Blog Post of Interest: SBA Honors the Fallen

As with SBA, we hope on this Memorial Day that you take the time to remember those who have died in service to the United States.

We honor the fallen and remember them and their sacrifice with reverence and deep respect and hope that it translates into what we do for all veterans today.

Learn more here.

Illustration credit:  Memorial Day (SBA)

Blog Post of Interest: Success By Choice

As Heidi Grant Halvorson asks, "Why have you been so successful in reaching some of your goals, but not others?"  Ever wonder?  Then this blog post is for you:  "Nine Things Successful People Do Differently."

One of my personal favorites is No. 4:

Be a realistic optimist. When you are setting a goal, by all means engage in lots of positive thinking about how likely you are to achieve it. Believing in your ability to succeed is enormously helpful for creating and sustaining your motivation. But whatever you do, don't underestimate how difficult it will be to reach your goal. Most goals worth achieving require time, planning, effort, and persistence. Studies show that thinking things will come to you easily and effortlessly leaves you ill-prepared for the journey ahead, and significantly increases the odds of failure. 

And Dr. Halvorson should know a thing or two about how to succeed:

Heidi Grant Halvorson, Ph.D. is a motivational psychologist and author of the HBR Single Nine Things Successful People Do Differently and the book Succeed: How We Can Reach Our Goals (Hudson Street Press, 2011). Her personal blog, The Science of Success, can be found at www.heidigranthalvorson.com.  Follow her on Twitter @hghalvorson.

Article of Interest: How to Go From Good to Great in 10 Easy Steps

How inspiring to have Jim Collins as one of our keynote speakers at our WPO Atlanta Conference this year (2012)!  Adding to that, I had the great pleasure to meet Kimberly Weisel, the talented author and entrepreneur behind the following article.

Jim Collins:  Good to Great in 10 Steps

As Jim says:  Do ten things that will dramatically improve your company. What are you waiting for?

Article of Interest: Key, Timeless Leadership Attributes

According to Erika Andersen, CEO, Proteus International, leadership hasn't changed much over the decades and centuries.  What's in store for each of us as we lead our organizations into a new century?

... the only real shifts they anticipated in what will be required of leaders are the ability to think truly globally, and the capacity to lead through continuous and substantive change. 

Will that be you?  

Learn more here. 

Ms. Andersen says:

I’ve been thinking about leaders lately, and how important good leaders are going to be over the next couple of years. As we start to come out of this recession, and to right our ship of state on a variety of levels, I’m noticing more than ever before how important it is for organizations to have strong and flexible leaders.

Read about her Leading model here.  One of her books can be found here.

Article of Interest: What Is the Essence of Your Brand?

Photo credit:  ©Laurel Delaney 2012

Do you have any great branding principles in place at your business? 

We all know great design has a critical role to play in building a great brand. But how do we go about making that happen?

The author of the article below speaks to three top designers about that very question.

Learn what he discovers here.

Photo credit:  ©Laurel Delaney 2012, "Apple iPad and iPhone"

Book of Interest: Media: From Chaos to Clarity

Full disclosure first, I have not read "Media:  From Chaos to Clarity" by Judy Ungar Franks so what you are about to read is not a review.

What triggered me to post about her book is a fascinating article I caught in the recent edition (April 19) of the Chicago Reader: "What traditional media can learn from Betty White, Old Spice, and Joan of Arc." 

I was intrigued to say the least by Franks's comments to Michael Miner's (author of the article) questions.  For example, "We need a few simple tools and one big picture," she writes.  And goes on further to say, "We need a great story to tell (across multiple channels), we need an engaged consumer and we need an open media architecture that enables consumers to accelerate content across media channels and social networks."

Sounds like something all business owners should address in order to get and keep digital customers. 

Read the entire article here.  Check out her book where she makes sense of a messy media world here.

Article of Interest: The Way I Work

In just three short years the daily-deal site LivingSocial has:

... more than 46 million members in 25 countries and close to 5,000 employees worldwide, about 900 of them in its D.C. headquarters. Fueled by close to $1 billion in funding from VC firms and Amazon.com, LivingSocial has acquired nearly a dozen companies and launched offerings aimed at travelers and families.

