The only people who responded immediately quoted somebody in their family.  Everyone else took a few minutes to think about their reply.

Four women immediately mentioned women in their own family.   ” My mum because she is a fab personal and a nice lady”.  Alison Mahoney (memorabilia framing)

“My grandmother because she always told me I was beautiful, and now 30 years later I still remember her every time I have a decision to make, and wonder what her advice would have been.” Jacqueline Rogers (The Athena Network)

“My sister, who was the first female orthopaedic surgeon in New South Wales”, was chosen by Vikki Cook.

“My mother who has always been there for her four children and many grandchildren”.  Alison Sellers

U.S. President George H. W. Bush awards former U.K. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor awarded by the United States. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Margaret Thatcher was mentioned by quite a few people who had also seen the film The Iron Lady.  Karen Savage (interior designer) mentioned her courage as she was such a leader in politics, Jeannette Warr (physiotherapy clinic) said that she was one of the few business studies students (5 women out of a total of 56) at the same time that Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister;  later when she got her first job for a large retailer women were forbidden to wear trousers.   PJ van Zetten (trevel counsellor) also cited Mrs Thatcher.

The Queen was chosen by Jenny Ojakovoh (homeopath) for her dignity and commitment to her principles.  Nigella Lawson was chosen by Jenny Phillips (Nutritionist) “for her unashamed enjoyment of food”,  Anita Roddick was chosen by Romi Carr (style consultant)  and J K Rowling by Jenny Kay (photographer), Vivienne Westwood by Vanessa Emery (graphic designer) , Julia Margaret Cameron the first British female photographer by Jo Scott (photographer)  Mary Kay Ash the founder of Mary Kay cosmetics by Vanessa Stottor (Mary Kay),  Madonna by Ute Wieczorek-King “because she has reinvented herself so many times”, Joan Collins by Inge Lise Howarth (kinesiologist) because she “looks fantastic and has a great sense of humour, if I look like her when I am that age I shall be happy.”

Who inspires you?

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I defy anyone to not join in with “9 to 5” – loudly. It is music that is made for sharing and you can pick up the tunes.   “Islands in the Stream” with Kenny Rogers is one of my favourites which always gets me feeling great afterwards.

 The words make sense.  Her songs cover life, death, work sex and all the lovin’ and leavin’ that country music is renowned for with added thinking.  I doubt that the words of Jolene where she begs another woman not to take her man express her true thoughts, but she’s experienced the passive role with the rest of us and has great compassion.

Dolly’s appearance has been – and still is even now – a big focus.  Hourglass figure with a tiny waist and massive blonde hair.  Drama Drama all the way.  She could be the bar owner with a heart of gold in a wild west comic from the 50’s.  There is some fascination that she is actually real underneath it all, and that I – who have no intention of looking like that – am grateful that she is carrying the unlived exotic life so I don’t have to.

The razor sharp honesty and wit.  “It takes a lot of money to look this cheap”, and “If you want to have rainbows you gotta have rain”

“I modelled my looks on the town tramp.”

“I’m not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I’m not dumb… and I also know that I’m not blonde. “

“I never let a rhinestone go unturned”

She has a wonderful sense of rhythm and comic timing and can laugh at herself which is unexpected in someone with her looks.
Sense of values.  Dolly Parton is married and has been so for a long time.  She has kept her private life private which is refreshingly professional and must have been tough to accomplish.  Her childhood was poor not rich so nothing has been handed to her.

“I still close my eyes and go home – I can always draw from that. “

Business woman.Dolly Parton has sold 100m records but she is also a business woman and has used her celebrity to create a bricks and mortar asset called Dollywood.   This must be a bigger challenge than the more obvious choices for female entrepreneurs and singers of selling a line of fashion items or makeup.

Dollywood is a 150 acre site in Texas where children and families can have fun.

She has a hard-work ethic.   “I have always been a firm believer in working hard for what is right and for making your own breaks if you want things to change.”

Dolly Parton is a woman who inspires me with her glamour, sense of fun, talent, humanity and strong values. An excellent role model for International Women’s Day.

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Each year around the world, International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8. Thousands of events occur not just on this day but throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women.

If every International Women’s Day event held in 2012 includes girls in some way, then thousands of minds will be inspired globally.”

The most powerful role models are often in the public eye, but the ones who make the most difference are often the mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, daughters or neighbours we know. Becoming inspired to do be or have what you want is much easier when you have a role model to show the way.

This year I will share my top ten women who inspire me, and hope you will contribute with your own thoughts.

The first is Mary Portas. What inspires me about her?

