I returned from my holiday in Tenerife relaxed and tanned just in time to attend the Wessex Women's Network meeting on Tuesday November 15th and to hear Jus Hobbs give us a talk and demonstration on how to become fit and slim with kettlebells, how pleased I was that I didn't miss it. Jus inspired us all so much that we can't wait to try it for ourselves but decided to wait until after Christmas because we will probably need to exercise even more after having indulged in all the Christmas food and drink! If you would like information about Jus and the kettlebells visit www.maxfit.me.uk.
I think it is really important to take time away from your business, it gives you a chance to step back and look at your business with fresh eyes. I always read loads of books while I'm away and return to my business not only refreshed but with a list of new ideas! You would be amazed how your staff can cope and run the business when you are not there. By giving them responsibility their confidence grows and they discover they have talents they thought only other people have. A win win situation -- you get a holiday and their self esteem grows.
With only 5 weeks to go until Christmas the pressure is on for some of us ladies to create a happy family occasion as well as try and run a successful business. Needless to say we are able to do just that with our juggling skills but that's not to say we are usually exhausted after all the celebrations and I actually look forward to a quiet January.
The Christmas meeting for the Wessex Women's Network is on Thursday 15th December. Jason Noble a singer and songwriter will be entertaining us and you will be-able to purchase his latest single Be Mine This Christmas. Jason is registered blind and this single is raising money for the Royal National Institute of Blind People. For more information visit www.facebook.com/beminethischristmas or www.youtube.com and search for Jason Noble/Be Mine This Christmas. I hope to have a full house for this event so book early so as not to be disappointed.
If you are looking for ideas for Christmas can I suggest you put 'How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be' By Jack Canfield on your Christmas list. A great motivational book and I read it for the third time while I was on holiday.
Finally a quote from Lou Holtz
'If you are bored with life, if you don't get up every morning with a burning desire to do things -- you don't have enough goals'
Thankfully I've never been bored in my life!
Avril
Sunday, 20 November 2011
Saturday, 29 October 2011
Women in Politics
It was a full house on Wednesday October 26th to hear Christina Dykes talk to us about women in politics and what an interesting and inspiring evening it turned out to be. Women are still under represented in Parliament and on the Boards of Directors and an interesting discussion developed amongst the women about trying to succeed in a chosen career and be a Mother, wife and often a carer for elderly parents. I don't know what the answer is but I do know that at no other time in history has so much been expected of women and maybe we only have ourselves to blame? I have been looking after my 6 year old granddaughter this week [it's half term!] as well as trying to run a busy hotel and I have found it exhausting. Christina was a charming person and passionate about helping women and men to reach their full potential, I asked her to take some of our comments back to Parliament as well as a copy of my book 'Delighting Your Customers" after all we are all customers to members of Parliament as it's our tax money that pays their wages.
I had a wonderful evening at The Mayflower Theatre last Saturday when I attended the English National Ballet's performance to Gershwin's music. If any of you have the opportunity to go and see it do go, not only was it entertaining but the standard of ballet was wonderful with such young talent. I could hardly sit in my seat I enjoyed it so much.
The clocks go back at the end of October signalling that the dark evenings and winter is on the way although at the time of writing this it is very mild for the time of year. The wonderful Autumn colours of the trees can be seen in certain parts of the New Forest but there is still more to come, I always think that the best time to see the autumn colours is the first week of November.
I was a Judge for the Nat West everywoman awards recently. This is my 6th year of judging these awards and I never fail to be amazed at the courage and talent that the finalists have. It is always a difficult job choosing winners but even the finalists will get publicity so it is always worth going in for awards to promote your business. The rewards can be very profitable. The finalists will be announced on November 4th and the winners announced at the Award Ceremony on Wednesday December 7th 2011 at The Dorchester Hotel London. For further information of the Award ceremony and to buy tickets for this prestigious event visit www.everywoman.com
The next Wessex Women's Network meeting is on Tuesday November 15th. Jus Hobbs is a personal trainer and will be advising us on how to keep fit using kettle bells. It's always very important to look after yourself and sometimes we are so busy looking after everyone else we are inclined to neglect ourselves.
Remember to always be yourself as everyone else is taken.
