Friday, November 30, 2007
RE: Women Making News: The Week In Review
Welcome to the RE:INVENTION blog Friday Feature: "Women Making News: The Week in Review." Friday's guest host blog is written by News On Women founder and former Chase Bank executive, Alice Krause.
CLICK HERE for more about Alice Krause. 
Women Making News: The Week In Review
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
By Alice KrauseWomen Making News This Week:- Kate Rundle Made EVP and GC at Bookham
- Elizabeth Law Made Publisher Egmont USA
- Judith Carre Sutfin Made CFO at Amcore
- Sarah Chubb, President of CondeNet, Adding Partners and Making News
- Grace Wu Made CFO at Shanda
- Kathy Owen Named CIO at Unum US
- Cindy Schwalb Made Online Content Coordinator at Kiplinger.com
- Barbara Schrantz Made EVP at Bon-Ton Stores
- Lani Hay CEO of Lanmark Technology
- Carol Tome Named to Atlanta FHLB Board
- Gail Lione Named to Imperial Sugar Board
- Caroline Howe Made SVP at Nautilus
- Joan Carty Named to Boston FHLB Board
- Lynda Scearcy Named to Sierra Bancorp Board
- Julia Brown Named to Targacept Board
- Johnson and Johnson Wins HBA Ace Award for Advancing Women's Careers
As I look over my posts from www.newsonwomen.com, I find our strength in numbers increasing. Three issues are particularly relevant this week. The first is the diversity of the industries in which these women work as well as the diversity in the jobs they do. There are CEO's, CFO's, CIO's, Presidents, EVP's, SVP's, GC's, Partners and Publishers.
The second is the majority of the women about which I posted have advanced degrees, mostly MBA's and JD's. As I've mentioned before it seems that the path to success is enhanced by advanced degrees, although it is not the only way to get ahead.
The third point is the number of women involved in technology and business on the net. It was great to read about Sarah Chubb, Director of CondeNet since 1996 and then President - in it early on. I was happy to see this having just read Fortune Magazine's November 26 article on the paypal guys (and I mean that literally). It was a stunning visual to see the group - absolutely no women in the picture even in this new economy. There is a great multiplier if you look at the next level - additional companies these guys went on to found and invest in. The article mentions the lack of women in the group and a less than friendly atmosphere but that didn't seem to grab a headline. I do wonder why there are no women in the picture. Does it go back to education? Guys meet other guys in business schools and math programs where women are not represented equally either through lack of opportunity or lack of interest?
Lack of interest we can do something about. Go back to your high schools and colleges and get girls interested in math and business school no matter what their career goals since math is essential to so many aspects of life. Call it the NewsonWomen "Education Leads to Leadership" Initiative. Strength in numbers helps here if we all do it. I have already contacted my first school. I intend to contact many more. (
RE:INVENTION Blog Editor, Kirsten Osolind, also recommends: the Forte Foundation).
We need to raise awareness. Why couldn't Blogher be the next Facebook? Or some other great idea by the many amazing women I post about every day. Where would Facebook be without all the female students - not half as big I would guess. There is strength in numbers. We need to use it. We all know the net is about sharing. I think these guys should share the wealth - and tell us - what's their secret?
How To Reach Alice Krause
Alice Krause
Founder - NewsonWomen.com
Share Your News with Us
www.newsonwomen.com
Thursday, November 29, 2007
RE: Cruz Coughs Up Corner Office
Once designated John J. Mack CEO replacement candidate and Harvard-grad Zoe Cruz -- one of the most powerful and highest paid women in biz according to Forbes and Fortune Magazines -- is retiring from Morgan Stanley.
Morgan Stanley named Walid Chammah and James Gorman co-presidents.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
RE: State of the Nation For Chicago Women Biz Leaders.
In her Chicago Sun Times column today, Francine Knowles reviews the status of Chicago Women Business Leaders. According to the 10th Annual Study conducted by The Chicago Network, Chicago's 50 biggest companies increased their percent of women board directors -- to 14.3% from 13.8% last year. Exactly 1 new woman was added to Chicago-area company boards. That followed a drop last year.
The Chicago Network (TCN) is an organization of professional women in the Chicago metropolitan area who have reached the highest echelons of business, the arts, government, the professions and academia. Founded in 1979, TCN's 350 members have leading roles in corporations, professional service firms, government agencies, health care companies, entrepreneurial enterprises, the arts, and non-profit organizations.
