Joni is the Regional Director of Athena Bristol.

She started her career as a psychologist researching how we learn to communicate. This interest led her to train teachers and business people, write books, run a global chain of schools and finally set up her own highly successful language school in Oxford.
Then in 2001 she moved with her husband and daughter to New York just in time to watch the twin towers come down. Living in central Manhattan, at the top of a skyscraper, gave her a bird’s eye view that day. It also made her realise that life is fragile and that we must use every precious moment wisely. Under these unusually stressful circumstances she and her husband decided to part company. Joni moved to their chateau near Toulouse and spent several years writing (unpublished….so far!) novels whilst setting up social networking for Brits in SW France.

Moving back to Oxford in 2009 she developed a corporate income stream for a national women’s charity. This work opened her eyes to the multiple disadvantages of many women. She saw that they had almost no resilience to life’s knocks yet encountered them so often. She knew then that she wanted to put together a programme that would help all women, and men, develop this resilience – so that sadness or emotional upset does not develop into clinical depression. She wrote The Happiness Programme as a step by step practical approach to restructuring one’s life to make it much happier. Today she is starting out to market her innovative work as a ‘happiness coach’.

She first came to Athena to learn how this work could be furthered by networking in Oxford. But she loved the Athena model and knew immediately she wanted to run a group herself. And so was born Athena Bristol.
‘I’ve lived in London, Paris, Rome and New York – just like the Chanel bottle! When you find yourself somewhere new, networking skills are essential. Just as they are when you set up a new business. And a major aspect of The Happiness Programme is the importance of building strong networks. Without these we don’t take risks and we easily get dejected and isolated. Networks are key to living life to the full and to achieving success in business.’

Shortly after starting a new business with her husband, Rachel joined the Athena Network in September 2010 in the hope it might create some sales leads. What she hadn’t expected was the overwhelming support, friendship, positive energy and phenomenal networking being an Athena member would also bring. It was this experience and the desire to offer it to a new group of businesswomen which has led her to become a Regional Director for Swindon and the surrounding area.

A natural ‘people person’, Rachel’s career started off in the hospitality sector – she was the UK’s youngest pub landlady at The Grapes in Pease Pottage, West Sussex at just 19 years old before she moved into the field of Human Resources in her early twenties. After 8 years with a large multi-national company, gaining a great deal of corporate experience and capability in generalist HR as well as writing and delivering training workshops both in the UK and abroad, she decided she wanted to work with smaller businesses. Following a move to Oxfordshire, the ideal opportunity presented itself with Business Link MKOB, part of the government’s initiative to support small to medium sized businesses. Rachel worked with more than 300 SME’s of many different business types, helping them with their HR challenges, Investors in People accreditation and delivering both business and personal development. Changes in the Business Link model offered a natural transition into running her own HR and training consultancy where she was able to fulfil her passion of working with SME’s and she was able to add business mentoring and coaching to her portfolio of services.

After becoming a mum in 2006, Rachel continued to juggle her career and motherhood, remaining in the HR, recruitment and development field until she and her husband set up Goddard & Son www.goddardandson.co.uk, a bespoke kitchen design, manufacturing and installation business in 2010. Despite the challenging trading conditions, the company is going from strength to strength and much of its success can be attributed to the opportunities, relationships and support delivered by the Athena network.

“Now Goddard & Son is established, it just seemed like the logical next step to become part of the Athena team and I’m very excited at the opportunity to bring this wonderful business network to a new area. I’m so looking forward to meeting the fabulous women I know will be drawn to Athena and helping them with both their personal growth and business journeys. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing a woman realise her potential and her dreams and knowing that in some way you’ve been able to play a part.”

Members of The Athena Network in South Oxfordshire recently joined a group of supporters abseiling to raise money for SeeSaw, the child bereavement charity. They abseiled 100ft down The John Radcliffe Hospital building in Oxford. The weather on the day made the challenge even more difficult, with high winds which blew the abseilers about and made the challenge even more terrifying!

Penny Stephens, South Oxfordshire’s Regional Director, has a severe fear of heights but was helped to prepare for the abseil by Lysette Offley. Lysette, a Hypnotherapist, is a member of Athena’s Henley-on-Thames group.

The challenge came about when Jane Elliott, SeeSaw’s fundraiser, asked her fellow Athena members if they could help her find volunteers. “I’m absolutely delighted that we could help” says Penny. “Athena members have been generous with their support for SeeSaw, not just for the abseil, but with members volunteering their time at fundraising events such as the Wallingford Car Rally. Sponsorship for the abseil has also been very generous and greatly appreciated”.

