The Kanchi Blog

Posted on

29th September 2010

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Kanchi News

“Guys, get a grip! Get on with it and good luck!” With these words of wisdom, George Hook addressed all the impressive business women, and one or two men, at the WMB Awards on Monday at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin. (Maybe not those words exactly, but pretty much.) He agreed with the other panellists that there’s never been a better time for women in business. Sure we have our challenges but as a “bald, fat and ageing man working in TV, who doesn’t!”

But aside from George’s grumblings, the excitement and tension at the WMB was palatable. Kanchi’s and Ireland’s first social franchise, “the Ability Awards” was nominated for the Accenture WMB Big Idea Award. Nobody was more surprised than Caroline when she was asked to the stage to accept the Award from Marian Corcoran, Head of Management Consulting in Accenture. Winning this Award is such a wonderful recognition of all the hard work, dedication and passion put into creating and rolling-out the Ability Awards programme by everyone who has worked with Caroline and Kanchi over the last 10 years.

Everyone thanks their sponsors but this win is their’s also. It was over a cup of coffee between Danuta Gray (CEO of O2) and Caroline that really got the ball rolling in Ireland and led to the launch of the first O2 Ability Awards 5 years ago. With the support of Denis O’Brien, PricewaterhouseCoopers, FÁS, Newstalk, the Irish Times and RTÉ, Kanchi ran the 4th cycle of the O2 Ability Awards this year and they were a huge success.

Moreover, we were thrilled to witness the launch of the Telefonica Ability Awards in Spain this year. Against all odds, including the grounding of all flights because of volcanic ash from Iceland (who puts that in their project plan?!), Caroline and Ian trekked across Europe to help launch the Telefonica Ability Awards – what a proud and memorable day. Telefonica really do share and believe in Kanchi’s vision. (Yes, there was a man involved in making it happen!)

Finally, there would be no Ability Awards if not for those organisations that think and act differently in relation to people with disabilities. They really are the change makers and we would like to dedicate this Award to all the Ability Companies in Ireland and in Spain who have participated in the Ability Awards. Congratulations and well done!

Good luck to all the organisations who decide to follow their lead and take the first step on their journey to becoming an “Ability Company” – we look forward to meeting you along the way!