How to Win Business Awards
21st February 2020
Network Ireland West Cork will officially launch its Businesswoman of the Year Awards for 2020 on 27th February in AIB Bandon. The event, entitled ‘How to win business awards‘, is sponsored by AIB. This will be a workshop presented to motivate and inspire West Cork businesswomen to enter these awards and reap the benefits. Attending will be keynote guest speaker Helen Wycherley, Director of Celtic Ross Hotel who’s taken part in the award process previously, with a panel of other business entrants and winners to share stories, experiences, and hear the why and how behind their own business path when entering the awards.
The keynote guest speaker, Helen Wycherley encourages women in business to put themselves forward for the awards process, saying “Entering awards is a must do for anyone in business, no matter what the outcome, the process of entering will help you and your business to step back and focus on your productive areas and to raise the standards in your business.”
John O’Doherty, Head of AIB Cork, will facilitate the panel discussion of previous award entrants, sharing their experience, how it impacted their business and how the process worked for them. Helen Walshe (pictured), a key woman in business and is part of spearheading the Flexible Revolution with EmployFlex since 2017. Helen won the Network Ireland National Award in the Rising Star category in May 2019. Speaking ahead of the awards, Helen said “The awards process gave EmployFlex an opportunity to look back and reflect and acknowledge the growth and work we had achieved. As a woman in business it was a great confidence booster winning the Nationals in my category, and undoubtedly widened my network and opportunities.”
Another panellist is Avril Alshire-Howe of winning artisan food business Caherbeg Free Range Pork Ltd. which includes the Rosscarbery Recipes brand. Avril won the Network West Cork Small SME Award and went on to participate in the National Awards September last year. The panel is completed by Maria O’Donovan of Maria O’Donovan & Co. Solicitors. Maria entered the Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2019 in the Small SME category.
Caroline Murphy, now President of Network Ireland West Cork 2020 speaks about her journey and how by winning the prestigious award has seen her business grow and grow. She said “As a great fan of these awards I know first-hand the impact they can have, both on your business and your personal growth.” Caroline added “If I can sell free range eggs and win the National Award, I believe you can also do this.”
All members of Network Ireland West Cork are eligible to enter the regional awards which will take place in May 2020. Winners at that level will be put forward to the National Awards and you can find out more here>>