Women's Biz Network

New gallery images

noreply@blogger.com (Women's Biz Network) — Sat, 03 May 2008 08:32:00 +0000

New images of recent events have been added to the gallery page.

How assertive are you?

noreply@blogger.com (Women's Biz Network) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:23:00 +0000

How do you think you'd fare on the assertiveness scale? Do you know how to get the most out of those around you? Don't know then why not try this revealing quiz by Everywoman and discover what you're really like!

This quiz features in “Assert Yourself” from the series of everywoman Simple Approach to business guides. Buy the book here... . So go on, give it a go and see how you get on. Why not let Womens Biz Network know the outcome atthe comments box?............

How often do you feel ‘put upon’ at work?
a) Regularly, but it is what I expect.
b) I generally feel in control of my workload.
c) Colleagues have finally realised that I am not to be imposed upon.

How do you feel when someone seeks your opinion?
a) Very grateful as it happens so rarely.
b) I feel happy that they value my judgments.
c) Colleagues usually know my opinions already—if they have to ask they weren’t listening!

You’re having a discussion with someone who isn’t giving you a chance to respond. What do you do?
a) Wait and listen. They may have something valuable to say.
b) Make eye contact and let my body language show I’m about to speak, before starting to make my point.
c) Talk louder than them—they’ll soon stop and listen!

If a colleague asks you to do something which you feel isn’t your responsibility, what do you do? a) Try to fit it in—it’s important to be as helpful as possible.
b) It may provide a useful learning experience, so try to fit it in, but make sure they know I’m doing them a favour.
c) Refuse—it’s their job and their responsibility.

How do you feel about other members of your team?
a) I worry that they don’t think much of me.
b) I respect their experience. We’re all on the same team.
c) I don’t think much of them, so try to avoid them so I can get on with my job.

A colleague stops by to chat but stays too long, preventing you from getting on with your work. What do you do?
a) Let them stay, and resign myself to staying late to finish.
b) Explain that I have a deadline to meet and suggest they return another time.
c) Tell them to stop bothering me—can’t they see I’m busy?

You suspect a colleague dislikes you, but aren’t sure why. How do you deal with this?
a) Pretend I’m unaware of their attitude and try my best to avoid them.
b) Talk to them to find out the reason for their aversion.
c) Be confrontational in my dealings with them so that next time they will think twice about being haughty.

How did you score? Now add up your scores.
a = 1
b = 2
c = 3

5–10: You’re at the passive end of the assertiveness scale, and if you’re not careful you’ll end up being taken for granted which will make you very unhappy. Assertiveness is not simply about talking more and louder; read chapter 2 to discover new ways of developing presence—let people know you are there! Learn how to control others’ perceptions of you by reading chapter 5. Bullying is never acceptable. If you think you’re being treated unfairly or being bullied, chapter 6 offers advice on dealing with your situation.

11–15: You have a balanced, assertive approach to your work and colleagues, which would be good to build upon. Develop your non-verbal communication and leadership skills (chapters 5 and 7) in order to hone your abilities and achieve your full potential.

16–21: You’re in danger of being aggressive and making enemies. Perhaps your behaviour stems from a lack of confidence in your abilities, and you’re overcompensating for this. Chapters 3 and 7 offer ideas for building confidence. Remember to communicate effectively by listening actively and mirroring your colleagues’ body language (chapters 2 and 4). You’re all working for the same side, so you don’t feel the need to compete for supremacy!

Leadership Workshop Opportunities at Cranfield

noreply@blogger.com (Women's Biz Network) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:58:00 +0000

Cranfield University's studies show that only 4% of women middle managers progress to executive directorship level. Based on 15 years research in the field of women in management, theirLeading-edge workshop will help you, as a woman, progress into a senior leadership role with greater conviction. It will identify the issues holding you back and develop behavioural strategies to meet them, using 360 feedback and advice given by the tutors and other participants through the co-consulting process in the workshop.

Women's Biz Network has been informed that The Women as Leaders Workshop has been running for eight years at Cranfield. This programme feeds back on your individual leadership profile, identifies your personal definition of career success and helps you to recognise how to advance your career in a male dominated organisation. Find out how our programme has helped other women professionals or read what you could get out of this motivating program
One past participant commented: "I have just accepted a new job I will report to the MD And have taken on a massive but very interesting role. And it's all thanks to your programme - which gave me the time to think about what I wanted to do - and the confidence to take this on".