Avril
I was a Judge for the Nat West everywoman awards recently. This is my 6th year of judging these awards and I never fail to be amazed at the courage and talent that the finalists have. It is always a difficult job choosing winners but even the finalists will get publicity so it is always worth going in for awards to promote your business. The rewards can be very profitable. The finalists will be announced on November 4th and the winners announced at the Award Ceremony on Wednesday December 7th 2011 at The Dorchester Hotel London. For further information of the Award ceremony and to buy tickets for this prestigious event visit www.everywoman.com
The next Wessex Women's Network meeting is on Tuesday November 15th. Jus Hobbs is a personal trainer and will be advising us on how to keep fit using kettle bells. It's always very important to look after yourself and sometimes we are so busy looking after everyone else we are inclined to neglect ourselves.
Remember to always be yourself as everyone else is taken.
Avril
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Inspectors Choice 2 AA Red Stars!
It was with great pride that I received the AA Inspectors Choice 2 Red Stars on behalf of myself and my staff at the AA Hospitality Awards at the London Hilton Hotel Park Lane on Monday 30th September. To quote "This is the AA's supreme accolade used to recognise hotels that stand out as the very best, regardless of size or style." After 35 years at the Cloud Hotel I consider this to be my reward for perseverance and hard work. Of course I couldn't have achieved this accolade without the support, hard work and loyalty of my staff, many of whom have been at the Cloud for several years. I think perseverance is a key to success and I hope some of you will succeed by doing the same. It takes a long time and a lot of hard work to become an overnight success!
The Biggest Coffee Morning held at The Cloud Hotel on Friday 30th September in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support raised £520-00. The weather was glorious and most people sat and enjoyed their coffee and the chef's scrumptious chocolate brownies in the garden soaking up the warm sunshine. Many thanks to all who came and supported us.
This Indian summer has been a bonus and I hope some of you have been able to take advantage of the sunshine before winter sets in. My customers have loved being able to get out into The New Forest and enjoy this wonderful weather.
The next Wessex Women's Network meeting is on Wednesday October 26th 6-30pm when Christine Dyke will be speaking about women in politics. I hope I have the pleasure of welcoming you to what promises to be an interesting and enjoyable evening. Karl Jones of KN Design has designed a new web site for the Wessex Women, please let me have your feedback and any thoughts you may have not only about the website but also the meetings.
The National Everywoman Conference to be held in London on Tuesday November 1st is an event, in my opinion not to be missed. It provides the ideal opportunity for female entrepreneurs to meet other successful women and to hear how they have started their businesses from scratch and turned them into successful businesses. I have learnt so much from attending these conferences as well as having a great time and meeting some inspirational women. I always come away buzzing with enthusiasm. This years theme is The Art of Business you can find more information at www.everywoman.com.
Autumn is on the way and soon the New Forest will be full of colour and we will be lighting the log fires!
Warm wishes
Avril
The Biggest Coffee Morning held at The Cloud Hotel on Friday 30th September in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support raised £520-00. The weather was glorious and most people sat and enjoyed their coffee and the chef's scrumptious chocolate brownies in the garden soaking up the warm sunshine. Many thanks to all who came and supported us.
This Indian summer has been a bonus and I hope some of you have been able to take advantage of the sunshine before winter sets in. My customers have loved being able to get out into The New Forest and enjoy this wonderful weather.
The next Wessex Women's Network meeting is on Wednesday October 26th 6-30pm when Christine Dyke will be speaking about women in politics. I hope I have the pleasure of welcoming you to what promises to be an interesting and enjoyable evening. Karl Jones of KN Design has designed a new web site for the Wessex Women, please let me have your feedback and any thoughts you may have not only about the website but also the meetings.
The National Everywoman Conference to be held in London on Tuesday November 1st is an event, in my opinion not to be missed. It provides the ideal opportunity for female entrepreneurs to meet other successful women and to hear how they have started their businesses from scratch and turned them into successful businesses. I have learnt so much from attending these conferences as well as having a great time and meeting some inspirational women. I always come away buzzing with enthusiasm. This years theme is The Art of Business you can find more information at www.everywoman.com.
Autumn is on the way and soon the New Forest will be full of colour and we will be lighting the log fires!
Warm wishes
Avril
Monday, 19 September 2011
Delighting Your Customers
When I was first approached by Lisa Carden of A & C Black Publishers to write 'Delighting Your Customers' I nearly turned down the opportunity as I didn't think I had the talent to write a book. English was my worst subject at school and as my children will tell you, I don't know many long words! But I realised that I am always telling people to never turn down an opportunity and I was about to do just that so in a wild moment I signed the contract and was committed to write 40,000 words in just five months. It was very hard work but when I saw the book on the shelf at Waterstones in Oxford Street I was so excited that I just wanted to tell everyone in the shop that I had written it. Now four years later the revised Edition is out today and I'm hoping to write another book soon. Never underestimate your talents because you will never know what you are capable of unless you try and persevere.
