DC’s Top Ten Networking Groups for Women

Posted in DC Examiner this week by Marissa Levin:

Ladies, I know your time is valuable. I know you have 101 people pulling on you in different directions, all day long. And I know it is so easy to get caught up in the online networking. But the online networking doesn’t replace the physical networking.

Ladies, you need – you crave – your high-touch, face-to-face networking time with other successful women. Let’s get real. We do not want to hide behind a computer screen all day long, no matter how much we enjoy our Facebook postings and Twitter updates. After all, the online universe is no place to check out each other’s sassy summer dresses and strappy sandals.

So where can a successful woman in the DC metropolitan area who has it all going on go to let it all hang out, connect, network, relax, laugh, and celebrate all that she is?

Look no further. I’m here to tell you.  Also, all of these groups are on Facebook.

1: Success in the City. (www.successinthecity.org). Ladies, there is no networking group anywhere – east coast or west coast, that has it going on like Success in the City. Launched by Chief Diva Cynthia deLorenzi, SITC is the place to meet FUN, confident professional women. This is not a place where you will find “speed networking” or get a lecture on time management, marketing, or other typical business topics. Because there is nothing typical about SITC. The events are always informative, progressive, trend-setting, inspiring, and the perfect blend of professional development and personal development. This is an organization that is devoted to the building and strengthening of lasting friendships between professional women and leaders. Trust and humor are the foundations of this group. Once those elements are established, deals-on-heels can follow. SITC women are beautiful inside and out. They inspire me and bring out the best in me. They radiate optimism, confidence, and fun like no other group, and you always want to go back for more.

2: National Association of Women Business Owners – Greater DC Chapter. (www.nawbodc.org). This past year, NAWBO NoVa and NAWBO DC joined forces to create a single DC metropolitan NAWBO Chapter. NAWBO’s events provide exceptional networking opportunities and educational opportunities for women business owners at all phases of the business lifecycle. It is comprised of both seasoned business owners and newer entrepreneurs, and its dedicated leadership work diligently to build highly valuable, collaborative programs that are directly tied to the wants and needs of its members. For women’s entrepreneurial education, NAWBO DC is the place to be.

3: Women in Technology. (www.womenintechnology.org). I have had the pleasure of watching Women in Technology grow over the past several years, and it has evolved into an absolutely phenomenal organization for all women who are connected in any way with the technology industry (and that includes just about anybody).  WIT has an exceptional mentor-protégé program (of which I used to be a proud mentor), which includes one-on-one mentoring sessions and great speaking programs. It also has several special interest groups (SIGs) including Diversity Outreach, Executive Women, Sales & Marketing, Technology, and Women Business Owners. In addition, it has a Girls in Technology Program and a Workforce Development program. Also worth mentioning is its tremendous commitment to philanthropic causes through galas, golf tournaments, and other events. WIT has many committees that offer everyone involvement at some level if they choose to get involved. They include Advocacy, Communications, Membership, Mentorship, Programs, Special Events, Strategic Alliances, Women in Government, and many more.

4: Women Building & Investing in Success – WBIS. (www.wbis.biz). WBIS was started in 2003 by a dynamo named Sheila Dixon. Sheila is so passionately committed to connecting professional women and helping them realize their potential. I am inspired by her every day.  The goal of WBIS is to help independent and professional women grow to their next level of success.  WBIS holds Networthing Nights in addition to regularly scheduled luncheons and other collaborative events.  Sheila’s positive energy and commitment to the success of other women is reason alone to become involved with WBIS. It is people like Sheila that enable all women entrepreneurs to reach their potential.

5: Sterling Women (www.sterlingwomen.org). Sterling Women is the newest women’s networking group on this list, but don’t let that fact fool you. This group has enjoyed skyrocketing popularity due to the leadership and vision of Kristina Bouweiri, CEO of Reston Limousine.  Anyone that has the good fortune of knowing Kristina is aware that she is always looking for ways to connect women with one another, and that she always puts her heart and soul into everything she does. These characteristics are why Reston Limousine is one of the top-rated transportation companies in the country, and why Sterling Women is now recognized as one of the best networking groups for women in the DC area. Kristina always goes above and beyond in everything she does, and Sterling Women participants benefit from her work ethic, passion, and commitment to the women’s community.  In November, Sterling Women will host its first day-long conference – in addition to its monthly luncheons, so stay tuned for that important information.