Additional Study Findings:
- Four companies out of 50 (up from 2 last year) have zero women board members.
- Women executive officers decreased to 13.8 percent of the target group from 14.6 percent last year.
- Chicago now is the home for 2 women CEOS: Brenda Barnes of Sara Lee Corporation and Irene Rosenfeld of Kraft Foods Inc.
- Patricia Woertz of Archer-Daniels-Midland in downstate Illinois, also joined the ranks of CEOs, though ADM is not a part of the Chicago 50.
The Real Headline Here:Compare The Chicago Network's report to the recent
California Women Business Leaders Report from UC Davis and you start to paint an interesting picture. Chicago apparantly is significantly more progressive than California when it comes to women.
CLICK HERE for the Chicago Network report. Executive Director of The Chicago Network,
Amy Osler, is also one of the rare women members of the Economic Club of Chicago.
RE: Chicago's Mayor Daley LUVS Connecticut.
Chicago has hired an agency to inventory "beloved" city assets (landmarks, buildings, events, and programs) and recommend ways that the city can capitalize on corporate sponsorship opportunities. So that our city can "profit" from what Chicagoans most love. According to project contract terms, the recommendations must "detail a strategy for ensuring the integrity of the city of Chicago's image."
The firm hired to do the job? Connecticut-based Octagon. Hmm. Hiring a Connecticut agency kinda diminishes Chicago's integrity, now doesn't it? Apparently in Mayor Daley's mind, a Connecticut firm understands what Chicago loves -- even better than a Chicago agency.
xoxoxoxoxo
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
RE: The Woman In Me Needs The Man In You - Part Two.
A new study based on old 2002 U.S. Census data from the National Women's Business Council (NWBC) attempts to clarify the economic impact of women business owners. The study expands the NWBC's current definition of "women-owned firms" (those that are majority owned by a woman) to include "women-led firms" (those where a woman owns the business equally alongside men with a percentage of the business at least equal to any male owner). RE:INVENTION used this same distinction in our nationally-noted 2004 Venture Funding for Women Report.
Combined, "women-owned firms" and "women-led firms" generated 12% of U.S. GDP. Of interesting note, "women-led firms" -- those led equally with a man -- had higher receipts per firm and a greater proportion of paid employees. THIS IS NOT NEW NEWS - RE:INVENTION drew this same conclusion from our research back in October 2004.
Apparently "the woman in me (still) needs the man in you."
RE:INVENTION LIBRARY RESOURCES
- The Woman In Me Needs the Man In You (October 14, 2004)
Friday, November 23, 2007
RE: Women Making News: The Week In Review
Welcome to the RE:INVENTION blog Friday Feature: "Women Making News: The Week in Review." Friday's guest host blog is written by News On Women founder and former Chase Bank executive, Alice Krause.
CLICK HERE for more about Alice Krause.
Women Making News: The Week In Review
THE POWER OF GIVING
By Alice KrauseWomen Making News This Week:- Myrtle Potter Named to Medco Board
- Gina Bianchini CEO of Ning
- Arlene Rockefeller Made Equities CIO at State Street Global Advisors
- Glynis Bryan Made CFO at Insight Enterprises
- Karen Katen Named to Home Depot Board
- Wendy Borow-Johnson Named to bioMETRX Board
- Mary Cranston Named to Juniper Networks Board
- Carol Bartz Named to Intel Board
- Jill Braff SVP of Global Publishing at Glu Mobile
- Cindy Murray Made Head of Product Innovation for Global Corp and IB at Bank of America
- Nora Denzel Named to Overland Storage Board
There were a few stand-out jobs on
www.newsonwomen.com this week. One was the appointment of Cindy Murray to Head of Product Innovation for Global Corporate and Investment Banking at Bank of America. I was also fascinated by Gina Bianchini, Co-Founder and CEO of Ning, a social networking platform listed in Fortune Magazine as a key partner for Google in dealing with social circles. In total, however, this week was all about Boards. As Thanksgiving Day started the holiday season, a number of high profile companies appointed women to their Boards of Directors. These women offer significant business experience and add great value to company boards.
Thinking about the start of the giving season with Thanksgiving, I am reminded that women have long been serving on charitable and nonprofit Boards, giving much time and money to worthy causes. I would like to see women make more use of the unique power of giving in order to effect change. The power of giving is significant both for your individual career and for helping women and girls worldwide. Getting involved can help you make important connections and make people interested in what you are capable of doing. It can also pay big dividends for others. I recently posted about the Hunt sisters who united with the Women’s Funding Network to launch the "Women Moving Millions" Initiative. With minimum donations of $1 million dollars, women will help reduce poverty and other problems that are specific to women and girls. This is an awesome initiative.
