NewsWomen choosing enterprise for balanced life Three quarters of female entrepreneurs say work/family life balance is better when you run your own business rather than being an employee. The finding is part of a new survey of over 1,000 female entrepreneurs commissioned by Minister for Women and Equality, Harriet Harman. The research was released at a high profile reception for women in business hosted by Ms. Harman and Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, John Hutton. It was also found that that there has been a 7% increase in the number of manual/unskilled female entrepreneurs in the past five years. Women entrepreneurs were found to be overwhelmingly positive about the benefits of being self-employed with 86% saying they would be happy to set up their business all over again. For full details visit: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/newsroom/news_releases/2008/080512_own_boss.aspx US bank makes $100m investment in women's enterprise in developing world US Investment bank Goldman Sachs has pledged over $100m to promote entrepreneurial skills for 10,000 women in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Initially the funding will be used to support 560 women in rural Zambia. The '10,000 Women' initiative will also bring together business schools in the U.S, UK, India and Africa. '10,000 Women' was inspired by economic research from Goldman Sachs that revealed the significant effects of greater labour force participation of women on developing economies and societies. Goldman Sachs is one of the first members of WEConnect the new supplier diversity initiative for women-owned businesses in the UK. For more information on the '10,000 Women' programme visit: http://www.10000women.org/ Female entrepreneurs not aware of government grants A new national survey of female business owners has found that over 80% have never applied for a government grant, with the majority saying 'they were not aware they would qualify'. Of the 18% who have applied nearly 70% have been successful. The findings are revealed in the 'notonthehighstreet.com' survey of 317 female small business owners in the UK. It also found that 'friends and family' are the most utilised source of business advice at 56.9%, with 'Business Link' coming in second at 40.6%. The business owners identified their primary business ambition to be to 'grow significantly, increasing turnover and the size of the team'. Seventy-one per cent want to trade overseas and 30% say there is an ethical, community or fair trade dimension to their business. For copies of the survey contact Julie Turner at julieturner@notonthehighstreet.com The Prowess Awards 2008 - Finalists announced The finalists have now been announced in the prestigious Prowess Awards 2008. The individuals who have made it to the final are at the very top of their game and are to be strongly applauded for their dedication to supporting female entrepreneurship across the UK. For details of the finalists in each category visit http://www.prowess.org.uk/awards/aboutawards.asp Many thanks to all of you who took part, we received over 300 nominations, many of which were of an exceptionally high standard. The winners will be announced at the awards celebratory lunch at the Hyatt Regency, Birmingham on 6 June. For details of attending this event contact Julia at awards@prowess.org.uk Female entrepreneurs changing the face of UK philanthropy According to the author of The Sunday Times Rich List 2008, women entrepreneurs are more likely than men to use their wealth in charitable ways. In compiling the latest list Philip Beresford noted a marked trend for female entrepreneurs to see their wealth as something they can do good with 'rather than go out and buy toys - boats, fast cars, jets and so on'. Beresford suggested charities approach women entrepreneurs because of their philanthropic tendencies and because they are making an increasing impact in the business world. However just 12 women were included in The Sunday Times Giving List and according to Philanthropy UK, women are often the hidden power behind philanthropic ventures e.g. hedge fund manager Christopher Hohn takes second place in the Giving List, yet it is his wife Jamie Cooper-Hohn who runs the family's foundation 'The Children's Investment Fund'. Download the special report on Women & Philanthropy at: http://www.philanthropyuk.org/Newsletter/SPECIALREPORTWomenPhilanthropy and The Sunday Times Rich List and Giving List 2008 at: http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/specials/rich_list/?CMP=KNC-IX7429721604&HBX_PK=the+sunday+times+rich+list&HBX_OU=50 Targeted female-friendly business support reaches new clients An evaluation of the West Midlands based 'Regional Women's Enterprise Unit' (RWEU) has revealed that 58% of their clients had not previously accessed mainstream business support. RWEU activity had a significant impact on the West Midlands economy, with 237 new businesses started by women, 44% of whom were not previously economically active. The lessons of the RWEU will be used by the new Women's Enterprise Centre of Expertise (WECOE), funded by Advantage West Midlands (AWM), with the aim of integrating female-friendly business support into the mainstream policy of economic development across the region. For copies of 'Impact Assessment - year 2 Regional Women's Enterprise Unit (RWEU) West Midlands contact Melissa at m.dreyling@prowess.org.uk Conservative review of business support proposes radical reform Abolishing the whole regional business support apparatus of RDAs and Business Link and replacing them with a single, web-based Business Information Service is one of the proposals containted in a new report from the Conservative Party's independent task-force on business support. Chaired by Doug Richards of Dragon's Den, the Task Force also proposes the establishment of a Minister for Small Business and Enterprise to champion small business across government and report directly to the Prime Minister. The report contains litte reference to the promotion or support of women's enterprise aside from a useful secion on US procurement initiatives for women and underrepresented business groups. Download 'Small Business and Government: The Richard Report' at: http://www.conservatives.com/getfile.cfm?file=doc-richardreport-2008&ref=GENERALFILE/3585&type=pdf U.S BAME female enterprise growing 5 times faster than all other businesses