6: YES!Circle. (www.yescircle.org). YES!Circle is the creation of Margarita Rozenfeld, who is an exceptional career coach, and completely committed to both entrepreneurship and helping others. YES!Circle brings together entrepreneurs from all industries, in all phases of the business lifecycle. Many of the YES!Circle events are held in the downtown DC area. The events provide an intimate setting of brainstorming and learning, and are true peer advisory groups for anyone looking to learn the nuts and bolts of entrepreneurship. One of YES!Circle’s most popular annual events is a weekend-long visionary retreat. The next one happens June 26 – 28, 2009 at Berkley Spring, WV. These retreats are for entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs and creative types who want to get crystal clear about their vision, mission and action steps to get to their next level of business growth. There are still a few spots available, so check the website for details if an immersion in entrepreneurship interests you. Yes!Circle meets monthly, and the meetings are always full of successful, passionate entrepreneurs looking to connect with like-minded individuals.

7: Executive Women’s Roundtable. (www.execwomensroundtable.org). EWR has evolved into an outstanding group of executive women from all facets of business and government in the DC region. This rapidly growing group meets monthly at Maggianos in Tyson’s Corner, VA. This wonderful setting provides great networking opportunities, and the luncheon speakers are among the best that any networking group has to offer. Speakers include leaders and business owners from all types of businesses, government leaders, political experts, national news correspondents, business coaches, chefs, international authors, women’s rights advocates, health experts, and many more. The leadership of Executive Women’s Roundtable is extremely strong, which ensures top-notch programming and ongoing participation from the best and brightest in our business community.

8: eWomenNetwork. (www.ewomennetwork.com). eWomenNetwork has been around for many, many years. What started out as a small networking group has mushroomed into one of the most far-reaching women’s networks in the United States. The group has hundreds of networking events occurring during any given month, and the DC Chapter is particularly active. It is run by Susan Wight, who has transformed the DC chapters (meeting in both Tyson’s Corner and Leesburg, VA) into excellent networking events with strong speakers and great attendance. The unique aspect of eWomenNetwork is its national reach. The founder of this group had a vision to create a nationwide, cost-effective network for women, and she has achieved it. There are annual conferences, an author’s network, a coaching network, a speaker’s network, and many other benefits. You can find Susan’s information on the main website, under Managing Directors.

9: National Speakers Association. (www.nsadc.org). I am a newcomer to NSA, but I attended an event last week, and I know the President of NSA, Susan Trivers. I also know several incredibly gifted colleagues (Sally Strackbein, Jennifer Abernathy, Vernice Armour) that are active in NSA, and they are among the best speakers you could ever hope to see. Not only was I very impressed with the quality, talent, creativity, and diversity of the speakers I saw at their monthly June meeting; I learned so much in the short time that I was there. Professional speaking is truly an art. It is a discipline that requires knowledge in many aspects that extend way beyond an understanding of a specific topic. If you have any interest in pursuing a speaking career, or if you are required to give presentations in your line of work (and most business owners are required to do so), you should consider attending a NSA event or explore their membership options. I hope to be spending more time with NSA.

10: Women’s Business Center of Northern Virginia.  (www.cbponline.org). The Women’s Business Center of Northern Virginia is one of the SBA-run women’s business centers around the United States. It is the flagship women’s business center; truly setting the standard for what all women’s business centers should be. These centers fall under the supervision of Ana Harvey, President Obama’s appointed Assistant Administrator for the Office of Women Owned Business within the SBA. Ana is dedicated to ensuring all of the Women’s Business Centers nationwide provide the resources that women business owners need to thrive. This center offers so much to women business owners. It provides classes in virtually every topic, from writing a business plan to securing financing. It provides excellent conferences and workshops, and is a phenomenal springboard and resource for all women business owners.

So there you have my top 10 list. I hope you found a few resources that you have not experienced, and I hope you have been inspired to get out there and connect with other like-minded women.

One More Resource…

Before closing, I would like to mention just one more resource. The Hot Mommas Project (www.hotmommasproject.org) was launched by an amazing, inspiring woman named Kathy Korman-Frey, who also has been teaching Women’s Entrepreneurship at George Washington University for seven years.  Here is a description of the Hot Mamas Project – I blocked and copied it because I don’t want to in any way devalue its mission:

The Hot Mommas Project is an award-winning women’s leadership program housed at the George Washington University School of Business. The research initiative started in 2002 to fill a gap in the education system: Scalable access to role models, particularly female ones. Thus, our mission is to increase self-efficacy of women and girls across the globe through exposure to role models. To accomplish our mission, we are building the world’s largest women’s case study library to produce not just vignettes, but credible academic tools that can be utilized in a classroom environment.

I encourage you to visit Hot Mommas to learn more about this groundbreaking program, and to be inspired by heroic tales of entrepreneurship from across the globe.

Thank you for reading my column… more valuable information to come for sure.

Happy Networking!

