Thursday, March 31, 2005
RE: Springboard Enterprises Venture Forum Planning Committee Meeting.
"There's a big difference between making a great presentation and getting funded."
-Tom Churchwell, Managing Partner - Arch Development Partners
Yesterday we held our first Springboard Enterprises Midwest Venture Forum committee meeting at the host offices of Dykema Gossett. Springboard Venture Forums provide women-led high growth enterprises with access to investment capital and entree to a community that is committed to building their businesses. The Midwest Forum will be held on September 28 on Northwestern University's campus, and will be preceded by a 6-month training and coaching program involving investors, accountants, lawyers, and business development professionals. re:invention became involved with Springboard last June, when we partnered up with Growthink Research to explore disparities in venture funding allocated to women business owners. This January, re:invention proposed that women need 3 things in their toolbox to become a million dollar business: money, meaningful mentors, and marketing.
So we are putting our efforts behind Springboard Midwest.
The application deadline for Springboard Midwest is June 24, 2005. You can apply at www.springboardenterprises.org. We encourage you to apply proactively, and suggest you heed Tom's advice. Investors don't give gifts or place bets; they make sound investments. If you want to qualify for Springboard, you'll need a strong business plan, a sound idea, and a scalable business model.
Yesterday's meeting included a Who's Who of Chicago Movers and Shakers. In addition to Tom, committee members include Nancy Sullivan (formerly of the Illinois Coalition, now director of CWET), Amy Millman, Hedy Ratner (who heads up the Chicago WBDC)...co-chairs Misty Gruber, Ed Condon, Kathleen Swan, and Bob Geras (of LaSalle Investments, also a Board Director for the Illinois Venture Capital Association)...and leaders from the National Science Foundation, Illinois Department of Commerce, McKinsey, Northern Trust, University of Chicago, RSM McGladrey, and Piper Rudnick. I felt a little like a wild child with my eyes wide open.
Looking forward...
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
RE: U.S. Women Entrepreneurs Are Optimistic (Less Enthusiasm in the Midwest).
According to the Open Small Business Network Semi-Annual Monitor released yesterday, Midwest women business owners are less optimistic than women entrepreneurs across the country.
When asked: "Do you expect your business to grow in the next 6 months?"
- 79% of Midwest women business owners said "yes," they expect their business to grow in the next 6 months.
- 83% of U.S. women business owners said "yes," they expect their business to grow in the next 6 months.
Improving sales and marketing ranks as the #1 business skill Chicago women business owners would like to improve, with 68% voting it as the top priority. We invite these women to contact us at re:invention for a free 15 minute phone consultation. Our new office number is 312.635.1350.
Read MORE.
Saturday, March 26, 2005
RE: Our Saturday Feature - 10 Tips for 10 Million WomenTM.
Welcome to the re:invention 10 Tips for 10 Million WomenTM Saturday Feature. Each weekend we feature a woman entrepreneur and her personal 10 tips for success. We hope this feature will be a powerful example of "women helping women win." Our goal: a wisely-stocked toolbox for women entrepreneurs, with practical business and marketing ideas you can use today to turn your million dollar dream into a profitable and actionable reality.
This week's featured woman entrepreneur is Cece Gassner (Boise, ID), CEO and Principal of Lifetech Law Group, an intellectual property law firm.
about Cece Gassner and Lifetech Law Group
Lifetech Law Group (www.lifetechlaw.com) is a law firm that focuses on intellectual property and information asset protection, transactions and management. Cece Gassner, the Principal of Lifetech Law Group, has worked with companies ranging in size from 2-person companies starting up in a garage to large public companies. She has experience working with innovators in the pharmaceutical, software and application development, memory storage, semi-conductor, video game, publishing, cosmetics, fashion and entertainment arenas. Licensed to practice in CA, ID and NY, Cece founded Lifetech Law Group in 2002 after leaving one of the biggest law firms in the country. She earned her J.D. at Boston University and has a degree in Biomedical Engineering from Duke.
CLICK HERE FOR CECE'S 10 TIPS
Submit A REQUEST to have your company featured along with your 10 Tips For 10 Million Women.
Friday, March 25, 2005
RE: WIPP Says Women Want Wiser Health Insurance Plans
Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) announced results of a national public policy survey of 500 women small business owners this month. The top issues for women were health care, energy and social security reform in that order. Specific findings?
