Penny Bailey - The Visionary Librarian
Penny Bailey set up her company, Bailey Solutions, in 2002. It specialises in supplying library software and information systems for professional firms, government departments, charities and colleges. "I'm proud to be a managing director in computing, which is still a male dominated industry” says Penny.
The inspiration
Penny was working in the legal library sector as a librarian and consultant, and the existing library software products on offer constantly frustrated her. Most were too complicated to use efficiently and too costly. So she decided to write her own. “I suddenly thought why not sell my own software? Also on a personal level, the timing was right to take on the challenge. I was tired of commuting into London and had been struggling to find a child friendly employer locally”.
Getting started
Penny advises: "It's important to get as much help as you can." She joined Women in Business, a networking organisation, which gave her the opportunity to meet and learn from other women like her. Penny says this was a useful and essential experience.
A leadership course helped Penny learn how to make tough decisions. Negotiating was also a tough skill to master, yet necessary to avoid being taken advantage of as a small company. “I've learnt that you really need courage and determination in negotiations."
Penny's top tips
- Have self-belief: Don’t undersell yourself, your products or your services - a trait more common in women.
- Know your stuff: Make sure you are always thoroughly prepared. If you are confident and competent, your professionalism will be recognised.
- Get expert help: Accept you don't have to have all the answers yourself; you can seek the expertise you need elsewhere.
Penny's achievements were recognised with a Best Technology Award from the British and Irish Association of Law Librarians and a shortlisting for Director of the Year award from The Institute of Directors.