BAME women in the US are starting businesses at five times the rate of all other businesses according to the Center for Women's Business Research. Between 2002 and 2008 the number of such firms increased by 32%, however research also suggests that once started their growth lags behind all other firms. The center is calling for better understanding on how to support this dynamic sector of women-business owners. The research also points towards a double bottom line with female BAME business owners frequently giving time and profits back to the communities they work in. BAME women comprise 26% of all women-owned firms in the US. http://www3.babson.edu/Newsroom/Releases/wofcresearch.cfm Women make better managers says Australian survey Women make better business leaders than men in all but two areas of management according to the findings of an Australian survey. Data collected from 1,800 female and male CEOs found women exhibit more strategic drive, risk taking, people skills and innovation, however men came out on top when it came to focusing on financial returns and control of management operations. The results of the survey, which was based on the international research-based personality test called the Hogan Assessment used by organisations to select employees, was presented at the Women and Contemporary Leadership conference in Sydney. http://www.steps-programs.com/default.aspx?ArticleID=205 |
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Prowess Member's NewsUK's first purpose built Women's Business Centre opens in East London Stephen Timms Minister of State for Employment officially opened the new Women's Business Centre based in the Businessworks Centre in East Ham. Over 150 guests attended the launch of the new centre which builds on the huge success of the Her Business project which helped over 500 women start their own business. The team are now working with over 2,000 women. Their work has enabled women from some of the poorest households in the UK to take charge of their lives and move into new areas of employment and self-employment. For more information contact Andrew Mitchell at andrew.mitchell@newham.ac.uk or on 020 8522 5702 Supporting Bangladeshi women entrepreneurs A seminar has been organised by the Association of Community Based Business Advice (ACBBA) on how to best support Bangladeshi women entrepreneurs. Bangladeshi business advisers will share their experience and discuss the challenges and opportunities for Bangladeshi women in the wider context of women in enterprise. The event will take place on 26 June in Camden, London. For further information and to book a place contact: nataliet@acbba.org.uk 90% of female managers say mentoring increased confidence A mentoring programme for women facing barriers to progression in senior management has proved a resounding success with 90% of mentees saying it increased their confidence to achieve career goals. SE-Women was designed by ngage solutions and co-funded by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA). The mentors were all volunteers (male and female) who had worked in senior positions for SMEs, with leadership experience with a desire to support other women develop their career. http://www.ngagesolutions.co.uk/ Campaign for Community Allowance within the UK benefits system The CREATE Consortium has launched a new campaign to establish the Community Allowance within the UK benefits system. This would enable community organisations to pay people who work to strengthen their communities, without it affecting their benefits. The five minute film, Benefits Rule, about how benefit regulations stop people getting paid work in their community can be viewed online at: www.communityallowance.org Enterprising Women export to Turkey The first overseas partnership of the UK women's online business community, Enterprising Women has been announced at the National Entrepreneurship Congress in Bursa, Turkey. In order to increase the numbers of and opportunities for Turkish women in business, the UK Enterprising Women model will be made freely available to the Women's Entrepreneurship and Employment Partnership Forum for Turkey. (WESP-T) http://www.enterprising-women.org/show.php?page=3815 CDFA call for public debate on Social Investment Bank The Chief Executive of the Community Development Finance Association (CDFA) has called for a public debate on the potential lobbying role of the Social Investment Bank, amid fears that it could eclipse smaller voices in the sector. Bernie Morgan said the bank, which is expected to use money from unclaimed assets to provide new financial products for charities, should reflect lobbying priorities put forward by existing organisations in the social investment field. http://www.cdfa.org.uk/ Leadership in Women's Enterprise Workshop This workshop will gather together entrepreneurs and researchers from the women's enterprise sector to focus on leadership. It will attempt to benchmark the position of women's leadership in enterprise, exploring how women drive success in their own businesses and how this impacts on others. It will provide a forum to share knowledge and to consider future research agendas to inform government and workplace policies. This event will take place at Birmingham City University on 12 June. To register contact: jackie.kan@mbs.ac.uk Queens award for WBDA Managing Director Sally Arkley The prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion has been awarded to Sally Arkley, Managing Director of the Women's Business Development Agency and former Prowess Chair of the Board. Many congratulations to Sally who on learning of the award said "Although it means a great deal to me personally, I feel I’m also receiving this award for the West Midlands region and I hope it will further enhance and promote the role of women in enterprise". http://www.wbda.co.uk/info/Latest-News.aspx Creating enterprising places Make your Mark are supporting a one day event to examine the role of enterprise in unlocking talent, reducing worklessness and shaping places, taking a fresh approach to how local authorities, working with partners can support enterprise. The event will take place on June 24. For further information or to book a place visit: http://www.neilstewartassociates.com/se214/index.html Tarzan and Jane: how to thrive in the new corporate jungle Margot Katz, business consultant and author of the acclaimed 'Tarzan and Jane: how to thrive in the new corporate jungle' is one of the keynote speakers at the next event in the 'Inspiring women series' developed by FreshIdeas Events. The next event on 21 May has a particular focus on personal branding and is aimed at female entrepreneurs and corporate leaders. For further details and to book a place visit: http://www.freshideasevents.com/ |