- 70% identified health care as the most critical issue and overwhelmingly agreed that Association Health Plans would be the most helpful for small businesses to control costs.
- 84% believe an overhaul of the health care system is necessary.
- 78% were in favor of developing alternative energy sources by providing tax and monetary incentives to manufacturers and users.
- Over 70% believe Congress should immediately address the Social Security crisis.
- 44% favored eliminating the current $90,000 ceiling on wages taxed as the best alternative to fix the current Social Security system.
MORE.
Thursday, March 24, 2005
RE: Easter Rabbits, Interns, and a Veritable Smorgasbord of Other Wild Things.
It's almost Rabbit Day. Every Easter I think back to my very first pet -- Thomas -- a bunny rabbit bestowed upon my younger brother by Harry Blackstone, Junior on stage during his national magic tour. My brother promised to share him with me if I could cajole my parents into letting us keep him. My parents flipped but eventually caved. A very wild, carrot-crazed Thomas the Rabbit was relegated to an unkempt cage in our basement for exactly 4 weeks before my enterprising mother convinced a local elementary school to adopt him. I was heart-broken, although I understood.
You can't keep wild animals in a basement cage. As much as I love holding tight to wild things, they need room to run.
This Easter weekend, re:invention is
announcing a very special CALL FOR WILD WEB DESIGN INTERNS. We are looking for a student to redesign re:invention's website. We'll pay you...
AND we'll promote your good work to national media (our track record of promotion hopefully speaks for itself). We want to honor a rising web design star.
Who You Are (A Once and Future Wild Web Designer):- Good women and men are invited to apply.
- You must have dreams of becoming an entrepreneur.
- You must know flash, html, and blog technology. In fact, we'll ask you to recommend a blog technology provider (it doesn't have to be Blogger).
- You must be a registered student at an accredited school, studying design.
- You must have a creative vision - we are integrating our blog and our company website and evolving into an e'zine.
"Wow Us, You Wild Thing!":- Email us with your name, capabilities, experience, school of matriculation, and long term career goals.
- Include a brief 1 paragraph statement about why you are the best durn intern we can find to redesign re:invention's website and blog.
- Include a brief 1 paragraph statement about YOUR VISION for re:invention's site and blog.
- Send us a link to your online portfolio (no attachments please).
We are accepting applications through April 8th. Good luck! Have a ferociously wild Easter.
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
RE: More Awards Announced Today.
More updates. Tonite in D.C., women will gather for The Women's Business Enterprise National Council's Salute to Women's Business Enterprises.
Read about the 14 Women-Owned Business Stars, including Chicago's Cynthia Johnson, Johnson & Associates Business Interiors.
The Women's Business Enterprise National Council also released their new list of 15 "America's Top Corporations for Women's Business Enterprises" today. The list honors corporations with world-class quality supplier diversity programs.
The top 15:
AT&T
Altria Group, Inc.
BellSouth Corporation
Cendant Car Rental Group.
ChevronTexaco
Eastman Kodak Company
IBM Corporation
Merrill Lynch
Office Depot, Inc.
PepsiCo, Inc.
Pfizer, Inc.
SBC Communications
Shell Oil Company
TXU
UPS
Ten companies on the list (AT&T, Cendant Car Rental Group, Chevron Texaco. IBM Corporation, Office Depot, Inc., PepsiCo, Inc., SBC Communications, Shell Oil Company, TXU and UPS) are repeat honorees.
If you are a certified woman business owner, these big boys are a good place to target your business development efforts. After all, big business and government contracts are a key predictor of women-owned million dollar businesses.
RE: SBA's Small Business Persons of The Year - 11 Women!
Last year, re:invention "heel-kicked" the powers that be at Ernst & Young in their bony butts for failing to recognize any women as part of their annual Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.
The SBA, usually begging for butt-kicking themselves, at least knows better. Across the nation, 11 women were named as State Winners in the SBA's Small Business Person of the Year Awards Program.
We're featuring 1 woman winner here today on re:invention.
Lynn Gordon, President of French Meadow Bakery (Minneapolis, MN) -- named by the Minnesota SBA Office as their 2005 Small Business Person of the Year.
About French Meadow Bakery...
French Meadow is a certified organic bread bakery that specializes in functional breads - breads with health benefits. Some to sample: men's bread, women's slimming bread, fat flush tortillas, healthy hemp bread (that's what I said, hemp bread).