Women have always worked to help children. I've posted about Andrea Wenner, who graduated from Business School and started
www.Out2Play.org, a company that builds playgrounds for NYC public school children. Alison Levine, another post on www.newsonwomen.com, looks to help women with her
www.ClimbHighFoundation.org, an organization that teaches jobless women in underdeveloped countries to be mountain guides and packers, generating income where there had been no prior opportunity to earn wages. I have posted about a number of women who run foundations, like Karen Katen who is Chairman of the Pfizer Foundation and was put on the Home Depot Board this week; these and other philanthropic institutions have long given employment opportunities to women.
So this holiday season we need to capitalize on the power of giving to effect change. Check out your neighborhood and see the many women who run the foundations and philanthropic endeavors. Build relationships with them and their Boards. Use the power of giving to build your own social and business network and help money go to women and girls in need. You could start a giving network using Gina Bianchini's Ning social networking platform where your organizations could share information and resources. Read more about Gina Bianchini and her Ning platform, as well as Alison Levine and her Climb High Foundation, Andrea Wenner and her Out2Play organization and the Hunt sisters and their "Women Moving Millions" Initiative on www.newsonwomen.com.
How To Reach Alice Krause
Alice Krause
Founder - NewsonWomen.com
Share Your News with Us
www.newsonwomen.com
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
RE: Opening Up the Heavily Guarded Alpha Male Playbook.
Christopher Flett -- self-proclaimed business coach to women, NAWBO speaker, business rebel, and profiteer -- has penned a new book titled, "What Men Don't Tell Women About Business: Opening Up the Heavily Guarded Alpha Male Playbook." According to Mr. Flett's bio, he has never himself worked as a corporate executive. Among the subjects covered in the book: why banding together with other women is a losing strategy.
Hmm. Interesting perspective from an Alpha Male. And it reminds me...Step 15 in Robert Greene's Art of Seduction reads: "Isolate your victim from friends and kindred spirits to make them vulnerable to your influence...once isolated they are easily led astray."
We're posting a link to Flett's book excerpt. Read at your own risk.
Monday, November 19, 2007
RE: Men Having A Blonde Moment.
Unless you've been hiding under a rock today, you've probably heard the rolling thunder of news about Blondes. According to new (somewhat dubious) research from two French scientists, meeting a blonde causes men to "mimic stupidity in an effort to get along with her."
Having been both blonde and brunette in 2007 (with unchanged IQ), I respectfully disagree. Men -- not all but most -- will treat you as you expect to be treated.
Special note to all the men out there who misinterpret RE:INVENTION's purpose. We don't have "a woman's chip on our shoulder." We are on a mission to change the way women view themselves.
Fast Facts* About Brunettes
- 60% of American women are natural brunettes.
- 74% of brunettes consider themselves popular with men compared to 93% of blondes.
- 76% of men say they prefer brunettes over blondes.
- 52% of Allure Magazine's women readers say that they consider brunette to be "the sexiest hair color".
- 87% of men say they have more intelligent conversations with brunettes.
- 56 Miss America winners have been brunettes since the contest's inception in 1921 (vs. 19 blondes and 4 redheads)
- 81.8 million brown hair color kits were sold by Clairol in 2006
- As of today, brunettes trounce blondes 3 to 1 on Sunsilk's Color Showdown Site.
*Source: Allure Magazine, August 2007
Wise Words About Blondes- "
What's Blonde Got to Do With It?"
Still Confused?-
Get Hairapy- Or just read
the site review.
RE: Canada says Necessity is the Mother of RE:INVENTION.
According to this article in the National Post, "necessity is the mother of RE:INVENTION." Hmm. Lots of jokes come to mind here. But we'll zip our lips in respect to our women friends up North.
The article heralds the 16th Annual RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur Awards, which will take place tomorrow night in Toronto. The Awards honor women who have made a significant contribution to Canadian business. Winners will be announced in 5 different categories: The Deloitte Start-Up Award, The Intel Innovation Award, The RBC Momentum Award, The Bell Trailblazer Award,
and the Energy Savings Group of Companies Lifetime Achievement Award.
