16th Annual WPO Chicago Summit 2019 on Artificial Intelligence Rocked!

There are so many people to thank who contributed to the success of our 16th Annual WPO Chicago Summit 2019 on "Artificial Intelligence:  What It Is and Why It Matters for Your Business," and if I fail to mention anyone, please pardon my oversight.

WPO Chicago Steering Committee Members:

• Chaoran Jin, Keystone Capital
• AJ Goehle, Luci Creative
• Teri Sharp, American Precision Supply
• Xza Higgins, Parent & Co.
• Ralph Jacobsen, IBM

Speakers:

• Sue Hallen, IBM
• Ann Yeung, Northwestern Mutual
• Dale Miller, Visionati

Other important people who contributed to our winning program:

• Sally Roessler, IBM
• Laura Fairman, Blue Canvas Inc.
• Tomi Jane DeTorres, Women Presidents' Organization
• All our sponsors, especially IBM for hosting our event in their magnificent Innovation Center!
• All our members who participated in the program!

We look forward to seeing everyone again at next year's 17th Annual WPO Chicago Summit!

Photos courtesy:  ©2019 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

16th Annual WPO Chicago Summit 2019

Please join us for our exciting 16th Annual WPO Chicago Summit on Thursday, September 12 on "Artificial Intelligence (AI):  What It Is and Why It Matters for Your Business" and hosted at IBM (71 S. Wacker Drive) from 1:30-7:30 p.m. Central Time.  This event is a private event for members and sponsors only.  We have a great lineup of outstanding speakers:  Sue Hallen, IBM, Ann Yeung, Northwestern Mutual, and Dale Miller, Visionati.com.

Special thanks to our dynamic Steering Committee members highlighted in the graphic for their assistance on this program and to our wonderful sponsors to WPO!

To find out whether your business qualifies for WPO membership, visit here.  If you are interested in becoming a WPO Chicago chapter member, send me [Laurel Delaney] a LinkedIn invite and we'll get the dialog and process going.

News of Interest: Women of Color Achievement Awards 2014 (St. Louis)

100 Black Men of Metropolitan St. Louis, in partnership with the Women Presidents’ Organization, announce the recipients of this year’s Women of Color Achievement Awards.

A total of 11 women from the St. Louis area will be honored at the 2014 Women of Color Achievement Awards reception, sponsored by IBM and UPS. The event will take place on November 13th from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Norwood Hills Country Club.  All award recipients were identified by the 100 in conjunction with local chapters of the WPO.

To learn more and to find out the 11 women who will be honored, visit:

100 BLACK MEN OF METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS PARTNER WITH IBM, UPS AND THE WOMEN PRESIDENTS’ ORGANIZATION TO HONOR LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS AND BUSINESS LEADERS 

Congrats to all the award winners!

Screenshots courtesy:  100 Black Men  St. Louis and Women Presidents' Organization

Article of Interest: Mobile Commerce Booms

New data from IBM shows mobile commerce in 2012 is booming, representing 15.1% of all online sales.  Social commerce, on the other hand, is declining 20% in Q2 2012 - just 1.9% of online sales (down from 2.4%).

As a business owner, how are you leveraging technology to perform better for your customers?

... it’s clear that mobile commerce is growing bigger and faster than social commerce.  Why?  Well, mobile-enhanced commerce has a clear value proposition that hits one of the core 4C’s of marketing (as shown above) – convenience.

Read the entire article and view the slideshare here.

Illustration credit:  Social Commerce Today

Event of Interest: WPO Chicago Summit Report

Our WPO Chicago Summit -- sponsored by Harris N.A. and IBM -- was a huge success. It began with Mary Lyons, Manager of the IBM Innovation Center (Chicago) welcoming everyone. We are always delighted when Mary shares her valuable time and enthusiasm with us. IBM is a national sponsor to the Women Presidents' Organization which we value tremendously.

In the morning segment, Supplier Diversity Professionals (SDPs) and WPO Chicago members discussed how to work more efficiently together during tough economic times. We will continue to nurture this vibrant conversation over the coming months.

