Debra Searle who defied the odds and the critics when she rowed single-handedly across the Atlantic in her boat The Troika, is to deliver a major motivational talk to business owners as part of the Cork City and South Enterprise Boards’ NEW Business Network on February 29th in the Rochestown Park Hotel.

When Debra's rowing partner left her alone at sea less than two weeks into a transatlantic rowing race, the sceptics gave her little chance of surviving the harsh conditions, loneliness and physical toll that faced her. The odds were stacked against her: most people would have seen the obstacles and adversity that loomed and would have quit. Yet in one of the World’s most inspiring adventures, Debra faced down those obstacles and 111 days later she rowed into Port St Charles, Barbados, to a rapturous welcome from friends, family, supporters and the world's media.

Debra will share this experience with Cork business people on February 29th. This event is an absolute must for every business person who is trying to keep positive and overcome obstacles in 2012 and beyond, as Debra will share powerful tools and techniques that she used to survive and keep on going in her journey alone, that we can use in our everyday and business lives. Debra Searle is not just a woman with an amazing story to tell. She is also an accomplished business woman having started her first company aged 24 and her second aged 27. She is a managing director, the youngest Trustee of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, a published author and has presented over 40 programmes for the BBC.

Debra's overwhelming positivity and 'go for it' attitude are contagious. Through her own experiences she has helped numerous businesses, both large and small, to choose the right attitude, however impossible the end goal may seem. She has worked with organisations including IBM, Ford Motor Co., Microsoft, KPMG and England Rugby to get them to successfully step outside their comfort zone and thrive; find the positives when everything is changing; focus only that which can be changed; and stay motivated and determined, even when the journey only seems to be getting harder.

Sponsored by Cork City and South Cork Enterprise Boards and QED Training, Debra Searle will be speaking at the NEW Network in the Rochestown Park Hotel on Wednesday 29th February 2012 (Arrival and Networking from 6pm).
Members of the NEW network can attend this event as part of their annual membership. Non-members must register and the event fee of € 25 will apply.
Annual membership of NEW is €60 and new members should register for the network on www.sceb.ie or call 021 4975281 / 021 4961828.
To register for the event go to (http://conta.cc/DebraSearleCork) or call Joanne on 0872882688.