News http://www.elaineowen.com/news.aspx Copyright Elaine Owen 120 admin@nospamdesignatedassociates.com mojoPortal Blog Module V 1.0 Elaine Owen talks to Good Fortune Magazine about the important role mentoring is now playing within society http://www.elaineowen.com/elaine-owen-talks-to-good-fortune-magazine-about-the-important-role-mentoring-is-now-playing-within-society.aspx Mon, 06 Sep 2010 09:15:16 GMT http://www.elaineowen.com/elaine-owen-talks-to-good-fortune-magazine-about-the-important-role-mentoring-is-now-playing-within-society.aspx http://www.elaineowen.com/elaine-owen-talks-to-good-fortune-magazine-about-the-important-role-mentoring-is-now-playing-within-society.aspx Elaine Owen Mentor & MD of Designated Associates is quoted this month in Good Fortune Magazine as saying "I've personally gained a great sense of satisfaction in giving something back, I haven't got millions of pounds to give away but what I can give in terms of advice is invaluable", when interviewed recently about the important role that mentoring is now playing within society.

To read the article follow the link below;

http://issuu.com/goodfortunemagazine/docs/sep2010/26


amykeegan7  ...]]> Gender specific coaching & mentoring available if preferred http://www.elaineowen.com/gender-specific-coaching--mentoring-available-if-preferred.aspx Mon, 28 Jun 2010 12:27:39 GMT http://www.elaineowen.com/gender-specific-coaching--mentoring-available-if-preferred.aspx http://www.elaineowen.com/gender-specific-coaching--mentoring-available-if-preferred.aspx Gender specific coaching & mentoring available if preferred.

Commercial & funded opportunities for business leaders to work with a coach or mentor of their choice.

Terrie Johnson - Fruit to Suit

“Although I have only met my mentor twice, I have already seen the benefits to myself and fruit to suit. The matching process was obviously very thorough as the match between my own personal needs and my mentor were excellent. Spot on! Setting up and running your own business can be a very lonely and frustrating experience. You have to learn and develop new skills that are way out of your comfort zone. Family and friends, with the best will in the world, do not really understand and tell you ‘Oh, you’ll be fine!’ before their eyes start to glaze over! It’s when they start to dribble - I know I’ve lost them!! It’s fantastic to be able to talk with someone who does understand as they has already been through the problems and issues themselves. It’s not necessarily that I am looking for answers - quite often just talking something through with someone makes everything clearer. I do think that the Mentoring Program is excellent and I would love to be able to return the favour and be a mentor one day in the future. ”

Liz Howard - Sensory Toy Warehouse

“Yes I met up with Cathy in December for the first time and the experience was nothing short of wonderful. I know that I am going to benefit so much from our relationship. We are due to meet up again this month and I’m really looking forward to it. ”

For more information contact Designated Associates on 0151 653 3338 or emma.jones@designatedassociates.com


amykeegan7  ...]]> Elaine Attends Round Table Discussion http://www.elaineowen.com/elaine-attends-round-table-discussion.aspx Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:03:52 GMT http://www.elaineowen.com/elaine-attends-round-table-discussion.aspx http://www.elaineowen.com/elaine-attends-round-table-discussion.aspx Elaine attends round table discussion on 7th July to discuss 'Current policy directions and influences upon women's entrepreneurship'.  Facilitated by Professor Helene Ahl (Jonkoping University: Sweden) and Professor Susan Marlow (De Montfort University: Leicester) who are currently engaged in research focused upon institutional influences upon gender and entrepreneurship.


amykeegan7  ...]]> Elaine Owen is an award-winning businesswoman and an inspirational figure in the region’s women’s enterprise arena http://www.elaineowen.com/elaine-owen-is-an-award-winning-businesswoman-and-an-inspirational-figure-in-the-region%e2%80%99s-women%e2%80%99s-enterprise-arena-.aspx Wed, 28 Apr 2010 14:09:21 GMT http://www.elaineowen.com/elaine-owen-is-an-award-winning-businesswoman-and-an-inspirational-figure-in-the-region%e2%80%99s-women%e2%80%99s-enterprise-arena-.aspx http://www.elaineowen.com/elaine-owen-is-an-award-winning-businesswoman-and-an-inspirational-figure-in-the-region%e2%80%99s-women%e2%80%99s-enterprise-arena-.aspx Read Elaine Owens article in the latest eddition of Inform North West issue 05

Click Here


amykeegan7  ...]]> ELAINE OWEN WINS “OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO WOMEN’S LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT” AT WOMEN ON THEIR WAY AWARDS 2010 http://www.elaineowen.com/elaine-owen-wins-“outstanding-contribution-to-women’s-learning-and-development”-at-women-on-their-way-awards-2010.aspx Tue, 23 Mar 2010 09:05:00 GMT http://www.elaineowen.com/elaine-owen-wins-“outstanding-contribution-to-women’s-learning-and-development”-at-women-on-their-way-awards-2010.aspx http://www.elaineowen.com/elaine-owen-wins-“outstanding-contribution-to-women’s-learning-and-development”-at-women-on-their-way-awards-2010.aspx On the Friday 19th March, Elaine Owen of the Wirral based Designated Associates won outstanding contribution to women’s learning and development award at the Women on Their Way Awards held at Aston Villa Football Club, Birmingham.