Friday, November 16, 2007
RE: Women Making News: The Week In Review
Today we introduce a new feature on RE:INVENTION's blog. Fridays now belong to RE:INVENTION Marketing partner, News On Women. News On Women founder and former Chase Bank executive, Alice Krause, joins us as our Friday featured blogger, recapping "Women Making News: The Week in Review."
According to the Global Media Monitoring Project, only 21% of all people featured in the News are women - and when they are featured they are rarely portrayed as "experts". Women are twice as likely as men to be marginalized or depicted as victims in Mainstream Media. Since 2003, RE:INVENTION's blog has showcased notable and quotable women. Our new Friday feature is a powerful next step. We're asking YOU to help us spread the word about Wonder Women. A warm welcome to Alice!
CLICK HERE for more about Alice Krause.
Women Making News: The Week In Review
WHAT HOLDS YOU BACK?
By Alice KrauseWomen Making News This Week:- Sherilyn McCoy - Made Worldwide Chair at Johnson & Johnson
- Monica Azare - Named to LHC Group Board
- Joyce Maruniak - Made SVP at Sharper Image
- Joanne Solomon - Made CFO at Amkor Technology
- Suzanne Karkus - Made SVP at Under Armour
- Julie Beck - Named to Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Board
- Jennifer Dulski - Made CEO of Fatdoor
- Lois Juliber - Named to Kraft Board
- Freya Brier - Made GC at Eddie Bauer
- Lisa Ricciardi - Named to Sepracor Board
- Dr. Lynne Kelley - Made Medical Director at Kimberly Clark HealthCare
- Patricia Williams - Made GC at Rehab Care
- Anne Busquet - Named to Pitney Bowes Board
I spend my time blogging about women's achievements on www.NewsonWomen.com. I love to see women getting ahead. I've heard it said that the only limits on you are those you put on yourself. True or not, it made me think about what holds women back in their careers.
Most of the women about which I posted that were appointed to top jobs this November were well educated, at least a Bachelor's degree and many had graduate degrees. The interesting point is that the degrees were diverse. So majors and concentrations don't necessarily limit you but advanced education definitely helps you get ahead. What about experience and background? Most of these women had significant experience, and developed it in a specific area of expertise. But there are those who just love the entrepreneurial environment and jump right in like Travelocity CEO Michelle Peluso. This seems to work in both directions.
What about role models (or lack thereof)? I have been writing about women achievers for two years and everyday I find someone I never heard of before. Do you know Jennifer Dulski - a Yahoo veteran exec who this week was made CEO of Fatdoor, a new online neighborhood community platform? I'm sure you've heard of Calvin Klein Jeans, but have you heard of Suzanne Karkus? She had been the President of that division for womens wear, and this week was made Senior Vice President of Apparel at Under Armour Inc. Lois Juliber (former COO of Colgate-Palmolive) and Anne Busquet (former CEO of Local & Media Services for IAC/Interactive Corp) were put on Boards this week after long careers in consumer products and media and finance. If you knew of all these women, I congratulate you - but I doubt you did since women executives, our role models,
get very little press coverage from mainstream media. That is definitely holding us back.
Does industry matter? Women do well in finance, media, retail, marketing and startups. Yet I rarely post about some industries, which are slower to put women in leadership jobs. Industries about which I wrote in the past week include healthcare, retail, finance, technology and consumer products.
What is the Path to Success? You could be held back by the worry you won't find the right path. If you read NewsonWomen.com you will see there are many roads you can travel towards success. Women leaders can be found in all walks of life. Do I wish there were more? Yes - but don't tell me there aren't any women getting ahead.
There are other reasons women are held back like access to capital or family balance, but here's one answer regarding limits. I strongly believe there is more you can do to help yourself get ahead, and you will get ahead faster if people you work with become aware of other women moving into leadership jobs (strength in numbers!). It's up to you to make sure your bosses and co-workers know how many women are moving up the corporate ladder. We need an organized effort to make women executives better known. You can be the leaders in that regard. Tell people in your office about them. Drop names at meetings to show women in other companies being put in top jobs or starting an interesting company of their own. Lead your co-workers and your friends in the right direction by telling them what's happening each week. Read
www.newsonwomen.com. Use the news to your advantage.
What's holding you back?
How To Reach Alice Krause
Alice Krause
Founder - NewsonWomen.com
Share Your News with Us
www.newsonwomen.com
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
RE: Stevie Award Winners Announced!
This week 43 women were honored for their achievements at the 4th Annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business.
