Prowess Conference 07 & policy issues for Minister

Reflections on the Prowess Conference

 

Welcome to just the second post of the new Prowess policy blog. But please don’t let policy put you off – the idea is to use the blog to stimulate ideas and feedback on all things women’s enterprise. The deal is that we raise issues and keep everyone posted on key developments – with the odd bit of gossip and occasional humorous interlude – in return for your witty ripostes and wise comments (actually any comments, within reason, are welcome).

It’s already two weeks since the Prowess national conference in
Brighton (England) which, despite a difficult venue and weather problems, was enjoyed by most of its 300+ delegates. The overall standard of speakers and presentations was good and, as usual, a number of interesting talking points emerged – not least, what the new Women’s Enterprise Task Force will prioritise and how it will operate. (More news of the WETF in future posts.)

The DTI Minister, Margaret Hodge, gave a speech on the first day and, despite depriving delegates of their full lunch & networking break, her commitment to attending the event was much appreciated. We’ve now written to her to follow up some key issues which we can share with you:

1. Data Disaggregation: of all government-sponsored programmes and funds by gender & ethnicity.
2. Benefits bridge & New Deal: expressing our concern at the growing evidence that New Deal is failing many people making the transition into self-employment.
3. Business Support Simplification Programme (BSSP): ensuring that implementation of the BSSP won’t disadvantage women seeking business support.
4. BAME women’s enterprise strategy: need for more action and leadership from government.
5. DTI endorsement for the Prowess Flagship Award
6. Refreshed central policy document to replace the now out-of-date Strategic Framework for Women’s
   Enterprise

We’re hoping to meet the Minister very soon and your comments or feedback on any of the above issues would be very welcome.

Next post later this week………………watch this space.

Women’s Enterprise in the UK – Intro blog

Writing a regular ‘policy’ blog on all things women’s enterprise seemed like a good idea – one early morning back in November. And, before I did a bit of research into the world of blogs, I thought there would be some good examples to inspire my efforts. But to date, I can’t say I’ve found a blog about women’s enterprise which entices me to log in on a regular basis. (Suggestions very welcome.) So therein lies the challenge – how to make a blog relevant and interesting enough to attract an audience and provoke lively, useful discussion? I think the essential ingredients of a successful blog include: §         Regular updates    §         Interactivity – ability to comment and join in      §         Topical content      §         Occasional controversy  §         Readable prose – short, simple & avoiding jargon Easy then?! Well, let’s kick off with what I think a Prowess policy blog could be about – and please let me know what you think. 

I’d like this blog to: §         Provide useful updates on policy developments within enterprise, particularly re women’s entrepreneurship                     §         Comment on political developments which impact on enterprise  §         Highlight and, if necessary challenge, media coverage (or lack of coverage) of women-owned business    §         Provoke debate on topical issues at regional, national (and international?) level     §         Generate fresh ideas and potential solutions to current challenges    §         Attract a diverse audience    §         And, maybe, just occasionally, indulge in a little harmless gossip………..  Ambitious perhaps – but let’s have a go.The aim will be to have at least a couple of posts every week  – the next will be posted later in the week with some reflections on the Prowess Conference – which should give us plenty to write about. In coming months I’ll be writing about the BSSP, the WETF, the WWC action plan and the CSR (free, very stylish, Prowess bags to the first five bloggers to correctly identify these acronyms – or witty alternatives) – and looking forward to hearing from as many of you as possible.  Happy blogging. Jackie Brierton 

(Director of Policy, Prowess)

For more information on Prowess, visit www.prowess.org.uk