The Woman on Their Way Awards have been running two years and aims to connect women through the UK, to inspire and to increase their self belief. Celebrating and recognising those women who mobilise, those who contribute and those who don’t always realise the incredible impact that they have on others.
 
Elaine won this incredible award despite intense competition from three fantastic finalists. She received the award from LSC (Learning and Skills Council), who was the official sponsor of this award category.
 
Elaine comments on her achievement,
 
“I’m so chuffed – this is a great honour. All at Designated Associates are delighted to be acknowledged in this way”.
 
Elaine has a strong passion for encouraging women into business and for raising the skill set of local people. Designated Associates under Elaine’s management, seeks to support enterprise growth in the North West via Women in Business NW and by providing low cost or pro bono services to third sector organisations and fledgling businesses.
 
Lead Judge Gill Fielding from the Secret Millionaire said,
 
“Women make great businesswomen as they follow formulas that work, more than men do”
 
For more information on the awards visit www.womenontheirway.co.uk
 
To see photographs from the event follow the link below

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/womenontheirwayltd/NationalWomenOnTheirWayAwards2010?feat=directlink#


amykeegan7  ...]]> Elaine Owen invited by Gordon Brown to Global Investment Conference http://www.elaineowen.com/elaine-owen-invited-by-gordon-brown-to-global-investment-conference.aspx Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:15:54 GMT http://www.elaineowen.com/elaine-owen-invited-by-gordon-brown-to-global-investment-conference.aspx http://www.elaineowen.com/elaine-owen-invited-by-gordon-brown-to-global-investment-conference.aspx Elaine Owen Managing Director of Designated Associates & Designated Design was personally invited by Gordon Brown to Global Investment Conference on Monday 22nd February.

Gordon Brown, commented on the conference,
 
“I have convened this Conference, to bring together a unique mix of though-leaders, investors and decision-makers from around the world to debate the issues that will influence business and investment in the years to come, and discuss how we can ensure that international investment continues to play a vital role in the new global economic landscape”.
 
In attendance were, Prime Minister, Lord Mandleson, Lord Davies, Alistair Darling Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Lord Drayson.
 
Speakers included Jonathan Ive Senior Vice President Apple, Lord Sebastian Coe and Angela Ahrendts CEO Burberry.
 
Elaine said,
 
“It was a wonderful opportunity to meet with international business leaders, the whole day was extremely valuable and stimulating”.

amykeegan7  ...]]> Elaine Owen attends St James Palace http://www.elaineowen.com/elaine-owen-attends-st-james-palace.aspx Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:17:00 GMT http://www.elaineowen.com/elaine-owen-attends-st-james-palace.aspx http://www.elaineowen.com/elaine-owen-attends-st-james-palace.aspx At the personal invitation of his Royal Highness the Duke of York, KG, Elaine Owen Managing Director of Designated Associates & Designated Design was invited to attend the reception at St James Palace on Monday 22nd February.
 
Elaine said,
 
“To attend the palace was an inspirational and most enjoyable opportunity and to network with like minded business leaders was fabulous. No Photos were allowed unfortunately, but it is a memory that will stay with me forever”.

amykeegan7  ...]]> ELAINE OWEN SHORTLISTED AS A LEADING WOMAN IN HER FIELD http://www.elaineowen.com/elaine-owen-shortlisted-as-a-leading-woman.aspx Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:46:47 GMT http://www.elaineowen.com/elaine-owen-shortlisted-as-a-leading-woman.aspx http://www.elaineowen.com/elaine-owen-shortlisted-as-a-leading-woman.aspx Although women-owned businesses are on the increase there still aren’t enough female role models, is the claim of the leading women’s organisation, Women on Their Way.

Most people still think that the majority of businesses are run by men due to the stereotypical images that we see all around us. That’s why Elaine is delighted to be short-listed for the prestigious National Women on Their Way Awards 2010 for Outstanding Contribution to Women’s Leaning and Development Award.

Women are equally qualified to run businesses as men but also need more opportunities to connect and do business together.
 
The competition this year has been particularly tough so it’s a huge honour for Elaine to be short-listed.
 
Elaine is an enthusiastic, very approachable business owner & leader, who has a very strong passion & an impressive track record for encouraging & mentoring women into business and into enterprising behaviour. Elaine’s Wirral based business Designated Associates is a private commercial organisation that has socially responsible aims & objectives to support women in business & encourage and enable enterprising behaviour & skills.
 
There are four short-listed candidates for each award and the winner will be announced on Friday 19th March at the Women on Their Way Annual Awards Lunch taking place at Aston Villa Football Club, Birmingham from 11.00 to 15.00.
 
The awards event is in its second year and aims to connect women through the UK, to inspire and to increase their self belief.
 
