Local entrepreneur, Alison Delaney, has had a tremendously successful year, but is now enjoying the icing on the cake after taking home the Outstanding People Development accolade at the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce Awards. Already a published children’s author, motivational speaker, behavioural development executive coach, global business owner and the founder of a women’s empowerment platform, Alison is now adding ‘award-winner’ to her long list of achievements.
At the ABCC’s 30th Annual Dinner and Awards, Alison was presented with the accolade, honouring her dedication to ensuring that people make positive strides to recognise their own potential and achieve their dreams. Alison was nominated for her life coaching work across all ages, sectors, and backgrounds, through the work she’s completed with her companies Little Bird People Development, Rise Up!, and her Student Transition Programme.
Speaking about how much the win has meant to her, Alison commented:
“I am so humbled to receive this award; having the work I’ve done recognised on such a prominent regional stage is phenomenal to me. I established Little Bird People Development six years ago and Little Bird Products just over two years ago, and since that point, I’ve been able to work with everyone from schoolchildren through to company CEOs. I’m so lucky to be able to work with such amazing and diverse people, and to be able to support them on their journeys. That’s the driving force behind all the work I do, so to be awarded for that is such an incredible bonus.”
Last year, Alison released the first in a series of children’s books aimed at encouraging self-belief in children. Stemming from her own upbringing – where she was adopted at three months old and always knew she was different to others – Alison created the books to form conversations with children around confidence, resilience and holding on to your dreams.
The debut book ‘Little Chick Has Lunch On The Moon’ is used as a teaching aid in schools, where Alison delivers tailored ‘Dreams Workshops’ around the book’s key themes. Having delivered over 20 workshops to thousands of children in the UK, Alison has also recently visited South Africa as part of her ‘buy one, gift one’ initiative. Accompanied by BAFTA and Emmy award-winning producer and director Mandy Temple, she provided over 1,000 copies of the book and delivered Dreams Workshops to school children in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Port Elizabeth.
“Having worked with many wonderfully inspiring individuals, as well as businesses, schools, and charities the world over, I feel lucky to have been given the opportunity to give back to those around me. I know first-hand how hard it can be feeling, looking, and being different, but now I can appreciate that it is this uniqueness that means we all have something new to give. I am proud of all that I have achieved and I hope I can inspire this in everyone else too,” Alison continued.
So far, over 4,000 children across the globe have received a copy of Alison’s book, and by next year, Alison hopes that more children will have been given this lifelong gift of self-belief with a personal aim of getting the book into every UK school with the help of corporate support.
At the other end of the scale, Alison works with professionals through Little Bird People Development; where she delivers sessions to workforces focusing on cultural behaviours, such as emotionally intelligent leadership, personal brand, leading through change, effective communication, and behavioural profiling and awareness. In addition, she also delivers motivational and keynote speeches taking inspiration from her career, including her own ‘rags to riches’ story about overcoming diversity and obstacles to be a successful entrepreneur. Adding to her repertoire, Alison launched Rise Up! earlier this year, connecting women across the country to form a network of likeminded individuals.
Recognising her work across all levels of people development, Alison’s win at the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce Awards marks the end of an exciting year, leading into 2018, which Alison has big ambitions for:
“This has been a really incredible for me personally, but also the businesses that I continue to help deliver positive impact through. With the help of the people who have supported me this year I hope to continue building Little Bird People Development, including the launch of the second book and the aim to get one copy to every child in every UK school. First on my list though? An enjoyable Christmas with the family, which will include becoming a grandmother for the first time.” Alison concluded.
To find out more about Alison and how she is changing the world one project at a time, visit www.alisondelaney.global, www.littlebird.org.uk or www.littlebirdproducts.org.uk.