ICE Service

Better Business Engagement / Build Entrepreneurial Capacity through Keynote Speaking

Customer

Beijing Women’s Network with 3,000 members

Background

The Beijing Women’s Network was established in March 2015 by a group of 12 women who were originally bonded by a mutual interest in discussing issues facing women. Testament to the need for this vibrant and supportive network is its rapid growth, in just over 2 years, to a staggering 3,000 members which is led by a committed Leadership Council of 10 women.

The network’s mission is now to create a supportive community of young professional women in Beijing and to provide affordable resources to encourage the personal and professional development of its members. As well as regular developmental and fundraising events, the Beijing Women’s Network hosts a bi-weekly ‘Spotlight Dinner’ aimed at “bringing the community together to discuss current issues relevant to women in the workplace and society at large”. During each dinner, one of the network’s members leads a discussion centered around their own experiences or a topic of choice.

New Insights into Enterprise & Entrepreneurship

I was delighted to be invited to speak about my own personal experience in enterprise development and education, my global work and impact, as well as my passion for driving forward women’s economic empowerment.

Impact

Oma Lee, one of the Leadership Council members, gave positive feedback , explaining that this was one of the most well attended talks she had ever hosted for the Beijing Women’s Network, and that many of the women participants commented on the learning that they derived  from the insights offered. Women fed back that they were inspired in particular by two key messages:

1. “That being entrepreneurial is not merely about starting a business but about a way of being and doing”; and
2. How I navigated life with a family as well as a career, a story which many women present found inspiring.

Oma also explained that “the women who listened to Dinah speak also found it particularly useful to hear about women’s different paths to entrepreneurship and the challenges that they face – as well as their successes. I am bit biased as I have read Dinah’s books so I  felt this was coming full circle and it made so much sense.”

Further feedback from participants included:

“Thank you so much for your talk last night. I listened to your advice, and felt it really empowered me”

“Thank you again for your talk yesterday, I really got inspired and more confident with my ideas”.

“It was so great to meet you yesterday at the women’s network event. Thank you for sharing your story and experience with us. I like the advice you gave at the end to your younger self. It reminded me to take things easier as I like to do many things at one time.”

“I was at the Beijing Women’s Network dinner on Monday and I wanted to thank you again for your talk. It was very entertaining and informative, and the pieces of advice I have taken away include broad shoulders when networking and start generating an income before leaving your day job! I am planting the seeds for my own business in the future and found your talk encouraging.”