Find out how LivingSocial founder Tim O'Shaughnessy does it. A whole lot of lessons here.

One insight:  "If you're not nervous about one or two decisions every day, you probably aren't trying hard enough."

Illustration credit:  LivingSocial

Article of Interest: Do You Have An F-Commerce Plan in Place?

Yes, you read that right, f-commerce and not e-commerce.

Some entrepreneurs and investors increasingly think "f-commerce" - meaning e-commerce on Facebook - is the answer. Start-ups such as BeachMint, Yardsellr, Oodle and Fab.com are coming up with novel ways to persuade Facebook users to not just connect with friends on the social network, but to shop as well.

The question becomes:  Facebook e-commerce:  the next big thing?  If so, are you ready?  Better keep your finger to the pulse here with potential opportunities for your business.

Rethink your e-commerce strategy and make it more social (e.g., f-commerce). 

Article of Interest: What Matters to Organizations Now

Our friend and colleague, Gary Hamel, has a new book out: What Matters Now (pictured). It is a series of interconnected essays that focus on five key themes beginning with values, which have nearly wilted away in the business world.

He worries that unless there is a moral renaissance, recent lapses will lead to an increased regulatory burden.

Read the entire article to find out what else is on Gary Hamel's great mind.

Hint: Check out this insight of his:

“Unlike Apple, most companies are long on accountants and short on artists. They are run by executives who know everything about cost and next to nothing about value,” he warns.

News of Interest: WPO Featured in The Wall Street Journal

 The Women Presidents' Organization is featured in The Wall Street Journal.  Founder and President, Dr. Marsha Firestone says:

She goes on further to say:

"Women go in [to business] having technical expertise but they don't have the managerial skills," she says. "To run a business, you need a lot of skills -- marketing, financial, (human resources). You may not, in fact, have all those skills." 

Read the entire article:

Women-Owned Businesses Make Strides

Event of Interest: WPO 2012 Conference

Change - Deal With It -- That's the theme of this year's exciting WPO 2012 Conference held in beautiful Atlanta, Georgia (pictured at night) April 25-27th at the InterContinental Buckhead.

The conference encourages WPO members to share business strategies and experience with other successful women from all over the world, as well as learn from interactive seminars and speakers. Additionally, it will provide potential members who qualify a unique opportunity to experience the impact the WPO has on women business owners professionally, and personally.

Learn more here.

I'll be there. Hope to see you too!

Magazine of Interest: Monocle

There are many ways to keep up with global news (e.g., CNN, BBC News, The New York Times, The International Herald Tribune, The Wall Street Journal, etc.) but to maintain a serious competitive edge, Monocle is one of our favorites.  It helps us stay on top of trends.

Monocle is a premium media brand with magazine, web, broadcast and retail divisions. Focusing on global affairs, business, culture and design, Monocle's mission is to keep an eye on the world.

To keep your business cool, relevant and an influencer in your industry, read up over at Monocle

Article of Interest: Women Energize Economies

I was asked to write the lead article "Women Entrepreneurs Energize Economies," by the U.S. Department of State.  It is part of the eJournal USA issue "Enterprising Women, Thriving Societies." 

Hungry for recognition and a better living, women in the developing world vie for business success.

I hope it inspires all individuals to pursue their dream of starting a business.  There's even a section on tips on how to start a business -- don't miss it!

Immediate download: PDF version (6.5 MB)

Posted by:  Women Presidents' Organization Chicago Blog

Article of Interest: Business Growth Tips for 12 Industries

If a business is on a mission to grow, it will no doubt face challenges.

In good times and bad, some companies succeed while others fail. Success is determined in large part by the particular mix of capabilities — the combination of processes, tools, knowledge, skills, human capital, and organizational forms — that companies deploy. 

Does your business have the capabilities required to keep moving forward in a highly profitable manner?

According to "Winning Moves for 12 Industries," all companies have two types of capabilities:  competitive necessities and distinctive capabilities.  

Find out which one you have and whether you have what it takes to outperform your competitors here.