First up in the afternoon, Emilia DiMenco, Executive V.P., Harris, presented, “Retrench, Renew, and Reset: Navigating the current environment and positioning your business for success," which helped WPO Chicago members re-evaluate their business objectives and financial well-being in light of the current economy and economic forecast. She instilled in us that it is not too late to get your business in financial order. She was accompanied by Janice Zimmerman, Sr. Commercial Relationship Manager, Harris, who fielded questions that arose by members.

Rick Murray, President, Edelman Worldwide Digital, followed with a presentation, “The Engagement Imperative: Communications Strategies for a Connected World,” that painted the big picture on social media and word-of-mouth marketing. And we were delighted to hear insights from Janet Cabot, President, Central Region, Edelman as well (shhhhh ... we are wooing Janet into becoming a WPO Chicago member -- will keep you posted).

The highlight of our event was at the end of our program when we had a special guest visit by our very own WPO Chair, International Board of Directors, Margery Kraus (pictured center in red; she is also president and chief executive officer of APCO Worldwide), who gave a wonderful "impromptu" talk about how she started and grew her business into a major global player.

Here's what people said about our Summit:

I just wanted to say that last week was very beneficial to me. I am glad that I took the time out of my day to listen to the speakers and presentations. I also was able to meet and connect with other members that are in the other chapters. I am really going to start going forward with Social Media with our company since that pep talk was a real eye opener. I am so glad that I joined this group and would have never been exposed to the different topics if I had not joined. -- WPO Chicago member (downtown III)

Thank you again for allowing us to host this year’s Summit meeting. I enjoyed the social media presentation and discussion and continue to be awed and impressed by the dynamic, high energy business owners that are involved in the WPO. -- Summit Sponsor

The summit energized and refocused me. -- WPO Chicago member (downtown II)

Thank you for inviting me and for continuing to try and address the gaps between WBEs and supplier diversity representatives. -- Supplier Diversity Professional

It was excellent. I am amazed at how much I get from the Summit. It's like you have to take a step back and then rethink all of the fabulous information you were given in a period of a few hours. Then sort and take away what is relevant to your business needs. -- WPO Chicago member (downtown I)

I wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you so much for inviting me to the Summit today. I was very interested in the topic this morning and very impressed with the membership as a whole. It's always nice to see first hand that an organization that my firm sponsors is really doing wonderful and valuable things. -- WPO National Sponsor

Special thanks to Harris N.A. and IBM for making this year's Summit more relevant than ever. Thanks to our national sponsors who help make the WPO program possible.

We are already preparing for next year's Summit. Mark your calendars now: August 12, 2010. Send your ideas my way at ldelaney(at)globetrade.com.

Photo credit: Laurel Delaney, Women Presidents' Organization Chicago

Event of Interest: 6th Annual WPO Chicago Summit 8/13/09

6th Annual WPO Chicago Summit

"The Engagement Imperative:
Communications Strategies for a Connected World"

Thursday, August 13, 2009
10:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

IBM Innovation Center
71 South Wacker Drive, 6th Floor
Chicago, IL 60606

Sponsored By:








We are in the final stages of planning our Summit -- sponsored by Harris N.A. and IBM -- and our program is as follows:

AGENDA

10:30 a.m. - noon

Supplier Diversity Professionals (SDPs) and WPO Chicago members discuss how to work more efficiently together during tough economic times.

Noon - 1:00 p.m.

Light buffet lunch (includes special tribute to Patti Ross, retired IBM executive)

1:15 - 2:00 p.m.

Emilia DiMenco, Executive V.P., Harris, will present, “Retrench, Renew, and Reset: Navigating the current environment and positioning your business for success," which will help WPO Chicago members re-evaluate their business objectives and financial well-being in light of the current economy and economic forecast.

2:15 - 4:15 p.m.

Rick Murray, President, Edelman Worldwide Digital, will present, “The Engagement Imperative: Communications Strategies for a Connected World,” that paints the big picture on social media and word-of-mouth marketing. Opening remarks by Janet Cabot, President, Central Region, Edelman

4:15 - 5:00 p.m.

