Do You Care If Your Email Was Written by AI?

AI can be a time-saver for those who struggle with writing. But there are telltale signs that AI was used—and some serious risks, as well.

Should you use it—and can the recipient tell if you’ve relied on a bot to do your writing for you?  Here are 4 signs your email was written by AI (requires subscription).

Find Your Own Path to an Extraordinary Life

Texas native Helene Sula shares her global adventures as the voice behind her eponymous blog and social media accounts, Helene in Between – with 566,000 Instagram followers and counting

She has shared culture shocks she’s experienced living abroad, not once, but twice. Her love for Christmas markets is contagious, with posts featuring steamy drinks and indulgent dishes oozing with cheese adding to her platform’s appeal. 

Is she a WPO member?  Don't know.  Could she be?  Will check. Meanwhile, check out her story, which includes a new book that encourages readers to find their own path to an extraordinary life.  Who doesn't want to achieve that?

You've Got This: Business Owners Have Monday's (4/8/24) Solar Eclipse Pathway Covered

Business owners within the 70-mile-wide swath of total darkness during the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse are renting whatever rooms, cars, or anything else they still have left.  That said, owners of hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and any other type of lodging establishment are ready.

At this point, anyone in the path of totality without a place to stay ahead of the event should probably forget about it. Last-minute eclipse chasers will have to open their wallets wide, as prices for rooms have really lit up across Monday's trail of darkness.

It's going to be unbelievable.  Best places to see the eclipse in Chicago can be found here.  Be safe and enjoy the moment.

Why the World Needs Women Entrepreneurs

Women entrepreneurship needs to be addressed – because the preconditions might be different depending on the person’s gender – and for two main reasons, clearly identified by the OECD in its work about entrepreneurship promotion. 

The first reason is that, despite lower participation rates in entrepreneurship than men, women entrepreneurs are an important untapped source of economic growth. They create new jobs for themselves and others. And by being different they also provide society with different solutions to management, organization and business problems as well as to the exploitation of entrepreneurial opportunities. 

The second reason is that the topic of women entrepreneurship has been largely neglected both in society in general and in the social sciences. 

Women are faced with specific obstacles that have to be overcome in order to give them access to the same opportunities as men.

Why Businesses Need More Women at the Top

WPO members are already at the top by running their own businesses.  But let's take a look at gender imbalances in the corporate world.

Women are better educated and more active in the labour force than ever, and are increasingly working in managerial roles. Yet despite these gains, their representation in top positions in business still lags behind that of men.

Explore this InfoStory to find out why gender balance at all levels of business is better for companies and economies as a whole.

Happy St. Patrick's Day 2024 from WPO Chicago

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

“We Irish prefer embroideries to plain cloth. To us Irish, memory is a canvas—stretched, primed, and ready for painting on. We love the "story" part of the word "history," and we love it trimmed out with color and drama, ribbons and bows. Listen to our tunes, observe a Celtic scroll: we always decorate our essence.” ― Frank Delaney, Irish novelist, journalist, and broadcaster.

Where Are the Top Countries for Women Business Owners?

On a global level, the top three countries for female entrepreneurship include the United States, Australia and Canada. 

According to Business News Daily, the top five best places for women-owned businesses include:

1. Sante Fe, New Mexico
2. Boulder, Colorado
3. Monroe, Michigan
4. Racine, Wisconcin
5. Ocean City, New Jersey

But let' back up a bit.  Before there was Oprah, Ariana Huffington, and Sheryl Sandberg, there was Sarah Breedlove. Sarah – better known as Madam C.J. Walker – was the first woman entrepreneur in history.

This Women’s History Month, Grasshopper took a look back at her accomplishments and other women who have shaped the business world for women today.

Celebrating Women’s Diverse Contributions to Society

Founded in 1996, the National Women’s History Museum (NWHM) is an innovative museum dedicated to uncovering, interpreting, and celebrating women’s diverse contributions to society. 

A renowned leader in women’s history education, the Museum brings to life the countless untold stories of women throughout history, and serves as a space for all to inspire, experience, collaborate, and amplify women’s impact—past, present, and future. 

NWHM strives to fundamentally change the way women and girls see their potential and power.

Women Entrepreneurs Are At the Cutting Edge of Change and Development

This year has been a testament to the remarkable resilience and innovative spirit of entrepreneurs, especially women, who are at the cutting edge of change and development across various industries.  Why just look at all the amazing Women Presidents Organization members!  

Female entrepreneurs stand as beacons of progress, seamlessly blending technological innovation with impactful social change and economic growth. 

They come from a myriad of backgrounds, each bringing their unique perspectives and bold ideas to the forefront. Their unwavering dedication and visionary approaches are not just shaping their respective fields but are also paving the way for the future of entrepreneurship.  

Here are a few to watch in 2024.

Happy Presidents' Day from WPO Chicago!

"I want in all cases to do right, and most particularly so, in all cases with women." – Abraham Lincoln, August 16, 1837

Leveraging the Year of the Dragon 2024 for Your Business

More brands are finding ways to celebrate the Chinese New Year – and Asian American business owners say that's a good thing. 

In the U.S., Asian Americans are forging their own traditions for the holiday, and many people who don't have Asian heritage are also getting in on the festivities, going out for dumplings or finding reasons to celebrate Asian culture during the coldest months of the year.

Big brands are catching on, too: Johnnie Walker, Xbox, and Target are among the many that are running prominent promotions. Gardena, California-based Ruggable has been running Instagram ads with a dragon-motif rug that's a "festive blend of ancient history and modern washability."

What are you doing to leverage the strength and power of the Chinese Dragon in 2024? 

Learn more here.

Meanwhile, WPO Chicago wishes you happiness, good luck and prosperity in the New Year of the Wood Dragon 2024.

February is Black History Month

The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society.

Discover artists to know, black history heritage and portraits of remarkable black women.

Chicago Member Nida Khan's Firm Arya Consulting Partners Celebrates 5th Anniversary!

WPO Chicago member Nida Khan and her team mark a significant milestone for Arya Consulting Partners (ACP) as they celebrate their 5th anniversary.  Nida is the founder and president of ACP. 

"I am filled with immense pride and gratitude, and I want to take a moment to acknowledge those who have been instrumental in our journey," says Nida Khan.

Her entire acknowledgement can be found here.

At the Women Presidents Organization, especially in Chicago, we salute Nida for her exceptional leadership at ACP.  

Congrats and to many more years of growth!

2024 Wells Fargo Impact of Women-Owned Business Report

Women-owned businesses continue to fuel the economy, representing 39.1% of all businesses – over 14 million – employing 12.2 million workers, and generating $2.7 trillion in revenue. 

According to the 2024 Wells Fargo Impact of Women-Owned Business Report, in partnership with Ventureneer, CoreWoman, and Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), the number of women-owned businesses between 2019 and 2023 increased at nearly double the rate of those owned by men; and from 2022 to 2023, the rate of growth increased to 4.5 times.

Access the report here.

Member of the Moment: Chicagoan Sandy Marsico

So thrilled to see our WPO Chicago member Sandy Marsico, Founder and CEO, Sandstorm Design, featured as the Member of the Moment at the Women Presidents Organization.

She is not only a member of WPO but serves on the WPO Board of Directors, too.  She is a rock star.  

Learn more about Sandy here.

IT Resolutions for 2024

CIOs share 13 of their objectives to shape IT outcomes in the year ahead, from building better business alignment to transforming IT into a business catalyst.

And yes, AI is one of them:  Answer those persistent questions about AI – how do you handle its adoption, governance, education about it to employees.

Happy New Year and Brisk Business in 2024!