 Marissa Levin started Information Experts 14 years ago at her kitchen table after her boss told her she would never be worth more than $34,000. Today, IE is a multimillion-dollar integrated consulting firm that is the thought leader in strategic communications solutions, human capital strategies, and learning strategies for government agencies and organizations. Ms. Levin is the recipient of countless leadership awards, and is known throughout the national business community as an inspirational visionary. She frequently speaks at industry events and universities on her experiences as a woman business owner who has financed 100% of her organization through earnings while raising two young sons, and maintaining a corporate culture that is employee-focused and values-based.

 

Women Created Memorial Day

From the National Women’s History Museum we learned something we did not know about Memorials Day. Read on gentle reader..
Much of women’s history is missing from our public story. One more example — women were almost entirely responsible for the recognition of Memorial Day. Its origin was the Civil War and until recently, the day focused on the terrible War between the states that, at tremendous human cost, ended slavery.

Just weeks after the Civil War ended in April 1865, Ellen Call Long organized a women’s memorial society to reconcile embittered enemies. Usually named some variant of “women’s relief society,” groups sprang up in both the North and South that not only memorialized the dead, but also cared for the war’s disabled and its widows and orphans.

On June 22, 1865, women adopted these profound, forgiving, and future-oriented resolutions. The document read in part:

The object of this meeting is to initiate a Memorial Association…that shall perpetuate in an honorable manner the memory of the gallant dead…
In no invidious spirit do we come; the political storm that shook our country to its foundation, we hope, is passed… We are done with the [Confederate] cause…and are willing to do all that women can do to stem the tide of bitterness…and angry feelings… We will practice and teach forbearance and patience, which must finally bring peace and justice…

Our society has forgotten that women cleaned up the mess. They took the gruesome reality of approximately a half-million dead men, and by promoting cemeteries, led the way in turning blood and gore into something that encouraged serenity and reflection.

In our nation’s capital filled with museums, there is not one to remind us of the totality of the experience of American women. That is why NWHM needs you. Please emulate Ellen Call Long and others who understood that the past is an essential prologue to the future. Support us, “Right Here, Right Now!” by going to www.nwhm.org and sending a letter to your Members of Congress urging them to give women’s history a home in our nation’s capital by passing HR 1700.

Submitted by Cynthia de Lorenzi, CEO of Success in the City.

April 24 — Cokie Roberts on “Ladies of Liberty”

 

By Hope Katz Gibbs, Truly Amazing Women

PR Director Success in the City

Award-winning Journalist COKIE ROBERTS was the keynote speaker at this week’s EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT conference, held at the Ronald Reagan building in Washington, DC. She talked about her new book, “Ladies of Liberty: The Women Who Shaped Our Nation,” as well as President Obama’s initiative to increase public service.

Indeed, Roberts impressed the crowd of several hundreds government executives with her wit and words. “President Obama wants to make government cool again,” she said. “Do you all feel cool today?”

Roberts went on to share her knowledge and depth of understanding of the nation’s founding women — and later charmed them with stories about her own mother. “In the early 19th century, mean in politics were literally killing each other in the name of their beliefs,” Roberts explained. “The women of the time were trying desperately to get them to put down their guns and pick up a glass of wine so they could, in a relaxed moment, discuss their differences.”

These women — from Alexander Hamilton’s wife Aliza to John Quincy Adams’ wife Louisa, to the nation’s darling Dolly Madison — kept tempers cool and showed the nation what it meant to be a first lady. “It’s a total myth that the first ladies were sitting around pouring tea until Eleanor Roosevelt came along, then poured more tea until Hilary Clinton took the political stage,” Roberts insisted. “These women were tough, smart, and incredibly clever.”

What would the founding mothers say to us today?“They’d look us square in the eye and say, ‘Honey relax, you got it easy,” Roberts believes. “The truth of the matter is that this is so true. We are not pregnant every year. Typhoid hasn’t just come through town and killed two of our children. We are not making candles and bread before we prepare the evening meal. I think this perspective is wonderful because it’s true: We have it easy.”

Further, the concept of “multitasking” is something Roberts says, “is a man’s made-up word for something women have done since the beginning of time.” She points to her own mother — former ambassador and long-time Democratic Congresswoman from Louisiana Lindy Boggs — who first took office in 1973 after the death of her husband (the late Hale Boggs, who was Majority Leader of the House of Representatives) from a plane crash. 

“I remember coming home one day and my mother was standing in her big kitchen cooking a grand meal and stirring pickles that she’d made from her giant vegetable garden. In one arm was my nephew, who was fussing and needed to be constantly rocked from side to side, and under her neck she’d cricked the phone and was dictating a speech she was to give the following day to Congress. All the while she was monitoring the chicken in the oven and stirring those pickles. I said aloud, ‘Mom, not only CAN you do it all — you can do it all AT THE SAME TIME.”

