Wednesday 25 January 2012

How to be Brilliant!

Wouldn't we all like to think that we could become brilliant and that is why I stayed to hear Michael Heppell's presentation at the Innholders Conference at the London Hilton Hotel last week. I was so tempted to come home early partly because I felt so rotten with this endless cough I have been suffering with since before Christmas and secondly because most of the speakers at the conference this  year bored me to tears. How pleased I was that I stayed because Michael's presentation on 'How to be Brilliant' was just that -- BRILLIANT. I just didn't want it to end and came home determined to try and become brilliant myself and put some of his ideas into action. I'm still trying but I never give up!

Why is it that so few people can really present well? I have a real issue with presenters speaking too fast, muttering and just spouting out facts with power point. A presenter should be a performer and leave his audience wanting more not watching the clock and wondering when he is going to finish! If you have a company or do presentations it is always worth investing in some voice training and presentation skills.

Maria Darling was the speaker at the Wessex Women's Network meeting on Tuesday January 24th. She told us how she has built up her franchise business 'Shoes Glorious Shoes' and she certainly presented her story with passion. It was a full house and as well as enjoying listening to Maria we were able to have some retail therapy and buy some of her beautiful shoes and handbags. These evenings are always such fun, as well as listening to very good speakers that Jan Hoy manages to book [thank you Jan we couldn't do it without you] it gives the ladies an opportunity to promote their business or charity event they are organising over dinner and wine and generally network.

The next meeting is on February 22nd when Susan Symes will be talking about 'Art in Miniature' another very interesting speaker.

Romance is in the air at the Cloud Hotel on Tuesday February 14th and you can enjoy a candlelit dinner in a romantic setting with your loved one. Dinner is £40-00 to include a glass of bubbly so book soon to avoid disappointment.

I always try and recommend a book for you to read and this month I just have to recommend Michael Heppell's Book 'How to be Brilliant'.

I have just finished reading 'The Everyday Dancer' by Deborah Bull. Deborah became a soloist with the Royal Ballet and I lived every page of the book as it brought back so many memories of my days at ballet school in London. The discipline and determination instilled into a dancer still remains with me to this day.

Never Give Up, For That Is Just The Place And Time That The Tide Will Turn. 

Good luck in chasing your dream.

Avril


A

Friday 13 January 2012

Looking forward to a New year

A belated Happy New Year to everyone and I hope like myself you are looking forward to a successful New Year filled with fun and good health. Christmas at the Cloud hotel was a great success and somehow I managed to juggle time with my family and the guests at the hotel. The weather was kind to us this year enabling everyone to enjoy walks in the New Forest or by the sea and to walk off all the food they consumed over the Christmas period!

The hotel closed on December 27th for a couple of weeks to en-able the staff to enjoy a well earned break. It is the time we do most of the decorating, maintenance and spring cleaning in the hotel as it is impossible to do it while we are open and have guests around. The hotel re-opened today and we welcomed the first guests to the hotel in 2012, it was a cold day but the glowing log fire soon warmed them up and helped them to relax.

I took the staff to see the Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium on December 29th. We always have a meal in London before the show, this allows the staff to relax together away from the work environment and enjoy themselves after a long and busy year. It's my way of rewarding them for not only their hard work but also their loyalty. The show was fantastic and it's worth going to see it just for the effects alone although all the artists were excellent. I particularly loved the scarecrow played by Paul Keating, he was brilliant.

I attended the Women1st networking event for the 100 most influential women in hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism at the Dorchester Hotel in Park Lane on Tuesday January 10th. It was a fantastic evening and after listening to Shaa Wasmund's talk about her life, her struggles and eventually great success I came home motivated and inspired. I just love hearing how women have succeeded in their careers often against all the odds.

The next Wessex Women's Network meeting is on Tuesday 24th January. Maria Darling is going to tell us how she set up her own business and grew it through franchising. The title of her talk 'Shoes Glorious Shoes' I look forward to welcoming you all.

I would like to recommend Shaa Wasmund's book to those of you who want to start a business 'STOP TALKING START DOING A kick in the pants in 6 parts!

Finally it's a New Year, a chance for a fresh start so I would like to leave you with the following quote

GO CONFIDENTLY IN THE DIRECTION OF YOUR DREAMS. LIVE THE LIFE YOU HAVE IMAGINED    Henry David Thoreau

Avril