The Stevie Awards for Women in Business is an international competition recognizing the accomplishments of outstanding women executives, business owners, and the companies they run. The awards are produced by the creators of the prestigious American Business Awards, hailed as "the business world's own Oscars."
This year's winners included Constant Contact's CEO Gail Goodman (the company's recent IPO was a success), Travelocity's CEO Michelle Peluso. Illinois winners included: Marcel Media's CEO Kelly Cutler and CEO of National Tax Search, Lori Eshoo.
For the full list of awards: www.stevieawards.com/women.
For an extensive list of press releases from Stevie Award winners: CLICK HERE.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
RE: Curious After Reading Crain's?
RE:INVENTION's blog showcases working women - with information and hard-hitting insights about what encourages them to try, buy, and tell all their friends. On this rare occasion, after a recent article in Crain's Chicago Business, we want to share RE:INVENTION's story. Let's set the record straight. Simple and open wins...
WHO WE ARE
RE:INVENTION is a nationally noted marketing and PR firm, specializing in strategic consulting, proactive media relations, social media activation, messaging and positioning, product launches, and partnership marketing. Crain's Chicago Business lists RE:INVENTION as one of Chicago's respected PR agencies. RE:INVENTION was a 2004 Stevie Awards for Women in Business finalist and CEO Kirsten Osolind now sits on the organization's National Board. Osolind, a former Fortune 500 marketing executive and frequent speaker on marketing and women's issues, also writes for Entrepreneur Magazine. RE:INVENTION's 2004 "Venture Funding for Women" report - a groundbreaking gender-based analysis of venture capital investments frequently referenced as an industry barometer - has been featured in Inc., BusinessWeek, Washington Post, and multiple US Dailies.
RESULTS DRIVEN
Marketing and PR firms are defined by their results. We've generated over 500 million impressions for our clients in the past year. Our firm has been noted or quoted in over 500+ respected business, trade, and women's publications since 2003. We know how to get noticed - and apply those skills for our clients. RE:INVENTION measures results in terms of R-O-I: Return-on-Impressions, Return-on-Impact, and Return-on-Image.
We help clients:
- Encourage inbound links and buzz from key tech and consumer influencers online (including bloggers).
- Solicit and secure "rolling thunder" traditional media coverage.
- Develop profitable and enduring relationships and W-O-M reach with target customers.
HOW WE ARE DIFFERENTUnlike older, traditional PR agencies, RE:INVENTION has a command of social media, Internet branding, and online reputation management PR. This isn't just "lip service." To demonstrate RE:INVENTION's command of the online marketing world...
- RE:INVENTION's blog has a GOOGLE Page Rank of 6.
- Our blog ranks #1 out of 22MM returned results when you GOOGLE: "marketing and PR firms."
- Advertising Age Magazine has recognized RE:INVENTION's blog as one of the nation's top 150 marketing blogs.
- Our blog is also the #1 Google-ranked women entrepreneurs blog.
We not only help our clients connect to their target audiences in all the old familiar print and broadcast places, but also through social networking media like blogs, WIKIs, Facebook, SecondLife, Linkedin, YouTube, MySpace, and more. We share "inside trade secret" insights about posting, tagging, dropping, dragging, podding, and tweeting. We simplify social networking. It's about
asking questions and active listening - MUCH MORE SO than telling your company's message. You don't always have to create your own community. In fact, if your company can't be transparent, you shouldn't. It can be far better to visit your customers in their neighborhoods.
SMALL, SAGE & NIMBLEBig Boy Agencies will spend your money on their fancy offices and assign you 1 or 2 junior account executives. RE:INVENTION is a new breed marketing and PR firm.
- We work virtually (although we have access to Chicago Sears Tower office space when needed).
- We serve clients via senior-level certified consultants. We've stitched together a nationwide associate team of the brightest marketing professionals to serve our clients. Each RE:INVENTION certified team associate has 10+ years of experience with a Fortune 1000 company or leading agency. Associate team members meet 10 rigorous team certification standards, based on a 10-step certification process.
- We're a nimble nationwide team. RE:INVENTION's team members - from Seattle to Omaha to New York - help implement client marketing programs at grassroots and national levels. A team is created for each client project, based on a client's industry and project scope. Think Hollywood movie production: a "best fit" team based on your needs. We don't hire full-time employees for that reason. We are re-defining the way agencies do business.
