NewsQuick fix approach to business support failing women A major new report from Prowess finds that exposure to enterprise through promotional campaigns and role models could actually be deepening fear of failure and feelings of anxiety. 'The State of Women's Enterprise in the UK' launched at the House of Commons this month, warns against using role models and one-off events as a substitute for sustained policy commitment and holistic ongoing business training, networking and mentoring at each stage of business development. Whilst more women are starting their own firms the report finds that the businesses are not making it to the next level. To read Erika Watson's commentary piece on this in the Financial Times visit: http://www.prowess.org.uk/press/FT14Nov2007.htm To make a comment on the article on the Prowess blog visit www.prowessblog.com Download ' State of Women's Enterprise in the UK' at: http://www.prowess.org.uk/publications.htm 50/50 is optimum gender mix for innovation in teams The optimum gender mix for driving innovation in teams is 50% women 50% men according to a study of over 100 teams operating in 17 different countries, published by Lehman Brothers Centre for Women in Business. The findings also show that a slight majority of women (60%) creates the optimal conditions in relation to the self-confidence of the team. 'Tokenism' with just one or two women as senior team members is shown to have a detrimental effect on performance and on innovation within the team. Further significant findings relate to the 'spillover' effect of home life for male and female team leaders. Women team leaders are 6 times more likely to perform the majority of domestic labour compared with their male counterparts. Ninety-six per cent of male team leaders have children, whilst only 48% of female team leaders do. Download Innovative Potential: Men and Women in Teams at: http://www.london.edu/assets/documents/Word/Innovative_Potential_NOV_2007.pdf Insurance company targets ' phenomenal force' of women business owners MORE TH>N Insurance company has launched a new package specifically aimed at women-owned businesses. A key element of the offer is the option of talking to a dedicated team of female-only business insurance experts. According to Nicola Carver, Head of Women's Insurance at MORE TH>N "Small business women in the UK are a phenomenal force yet their needs and wants can often be different to those of their male counterparts. We went out and asked business women what they really wanted and overwhelmingly it was to talk to other women". http://www.royalsunalliance.com/mediacentre/news/shownews.jsp?ref=207&year=2007&by=dated Women critical to Ireland's entrepreneurial future Optimising entrepreneurial activity amongst women could lead to Ireland becoming one of the most entrepreneurial countries in the world according to a new report from Forfas - Ireland's national policy and advisory board for enterprise. 'Towards Developing an Entrepreneurship Policy for Ireland' sets out a profile of Ireland's entrepreneurial culture and a blueprint for driving entrepreneurial growth. Women are highlighted as a key area of latent potential. The report recommends;targeting sectors where highly skilled women work, improved and less expensive childcare and a greater role for microfinance organisations. The report is published ahead of a National Entrepreneurship Policy for Ireland expected before the end of the year. http://www.forfas.ie/publications/forfas071023/forfas-entrepreneurship-report-sept-2007.pdf Voices of women entrepreneurs in Tanzania The Ministry of Industry in Tanzania has welcomed a new report which calls for greater support for the country's female entrepreneurs. The key recommendation of the report written by the International Finance Corporation is to improve women's access to finance by encouraging existing commercial banks to establish gender-sensitive programmes and lines of credit for female business owners. The report also features case study interviews with 17 female business owners. Download: Voices of Women Entrepreneurs in Tanzania New Women's Enterprise Centre for North West The Egerton House Enterprise Centre was opened this month in The Wirral. The centre offers business accommodation and IT equipment for up to 25 new firms started by women. Enterprises moving into the centre will also have access to business advice and a mentoring service in a secure modern office open seven days a week. http://www.nwda.co.uk/news--events/press-releases/200701/state-of-the-art-facility-open.aspx Women driving economic growth acknowledges EU A startling fact - out of 8 million jobs created in the EU since 2000, 6 million have been filled by women (75%). But - it's recognised that many of these jobs are part time and low-paid - despite the fact that across the EU 59% of university graduates are now female. In recognition that women are key drivers of economic growth the EU is revising the Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs with a new focus on gender mainstreaming. This is the central policy vehicle for employment and entrepreneurship in the EU. http://www.eu2007.pt/NR/rdonlyres/745B98BF-86EF-47CD-AE58-6027BD26155F/0/20070923GenderMainstreamingintheLisbonStrategy.pdf Women bring home the dough Two thirds of women over 40 provide the majority of the family's household income and 29% provide the entire amount according to a new survey of 500 women aged 40 - 64. Despite this over 50% felt it was as hard for women to get senior positions at work as it ever was and 75% felt there are not as many opportunities for women as men in the workplace. The large majority of those surveyed said they could devote more time to their career if their partner did more to help with domestic labour. http://www.enterprising-women.org/show.php?page=3044 BERR announces plans to benefit business The Government's Comprehensive Spending review includes the announcement of three new rounds of the Enterprise Capital Fund, at £50 million a year to support business and promote enterprise. http://www.gnn.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=321055&NewsAreaID=2 Mapping the missing middle A new US study uncovers the unmet need for business support among second-stage women business owners. The report reveals that most public policy focuses on two ends of the spectrum - either those starting-up or fast-growth businesses. The study shows that 57% of all women business owners are in search of growth support and that the need is even stronger among the 'missing middle'. Author of the report Julie Weeks, Womenable says "There is a widely held view that after some start-up training and assistance, newly-created businesses are ready to fly on their own". Download 'Mapping the Missing Middle: Determining the Desire and Dimensions of Second-Stage Women Business Owners' at: http://www.womenable.com/userfiles/downloads/ResearchinBrief_Missing_Middle.pdf Welcome to the jungle! Public relations guru and Prowess member Lynne Franks is doing her bit to promote women's enterprise by appearing in this year's 'I'm a celebrity get me out of here'. You can keep track on how Lynne is getting on in the Australian jungle on her blog at: http://www.lynnefranks.com/. We wish Lynne the best of luck with the bush tucker trials and getting on with her fellow celebs and hope she remembers the advice in her book: ' be committed to your community and the feminine principle of co-operation to create a world of harmony and peace for all beings!' - from 'Grow - The Modern Women's Handbook'. |
