Women in business
Networking is the key! We've always known it from the earliest days, when craftspeople (they weren't all men!) formed themselves into guilds and societies.
Networking groups are very popular, and it's easy to be dismissive of them, but they can be the best way for some businesses to promote themselves, and for entrepreneurs to access learning and support.
A number of formal networks exist in Scotland, and one which is aimed at newly formed companies is Women in Business, which is organised through the Business Gateway.
I was recently privileged to lead a workshop for the Fife Women in Business group which proved to be great fun, as well (I hope) as providing some learning for the delegates.
Training is something that people think of as having "done to them". However, the workshop challenged the group to see it as something they should design for themselves - and then enjoy!
We talked about how each of us likes to learn - some prefer to be alone with a book or screen; some definitely like to "get stuck in" and learn by doing; others of us enjoy learning in a group or through one to one coaching.
People then drew pictures of themselves learning for fun... "but I can't draw" was the cry. Still, the results were very telling, and delegates went away with a clear sense, in many cases, of where their training priorities lie and how best to tackle their own learning effectively.
Check out Women into Business at http://www.scottishbusinesswomen/womenintobusiness.htm