Her appearance and style.  She wears clothes which accentuate her long lean appearance rather than playing safe and looking more “normal.”  She wears mildly crazy things  – I remember a pair of absolutely killer boots in Mary Queen of Shops.  She dares to look strong.

In all her TV appearances you see her driving herself (in a nice sports car) rather than being taxied about.  She seems to get her hands dirty and do things.

She is not afraid of letting her weaker side be seen.  She has been in tears on TV (I can think of an occasion in the charity shop), and when the sales targets for the House of Fraser were going higher by the minute she was quite obviously alarmed and not afraid to show it.

She is realistic about what can be achieved.  Some of the smaller shopkeepers she visited were a far cry from her work with Harvey Nichols but you felt she understood that even small changes could make a big difference.

Mary has a team to get the creative ideas into reality.  It is her own company, so she walks the talk about having an idea and making it happen. ( A lot of consultants can spot the problem but then walk away without fixing it.)

She stands up for small businesses… and small businesses on high streets which contribute to the community we live in.   (Definitely good in my book!) It is not where the power and the media attention usually goes.

I want to put the heart back into the centre of our High Streets, re-imagined as destinations for socialising, culture, health, wellbeing, creativity and learning. Places that will develop and sustain new and existing markets and businesses. The new High Streets won’t just be about selling goods. The mix will include shops but could also include housing, offices, sport, schools or other social, commercial and cultural enterprises and meeting places. They should become places where we go to engage with other people in our communities, where shopping is just one small part of a rich mix of activities.”

See more on The Portas Report either in full or her 28 recommendations.

She has a business brain as well as a heart.  Before each of the Mary Queen of Shops programmes there was information on the size of the market, the closures of that type of shop, so you realised the business side.

Best of all she seems to be a real person with personal boundaries. We see photos of her on holiday on her Facebook page, she has come out about being gay, about her childhood, but there is never any sense that she is using any aspect of her life to make herself look better.

So she has style + personality (authentic brand) plus passion and a can-do approach.

An excellent role model not straight out of the box!

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Friends I have talked to have found it almost impossible to understand that books are given away.  They are not chosen fromyour own bookshelf but provided by the individuals, publishers and sponsors who want to spread a love of reading.

Here is a list of World Book Night sponsors:

Patrons

The Patrons of World Book Night are:

• Damon Albarn
• Margaret Atwood
• Sir Richard Branson
• Nick Cave
• Tracy Chevalier
• Roddy Doyle
• Carol Ann Duffy
• Dave Eggers
• Sir Richard Eyre
• Colin Firth
• Richard Flanagan
• David Gilmour
• Antony Gormley
• Seamus Heaney
• Damien Hirst
• Lewis Hyde
• Howard Jacobson
• Nigella Lawson
• Andrew Motion
• Mary Portas
• Philip Pullman
• Dame Gail Rebuck
• JK Rowling
• Polly Samson
• Gil Scott-Heron
• Ali Smith
• Sir Tom Stoppard
• Tilda Swinton
• Dominic West

Sponsors & Supporters

World Book Night are grateful for the support of the following in making World Book Night happen in 2011

Apple
BBC
Booksellers’ Association
Clays
FMcM
Foyles
FSC
Google
HiBrow
Holman Paper
Innocent
National Express
Nielsen Bookscan & Bookdata
Publishers’ Association
Redbox Digital
Sony
Stora Enso Publication Paper
The Book People
Waterstone’s

The Publishers
Our thanks go to the publishing houses that have supported World Book Night, and especially to those who provided the titles for World Book Night 2011

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Sir Richard Branson will speak at business 2012

How is your business going to develop in 2012?

Learning from experts like Sir Richard Branson who have created great success is one of the best ways to get inspired about taking your business forward.

Business 2012 is a free conference with over 500 events where you can listen to business gurus such as Sir Richard Branson,  Lord Sugar and many many others.  All topics are covered and are aimed at areas that are of vital importance whether you are a start up, and sme (small to medium sized business) or a medium sized business.

This is an important event for the UK.  It is sponsored by Blackberry, (smartphones) Regus (serviced offices) and the Daily Telegraph Business Club (inspiration and how-to for smaller businesses).  Take advantage of what is offered and plan a trip to the O2 from Sunday 18th – Tuesday 20th March.

You can listen to keynote speeches, attend seminars and go to workshops.  The website is a joy – simple and well laid out, and you are encouraged to plan your visit.  This is of course best practise and ensures you get to hear the people who interest you.  The other aspect that is important is to be clear what you hope to gain from being present.