How She Started...
Lynn, a certified macrobiotic teacher and divorced mother of 3, started French Meadow Bakery with 40 loaves a day from her home in 1985. She's successfully built her business from home to a 13,500-square-foot storefront/bakery with 15 employees. Heralded by Bon Appetit as one of the Ten Best Bread Bakeries in the US, French Meadow Bakery has also appeared in Vegetarian Times, Men's Journal, The Health Magazine, WLS Chicago Channel 7 News, Good Morning America, and the New York Times. Good PR + good products delivers results.
The Controversy...
Slightly more than a year ago, federal law enforcement agents were trying to prevent Lynn Gordon, president of French Meadow Bakery in Minneapolis, from selling her popular bread made with hemp seed. Now that the courts have said that hemp bread can be sold without violating drug laws, the SBA has given Gordon its highest honor.*
In Lynn's Words...
"It's a great, great honor," Lynn Gordon said. "My visions for the future have often been challenged. It's rather amazing, to say the least."* [EDITOR'S NOTE: I second that thought, Lynn. But it's exactly when someone tells you you can't do something or that your idea absolutely won't work that you know you really ARE on to SOMETHING.]
Why The SBA Chose Her...
The annual award recognizes a company that exhibits outstanding sales and employment growth, financial strength, innovation and contributions to the community.* Read more about the award and all other State Winners by CLICKING HERE.
* Lifted directly from the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
RE: SBA Budget Increased Last Nite. Whoopee.
Working late into the night to get the budget out before Easter break, the Senate passed an amendment to increase the Small Business Administration's budget by $78 million, bringing the total to $671 million.
- As noted today in Inc. Magazine
Whoopee. Sure, the SBA bills themselves as a strong advocate for women entrepreneurs. But in 2003 alone, women-led firms forfeited $6 billion in contracts, due to the SBA's inability to meet the 5% of government contracts to women standard.
Now that the SBA budget has increased, we women entrepreneurs can enthusiastically look forward to more red tape, lax enforcement, and impressively ineffective bureaucrats.
My right meticulously groomed and arched eyebrow is definitely raised.
RE: Search Engine Optimization Update.
We are having a little celebration at re:invention today, and want to share our good news with our readers. Search engine optimization works. We are now ranked #1 on the following search terms...
- women entrepreneurs chicago
- re:invention
- marketing for women-led businesses
- marketing for women entrepreneurs
- women entrepreneurs blog
- toolchest for women entrepreneurs
- women helping women win
- seth godin and women entrepreneurs
- shoe of the week feature
- agent for women entrepreneurs
Sunday, March 20, 2005
RE: 1546 Days Since the Fed. Women's Procurement Program Was Signed Into Law
And still no implementation of the law or equity in federal contracting for women.
Women entrepreneurs still only receive 3% of government contracts. We women deserve more. How can we women build million dollar businesses without fair access to big dollar contracts?
Late last week, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced that the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) had finally completed its study of the SBA's original study to implement the women's federal procurement program. The NAS report details the SBA's clear lack of quality effort and commitment to timely implementation of a law that is now 1546 days old.
READ MORE.
Join the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce in their fight by clicking HERE.
Saturday, March 19, 2005
RE: Our Saturday Feature - 10 Tips for 10 Million WomenTM.
This is the third installment of the re:invention 10 Tips for 10 Million WomenTM Saturday Feature. Each weekend we feature a woman entrepreneur and her personal 10 tips for success. We hope this feature will be a powerful example of "women helping women win." Our goal: a wisely-stocked toolbox for women entrepreneurs, with practical business and marketing ideas you can use today to turn your million dollar dream into a profitable and actionable reality.
Our third featured woman entrepreneur is Elisa Camahort, Founder and CEO of Worker Bees (San Jose, CA), a buzz and online marketing company.
about Elisa Camahort and Worker Bees
Worker Bees (www.workerbees.biz) is a buzz and online marketing company that consultants on everything from new product introduction processes to creating compelling white papers and presentations. The company helps both for- and non-profit organizations leverage the creative and economical world of online marketing, with a particular focus on social media (blogging and community outreach). Camahort founded Worker Bees in 2003 after 15 years in marketing and high-tech, including a stint as Senior Director of Product Marketing at Terayon Communication Systems. She writes a column for the Metro weekly and is the official blogger for the Santa Clara County Democratic Party.