Article of Interest: Negotiating a Noncompete Agreement

When you sell your business, you don't have to sign your life away.  Here are four ways sellers can carve out some wiggle room during negotiations.

How to Negotiate a Noncompete Agreement

Article of Interest: How to Rework the Brainstorming Process At Work

Does brainstorming really make people more creative at work? At your business, do you make it a regular practice to get together with your team to talk about breakthrough ideas? Does it work?  How do you measure it?

Two recent articles argue that brainstorming doesn't make people more creative.  So how might we remake the brainstorming process, given what science tells us?

Find out here.

Blog Post of Interest: Social Media Marketing

As social media platforms such as Google+ and Facebook continue to evolve and grow, how do you, as a business owner, stay focused and up to date on what's relevant?

The reality of web marketing is that almost all of it happens on platforms that are owned by others. Platform owners, such as Facebook or Google, have provided environments where some things are easy to do, some things are much harder to do, and some things simply can't be done. Even tougher for marketers is that these systems are constantly changing ...

Read: Your Marketing Can Keep Pace with Facebook and Google

WPO Chicago Member of Interest: Shelly Sun, CEO and Co-Founder of BrightStar

WPO Chicago Platinum member Shelly Sun, CEO and co-founder of BrightStar, is a longstanding member of the Women Presidents' Organization and has won numerous awards, including but not limited to:

... selected as the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) Entrepreneur of the Year for 2009, becoming not only the youngest recipient of this impressive award, but also only the second female recipient. In 2011, Shelly and BrightStar were featured on the hit CBS series “Undercover Boss.” She was also recognized by the Women Presidents Organization and American Express Open as #1 in their Top 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Led Organizations in 2011, moving up from #2 in 2010.  Read more ... here.

Her most recent accomplishment is authoring, "Grow Smart, Risk Less (as shown at right)," which I am about to read this week.  Read what others have already said about the book. Order yourself a copy here.

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

Illustration credit (top) here.

Related post here.

Article of Interest: How to Stay a Step Ahead in Business

Here's a glimpse of the thinking behind some of the major steps I.B.M. has taken under Samuel Palmisano’s (pictured) leadership, based on two interviews with him conducted at the NYTimes.com. He boils it down to four questions you must ask:

1. “Why would someone spend their money with you — so what is unique about you?”
2. “Why would somebody work for you?”
3. “Why would society allow you to operate in their defined geography — their country?”
4. “And why would somebody invest their money with you?”

Mr. Palmisano has stepped down as Chief Executive of IBM, turning the baton over to Virginia M. Rometty (pictured) who becomes the ninth chief executive in the company’s 100-year history.

Read the entire article here.

Hat tip to WPO Chicago member Mary Bahr for turning us on to the article.

Blog Post of Interest: CEO Blindspots

What do CEOs misunderstand the most about how their management teams think? Take a guess. As President of your firm, do you know your management team very well?

The blog post below offers three major ways in which teams definitely do not see themselves as the CEO does.

Top Three CEO Blindspots brought to you by The Build Network (from the creators of Inc.)

Article of Interest: Promotion Predictions for 2012

How will you be grabbing attention for your business in 2012?  Will it be all serious or do you plan to bring in a little comedy this year to promote your brand?

According to a recent WSJ article:

Still, a flair for technology won't be enough to stand out amidst the stupefying ad clutter. To grab attention, some ad executives expect to see more comedy in the mix while others foresee an uptick in raunchier promotions, peppered with f-bombs.

Find out about all the advertising predictions in 2012 here.

Posted by:  Women Presidents' Organization Chicago

Article of Interest: Peering Into the Future

What surprises should we expect over the coming year?  Your guess is as good as mine.  According to The Wall Street Journal columnist David Wessel, his response to that very same question is this:  "If I anticipated them, they wouldn't be surprises."

More importantly:  Where is the conventional wisdom most likely to be wrong?

Wessel tackels that question and provides a consensus forecast for 2012.  

An Economics Columnist Peers Into the Future

Be sure to click on the reader's comments.  They can be more telling than the actual opinion piece.

