Event of Interest: Sixth Annual ATHENA PowerLink "S.H.E." Reception 6/4

As a proud partner, join us Thursday, June 4 from 6:00-8:00 p.m., at the Chicago Cultural Center, Preston Bradley Hall, as we celebrate the value that business advisors provide to entrepreneurs. The S.H.E. Reception connects successful women business owners with seasoned entrepreneurs and professionals. Both men and women are encouraged to attend.

This year, three companies are candidates for the award:

· LawyerLink (www.lawyerlinksolutions.com); Owner: Jennifer Bertoglio
· Patient Impact (www.patientimpact.com); Owner: Patty Riskind
· Noggin Labs (www.nogginlabs.com); Owners: Traci & Brian Knudson

Register today to find out who the 2009 Business of the Year and Advisory Panel of the Year awards go to.

Learn more about ATHENA Power Link, here.

See you there!

Added 6/8/09: Patient Impact takes home the ATHENA Power Link award. Congratulations to WPO Chicago member Patty Riskind! And we also extend our heartfelt congratulations to both Jennifer Bertoglio and Traci Knudson for their amazing work too! Much success to all in the future.

Event of Interest: Women's Leadership Breakfast 5/29/09

The Executives' Club of Chicago Women's Leadership Breakfast, "I Wish I Would Have Known That: Lessons for New Leaders," will be held Friday, May 29, 2009 at the The Fairmont Chicago (Imperial Ballroom, B2 Level, 200 N Columbus Drive) from 7:00-9:00 a.m.

WPO 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:

Judy Hsu
Morning Anchor
ABC 7 Chicago

Panelists:

Dolores Kunda
President & CEO
Lápiz and Leo Burnett Puerto Rico

Marilyn Carlson Nelson
Chairman
Carlson

Kara Walsh
CEO
Metromix LLC

Registration Deadline:

5/15/2009

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)

News of Interest: Jane Morgan Awarded NAWBO Chicago "Woman Business Owner of the Year"

Please join me in congratulating WPO Chicago member, Jane Morgan, CEO, 411 Solutions International, for receiving the esteem award of "Woman Business Owner of the Year" through NAWBO Chicago.

We are very proud of her and wish her continued success in business.

Event: Women Presidents' Organization (WPO) Annual Conference in San Diego a Huge Hit

I just returned from our 12th Annual Conference in San Diego recharged and refreshed after listening in on a series of inspiring keynote speakers and workshop presenters. I will report out on all the "aha moments" later this week.

In the meantime, enjoy the photo taken at the back of the Loews Coronado Bay Resort.

Article of Interest: Six Ways To Make Web 2.0 Work

As the popularity of Web 2.0 has grown, so has anxiety over how to use the range of technologies to our advantage. Many companies are experimenting with the tools or deploying them on a trial basis.

To help companies navigate the Web 2.0 landscape, the authors identified six critical factors that determine the outcome of efforts to implement the technologies. They are as follows:

1. The transformation to a bottom-up culture needs help from the top.

2. The best uses come from users—but they require help to scale.

3. What’s in the workflow is what gets used.

4. Appeal to the participants’ egos and needs—not just their wallets.

5. The right solution comes from the right participants.

6. Balance the top-down and self-management of risk.

You won't want to miss this article published at The McKinsey Quarterly on "Six ways to make Web 2.0 work" which presents a vast array of opportunities -- for companies that know how to use Web 2.0 (including blogs, podcasts, wikis and social networks).

Web 2.0 promises further gains, although the capabilities differ from those of the past technologies (Exhibit 3 above).

Go here to learn more.

Sound Advice: Consumer Leaders Report

"9 on 9" -- Edelman's Consumer Leaders Report is a fascinating look at how the year behind will shape the year ahead. Nine of Edelman's consumer experts weigh in across the globe.

The following topics are covered:

1. Time for some action
2. Without content there is no conversation
3. How Obama's campaign broke through
4. Mexican consumers gear into crisis mode
5. The merging of the ox and the consumer in 2009
6. 9 digital truths for 2009
7. It's about the daily moments of living, working and playing
8. Chinese consumers in 2009
9. An intimate globe, what will this mean in 2009?

Find out if your business is prepared for what's ahead.

Download the 20-page report immediately by clicking here.