LISTEN TO COKIE ROBERTS discuss “Ladies of Liberty” on to Federal News Radio at www.federalnewsradio.com.

An Inspiration in Susan Boyle: Pursue your Dreams

What does Susan Boyle (Britain’s Got Talent) have in common with Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonalds? Both tried various unsuccessful avenues before hitting major success rather late in their lives. Both Susan and Ray found their true passions and in spite of challenges and lack of support pursued them. Both chose to explore rather non-traditional avenues for their respective backgrounds and their own past experiences.

Susan’s stunning performance was not only beautiful from a musical point of view. Her life story and her road to the stage in Glasgow is very inspiring. She is a modest and simple person who doesn’t portray typical star qualities. Neither is she at the age when people are usually being discovered. She did not arrive in Glasgow to become a star. She came there to realize her life-lasting dream. She succeeded in spite of unfavorable personal factors.

Susan has a unique talent that only few posses but many admire. So we will hear a lot about her success. However, there are many successful stories that are published on a smaller scale in local newspapers. If you think about your past, view your past and present options, especially focusing on those non-traditional avenues that you have rejected before, you may find a new road. It is never too late to change and to become successful.

Irene Didinsky

April 14 — Fran Drescher’s Powerful Role: Health Advocate for Women

By Hope Katz Gibbs, www.trulyamazingwomen.com

PR Director Success in the City

“I am not glad that I got cancer, but I am better for it,” award-winning actress Fran Drescher told the National Press Club today when she came to DC to promote her new role as the U.S. State Department Special Envoy for Women’s Health, and her nonprofit organization Cancer Schmancer (which is also the title of her second New York Times bestselling book).

The writer, director, co-producer, and star of the highly popular CBS television series The Nanny, Drescher was diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2001. It had taken several years and eight doctors to find the tumor, and because it went undiagnosed for so long the disease had metastasized to Stage Four leaving Drescher no alternative but to undergo a radical hysterectomy.

“I was devastated,” Drescher admitted to the audience. “I remember standing in my bathroom after the surgery looking swollen and bruised, and feeling nothing like the Superwoman I had felt I was my whole life. I wished I could have been anyone but me in that moment.”

Not long after, she was having a family dinner with her cousin Susan, who in mid-sentence began to choke on a piece of chicken. “I had seen someone choking before in a restaurant, and knew I had to do the Heimlich maneuver,” explained Drescher, who said she stood behind her cousin and pushed on her chest until finally the chicken chunk popped out. “I admit it, I saved her life. But really, she saved mine because at that moment I felt like myself again.”

The experience gave her the idea to write her book, and on the book tour she talked to hundreds of other women who suffered through cancer and also experienced the drama of being misdiagnosed, allowing their cancers to reach the late stages.

“I knew that I had to something more than write a book — I had to start a movement,” exclaimed Drescher, who soon after founded her Reston, VA–based organization. “Eleanor Roosevelt said ‘women are like tea bags. We don’t know how strong we are until we are dipped in hot water.’ It is so incredibly true. I realize now that I got famous, and I got cancer, so I could stand here today and try to change lives.”

Since then, Drescher has been instrumental in winning passage of the first Gynecological Cancer Education and Awareness Act. Indeed, she believes that cancer diagnosed in stage one “is the cure,” and she’s doing everything in her power to encourage every woman to insist on getting all tests necessary to identify if disease is brewing.

“When you get that weird feeling that something inside you just isn’t right, go to the doctor and find out what’s up,” she said. “Find out what tests aren’t on the menu. Do research on the Internet. Ask your friends. You have to be your own medical advocate.”

Drescher said she’s enjoying her new role as an activist and philanthropist, and although she is happy to take the occasional acting role that inspires her, she’s considering the idea of running for political office in 2010 or 2012. Her decision, she said, will be determined by where she feels she is most able to impact the future of women’s health issues.

“I want to be part of a movement that shifts the negative paradigm in the world and make sure this is the century of the woman.”

For more information, visit  www.cancerschmancer.org.

Manners expert Anna Post teaches SITC members about “The Etiquette Advantage in Business”

By Hope Katz Gibbs, Inkandescent Public Relations & Director of Public Relations, Success in the City

Etiquette expert Anna Post (great great granddaughter of the queen of good manners, Emily Post) charmed a room filled with dozens of businesswomen at a March 23 event honoring past winners of the Washington Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business awards. 

The hosts for the dinner event at the Crown Plaza Hotel in McLean VA included Cynthia de Lorenzi of Success in the City, Kristina Bouweiri of Reston Limousine, Heidi Kallett of The Dandelion Patch, and Brenda Blisk of Blisk Financial — all of whom exemplified the speaker’s  topic: “Leadership through business etiquette.”

