Women must become their own best friends rather than their own worst enemies and make time to share and celebrate their achievements.
That was the message from Judy Groves, the marketing director for the Rigby Group, when she addressed the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s Business is Good for Women group.
Around 40 businesswomen from across the region attended the event at the Arden Hotel in Stratford and, as well as networking, got the chance to hear from Judy, a seasoned marketeer and chair for the Women of the Year Awards.
She said: “There is a tendency for women to underplay and undersell themselves. We have a natural modesty that holds us back and makes us hypercritical of what we do.
“If someone pays us a compliment we spend the next half-an-hour explaining it away rather than just saying thank you and accepting it.
“That has to change. We need to celebrate our achievements and promote our success stories – not just for ourselves but as role models to inspire others to succeed.
“There are many successful businesswomen out there and it’s vital that we shout about their achievements – not to mention pitfalls to avoid – and our own because that is what will encourage others.
“You hear people say that there are few role models in business for women to aspire to – there are many but it’s like seeking out needles in a haystack!”
The Chamber’s Business is Good for Women Group meets regularly throughout the year to discuss issues affecting women in business and to promote successes.
Judy added: “We are currently taking nominations for Business Woman of the Year 2013. I can’t emphasise enough how important it is for businesswomen to stand up and share their successes!
“Please nominate yourself, or another businesswoman and let’s highlight and celebrate the success that’s really going on!”
Angela Tellyn, of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We were, once again, delighted with the great turn out from our businesswomen across the area.
“It was great to welcome Judy Groves as our guest speaker. She delivered an amusing and inspirational speech which resonated with the whole audience.”
