Alessia Miceli

Tag: local business

  • Northern Power Women- Not Only Networking Also Opportunities For Business Growth In The North Of England

    Northern Power Women- Not Only Networking Also Opportunities For Business Growth In The North Of England

    Simone Roche MBE, CEO and Founder Northern Power Women.

    Northern power women organisation aims to step up gender diversity in the North of England. With over 150 leaders and influencers, Northern Power Women seeks business growth opportunities for members creating powerful campaigns across the country. Teesside University is part of it.

    When I came across Northern Power Women for my final project, I understood Simone Roche’s vital work in gender equality. Simone is the founder of NPW and Awarded 2018 Queen’s birthday honours for services to gender equality in the North of England.

    Not only in inspiring more than 60,000 individuals, part of the NPW` community, but it means opportunities to create business growth in the North of UK’s

    Among partners of NPW, there are big names such as Teesside University, Durham University, The Co-operative Bank, and Liverpool Football Club, to name a few.

    Although opportunities are open for small business as well as paying attention to gender equality and diversity.

    Simone Roche, interview with Simone- Photo courtesy of Simone.
    Simone Roche, interview with Simone- Photo courtesy of Simone.

    What Norther Power Influencers Do?

    The many solid leaders and influencers of NPW communities spread the message with dominant campaigns, giving their time and passion.

     For example, with the ‘Power of Women book‘ campaign, Professor Jane Turner OBE DL, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise and Business Engagement) at Teesside University.

    The campaign aims to raise funds to create a luxurious, limited-edition book. The campaign can be followed on social media via Instagram at @pow_campaign or Facebook.

    The book profiles titled `Changing Our World` tell about the stories of 100 powerful, inspiring women across the North, including Newcastle, Leeds, Hull, Sheffield, Manchester and Liverpool; women whose careers space every industry, from
    STEM, finance and medicine, to law, fashion and finance. The book will be delivered to more than 4,000 corporate businesses and over 1,000 schools in the North.

    Northern Power Women logo- Photo cortesy of Simone.

    Norther Power Women for Businesses.

    If you are a non-profit organisation, a small business, or even a global trade, in that case, you should engage with the Northern Power Women network to help your company to reach your business goals effectively and being part of such outstanding initiatives.

    The network is free to join and with no need; simply sign-up for the website’s newsletter. You can choose if you work as an organisation or as an individual. When you access their services, I have listed them below.

    NPW Podcast manifesto- Photo courtesy of Simone.

    Northern Power Women Aawards.

    Annual awards that celebrate business women’s achievements across the Uk’s North.

    This year double celebrations for the Teesside region as awards went to Middlesbrough-based charity, Halo Project, run by Yasmin Khan, to tackle domestic abuse and sexual violence. And to Bianca Robinson, CEO of CEO Sleepout UK charity organisation named joint winners of the One to Watch category.

     Dragons’ Den star Sara Davies, founder and creative director at County Durham firm Crafter’s Companion, was named the Outstanding Entrepreneur.

    Best Businnes Podcast- Photo courtesy of Simone.

    Mentoring Programe

    It is an excellent mentorship service. You can find talented, solid business women who are happy to share their skills, advice and support others on their business journey.

    Power Platform

    My favourite service. Through the dashboard of the power platform, you need to register first, and then you can create your account and complete your profile and develop your hub. The platform will suggest connections and browse your network. You can also access many other sessions in the dashboard that you can join in, for example, coffee break mentoring. I love it. 

    NPW Award night- Photo courtesy of Simone.

    Weekly Podcast

    Hosted by Simone Roche MBE and award-winning, former BBC broadcaster, Sam Walker, to discuss and debate business with inspiring speakers. All of their podcasts are produced by the audio broadcasting company What Goes On Media.  

    BE Heard

    It is a platform to have your voice heard in the media. Whether you are or not a media in the media field. It is targeted at equalising diversity within the media industry. This platform is an opportunity for speaker agencies and event bookers to represent their show/event/podcast. 

    Just sign up using your email address, then start building your profile listing your experience and expertise.

    Simone Roche, Royal Navy Honorary Officer- Photo courtesy of Simone.

    Project Women asked Simone Roche, Ceo and founder of NWP, a few questions about the organisation and how to empower businesses in the North of the U.K.

    What are the benefits for a business company to invest with NPW?

    “By investing in a partnership with NPW, you highlight your authentic commitment to furthering gender equality. For six years, Northern Power Women has been hosting events

    “Such as webinars, awards ceremonies, Networking, and mentoring programmes, to create genuine connections and encourage women to put forward and support other women.

    “Working with NPW will showcase your inclusive agenda and help you unlock future talent. Another benefit to an NPW partnership is the scale and reach of our community.

    “We have over 10,000 followers on LinkedIn. On International Women’s Day this year, we reach an incredible 25 million impressions across social media. By aligning your business with NPW, you will get an engaged and reactive audience. We will promote you and your cause across new demographics.”

    Role models, 60.000 and still growing- Photo courtesy of Simone.

    Is Teesside University one of your official partners?

    “We recently partnered with Teesside University as part of our NPW Live event. We offered students the opportunity to connect with cross-sector industry professionals through carousel mentoring, enabling them to expand their network and get career advice. We also recently partnered with Teesside University to carry out some research around leadership experiences.”

    What are the programmes available for businesses/organisations?