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Prowess Member's News
Prowess members lead Women's Enterprise Day celebrations Prowess members are holding a series of innovative events across the country on Women's Enterprise Day (14 Nov) and throughout national Enterprise Week, to promote their fantastic services and encourage more women to think about the option of enterprise. For a full listing of events see: http://www.enterpriseweek.org/events/ Bank of Scotland re-brands women in business team The Bank of Scotland Women in Business Team has been re-branded as HBOS Women. The team has a broader agenda and according to director Clare Logie "The focus of our activities is to create a supportive platform for women, which helps to drive forward their businesses by means of access to information, contacts, connections and ideas". http://www.bankofscotland.co.uk/corporate/day-to-day-banking/hbos-women/index.html 120 women's enterprise ambassadors for East Midlands The East Midlands Development Agency has been scouring the region to find successful ambassadors to help inspire women to start their own business. 120 ambassadors have already been recruited in the region as part of the national Women's Ambassadors Network. If you are interested in becoming an ambassador for the East Midlands region contact Laura-Jane Franklin at: Laura-JaneFranklin@emd.org.uk For details of the national ambassador programme contact Alex Ritchie at Enterprise Insight at: alex@enterpriseinsight.co.uk The Flying Start Programme for Women There are still places available for the January three day residential programme for graduate women wanting to turn their passion into a sustainable and successful business. Flying Start is core funded by the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship. Call Lorna Collins on 07850 682 833 for a chat or go to http://www.flyingstart-ncge.com/newwomen/ Prowess member receives prestigious NFEA award Congratulations to Judith Kirkland of Business Enterprise Support who won the Chairman’s individual award for a significant contribution to enterprise development at the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies' annual awards ceremony. http://www.nfea.com/index.htm?page=conference/enterpriseawards07.htm
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Social Enterprise News
Mapping diversity within the social enterprise movement The Social Enterprise Coalition (SEC) is currently undertaking research to map and highlight diversity within the social enterprise movement in England. SEC are working on facilitating effective engagement and integration of social enterprises which are led by, are employing and/or service BAME communities into the wider social enterprise movement. If you have set up, are running or work for a BAME social enterprise please contact tamina.mir@socialenterprise.org.uk with 'BME mapping' in the subject line. Social Enterprise London invites you to Finance Question Time What kind of finance is appropriate for our social enterprise? What do finance providers look for? How should I negotiate the deal? These are just some of the questions you will have the opportunity to put to the panel at the Finance Question Time network event on November on 21 Nov. For further details contact Nicola on 020 7022 1920 or at: events@sel.org.uk The Next European Social Fund Programme: Delivering the Vision The Third Sector European Network is pleased to invite you to an information event on the new European Social Fund Programme 2007-2013. The event will be held on 30 Nov in London and will focus on how the third sector can best implement the next ESF programme. For further details see: www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/thirdsector |
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Events
Fit for the Future: 5th Prowess Annual International Conference, 20 - 21st February 2008, Holiday Inn Peterborough West Now in its 5th year the Prowess annual conference is established as the leading event in the women's enterprise calendar. This unmissable event attracts over 300 UK and international delegates. Get involved in interactive workshops, panel debates, speed networking and the women's enterprise market place and discuss all the hot topics in women's enterprise development. This year we are focussing on the future and making sure female entrepreneurs are given the right support to be at the forefront of a new enterprise movement. Host sponsor is the East of England Development Agency and the conference will be held in Peterborough, one of the most well connected cities in the UK. To register your interest in attending or exhibiting contact Ann Nicholls, Conference Coordinator at a.nicholls@prowess.org.uk . Click to download information on marketing opportunities
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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Awards
This 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 Research
Call for research papers - Prowess 5th Annual International Conference on Women’s Enterprise Development. Key themes: the future of women’s enterprise including science, engineering and technology, migrants, ethical and environmental issues, business growth and community cohesion. Authors are invited to submit one page abstracts in accordance with the template available from http://www.prowess.org.uk/conference/documents/Callforresearchpapers2008.doc by 30 November 2007. For further information contact a.kent@prowess.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
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Members
New members of Prowess include: Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry www.birmingham-chamber.com Women’s Enterprise Ambassador members include: Christine Atkinson: Praxis Training & Consultancy www.vwbn.org.uk Melanie Berry: Perfect Motion www.perfectmotion.org Kate Cowan: LCB Depot www.lcbdepot.co.uk Michele Elizabeth: Felines Gym www.felinesladies.com Rachel Hargrave: The Phoenix Partners www.thephoenixpartners.com Karen Hastings: Cupcake Mum Ltd www.cupcakemum.com Sally Inkster: Diva Days www.divadays.co.uk Sandi Lamb: Sandi Lamb Associates www.sandilambtraining.com Sarah Jane Menato: SJM Coaching and Training www.sjmcoachingandtraining.co.uk Gillian Pearson: GPA Ltd www.yourwayforward.com Francine Pickering: Smart Women Ltd www.womengetsmart.co.uk Laura-Jane Simpson: Laura Hepburn www.laurahepburn.co.uk Jenny Smith: Community Development Services Jacqui Tillyard: Jacqui Tillyard www.jacquitillyard.co.uk Pat Woodfield: Plenum Management Consultants Ltd www.plenum-mc.co.uk
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 2007. 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 |
