NETWORKING and LEARNING

On Saturday

I went to a great networking event in London

MUMSNET Workfest

A day of presentations, worksgroups and general chats over lunch, a coffee and an ice-cream. A very relaxed environment with relevant stands of coaches, financial advisors and business women all wanting to pass on their experience to those wishing to advance their current work role or move into a new area all together. 

The day started with a panel of successful women including;

Jo Whiley - Radio 2 DJ

Jess Phillips - MP

Kirstie Mackay - Barclays

Karen Blackett - Mediacom

They were very informative and so funny. I laughed in particular at Jess Phillips clever one-liners that came thick and fast. The set up was very relaxed, and the audience were made to feel very much a part of the chat. 

The key to building your business was very much a favorite from the day. With;

Jenny McNeill - The Ginger Jar

Justine Roberts - Mumsnet

Alex Threipland - Barclays

Lots of hints and information regarding starting your own business. Lots of questions were asked from the audience. As with all the presentations the panel members were all happy to spend time with people afterwards to provide advise. 

And - The Ginger Jar provided cookies and sweets, which were gorgeous to look at and delicious to taste. 

Start Up Does and Don'ts;

Julia Dobson - Village England

Steph Douglas - Don't buy her flowers

Danielle Anderson - Step & Stone

I went into the workshop for 'Start up do's and don'ts' - I scribbled intently as the handy hints were spoken about. Financial hiccups, Time Wasters, absolute must-do's. All things that I found myself so interested in. The ladies all spoke about what inspired them to start their business's, and warned of things like not expecting to get a salary for a couple of years ? Scary

You may wonder why I would go to an event like this, when it's just not Football? 

Well, the information gleamed from such an event is so great, and the networking is life changing. i want to work for myself, I have business idea's and I currently work in contract work, so networking, listening as well as finding mentors is vitally important.