SPECIAL EXPERTISE = MARKETING TO WOMENRE:INVENTION's special expertise: helping companies market to women business owners and executives. Wise companies know that connecting with women can potentially double or triple their profits. Women influence 80% of all purchase decisions according to the Word of Mouth Association. They are also 3 times more likely than men to talk about a product or service experience, good or bad. RE:INVENTION helps clients harness the power of women business owners via our "
Women Business Owner Marketing Panel" -- 150+ women marketing experts across the country and their women business owner friends who can help your company generate and validate key messages.
Curious? Let's connect the dots. 312.635.1350.
Or join Kirsten Osolind for "
Business is Changing: Headlines from the Marketing Industry" at Forte Foundation's 2007 Career Lab - Chicago
from 5:30 to 7 PM on Nov. 13 at the Gleacher Center.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
RE: Market to Women By Marketing With Women.
Marketing to women begins with using women business owners as vendors.
According to a survey conducted by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council, 79% of women consumers (ages 35 - 55) report that they feel compelled to buy products and services from companies that buy from women-owned businesses. They would be willing to "try and buy," even if they aren't a current customer.
- 51% said a company's support for women's businesses is "worth a mulligan if the product or service misses the mark the first time."
- 81% said awareness of a company's mission to buy from women's businesses would moderately or significantly solidify their long term brand loyalty.
Friday, November 09, 2007
RE: Words From the Wives - Such Magnitude.
In this clip, Jon Stewart reviews the recent candidates' wives debate -- "Women as Architects of Change." The debate, moderated by Maria Shriver, featured Michelle Obama, Jeri Thompson, Cindy McCain, Elizabeth Edwards, and Ann Romney.
So what profound words did these "women architects of change cast as political appendages" share with the audience?
- "That's where I drew the line - I said, I'm NOT going unless you figure out how to install a changing table on the campaign bus," said Jeri Thompson.
- "I always get the potluck assignments....Don't assign me the main dish in the potluck assignment!" said Michelle Obama.
- "I have kids climbing the walls," said Cindy McCain.
"
You've come an almost inperceptible way, baby," concludes Stewart.
It's cruel, but Jon Stewart makes a good point. Did these women even begin to broach politics during the debate? Sadly, this is often what women talk about in business meetings. When women hang with women it can take us FOREVER to get past the minutia and nice-ities and get down to business.
"...when women gather, even the most consummate business women will speak of the weather, our children, the delightful blend of lemon zest and spice in the salad dressing. Money and business are often deemed "dirty words." We women don't ask the hard facts. We women don't lay our needs on the business table. Thus, women often fail to help other women win. Men who gather with other men for business generally don't shirk from discussing financing, companies, business leads and keeping score. They are darn good at keeping score with one another. Raise your conversational capital, women..."
- RE:INVENTION
Reference RE:INVENTION Articles-
Raising Conversation Capital (Feb 8, 2005)
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
RE: Speak Up. Speak Deep. Speak Faster. Speak Smarter.
Education guru June Kronholz's Wall Street Journal article, "Talk is Cheap in Politics, But A Deep Voice Helps" has RE:INVENTION reflecting...
When we are deciding whether we like the person delivering a message, tone of voice accounts for 38% of our opinion, body language for 55% and the actual words for just 7%, UCLA studies suggest.
Take for instance Hillary Clinton, deemed "voice-vulnerable" as evaluated by experts in Kronholz's WSJ article. Hillary's voice:
- Coveys caring but can sound shrill;
- Suggests passion and energy;
- Sometimes borderlines on sounding over-rehearsed and strident.
Some power speaking tips outlined in the article that could enhance YOUR appeal:
- Pitch - A deep voice demonstrates dominance, expertise and competence. A high-pitched voice suggests nervousness, excitability, even wackiness. This subtly disadvantages women, so be conscious of it.
- Inflection and Pitch/Volume Variability - Variations in pitch and volume, plus switch-ups in speed, suggest passion and energy and create audience "arousal" and excitement. Be wary though: sudden vocal highs run the danger of making you sound strident.
- Speed - Speaking faster than normal suggests competence, persuasiveness, and likeability -- if only because you don't allow listeners time to think about what they've just heard. According to the article, "the average English speaker utters 125 to 150 words a minute and comprehends about twice that."
- Damning Disfluencies -- Disfluencies are the "uhhs" and "ahhs". Too many disfluencies and you sound unprepared; too few and you can sound "over-rehearsed, rote and unreflective."
