National Women’s Network

Posted on April 6, 2014 by alison

April and May networking events

National Women’s Network offers support to members from all walks of business, from those in the early set-up stages to those working in a corporate environment.

They welcome non-members to their meetings so please come along and meet the group.

Certainties in Life

Date: Wednesday 9th April 2014

Time: 6.30pm – 9.00pm

Location: Technology House, Lissadel Street, Salford, M6

Forget the jargon surrounding financial planning. Simplify your life by confirming where you want to go with a clear plan to help check you are on track. Money isn’t the dream it just helps to get there.

Christine Law DipPFS of Chartwell FS will provide an insight in to modern money management and offer some tips for reaching your objectives.

The recent budget changed the rules on pensions and ISAs so Chris will also briefly cover the changes.

For more information and to book a ticket, click here.

Has Your Get Up and Go Got Up and Gone!

Date: Tuesday 6th May 2014

Time: 6.30pm – 9.00pm

Location: The Message Trust, Harper Rd, Manchester, M22 4RG

One of the biggest challenges that we have to overcome in business and in life, is getting rid of those life limiting scripts that tell us we’re not,

“clever enough, organised enough, funny enough, intelligent enough, wealthy enough or ‘anything’ enough to achieve what we feel we really could, if only we had the chance!”

Do you have ‘a script’ that is stopping you from stepping out and taking on a new challenge or going for a promotion, taking your business to the next level, letting go of the past to the extent that it threatens your present or future happiness?

Then it’s time to get rid of the ‘gremlins in your head’, overcome the blocks that are stopping you from being the best you can possibly be and make sure that you re-connect with your real passion and motivation!

Join Lily Newman in A Master-class to Kick Start Your Self-Motivation

For more information and to book a ticket, click here.

More information: national-womens-network.co.uk

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What is Networking?

What’s new Winning Women MCR

Posted on February 24, 2014 by alison

Networking for entrepreneurial women comes to Didsbury

More and more women are waking up to the fact that they can make a life and a living through running their own purposeful and profitable business.

Global Winning Women has arrived in Manchester and Abigail Eaton-Masters has the privilege of being our local ambassador (Winning Women Manchester).

“Winning Women Manchester passionately believe that through supportive and collaborative mindsets, women together can grow, aspire and flourish to their fullest potential. We believe that when women come together magic happens.

“Our Winning Women culture is based on the following core values and provides the ethos for the group.”

Connect - to bring together entreprenurial women across the globe (wherever you may be in your journey).

Collaborate – to willingly and openly assist each other in making a bigger impact for the greater good of all.

Champion – to nurture, support and value every Winning Woman following our philosophy that it’s not about ME its about ‘WE’!

Contribute – to play a significant role in bringing about learning, to share our talents, gifts and knowledge for personal and professional growth and giving back to the world.

Celebrate – to join us in acknowledging the joy and success of others.

Winning Women Manchester Meetings

Winning Women Manchester meetings take place on the last Friday (10am – 1pm) of each month at:

The Old Parsonage, Stenner Lane, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2RQ

The Guest Speaker on the 28th March 2014 is Catherine Sandland who will be talking about that common problem:

“I know my stuff but I don’t know how to say it in public! From panic to poise.”

Click here for more information.

Market Mondays

Abigail also promotes Market Mondays on the Winning Women Manchester Facebook page where she encourages members to tell the group “what product or service, displays or wares do you want to promote today?”

It’s a great way to get your name and your brand out there.

Abigail looks forward to seeing you at The Old Parsonage in Didsbury soon.

Keep in touch by joining the Winning Women Manchester Facebook group here.

Alison x (your 4Manchester Women Editor)

Photographs: Hannah Rose Photography

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Inspiring Women Awards

Posted on February 20, 2014 by alison

Nominations are now open

Over 22 years, the Inspiring Women Awards has found women who inspire others and are viewed as role models. And once more it’s time to nominate the North West’s remarkable women (nominations close 4th April 2014).

Last year’s winners

Last year’s joint Community Award winners were Jo Thompson and Nicola Graham.