The Women on Their Way Awards is the brainchild of former Apprentice Candidate Jo Cameron and her Co-Director Lisa Ibbotson.
 
Jo Cameron added,
 
“We are delighted that Elaine has been shortlisted. There are so many amazing women in the UK who don’t always recognise the impact they have made and it is my absolute privilege to be inspired by so many incredible women. We are very much looking forward to announcing the winners in a few weeks time”
 
This year the judges include Gill Fielding and Caroline Marsh of TV’s Secret Millionaire and other esteemed women from both the public and private sectors. They will be judging the shortlisted candidates over the coming weeks.
 
Thereare twelve awards this year including Start Up and High Growth Businesses, Online Business, Woman in Finance, Law, Transportation, Construction/Engineering, Woman in The Community, Public office, The outstanding contribution to Women’s Learning and Development, Young Woman in Business, Outstanding New Product and Woman’s Advocate.
 
This year the coveted prize for the overall Woman on her Way is a weekend away for two included flights and accommodation to Milan.
Tickets are priced £65+VAT each or £600 +VAT for a table of ten places. With up to 500 guests it provides opportunities for networking and to meet other leading and aspiring women.
 
Last year’s winner of the Legal Award, Laura Kearesley added,
 
 “I was thrilled to win the Women in Law award last year; it was a real honour. It was a fabulous day, where I made some really good contacts. Since winning the award and the subsequent publicity I have also been approached by other potential business partners, so it has been really positive for me personally and for business!”
 

For more information on the awards click here


amykeegan7  ...]]> Northwest business support organisations receive new international quality standard http://www.elaineowen.com/northwest-business-support-organisations-receive-new-international-quality-standard-.aspx Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:06:00 GMT http://www.elaineowen.com/northwest-business-support-organisations-receive-new-international-quality-standard-.aspx http://www.elaineowen.com/northwest-business-support-organisations-receive-new-international-quality-standard-.aspx Eight business support organisations across the Northwest have been awarded a new quality standard for women’s enterprise.
 
The Women’s Business Centre (WBC) Standard, funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and developed by Prowess, the independent voice of women’s enterprise in the UK, has been developed as a framework for providing world-class support services to budding and established female entrepreneurs.
 
Organisations which have achieved the WBC Standard have been officially recognised as putting women’s business support requirements at the forefront of their service. They understand and embed the needs and aspirations of their women clients into the very fabric of their organisation; focusing on establishing and maintaining a long-term relationship with their client and providing support through the whole lifecycle of their business journey.
 
Awarded at the Northwest Women in Business Awards 2010 on the 29th January at Ribby Hall, Lancashire, the first 8 organisations across the Northwest to achieve the WBC Standard are:
 

Lancashire:

• Bolton Business Ventures
• Enterprise4All
• Hyndburn Enterprise Trust
 

Liverpool:

• Blackburne House
• Blue Orchid
 

Cumbria:

• Furness Enterprise
• University of Cumbria
 

Greater Manchester:

• Rochdale Borough Women’s Enterprise Network

Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the NWDA, said:
 
“Women are currently significantly under-represented in business in the Northwest and the UK and it is vital that we work to address this imbalance – it has been estimated that if women started businesses at the same rate as men, the UK would see 150,000 more businesses per annum.
It is therefore vital that the right business support, advice and guidance are available to ensure female entrepreneurs can achieve their potential. The WBC standard is a clear symbol of the quality of female-targeted business support offered by organisations in the Northwest, which we hope will create a step change in the number of women accessing support and ultimately starting up their own businesses.”
 
Elaine Owen, Chair of the Northwest Women’s Enterprise Forum, said:
 
“We were very proud to announce the first 8 organisations to receive the Women’s Business Centre Standard (WBC). This pilot is a great example of the positive change happening in Women’s Enterprise and how mainstream business support can put women’s requirements at the forefront of their thinking.  As the first and only international standard for women’s enterprise support, we also hope it will help to bring women entrepreneurs all over the world together, to learn from each other, share knowledge and promote their businesses.”

For further information about the WBC standard visit www.wbcinternational.org
 

 


amykeegan7  ...]]> Elaine Owen Invite to No.10 Downing Street http://www.elaineowen.com/elaine-owen-invite-to-no10-downing-street.aspx Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:43:00 GMT http://www.elaineowen.com/elaine-owen-invite-to-no10-downing-street.aspx http://www.elaineowen.com/elaine-owen-invite-to-no10-downing-street.aspx Elaine Owen, Chair of the North West Women’s Enterprise Forum and Managing Director of Designated Associates, has been invited to No. 10 Downing Street to meet the Prime Minister and celebrate the success of Britain's small and medium businesses.

Elaine whose business is based on the Wirral says:
 
“I will be delighted to attend representing the business community and women in business specifically”.
 
Elaine is the current UK Business Mentor of the Year and has helped hundreds of local small businesses to start and grow, sharing her own experiences and lessons learned.

amykeegan7  ...]]>