Their next programme is running on 1 - 3 July 2008. So if you are interested in an executive position but recognise that women have a tougher time than men in getting to the top, come and meet some like-minded professionals and they will help you develop a successful career strategy. For more information visit their website http://www.som.cranfield.ac.uk/som/executive/course/overview.asp?id=46 or call Mary Mills on +44(0)1234 754502.

Local Women Urged to Enter Top Awards

noreply@blogger.com (Women's Biz Network) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:48:00 +0000

Calling all female members of Womens Biz Network and Carmarthenshire Chamber. Nominations for this year's prestigious Swansea Bay Woman of the Year Awards are now being sought from across Swansea Bay. Individuals from Neath, Port Talbot, Swansea and Carmarthenshire are being urged to enter themselves, friends, family members or work colleagues into one of the five categories, one of which is new.

The Exporter Award has been introduced in recognition of women who have successfully exploited opportunities in the global market place.

Other categories include: Business, Community, Technology and Management. The nominations for the awards must be submitted no later than Friday 12th September.

Claire Goldsworthy, Head of Private Client at John Collins & Partners LLP Solicitors, the event’s main sponsors, commented at the launch “It is very exiting to be once again launching nominations for the Awards. At JCP we are delighted to continue supporting this event. Each year the winners have been inspirational role models and ambassadors for the region – and I am sure that this years’ nominees, finalists and winners will be no exception”.

The Swansea Bay Woman of the Year, now in its fifth year, aims to promote and celebrate the role of women in all sectors of society. Recognising their achievements and to provide role models to inspire others and the region as whole.

The category winners will be announced at a dinner and awards ceremony hosted by the BBC’s Sara Edwards at Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall, on Wednesday 26th November, where the overall winner will also be named.

For a nomination form go to http://www.thebayinbusiness.com/assets/forms/SBWY1.pdf or to reserve a table or seat at the event contact Sarah Toomey on 01792 545066 sarah.toomey@swansea.gov.uk
or visit www.thebayinbusiness.com

The Podcast Sisters come to Carmarthenshire

noreply@blogger.com (Women's Biz Network) — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:52:00 +0000

Women's Biz Network are pleased to inform you that The Podcast Sisters are coming to Carmarthenshire to present a fully interactive, informative introduction to the world of blogging, podcasting and how to utilise other forms of new media to promote your business at our next meeting in January 2008.

The event takes place on Wednesday 16th January at the Ashburnham Hotel, Pembrey at 7:30pm. This is an exciting opportunity for anyone in business to come along to this event as we are sure that a lot can be learned from ‘The Podcast Sisters’ (namely Heather Gorringe, Wiggly Wigglers and Anna Farmery, The Engaging Brand) about Web2 technology advancements.

Please view the events page on our website for more details and information on how to ensure that your place is reserved.

Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to see these two very successful businesswomen at their best!

New Awards for Carmarthenshire Businesswomen

noreply@blogger.com (Women's Biz Network) — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 13:12:00 +0000

Businesswomen will be amongst the women in Carmarthenshire who are being celebrated through a special event being held in their honour.

To mark the centenary of International Women’s Day next March, a special ceremony to award women across the county is taking place.

The event is being organised by a team of women from Carmarthenshire County Council led by council Leader Cllr Meryl Gravell, and people are now being asked to nominate someone they know who is deserving of an award.

For further details on the awards and how to nominate someone go to http://www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/eng/index.asp?locID=3451&docID=15557

What’s your work–life balance like?

noreply@blogger.com (Women's Biz Network) — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 10:00:00 +0000

Christmas is a wonderful time of year, but when you are trying to manage a business, family and home it can be quite stressful.

Everywoman have created a quiz to assess how we cope with juggling lots of commitments in our busy schedules, why not see how you get on? Please let us know your views in our comments box.

Whether you have family commitments or not, it can sometimes seem hard to fit everything in—we all want to be successful at work and yet have time for ourselves. Work through these questions, to assess your work—life balance, then read the guidance points.