Pictured is “Team Athena” with BBC Oxford’s Geraldine Peers, SeeSaw’s Patron. SeeSaw is an Oxfordshire based charity which supports children when someone they love dies or is going to die. SeeSaw aims to see that every bereaved child gets the support they need to move forward and face the future with hope. SeeSaw has helped over 2300 children during the past 10 years.

Did you think in advance that the wedding of Kate and Wills was going to make you feel good? No – me neither.  After all how many royal weddings have turned into good marriages? The track record is fairly dire.

But I love celebrations so planned to watch it with a group of friends and go to two street parties afterwards.
The wedding turned out to be inspirational.  Not just for me but for the sceptics in the room using it as an excuse for a glass or two of bubbly. (and for every one else as well)

So what made the Wedding magical? It was a combination of what is at the heart of any good business.

1. Connecting with one person.
Kate and William made their vows talking quietly to each other. It transformed a public event into a private wedding. .. which millions happened to watch.

Their connection to each other was communicated in the brief smiles and exchange of looks.  They could easily have been more formal as “befits” a royal occasion.

Connecting with one person is the key: This is just as true of a royal wedding as an email, a speech, a website, a blog post or any form of communication.  Don’t shout to be heard.  Talk to one person – the right person.  Speak in a conversation with a whole person.  We work with people not roles, job titles or companies.  People.

2. Know who you want to talk to / work with / attract / help.
Make choices about the type of client you do want to work with.  The “person” is unlikely to be a prince (or could be?) and may be a mix of real people you know or would like to know.

Imagine your client as one person and get to know everything about them. Their hopes, fears, problems and what they hope for and want.  (This can help you say No to the wrong people.)

3. Plan your environment to suit you.
The simplicity of Kate’s dress, the small size of her bouquet, the green and white flowers in Westminster Abbey, the trees going to Highgrove were all choices made to enhance the feeling of a genuine intimate wedding.

Choose your environment carefully to suit you.  If in doubt choose a place you really like to meet potential clients.  Dare to have your office in the colours that delight you.  The more you make choices that reflect the values of your business the more you will communicate to the right people.

We tend to think the business card and the website are all that matters but of course it is so much more.  Clients may choose to work with you for all kinds of reasons.  People have chosen to work with me because of my shoes.  Choose your shoes with care and be confident about the choice!

4. Be seen.
You are unlikely to travel in an open top horse-drawn carriage and wave at the crowds, but you can let people see you being happy!

Or being whatever the type of inspiration that comes naturally to you and is what your clients need. Don’t lock yourself away  we need to see you!
Being seen and remembered is more important than the precise details of your product or service.

5. Use technology
How many people would have known about the wedding at all without the media?  Help yourself with all the low cost and free internet-based media available today.  You can send your message round the world faster, and more effectively…and best of all you don’t have to shout or spend a lot of money doing it.

May the feel-good of the wedding remain long in your business!

Jean Wolfe
Creative Spark Communications
Spark into Marketing Blog

P.S.  If you have wondered about using social media but not yet taken the plunge I am running a face to face workshop in Maidenhead next Tuesday in honour of the Royal Wedding! (Plus a webinar series which starts a week later.)
Workshop Tuesday 17th May 2011.

“Get started in social media”

Do you want to get started with social media but don’t know where to begin?

Twitter and facebook are constantly in the news and you could be missing out if you do not have a presence on line. It is easier to learn from a real person in a room rather than working out how to do it yourself on line.

In this morning workshop you will
* take your first steps on the three main social media sites,
* discover how to spend your time effectively
* develop the approach that will result in social media success.

The group is kept small so that you have a chance for personal attention. Before you come along you will be given some questions to think about which will help you make the most of your time at the workshop.

Cost: £ 149 reduced to £ 50 in honour of the Royal Wedding! It is good to have something to celebrate!

Place: Norden Farm Centre for the Arts Altwood Road, Maidenhead. SL6 4PF You may have heard that Norden Farm has been hurt by the financial cuts, so I want to offer support. (The room we meet in is lovely.) Bring your laptop.Time: 9:30 – 12:30

Course leader: Jean Wolfe helps small businesses make the most of their natural spark with authentic marketing. She gives talks and runs successful workshops on social media, and helps businesses develop a sustainable plan.

Her previous experience includes establishing international markets in solar power, and helping book authors with publicity.

“Jean you are a natural-born motivator “Alison S IFA,
“I now understand what my business is all about” Jan C Management Consultant,
“We have so many more people booked in now it is amazing, and I am on top of the business “Jenny Y Riding Stables

Send an email or telephone 01628 850082 to reserve your place.

