Next meeting December 10th ..give a gift that grows.....

No, I'm not talking about a Christmas cactus or a potentialla but a gift of knowledge - a little bit of well-earned wisdom, a skill, or a bit of information others might have missed. In keeping with the season, this months networking (& Christmas party!) invites you to give away something you've learnt & to receive some gems in return.

Think about what you have learnt that would be useful for other businesswomen. Is there something you could share with a small group in twenty minutes? It's an opportunity to convey something of your business and to learn something valuable simultaneously. If so, please send me a 1-2 line description by 28th November. We've already got great contributions lined up from MDs Sam Rimmer, Vicky White & Katy Sewell & I'll be putting in links to contributors' websites in my next email.

But don't worry if you just want to come along, listen, join in and learn. That's OK too, and besides, I'll confess, I'm cheating a bit and showing a particularly disturbing/mind-blowing film in 20 minutes!

That's not all. December's meeting is being co-sponsored by Michelle from The Green Box Shop. Thanks to her there'll be a few of Dottie's fairy cakes and a glass of something alongside our healthy veggie buffet - and a few more surprises in the Christmas Goodie Bag. Don't forget you can add something to the goodie bag too - a small gift or voucher perhaps - just bring them along to the meeting. Don't miss it, it's the last chance we'll get to catch up this year.

See you December 10th - 12 noon
Booking form

Great story from Anna Girstun

Vanessa inspired Anna to send in this great story to sahre

"There's a hole in my sidewalk"
Autobiography in Five Short Chapters
By Portia Nelson

Chapter One :I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost .... I am helpless.
It isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter Two :I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend that I don't see it.
I fall in again.
I can't believe I am in this same place.
But, it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter Three :I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in ... it's a habit ... but, my eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

Chapter Four :I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter Five :I walk down another street.

November 12th - Getting ahead with your values intact

Can you really have your cake and eat it? Yes!
Are all of your values being met? Are there any that are unfulfilled?
When your values aren’t being met, it gives rise to dissatisfaction, conflict, disillusion and stress, and your energy drains away.

Vanessa Boon offers a thought-provoking and fun session to help you explore
your values and how they can help you to re-energise
and unlock your full potential.

This session will help you to identify what you really want from your business, for your relationships, your community and what you want just for yourself!

Navigate politics, sabotage and ethical dilemmas with style using practical tools such as the ‘Windfall Challenge’, awareness of your ‘head tapes’ and the satisfaction you can enjoy by ‘leaving the ladder down’.

Get ahead and get what you want – with grace!
About The Speaker

Vanessa launched Energise in May 2007, following a career in Human Resources and Diversity. When deciding on a name for her business, she looked back at appraisals and feedback from training events – recurring descriptions included ‘dynamic’ and ‘creative’ and ‘energising’, and so Energise was born.

Oct 8th Unweaving the web and turning visitors into customers

"My,what a tangled web we weave..."

Do you have any of these issues about your website?

- " I don't know where to start."
- "I don't know how to choose a designer."
- "I don't know what it will cost."
- "How do I know what I am paying for."
- "What do I do next."

If so, on Wednesday 8th October you will find answers with help from Kirsty Farrelly of the Open Book Agency.

If you are passionate about your business then you need a site that shows that passion to your visitors. Only then can you make the connection you need. With web skills backed by 17 years of retail management, Kirsty offers a unique approach to the world of the web. She can guide you to create a clear concise message and the right first, all important impression of your business.

In small manageable chunks, she will ensure you gain a clearer understanding of what works (and what doesn't) on websites. Once you realise the practical, basic principles of website design and construction you can ensure your website gives you the best value for money, maximizes your sales and offers your visitors and customers the best experience possible.

The Open Book Agency offers you and your organisation web training, web consultation, web usability testing, search engine optimisation advice and guidance, social networking strategies and web marketing advice and training. Helping you to save and make money.

Join us at 12 noon on 8th October - booking form

10th September - Penny Poyzer - How green is your business?

The Women's Network returns in September to all things eco as we host the second Green & Organic exhibition. Penney Poyzer, BBC presenter of No Waste Like Home and author of 'The Virgin Green Guide' will give a bracing insight into the steps you and your business can take to do your bit, and help save our environment. Let's face it, it's an issue that takes a bit of a back burner for most of us. We think we're too busy and hope others have got it in hand. But it's the small steps you can take which really do make a massive difference. As Penney points out '...we have one planet and one set of resources and we are in a race against time!' Increasingly your customers will be asking you 'What are you and your business doing to help?'

And there's more ....taking a break over summer means we're back with a treble bill for September's meeting. Straight after Penney, Jay and Lou from Savvy Style Consultants are running a Ditch2Switch Clothes Swap.

How many unworn items have you got in your wardrobe? Fact is most of us wear 20% of their clothes 80% of the time and every year 2 billion items get chucked in the bin. Bring along up to five clean, quality items to swap and with advice from this award winning duo, you could be cutting your best deal of the day!

And more! Arrive early to browse our exhibition and some specially selected eco-stands and products including Network member, the Green Box Shop. You can check out what's on offer at our Green & Organic blog.

So, to sum all these treats up - it's lovely lunch and networking from noon or arrive early to browse. Penney's presentation from 12.50pm and Ditch2Switch from 2pm. All this for £15 including lunch! £10 for Network members. Download the booking form now. You don't have to book but it helps us with the catering and you get a badge and a free gift if you do!

Ann Martin - So Let's Just Do It!

Ok, it’s time to be honest. It’s time to be frank. It’s time to hold your hands up. Admit it! You know you wanted to be further with your business than you are, don’t you? You know that you’re burying your head in the sand and hoping that one day the perfect contract will land on your desk, aren’t you? You’ve spent hundreds, if not thousands of pounds on courses. You’ve read mountains of books. You’ve attended umpteen networking events. And still something’s not quite right, is it? So, what’s happening, or more to the point .... what’s not!
This presentation is not for the faint hearted. It comes with a warning, that if you commit (and I mean commit) to actioning 3 simple steps, you could take your business and your life to the stratosphere and beyond. Or, you could stay in your comfort zone and apply excuse number 23.
So, the first step is to make a decision. Book now

Ann Martin of the Women’s Alternative Network promises participants a good shaking at View from the Top on Wednesday 9th July. She is renowned for her lively, challenging and humorous style, so expect something a little different and come prepared to take action.

Download the Booking form here...

June 11th - Lesley Brown - How to lose customers and alienate people - (and not realise it!)

Are you indifferent to your customers' different backgrounds? Do you like to think you treat everybody with equal courtesy and respect? You’ve thought about discrimination and equal opportunities issues, but do you know what your practices say about you and your business? Can you afford to ignore the £8 billion pink pound or the £80 billion disabled pound, 15-20% of the UK population? Do you know what you don’t know?

Lesley Brown set up Rainbow Training in 2006 following a lead role on Equalities with Nottinghamshire Social Services, including running Diversity for Senior Managers and Becoming Culturally Competent courses for front line staff and their managers. In an entertaining session Lesley will,

· Give some insight into how the big players like Asda, HSBC and Sainsbury’s achieve staff and customer satisfaction and large profits.
· Demonstrate how understanding the diverse needs of each individual maximises business opportunities.

Don’t miss a rare opportunity to learn how to connect with powerful new markets in today’s competitive climate!

Booking Form for Wednesday June 11th - Lesley Brown