    “Working with Northern Power Women is not just roll out a partnership and start ticking off the boxes. We do not use a one-size-fits-all model, but we build a plan that will benefit people, the community, your brand and your purpose.

     “We understand that each one company is made up of different people with values. We commit the time to ensure that your organisation’s unique traits are promoted in your work with us.”

    Is Be Heard Platform for everybody?

    “We want everyone to use this platform regardless of whether they’ve had previous media training or experiences to have their voice heard in the media.”

    NPW teet about women award night- photo courtesy of Simone.

  • Women’s Enterprise – Challenges, Advantages And Opportunities

    Women’s Enterprise – Challenges, Advantages And Opportunities

    In the Uk, 25% of the companies have one female founder. Women entrepreneurs contribute to our economy, 6.3% of the GVA (Gross Value Added), and their increasing importance, ranking the  North East region in 15th place for female entrepreneurs. Project Women spoke to Ellie Rees, a business woman and role model, to empower women and reveal the challenges and advantages of success.

    The UK has the highest numbers of entrepreneurs of any other country in Europe.

    Many factors contribute to such circumstance; the UK’s innovation-friendly business environment, access to SME (Small and medium-sized enterprises), training programmes for women and a high acceptance of women in business.

    Despite these and other initiatives to help women start and grow their business, only 32.37% of UK women choose to become entrepreneurs. Even if Women`s entrepreneurship is a significant economic potential that could help boost job creation – for business owners themselves and others.

    However, women are more likely to run small-size businesses based on a one-person company rather than have four and more employees.

     This can be related to the fact that women receive less funding than men entrepreneurs, even if they show 20% higher returns with 50% less investment. Yet, bear in mind that female funding is available for women entrepreneurs. You need to know where to look and how to apply; also, most of the applications can be submitted all year round, and don’t forget that a regional growth fund is also available.

    Entrepreneurship, in the North East.

    According to the British Business Bank’s Startup Loans scheme, North East has emerged as the most entrepreneurial region in the UK for women. In 2019, the number of Startup Loans issued to women in the North East was higher than in any other UK region.

    Loans given to women enterpreurs in the North East

    The number of Start-Up Loans issued to women in the North East is proportionally higher than in any other region in the UK, in 2019, in the North East, according to the British Business Bank, was 7.29 compared with 6.63 loans in the North West and 6.35 loans issued in London.

    Ellie Rees, Teeside based entrepreneur and collabmedia&womenincollab founder, discusses her journey of being successful and giving advice to the area’s business women.

    Proportion of Business Enterprise in Tees Valley

    How did your journey begin?

    “The journey to running Collabmedia began in 2013 at The University of Central Lancashire

    “My Degree had a lot of social media focus. It was quite a difficult industry for a part-time job. Through, my degree people asked me for tips and advice on branding and managing account. It was a natural progression, and I never wanted to work with anyone else.

    “My favourite programme as a kid was Dragon Den, The Apprentice; instead of I always knew I wanted to be a business owner.

    “Collabmedia was formed through my love of Teesside and helping local business.”

    Ellie Rees Collabmedia Founder- Photo courtesy of Collabmedia

    Did you access any startup funding or programme?

    “I didn’t.

    “My business was essentially my phone and my laptop, which I had – so it was a low cost. I need an internet connection and a phone. I went into startup businesses funded courses to bring me to the next level. I did one with Teesside University, a six-month leadership management course that was a perfect one to learn about the business role’s insight and develop that side. Then, I attended a few funded courses.”

    Ellie, inspiring women at collabwomen events. – Photo courtesy of Collabmedia

    Did you find it challenging to succeed in the media environment as a young woman?

    “Oh, probably the most challenging thing to overcome. It was such a male-dominated industry, especially the digital sector. I turned up networking events with business owners for Collabmedia and people attending fairs on the other side. I think that people overlook me because I was like a formal representative of the company. I didn’t have a suit or a briefcase, and I was coming on my leather jacket and jeans. I was a young woman, but when I started talking about the industry and the views I had,  then straight away, they said; you know what you are talking about.

    “It’s frustrating that you have to overcome those barriers to proving yourself.

    “Other men in the room didn’t have to do that. But, three/four years ago networking events, did not include women, didn’t appeal to women, so that was a barrier that I had to overcome.”

    What does it mean for you, being shortlisted for Tees Businesswomen Awards in the Inspiring Others category and Digital Women Award?

    • Tees Business Women Award Night – Photo courtesy of Collabmedia
    • Ellie, Shortlisted Inspiring Others – Photo courtesy of Collabmedia

    “It was a massive recognition of the work I put into it, even just be nominated in the women award alongside the category I was in. It was overwhelming, a bit of the shock and a real boost of motivation, and it was fantastic to be alongside.

    “The annual Digital Women Awards celebrates women working in and around digital doing the most incredible work in their respective industries. We welcome and celebrate women from our own digital women community and beyond! I was shortlisted for the digital women for the good award.”

    Ellie tweet about being shortlisted in the Digital Woman for good

    What skills women entrepreneurs must have to succeed in the career?

    “Confidence! And self-promotion, many women, especially in this area, are reluctant to do self-promotion. Talk about your achievements and highlight the enthusiasm out there! Shout about yourself, use LinkedIn, use your social media to talk about your business achievements; If you are not going to fly your flag by yourself, no one else will.

     ” You know what is best for yourself and your business, and go with that. I have done it for the last seven years, and it got me so far.”