How much of your time does work take up?

a) I let work take up as little time as possible.
b) A fair amount—but I still leave time for myself.
c) Work seems to dominate my life.

What position does work hold in your personal life?

a) Once I’m out of work I forget about it.
b) I do spend some time thinking about work while I’m not there.
c) I think about it constantly.

How often do you find yourself getting swamped by tasks?

a) Never.
b) Occasionally.
c) Often.

How often do you find yourself getting stressed at work?

a) Almost never.
b) Occasionally.
c) All the time.

Be honest! Which of the following best describes you at work?

a) Over-relaxed.
b) Balanced.
c) Workaholic.

Do you feel you have enough time for yourself outside work?

a) Yes.
b) Most of the time.
c) No.

Do you feel like you are in control of your life?

a) Yes.
b) Just about.
c) No—I feel I’m being swept along by work.

Are you happy with where you see yourself in 3 years’ time?

a) No. I’d like to have accomplished more at work than I think I will have.
b) Yes.
c) No. I’d like to have more of a life outside work than I think I will have

How did you score?

a = 1, b = 2, c = 3. Now add up your scores.

 8–14: You seem to have plenty of time for yourself, but are you fulfilling your potential at work? Take a moment to work out what is important to you and make sure you’re on track to achieving it—chapters 1 and 2 of “Balance your life and work” from the series of everywoman Simple Approach to business guides provide advice on this. Creating a list of priorities for the future can help you to set goals for yourself and ensure you don’t miss opportunities. Some time away from the office may help you work out what you want to do. Turn to chapter 5 if you’re thinking about a career break.

 15–19: You appear to have struck a healthy balance, putting in the effort at work while still having the time for ‘normal’ life. In order to keep this balance and take your work and life in the direction you want, it could be worth creating a plan to make sure you get where you want to be. Turn to chapter 2 for help on this. To keep up the good work, chapters 6 and 7 will help you prioritise and prevent stress building up.

 20–24: Your work just seems to have swamped your life. Sit down and take stock of your position, and assess what’s important to you. Chapters 1 and 2 will help you work this out. You can then move on to plan how you can change aspects of your life and claw back some time for yourself. Chapters 3 and 5 can give you some advice on this, and chapters 6 and 7 can help you to become more efficient, making your work life a better place to be.

‘When the business first started to become ‘successful’, people invited us here, there and everywhere. You have to harness your enthusiasm, retain your grassroots and seek to protect your family, by sometimes saying ‘no’. Now I have stepped back from the business but I’m still the executive chairman and do a lot of PR and charity work. If I’m out of the house for the day, I still get my priorities right for looking after the family – by making sure there’s food available for them! I love my time at home, too. I really enjoy just being a normal, everyday person. ‘Nanny Nash’ they call me!’
Carole Nash, Carole Nash Insurance

‘I work hard to make sure no part of my life suffers at the expense of my business. If I’m going to have it all – and that’s the choice I’ve made – I have to find the energy and the ability not to need too much sleep! I take my children to school most mornings and pick them up a couple of times a week. I usually juggle it by staying up into the small hours to make costumes for the school play or finish working on company targets.’
Laura Tenison, JoJo Maman Bébé

This quiz features in “Balance your life and work” from the series of everywoman Simple Approach to business guides. For more information on the series, and to buy your copy visit www.everywoman.co.uk/bookshop

British Female Inventor & Innovator Awards 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Women's Biz Network) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 15:56:00 +0000

The Global Women Inventors and Innovators Network shall be celebrating 10 years of incubating innovation and growth and shall be staging their Event for the first time in Wales. The British Female Inventor and Innovator of the Year Award (BFIIN), is an annual award that aims to recognise and promote the success stories of women in the UK that have come through the challenges of turning an idea into reality.

BFIIN has gone from strength to strength and is now recognised as a key diary date for women with an interest in copyright, trademarks, patents, intellectual property and brillant new ideas.