“What better way to spend an evening than to hear from the expert about the proper ways to make a sincere impression on your guests and business associates,” says Cynthia, who interviewed Anna again the following morning at her monthly Success in the City Chick Chat. “It was fabulous to hear Anna Post share her insights and thoughts on what is proper, and what can be tossed aside.”

Cynthia says her favorite portion of evening included Anna’s tips on the 7 Best Business Social Practices:

1.     Arrive on time.

2.     Avoid the temptation to socialize only with colleagues.

3.     Commit to introducing yourself to at least three people at an event.

4.     Don’t stuff your plate or over-imbibe (know your limit: follow the one drink rule, or don’t drink at all).

5.     Include others who join your conversation. This is a Golden Rule.

6.     Avoid dirty laundry and controversial topics.

7.     Send a thank you note to the host within 24 hours of the event, if possible. Be gracious and be brief (3 to 5 sentences is appropriate).

Other useful tidbits came from Anna’s Tips on Proper Table Manners:

1.     What do you do with your napkin when you are finished? Leave them on the left of your plate, not your chair. Why? “If the napkin is stained with lipstick or gravy and you are wearing light-colored pants the possibility of having a stain increases).

2.     When do you start eating? “When the host begins, or when the host nods to you to begin.”

3.     When do you start talking business? If it’s a social event, wait until after you order. If it’s a business dinner meeting, wait until the entrees have been cleared. “The goal of a business meeting is usually to get to know each other,” Anna explained. “But let the host be your guide. If he or she launches into a business discussion over the salad, go with it.”

4.     Chew with your mouth closed. Period.

5.     Who pays? The host, or the one who did the inviting. “But if you insist on treating the host to the meal, make it clear that this is your intention — before the check arrives.”

Anna also advised the audience to spend one night each year in their own guest room. “This allows you to test the box springs, see if there is a draft in the room, and basically get a real feel for what your guests are experiencing.”

And when you bump into a work colleague on personal time, be a 24/7 professional. “You always need to be prepared to switch gears, so don’t ignore your family to attend to your colleague — simply make warm, polite introductions. Your public life and work life are bound to collide, so handle the situation with grace.”

Indeed, being graceful, authentic, and polite is the key to having the etiquette advantage in business, Anna insists. “As today’s workplace becomes increasingly competitive, knowing how to behave can make the difference between getting ahead and getting left behind.”

For more information Anna Post, visit The Emily Post Institute: http://www.emilypost.com/about/anna.htm.

Media – Injecting Fear into the Lives of Employees Everywhere

The purpose of my blog today is to challenge the credibility of an article that was on the front page of The Washington Post. As a business owner, it infuriated me. The article is yet another example of the media injecting fear and worst-case scenarios into the lives of employees everywhere.

Entitled “As Cuts Loom, Will Working From Home Lead to a Layoff?” is an article that says employees with flexible scheduling and telecommuting options are in jeopardy. Maybe that is the case in some companies. Maybe that is the case in companies that haven’t engrained work-life balance into their culture, and haven’t seen the tremendous rewards that come from creating a work environment that integrates into a person’s life.

Perhaps this scenario is unfolding in organizations that don’t realize the tremendous increase in productivity when a company encourages a mobile workforce, increased virtual collaboration, and employee trust.

Maybe this is what happens when employers says things such as “now is our chance to take back the company,” and comments about the fact that employees shouldn’t feel entitled to ask for flexibility during this time because they should feel lucky to have a job. (This is direct feedback from Teresa Hopke, talent management director for RSM McGladrey.)

What is wrong with these people?? I fully get it that especially today, organizations have to consolidate roles, streamline responsibilities, and cut overhead. And perhaps this will result in combining multiple part-time jobs into one, so part-time workers may be affected.

But this article insinuates that the overall trend of organizations right now is to use fear of job loss to strip benefits that largely define an organization’s culture.

“For their part, many managers are doing little to calm those concerns, human resource consultants say. They tend to view options such as flex time and telecommuting as retention tools, experts say, and in recessions, fear of unemployment is just as effective.”

If this is really what is happening in corporate America, I as a small business owner am very troubled. Fear is never a motivator. Fear may retain people for the short-term, but things WILL turn around, and when they do, the employees that these companies manipulated – the same employees that busted their tails to carry them through the recession – will leave.

This is a time that employees and employers need to come together and watch each other’s backs. Do you know what really motivates an employee and incites loyalty? Feeling valued. Knowing that their hard work to ensure company success is recognized and appreciated. Knowing that every person in the company – from the CEO to the administrative assistants – are out there doing everything they can to propel the company forward. We are all in it together, people.