On Wednesday September 14th I attended the Autumn meeting of the Financial Mail Women's Forum at Fredericks Restaurant in Islington. Unfortunately Jennie Agutter who was booked to be the speaker wasn't able to make it due to her filming schedule and Deborah Hollamby who was to stand in for her was taken ill so there was no speaker but it gave the members an opportunity to network and promote their businesses or events. I met two very nice girls from Bloomberg Bank who were attending the event for the first time and enjoyed talking to them.
Afterwards I dashed home because the Wessex Women were meeting at the Cloud Hotel on that evening and as the Hotel is still fully booked I was needed to help in the restaurant. I wasn't able to listen to Lord Ian Strathcarron's talk but I heard alot of laughter coming from the room and I had some excellent feedback about his presentation from the members who I understand thoroughly enjoyed it. Here is Karen Guttridge's account of his talk.
Following in the footsteps of Mark Twain, Lord Strathcarron proposed "The Moral Regeneration of the Human Race." To draw an analogy from medicine- when a healthy person undergoes vaccination they receive small amounts of the disease-producing microbe thereby ensuring that they do not fall victim to the disease ever again. So perhaps in the same way, we may refer ourselves immune to the 7 deadly sins [wrath, greed, sloth, pride, gluttony, envy and lust] by permitting ourselves to dabble with 'just a little' of each one! It is hoped that our memory of the negative experience [ such as shame] gained by such indulgence will be enough to discourage any further sinning!
Eventually we will be sin free! My mind boggles and as Karen says "Where's the fun in that?"
It's been a very busy week for me and on Thursday I had the pleasure of attending the pilot of a new competition -The UK Business Speaker of the Year. Motivational speaking is a subject I am very interested in and it is becoming an important part of business. The idea is to create an event that will bring the UK's top business speakers to Bournemouth and make people aware of the the brilliant conference facilities in Bournemouth. The final was held in the Ocean Theatre, Pavilion Dance, there were 8 finalists and I was disappointed to see only one woman amongst them. However it was a very interesting and entertaining evening and was sponsored by RT Media a local branding communications agency that has become very successful since it started in 2002. If anyone is interested in developing their voice for public speaking I can recommend an excellent teacher at the Winchester Voice Studio. Her name is Amanda Smallbone for further information you can contact Amanda at amanda.smallbone@me.com.
The next Wessex Women's Network meeting is on Oct 26th when Christine Dyke will be talking about women in politics, I look forward to welcoming you to this event.
I often recommend a book and this time I thought I would like to recommend 'Delighting Your Customers' by Avril Owton MBE published by Bloomsbury. Delivering excellent customer service without breaking the bank. Every one of us can make a difference to the customer's experience in our company often by being just kind and caring.
'Customers don't always care how much you know until they know how much you care'
Take care
Avril
On Wednesday September 14th I attended the Autumn meeting of the Financial Mail Women's Forum at Fredericks Restaurant in Islington. Unfortunately Jennie Agutter who was booked to be the speaker wasn't able to make it due to her filming schedule and Deborah Hollamby who was to stand in for her was taken ill so there was no speaker but it gave the members an opportunity to network and promote their businesses or events. I met two very nice girls from Bloomberg Bank who were attending the event for the first time and enjoyed talking to them.
Afterwards I dashed home because the Wessex Women were meeting at the Cloud Hotel on that evening and as the Hotel is still fully booked I was needed to help in the restaurant. I wasn't able to listen to Lord Ian Strathcarron's talk but I heard alot of laughter coming from the room and I had some excellent feedback about his presentation from the members who I understand thoroughly enjoyed it. Here is Karen Guttridge's account of his talk.
Following in the footsteps of Mark Twain, Lord Strathcarron proposed "The Moral Regeneration of the Human Race." To draw an analogy from medicine- when a healthy person undergoes vaccination they receive small amounts of the disease-producing microbe thereby ensuring that they do not fall victim to the disease ever again. So perhaps in the same way, we may refer ourselves immune to the 7 deadly sins [wrath, greed, sloth, pride, gluttony, envy and lust] by permitting ourselves to dabble with 'just a little' of each one! It is hoped that our memory of the negative experience [ such as shame] gained by such indulgence will be enough to discourage any further sinning!
Eventually we will be sin free! My mind boggles and as Karen says "Where's the fun in that?"