CLICK HERE FOR ELISA'S 10 TIPS
Submit A REQUEST to have your company featured along with your 10 Tips For 10 Million Women.
CLICK HERE to read about our catfight over chicks with Seth Godin. Be sure to read the "many kind thoughts" comments.
Thursday, March 17, 2005
RE: Marketers Are Liars - Mogul Men Are Just Mean.
This is a story about "marketers, liars...and mogul men who are just plain mean."
BACKGROUND
Our
Wednesday post highlighted emails between Seth Godin (
Legendary Author! Speaker! Mogul!) and Kirsten Osolind (
re:invention ceo and agent for women entrepreneurs). Seth Godin's new book, "
All Marketers Are Liars" is due out this May. In our email to Seth, we shared our recent poll results among women entrepreneurs and their negative perceptions about Seth. Seth's response? "
I'll just have to deal with it." Apparently Mogul Seth Godin has little to no concern for women entrepreneurs.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Yes, Virginia...some marketers are liars....but many mogul men are mean. And women have known this throughout time, but we don't need to encourage male moguls who diminish the importance of the nation's 10.6 million women entrepreneurs - of all women - and our passion. We can choose not to buy their books. Women wield great purchasing power.
After all, "
who is Seth Godin?"
He was my
dream board mentor, but now I'm disillusioned.
It also begs the question: why is it that Seth Godin has such little time for mentoring women (and aspiring leaders) when
Tom Peters can squeeze it in?
OUR CONTINUED EMAIL CONVERSATION FOR YOUR READING PLEASURE...
-----Original Message-----
From: seth godin [mailto:
sethgodin@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2005 10:55 AM
To: kirsten@reinventioninc.com
Subject: Re: women entrepreneurs and seth
When you said "...we can think of a way I can help you" I assumed you
were selling me something. After all, I wouldn't expect you to help me
for free. And my response was an answer to that sales pitch. If you
want to post that on your site,
go for it.
Seth Godin
Author, speaker
http://www.sethgodin.com-----Original Message-----
From: kirsten@reinventioninc.com [mailto:
kirsten.o@reinventioninc.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2005 1:32 PM
To: 'seth godin'
Subject: RE: women entrepreneurs and seth
Therein defines a big problem with this world. Seems even you have been conditioned to believe help and kindness only comes with a price tag. With all due respect, Seth, sometimes a dismissive, cheeky attitude prevents smart partnerships and mutual support...Had I been pitching you for business (unlikely, as re:invention is a marketing consulting company for women-led businesses), my approach would have been measurably different.
Wishing you continued success and the best of luck with your new book sales, Seth...
kindly,
kirsten
ceo & kcc
re:invention, inc.-----Original Message-----
From: kirsten@reinventioninc.com [mailto:
kirsten.o@reinventioninc.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2005 2:01 AM
To: 'seth godin'
Subject: a final note.
Noted to my chagrin,
YOUR POST ON YOUR BLOG today, following our email exchange. It's about "the long tail," you suggest, "not who you know."
I may be an idealistic evangelist for women - who is evergreen single and laboring every day without security net, wealthy family financial support or influential "one-time-neighbor" angel backing - but I respectfully disagree with you, Seth.
John Doerr, Michael Moritz, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, Floyd Kvamme...
an extensive secret network map of relationships.
Even the connections between you, Seth -- and Robin Dellabough, Dave Balter from Bzz Agent (who hired one of your former Yoyodyne execs as a consultant), Brian Benz, Charles Lax, Dev Bhatia, Jerry Shereshewsky, Brad Keywell, Jeffrey Weitman, Fred Wilson, Fast Company - even your days at Spinnaker working with Michael Crichton - are living proof that it still matters who you know. And lest I forget, you launched Seth Godin Productions, the book developer and packaging firm that produced about 125 books, all the way back in 1986. I can't help but think you are preaching false Gods and false hope to the masses.
Still, I suggest it is the responsibility of our most influential business leaders to mentor and support others, rather than merely hyping and commercializing books - and they should not be so quick to dismiss underdogs because they are small or seemingly inconsequential. The best leaders - the best intellectual pedagogues - are concerned with bringing others up along with them. Not "cutting" them down.
On a final and sad note, you might google:
seth godin mentor. re:invention's blog was ranked #1.