Tactics are most likely to be covered in practical workshops where you can take what you learn and apply it to your business. Strategies for the direction of your business may be more likely to be revealed in seminars, and inspiration and motivation from keynote speeches.  The other gain from listening to well-respected experts is that you will gain credibility with your clients.  You can pass on ideas in newsletters and blog posts, and position yourself more strongly simply by mentioning in conversations that you heard them speak.  Your name becomes associated with the well-nown name in the mind of your client or prospect.

I have heard quite a number of the speakers and am looking forward to hearing what they have to say for 2012.  the economy is unlikely to improve quickly, so it is our responsibility to make our own economy as good as possible.

Secure your tickets for Business 2012 now. When planning your visit bear in mind that the first day – 18th March – is Mother’s Day.

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More givers are needed to give away their favourite books and help to spread a love of reading and books – but you have to sign up by 1st February.

Books selected for World Book Night 2012 are:

Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen

The Player of Games – Iain Banks

Sleepyhead – Mark Billingham

Notes from a Small Island – Bill Bryson

The Alchemist – Paolo Coelho

The Take – Martina cole

Harlequin – Bernard Cornwell

Someone Like You – Roald Dahl

A Tale of Two Cities – Charles Dickens

Room – Emma Donaghue

Rebecca – Daphne Du Maurier

The Remains of the Day – Kazuo Ishiguro

Misery – Stephen King

The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic – Sophie Kinsella

Small Island – Andrea Levy

Let The Right One in – John Ajvide Lindqvist

On the Road – Cormac McCarthy

The Time Traveler’s Wife – Audrey Niffenegger

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The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox – Maggie O’Farrell

The Dammed Utd – David Pearce

Good Omens – Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

How I live Now – Meg Rosoff

Touching the Void – Joe Simpson

I Capture the Castle – Dodie Smith

The Book Thief -  Markus Zusak

Choose your favourite and apply to World Book Night to be a giver.  You can do this in the UK, USA and Germany.

As well as being a reminder of books read and enjoyed,  the list has brought books to my attention that I meant to read and have not yet opened.  This year is a good opportunity to read (or re-read) Dickens as it is his anniversary year.  In my book group we have decided to go for Bleak House which I have never read.  I have been meaning to read The Book Thief, and was halfway through The Road but for some reason gave up.  Better get back to it!

I think my favourite on the list is The Time Traveler’s Wife although I did love Pride and Prejudice and Rebecca when I read them a long time ago.  Touching the Void is amazingly inspirational – even though i have never been mountain climbing.

I am a big fan of reading.  I used to work in a publishing company and it was next step to being in heaven!  Good writing is inspirational, and helps you with your own writing.  Reading is also a great way to unwind from work.  It is more relaxing than TV I find, and  time immersed in another world gives me a greater sense of clarity when I come back to the everyday.

What about you?

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Are you wowing your customers? 

Do you keep your customers interested as you learn new skills and approaches?

The new judges on X Factor this year added a whole extra dimension.  Unjaded by previous years they were passionate about “their” people, and in some ways the vote was for the judge as well as performer.  Little Mix were voted the winners because their voices were better, but they had an excellent story as they were created into a band on the show.  In addition Tulisa was a passionate champion of “ordinary” girls, and – the final boost – no band has ever one, so it was a chance to make history.  (Remember Obama’s victory? Same impulse.)

Do you have a good story?  

Is working with you a chance for them to redress an imbalance and make history?

The Masterchef series was for professional chefs.  We knew the result in the final programme before we were told.  When Michel Roux and Gregg tasted the first mouthful of the 3 dishes from Ash, the winner, their eyes lit up and they looked at each other and smiled.  They were surprised, and utterly delighted.  The other contestants were excellent both technically and in terms of presentation, but there was something more than excellent which wowed them about Ash’s food.  They had found unexpected magic.

Do you delight (and surprise) your customers – beyond reason?

 Sometimes the contestants have no previous interest like Harry Webb the drummer from McFly who won Strictly.  He appeared in the studio pigeon-toed and with no particular interest in dance.  His dance partner Aliona, provided the choreography which would help him shine, trained him, and created a bond.  He had moments of not being sure he wanted to be on the show, but once he decided he did, he began to enjoy it and worked hard.  His dancing was technically good enough, but – more importantly for the final count – his looks, his unassuming and warm personality, and his drumming wowed the public who voted for him.  As Len, the “senior” judge said at the end that, like the rest of the nation, he had fallen in love with him.

Do you look good to your customers.  Not in terms of a six pack, but is your appearance pleasing?

Do you have a personality that they warm to? 

Do you have flair?

In your own business can you find new ways in 2012 to provide solutions to these opportunities?