For those business owners that view these times as an opportunity to rescind benefits just because you can (not just as a matter of necessity), cut people off at the knees, and take a position of intimidation and condescension, I truly hope you get everything you deserve when this economy rebounds. Because when it does, it will be your former employees securing business and meeting customer needs – most likely for your competitors.

This article is NOT an accurate portrayal of the corporate landscape that I know. So please, like the rest of the negative media out there, I suggest putting this portion of The Washington Post to good use – perhaps lining your bathroom floor if you are housebreaking a puppy or lining your cat’s litter box. Because the information in this article will be right at home in those places.

Our guest poster is Marissa Levin, CEO of Information Experts

Success Strategies in a “Down Economy”

This blog serves as a live report of the comments being made at the Successs in the City Success Strategies in a down economy seminar and panel discussion.  You will see speaker bios at the end of the report.

Christine Williamson, partner and accountant at Watkins Meegan began the discussion by saying that her staff is optimistic.

The key-word for surviving our current economic environment is adaptation– Darwin’s therory found that it may not be the fittest or strongest but the most adaptive that survive!

Adam August, partner at Holland and Knight said that if you are still here you are doing well.  If you know and embrace your core competencies and buckle down people are willing to pay for services that provide tangible and real results.  Take advantage of a slower environment to reconnect personally with clients and to solidify those relationships

Lesley Boucher, partner at Pensare Group said stop listening to the news in the morning, it’s not good to start your day with a negative.  Surround yourself with upbeat people – just like those people you find in Success in the City (thank you for saying that Lesley).  Lesley suggested the book of 14,000 Things to be Happy About by Barbara Ann Kipfer.  Lesley discussed -  How to keep you team upbeat and shared a quote  “For leaders a crisis is a terrible thing to waste”  Rahm Emanuel.  Knowing what your real competitive advantage is key and know that “fear loves a void” – the more as a leader you communicate to your team the more you get your people engaged.  Yesterday Lworking with company on customer loyalty.  “Count your experience and use that to bolster your corporate confidence.” 

Leigh Basha, partner at Holland and Knight was working with her daughter on her economics homework last night and was intrigued to discover interesting historical facts about economic downturns -   Following the lowest point of a downturn it is followed by the highest point previously seen.  Leigh shared interesting points from Arnold Palmer on 9 strategies for keeping on course and beating the odds – some of which are - focus intently on profit generating activities, capitalize on new opportunities, upgrade your workforce, provide peace of mind in trying times, make use of incentive plans, reduce company operating expenses and improve employee compensation.

Lesley Boucher shared that you should do things to make you happy and make what you are doing fun.  
 
Christine Williamson was asked how to reduce tax liability at this time.  Christine offered that cash is king and you should know what your cash balance is at all times and keep that information up to date.  Keep you cash forecast current.  Assess what customers you should be touching and talking to.  Be ware of the potential for fraud in these tough time – “trust but verify” Ronald Regan.  Keep an eye on your corporate bottom-line.  You should be opening up your own checking account statements and review the image of your checks and those signatures.

Summary – cash is king and trust but verify.

Julia Loughran asked Adam August to look at the upside and talk about growth, M&A, acquisitions and outside investments

Adam August – when we go out the market place we buy when we see things on sales and now is precisely the time to deploy capital to buy and sell assets and equities are lower prices.  Do low-cost and no-cost advertising outreaching through strategic alliances.  There is really an opportunity now to do capital expenditures.  If possible it is a great time to purchase big items for your business to grow long-term. 

Lesley Boucher – customer loyalty can be a willingness to refer you to a customer they trust.  A loyal customer is an engine of growth for you company.  Loyal customers will buy more and serve as your virtual sales-force.  You need to develop a strategic approach to touch your customers.  Women are the most dynamic customers and can be your worst nightmare.  Customer satisfaction can give you a 5 times increase on your bottom-line.

Audience suggestion – go back to customers and ask what you are not doing right!  

 

Leigh Basha – financial strategies in a down economy – historically low interest rates and loan rates.  It is important to the business owner because your business should be one of your greatest assets.  Protect your assets and make a succession plan because Uncle Sam can take a 45% share of your business in the event of an owner’s death.  Critical to put in place a succession plan.  Ensure that the value of a business lasts.  Today is the best time historically to do this.  You can shift stock value to following generations – short term rate is less than 1% so you can shift wealth at a lower cost.  The stars have aligned for tremendous estate planning as we have never seen before.  “I’m not afraid of dying, I just don’t want to be there when it happens.” Woody Allen

Christine Williamson – Get your tax return done early and don’t extend it this year.  With an extension, for a lot of business owners you pay based on the previous years income.  You need to know what your liability and exposure is.  If you are getting a refund, get it early, spend it and pump up the economy.  It reduces uncertainty.  A $250,000 write off has been extended in this Administration.  May be a good time to switch your company to an S Corp.  Payroll tax rates have been lowered.  COBRA changes will affect corporate payroll may create problems. 