Again, wishing you nothing but the best, Seth.
kindly,
kirsten
ceo & kcc
re:invention, inc.POST-SCRIPT
I won't post Seth's ENTIRE response to my final email above - but it did include these words, dream board male mogul mentor to aspiring woman protege and champion for women:
"everyone has a limit and I'm at mine."
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
RE: "I'll Just Have To Live With It." - Seth Godin's Perspective On Women Entrepreneurs.
From: kirsten@reinventioninc.com
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2005 9:42 PM
To: 'sethgodin@yahoo.com'
Subject: women entrepreneurs and seth
Hi Seth:
You aren't faring too well on our weekly poll. http://reinventioninc.blogspot.com
Seems women entrepreneurs "don't know who you are." Perhaps we can think of a way we can help you.
kindly,
kirsten
ceo & kcc
re:invention, inc.
www.reinventioninc.com
"marketing. for women-led businesses."
Chicago, Illinois
From: seth godin [mailto:sethgodin@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2005 7:20 AM
To: kirsten@reinventioninc.com
Subject: Re: women entrepreneurs and seth
I'll just have to live with it.
Seth Godin
Author, speaker
http://www.sethgodin.com
click on my head to read my blog.
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
RE: A Loan Of One's Own...Count-Me-In.
Yesterday I attended the 5th anniversary celebration of Count-Me-In in NYC. Count-Me-In, a not-for-profit founded by Nell Merlino (the wise woman behind Take Our Daughters To Work Day), provides microbusiness loans ($500 to $10K) to women entrepreneurs. 60% of their loans are allocated to women in rural areas. In 3 years, Count-Me-In has made 600 loans to women in all 50 states, with a 91% repayment rate.
They announced yesterday evening that they are the nation's second largest microbusiness lender. The first? Bank of America (Carol Nichols, SVP Small Business Banking at Bank of America, co-founder of the Texas Women's Venture Fund, and Board Member at Springboard Enterprises also sits on re:invention's advisory board here in Chicago).
There is so much I could write, but I'll leave you with this thought: We women have outgrown our simple need for a room of one's own (ala Virginia Woolf)...we need a loan of one's own.
On a final note, re:invention's blog was noted in the Washington Post this week as an insider website that offers "...marketing and business tips and tidbits for women entrepreneurs." Many appreciations to the Washington Post for their absolutely unsolicited endorsement and approval!
Editor's Post-Script: Egads! Misspelled Nell's name on this page. Corrected and duly noted!
Monday, March 14, 2005
RE: More With Robin Wolaner, Author of "Naked In The Boardroom"
Editor's Note: Today we are hosting the 8th Business Blog Book Tour. The Book Tour features Robin Wolaner, author of "Naked in the Boardroom." The following is our second Tour article -- a short Q&A with Robin Wolaner about her book. UPDATE: Check out our Tour introduction article.
KO: Welcome to re:invention's blog today, Robin.
RW: Thanks, Kirsten. Glad to be here.
KO: "Naked in Boardroom" was an inspirational and worthwhile read for me, especially given my days as a Corporate Marketing Director prior to launching re:invention consulting for women entrepreneurs. Each chapter offers intelligent insights for women in Corporate America and women entrepreneurs.
RW: Thank you. We've had incredible reviews to date.
KO: Ever heard of Dancing Naked at the Edge of Dawn? I presumed there would be at LEAST a few "how to dance naked on the boardroom table without breaking a heel" tips in your book. Did your editor pull out those excerpts ("wink-wink")?
RW: My beloved editor Doris Cooper pulled out every anecdote that didn't have a business lesson attached to it. That probably made the Simon & Schuster lawyers much happier, but I think her reasoning was sound.
KO: Seems there's been a bit of naked dancing actually going on in boardrooms as of late. Harry Stonecipher, William Agee, Standley Hoch, Bill Gates...it may be controversial to put Bill Gates in that list, but the fact is all four of those executive men have had varying degrees of relationships with women in lower-ranks at their company. Harry's was a hookup; Bill's romance blossomed into marriage. What's your take on office romance? Does it break the rules of conduct?
RW: My reaction to the Stonecipher affair was: "dumb and dumber." What was she thinking? A married CEO 20 years her senior? Hooking up at a management retreat? She should have read my book. When a CEO hired to do a 30-month (due to mandatory retirement age) ethics turnaround, midway through that short term decides he has enough extra time to start an affair with a company executive: well, he should be fired for lack of focus if nothing else.