Networking (bring plenty of cards)

5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Dinner (offsite -- private)

This is a members-only event but it is not too late to join WPO Chicago provided you pre-qualify and we have space left in a chapter. Contact Laurel Delaney at the email address shown on our blog (right sidebar) or call 773-381-1700 for further information.

Special thanks to Harris N.A. and IBM for helping us make this year's event more relevant than ever.

We look forward to seeing or hearing from you soon!

P.S. WPO Chicago private wiki members register here.

Event of Interest: Global Entrepreneurship Week

Marsha Firestone, President & Founder, Women Presidents' Organization, will join IBM and more than 75 countries around the world in launching the first ever Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), November 17-23, 2008.

Marsha will be on IBM's WomenSpeak Webcast November 19th at 10:15 am EST sharing what you should know about starting, managing, and growing a business.

The brainchild of the Kauffman Foundation, Global Entrepreneurship Week is an international initiative designed to inspire, inform, mentor, connect and engage entrepreneurs and to encourage them to "unleash" their ideas and solutions on a global, connected marketplace.

Find out more here, join in on the discussions, especially the Women's Entrepreneurship Day and spread the good global word.

Note: WPO members and partners -- contact headquarter office for log-in information.

News of Interest: 5th Annual WPO Chicago Summit Wins Gold Medal For Quality

Our 5th Annual WPO Chicago Summit and No-Host Dinner on August 14th was a huge success thanks to our two key sponsors, Harris and IBM, who generously underwrote our program content and continue to bring us greater insights and connections.

Summit speakers Susan Hed from IBM, Jack Stack from SRC Holdings Corporation and Holly Hunt from HOLLY HUNT, demonstrated how to become an influential leader, inspire employees to think and act like CEOs, and continue to build a business up to a thriving $120 million enterprise.

As we said in our program, everyday we face business challenges head-on and inspire others with a sense of hope and purpose. But on August 14th we asked that all attendees (largest turnout ever) kick back, relax, get to know someone they had never met before and brainstorm about how to use the knowledge they gained to develop themselves, their business, their community, and their world tomorrow. We are proud to say that everyone walked away renewed, refreshed and empowered, because they realize the best is yet to come.

Thank you all for attending. We value your membership and sponsorship. Without it, the Women Presidents’ Organization would not be where it is today.

And special thanks to our national sponsors who help to make the WPO program possible.

See you August 13, 2009 at our 6th Annual WPO Chicago Summit and No Host Dinner!

Event of Interest: 5th Annual WPO Chicago Summit and No-Host Dinner

Thursday, August 14, 2008
11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

IBM Innovation Center
71 South Wacker Drive, 6th Floor
Chicago, IL 60606

Sponsored By:








We are in the final stages of planning our Summit -- sponsored by Harris N.A. and IBM -- and are proud to announce our lineup of keynote speakers:

Jack Stack (generously underwritten by Harris N.A.): Jack Stack will talk about what it really takes to build a business of business people by harnessing the most powerful management tool a company has.

He is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRC Holdings Corporation, an award-winning, employee-owned organization based in Springfield, Missouri. Under Jack’s stewardship, SRC has experienced phenomenal growth, spawning more than 40 new business ventures—and creating hundreds of new jobs—in only 22 years. Today SRC employs 1,200 people and generates annual revenue of $230 million.

Jack is the co-author of the best-selling business books The Great Game of Business (Doubleday/Currency, 1992) and A Stake in the Outcome (Doubleday/Currency, 2002). As a regular columnist for Inc. magazine, he writes about the business world, entrepreneurship, authentic leadership, employee ownership, and what it takes to succeed in today’s ever-changing marketplace.

Susan Hed, VP General Business, Oracle Alliance, IBM Corporation: Sue Hed will speak to us about the influence of leadership.

She is currently Vice President, General Business, Global Oracle Alliance. She is responsible for strategic growth of IBM Hardware, Software and Services business associated with Oracle’s application software in General Business. In this role she works closely with our Oracle and IBM Business partners to deliver best of breed solutions to midsize clients.