Adam August – Issues businesses should never ignore.  “Trust no living soul and walk carefully among the dead” is what Adam’s grandfather cautioned.  Recognize that Llaw firms are service providers and they are also being impacted by this economic downturn.  Don’t wait until you are in a crisis, ask your attorney if costs can be fixed or capped.  Now is the time to build this relationship.  When laying people off it is a good idea to get an attorney to help you prepare for this and protect your business.  Form extended payment plans and reductions.

Lesley Boucher – back to basics.  Knowing who you are and what your advantage is.  Don’t be a wandering generality and the jack of all trades.  We get pulled in too many directions.  Know what you do well and why you do it.  Exude the attitude. It’s the attitude you bring every day has a tremendous impact.  Clear and forceful vision and go after customer loyalty.

Leigh Basha – Be well capitalized, cash is king and knowlege is power and plan and prepare.  Look to your greatest assets and put your succession plan in place NOW!  This is a great time to do it.

Christine Williamson – “The only thing I can control is my play, we have to think about our sponsors and supporters.” Tiger Woods.  Reality has checked in. Focus on the customer.  Be confident and adapt to your circumstances.

Adam August. – It is not a sprint it is a marathon.  Take the long view and know that we will look back and see that we are better off because what is happening today and the measures we have taken the time to implement when times are tough.

Magic wand question – what would you give your clients?

Leigh Basha – “Give clients certainty of the law, which is changing daily.” 
Lesley Boucher – “Take the time to relax which is where inspiration will be discovered.”Christine Williamson – “Give your clients attention, calling them, visiting with them.”
Adam August – “Plan a vacation.” 

Audience member suggested Recovery.gov – weekly reports on where the stimulus money is going.

There has never been a better time to be generous! It will help you stand-out.  Lead with value. 

“Live with a theory of abundance” – Julia Loughran 

Book recommendation – World Wide Rave by David Meerman Scott

 
Speaker Bios

Adam August – A partner at Holland & Knight, Adam practices in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, commercial transactions, general corporate law and business bankruptcy. He counsels public and private company clients in a variety of industries including information technology, government contracting, software and telecommunications. He has been actively involved in merger, acquisition and disposition transactions with a combined value of over $1 billion, and financing/investment transactions and securities offerings worth over $600 million.  

Leigh Basha – As a partner at Holland & Knight, Leigh devotes her practice to her clients’ needs in the areas of domestic and international taxation, estate planning and administration, business law, and pre-marital agreements. Ms. Basha heads the firms International Estate Planning Practice.

Lesley Boucher – Lesley is the Managing Director and co-founder of the Pensare Group, a management consulting firm that works with motivated leaders to improve performance, enhance the ability to attract and retain customers and increase profitability.

 

Christine Williamson – Christine leads the Government Contracting & Technology Group of the regional DC based CPA firm Watkins, Meegan, Drury & Company.  She is a Member (Partner) and has been with the firm since 1991.  Christine is well known for her hands-on experience of providing clients of every size, the necessary, timely and pertinent accounting and tax information.  In this challenging economy Christine is working with clients to help them adapt to the changes we are all facing.  In the government contracting industry, Christine is well-known as one of the leading professionals.  Christine participates in firm management, is editor of the firms Technology Outlook newsletter, and has taught accounting courses for educational resources.

Moderator – Julia Loughran, ThoughtLink – Julia has extensive experience in helping government and commercial organizations use technology to increase productivity for virtual teams. Julia co-founded the company with Marcy Stahl in 1997. She is now the owner and President of ThoughtLink. Julia is responsible for the strategic leadership and continued rapid growth of the company. She focuses on leveraging the company’s successful track record to direct ThoughtLink’s further expansion into the government, international and commercial markets. Read More or read full resume.

 

 

 

 

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Debbie Wasserman Schultz was raised to believe you can have it all. At 42, the attractive, active U.S. Congresswoman from the 20^th Congressional District who represents Miami-Dade / Broward County Florida certainly seems to have hit the mark.

With two kids, a husband who is incredibly supportive — he buys her clothes and is willing to put her career before his — and a plum seat on the House Committee on Appropriations and Committee on the Judiciary, she is determined to expand on her reputation as a fighter for families.