Gear up, prepare your business as best you can and let's hope the economy performs better than we expect in the new year.

Happy 2012 from WPO Chicago!

Happy Holidays From WPO Chicago!

©Laurel Delaney 2011, "First snow in Chicago 2011"

In the quiet moments of the holiday,

may you find peace and joy.

Article of Interest: Trends That Will Shape Small Business in 2012

It's that time of year -- nearing the end of December. A time to reflect on where you've been and where you're headed with your business.  As you plan, are you aware of what may be hot in 2012? But first, before we get to it, does this sound like you?

Small-business owners don’t care what’s cool. They care about what’s practical and what seems obvious—and that’s not always what gets buzz.

If it is, have a look at:

5 Trends That Will Shape Small Business in 2012

Prepare your business for another spectacular year of growth and profits.

Book of Interest: Start-up Nation

Why does Israel produce more start-up companies than large, peaceful, and stable nations like Canada, Japan or India?

There's one way to find out or at least get a few clues.  Read "Start-up Nation: The Story of Israel's Economic Miracle."

Start-up Nation examines the lessons of the country's adversity-driven culture, which flattens hierarchy and elevates informality -- all backed up by government policies focused on innovation.  In a world where economies as diverse as Ireland, Singapore and Dubai have tried to re-create the "Israel effect," there are entrepreneurial lessons well worth noting. 

Go here to find out how Israel has beaten the odds to become a major player in the global business world, especially in the technology space and a main contributor to global culture.  After you read the book, see how you might develop the next generation of corporate leaders or put those within your business who question authority to work!

Video of Interest: Judi Sheppard Jazzing It Up in Chicago!

Judi Sheppard Missett, a longstanding WPO member, jazzes it up in Chicago!  She rocks and we are very proud of her.

Book of Interest: Confidence

Throughout the year, I've tried to read at least one good business book a month and this month it is "Confidence:  How Winning Streaks and Losing Streaks Begin and End" (2004) by Rosabeth M. Kanter, who holds the Ernest L. Arbuckle Professorship at Harvard Business School.

Professor Kanter is in the upper crust of great minds such as Jim Collins, Gary Hamel, Peter Senge and Clayton Christensen.  Reading nearly every book she has ever authored, I will never understand why she is not on the best seller list more often. 

But to "Confidence."  If you want to know why some people and organizations always seem to land on their feet, while others, equally gifted, stumble again and again, then this book is for you.  I highly recommend it.  It's well-written, well-researched and will help you win in any global game you're playing.

From Amazon book review:

Rosabeth Moss Kanter will convince you that the goal of winning is not losing two times in a row. In her view, success and failure are not events, they are self-fulfilling tendencies. "Confidence is the sweet spot between arrogance and despair--consisting of positive expectations for favorable outcomes."

Meanwhile, learn what another entrepreneur thinks of the book and how it rang true to him as he rides out his own firm's recent acquisition of a troubled firm and what he did to turn things around.

News of Interest: Everything You Want to Know About Cloud Computing

We wrote about cloud computing on July 5, 2010.  What's happened since then?  Plenty.

Recent IDC cloud research shows that worldwide revenue from public IT cloud services exceeded $16 billion in 2009 and is forecast to reach $55.5 billion in 2014, representing a compound annual growth rate of 27.4%.

Learn everything you need to know about cloud computing to bring your business up to speed -- from new business models to the biggest cloud opportunities to how organizations can keep up with new architectural paradigms and offer more flexibility with less customization and more integration -- it's all here.

IDC Cloud

Illustration credit:  IDC Cloud

Posted by:  Women Presidents' Organization Chicago

Article of Interest: Unbeatable Customer Care

Whether you run a local or global company, customer care should be a No. 1 priority for you as you grow your business.  Here are ten ways to provide unbeatable customer care. 

Developing Great Global Customer Relations

Full disclosure:  Laurel Delaney serves as the Import and Export Guide for About.com (a New York Times company).

News of Interest: Woman-Owned Businesses Show Strength, Versatility and Growth

According to the annual survey by the Women Presidents' Organization and sponsored by Wells Fargo, it shows 76% of companies have maintained or grown their employee base.