Jo started Millie’s Trust following the death of her baby daughter who died on her third day at nursery following a choking accident, to campaign for better First Aid knowledge and practice.

Nicola Graham, started Reuben’s Retreat in memory of her son, Reuben who died aged 23 months from a rare brain tumour.

Both women showed and shared their courage with the audience in the face of extreme tragedy.

Business Winner, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell was recognised for her contribution to the success of the University of Manchester.

Sue Woodward OBE was awarded the Creative & Media category for her work with The Sharpe project.

Paula Solomon was recognised as the BBC Radio Manchester heroine for setting up the Match4Martin campaign.

Lisa Tse, co-founder of Sweet Mandarin was recognised in the Entrepreneur category for the success of the Sweet Mandarin sauces, now exported to China.

The winner of the Inspiring Young Woman Award went to Kirsty Ashton MBE for her untiring charity work and support.

Founder of the Awards, businesswoman Jacqueline Hughes Lundy of Olivia Henry Associates, says:

“We want to keep publicising these remarkable stories from women who have made a difference to their lives or the lives of others.

“These Awards provide a wonderful opportunity to recognise and showcase these achievements and to say thank you to our unsung heroines. ”

Find out more about the 2013 Inspiring Women Award winners here.

How to nominate

Closing date for nominations is Friday 4th April 2014

There are six categories:

Business Award.

Entrepreneur (for businesses between 1-5 years) Award.

The BBC Radio Manchester Community Award.

Inspiring Young Woman Award (aged 16-25years).

Two new categories for 2014 are:

The Technology Award.

The Nurturing Female Talent Award (which is a company award).

The Inspiring Women Awards supports the Inspiring Young Women Foundation. Full details of the Awards, previous winners and full Terms and Conditions are available on inspiringawards.co.uk.

To nominate:

Email nominations@inspiringawards.co.uk

Via the web inspiringawards.co.uk

Phone 0161 926 8568 (ansaphone)

The Awards Lunch

The Awards Lunch will take place at the Midland Hotel in Manchester on Thursday 15th May 2014 when the winners will be announced. Compering the event and interviewing the finalists on the day will be BBC Radio Manchester presenter, Andy Crane.

Guest Award presenters include BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin and former The Apprentice star, Neil Clough.

Bookings@inspiringawards.co.uk

inspiringawards.co.uk

Further details can be obtained from Jacqueline Hughes-Lundy, Tel: 07753 881455 Email: Jacqueline@inspiringawards.co.uk

Photographs: Inspiring Women Awards

Hey Little Cupcake Coffee Morning

Posted on February 10, 2014 by alison

Forward Ladies Networking with guest speaker Alison Staples

Date: Friday 28th February 2014

Time: 10.30 am – 12.30pm

Location: Hey Little Cupcake, 2 Hardman Street, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3HF

Standard Members – £10.00; Standard Member Guests – £12.00
Pay as you go Members – £15.00; Pay as you go Guests – £15.00

Come along to Hey Little Cupcake in Spinningfields and find out all about how this gorgeous cupcakery came into being from it’s founder Sarah Wilson.

20 Minute Speaker

Alison Staples – Editor of 4Manchester Women.

Yes, that’s right, I’m being released for the day to speak about:

Why I love Manchester.
How and why I set up on-line magazine 4Manchester Women.
My top five tips for effective blogging.

And if that isn’t a good enough incentive to come along – can I refer you back to the photographs of cake above!

I’ll look forward to seeing you on the 28th February. Places are limited so you do need to book.

For more information and to book visit forwardladies.com/heylittlecupcakecoffeemorning-2714

Alison x (your 4Manchester Women Editor)

Photographs: Hey Little Cupcake

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New Start, New Business

Posted on February 10, 2014 by alison

Networking with guest speaker Sarah Lynch

National Women’s Network’s next Network Northwest event is entitled ‘New Start, New Business.’

Date: Wednesday 19th February 2014

Time: 6.30pm – 9.00pm

Location: Hale Kitchen, 149 Ashley Road, Hale, WA14 2UW

Speaker

This is the story of Sarah Lynch who after a corporate career with a number of companies including Clarks, decided to start her own business selling shoes online – Plantas UK – an Italian women’s shoe brand.