Over the past seven years the event has showcased many remarkable and innovative products and previous winners have gone on to establish successful businesses and achieve global recognition. These include Mandy Haberman,inventor of the Haberman Feeder and the Anywayup Cup, Tish Fearn, who has signed a major distribution deal with B&Q for her Lite-Lift equine and gardening tools, and Dr Dawn Gibbins MBE, named Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year 2004. Two of our members, Linda Vickerage, EnvirocompUK and Victoria Whiteland, Inspired by Ruby have also been highly commended for their products at past awards ceremonies in 2005 and 2006.

The Intellectual Property (IP) industry's most prestigious award dedicated to female innovators and inventors, the BFIIN AWards, is presented annually. It is truly a peer honor, awarded by and to female inventors and professionals for innovative achievement.

The annual BFIIN Awards presentation brings together thousands of creative and innovation professionals in the IP industry from all over the world. Now in its 10th year, the scheme is run by the Global Women Inventors & Innovators Network (GWIIN)the global network which aims to increase the number of innovative women embracing enterprise.

For more details on attending this prestigious national event or for entry details go to www.bfiin.com

Parents' rights to flexible working

noreply@blogger.com (Women's Biz Network) — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 15:18:00 +0000

Proposals to extend parents' rights to flexible working were among the key issues in the Queen's Speech likely to have repercussions on small firms. Parents who have older children are to be allowed to request flexible working. Currently, parents of disabled children or those under six are allowed to do so. Business groups said the Government should be wary of going too far and damaging smaller firms' competitiveness.

Read the Confederation of British Industry's (CBI) reaction at:
http://www.cbi.org.uk/ndbs/press.nsf/0363c1f07c6ca12a8025671c00381cc7/cbb5d39cdc5c3a678025738b004f02d3?OpenDocument

Would more flexible working arrangements suit you or your staff and what implications would this have, your comments please

Welsh economy hit by lack of women entrepreneurs

noreply@blogger.com (Women's Biz Network) — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 15:09:00 +0000

Chwarae Teg, a body set up to promote the role of women in business, says that their figures show a fall in the number of Welsh women with their own enterprises and it has been claimed that the lack of women entrepreneurs is costing the Welsh economy £1billion annually .

This was a reaction to Prowess's 'State of Women's Enterprise in the UK' report (http://www.prowess.org.uk/), which said early-stage female entrepreneurial activity in Wales had fallen to 3.7% of the population in 2006. Two years earlier, it was 4.5%.

Find out more about this topic at:

http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-news/2007/11/06/missing-women-cost-economy-1bn-91466-20065948/

What do you think, let us know your comments

noreply@blogger.com (Women's Biz Network) — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 14:50:00 +0000

This is Women's Enterprise Day - A day for women to be inspired to make their mark

Women's Biz Network are proud to officially launch their new website on Women’s Enterprise Day Wednesday 14 November 2007
Part of National Enterprise Week 2007 (12 – 18 November)

Women’s Enterprise Day is part of the fourth national Enterprise Week (12-18 November 2007), the biggest annual celebration of all things enterprising across the UK. The week is run by the national Make Your Mark campaign which aims to kick-start a more enterprising culture amongst young people in the UK.

The theme of this year’s Women’s Enterprise Day is Who Inspires You? A host of celebrity supporters (including Sarah Beeny, Lorraine Kelly, Ruth Badger and Carrie Grant), well-known female entrepreneurs (including Jacqueline Gold, Gita Patel and Michelle Mone) and Girls! Make Your Mark campaign ambassadors will be revealing who their personal inspirations and mentors are and attending events across the UK.

To find out more about how you can l'make your mark' and read some truely inspirational stories, have a look at some of the downloads on the Women's Enterprise Day website, start making a difference now. http://www.makeyourmark.org.uk/campaigns/womens_enterprise/girls_make_your_mark

If you have an inspirational story you'd like to share with us why not post it here

Welcome to Women's Biz Network

noreply@blogger.com (Women's Biz Network) — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 15:28:00 +0000

The Women's Biz Network website is now live!!!!

This site will provide you with up-to-date news and useful tips on running a business as well as a chance to interact with others by registering for the online membership package.

We have a varied range of events planned for 2008, but welcome any suggestions you might have for future events, advice and support topics or additional ideas and services that you would like to see on offer on the website.

Send your ideas in by email to info@womensbiznetwork.co.uk or by blog.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.