Webinar Workshop Series What shall I write on social media?
You are on social media but you don’t know what to write. The internet offers lots of free opportunities but it can be difficult to know what to say.

This 6 part webinar series held over 3 weeks will get you more fluent with your writing and able to sustain your internet presence.

We will look at what to say on twitter, facebook, Linked In, as well as blog posts, emails and “About Us” pages of company websites.

You take part from the comfort of your own computer or laptop and can contribute to live questions and answers. All sessions are recorded. The first webinar is held on 25 th May at 17:00 BST. (British Summer Time)

Why learn from Jean Wolfe?
Jean Wolfe has a degree in English and is a qualified teacher.  She has worked in publishing companies, edited books and written a large number of business websites.

Most importantly she has a supportive approach and inspires her clients to be brilliant and enjoy their own creative spark!

“The website copy is amazing. You understood the audiences – and our business – better than we know ourselves. We are also now getting a good response to the email.” CB Education and Hospitality markets.

“We are now working with the biggest names in the sector. This is because of your support and belief that I could take the risk and become the thought leader”. RT Third Sector.

“Customers tell us they picked up the phone because our website really speaks to them.” CM Software market.
Cost: £ 149 reduced to £ 99 if booked by 18th May. Send an email through the contact page or telephone 01628 850082 to reserve your place.


Creative Spark Communications, Meadowcroft, Cores End Road, Bourne End, K7 SL8 5AL, UNITED KINGDOM

To unsubscribe or change subscriber options visit: Here

BUSINESS NETWORKING is widely recognised as THE MOST POWERFUL, EFFECTIVE & FASTEST way to grow your business! ‘Sylvia Baldock’ National Sales Director, ‘The Athena Network’

One of my favourite networking books is ‘Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty’ by Harvey MacKay.  His message is – Network from a position of abundance and you will positively ‘glow’ with the radiance of success and attract people to you like moths to a flame!
When your business is growing, your customers are satisfied and you are receiving wonderful testimonials – the aura you exude is one of passion and fulfilment which will draw people to you and result in even greater success.

A classic mistake made by many people when they start business networking follows the next steps –

1. They join a networking group
2. They meet many new contacts
3. They attract new business and become really busy.
4. They STOP networking
5. They suddenly find they have no pipeline of new business
6. They start networking again from a position of famine

Unfortunately – it does show when we are desperate for work, we give off the wrong messages and the results will be much poorer than when we network from a position of abundance!

Whether in a business development role or running our own business – we are all ‘sales people’ and our aim is to attract new customers!

Nothing makes us ‘glow’ more in business then ‘winning the deal’ gaining a new customer or a new contract!

3rd party referrals are a joy – this is one time we do want people to be talking about us behind our backs for all the right reasons!

From this position of abundance we radiate positive energy wherever we are, people pick up on our ‘buzz’ and are attracted to us like bees round a honey pot! Success breeds success!

Do make sure business networking remains at the top of your business development list regardless of how busy you become.

Learn to delegate more of the tasks you don’t enjoy – someone else will do them much better and faster than you and leave you the precious time to do what you do best.
Nothing beats face to face networking – people are buying you and your passion for your business.

Business Networking opens so many doors to contacts we would otherwise never get close to – both personally and professionally.

Think of the sheer excitement of meeting people who could quite literally change your life!

Networking challenges us to try new things we thought we would never be able to – we see fellow networkers rise to the challenge and succeed and it inspires us to follow in their footsteps.

Joining a business networking group provides us with:-

A ‘sales team’ to sing our praises and refer us to their contacts.  A ‘board of directors’ to bounce ideas off and learn from their experience and advice.  A fabulous ‘support network’ to guide us through challenging times and enable us to do so with confidence and flair

The training and development to enable us to unlock our potential and take ourselves and our businesses to the next level.

Testimonial from an Athena member –

Athena has been a wonderful surprise to me, I didn’t join expecting or needing to make friends but that is what has happened. Everyone I have met has been so supportive and encouraging, the whole thing has been a fabulous experience. Plus my first year of Athena membership has given me a very worthwhile return on my membership fees with more in the pipeline and some extremely valuable connections to take forward. Not only has my business grown as a result of Athena, but so too have I in confidence, I am very excited and positive about the year ahead.

Best wishes S.D.