Want to become notable and quotable, ladies? Speak up. Speak deep. Speak faster. Speak smarter.
RE:INVENTION Reference Materials
RE: Ask Yourself, Do You REALLY NEED That Clutch?
"You can clutch the past so tightly to your chest that it leaves your arms too full to embrace the present."
- Jan Glidewell, Noted Columnist
By the way ladies, Jan's a boy...
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
RE: Booting Bad Boys.
Media is saturated this week with news of companies booting Bad Boys. Stuart Scott (Microsoft's CIO) ousted. Chuck Prince (Citigroup's CEO) chucked. Stanley O'Neal (Merrill Lynch) sent packing. Next? Perhaps Ian McCarthy (Beazer's CEO).
In the end, it all comes down to ethics and trust. No matter what the intellectual pedagogues try to tell you, trust is not rationally predictive. Just ask a woman.
Monday, November 05, 2007
RE: Serious Without A Suit.
Over at Tom Peters today, Darci Riesenhuber reflects on GOOGLE's supposition that "you can be serious without a suit." Darci and GOOGLE must know I'm working from home today, wearing fuzzy pink bunny slippers, and talking to RE:INVENTION ASSOCIATE TEAM MEMBERS Christine and Dee about a client's WSJ, Reuters, and AP deskside briefings during AD:TECH NYC.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
RE: Smart Men, Smart Insights.
During my recent Women's Media Summit keynote, a brave man in the audience (one of the only men in the audience) asked me how men could better support the working women in their lives. It got me thinking...
At RE:INVENTION, we believe smart men can offer smart insights. The world is full of good people, Xena Warrior Princesses and Prince Charmings. Women and men have alot that they can learn from one another, if we only stop to ask and listen. It all begins by respecting one another and supporting one another. So today we are featuring our first of many to come guest host blogs from a smart man, sharing smart insights...
Today's guest blog host, JC Duarte, is a successful entrepreneur, consultant and certified strategic facilitator turned founder of www.charminguy.com, a website dedicated to helping men more effectively communicate with the women in their lives. He is also the Southern Europe Area Director for the Entrepreneurs Organization (www.eonetwork.org). 
Today's Guest Post
EMPOWERING THE WORKING WOMAN
by JC Duarte, Guest Blog Host
Founder of www.charminguy.comMany statistics are readily available to educate you on how to better court the Working Woman. Everything I've been reading lately is about the facts, figures and even emotions of selling to women. As a progressive male, or so I've been told I am, I'd like to take you on the journey of love languages, empathy & the lost art of listening as a vehicle to the empowering of any Working Woman. I'd like to venture out on a limb and address the key contributing factors which will greatly contribute to Super Women everywhere holding themselves to the lofty near impossible goal of work-life balance.
UNDERSTANDING THE CHALLENGES SHE FACESA woman, as with any human being, is not whole unless she is fulfilled in every aspect of her needs. Quoting the book Vocal Power by Arthur Samuel Joseph; of how the greatest fear, fear of public speaking is a misnomer, "people suffer from two distinct fears that have been lumped together: the fear of abandonment and the fear of owning our power." I wish to address the fear of abandonment. A woman by nature already has an overwhelmingly superior number of disadvantages in the workplace when compared to her male counterpart. Any stereotypical advantage tagged to women of being more compassionate, comprehensive and having heightened emotional awareness actually work toward their detriment if they are not fulfilled in those very aspects of their lives.
Consider for one second the metaphysical challenges that all women face on one level or another. As a an "average joe", it's bad enough thinking about getting through a day when I've had a tummy ache or a hangover. I can't even imagine the inconvenience of menstruation, let alone the accompanying discomfort and pains associated with it. In my relationship with my fiancee, I limit my intervention to being extra empathetic during that period of the month, no pun intended, and making sure that she has plenty of Panadol at arms length. So considering the societal bias and expectations that are imposed on a woman, that’s an article unto itself, I'll just address how I've seen women empowered by a man simply loving them in a very natural charming and romantic way.
COMMUNICATING WITH HERThroughout my life, and more specifically in the past four years whilst doing research for my Values Based Strategic Management Venture Strategy in a Day (
www.strategyinaday.com), I've spoken to thousands of men and women about love languages and how these impact our emotional well being. Sure, you can tell a woman that you love her, you can buy her flowers and you can buy her diamonds; but if her love language is Quality Time, Touch or Words of Affirmation you're just not authentically communicating your love to her. Granted, these things are all part of the permanent courtship requirements of keeping a relationship vibrant, but I've just mentioned 3 of the 5 love languages. Do you know the love language of the woman you're trying to court? Then how do you expect to communicate to her on the most intimate of levels?
