Although daunting for some at first, once you get into the swing of networking it’s hugely rewarding and great fun!

Building a network of people around you who you trust, know and respect is a great way to generate contacts.

This is why the group you join needs to become your premier sales team and why we must work together to make it just that.  In our groups we only allow one lady per profession to be represented and although we aim to balance the industry groups and grow the group strategically we do need your help.

It is much better to be part of the same group with ladies who you can do business with rather than have too many strangers thrown together.

To be successful at networking relationships need to be foremed and often this can take time to develop.

By helping us grow your group by introducing ladies you know into the network, will help you get results quicker.  Alternatively please let your Regional Director know if there are any companies you would benefit from networking with and we’ll invite them along.  You will have the best understanding of a potential strategic partner for you than we will.

“Building a network of people around you who you trust, know and respect is a great way to generate contacts”

The Athena Network, UK’s premier business networking organization for women launched in Singapore in September 2011.

A huge success in the UK since 2005, The Athena Network was founded by Jacqueline Rogers to provide business women with opportunities to meet like-minded women from a wide range of industry sectors. The network has now grown to 26 franchisees, 2600 networking members across 30 regions already throughout the UK.

Spearheading the Singapore/Asia Pacific Athena Network launch is “rock chick entrepreneur” Gina Romero, who previously served as Athena Operations Director and Regional Director of the North London area. Now based in Singapore with her family, Gina is poised to launch the Athena Network in the Asia Pacific Region, alongside her brand “Business Rocks!”.

Gina is excited to bring resources, training, events and expertise to start ups and small business owners in Singapore. “Singapore has a thriving community of small businesses and entrepreneurs. I am very excited about the opportunity to bring the Athena brand here to APAC. My vision is to create a dynamic community of inspired women who come together for personal and professional development, fun and of course to open the door to bigger and better business opportunities for all. I believe the key to success in business is collaboration and Athena is a wonderful platform for women to learn, grow and connect.”

Along with the Athena brand, Gina brings with her 6 intense years of IT experience, creativity, logic, boundless energy and savvy business ideas, much of which she attributes to Athena. “Joining the Athena Network was one of the best business decisions I ever made. I had amazing success as a member and I put this down to the support I have received from other members and the founder of Athena Jacqueline Rogers over the years. Being part of the Athena head office team, was a phenomenal experience and I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work with so many outstanding business women. I am extremely proud to be an Athena woman and I am delighted to be an ambassador for the Athena Brand here in Singapore and Asia Pacific.”

As part of the team supporting Gina with The Athena Network launch is Claire Kidd, a fellow UK expat and associate of Gina in Singapore. Claire has over seven years experience in the corporate world as a facilitator and trainer and is looking forward to assisting The Athena Network launch. Claire is a published magazine writer and is excited about extending her professional network through Athena by helping others with their written content requirements. A certified NLP practitioner, Claire is passionate about empowering people to define and achieve their goals by using innovative techniques.

Gina and her team, along with all the women of The Athena Network look forward to bringing the opportunity to attend fun, focused networking events, trainings and coaching in business and personal development to the dynamic business community of women in the region.

For more details of the Athena meeting in Singapore and/or to reserve your place, please contact:

Gina Romero
Email: gina.romero@theathenanetwork.com
Tel: + 65 8511 6912
Twitter: @gina_romero

… The Premier Networking Organisation for Women In Business

People love to do business with individuals or businesses that have been recommended to them. Every day, just by talking to people, we’re passing on business leads.

Business Networking Really Works!

Focusing exclusively on women in business fulfilling a business development role, The Athena Network offers inspiring opportunities to engage with business owners and decision makers from diverse industry sectors. Founded on values of respect and integrity, Athena groups are committed to welcoming members and visitors in a relaxed, mutually supportive and ethical environment.

Why Join The Athena Network?

The business was founded to provide women in business with opportunities to make strategic connections with professionals in a wide range of industry sectors.

At the heart of Athena’s activities, networking groups meet each month over a good lunch in an attractive venue to make new contacts, develop valuable business expertise and explore visionary ideas. Additional local and regional initiatives provide excellent membership value, through motivational workshops on networking skills and business planning, social events, training courses, business retreats and one-to-one consultancy services.

Vibrant and fast-growing, Athena is the UK’s premier business networking organisation for women in business and is establishing a significant international presence.

To find out more about a group meeting near you please view attend a meeting or telephone us on 0845 004 9262.

We look forward to welcoming you to one of our meetings

You founded The Athena Network five years ago, why did you choose networking for your business?

I rather think it chose me! I had worked for Thomson NETg for nearly 12 years in project management, consultancy and latterly sales. During those 12 years the majority of my meetings were scheduled by a telemarketing team.

You can imagine my surprise when I set up my coaching and training business ‘Phoenix Potential’ to find I needed to source my own clients … a culture shock to say the least. Business advisors suggested networking, I couldn’t think of anything more abhorrent but made the effort so I could, at the least, go back to my business advisor to say that I had done it.

I attended several breakfast networking events and was challenged. I consider myself to be a confident women but at these meetings my knees would knock and I didn’t know what to say. When I spoke to the organisers about this I was advised that “you will just get used to it”. I didn’t want to spend an indefinite period of time ‘getting used to it’ but didn’t know how else to improve. A friend advised me that there was a networking group for ladies being launched in Watford and I made the decision that this would be my one last attempt at it. I loved it!

With a background in business development, corporate training and motivation, I recognised that what was currently being offered could be improved upon with the inclusion of training and a simple replicable business model.

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