20.07.07
Ruth Badger inspires SMART Women in Cornwall
"Work hard and set your mind to it, you can achieve
anything," says Ruth Badger, star of 'Badger
or Bust' and 'The Apprentice'.
Speaking at last week's SMART Women Conference in Falmouth,
Ms Badger delivered a powerful and inspiring speech to an
audience of nearly 200 women at the inaugural conference for
Cornwall's women in business.
Ms Badger shared with the audience her reasons for taking
part in 'The Apprentice' and how, since her appearance
on the BBC show when Sir Alan Sugar finally fired her, she
fled the plush London offices with more knowledge and experience
than she would ever have imagined.
Coming from a professional sales background, Ms Badger spoke
candidly of the importance of marketing and sales for any
business, she outlined key points for business success, from
identifying target audiences, demonstrating unique selling
points and building the dream to 'hooking' in
the customer and closing the deal.
Ms Badger stressed the power of positive focus. She said:
"Focus on what you are doing, and where you are
going by setting goals. Listen to, engage with, and fully
understand your customers. Be proactive, be flexible and most
importantly utilise your time well." She continued:
"The biggest mistake any business makes is to over
promise and under deliver."
Ruth Badger is also very passionate about continuous personal
development. She explained: "You must believe you
can do it by applying yourself 100 per cent to attitude, attendance
and abilities. Know who you are, know where you're going
and know what you can offer."
After the event Ms Badger explained why she felt it important
to speak at the SMART Women conference. She said: "Events
like this encourage and empower people to go ahead and do
it."
A particularly strong list of local guest speakers supported
Ms Badger's appearance, including Carol Wells, National
Vice Chair for the Federation of Small Businesses, Thelma
Sorensen, Chair of the Cornwall Business Partnership and the
Cornwall and IoS Economic Forum, and Lucy Cokes, Managing
Director of the internet marketing agency, Neutralize.
Carol Wells said: "A refreshing breeze blew through
Cornwall today, the wind of change. The 200 women coming here
today to celebrate the SMART Women project and hearing about
the success of women in business is really gratifying. It's
been a super day and I hope it's a day that these women
will remember for a long time, I know I will."
Running alongside the keynote speeches was a range of topical
and imaginatively titled seminars, including: The Future for
Cornwall, Dynamic Leadership, Knowledge Means Business and
First Impressions.
John Latham, Principal of Cornwall College added: "The
aim of the SMART Women conference was to bring together like-minded
business women, to be inspired and encouraged to share best
business practice and in that respect this conference has
been an enormous success.
"Cornwall College Business engages with local businesses
and individuals to offer first class training, industry experience
and professional advice to help businesses grow, we are extremely
pleased that the SMART Women conference has helped to underline
our commitment to Cornwall and the quality of services on
offer."
The SMART Women Project is managed by Cornwall College Business
and has been invested in by Objective One European Social
Fund through Learning & Skills Partnership co-financing.
For further details about the SMART Women Project or general
training enquiries to help your business grow call Cornwall
College Business on 0800 731 7594, email enquiries@ccb.cornwall.ac.uk
or visit www.ccb.cornwall.ac.uk.
For further information please call Tracey Johnson 01726
226670/07884 215188. Email: tracey.johnson@ccb.cornwall.ac.uk.
The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the
Isles of Scilly has invested in the Combined Universities
in Cornwall (CUC) project, both Phase 1 and Phase 2, through
the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European
Social Fund (ESF). Cornwall College, which manages SMART Women,
is a partner of the CUC.
Editor's notes:
Cornwall College Business is part of the Cornwall College
Group; it delivers business skills training, professional
qualifications, consultancy and apprenticeships.
The SMART Women Project is managed by Cornwall College Business
and is funded by Objective One and the Learning & Skills
Partnership.
The SMART Women project is an innovative management training
programme, offering a free management course complimented
by a comprehensive self development programme, psychometric
assessment, mentoring and networking opportunities.
For further information please call Tracey Johnson on 01726
226670, mobile 07884 215188, email: tracey.johnson@ccb.cornwall.ac.uk.
Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439
cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk
 back
to top
|