Women Presidents have shown they can adjust to the changing economic climate. Results from the surveyed membership indicate 82% of multi-million dollar business owners have positive outlooks and experienced company growth in 2011, according to the annual economic survey by the Women Presidents' Organization (WPO), the premier peer advisory organization for women entrepreneurs.  Despite the economic downturn, 42% of these CEOs and presidents were able to give their employees raises while, 49% maintained current employee salaries.

Other interesting facts surveyed by WPO:

• 58% of member businesses have grown since joining; 75% of these believe WPO has helped them grow
• 80% believe the WPO helps manage business concerns in the current economic climate
• 72% believe their WPO chapter is the most valuable resource that WPO provides

Read more here.

Event of Interest: WPO Fall Regional Seminar Series 11/2/11 - LAST CHANCE!

Register now for the WPO Fall Regional Seminar series "Stirring it Up:  How to Grow Your Business, Make Money, and Save the World" featuring Gary Hirshberg, Chairman, President and CE-Yo of

(L) Samuel Kaymen and (R) Gary Hirshberg

Stonyfield Farm, sponsored by American Express OPEN.

Chicago, Illinois
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
The Westin Michigan Avenue
909 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611

What you will learn:

1. The strategy that Gary Hirshberg put into action that led to Stonyfield’s growth from its infancy as a seven-cow organic farming school to its current $370 million in annual sales.

2. How Stonyfield has parlayed its social media platforms and marketing initiatives into successful and authentic communication with consumers.

3. How Stonyfield has challenged the myth that social or environmental missions conflict with the company's financial objectives and instead created a "win-win-win-win-win-win-win" business model in which all stakeholders (employees, investors, customers, consumers, suppliers, farmers and shareholders and even the cows) all win.

FINAL CALL!  Click here to register.   Private affair:  For WPO members and prospective members only. 

Link to Samuel Kaymen and Gary Hirshberg Stonyfield story

Event of Interest: WPO Fall Regional Seminar Series 11/2/11

Register now for the WPO Fall Regional Seminar series "Stirring it Up:  How to Grow Your Business, Make Money, and Save the World" featuring Gary Hirshberg, Chairman, President and CE-Yo of Stonyfield Farm, sponsored by American Express OPEN.

Chicago, IL
November 2, 2011
4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
The Westin Michigan Avenue
909 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611

What you will learn:

1. The strategy that Gary Hirshberg put into action that led to Stonyfield’s growth from its infancy as a seven-cow organic farming school to its current $370 million in annual sales.

2. How Stonyfield has parlayed its social media platforms and marketing initiatives into successful and authentic communication with consumers.

3. How Stonyfield has challenged the myth that social or environmental missions conflict with the company's financial objectives and instead created a "win-win-win-win-win-win-win" business model in which all stakeholders (employees, investors, customers, consumers, suppliers, farmers and shareholders and even the cows) all win.

Click here to register.   Private affair:  For WPO members and prospective members only.  Only a few seats left!

Article of Interest: Time As a Means to Happiness

New research takes a fresh look at the topic of happiness.  You can run a successful business and make a ton of money but what if happiness is not something you feel?

According to "If Money Doesn't Make You Happy, Consider Time," the authors discuss how happiness is indeed a consequence of the choices people make.

So what can people do to increase their happiness? Their answer is surprisingly simple: spend your time wisely. Careful though.

You will be surprised to learn how people spend their time.

Although happiness is clearly relevant for individuals, businesses should also pay attention. Building a workforce of highly qualified, hard-working, and loyal employees is an essential aspect of staying competitive in today's global markets. Therefore, being concerned about employee happiness is not just a moral thing to do, but it makes smart business sense as well.

Read the entire article along with discovering the five time-spending happiness principles here.

And the author's tip to finding the best road to happiness?   Spend time with the people you love doing the things you love.  

Download PDF file:

If Money Doesn't Make You Happy, Consider Time," Jennifer Aaker, Melanie Rudd, Cassie Mogilner, Journal of Consumer Psychology, 2011.