 “It is said that I arrived in Washington with the reputation as a force to be reckoned with, someone who works hard on behalf of children, education, health care, Social Security, Medicare and the security of every American,” said Debbie, who was sworn in as a member of the House on January 4, 2005. “I hope to continue to be known as a person whose word is her bond and who knows that she was sworn in to work hard in Washington for her constituents.”

That said the Congresswoman opened up about the challenges of having it all when she spoke in February to a large Success in the City crowd that gathered for the organization’s monthly CEO Chick Chat.

“Yes, I do believe you can have it all — but you can’t be afraid to ask for help,” she explained. “And you have to pick and choose your priorities. During the week, Congress is my priority. When I fly back home to Florida on the weekend, my family comes first. My staff knows they have to respect that, and they have to schedule in family time. It’s sacred, and it’s incredibly important to me to be as good a mother and wife as I am a legislator.”

Being a good legislator is very important to Debbie —the youngest elected to the Florida legislature in 1992 at age 26 (she won her seat with 53% of the vote in a six-way race), and the first Jewish Congresswoman ever elected from Florida.

“I never expected to get into politics so young,” admits Debbie, who served in the Florida House of Representatives until 2000 and in the Florida State Senate from 2000-2004. “I had a mentor who encouraged me, and I gave it everything I could. When I was first running, I made up in shoe leather what I lacked in resources. I knocked on about 25,000 doors in my district and met as many voters as possible. And I learned early that to be an effective legislator you have to do more than just show up to vote. That is especially true in the U.S. Congress. My motto is: No task is too big. Most of the time it works out.”

Perhaps the hardest pill for her to swallow is learning the hard way that not everyone is happy for her success.

“After 16 years in politics, I have developed a tough skin,” she insists. “But some of those nasty partisan blogs have weakened my defense for they don’t just focus on the issues like seasoned journalists do — they get personal. It’s distasteful, but I try to put it into perspective because it is very important to embrace new media. It’s the best way to engage young activists and voters, so I am simply learning to be more savvy about how to communicate effectively.”

 For more information about Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, visit her website: http://wassermanschultz.house.gov/

By Hope Katz Gibbs, founder, Inkandescent Public Relations, and Success in the City’s Director of Public Relations

Philanthropist Edie Frasier: A magical bumblebee

 “A magical bumble bee” is what Success in the City’s founder Cynthia de Lorenzi called Edie Frasier, a philanthropist, businesswoman, and diversity advocate, who spoke to a room filled with professional women business owners at a recent SITC CEO Chick Chat.

As the president, founder and CEO of Diversity Best Practices, Business Women’s Network and Best Practices in Corporate Communications — all part of the Public Affairs Group, an iVillage Company — Edie supports more than 170 organizations, corporate and government members. Most recently, she co-authored Do You Giving While You Are Living, with well-known TV and radio reporter Robyn Spizman.

“This is not only a book, it’s a mission,” Edie told the SITC crowd. “My forecast is that with the support of corporate and non-profit leaders, outstanding philanthropists, dedicated volunteers, celebrities, ambassadors for change, and innovative activists working to better humanity, Do You Giving While You Are Living will become a movement.”

The goal of the book, which hit the Business Week bestseller list weeks after it was published in November 2008, is to encourage people to seek out a personal approach to their own giving — and truly understand why it is important to give now. That process is one Edie began decades ago after watching her entrepreneurial parents who helped build the retail franchise Casual Corner in Atlanta, GA.

“I knew it was important to be a leader, and took that commitment seriously when I became the president of my high school class, the president of my youth organization, and the president of my school,” Edie said. “In fact, I took it so seriously my parents took me to see a psychiatrist. He talked to me about moderation, but I knew I was here to accomplish something.”

Edie studied political science at Duke University where, for the first time, she encountered prejudice. “I am Jewish and when I got to college I wanted to be in a ‘popular’ sorority and not a Jewish one,” she admitted. “The one I liked had a charter saying it could not admit Jews. It hit me hard, but taught me an important lesson that I’d use in the years to come.”

She went on to volunteer for the Peace Corps, befriended Walter Cronkite (who told her to only do things she can give 100%, and ultimately launched several companies and organizations including a successful PR agency that she sold in 2007.

That year, Edie was named as one of the Top 50 Pioneers in Diversity by Profiles in Diversity Journal and — along with Oprah Winfrey, Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton — was named one of America’s Top Diversity Advocates by DiversityBusiness.com She is a founding member of the Committee of 200 and is in The Enterprising Women Hall of Fame.

“The one thing I have learned in my life is that you have to keep changing,” she concluded. “Get into things where you can be unique and then go for it. Walk the walk, and as Gandhi said, ‘Be the change you want to see in the world.’”

By Hope Katz Gibbs, founder, Inkandescent Public Relations and Success in the  City’s Director of Public Relations