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Since the emergence of the World Wide Web
and her involvement with
the delivery of Web Design, eMarketing and eBusiness Strategy training
courses for Business Link Karen has dedicated much of her time and energy to helping
start-up businesses and SMEs compete on a level
playing field with the large corporates. |
Karen sees this as the perfect opportunity for her to utilise all of the
knowledge and experience she has gained
since graduating in 1982 whilst both employed and in running her own companies.
Actively involved in the information industry for many years, Karen's business, was one of the first UK
organisations to offer Internet training courses commercially. This preceded the appearance of a plethora of
Internet related titles, some of which are still around today. Sensing the lack of networking opportunities for
fellow early adopters to swop notes, if not hold hands,
Karen founded and chaired the
UK Internet User
Group
which ran until early 1998 by which time it was apparent the broader Internet community was thriving.
International recognition for her pioneering work with the Internet came in early 1997 when Newsweek
commissioned, Informed Business Services Ltd, to produce an introductory guide to the Internet which was
marketed across Europe, Israel and S Africa. In 1996, Karen was also invited to give an Internet presentation
to both the Chief Executive of Mercury Communications and the Hursley based Marketing Team at IBM.
Since 1994 Karen and her team have delivered a portfolio of Internet training courses to the members of a
wide range of industry associations including:
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The Chartered Institute of Marketing |
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The Institute of Direct Marketing |
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The Market Research Society |
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The London Chamber of Commerce |
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The Institute of Trading Standards Authority |
A paper written by Karen and published by an international journal caught the attention of The United Nations
who co-opted her to work on an international project to develop information services companies in Newly
Industrialising Countries. Karen's company has undertaken a variety of consultancy and training projects for
telecoms and information providers such as the FT and C&W.
In addition to launching Victoria Business Services in Karen's home town of St Albans in Hertfordshire, today
Karen also heads up Keep Informed, a business information and new media consultancy of the new genre,
operating on a virtual model but enjoying the use of well equipped Internet-ready premises in Central London.
Having completed her degree in European Business Administration at the Ecole de Commerce in Reims, Karen
began her career with ITT Components as a Market Analyst reporting directly to the Sales and Marketing
Director. Providing input at the highest level, Karen was soon responsible for initiating projects to streamline
sales administration, enhancing internal communications and rationalising computerised systems. Responsible
for the internal promotion and marketing of an information service and the computing function throughout the firm,
she established an efficient service to 21 manufacturing units servicing and creating demand for hardcopy and
on-line information and implementing change, in line with organisational budgets and strategy. Following the sale
of STC Components, the UK division of ITT Components, Karen helped to establish the French, German and
American sales offices and a worldwide network of agents and distributors for the UK based company.
Joining the ICC Information Group as Training Manager, Karen supplied tailored client training at all levels, and
had responsibility for the customer services and helpdesk functions. She actively represented the company in the
UK and overseas at exhibitions and product reviews. During her time at ICC, Karen developed an in-depth
knowledge of database production and usage, a practical awareness of telecommunications and an insight into
information from both a provider's and a user's perspective.
Karen went on to join the Pont Data Company, providers of real-time financial information, where she was
responsible for the sales and technical support of dealer systems to the stockbroking community. She
transformed internal procedures to accommodate and give a solid platform for the increased business of a
growing company and was a key member of the team responsible for the launch of a new satellite broadcast
quote service.
Since launching Informed Business Services
(1991), Keep Informed (1998), Victoria Business Services (2002)
and eBusinessAcademy.co.uk, Karen has been personally involved in all activities of her businesses,
systematically setting up each company and its divisions, and recruiting a team of individuals chosen to develop
or enhance the companies' activities. Parallel to the overall management and marketing of the companies Karen
also concentrates her efforts on consultancy services which enable her to pursue her own professional interests.
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