A few of the many highlights such as Global Entrepreneur Week in November saw me visiting 8 schools in 5 days, reaching over 5000 students and flying the School Speakers flag nationwide! From then on it was as though a switch had been flicked and the enquiries from schools started to flood in. So much so that we launched our very own apprentice search and found the rather fabulous Emily who has turned out to be one of the best investments we have made.

We have taken part in government run initiatives, been invited to sit in round table discussions with the Department of Education, and been the driving force in enterprise schemes such as SSAT Go Global and Tenner Tycoon.

In summary, our inaugural academic year has been breath taking, inspiring, hard work and we have loved every second! We are passionate about what we do, and we encourage any school, no matter how small their budget to try our service, a service that provides motivational speakers for schools– helping teachers and inspiring students. www.schoolspeakers.co.uk 01924 277373

The campaign asked 1000 women to name a female entrepreneur and sadly nearly two thirds couldn’t think of one. So Amway, one the leading direct selling companies, is on a mission to find some of the UK’s best business talent. Real people, who are doing real work and having real success. We want to recognise and celebrate talent and illustrate good role models to the younger generation. Being a role model is not about carrying a certain handbag or your personal life!

I work with students on a regular basis and complete a role model task in schools. I have been surprised by some of their responses:

Girls – who do they look up to?

Cheryl Cole – works incredibly hard, business woman, has used her talent to platform other opportunities

Katie Price  - successful self-made entrepreneur, however, most don’t know she is a business woman and cite her make up, clothes and boyfriends as the reasons they like her. They are few Jordans in this world and there is more to life than having a pair of big boobs!

Kerry Katona – most don’t know her talent (singing Atomic Kitten) – what exactly is she famous for?

Coleen Rooney – being a WAG is NOT a career

Davina McCall  - wonderful role model

Fearne Cotton – talented, down to earth

Adele – delighted we have a role model who is size 14 plus – plus amazingly talented!

Lady Gaga – individuality is key, I tell students not to be sheep and follow people. We’re all different and to embrace it 

Boys – their role models are typically David Beckham, Alan Carr, Eddie Izzard, Richard Branson, Alan Sugar, Simon Cowell, Phillip Green, the Dragons.

Role Models are important and are a big influence on what shapes us. I firmly believe I am the way today due to mine whilst I was growing up:

My Mum – who always taught me to have a go (you won’t know otherwise unless you try)

My Headmistress, Pat Langham – who always taught us we were the best & brightest, to have big aspirations, take a risk and do our best. Always have respect for yourself.

Oprah Winfrey – who I use to sit and watch when I was little. She’s courageous, interesting, firm but fair, looks good and has a sense of humour. Little did I know she was the richest black woman globally and most influential woman in America. She is VERY successful!

Since graduating I’ve always had a role model in every company I’ve worked in. Someone who I’ve looked at and thought ‘they’re doing well and I’d like to be like them’. For me, it was crucial to set targets of where I wanted to be and follow how other people did it. Nowadays if I’m having a CBB (can’t be bothered) moment I think of Lord Sugar – he’s over 60 years old and still going strong. His work ethic is second to none, so I think he’s double my age and if he can do it, so can I!

Please nominate yourself or someone you know as Britain’s Top Real Role Model – you could make someone’s day and great PR for them.

Apply here until June 6^th http://britainstoprealrolemodel.co.uk/en

2. Set your goals. They need to be specific, have timeframes and be attainable by you. Start today by writing down something that you want to achieve and why.

3. Make sure you own your own time. Optimise time and don’t succumb to time stealers…or suckers as I call them! Make a daily to-do list. This is simple, quick and will keep you on track. Focus and direct your energies on goals…if it’s not in the plan question why you are doing it? Ban yourself from being sidetracked.

4. Be prepared for the unexpected. Be adapting to every situation and make it an opportunity rather than a problem.

5. Use your wisdom and play towards your natural inclinations and focus on what works for you. Set your own benchmarks.

6. The world is continually changing so ensure you stay on top of your game by evolving your goals to match the changes in yourself and environment.

7. Product passion! Love your business, be informed, enthused and your customer will love you in return.

8. Be your own shop window. Ensure your personal presentation reflects the image you wish. 

9. Create a plan for each goal. Personally, I have 5 practical steps maximum per goal on how I’m going to make it happen. Breaking down into smaller pieces is easier to manage.

10. Create a web of contacts and strategically use the most of the connections. I like the support of a networking club.

The Andy Gray ‘was it sexism or banter’ case exploded across the papers. I watched BBC1 Question Time in horror as Apprentice candidate Katie Hopkins told the audience that women need to toughen up and accept this type of behaviour to succeed in the workplace. I completely disagree. I know she says these things for affect yet I feel disappointed – as it’s damaging for the bigger picture for women. I’m all for having fun at work and anyone who knows me would agree I have a sense of humour. However, what I don’t like is ridicule at other people’s expense. 