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Social Enterprise NewsSEC invites bids to conduct the ‘state of social enterprise’ survey The Social Enterprise Coalition (SEC) is inviting bids to conduct the 'State of Social Enterprises' affiliated to the coalition. The survey will gather information from a wide range of social enterprise organisations connected to the Social Enterprise Coalition and its members. Those wishing to conduct the survey should submit bids by 6th June. For further information contact Daniel Shah at daniel.shah@socialenterprise.org.uk Petition calls for national Social Enterprise Mark The Social Enterprise Mark, administered by RISE, is a certification mark that lets customers know that a product or service comes from a social enterprise. RISE , the voice for social enterprise in the South West has seen high levels of interest in the mark from organisations in the South West and are now recieving a large volume of enquiries from social enterprises across the country. To demonstrate there is demand for a national social enterprise mark, RISE have launched a petition. Make your views known at: http://www.socialenterprisemark.co.uk/news/petition-calls-national-social-enterprise-mark.html Minister announces plans for standard measure for social return on investment Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector has announced plans for a new programme to help standardise and improve how social return on investment (SROI) is measured. It is estimated that ethical business in the UK is worth approximatly £30bn. A consistent measure of social return has the potential to enable investors to put a financial value on the social and environmental benefits derived from their investment. It could also help commissioners of public services take better account of the social value of a service when tendering for a contract. http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/news/news_stories/080506_standard_measure.aspx Tax from big business should support social enterprise says millionaire businessman Paul Barry-Walsh, a millionaire businessman who founded the Fredericks Foundation, said 1% of corporation tax from large companies should provide a regular funding stream for local projects and social enterprises. Barry-Walsh, one of the winners of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion announced this week, also said the government should view people starting their own businesses more seriously as a route off benefits and into work. He estimated that £3m was saved in payment and administration of benefits for every 100 businesses supported by his organisation. http://www.fredericksfoundation.org/ |
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EventsThe Prowess Awards 2008 - Changing the face of Enterprise, Celebratory lunch, £55 non-members, £45 members, 6 June 200, Birmingham Join us for a top-notch celebratory lunch at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham to congratulate the finalists and winners of the 2008 Prowess Awards. Eleven prestigious awards will be presented at this high profile event, set to become a permanent fixture in the women's enterprise development calendar. Categories include: Female Social Entrepreneur of the Year, Women in SET Enterprise, Ethnic Minority Business Woman and Outstanding Contribution to Women's Enterprise Development. The event will involve entertainment by female musicians from the Birmingham Conservatoire and plenty of opportunities for networking. Places are strictly limited. For further information and to book your place contact Julia at: j.o'rourke@prowess.org.uk or call 01603 762355 Doing Business with Multinationals - Is Certification for Me? WEConnect 28 May, Bristol, 25th May. To reserve your place please contact Kati Wakefield, tel: 08456 187 302 or email k.wakefield@weconnect.org.uk The rest of this section is restricted to Prowess members. For information on how to join Prowess visit: http://www.prowess.org.uk/about/apply.htm
For details of events aimed at women entrepreneurs taking place in your area click on the map below, members remember you can add your events to the Prowess online clickable map quickly and easily at no cost:
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AwardsThis section is restricted to Prowess members. For information on how to join Prowess visit: http://www.prowess.org.uk/about/apply.htm |
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New ResearchThis section is restricted to Prowess members. For information on how to join Prowess visit: http://www.prowess.org.uk/about/apply.htm |
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VacanciesHead of Communications, £32,000 - £40,000 pa (depending on experience), London | |
MembersNew members of Prowess include: Triangle Fusion Ltd www.trianglefusion.co.uk Finance South East www.financesoutheast.com Urban Inclusion Community http://www.urbaninclusion.co.uk/feat/feat.php?a=1 Join Prowess and become part of the UK alliance helping women to start and grow businesses: Click here for details of Prowess membership |
Prowess – The UK association of organisations and individuals who support women to start and grow businesses.Please send comments and news or information sources to a.kent@prowess.org.uk by the 28th of the month. If this newsletter has been forwarded to you and you would like to be kept informed about Prowess please e-mail your contact details to a.kent@prowess.org.uk . Let us know too if you want to be taken off the mailing list at any time. This newsletter is produced for information only. While we believe the content is accurate we can accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions. Prowess is happy for recipients to forward and redistribute items in this Ezine, however we ask that Prowess is credited as the source and that where appropriate there is a link to our website. © Prowess Ltd 2008. Lion House, 20-28 Muspole Street, Norwich NR3 1DJ Tel 01603 762355 Fax 01603 227090 www.prowess.org.uk - the UK-wide gateway to local women friendly business support |