The website went live last October and Sarah is building up her business and learning a lot along the way and will be sharing her story with the audience.

Members and non-members are welcome.

Booking is at networknorthwest.eventbrite.co.uk

More information: national-womens-network.co.uk

Photographs: Plantas

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What is Networking?

What is networking?

Posted on August 12, 2013 by alison

National Women’s Network North West

For businesses, networking is a valuable way of finding new clients as well and gathering essential knowledge. We’ve got a networking masterclass on the blog today from Sue Weighell, the Network North West Chair.

Over to you Sue ……

Someone asked me recently “what is networking?”

I had to think for a moment – what is it actually and what is it to me.

I found this definition - Developing and using contacts made in business for purposes beyond the reason for the initial contact.

The ability to network is a crucial way for individuals with business ambitions to meet the clients, customers and contacts necessary to grow their business.

Many people go to networking events, but very few know how to network effectively. Networking is more than just getting out and meeting people. Networking is a structured plan to get to know people who will do business with you or introduce you to those who will.

Networking is not about how many business cards you can collect, it is about relationships and this is particularly true when women network. They want to get to know people and build relationships. I can talk about networking for women as I chair women’s groups National Women’s Network NW (NWN NW)

After being asked “the what is networking” question many times I looked at where I had obtained business over the last two and a half years since I set up my business. I wanted to see if networking worked for me.

Personally if I had sat at home and waited for business to find me I would be still sitting here with no work! My work has come through networking – not always the meet someone at an event and do business but meet someone who passes my name on, my reputation spreads and business happens. In fact 100% of my work has been through networking.

Other members of NWN NW have also found leads through networking and have given leads to others in the group where a particular skill is needed. But this is not a formal referral system, it is getting to know, like and trust people so that you are comfortable when recommending them to your contacts.

Networking should also be taken in the wider sense. When I first set up my business I accepted every invitation that came my way from seminars, training, referral organisations and every network meeting. Especially low cost and free events! Wherever you are, wherever you meet people you have the opportunity to talk about what you do and I did that. I learnt to network and I spread my circle of contacts.

Each year I produce a business plan for my business and I include in that my networking strategy. Yes, at first it was go to every event but now I am more selective and attend events in line with my strategy.

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And I can’t network constantly, I have to work too!

Our next networking event is 21st August 2013. You can find out more here. I Look forward to seeing you there!

Sue

More information: national-womens-network.co.uk

Photographs: National Women’s Network North West

This is a sponsored blog post.

More information: www.national-womens-network.co.uk

Forward Ladies Summer events

Posted on July 7, 2013 by alison

Networking – learn new things, make new friends and find new business

There are few people on this planet to whom networking comes naturally!

But if you don’t get out there and tell people how great you and your business are, how will they ever know?

If you bite the bullet and give it a go, networking can be one of the most effective ways to find support and drum up new business.

Today we’re talking to Sue France, who runs Forward Ladies Networking events on Merseyside, Cheshire and currently Manchester – it’s a networking group that I go to, and thoroughly enjoy.

Over to you Sue ……

Do I have to go networking?

That’s what I said when I took over as Head of Marketing and PR for three Yorkshire hotels in 2004. I was 55 years old and in my previous career there had never been any need to visit the networking scene.

Having never done anything remotely like networking and especially not ladies networking, it seemed like a strange alien world which I was not eager to enter!

However to spread the word about our brand new hotel group, networking (especially in our own venues) was a perfect idea and luckily for me I stumbled about Forward Ladies and never looked back.

If you’ve never been to one of our events before and want to give it a go just pick the one that appeals to you most from the list below and give us a try (you don’t need to join).

If you don’t want to go on your own email me on sue.france@forwardladies.com and I will introduce you to someone that you can go to the event with. I know people hate turning up for the first time on their own so I make sure they don’t have to!

The biggest advantage of Forward Ladies is that most of the big corporates in Manchester are members but so are many sole traders and ladies just starting new businesses, so there is always a great mix to connect with. A solicitor might be looking for a stationer, cake maker or some styling advice for her wedding. While a start-up business might need some legal help, a web designer or tips with social media.