I co-hosted London’s LBC 97.3 radio station with Richard Arnold and we covered this debate with a large number of phone calls, tweets and texts – people felt very passionate the case!  One caller said they felt sexism isn’t as bad as racism or homophobia. I think it’s a sad state of affairs to rank them. None of them are acceptable! We hopefully live in a modern day world and don’t have to put up with such hierarchic conduct. I think it was right that Andy Gray lost his job, he was a professional being paid huge amounts of money and wearing a microphone. I learnt quickly during the 12 weeks of The Apprentice not to say anything silly whilst being recorded and I’m a novice! 

I presented at the Westminster Education Forum with one of my YAAN members (Young Apprentice Ambassador Network) on key insights into what young people want from the scheme.

a) More education in schools is needed so students know the options with regards to apprenticeships. Often it’s only A Levels that are promoted as a choice.

b) Better awareness on the different levels of apprenticeships available, lots of people don’t know you can go to university on a Level 3 course (and usually your employer pays for your fees which is a bonus as we know how expensive the cost is becoming)

c) Improved perception on the position of an apprenticeship. It can be thought of in a negative light for those who like to get ‘their hands dirty’ and smart people go to university. This is completely wrong, out of date and couldn’t be further from the truth.

The School Speakers office had it’s first work experience student, Todd Durrell from Shropshire. After spending an enterprise day in his school he proactively wrote to me and persuaded his parents to travel and stay in Wakefield as he was so keen to gain business knowledge. He’s 14 years old and has three jobs – plus about to start a sandwich bar. We all thoroughly enjoyed having him in the office, he accompanied us to meetings and events, even managing to gain £500 funding for his venture! I wish more young people had his drive and passion. Watch out, he could be the next Lord Sugar.

 In London I had a fantastic day with YAAN – Young Apprentice Ambassador Network which I head up. The group consists of 25 apprentices from all over the UK, with different backgrounds and apprenticeship levels. As a group we aim to share our success, knowledge, passion and experience in order to help all current and future apprentices. We will set the standard and show the country the outstanding achievements made possible with apprenticeships. Two key forthcoming events are National Apprenticeship week starting 7^th February and the Apprenticeship Awards June 29th. It’s really important to celebrate success so I’m urging people to apply for the awards and nominate before the deadline 25^th March http://apprenticeships.org.uk/Awards/Awards-2011.aspx.

 I work with Amway http://www.amway.co.uk/ as their Business Ambassador and am excited about a wonderful PR campaign we’re launching in line with International Women’s Day 8^th March. Their message resonates with something I’m very passionate about so looking forward to sharing details with everyone.

 I spoke at Bury College’s career’s evening as part of ‘Backing Young Bury’. The council are doing a brilliant job at promoting opportunities for young people – organising work experience placements (and proper placements not just tea making!) and apprenticeships. We’re working on another event for later in the year.

 My New Year Resolutions are

a)      Ride my horse four times a week

b)      Keep fit and complete a challenge – at the moment looking at climbing Kilimanjaro for charity!

c)      Grow my ventures, School Speakers and Girls Out Loud

d)      Understand political history more

e)      Help young people with enterprise. It’s going to be a challenging year for students and I want to do what I can to help.

 So far so good on the resolutions, 11 months to go……

 The main objectives of the trip were to rest, lose weight and get back into my fitness zone. During the last 5 months I’ve been working non-stop and forgot to exercise. There’s always an excuse I suppose and it’s generally motivation; if you want to do something you’ll make it happen. I had become lazy and a little complacent, too many lattes, sweeties and glasses of wine. Anyone who has been overweight will understand that losing the weight is OK – it’s the maintaining that is difficult. Clothes started to become tight and my bra began developing the ‘Two Tit Effect’ as I call it. This is when additional flesh starts bulging out of your bra and it does not look attractive. Time to take myself in hand and get back on track!

 After a hassle free journey with British Airways, I managed to sleep the whole flight, we arrived at Kamalaya on New Year’s Eve to a wonderful party (alcohol free) on the beach and it was the best introduction to the resort and new way of life. Everyone takes it at their own pace here, lots of people travel by themselves so there’s a very ‘open’ atmosphere – people mingle and share tables at dinner, or you can be by yourself. I’ve met some great friends here. After my initial consultation I was placed on a 14 day detox plan – 14 days??!! I wondered how I would survive 3.

 The detox plan involves exercise, strict diet, supplements, treatments and alternative medicine. I’m going to be writing a full article about it all when home.

