July 2013

Monthly Archives

  • Mentors – we all need them!

    The last few weeks have given us all some much-needed sunshine and with the school holidays now upon us it is really starting to feel like summer. This time last year we were all enthralled with the Olympic and Paralympic Games and once again the county has come alive, this time with the excitement of the arrival of the Royal Baby, with many local business offering something special to support this wonderful event.

    Whether you run a business, work in a small company or run a household, having a mentor or a network that can give you advice and support can make the difference between success and failure. As a business coach, mentor and trainer, I am a great believer in supporting people to exceed their potential and have been working with a number of local businesses, both small and large, to provide coaching and mentoring services and also workshops to support companies through periods of change. It isn’t a weakness to ask for help, in fact every great leader in business has at least one person who they meet with regularly to bounce ideas or problems off; that is what helps to make them so successful.

    And with that in mind it is also important that we all find an opportunity this month to take some time out for ourselves so that we can relax, unwind and rebalance, ready for the challenges ahead. It doesn’t have to be a long holiday or trip abroad – a simple hour or two of escapism is often enough to refresh and refocus our minds. Last week I was invited to experience a fish pedicure, which was both invigorating and relaxing, and a very therapeutic way to spend some time without the pressures of work. 

    Amanda Murrell

     

  • Winning an award makes it all worthwhile

    This month I am going to write from my President of Bedfordshire Business Women role for a change! Especially as this has been one of the most amazing months for me both personally and professionally as a result of my Presidency.

    June 2013 was a monumental month for Bedfordshire Business Women (BBW) with the prestigious BBW awards and 25th anniversary ball taking place at The Sharnbrook Hotel. After months of preparation and many a sleepless night, to stand back and look at the amazing women and all they have achieved throughout the year, made me feel very proud and very privileged to be a part of such a fantastic group.

    When I took over as President of BBW I never thought I would remember people’s names but looking round the room it was like an extended family. I know every member’s name and even some of the names of their support networks, and it was so nice to talk to people in the glittering but relaxed environment.

    The announcement of the award winners was the surprising part of the evening. Nobody, including me, was aware of the results, as the whole process had been outsourced to ensure complete fairness and independence.  And I was absolutely shocked (but truly delighted) to have won the Bedfordshire Business Woman of the Year Award 2013. This is the first award I have ever won and I am still pinching myself!  Thank you to everyone who took part in the process, whether through nominating someone or through your award submission, and well done to everyone involved.

    For anyone entering an award, the process itself really focuses you to think about what you have achieved and is a great way to record and reflect on your progress. And even if you are not the overall winner, it will give you a tremendous confidence boost, and encourages you to go back to colleagues/associates for testimonials. And if you are a winner, then you can use that success to keep building your business for the future.

    So, after a fabulous night of good times and success, on behalf of BBW I would like to express thanks to both the Mayor and Richard Fuller MP for their support to BBW, and of course to all of our wonderful sponsors and supporters on the night, without you we could not have made the night so memorable.

    I would encourage any woman in business in Bedfordshire to come along to one of our meetings. BBW is a friendly group, where we offer support and encouragement to all of our members and guests, we provide plenty of opportunities for women in business to collaborate and work for each other.

    Amanda Murrell