View from the Chair - Roz Cooper
Since this is a Network, sitting in the Chair is the last thing I should be doing! Any woman who attended the first of our open meetings will know just how lively an activity networking can be. Certainly, the 'buzz' in the air at our inaugural gathering showed we meant business and wanted to have fun as well.
Our pioneering speaker hit the spot with her choice of topic, pinpointing how best to take advantage of the whole network opportunity and build a solid base of contacts. Marianne Pettifor has years of experience in motivational training and she helped us all feel inspired to make contact with as many of our fellow attendees as possbile, to use network opportunities to the full, and to enjoy the whole experience. She has a wicked sense of humour that kept us all smiling throughout, but her message was serious too: don't waste time, seize all those opportunities a good network brings to you.
I was delighted to find just how much I had in common with so many of the other women who took part. Marianne encouraged us to talk to one of our neighbours during a break in her informal talk, and discover a close point of contact. As a writer and an editor I could not imagine a clear link with a lady who runs a riding establishment, but by the end of a few minutes chat it transpired that she is also an author. We had an entertaining exchange about the need for an independent publisher in the Vale.
The joy of networking is in breaking down superficial barriers. Looking forward to our official launch and events planned for the rest of 2002, there's no doubt that with all that enthusiasm and support for the Network, it can only go from strength to strength.
Vale Women's Business Network
The Vale Women's Business Network is a forum for women who are in business, who live in the Vale of Glamorgan, or who have an interest in networking with other businesswomen in the Vale. It is being set up as a part of a project run by Praxis Training and Consultancy Limited and is part-financed by the European Community European Social Fund (ESP), ELWa and the Vale of Glamorgan Council. So why not come along to a meeting and give it a try - there's absolutely nothing to lose! You can be sure of a very warm welcome from the Committee and other Network Members alike.
For more information call 01446 771539 or email praxistraining@hotmail.com