Gifts and Acts of Service are the other two emotional love languages that we all share. One of these is always our primary, so unless you are empathetic and are willing to embrace and engage in the lost art of listening, it is my belief that you are not effectively communicating or empowering any woman, let alone a Working Woman. Think of the most successful products that have ever been devised for women. Were they not delivering on the premise of emotional satisfaction? You don't think that a $600 pair of Manolo Blahniks is not addressing Words of Affirmation? Everything from the compliments of the girlfriends to the stature and elegance which makes a woman feel sexy, beautiful and elegant is still an affirmation, subliminal words of affirmation.
HOW MEN CAN SUPPORT THE WOMEN THEY LOVETo expand on this notion, it's my belief that for a woman to truly stand in all her glory and power, a man must know how to emotionally satisfy her. You must first connect to a woman emotionally before you can truly captivate her heart; and an empowered woman is unstoppable in every respect. The most challenging of days can become stress free when a woman feels genuinely loved, respected and appreciated. All it takes is a 160 character, or less, mobile text message to light up the heart of a woman. A surprise date, having first reserved the time when an Enterprising Woman is busy, will linger in her thoughts through the barrage of legal contracts in the ensuing days. A foot massage, an Opera, an intimate chat on the lounge or even a roller coaster ride will put all of her daily challenges and stresses into perspective.
Finally, to the guys that ask me "what's in it for you"; consider what an appreciative and fully empowered woman would do for you. Yes, it is indeed a reciprocal relationship and I would encourage you to engrave it your daily lives.
I deliver on my passion for empowering women through my hobby of Charminguy.com (www.charminguy.com) so that even the busiest of men can find new, yet simple, ideas for empowering the women in their lives, thus empowering every relationship. You see, I truly believe that every man is already a charming guy, some of which have unfortunately been "hard wired" from a certain age onward to believe otherwise. That is why I chose to only have one "g" in my brand; because I don’t teach any one how to be a "charming guy", I focus my efforts at bringing out the charm-in-guy.
You can join discussions I facilitate on
www.charminguy.com.
How To Reach JC Duarte
JC Duarte
email:
jc@charminguy.comFounder of www.charminguy.com
JC's BLOG
www.thecharminguy.ning.comJC's
LINKEDin Profile A big thanks to JC for his wise words!
Friday, November 02, 2007
RE: Don't Cheap Yourself Out of Business.
Note to women everywhere from Roaring Women, a 3-year old Canadian-based women's professional organization dedicated to supporting working women:
"Don't cheap yourself out of business!"
Wisely said, Ladies. Roaring Women is headed by former police officer Mandie Crawford. She co-hosts Roaring Women Radio with Susan Valeri, former VP at Outstanding Women Speak.
Be sure to visit their DEN FOR MEN.
Bewildered by the myriad of women's professional organizations, yet interested in sponsoring or partnering with these organizations to build profitable relationships with women business owners? Let RE:INVENTION connect the dots for you - we help companies create strategic partnerships that make sense.
RE: Access to Capital Coalition Fights for Women!
The Access to Capital Coalition (ACC), a coalition representing minority and women-owned businesses in the private equity, real estate, hedge fund and other asset management industries, and small business, minority and women entrepreneurs, announced today that it opposes provisions in H.R. 3996 that call for the elimination of capital gains treatment of carried interest for private investment partnerships.
ACC was established to oppose HR 3970, the legislation to increase the tax rate for carried interest from the current 15 percent capital gains tax rate to an income tax rate of up to 35 percent. If enacted, HR 3970 would impact advancement of minority and women in the equity and investment capital industries, and minority and women entrepreneurs' access to equity and venture capital.
LEARN MORE:
The Coalition Takes Action!
SIGN UP FOR UPDATES:
www.accesstocapitalcoalition.com
Thursday, November 01, 2007
RE: Don't Forget to Say Thank You.
According to the OPEN from American Express Small Business Monitor, fewer small business owners will thank their clients and customers with a gift this holiday season. Of those women business owners who do plan to give gifts, 78% say they are "very likely" or "somewhat likely" to be thanked.
Ahem. Note to smart men, vendors, and clients everywhere: don't forget to say thank you!
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