Ashleigh Cornelius, founder of the Localise App invited me to share my thoughts on his success for the Talk Talk Digital Hero video. Ashleigh won his category and I was more than happy to oblige. This APP has the power to change how small businesses increase awareness in their local...
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As a linguist, writer and editor, language and communication is a HUGE part of my world. This is why I decided to explore the ‘Menspeak vs Womenspeak’ theory when I was invited to deliver a talk at the East Kent B2B Exhibition hosted by the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce. The idea was put to me to host a session for Women in Business and even though I took some flack from my male peers in the county the room was full and people even opted to sit on the floor. Do We Really Speak a Different Language? Most...
Read MoreCommunication – A Skill that can be Learned It’s a fact that communication forms a fundamental part of every day of our lives. Whether that is buying a train ticket, talking to loved ones about what’s for dinner or pitching an idea to a potential client. Our days are filled with messages that we can choose what we do with them. Communication is, without a doubt, a two way process that when both sides understand the part they play, it has effective consequences. When one side speaks, the other listens – well in theory anyway. Listening is an amazing skill to possess, especially when you are listening with an empty mind, without judgement and without trying to butt in at every given moment to force your own opinion in to the equation. Is communication a skill that can be learned? Yes, I believe it is. The more focussed attention we give to something the better we become at it. We all learned to communicate when we were infants, our hunger needs were met, our affection needs were met and if we played the game the right way, we never went without anything. It’s the same later in the world of business. When we learn to communicate in the way that people are familiar with and can relate to we can influence the way the engagement goes. In the basic...
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Published in The Kent Women in Business Magazine – Apr/July 2014 Public speaking is any occasion where you are required to talk or present in front of a group. This could be a room of 300 delegates or a presentation to your work colleagues or clients. If public speaking intimidates you, you are not alone. Here, and over the next few editions, we will look at ways of enhancing your own natural skills, helping you become the kind of speaker you would love to be. Have you watched people on stage and thought, ‘wow, they are a natural born...
Read MoreThere is something almost ‘naughty’ like about planning an evening for women only. It has been brought to my attention, by MEN that they should organise their own ‘MEN ONLY’ events! My response to this is, ‘go ahead, and make sure it’s fun’. My businesses have been built on the power of constructive networking and some of the relationships I have made continue to grow as further opportunities arise. After the hugely successful Kent Women in Business Awards that I was fortunate enough to host back in March we have been asked whether we would host more intimate events for professional females in Kent. Maybe it has something to do with the atmosphere we help create or maybe it is to do with the knowledge that you will be mixing with like-minded people where you may be able to help each other grow or develop your professional lives further. Networking isn’t a chore, it’s an environment in which you can explore new opportunities, learn new skills and share your knowledge with people who may not be as far down the path as you are. That is why we decided to host a ‘KWIB Dine With Us’ event, to bring together females from all over the county, from diverse sectors and professions. It will take place on 8th July at Nelson’s Restaurant in Maidstone. The venue are creating a tantalising...
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