Top tips for women in business awards

Jackie Speight adresses the EVAs networking event

The event, hosted by Preston’s College, attracted a range of female business owners, who were seeking top tips and skills to become great candidates for this year’s awards.

More than 40 ladies listened to Jackie Speight, who manages the social media for the awards and Jen Blackwell and Dawn Vickers from DanceSyndrome.

Jen won the Inspirational Woman of the Year award 2015.

The three passed on a whole host of tips to guests regarding application forms and social media.

Coral Horn, founder of the Squires Gate based Pink Link Ladies networking group and organiser of the EVA’s, said: “It was fantastic to meet so many women from across the North West and many attending for the first time at our Preston event”.

“Our roadshows are a great way for people to not only network, but to gain first hand advice in preparation for the up and coming awards.”

This is the third time the EVA’s returned to the city, previously holding roadshows at the college, who are great supporters of women in business and inspiring young women into enterprise. Jen and Dawn, founders and directors of DanceSyndrome, expressed that their social media presence had been increased by at least 60 per cent as a direct result of being involved with the EVA’s.

They went on to add that previously social media had just been a bolt on to the business, but the awards made them focus on it more.

The increased awareness of their charity now helps them when making bids for funding and gaining donations.

Jackie, a company director at Angel SOS, passed on her knowledge about social media. She discussed how the various social media platforms worked and that during the EVA’s process how ladies could use the news of their nomination or finalist position to create positive awareness and the impact of a win to generate followers and interaction.

The EVA’s were launched in 2011 and aim to recognise women who are doing great things in business.

Coral added: “Both Jen and Jackie passed on some excellent points. These are the main reasons why we organise our roadshows – the knowledge potential entrants can pick up is priceless.”