On the 5th and 6th June 2010 the team of four covered a 100km route across the Yorkshire Dales – the equivalent of walking from Beverley to Halifax - in just 26 hours in order to raise funds for Oxfam’s lifesaving work around the world.
 
The challenge hungry ‘Beverley Team’ was made up of Hannah Thoresby, Helen and Geoff Bissett and their friend Laura Foley.
 
Hannah Thoresby comments:
“Helen and I undertake a new challenge every year.  Last year we did the Great North Run and this year’s Trailtrekker was the obvious step-up to increase the physical and mental demand and push ourselves even further.”
 
“Between us we have walked in excess of 500 miles during our training.  A fortnight before the event I walked 45 miles from York Minster to Beverley Minster which took fifteen and a half hours.  Doing this challenge with all the other entrants was a personal triumph and knowing that Oxfam will benefit from our efforts is tremendously rewarding.”
 
Helen and husband Geoff Bissett walked 185 miles each in preparation for beating one of the records.
 
Helen Bissett explains:
“The rules stated that our team must start together, pass through the checkpoints together and finish as a team.  I’m sure there will be moments when one or all of us feel we can’t go on, but working as a team we’ll provide focus and encouragement.  It’s a tough course, but we have done the training and have a positive mental attitude.”
 
“As ‘Team Beverley’, we want to raised close to £2,000 in sponsorship and the funds will support Oxfam’s work in relieving poverty and suffering around the world.”

Female entrepreneurs are leading the way towards the economic recovery of the region, new figures have revealed.  According to Barclays Commercial, the number of women who started a business in Yorkshire last year rose by 17 per cent compared with the year before.  Beverley business woman Helen Bissett, who runs Budding Futures Personal and Business Development, said she was not surprised by the results.  She said there had been a clear demographic shift in the way women approach work, which had been demonstrated by the emergence of the ‘mumpreneur’.  Ms Bissett said, ‘these women have decided the most effective way of balancing the needs of their family, and their desire for income and a career is to run their own business on their own terms.  Having your own business does not mean you work less – it just allows you to work when and where is suits you and your family’s needs.’

She said growth in peer group and Government support coupled with inspirational role models, meant women had the confidence to start up in business.  Ms Bissett said: ‘In my experience one of the main barriers to setting up a business tends to be women’s own perceptions of who they are and what they can achieve.  However, women are strongly influenced by role models and high profile entrepreneurial women are opening women’s eyes to the possibility for them.’

Hull Daily Mail

The guest speaker is Helen Bissett who will give the ladies hints and tips about how to become a great networker. 

Based on her own experience of overcoming the networking jitters, Helen will share her secrets, including how to select the right networking group for you, how to make sure that you say the right things to the right people and how to disengage yourself gracefully and diplomatically.  Helen said: “Believe me – anyone can become great at networking with a bit of know how and practice.  This fun session will give the ladies the know how to get to grips with the key skills of networking: who to approach and what to say, following up and seeing your business grow.”  Meet co-founder Claire Burcham is looking forward to the event. “We often think that networking takes us out of our comfort zones, when in fact as women it comes naturally to us.  Helen will show us how to apply and exploit the networking skills that we never even realised we had!” 

As a management trainer in Yorkshire I help managers, leaders and business owners to realise that one of the most effective ways of encouraging a team to function as a unit is to treat each member as an individual and discover what exactly makes each individual team member tick. 

For instance - you need a different approach with someone who is impulsive compared to someone who is change resistant.  Someone who fears change, often panics even at the thought of something that is about to change.  They can close down, worrying about the very worst thing that might happen.  Whereas, impetuous or implusive people can often leap into action whilst they are being briefed, not even taking a moment to consider the consequenses of their actions. 

Therefore as their response and reaction is different - your approach also needs to be different when building, motivating and communicating with the individual members of your team.

Do you dream of running your own business but worry because you have little practical business experience?  If so, you are in the same place that most business owners found themselves before taking that first step into business.  With many years of practical business experience in global organisations as well as running my own business as a Beverley management trainer, I offer professional business mentoring to help you make the bold and effective first step into self employment. 

Are you located in East Yorkshire and  looking to make contact with someone who can help you get your business up and running?  As a business coach and mentor, I work with you to help you learn and apply best practice in managing and running your business.  I can also help you discover the great qualities and skills that you possess already that you can immediately use to help you grow a successful business.

So if you are looking for a locally based business coach and mentor in East Yorkshire - call Helen Bissett.