Yvonne Stennett – Business Personality

• Greetings, my name is Yvonne Stennett.

You seem to be smiling a lot any secret behind that?

• I’m generally a happy and positive person who believes that the glass is always half full.  If you smile then you’ll get others to smile with you – a transference of positive energy if you will.

Who is Yvonne Stennett?  Tell me more about your family as well.

• I was born on the beautiful island of Jamaica but have lived most of my life in the UK.
• I have two siblings and a son.
• I’m an Award Winning Communications Specialist with over 15 years’ experience working across all sectors, in particular, within arts and business.  I’m also a Fundraiser (including sponsorship), Events Producer and Media Business Consultant – dealing with contracts, copyright/intellectual property and branding issues.  I also work with organizations as a Consultant on a wide range of issues including organizational leadership and governance, transition and change development which sees me working with staff, management, and board members in order to take their organization to the next level.  I’m very much a people person and have been blessed with the art of communication and bringing out the best in people so I’m very passionate about what I do.  I love it when a plan comes together.

Who is your role model ?

• I don’t have a role model per se, but there are a few women who have inspired me.  Some are well known such as Susan L. Taylor past editor -in -chief of Essence Magazine, Iyanla Vanzant, and Maya Angelou – all of whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with.  There are several other wonderful women who have been an inspiration to me because of the work they do to ensure there is equality and inclusion for the communities they are working for.  I’m also inspired by their acts of kindness, tenaciousness and generous spirit.

Can you take me through your educational ladder?

Throughout the years I’m proud to say that I’ve achieved the following:

• BA Hons Business Communications
• Cultural Leadership Programme – International Powerbrokers Programme & Workshops
• Independent Theatre Council – Theatre Arts Management & International Touring
• Skillset / Avril Rowlands TV Studio Production Skills.
• Accredited (stage 3) Institute of Leadership & Management.
• NVQ  Photoshop/Web Design.

• City & Guilds: Business & Marketing/ Information Technology

Absolutely, you have achieved a lot academically, what has been your motivation?

• I like to learn and I never make the mistake of thinking I know everything.  There is always room for improvement and I have to continually improve myself in order to help others to improve.

There are many great women out there doing tremendously well…do you believe this is enough or is there more to be done?

• I applaud these women for the great work they do.  I also think that, as women, we always have to work harder in order to gain acknowledgement, recognition and respect.  So, in my opinion, we have more to do in controlling our destiny and helping the next generation who are coming through.

You are an Award Winning PR, Events Producer, Speaker, Marketing and Business Communications Strategies….what has been your motivation to all these great achievements?

• I have utilised all my life experiences into my professional career. I have learned that wisdom comes from being open to change and growth. This has enabled me to meet many wonderful people from all communities and to achieve many things.  My goal is to enhance the lives of others whether in their personal development, or, to assist them in their business ventures. 

Your experiences span 15 years long, what are some of the challenges in your noble profession and how have you been able to change that?

• Some of the challenges faced have come from the creative industries.  One

In October 2006, you established the Préscience Productions Enterprise Ltd..What is the core objective and activities?

• Prescience Productions www.prescienceproductions.com was established to take control and ownership of my destiny whilst allowing me to help others fulfill their own destiny.   Our core objectives are to act as facilitators to bring the arts and businesses together as we feel this is the way forward.  We also find solutions for organisational challenges in a multi-cultural society including: PR  & Marketing Campaigns,  Organisational Change Management/Conflict Resolution, Trust and Brand Reputation, International Partnerships, Diverse Multi-Cultural Audience Development and Increased Client/Audience Attendance.  Creation and implementation of new and innovative Fundraising Campaigns, and Nationwide Disability Campaigns.  Management and successful delivery of Projects/ Events in a multi-stakeholder and partnership environments within the sectors.  In essence, we make life easier for our clients so that they can get a good  night’s sleep.

