Marilyn Clark and Liz Cooper represented AABW at this Productivity Improvement Seminar in Irvine today.  With 90 other delegates we were introduced to TARI (Target Average Rate Index)  invented by Prof Keith Cleland in Australia.  25,000 businesses have improved their profitability and cash flow using the powerful, yet simple, tool.

During his talk Keith also emphasised the importance of Action Plans if you want to get things done.

Ayrshire’s delegates went back to their places of work with much to ponder and take action on.

In the company of the Provosts, Directors of Education, students from Kilmarnock College, Doon Academy, Grange Academy, Loudon Academy and Marr College, over 60 delegates enjoyed a wonderful meal at the Gailes Hotel, followed by an inspirational Panel consisting of Marie Maklin of the Klin Group, Fiona MacKenzie of Centrestage and Annie Lewis of Oxfam.  As one attendee commented – ”

“It is a terrific event, and I feel it is really great that the young people were exposed to such positive role models.  I passionately believe that if anyone really wishes to succeed then they can, provided they have that spark of courage to take the first step; sometimes to ignite that spark requires just a bit of encouragement or inspiration from those who have made the journey.  You very ably provided that last night.”

Another amazing evening at AABW, with a special thankyou to Ann Cromack of IKAT Photography for her photographs of the evening.

Whether it is colleagues, employees, clients or suppliers (and dare I say it family and friends!), there are some you get on really well with and others you can barely tolerate! Why is that? What if you could find a way to communicate better with everybody? What if your conversations, meetings, negotiations and sales opportunities were more relaxed, more effective and produce better results?  The solution: spend an hour or so in the company of Walter Gregg, Business Coach.

Walter’s highly informative presentation was as enlightening as it was entertaining. His friendly, relaxed manner immediately put the room at ease as we learned how to identify core characteristics, and how we might adapt to those differing personality traits we all encounter in business. Clever, thought provoking and very, very useful, this presentation left us intrigued to learn more.  Walter very kindly provided 2 of the evening’s raffle prizes for members.

The first speaker in the 2013 Calendar was the delightful Rosemary MacAllister who talked about and demonstrated the Bowen Technique.  This gentle complementary therapy uses light and precise movements to relieve many conditions eg Migraine, RSI, Fatigue (to name but a very few).  Rosemary never charges to treat children.

Liz Cooper (Chair) attended the Kilmarnock College Graduation on Saturday 3 November 2012 and, on behalf of AABW, presented a “Student of the Year in Education and Business Award” to student Donna Kocak.  The platform party was “piped” in and out of the Grand Hall Kilmarnock and the Graduation Ceremony was followed by a parade back up to the College for a wonderful buffet prepared by College staff and students.  Congratulations to Corporate Members Heather Dunk, Eleanor O’nions, Jane McKie and everyone else involved in organising this wonderful event.

Students and staff from Belmont, St Matthews, Grange and Kilmarnock College, joined members and guests for a student networking event at the Gailes Hotel.  The evening saw a welcome return of speaker Colin McDougall who uses his experiences as a police hostage negotiator to explain to his audience the tricks of successful negotiation. 

The “Power of Silence” is a terrific aid to negotiation – eg when buying a car.  A successful negotiation sees both parties gaining.  Don’t promise what you can’t deliver and don’t break someone’s trust in you by not replying/phoning when you said you would.

Another great student event for AABW.

Liz Cooper (Chair)

http://trustnegotiation.co.uk/index.html

I was privileged to have been invited, as a guest of KidsBeHappy and member Sandra Patterson, to this Awards Ceremony in the Princess Royal Suite on Friday 19 October 2012 and thrilled for the success of the Ayrshire award winners.  A truly inspirational evening including a standing ovation for the quadruple amputee Jamie Andrew who runs, cycles, skis, climbs etc with the GO DO attitude instilled into the Hatchery Chiclets. 

Alison Tait, Ada Galloway, Sandra Patterson and I had to try out the photo booth with fabulous results – we’ve just never looked as good, haha.  (Liz Cooper, Chair AABW)

Just back from a lovely ladies lunch at Lochgreen Hotel, Troon.  The food, the room setting, the company and entertainment were all terrific. 

Liz Cooper

Chair AABW

A successful day was had at the Ayr Racecourse on Tuesday 9 October at the annual Ayrshire Chamber Trade Connections event.  104 businesses were represented and we were visited by the many other stallholders, members of the public as well as senior school students.

Guest speaker was Gio Benedetti (father of Nicola) – hilarious as always.

Jeremy Webb of WebbActiveMedia was the guest presenter at September 2012′s meeting.  He gave a thorough and most up-to-date summary of  how to use Twitter, Facebook as well as website apps to improve the effectiveness of our online marketing and outlined the  use of  Hootsuite, Flickr, Google Analytics, Viralheat, Wildfire, Shopify, Bitly, Launchwork etc.  There were many questions/problems presented to him for which he was able to offer solutions and it was with regret that the Chair (Liz Cooper) had to draw the evening to a close at 2130 hours.  Recommended reading is “Waiting for my Cat to Bark”.