Episode 107: Why Networking Builds Award-Winning Businesses with Louise Yexley

The Business Awards Show

Our latest episode discovers why networking builds award-winning businesses. Louise Yexley is someone who knows. She runs nine Women In Business Network (WIBN) groups across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, setting up her first group in 2009. I've known Louise for sixteen years, and I cannot think of anyone better qualified to tell us about the power of networking, and why awards are so important in developing the network. Louise has won awards for Best Franchisee, Best e-Business, and Best Networking Group. She tells us how this has had such a dramatic impact on the credibility and attractiveness of her networking business. In addition, it boosted her self-confidence and drive. Louise was the perfect candidate to be part of the Best Businesswomen Awards judging panel. She tells us how this transformed her view of awards, seeing things from the other side. It also emphasises how a robust judging process is so essential to a successful awards programme. Like many networking organisations, Louise had to take the business online during the pandemic. She explains the differences between the physical and the virtual world, and why WIBN is moving increasingly back to a face-to-face model. There are some vital tips in our discussion that will help anyone entering the world of business networking or struggling to get the most from their groups. Anyone simply passing business cards around as they enter a room may need to rethink!

The latest episode of The Business Awards Show once again offers plenty of advice and information for any female entrepreneur. If you are new to networking or awards, want to know how to get more from both, or just want to know more about how the two impact each other, take a listen.

{2:09} How Louise came to run a WIBN franchise.

{3:00} Buying and developing the franchise.

{4:28} Winning two Herts SME Awards.

{6:38} What motivated Louise to enter awards.

{7:56} The impact of winning awards on the networking business.

{9:29} Bringing networking and awards together.

{11:14} The most common networking mistakes.

{12:55} The number one thing to do when networking.

{14:22} The difference between physical and virtual networking.

{19:12} Debbie's advice for effective networking.

{20:39} Finding the right networking group.

{23:05} Creating advocates from networking colleagues.

{24:07} Being a Best Businesswomen Awards judge.

{28:04} Louise's top tip in business.

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Louise: https://wibn.co.uk/page/Louise_Yexley

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wibn_beds_herts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WIBNUK

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wibnintl/

X: https://x.com/WIBN_Beds_Herts