Posted by:  Women Presidents' Organization Chicago 

Article of Interest: How to Impress Your Bank

First rule of thumb:  Know how much you need to borrow - and why.  Here are some tips (and tools) on how to not just impress your bank but make the most out of the relationship.

Second rule of thumb:  Know your numbers.

Read the entire article:  How Can Entrepreneurs Impress Their Bank? | Chief Executive Magazine

Article of Interest: How to Do Business in China

Nanjing, China

At some point with a business, you look at how to achieve greater and faster growth without breaking the bank.  Expanding internationally is a wise choice.

Below, Inc. Magazine contributor David Freeman makes a solid case for doing business in China.  Although China is a complicated and a frustrating market to enter (definitely not for the timid business owner), it does offer unlimited upside growth potential for a business. After all, we are talking about selling to more than 1.3 billion consumers.

Read:  How to Break Into China

For additional help in going global or entering China, visit:  About.com Import and Export Guide site, The Global Small Business Blog and Women Entrepreneurs GROW Global (full disclosure: Laurel Delaney manages these sites).

Posted by:  Women Presidents' Organization Chicago

Article of Interest: Growing Firms Seek Part-Time Execs

According to the article referenced below, mid-size companies -- considered the engine for future economic growth and job creation -- are reporting a greater demand for part-time high-level executives as the economy recovers.  Even though the article focuses on Detroit, this might be indicative of just about any major city in the United States with a high concentration of business owners.

When a company reaches several million dollars in annual revenues, its need for at least a part-time chief financial officer instead of a bookkeeper or a part-time chief technology officer in lieu of a web technician becomes undeniable, Fowler said.

"By the time you get to $5 million, your financial systems will have to be pretty sophisticated for you to grow your company," he said.

Something to think about and seriously consider.

And of course, many WPO members are at a revenue level that supports this notion:

"However, once most companies hit the approximately $15 million mark and they see a growing revenue stream, they want full-time employees at the C-level," Holland said.

Read more:  "Growing firms seek part-time execs"

Article of Interest: How to Put Your Strategic Growth Drivers In Place

To build and grow your business during difficult economic times, put the following three pieces of advice into place:

•  Preserve your cash.
•  Be predatory from a sales and marketing perspective.
•  Be opportunistic toward acquisitions.

Snippet:

... companies are proving that, if a business has strategic growth drivers in place from the very beginning, it will have the opportunity to grow, no matter what the economic climate. A fundamental piece to this puzzle is ensuring that the business model that you create and develop enables value creation and the possibility for creating a successful business, not just a successful product line.

 Learn more about how to do this:

"Three Tactics For Building a Successful Business in a Bad Economy."

Article of Interest: Tips On Managing Experienced Workers

Here's a good look at how to manage experienced workers and at the same, stay on top your game.

Richard Branson on Managing Experienced Workers || Entrepreneur.com

Excerpt from article:

... if you want to stay at the top of your game and work smoothly with your younger colleagues, you have to embrace change.

Video of Interest: Why Women-Owned Business Owners Succeed

Blog Post of Interest: How to Think and Act Different

This one's for Steve ... reflecting on his 2005 Stanford commencement address ... lessons we can all learn as we grow our businesses.

Reflecting on Steve Jobs' Words of Wisdom

Are you putting a ding in the universe?  What are you going to do about it?

Note:  Authorized biography on Steve Jobs coming out soon.

Photo credit here.

Article of Interest: The Days of Middle Managers Are Over

Call it what you like -- extinction, thing of the past or obsolescence -- but the potential death of mid managers is something we should all look at within our own organizations. For example, do you have a General Manager? How many middle managers is he or she managing? The following article warrants a rethink on your organizational chart.

Quick snippet:

“The days of general managers who know a little about a lot of things are completely over,” says Ms Gratton. As the developed world moves towards knowledge-based industries, she says, there is no longer a workforce that can be “managed by looking at it”. It is not enough simply to monitor how many hours workers spend at their station. Teams are now often comprised of peers focusing on a particular project who, aided by technology, now also monitor output and give each other feedback—two classic roles of the middle manager. Rather than general management, Ms Gratton argues that corporate types should develop mastery of one or two areas—"such as leading complex teams or understanding how virtual communities work"—and be prepared to bone up on new specializations quickly, as the needs of business change.

