and a lot of sparkle!

Times are hard financially for us all, and although I buy most of my clothes through the UK, unfortunately I don't really benefit from the weak Pound, as the international currency for cloth & clothing manufacture is.......US dollars! ( Perhaps I should be in oil instead!) Having said that, I am lucky to have built up a great relationship with my many suppliers, and have hunted down some good deals.

When it comes to Christmas parties, and just dressing up a bit for the season, we can keep the cost down by limiting the basics and adding some glitter and colour. You probably have a nice pair of black trousers or skirt ( if not, you know where to look! ), and can make a real impact with a bright but classy top. While it can be much cooler indoors here, there are lovely jumpers, both light-weight and a bit heavier, as well as some gorgeous cardigans – not a bit like our Grannies used to wear!

I hope to see you at the Network Spirit of Christmas Fair taking place on 1st December, at the Hotel Garbe in Armação de Pêra where I will be showing all the fashion you might need for the season, and where you can find almost everything else you may be looking for in the run-up to Christmas, from cards & crackers to presents for all the family

November 25th 2009 - ‘Speed Networking’

LADIES NETWORK

Invites members and their guests to this exciting concept, still new to the Algarve.

Here is an unrivalled opportunity to efficiently increase business contacts and generate new business opportunities!

Who will be there? NETWORK members and guests interested in growing their business, seeking new customers, investors or business partners, or passing on referrals.

How does it work? Individual briefing sessions lasting around 5 minutes with other
like-minded professionals. Establish rapport, share contacts

What do you do? Prepare 20 word concise and effective ‘Martini’ speech. Have goals, know what you want to achieve. Think about what YOU have to offer to others. Bring business cards and interested friends not yet members!

When and Where?
Hotel Garbe, Armação de Pera
Wednesday November 25th
Gather at 8.30 am to start for 9 am finish 10.30 am.


Directions:
Taking the A22, exit at junction 7 for ARMAÇÃO DE PÊRA. Continue West to Alcantarilha and a roundabout where you take the turning signposted for Armação de Pêra. Follow this road towards the coast, shortly after the large supermarket (Intermarche) on your right, you will reach a small roundabout, turn right here and then immediate left. Carry straight on and follow this road 100 metres along, to where you will see scrubland to park on the right and a large white hotel building just afterwards.


Cost: Members €6 Guests €8.
Includes, coffee or tea, pastry and water
Spaces ARE limited!!
Please book no later than end of day Friday November 20th

Contact Lindsey (Western Vice President)
Tel: 936 371 448 or Email: Bowentherapy.Lindsey@gmail.com

September Central Meeting

September’s Central meeting was a great success with Network welcoming a lot of new faces, both as guests and new members (and we were pleased to see a lot of the incomers were younger faces – no offence to the older faces!) (none taken – ed!)

After the August break, we held this meeting in the evening and it was very well attended. Connie Brown’s crew at Brown’s did a splendid job of supplying us with drinks and canapés in an informal lounge setting. The emphasis was on encouraging members and guests to talk about themselves and their businesses with plenty of time to Network with each other.

What came over very strongly is how versatile ALL the women in Network are, many running not just one, but often two and in some cases even three different businesses, proving our creativity and survival instincts in this economic climate. In a lot of cases this multi-tasking included juggling work life with looking after young children.

Some of the ladies’ stories were quite humbling but we all had one thing in common : Even with the setbacks we’ve seen in recent times, we all picked ourselves up, dusted ourselves off and started right over again!!

We would like to remind you all that until the end of 2009, we have waived the €25 joining fee, with only the annual membership fee of €60 being payable.
( Ask us ref terms )

Happy Networking!
Lynn Kenney
Vice President Central

Members News - Photographportugal

Christmas will be here before we know it...and at Photographportugal we know many of you will already be looking for gift ideas.

LOOK NO FURTHER.
Images of all sizes, photography workshops, courses and holidays for beginners, intermediates and experts, Photoshop (and similar) tuition...even just a few hours showing you how to organise your images on your computer... we've got it all covered. What many of you may not know is that we also own and run Photographscotland - www.photographscotland.com - and this might be a good starting point for those of you looking for gift ideas for UK based relatives and friends. We can ship images direct from the UK with no P&P costs - starting at GBP £20. Or those
of you with relatives outside of Portugal can send a gift voucher for a course here in the Algarve – that's one day sorted when they next come out to visit!

This year Photographportugal is taking a stand at the Network Christmas Fair where we hope to see you all. As well as having a range of images, calendars, cards and gift vouchers for sale on the day my husband John will be there to offer any advice or answer any questions you have about cameras or how to use them.

So if you're thinking of buying a camera as a gift or as a treat for yourself you're welcome to come and talk to him at the Fair about the best type for you BEFORE you make the purchase.

