WOMEN WHO INSPIRE
Profiles by Tim Aldred
than 10 years of searching couldn’t find appropriate training.
She launched DanceSyndrome in 2019. Late last year, the award-winning project was chosen as part of the Arts Council’s National Portfolio and as a result was granted £300,000 funding.
Why she inspires
“Jen is a charity founder and inspiring volunteer who has received national acclaim for her work. DanceSyndrome has had a massive impact on so many lives.”
Hannah Allen Chief executive, Blackburn Youth Zone
A key aspect of Hannah’s role is building partnerships with local businesses to secure the future of the centre, which provides affordable activities and skills development for five to 19-year-olds in the town.
Hannah was also instrumental in the creation of a similar youth zone in Darwen, which last year smashed its £250,000 funding goal to become a permanent fixture in the town.
Why she inspires
“Growing the Youth Zones through her energy and drive, and her support for her local communities.”
Andrea Challis Chief executive, Partingtons
Andrea is the joint owner and chief executive of The Partington Group, a successful and growing family run business which operates holiday home parks in the North West.
A passionate supporter of local businesses and the community, she is a member of Blackpool tourism’s recovery group, serves as a director of Blackpool Tourism Bid, sits on the board of Blackpool and the Fylde College and volunteers her time at Blackpool’s Trinity Hospice. Andrea was appointed as a deputy lieutenant of the county in July and is the interim chair of Marketing Lancashire.
Why she inspires
Jen Blackwell Director, DanceSyndrome
Jen Blackwell is the founder of DanceSyndrome. She has Down’s syndrome herself and always wanted to be a community dance worker, but after more
“Andrea champions the tourism sector and is a strong, vocal advocate for the county. She has also worked hard to guide her business and the wider industry out of the pandemic and move it forward.”
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LANCASHIREBUSINESSVIEW.CO.UK
Karen Tems Director
/karen-tems-5963a6a
GOING DEEP IS BEST FOR NETWORKING
Networking is all about building relationships. But, contrary to what some believe, the biggest value in those relationships comes from depth, not breadth.
Have you ever heard someone complain that networking is ‘always the same faces’? Well send that person my way and I’ll be happy to give them a talking to. Because a fundamental misunderstanding about networking is that it’s about meeting as many people as possible and giving them your sales pitch.
The reality is that networking works when you take the time to get to know people on a deeper level, and they do the same with you. Because would you buy from someone you didn’t really know, or refer them to one of your valued contacts, just because they gave you a business card?
No, you’d want to get to know them first. You’d want to build up an understanding of what they do and a trust in their capabilities that only comes from a deeper knowledge of that person.
If you walk into a room of over 100 people, what’s the likelihood you can get to know every single one of them on a deep level through the course of a single event? Even if you were to focus in on one person you’d really like to get to know, relationships are not built in a day, never mind over a single lunch.
So if your idea of networking is attending lots of different events and then never seeing those people again, you’re missing the point. If instead you find the right group and commit to getting to know its members on a deep level over time, that’s when you’ll see the rewards.
The Business Network Central & East Lancashire hosts a variety of
networking events at quality venues across Lancashire. To find out more, go to
www.bncel.co.uk
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WOMEN IN BUSINESS
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