In my first week I lost weight, more importantly though I’m back into running and look forward to it again each morning. Kamalaya is a very unique place where every person is treated in a very special way. It makes you question why we don’t treat ourselves in the same manner…why we eat junk, drink alcohol, and don’t exercise…and that in itself is the biggest hurdle over. Once your brain is clear and engaged, the body follows. My cupboards at home have been cleared out, I’ve joined a kick boxing club and organised a trainer. I need help to stay in shape and it’s a priority for me. Maintaining a smaller bottom is one of my new year resolutions! 

I’m nearly at the end now and my skin is glowing, I’m happy and as much as I’d like to stay here forever I’m focussed on plans ahead and work. I’m unsure how to explain all the changes, I just know that I’m leaving Kamalaya a better person than I arrived.

 I will tweet the full article when it’s live.

I have huge empathy for the candidates as I know how tough the process is. It’s physically, mentally and emotionally exhausting! Watching the show from the comfort of your sofa is very easy, taking part as a candidate is a totally different dynamic. Many people comment it looks easy, like a walk in the park…my reply is put your money where you mouth is and apply. It’s not easy. It is business bootcamp and the interview from hell. It takes a bold, courageous person to compete publicly in front of millions against others and cast themselves into the public eye. Whatever our personal opinions are of certain characters you have to at least pat them on the back for stepping forward and having a go. 

This year’s series has been very entertaining with great tasks and some classic moments. 

Favourite tasks 

Episode 3 – Running a bakery – this is physically exhausting. Classic moment when Melissa took over half an hour to deliver a cost price of £1.80 per bread roll! 

Episode 10 – London Tours – this market is competitive and I spent my university summers as a holiday rep so know how energy draining it is to guide. I loved seeing Stella and Jamie getting stuck in and singing! 

Episode 11 – The Interviews – I spent most of this episode cringing, toes curled, watching the show from behind a cushion. It’s a great example to everyone that in an interview you need to be prepared and defend your CV. Joanna did not know anything about Lord Sugar’s businesses which was dreadful. Jamie with his third nipple joke – it wasn’t funny. Stuart ‘The Brand’ Baggs being put in his place by Claude Littner informing him that he is neither a brand, nor a fish, Chris obsessing over qualifications whilst Stella sailed through unscathed. 

Stella is a worthy winner, a focussed work horse who delivered every week. From reviewing the line up in week one I predicated she would do well. If she can handle the tough arena of the trading floor The Apprentice would be very do-able. Congratulations to her and I wish her every success at Viglen in her new role. She is a brilliant role model for women across the country. 

I hope the candidates use this opportunity and PR platform to realise their wishes, dreams and career aspirations. I think there’s a strong chance we’ll see Stuart Baggs on more reality TV, he’s been the most memorable character from this year’s show. I cannot wait to watch series 7 and the Junior Apprentice, both of which will be hitting our screens next year.

Hooray I was very happy to see the back of the snow with the big thaw and normal life began to resume. I started the week with a day in Manchester working on the 2011 strategy for Girls Out Loud www.girlsoutloud.org.uk . We have some fantastic plans which I can’t wait to share once all signed and sealed. The wheels are in motion to launch a pilot for our national mentor scheme for girls 13-18 years old called Big Sister. This article from the Daily Mail http://alturl.com/rhqo7 encouraging girls to marry a rich man as their career path is outrageous. She should wish for our next generation of young women to be more than someone’s dolly bird!

Tuesday night I was with law firm Addleshaw Goddard who run an academy with the local secondary schools and it was their celebration event. It’s a great scheme and I was delighted to give my support. All big corporate companies should be working with the community and in my opinion Addleshaw Goddard show other businesses how to do it. Staff enjoy it, it helps company morale and other people benefit – so win:win all round.

I was back over to the North West to speak at Manchester’s Chamber of Commerce Ladies Christmas Lunch which was a fantastic event. A good audience, contacts for Girls Out Loud – lots of women stepped forward to become Big Sister Mentors – and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Personally, I think one of the best investments you make is some good business cards and go networking. Events (whatever time they are! I like early mornings), Twitter and Linkedin are all great forums. Business is all about people, relationships and contacts. Treat them well and they’ll flourish.

School Speakers team saw the ‘Magic Man’ John Hotowka in action this week and he’s super! The students love him. We work with so many wonderful people who inspire our young people!

Saturday I headed down to London to co-host LBC97.3 with the lovely Richard Arnold. I met Richard after The Apprentice whilst filming GMTV and we’ve been friends ever since. LBC is the only speech station in the capital so 3.5 hours of airtime to fill with no music. Anyone who knows us both can vouch that we like to talk so we’re both in our element! I’ll be back on with him next month after Thailand.