Read the entire article here.

Illustration credit (related to above) here.

Article of Interest: 5 Best Social CRM Programs

What is a social CRM program?  What are the best CRM programs?  Here's a look at five you should be using for your business and why. 

Read:

The Best Social CRM Programs | Inc.com

Illustration credit:  Radian6 

Event of Interest: 8th Annual WPO Chicago Summit 2011

If you are interested in attending, you must first become a WPO member. It's not too late. Please contact Laurel Delaney to discuss details.

Interview of Interest: How to Pitch and Win Over Investors

Author Donna Fenn interviews Amy Millman, president and co-founder of Springboard Enterprises, a not-for-profit “venture catalyst” with a mission to facilitate women entrepreneurs’ access to the equity markets.

When we ask investors what they look for in a company, they say ‘we invest in the jockey, not the horse.’ What they really mean is they are willing to bet on a CEO who they believe would make them money. Lots of money. So if you want them to invest in you, you need to appear to be a clone of that investor, have a serious track record of delivering big returns for investor, or be able and willing to proclaim your expertise.

Springboard educates, sources, coaches, showcases, and supports high growth women-led companies seeking equity capital for expansion.

Do you have a serious track record of delivering big returns at your business, or are you able and willing to proclaim your expertise?

Read the entire interview here.

News of Interest: Google+

Laurel Delaney, Google+

Are you on Google+? I am (https://profiles.google.com/laureldelaney). Currently, Google+ is in a "beta trial period," meaning it is an invitation-only product and will be available globally (hopefully) later.

Here's how Google defines Google+:

The Google+ (http://plus.google.com/ ) project aims to make sharing on the web more like sharing in real life. Check out Circles, Sparks, and Hangouts, just a few of the things we've ...

To get up to speed fast, read:

Google+:  What Is It, and How Do I Get It?

... but the big difference (between Facebook and Google+) is that with Google+, you can choose who you want to share these things with. ~ Source:  Geek.com

Google Takes on Facebook With New Social Network Google+

Is Google+ Really Google Buzz 2.0?

A Review of Google+

Illustration credit:  Google+ Project

I like Google+ because it will give us, as business owners, a chance to share the right stuff with the right people to grow strategically.  Take a tour here.

Hope we connect on Google+ soon.  

Posted by:  Women Presidents' Organization Chicago

Article of Interest: How to Breed a Management Rebel

Good stuff from our friend and colleague Gary Hamel (pictured). 

Inventing Management 2.0

In it, he talks about busting bureaucratic practices and discovering new ways of motivating, organizing, compensating and goal setting.  For example, does this sound anything close to how you currently run your business?

... the management model found in your organization most likely over-weights the views of senior executives, undervalues unconventional thinking, discourages full transparency, deters initiative, frustrates experimentation and encourages an entirely unwarranted reverence for precedence. In so doing, Management 1.0 squanders the leadership talents of just about everyone apart from the CEO.

Find out how you might become a management (Presidential) rebel here.  Go ahead:  shake it up! 

Note:  Gary Hamel was the keynote speaker for our WPO Conference 2006 in Chicago.

Posted by:  Women Presidents' Organization Chicago

Case Study of Interest: Firing Your Best Friend

With business revenue drying up, Susan Southerland, owner and President of Just Marry, was cutting expenses everywhere (sound familiar?).  But could she really fire her best friend?

When things get tough, the tough get going.  See what she does here:

Case Study
Nothing Personal
Inc. Magazine
Should This Wedding Planner Fire Her Best Friend?

Have you ever had a similar experience?  What did you do?

News of Interest: Happy 4th of July from WPO Chicago!

We wish you a safe, happy and productive Independence Day.

Posted by:  Women Presidents' Organization Chicago

Photo credit:  ©Laurel Delaney 2011.  All rights reserved.  Michigan Avenue, facing West, Chicago River.