More networking information and tips at www.theathenanetwork.com.au

1. ATTENDEE LISTS – make sure you print off and bring with you to each meeting so you can write notes next to the names. Study carefully and pinpoint who you want to connect with each month in line with your networking goals.
BENEFIT – targeted networking brings far greater results than just randomly moving around.
2. OPEN NETWORKING – aim to talk to at least 5 people before every meeting. Ask the right questions to elicit the information you need to understand their business and how you may help. Show genuine interest and pay attention to what they are telling you so you can use the information when you are connecting them with others.
BENEFITS – makes you look very professional, enhances your relationships and raises your profile.
3. MEETING INTRODUCTION – listen carefully to the benefits of being an Athena member and what’s currently happening in the network so you have the right message to give to potential visitors and fellow business women.
BENEFIT – more new members, more connections, business growth.
4. BUSINESS CARDS – pay attention to cards – notice any new branding, put a face to the card (visitors), use to remind you of their names – people love to be remembered. Make sure your own card is a true reflection of your personal brand and your key messages.
BENEFIT Makes you look very professional and helps you to remember people when you next meet.
5. NETWORKING STRATEGY TRAINING – Pay attention as these trainings are designed to teach and remind you of how to be as effective as possible wherever you network –
BENEFITS – you will stand out as a serious networker and experience much faster business growth.
6. MONTHLY MINUTES – your 60 seconds in the spotlight – your ‘time to shine’ Delivering a well prepared and practiced monthly minute gets you noticed and remembered and entices others to book a 1-2-1 with you. Paying attention to others monthly minutes enables you to answer their ‘call to action’, make great connections and again raise your profile.
BENEFITS – Increased business growth all round and raised profile and professional standing.
7. BUSINESS SPEAKER – designed to be applicable to all of us and on some aspect of business and personal development – do listen carefully, take notes and review after the meeting. BENEFITS – greater knowledge to use in your own business and personal lives and to pass on to others, making you look well-read and very knowledgeable.
8. LET’S TALK BUSINESS – Most powerful part of the meeting – pay attention to detail here – tell us how someone has impacted on you and your business so others will want to use their services too. Offer relevant and high quality referrals and follow up ASAP after meeting, make strategic connections and ask for 1-2-1s
BENEFITS – Makes you look well connected, professional and someone to have a 1-2-1 with, resulting in an extensive network of professional business women, augmented profile and increased business growth.

Happy Networking!

Amanda is a Mortgage Adviser based in Berkhamsted and works for a family run business called B P Sanders and Company Limited. They are independent financial advisers that have been trading for over 45 years, which must prove that they do something right!

Not only does Amanda advise on mortgages but she continues to stay in contact with all of her clients to keep them up to date on their current mortgage situation. Amanda is currently project managing 16 mortgage cases as well as training for The London Marathon and recently competing for ‘Strictly Come Hospice’. Both charity events are for The Peace Hospice in Watford.

It was through networking at Athena that Amanda got the inspiration to take part in these events. Having been a member of other network associations it was Athena that Amanda found worked for her. Throughout the past year Amanda has built up a very close knit group of professional connections. Her other interests include dancing, swimming and working at local gyms teaching Aqua Aerobics. :)

On Sunday 17th April 2011, Amanda will be running the London Marathon for a very worthy cause — The Peace Hospice in Watford, and she needs your support.

You can show your support by donating to JustGiving . Don’t worry, donating is  simple, fast and totally secure. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. Please support Amanda by donating today.
Thank you!

photo courtesy of PS Unlimited

The Athena Network South Oxfordshire celebrated Christmas Lunch at Fallowfields Country House Hotel on 8^th December.

Some 48 members and visitors gathered to celebrate a successful year, to network and have plenty of fun.

Entertainment was provided by the very talented Gill Gee, a member of the Henley on Thames group – aided by her rather impromptu backing group of Athena members!

A raffle and auction, with prizes generously donated by members and vistors, raised a staggering £1000 for two children’s charities working in Oxfordshire -  Newlife Foundation and Seesaw.

The Athena Network North Oxford celebrated a relaunch in a new venue this month.

Members and visitors enjoyed a glass of fizz (rose of course) before settling down for some serious networking. After lunch, guest speaker Peronel Barnes gave a hugely entertaining yet extremely informative presentation on the Viral Effect of Networking.

The group has a broad membership covering many businesses from Financial advisor to Massage therapist, Photographer to Solicitor.

Our visitors could clearly see the benefit of networking the Athena way and several joined on the day.

Athena City & West Essex members sitting pretty at the first ever Athena International Conference, in Mayfair.  The event was an excellent opportunity for delegates to collaborate, connect and celebrate and these ladies certainly made the most of the day.

They made the most of all the opportunities during the day. The business Goddesses all connected and were truly inspired by this great event!

Photograph by Sue Reeves www.suepix.co.uk