Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Joy to the World



May the joys of the season
shed light, hope and fill our hearts with peace.

Happy Holidays to you and yours.

Enjoy, be safe and back with you in the new year!

Monday, December 22, 2008

Sound Advice: Best Business Books in 2008

It's not too late to finish off the list of the best business books in 2008. Strategy & Business does this feature every year around this time.

Find it here and best wishes for a very Happy Holiday season.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Article of Interest: Savor the Success

Just as we revealed a long time ago through the Women Presidents' Organization (WPO), other female entrepreneurs are also discovering that there are strength in the numbers when it comes to building online relationships.
Thanks to social networking, they are sharing ideas and contacts, collaborating on projects and opening business doors for each other. More and more female business owners are recognizing the benefits of working together, and social networking makes it more convenient.

Now, Angela Jia Kim, a New York businesswoman, hopes to bring like-minded female entrepreneurs together through her new boutique social networking site, SavortheSuccess.com.
We, at WPO, have always believed in the power of social networking. Find us (request an invitation) at LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Read more of our posts on social networking here, here, here and here.

Happy Social Networking!

Saturday, December 06, 2008

Event Update: 1st WPO Chicago Town Resource Meeting

With the generous assistance of WPO Chicago member Mary Bahr, we hosted our first ever WPO Chicago Town Resource Meeting December 2nd from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the offices of MAB Advertising.

We invited more than 50 Supplier Diversity Professionals from government/corporations and WPO Chicago members spanning across all three chapters. The program was a HUGE success -- to the point that we have agreed to host one every year from hereon in.

The purpose of our meeting:

To meet and explore ways in which to do business together.

Agenda:

1. Warm Welcomes and Introductions.

a. Each WPO Chicago member gives a one-minute elevator pitch on their business and emphasizes what sets it apart from others.

b. Each Supplier Diversity Professional (SDP) gives a 3-5 minute overview of their role within organization.

2. Q&A (with two specific questions addressed first).

a. How can WPO Chicago members take advantage of diversity programs in corporate/governmental sectors?

b. What is the best way (is there a secret or tip) to "break in" to an organization through diversity/compliance programs?

c. Q&A (general).

3. Networking (exchange of business cards/brochures).

Here's what a WPO Chicago member said about our meeting:
It was a great meeting and I also felt that the women that represented CDW, RR Donnelley, Chicago Park District and the University of Chicago, to name just a few, provided very honest answers and comments regarding their diversity programs and how to "get in" to these organizations.

They provided insight as to how the purchasing departments are structured and what their processes are. They also took the time to network with us and take our information.

I personally feel that when I contact these women for an appointment (if I do it the proper way) they will take the time to meet with me.

It was also great to meet women from the other WPO chapters in Chicago and hear about their businesses.
Mission accomplished!