With your experience in PR, Marketing and Communications which people or firms are you prepared to assist with your know –how? (Pls sell yourself here for us )

At Prescience Productions http://www.prescienceproductions.com/ we work with all sectors and communities and within our client’s budgets. Our services are tailored according to the client’s specific needs. We start by sitting down with them and listening to their aspirations, we then find a realistic and workable solution. Services range from consulting on contracts and rights within the music, visual arts and imagery, theatre and film industries, creating a press release and targeted distribution to doing a full-scale events production, from a corporate event to a live music and/or arts festival, whereby we take care of all aspects including acquiring speakers and delegates, all technical and logistical requirements, merchandising, celebrities to attend, media and press interest, and advising as to how their event can stand out from the rest. We also specialize in diverse audience development – helping clients to reach new communities by advising how best to contact and communicate with them taking into account their customs and traditions. All this will result in increased attendance to your event and more people through the doors of your organization. We will also fundraise and acquire sponsorship for our clients.

With your mantra “Everything is Possible”…Can you give me a bit of an insight?

• I’m a visionary and optimist and am confident in my abilities. I always visualize my end goal and find ways to achieve it.  I also pray and ask for what I want or may need to help me on my journey. I work with some wonderful associates who are experts in their own right and we assist each other on our respective projects. In my opinion, the only limitations are those that we put on ourselves. Words and body language can tell you a lot about a person.  If you are confident in what you do, then people will have confidence in you.  There may be a few bumps and detours along your  path – this is called life.  As long as you keep dreaming and, more importantly, take action albeit a little step at a time, you will get there. A lot of times people will put limitations on themselves before others do.

If Yvonne is not working what do you do on your free time?

• I love information so I tend to read a lot: books, news reports, articles, research papers, etc.  I also keep abreast of current affairs.  Also, as a Business and Communications Consultant, I need to be aware of what’s happening in the media, business and creative industries to keep on top of my game in order to assist myself and my clients.
• I like to run to keep fit and for relaxation.  I also use this past-time to give back something by entering running events to fundraise for charity.
• I love dancing, all genres of music, films and going to the theatre.

Which professional bodies are you a member?

• I’m a member of the following professional bodies:
• Institute of Leadership & Management
• Institute of Fundraisers Special Interest Group – working with Black Fundraisers either as individuals or those in various organizations who are in a fundraising role to enhance their fundraising skills.
• Member of the Public Relations Consultants Association
• As an aside – I also serve on the Board of two theatre companies who work with disaffected young people, using the arts as a preventative and healing measure.  We have created several pioneering interactive theatrical formats to engage our young people, one of which is held as the standard by Arts Council England.
• I’m also a winner of the Black Women in Business Awards.

In 50 years to come, how do you want to see the Caribbean and Africa at large?

• I would like the world to view the Caribbean and Africa at large as being on an equal par with the global community and society at large.  I hope that we will no longer be seen or classified as “third world”.  Everything originates and is derived from our culture and civilization and we need to be recognized and, more importantly, be respected for that.

What is your resolution for our young ladies and women especially those with Black Communities home and abroad?

• I’m about self-improvement and ownership of our actions and future so, I would like to see our young ladies and women take their place centre stage.  I believe in ‘each one, teach one’ and I make it a point (which may be seen as not being politically correct) to work with and recognize other women in their respective industries and those young women who are coming up.  There are so many women – particularly black women – in the creative industries who are not recognized and given their due respect as being professionals and at the top of their game e.g videographers, stage and lighting technicians, publicists, costume designers, directors and producers who, when given the opportunity, produce some amazing work but, unfortunately, the industry, as a whole, do not recognize or engage with them as par for the course.  When they do, they are commissioned for “special projects”.  This also happens in the business community where women have a hard time rising to the top of their profession.  This is one of the reasons I chose to become independent in order to control my own destiny.

Is there any other thing you may want to say?

• I’m currently organizing my next seminar workshop on Fundraising in an economic downturn which will be held in London on 29^th September 2011.  It’s for individuals and organizations who want to learn about trusts and foundations, philanthropy, new funding models, trends and tips on what funders are looking for and advice on how to fill in funding applications to enhance the possibility of a successful outcome that will help sustain their organisation.

Thanks for your time Yvonne.

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