Sue brings more than twenty years of global leadership expertise in alliances and software solution sales to her current position. Prior to this position she was VP Global ISV Solution Sales in NE EMEA, responsible sales with strategic global ISV partners and IBM technology and services. She joined IBM in 1998, with prior sales experience in business consulting services with a specialization in CRM.

Holly Hunt: Inspiring design entrepreneur Holly Hunt will talk about what it takes to build a successful enterprise.

Holly runs an upscale design house that makes and markets home and office furnishings, fabrics, and lighting fixtures. The company has showrooms in Chicago, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC. It also shows its products in other selected furniture stores.

Holly's introduction of French designer, Christian Liaigre, helped to secure the company's position in the furniture-with-flair niche. Other showcased furniture designers include Alison Berger, John Hutton, and Studio H. Holly Hunt founded the design firm as a single store in 1984.

Learn more about her company here.

We have three (3) WPO Chicago members sponsoring our reception immediately following our program and dinner is pre-arranged too.

This is a for-members-only event but it is not too late to join provided you pre-qualify and we have space in a chapter. Contact Laurel Delaney at the email address shown on our blog (right sidebar) or call 773-381-1700 for further information.

Special thanks to Harris N.A. and IBM for helping us make this year's event the best ever.

We look forward to seeing you or hearing from you soon!

P.S. WPO Chicago private wiki members register here.

News of Interest: WPO Boston Conference Update

More, more, more on our fabulous Boston conference.

Pictured is Marc Lautenbach, General Manager of the Americas, IBM, addressing attendees in the America Ballroom at the Westin Copley Place on the changing nature of innovation for a globalized economy. He sees new technologies leading to the connectedness of everything.

My notes from one of his presentation slides indicates:

"Global integration is the new playing field ... and innovation is the way you win the game."

News of Interest: SME Toolkit

IBM (a WPO corporate sponsor) and International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank, launch a small business toolkit to create jobs and fuel growth in the underserved and emerging markets.

The Women Presidents' Organization is a partner for the US version of toolkit. And I am honored through the work at my own business and relationship with WPO, to contribute global small business articles in the International Business Overview segment. Visit SME Toolkit area here and keep in mind all the resources are free.

The Race To Creativity. Will You Win?

As you know, companies simply can't survive, let alone grow, without ingenuity and originality. UPS (who happens to be a WPO national sponsor!) understands this and today kicked off a program that seeks the best small businesses across the globe -- from Alabama to Argentina and from Zimbabwe to New Zealand.

Dubbed the UPS Best “Out-of-the-Box” Small Business Contest, the program is designed for companies with annual 2006 revenues of at least $250,000 but not more than $10 million -- you do not have to be a WPO member to register -- and is a way for UPS to reward small businesses using creative, innovative ideas and concepts.

Prizes for the winners range from $5,000 to $25,000 in cash, plus an IBM (also a WPO national sponsor) small business package. This is the first year that small businesses from around the world -- not just those in the United States -- are eligible to participate.

I participated in this event last year as a global small business expert panelist and it was a mind-liberating experience. I met so many innovative small business owners and still wear the decorative pin that one of the winners made at her small business.

First, you must register. And there is a special registration area set up for small business owners operating in different parts of the world. For example, if you are located in Canada, register here where all the information is provided in French. If you are selected as a winner, let's plan to connect at the award ceremony. I am always eager to meet the best and brightest idea generators!

Better hurry because contest application period ends September 1. In case you skipped the previous links, begin the online registration process here.

P.S. Just in (5/9) ... I have been asked to be a judge on the program and it's official:

The entries will be judged by an international panel of renowned small business experts, including: Laurel Delaney, President and Founder, Global TradeSource, Ltd.; Joshua Lau, Founder and CEO of YesAsia; Juan Antonio "Oso" Oseguera, editor of Entrepreneur en Español and Hayden Bradshaw, publisher and editor of Enterprise Magazine.

Read the press release here. I am honored and cannot wait. See you there!