KO: When you look at the stats, it seems we women are all "Thursday's Children"...we have so far to go. Women make up 47% of the labor force and 51% of managerial, professional and related positions. Yet there are just 8 female CEOs at Fortune 500 companies. Only 3% of women entrepreneurs lead businesses that gross over 1 million in revenues. Dismal numbers. What gives?
RW: As I say in my book, some of it is a legacy that is slowly being turned around; some results from the difficulty of balancing childbirth and career (I call it "the unbalanced life of a working mother"); some of it is current discrimination (people promote/hire people who look like they do; since most of the people choosing CEOs are male...); and some of it is us shooting ourselves in the foot - not reaching for opportunities because we don't think we're perfectly qualified, worrying that we will look too aggressive if we promote ourselves, etc.
KO: Robin, in your book, you suggest to women that being emotional at work is good. It seems to contradict traditional advice given to women in the workplace - be tough, don't cry, take it like a man.
RW: I think being artificial in the workplace is more emotionally debilitating than showing your true face. That is part of what I mean about being naked: being real. Being transparent. Using your humanness to connect with other people. I recommend against crying, however.
KO: Your book includes 81 "naked truths" for women. Let's talk about some of those "naked truths." I especially liked Naked Truth #74 - "if an idea is a good one, more than one person will have it." What if you are a first mover and then besieged by an onslaught of "me toos?"
RW: Consider it a marketplace validation of your concept. Win through superior execution. I think being distracted by competitors is more dangerous than someone else with the exact same idea. The challenge is to keep your focus. When Parenting launched, we were third to market: two other new magazines with roughly the same positioning came out just before we did. If we had spent our brief time before launch worrying about them, we probably wouldn't have had the result we did -- one of those competitors is defunct and one is a shadow of Parenting's size and profitability.
KO: Rule #26 - "choose your teachers based on talent and personal connection, not upon hierarchy or shared gender" - talks about mentors and antimentors. Have you ever had a woman mentor? Do women and men mentor differently? How are mentors different for corporate vs. entrepreneurial women leaders?
RW: The people I have admired, and tried to learn the most from, have been male; however, the bad role models that I call "antimentors" (my friend Liz calls them Tor-mentors) were male too. I think women take mentoring more seriously than men do, but I am not sure that active mentoring is a valuable process. I think the real lessons come from observing effective and ineffective people, and choosing what works for you.
KO: Beyond passion and persistence, what are the 2 or 3 things women transitioning from corporate America to life as an entrepreneur need to succeed?
RW: Resilience: nothing goes according to a business plan, so you need to be a golden retriever. When you get wet you need to shake it off. And credit cards: sign up for as many as you can before you leave your safe job. Their interest rates can be cheaper than early money.
KO: Robin, you are both an author and a busy, inspirational mom. What aspirations do you have for your daughter? Would you like to see her grow up to be a corporate executive? An entrepreneur? An author? A mom?
RW: Right now she is six and wants to be a rock star diva. Her self-confidence and comfort in front of a crowd make me think she'd be suited to any of these. Since I had her at 44, I just hope I am around to see what she chooses.
KO: Robin, thank you for being here with us on re:invention's blog today. I strongly recommend your book, "Naked in The Boardroom" to re:invention blog readers.
RW: Thanks for hosting the first book tour stop, Kirsten. And be sure to visit our site: www.nakedintheboardroom.com for more news, reviews, and events.
This week's Business Blog Tour #8 schedule:
March 15th -
BusinesspunditMarch 16th -
800-CEO-READMarch 17th -
WonderBrandingMarch 18th -
Community Guy
RE: "Naked in the Boardroom" by Robin Wolaner.
Today is the first day of the 8th Business Blog Book Tour, and we're hosting the first stop here on re:invention's blog. We are excited to have author, former corporate executive, and entrepreneur Robin Wolaner here with us today. 
Todd at A Penny For blog puts all the Tours together (he's a rockstar online event planner).
Robin Wolaner started her career at Penthouse as a copywriter, founded Parenting Magazine in 1986, served as VP of Publishing for Time Publishing Ventures, became President and CEO of Sunset Publishing Corporation, a subsidiary of Time Publishing Ventures, and finally...joined the Executive team at CNET Networks, leaving only to write this book. During her career she's also worked at "MotherJones," "Runner's World;" launched "Vibe" and "Martha Stewart Living." She serves on a variety of private corporate and not-for-profit boards.