It's been a very busy week for me and on Thursday I had the pleasure of attending the pilot of a new competition -The UK Business Speaker of the Year. Motivational speaking is a subject I am very interested in and it is becoming an important part of business. The idea is to create an event that will bring the UK's top business speakers to Bournemouth and make people aware of the the brilliant conference facilities in Bournemouth. The final was held in the Ocean Theatre, Pavilion Dance, there were 8 finalists and I was disappointed to see only one woman amongst them. However it was a very interesting and entertaining evening and was sponsored by RT Media a local branding communications agency that has become very successful since it started in 2002. If anyone is interested in developing their voice for public speaking I can recommend an excellent teacher at the Winchester Voice Studio. Her name is Amanda Smallbone for further information you can contact Amanda at amanda.smallbone@me.com.
The next Wessex Women's Network meeting is on Oct 26th when Christine Dyke will be talking about women in politics, I look forward to welcoming you to this event.
I often recommend a book and this time I thought I would like to recommend 'Delighting Your Customers' by Avril Owton MBE published by Bloomsbury. Delivering excellent customer service without breaking the bank. Every one of us can make a difference to the customer's experience in our company often by being just kind and caring.
'Customers don't always care how much you know until they know how much you care'
Take care
Avril
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
Back to School.
With the school holidays over I'm sure the majority of you are pleased to see the children go back to school! For many of us trying to juggle children or grandchildren with our careers is always challenging. However I hope you were able to enjoy quality time with your families. I spent two glorious weeks in Tenerife with some of my family and came back to work totally relaxed and recharged ready for the challenges that face me daily.
September is one of my favourite months, there is a certain calm about it however the Cloud Hotel is still very busy in September as the more mature customers come to enjoy a break when the children have gone back to school and before winter sets in. Although the evenings are drawing in the days can be warm and sunny if we are lucky!
I have a busy month ahead of me with networking events and Award Ceremonies to attend. The next Wessex Women's Network event is on Wednesday September 14th when Lord Ian Strathcarron will be our speaker. The title of his talk The Moral Regeneration of the Human Race a sideways look at morals! Apparently a very amusing speaker so I look forward to welcoming you to the event. There is always an opportunity for you to promote your business or charity event during the evening as well as network with the other members.
The revised edition of my book Delighting Your Customers [delivering excellent customer service without breaking the bank] published by Bloomsbury is to be released on September 19th. It is packed with essential advice and is aimed at small business owners who want to help their businesses reach their full potential. It can be pre-ordered from Amazon. I hope anyone who buys it will find it useful and enjoy it.
Talking of books I am reading Alan Sugar's autobiography at the moment and what a fascinating story it is. Like so many successful people he did not go to university and hasn't got a degree but has always found a way to make money even as a young lad. At a time when so many of our young people are starting university I do wonder if some of them would do better to go into the workforce and use their entrepreneurial skills and talents. Not one of the Dragons on Dragons Den have a degree!
Finally. 'There are those who think they can and those who think they can't. Funnily enough they are both right.' Henry Ford
I suggest you think you can, you achieve more that way.
Till the next time
Avril
September is one of my favourite months, there is a certain calm about it however the Cloud Hotel is still very busy in September as the more mature customers come to enjoy a break when the children have gone back to school and before winter sets in. Although the evenings are drawing in the days can be warm and sunny if we are lucky!
I have a busy month ahead of me with networking events and Award Ceremonies to attend. The next Wessex Women's Network event is on Wednesday September 14th when Lord Ian Strathcarron will be our speaker. The title of his talk The Moral Regeneration of the Human Race a sideways look at morals! Apparently a very amusing speaker so I look forward to welcoming you to the event. There is always an opportunity for you to promote your business or charity event during the evening as well as network with the other members.
The revised edition of my book Delighting Your Customers [delivering excellent customer service without breaking the bank] published by Bloomsbury is to be released on September 19th. It is packed with essential advice and is aimed at small business owners who want to help their businesses reach their full potential. It can be pre-ordered from Amazon. I hope anyone who buys it will find it useful and enjoy it.
Talking of books I am reading Alan Sugar's autobiography at the moment and what a fascinating story it is. Like so many successful people he did not go to university and hasn't got a degree but has always found a way to make money even as a young lad. At a time when so many of our young people are starting university I do wonder if some of them would do better to go into the workforce and use their entrepreneurial skills and talents. Not one of the Dragons on Dragons Den have a degree!
Finally. 'There are those who think they can and those who think they can't. Funnily enough they are both right.' Henry Ford
I suggest you think you can, you achieve more that way.
