News of Interest: Talia Mashiach Inducted Into Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame

We are thrilled to learn that WPO Chicago downtown I member Talia Mashiach (pictured), President of Eved Services, has been selected for induction into the prestigious Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame (through the Coleman Foundation Entrepreneurship, Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, University of Illinois at Chicago).

The Judges (including Chancellor Allen-Meares) and their world-class sponsors, American Chartered Bank, Grant Thornton, and Crain's Chicago Business will welcome Talia as a member on March 19th at the Chicago Hilton and Towers.

Of the many thousands of entrepreneurs in the Chicago area, the students, faculty, sponsors, and Judges select very few winners each year so this is quite an accomplishment for Talia.

We are very proud of her; congratulate her on this great honor and wish her continued success. And, of course, we plan to be there when she accepts her award.

Article of Interest: Believe It: Complaints Are Gifts

During these tough economic times, you should not look a gift horse in the mouth, especially when it comes to receiving customer complaints. If you get some this year, consider yourself lucky. It means a client, employee or vendor cares enough to talk straight with you.

Learn more here about how you can reveal problems by listening and bond better with those who matter as you grow your business.

Blog Post of Interest: Going Green 101

We talk about going green all the time but do we really know what it's all about or how to apply the concept to our business and the work we do for our clients?

To learn everything there is to know about going squeaky green, start here.

Photo credit: Nicest Alan

Blog Post of Interest: Online Marketing 2009 Predictions

What should we be learning in 2009 to drive results for our businesses? Yes, tightening our belts during tough times is common sense but where do you cut and where do you spend when so many aspects to running a lean business need attention?

Over the course of WPO Chicago chapter sessions, a consensus was reached by members that it is never a good idea to cut sales and marketing (but maybe think about combining them) and considering the importance of online marketing (we like to refer to what's ahead as Web 3.0), you need to learn everything there is to know about it -- now.

Tip: Business blogging has NOT arrived yet so you still have a chance to get in front of this tremendous growth opportunity for your business.

Read more about what's in store for business blogging, SEO, social media advertising and more here.

And if you doubt our marketing claim above, read "How Marketing Drives Top-Line Growth in a Recession."

Event of Interest: Women's Leadership Breakfast 1/28/09

Happy New Year! Be the change you want to see in 2009.

The Executives' Club of Chicago's "Women Setting the Leadership Paradigm" breakfast will be held Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at the The Fairmont Chicago, Imperial Ballroom, Level B2 (200 North Columbus Drive, Chicago, Illinois). WPO Chicago is a proud partner of this empowering high-level women's program.

Registration is 7:00 a.m. Seated Breakfast, 7:30 a.m. Panel Discussion, 8:00 a.m. For more information and to register, visit here.

See you there!