1. How are you wowing your customers? 
2. What new skills and approaches are you excited about now – which will interest your customers.
3. Your Story.  Look again at where you have come from.  It will probably be a story that your customers can relate to even if it is not rags to riches.  From hopeless to confident and assured, inadequate to fulfilled and generous will be more than good enough.   Don’t be ashamed of the bad stuff ….
4. Is working with you a chance for them to redress an imbalance and make history?
5. Do you delight (and surprise) your customers – beyond reason?
6. Do you look good to your customers.  Not in terms of a six pack, but is your appearance pleasing? Do you get compliments about your jewellery, your clothes, your emails?
7. Do you have a personality that they warm to? 
8. Do you have flair?
9. Are they “in love” with you? (think you are great, tell other people about you, pay up and show up.)

As long as your technical knowledge is good enough, you should make the most of your magic.  The chances are that is what they are buying. And that is especially important in this economy.

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Doing what you love so much that it doesn’t feel like work is the ultimate dream for any business owner or employee.  It is what provides the inspiration to keep on going.

This week’s Biz Buzz programme featured guests who are both making a transition into doing what they really love.

Diane Owen was a highly successful and well-paid banker in the City (in the days whe bankers were highly regarded>) She  particularly enjoyed working internationally, both for the travel and the contacts and also for the intellectual interest.    Gradually she realised she did not want to go back to the office when she had been outside at lunch time, and the whisper of discontent became a roar until she handed in her notice in order to be outside more in the open air.  She then trained as a fitness instructor and subsequently had her family.

Mary Fraser my other guest was (quite coincdentally) part of Diane’s dance class when she was gaining her qualifications.  She attested to the fact that Diane is a skilful dance leader, but Diane’s journey towards what will fulfill her more is still continuing.  She is now determined to become a mountain leader and is improving fitness in order to take the qualifications.  Not all parts of the plan are tied down due to family responsibilites but – as you would expect from a successful corporate performer – she has a very clear goal and action steps to get there! She is blogging about her physical and metaphoric journey to the mountains.

Mary Fraser has a successful HR business but although loving working with her clients her deeper satisfaction comes from helping children.  She has set up the Poppyfields project which gives children going through problems the space to talk, paint and  express what they may find difficult to say at home.  She quoted the example of a boy from a loving family who found it difficult to talk about his mother’s illness, and that the mother appreciated that he had a space away from the family to be heard.  Mary works in conjuction with schools,  so that all aspects of a child’s life are integrated.

We talked about the importance of saying Yes to the thing you really want, and letting go of what may be safe or comfortable.  In terms of building their existing business, both Diane and Mary are continuing to work with existing clients but their energy is with the new project and the new opportunities.

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Hosted by me, Jean Wolfe, usually on a Friday we interview interesting local business people in Marlow Bucks and the surrounding area.

Carol Hill of the health food shop Healthy Stuff in Liston Court off Marlow High Street was my guest.  Her view on the health of the nation is that a lot of people are stressed and worried – partly due to the uncertain economic situation. This situation is bad whether you are an employee or run your own business.

Carol’s tips for supporting health and combating stress.

1.  Breathe.  When we get stressed we tend to breathe in a more shallow way which does no good.  Slow down, breathe more deeply from the abdomen which helps to get oxygen round the body, and to combat all the stress .  This is a simple way to fight the continous state of alertness which can be so damaging.

2.  Take exercise.  It doesn’t have to be in a dance class or gym, simply getting out and walking in the open air is good for all aspects of your life: mind body and spirit. Gentle exercise may be better than something very strenuous.

3.  Carol’s third tip could sound controversial.  It is to be outside in the sunshine until your skin feels warm.  Carol said that there has been a lot of research demonstrating that lack of sunshine (either from an indoor life or being permanently swathed in suncream) inhibits the production of Vitamin D which is leading to a large number of diseases.   The best source of Vitamin D is through sunlight.  Obviously it is important not to burn, – particularly for fair-skinned people – but a short time in the mid-day sun has tremendous benefits.

Ian Souch was my other guest.  As an acupuncturist and Tai Chi teacher he agreed with Carol’s top tips and also added that it is important to be happy.  As someone who is committed to a holistic view of health, he realises the health benefits of having outside interests.  He is a professional magician, has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe  and will be performing at the Camden Fringe later in August.  Ian has always been facinated by magic and is a member of the Magic Circle.  For the first time we had magic in the studio!  He used a blend of showmanship and keen perception to tell Carol what colour she had chosen from a coloured cube he happened to have in his pocket. Yes, we were amazed and could not work out how he did it.

There was a lot of laughter in the studio which is probably the best health benefit of all!

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