Without question, Robin is a superwoman. And her new book, "Naked in the Boardroom: A CEO Bares Her Secrets So You Can Transform Your Career," contains 81 "naked truths" for women in Corporate America and woman entrepreneurs. The book is inspirational because of Robin's diverse background and experiences - she offers hard-hitting candor on the most sensitive of issues including mentoring, career planning, bouncing back from mistakes, negotiations, building a team, and more.
I recommend you buy the book - particularly if you are a woman considering a transition from a corporate job to life as an entrepreneur.
I haven't yet had the chance to talk live with Robin - as her schedule has been incredibly busy. When we communicated via email I asked her to identify 3 primary key messages about her book. Robin responded with the following 3 messages:
1. You should/can succeed BY being yourself, not in spite of your personal traits. Playing like a man, not being nice - the messages of other business books for women: I just disagree.
2. Very generally speaking, women are better suited to leadership in this information age; we are better attuned to our gut instincts, better at getting/sharing information. If we play to those strengths, we can meet our potential.
3. We also have some gender-common weaknesses to overcome: reticence about negotiating our compensation, promoting our accomplishments; holding ourselves to a perfection standard when all we need to be to get a job or promotion is better than the other candidates.
Our next post installment will include a short Q&A with Robin about her book.
Be sure to visit additional stops on the Business Blog Tour #8
March 14th - re:invention
March 15th - Businesspundit
March 16th - 800-CEO-READ
March 17th - WonderBranding
March 18th - Community Guy
Saturday, March 12, 2005
RE: Our Saturday Feature - 10 Tips for 10 Million WomenTM.
This is the second installment of the re:invention 10 Tips for 10 Million WomenTM Saturday Feature. Each weekend we feature a woman entrepreneur and her personal 10 tips for success. We hope this feature will be a powerful example of "women helping women win." Our goal: a wisely-stocked toolbox for women entrepreneurs, with practical business and marketing ideas you can use today to turn your million dollar dream into a profitable and actionable reality.
Our second featured woman entrepreneur is Debby House, Founder and CEO of The Adare Group (Chicago, IL), a strategy and profitability consulting firm that has been working with CEOs to maximize profitability since 1981.
about Debby House and The Adare Group
The Adare Group (www.theadaregroup.com) is a boutique firm founded in 2001 with over 23 years of experience in corporate strategy, finance, accounting and organizational change management. The Adare Group distinguishes themselves by increasing client's profits by record amounts. The company has obtained tens of millions of dollars in financing for many growing businesses, including McDonald's franchisees, by working lenders and equity investors. A CPA, Ms. House offers a wealth of experience from numerous financial executive positions including McDonald's Corporation, Amoco Corporation, GATX, and Fifth-Third Bank.
CLICK HERE FOR DEBBY'S 10 TIPS
Submit A REQUEST to have your company featured along with your 10 Tips For 10 Million Women.
Thursday, March 10, 2005
RE: New Photos Are Tough.
Taking photos for me is like pulling teeth. Seems we are still on the hunt for a perfect website photo. The photo for your media kit and website will elicit critical feedback -- you'll be surprised -- and you want to be sure it represents your image.
A few tips today from Dotcom.women....
1. Position your body at a 45-degree angle from the camera and put one foot forward. Then turn your head and shoulders slightly to face the camera.
2. Stand up straight and throw your shoulders back and down.
3. Hold arms down at your sides to hide hips, or bend them at a 90-degree angle to detract from a thick waist.
4. Conceal a double chin by tilting your head slightly downward.
5. Wear bright colors or black. Avoid white, which will wash you out, and stay away from bold patterns, which will only make you look heavier.
6. Don't over-accessorize.
7. Wear heels to lengthen your silhouette.
8. (If you choose to "show leg") make sure the length of your dress or skirt suit is flattering.
9. And for heaven's sake, smile (do as I say, not as I do)!
RE: Entrepreneurs and "Distinctive Reputations."
Charles Fombrun, executive director of The Reputation Institute at the Stern School of Business at New York University, stresses how important it is for entrepreneurs to develop "distinctive reputations" in yesterday's Profitguide.com e-newsletter:
"You want to be known for something that is a little different, unique. The great entrepreneurs, the great business leaders find ways to be distinctive. People like Bill Gates or Steve Jobs have excelled at that. Not only do they have great products, they find distinctive ways of talking about them. They create a reputation with flair and style."
