Resource of Interest: Complimentary Business Entrepreneurship Courses Online

Who would ever think or imagine that if you want to brush up on a few critical business skills while running your business that it can be done online, at your own convenience and at no cost to you. Yes, that's right.

While reviewing local entrepreneurship programs at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, Entrepreneurship & Innovation Program, University of Chicago Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Loyola University Chicago, I stumbled upon this:

7 Universities and Websites Offering Free Business Entrepreneurship Courses Online

Sounds suspect to me but then I see that MIT - Sloan School of Management (mit.edu) is featured first with the following program modules:

• Global Entrepreneurship Lab
• Entrepreneurial Finance
• Law for the Entrepreneur and Manager
• Developmental Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Marketing

Course materials include video, audio, text and many other multimedia elements.

Next up is Carnegie Mellon (cmu.edu) and U.S. Small Business Administration (sba.org)

In this tough global economy, maybe online education -- especially when it's top quality and free -- is worth a serious consideration. It can't hurt to get a refresher course that might very well strengthen your competitive position in the business world.

Event of Interest: The Founder of The Pampered Chef

We are delighted to have had the remarkable opportunity on October 20 to hear how Doris Christopher, founder of The Pampered Chef, grew her business from a kitchen table (started in 1980) into what it is today: a global empire that Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. acquired.

And we are even more thrilled that Deloitte sponsored our event. All three WPO Chicago chapter members had a chance to attend, network, learn and grow their business.

It is with these kinds of programs and companies, such as Deloitte and The Pampered Chef (along with our other chapter hosts and sponsors), that not only support us but make WPO even more special and a remarkable value for women business owners worldwide.

Aren't a member yet? You should be. Contact us when you are ready (check the right sidebar for email and telephone information). We just might have room for you in Chicago!

Event of Interest: WSJ Insight Exchange

I had the great opportunity to attend the Wall Street Journal Insight Exchange -- a business owners breakfast series -- on October 2nd at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago, where business leaders gather to learn from the experience of other, highly innovative CEOs. Wendy Bounds is the moderator of the program (she does a fantastic job I might add) and they are hosting these events across the country throughout the year. Next up is Atlanta.

Two WPO Chicago members attended the program: Kate Koziol, President of K Squared Marketing & Public Relations and Karen Barnett, President and CEO of Valley Screen Process (and the new BigShots!), served on the panel. Karen did a great job discussing creative ways in which she has kept her company growing despite tough economic times.

Learn more about the program here. And watch for more highlights about it soon here on this blog.

Article of Interest: Is Reverse Innovation Like Disruptive Innovation?

What is the relationship between reverse innovation to disruptive innovation? Is there any? For those of you new to disruptive innovation, that's Clayton Christensen's model for describing the impact of new technologies on a firm's existence, and you can learn more about that theory and Christensen, here.

According to authors Vijay Govindarajan (blog) and Chris Trimble, there is an overlap between reverse innovation and disruptive innovation but not a one-to-one relationship.

They go on to say:

We see three primary situations that create the possibility of reverse innovation. Only the first is also an illustration of disruptive innovation.

Find out about the three situations here and think about how you might execute on one or all three within your organization.

Event of Interest: Women's Leadership Breakfast 10/09/09

The Executives' Club of Chicago Women's Leadership Breakfast, "Thriving in the New Economy -- The Woman's Advantage" will be held Friday, October 9, 2009 at the The Hilton Chicago, Grand Ballroom (720 South Michigan Avenue) from 7:00-9:00 a.m.

Description:

How are women uniquely qualified to fix the current economic challenges? Was it a scarcity of women in board rooms and executives suites that led to flawed decision making? What does this mean for women personally and professionally? Learn about the choices women can make that will lead to their success in the New Economy.

The Women Presidents' Organization Chicago is a proud partner of this empowering high-level women's program (look for our tabletop with brochures).

Registration is 7:00 a.m. Seated Breakfast, 7:30 a.m. Panel Discussion, 8:00 a.m.

Moderator:

Diane Swonk
Chief Economist & Senior Managing Director
Mesirow Financial

Panelists:

Dr. Sylvia Beyer
Professor and Chair of the Psychology Department
University of Wisconsin-Parkside

Quave Burton
Vice President, Procurement
Payless ShoeSource

Katherine K. Scott
Managing Director and Executive Vice President
U.S. Equities Realty

Registration Deadline:

10/8/2009

For more information and to register, visit here.

I hope to see you there! Feel free to contact me to pre-arrange a meeting (ldelaney(at)globetrade.com)