Till the next time
Avril
Monday, 8 August 2011
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
An Undercover Agent?
The subject of the talk for the Wessex Women's Network meeting on Tuesday evening was ' An Undercover Agent' and the ladies arrived thinking they were going to hear stories from a spy! How surprised they were when the speaker Hazel Wilson announced she was a corsetiere and was going to talk to us about corsets and bras! However Hazel's talk was very interesting as well as entertaining and what a fun night it turned out to be with so much laughter. [Hazel has a fantastic figure!] But there is always a serious side to our meetings when members are given the opportunity to give a short presentation about their business or any events, including charity events, they may be organising. Jan and I have witnessed members grow not only their business but also their confidence and it has given me personally great pleasure to be part of it. Sharing experiences with like minded women helps encourage women to reach their full potential in their business life and their personal life.
Many of the members of the Wessex Women's Network are Mothers and the meetings give us the opportunity to share our family problems with each other and to realise we are not alone! Being a Mum is often more stressful than running a large business and it is important for us Mums to be-able to have some fun and let our hair down too, whatever our age!
It's the school holidays at the moment and that is always a stressful time for Mums trying to keep the children occupied and I smiled to myself today when I asked my eldest daughter how are things she replied "we're trying to work our way through the school holidays" Probably the sentiment of a lot of Mums.
On July 17th a Charity Cream Tea was held at the Cloud Hotel as part of the Hampshire Food Festival and a grand total of £811-00 was raised that was shared between Naomi House Hospice and Beaulieu Countryside Education Trust. Our next charity event will be the 'World's Biggest Coffee Morning' to be held at the Cloud Hotel on Friday September 30th in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Please put it in your diary because everyone is welcome, we hope to raise a lot of money.
The following day I had the pleasure of being interviewed on Radio Solent by Katie Martin about running a bed and breakfast. However as in most of my interviews Katie was more interested in my career as a Tiller Girl but as they say all publicity is good and I have learnt never to say no to any opportunities that are offered to me that will promote my business. A lesson to be learnt by all businesswomen.
The next Wessex Women's meeting is on Wednesday September 14th when author Lord Ian Strathcarron talks about the The Moral Regeneration of The Human Race. The mind boggles?
I hope you are all enjoying the summer months and having some time to unwind, relax and maybe read. Have any of you read Jonathan Livingstone Seagull by Richard Bach? If you haven't may I suggest you do because it is a brilliant book and can be read in a day. I just love it and it helped to change my life in times of despair. It taught me life is for living.
"Everyday brings a chance for you to draw in a breath, kick off your shoes and dance" Oprah Winfrey.
And how I love to dance!
Avril
Many of the members of the Wessex Women's Network are Mothers and the meetings give us the opportunity to share our family problems with each other and to realise we are not alone! Being a Mum is often more stressful than running a large business and it is important for us Mums to be-able to have some fun and let our hair down too, whatever our age!
It's the school holidays at the moment and that is always a stressful time for Mums trying to keep the children occupied and I smiled to myself today when I asked my eldest daughter how are things she replied "we're trying to work our way through the school holidays" Probably the sentiment of a lot of Mums.
On July 17th a Charity Cream Tea was held at the Cloud Hotel as part of the Hampshire Food Festival and a grand total of £811-00 was raised that was shared between Naomi House Hospice and Beaulieu Countryside Education Trust. Our next charity event will be the 'World's Biggest Coffee Morning' to be held at the Cloud Hotel on Friday September 30th in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Please put it in your diary because everyone is welcome, we hope to raise a lot of money.
The following day I had the pleasure of being interviewed on Radio Solent by Katie Martin about running a bed and breakfast. However as in most of my interviews Katie was more interested in my career as a Tiller Girl but as they say all publicity is good and I have learnt never to say no to any opportunities that are offered to me that will promote my business. A lesson to be learnt by all businesswomen.
The next Wessex Women's meeting is on Wednesday September 14th when author Lord Ian Strathcarron talks about the The Moral Regeneration of The Human Race. The mind boggles?
I hope you are all enjoying the summer months and having some time to unwind, relax and maybe read. Have any of you read Jonathan Livingstone Seagull by Richard Bach? If you haven't may I suggest you do because it is a brilliant book and can be read in a day. I just love it and it helped to change my life in times of despair. It taught me life is for living.
"Everyday brings a chance for you to draw in a breath, kick off your shoes and dance" Oprah Winfrey.
And how I love to dance!
Avril
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