Women in Business: Q&As for The Huffington Post in 2014

As many of you will know, I'm a regular contributor to The Huffington Post blog section. I'm currently writing about women in business and have had some amazing opportunities to speak to a whole host of great women who are making their mark in the business world. 

From start-up to CEO, I've had a fascinating year learning more about these women and how they run their businesses. 

Some of my favourite Q&As this year have included speaking to branding guru Michela Aramini, Founder of The Lovely It Girl, Christina Mercando, Founder of Ringly, Kim Getty from Deutsch and Christine Perkett, one of the Top 100 Must Follow Marketing Minds for 2014 and CEO of SeeDepth.

On the fashion front, I have loved speaking to Nur-E Farhana Rahman, co-founder of Knotty Gal and Emelyn Northway and Dorie Golkin, Founders of the amazing workwear brand Of Mercer. It was a great privilege to speak to the legendary Cornelia Guest, and one Q&A which I will never forget.    

As an individual working in communications, it was equally as fascinating to chat to Peggy Maher, CMO at Barclaycard US and Jennefer Witter, CEO and Founder of The Boreland Group. 

Truth be told, all the women I've spoken to are inspirational, each with their own story to tell and their unique advice to share. Whether you're a woman in business, or starting your career in a different industry, these Q&As contain something that we can all take away and implement into our own lives. I defy you to not be inspired! 

Click here to read these Q&As and many more. You can also keep up to date with my Q&As by becoming a fan here. 

In Review: Marketing in the Participation Age by Daina Middleton

I was recently sent a copy of 'Marketing in the Participation Age: A Guide to Motivating People to Join, Share, Take Part, Connect and Engage.' Written by Daina Middleton, speaker and CEO of Performics, the book discusses and offers solutions for how the marketing industry can adapt to and fulfill the potential of a virtual relationship between companies and their customers.

We've seen a sharp rise in the popularity and influence of social media, with customers engaging with brands through platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest on a daily basis. Middleton is a respected leader who has created innovative approaches to the many changes in the field of digital marketing. She is best known for developing the framework of participant marketing, which shifts the philosophy about how brands and people connect, creating new roles and leveling the playing field between marketers and customers. We've seen a sharp rise in the popularity and influence of social media, with customers engaging with brands through platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest on a daily basis, and Middleton's book offers solutions to embrace this new challenge.

Coming from a journalism background, social media and creating this blog has certainly changed the way I communicate and look at the world. I've a keen interest in marketing, and receiving a copy of this fascinating book has come at a perfect time, especially as I am embarking on several new business ventures!

If you too are interested in marketing and the relationship between customers and brands, make sure you check it out!  You can also find out more about Daina Middleton here. 

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