Why you should enter the business woman of the year competition
Former winner Michelle Higgo explains how entering the council for business women's competition changed her work life for the better.
MBOMBELA – There is a lot of networking going on among business- women in the city, and it carries huge benefits for their businesses. So explains South African Council of Business Woman (SACBW) member Ms Michelle Higgo. Joining the council made her realise how many dynamic females there are in Mbombela.
“There are a lot of women who run their own businesses in town. They are dynamic and not snobs so they are willing to talk to you. We are a very go-getting group. If you share your ideas, you will find other members getting on board so businesses band together on a project.”
Another benefit to being a member is that it offers women the opportunity to enter the national SACBW’s Business Woman of the Year competition. Higgo won the corporate category in 2012, only a year after joining the council. The former was a great year for her, as StayEasy Emnotweni Hotel won Tsogo Sun’s award as best hotel in the group under her management, which led to her promotion to also manage Southern Sun Emnotweni Hotel.
Entering for and winning the award was a revelation. “It makes you more aware of aspects if you haven’t concentrated on certain things.” In Higgo’s case these were her responsibilities as a general manager.
“When I entered I sat there and thought, ‘but it is not me, it is the team’. We do everything as a team, but as a manager you have to be aware of how you grow in processes and see how you make your team grow. It forces you to look at yourself and how you can be successful.”
The annual awards have categories for professionals and entrepreneurs too. But first you must be a member of the council. Higgo advises females to join for the camaraderie which exists among them. Women face unique challenges – most will tell you they have to work harder than a man to achieve the same success.
Entries for the Business Woman of the Year close on June 30. Candidates are advised to start preparing their entries early as the required documentation may take some time to compile.
Enquiries: Lasea Swift at nelspruit@sacbw.org
- Don’t miss the SACBW’s upcoming Pjs and Pillow Talk this Thursday.