Whatever you are looking for, the chances are you will meet someone who can help you or send you in the right direction.

Here’s what’s happening in Manchester this summer

11th July 2013 – Comedy Night at the Lead Station

This evening has come about because two popular members of Forward Ladies have taken the plunge into stand-up comedy and we wanted to support them. We’ve added two regulars from the Comedy circuit as well . Chorlton, click here for more information.

18th July 2013 – Afternoon Tea with Fashions and Style from Luke Sutton

My personal favourite! We’ve chosen the Midland because their afternoon tea is a bit of a Manchester institution and we wanted to try it out. Click here for more information.

You can book on any of these events on forwardladies.com/networking-in-manchester

I look forward to meeting you at Forward Ladies very soon.

Sue x

Photographs: Forward Ladies

This is a sponsored blog post.

The Girls Mean Business Tour

Posted on May 26, 2013 by alison

Business roadshow coming to Manchester

The Girls Mean Business Tour is coming to Manchester on a big red bus!

The Britannia Hotel, Manchester

Thursday 13th June 2013 (9.30am to 5pm)

The Girls Mean Business is an organisation that helps women business owners who are ‘stuck’ to get ‘unstuck’. They do this through coaching, teaching and mentoring programmes and products – and by using a big sink plunger!

Claire Mitchell, the founder, set up business coaching company The Girls Mean Business (TGMB) 18 months ago, following a 15-year career in marketing.

Her business Facebook page now has more than 12,000 fans – offering free advice and business resources through webinars and via TGMB’s Facebook page.

Claire says:

“Our roadshow is aimed at women who are running their business while juggling childcare, dealing with not having enough hours in the day and still being a wife and mother.

“We want the event to be a haven of calm in the chaos of their everyday lives.

“They will be able to meet likeminded women business owners, listen to inspirational speakers, take part in workshops and business clinics, as well as do some shopping, thanks to a selection of female business owners who will selling their wares.”

Claire knows that us business women are stretched in many different directions. She says:

“You’re busy. You don’t have time to fuss around with long-winded training. You want the tough stuff made simple in bite sized chunks.”

The Girls Mean Business Tour

If you want to know how to …

Attract new clients
Sell more to existing clients
Stand out from the crowd
Juggle business and family life
Get more hours in the day
Keep motivated when you feel like giving up
Make more money

Then ‘The Girls Mean Business Tour’ might be just what you need.

Learn from fabulous speakers

Claire will be joined by expert speakers, including bestselling author and TV and radio broadcaster, Tina Bettison, executive coach Ian Waddelow and social entrepreneur Michelle Atkin.

Visit the ‘Glam and Pamper Zone’

Enjoy a delicious high energy lunch.

Undo all the good work with cake later!

Bring your old bras with you and support Breast Cancer Care.

Tickets are available at an earlybird price of £65 until 29th May, and will cost £95 thereafter.

For more information or to book, visit thegirlsmeanbiztour.com

Alison x (your 4Manchester Women Editor)

Photographs: The Girls Mean Business

This is not a sponsored blog post.

Business StartUp Support

Posted on May 2, 2013 by alison

The things that nobody tells you

Unless that is, you come to Enterprise Nation’s StartUp Saturday!

Enterprise Nation is a thoroughly modern business club, helping people turn their good ideas into great businesses.

They offer great advice and support on their website, in books and at events.

Events like StartUp Saturday, which is coming to Manchester on Saturday 1st June 2013.

Enterprise Nation was founded in 2005 by Emma Jones MBE also co-founder of StartUp Britain. So on the run up to the Manchester event, we took the opportunity to ask Emma a few questions. Top of our list was the things she wished she’d have known before she set up her first business!

Over to you Emma ……

In my business career, I’ve been fortunate in finding people along the way who’ve been prepared to advise and guide.

My first business was started from the spare room of a Manchester apartment when I was 27 so one of the first things my partner and I got ourselves was a mentor/non exec who’d been round the block. His experience particularly came into play when we were approached by a bigger company wanting to acquire us and for that, I’ll always be grateful.

But there are certain things you have to pick up yourself and these are the points I’ve come to realise in my own time.