It doesn't cost the earth to learn from a professional – our courses and workshops are much more affordable than many think. Less than the cost of a camera and equally important if you want to make your new purchase work for you!

To get you started why not join the half day beginners' courses running every Friday morning over the winter in the Hotel Garbe? Only 40 euros – and you'll come away with a new understanding of your camera and bags of confidence – not to mention some great
photographs you'll not believe YOU took.

Courses at the Garbe start on December 4th, but as places are limited on each day to six book early.

If you prefer one to one help then John will tailor make a course to suit you.

Have a look at the website for more information www.photographportugal.com or call either John or me on 963506249 for more information.

Of course taking digital photographs means that you need also to fi nd your way around the computer. But don't worry as Photographportugal's expertise extends to lessons in Photoshop and similar computer based image software for those who need it.

Remember Network members receive a 10% discount on all Photographportugal courses and workshops.

Rita McKinlay
www.photographportugal.com
telephone - 963 506 249

Father Christmas confirmed for the Network Spirit of Christmas Fair

Last month Father Christmas and his Magic Elf met with the Organisers of the Network Spirit of Christmas Fair.

And today Father Christmas has today confirmed his attendance at Network Spirit of Christmas Fair which is taking place at the Hotel Garbe in Armação de Pêra on 1st December.

Santa and his Magic Elf will arrive to open the Fair at 11.00am, and stay until it closes at 5.00pm to give everyone the possibility to whisper their Christmas wishes to the man in the red suit with the big white beard.

Don't miss this oppoortunity - He will be giving the proceeds of his visit to Castelos dos Sonhos in Silves. No Christmas Fair is complete without a visit to Santa

Follow the Penguin Trail in the Hotel to find him.

Also confirmed for the Fair are another old favourite - the Keep Fit Carol Singers who will welcome Father Christmas at 11.00am and then sing many of the traditional Carols that we all know and love at Christmas time.in the Bar Boa Vista at 11.30am and 3.30pm.

The 2009 Network Spirit of Christmas Fair is set to be the best ever.

Don't miss it - make a note of the date now.

Entry to the Fair is free

For more information please contact Verna Kinder e-mail pvkinder@mail.telepac.pt

Network Spirit of Christmas Fair, Hotel Garbe, Armação de Pêra.
Tuesday, 1st December, 2009 11.00am to 5.00pm

Photo: Father Christmas and his Magic Elf enjoying the spectacular beach in front of the Hotel Garbe when they were here last month!!!!

Greetings from the Network President

As the year begins to draw to a close, we are very pleased to see an increasing number of guests at Network events and would like to extend a warm welcome
to those who have recently joined the association. We are continuing to suspend the joining fee until the end of the year, so do please let your associates, colleagues and friends know this, as there has never been a better time to become a member of the women’s Network. I would encourage members to bring guests to our monthly meetings, to grow our membership numbers which in return will bring value to your own membership.

The Membership Directory is undergoing a full review during November, to make it more user friendly and computer compatible with manageable monthly updates. More news on this will follow by email where we will be asking members for their input into this project.

Super meetings have been held over the past few months and my thanks go out to the great Vice Presidents, Lynn Kenney, Lindsey Hanson and Connie Brown for all their organisation. November meetings will be innovative and I look forward to seeing plenty of members and guests at either meeting or even better - both!!

I am so excited about our Christmas Fair this year, thanks so much to the team involved in the organising, Verna Kinder, Anne Parish, Vicki Good and Linda Smith, prizes are still needed for the raffle and the tombola, so please do what you can and contact any of the team if you have anything to offer. I look forward to seeing
you there.

It has not been an easy year for many of us and some of us have suffered big changes beyond belief, but I hope that Network has been of some support to you – I know it has for me and I would like to thank personally the members of the Admin Council for their constant efforts and their support through tough times. Thanks also to everyone who has helped Network through the credit crunch and all those members who do so much out of sight. Here’s wishing for a great Christmas and prosperous 2010.

Wishing you all the best
Samantha Felisberto
Network President

Business Bites by Philippa Rowat

Today it’s all about working not just harder but smarter.

By now most of us know that to be efficient with your time you should write a To Do list but even these come with guidance: -

1. Have three separate lists, one for Business, Family & The Home and Personal.

2. Prioritise your list with A, B & C tasks.

3. Write your A tasks on a separate sheet and re-prioritise them A1, A2, A3 – A1 being the most important.

4. Get to work straight away on your A1 task which will probably be the most difficult but most profitable.

5. Don’t stop until you have seen the task right through to its conclusion or as far as you can take it without putting it to one side.

6. Don’t be tempted to revert to B or C tasks just because you can complete five of them very quickly: if you have prioritised correctly then your focus should
be A’s all the way.

7. Try and delegate B and C tasks wherever possible.

This edition ‘Business Bites’ was sent in by Philippa Rowat. If you have any Business Tips to share then please send them in for future publications.