1. Choose a business partner as carefully as you’d choose a spouse

Whether you’re considering starting the business with someone else or forming a partnership along the way, be sure to get to know your business partner before committing. You could be spending a lot of time with this person and you’re about to embark on quite a journey together so you need to be sure they are the right travelling mate!

2. Build a business around a niche and the customers will follow

This is something I advise at all events and in books – base a business on providing a product or service to a well defined audience, whether it be delivering design services to companies in the food sector, or making t-shirts for teens.

Knowing your niche means you’re able to keep marketing costs low and customer loyalty high.

3. Focus on what you do best and outsource the rest

Spend time on the aspect of the business you most enjoy and the element that generates the greatest return. If what you love to do is make the product, find others who can take on social media, marketing and finance etc.

4. It takes time!

Building a great business takes time but is worth every moment as you relish the freedom and flexibility that comes with being your own boss and creating a company in your image.

If you’re considering starting a business or wanting to brush up on business skills, I hope you’ll spare some time to join me for StartUp Saturday at Manchester City Library on Saturday 1st June where I’ll be offering all the tips and tools you need to get started and keep growing a business! Please click here enterprisenation.com/events to book.

Emma x

StartUp Saturday – Fun & friendly, one-day startup class

What you’ll learn

How to uncover your BIG Idea and research the market
5 points to include in a business plan
The must-do’s – register the company and protect your brand
Straight forward finance and easy budgeting techniques
Set-up tips on office tech, furnishings & fashion!
All things web – building a home online

Simple sales roadmap and cold-calling made easy
Make some noise! Successful marketing on a budget
5 essential social media tools and how to make the most of them
Team work – how to grow the business without outgrowing the home
Happy Customers and Balanced Business – you can achieve it all!

What else you get

StartUp Saturday classes are fun, friendly and welcoming. You’ll have plenty of time to ask questions, meet your classmates and share your experiences – on the day and on our website afterwards.

The ticket price includes a free startup book, worth £12.99, which includes over £500-worth of savings on business essentials – plus, coffee and cake!

Photographs: Enterprise Nation

This is not a sponsored blog post.

Busy Bee Mega Networking Event

Posted on April 22, 2013 by alison

Rewind, Review, Revise…

If you’re a woman in business, then there’s a great event this week.

About Busy Bee Networking

Busy Bees is a friendly, relaxed and professional group which offers small and start-up businesses the opportunity to achieve success.

Busy Bee is made up of a wide variety of businesses, created and developed by professional women.

The entrepreneurial spirit and years of experience gives these businesses a unique set of shared characteristics as well as endless drive and energy.

Busy Bee Networking was set up in December 2008 to offer support and direction to women running businesses around busy family lives. Based in Altrincham, Cheshire, and attracting attention across the North West of England, Busy Bee offers regular networking opportunities and marketing services to suit the needs of busy women entrepreneurs in our local area.

Meet Caroline Evers, the founder of Busy Bee Networking in this short video.

Mega Networking Event with The Playback Theatre Company

How does your business story impact others? What challenges have you faced setting up your business and how clear is your brand message? What do your customers really think of your business?

The Playback Theatre Company are joining Busy Bee Networking ‘for one night only!’, working with your business stories and giving you the gift of Playback.

What’s your story? Let’s play it back and see what others see?

A highly interactive, insightful and energetic evening of networking and business revelations!

The Playback Theatre group is an improvisational story-telling theatre group in which audience members tell real-life stories and watch them acted out on the spot. By recreating people’s stories, Playback creates connections for everyone which can lead to new insights and solutions.

It can help build relationships and networks, raise awareness and facilitate clearer communication. Playback shows the extraordinary in the ordinary and the epic in the everyday.

Take a look at how others perceive your business and find alternative solutions for some of your on-going business challenges!

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The Playback Theatre Manchester AND a great evening of Busy Bee Networking!

Everyone’s welcome!!

For more details check out the Busy Bee Facebook event page.
To Book your place at the Busy Bee Mega Networking Evening visit busy-bee-networking.co.uk £15 for non-members / £10 for members.

Looking forward to seeing you there.