Mr.Fombrun founded
The Reputation Institute and developed a "
reputation quotient" that measures a company and entrepreneur's reputation based on six key dimensions: emotional appeal, product and services, financial performance, vision and leadership, workplace environment and social responsibility.
Have you defined your company's distinctive reputation? Don't let someone else define it for you.
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
RE: How To Extend Your Media Coverage.
Back on January 25th, I made mention of the new Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), a study done in partnership with the London Business School and Babson College. It seemed like a fine study. This morning, I received an email containing a "new" press release from a staff member at Babson College. The release seemed vaguely familiar - a reversioning of that same GEM study. According to a spokesperson at Babson -- with whom I've exchanged emails this morning -- today's report takes a second look at the GEM study findings and narrows the focus to more explicitly address trends about women entrepreneurs.
Should you reduce yourself to recycling old news? ABSOLUTELY. Always look for creative ways to extend your media coverage. It can double or triple your company's reputation.
How can YOU extend your media coverage?
1. Don't forget follow up stories. Media gobbles 'em up. Babson has resliced and rediced the GEM numbers to focus more specifically on women. It's a good thing - and it directs media attention toward women entrepreneurs, like re:invention's Venture Funding for Women Entrepreneurs Report.
2. Track all of your media clips and use article reprints in your company media kit and in customer mailings to solidify your credibility. Post your recent media coverage on your company website.
3. Publish a newsletter - and share your media coverage with subscribers.
4. Use an email signature file - that includes an online link to recent coverage.
5. Try the editorial page. When a publication writes about you, follow it up with a letter to the editor, offering additional perspective or facts.
6. Consider tip sheets. Recycle old press releases by sending tip sheets to reporters via fax and email. Suggest new story angles that aren't initially picked up.
7. Always thank reporters. Offer to connect them with additional story sources, thank them for their coverage of your business (even if it is only a mention), ask them how you can help them in the future. Building media relationships that endure is often the best way to extend your media coverage.
Saturday, March 05, 2005
RE: Our New Saturday Feature - 10 Tips for 10 Million WomenTM.
Today we introduce the re:invention 10 Tips for 10 Million WomenTM Saturday Feature. Each weekend we will feature a woman entrepreneur and her personal 10 tips for success. We hope this feature will be a powerful example of "women helping women win." The women entrepreneurs you'll read about here lead different types of companies and have different personal experiences. But they all have one thing in common: they are fearless women entrepreneurs who are willing to share specific, tangible ideas that you can put into practice today.
We're on a mission at re:invention to build more women-led million dollar businesses. We believe that women entrepreneurs need more than creative inspiration and networking - they need practical marketing and business resources to build enduring businesses. We think 10 Tips for 10 Million Women is a unique way - not only to honor women - but to provide women with the practical business and marketing ideas that are necessary to turn a dream into a profitable and actionable reality.
Our first featured woman entrepreneur is Yvonne DiVita, President and Founder of Windsor Media Enterprises (Rochester, NY)
.
about Yvonne and Windsor Media Enterprises
Windsor Media Enterprises, LLC was founded by Yvonne DiVita in 2002 as a web content, search engine optimization company but today offers publishing as WMEBooks.com, consulting on Smart Marketing to Women Online, and training on Business Blogging. The primary focus of the company is its Author Services division, at www.WMEBooks.com, which offers specialized publishing services including editing, formatting, proofreading, production and marketing. As "Authors Helping Authors," Windor Media Enterprises works with writers to bring their words and ideas to life through the emerging technology of print-on-demand.
CLICK HERE FOR YVONNE'S 10 TIPS
Friday, March 04, 2005
RE: Martha Stewart, The Martyr - The Image Of A Wrongly Prosecuted Figure More Prevalent Among Women Then Men.
Welcome home, Martha. Let's not forget that Ms. Stewart chose to serve time rather than wait for the outcome of an appeal.
"...Stewart's supporters believe she was unfairly prosecuted and jailed at the same time other (bigger) corporate malfeasance was ignored...The image of a wrongly prosecuted figure is more prevalent among women than men, and it was men who predicted that Stewart's jail sentence would amount to a death sentence for her media empire..." MORE FROM THE SAN FRAN CHRONICLE.
MSLO Stock At Time of Incarceration: $10 a share
MSLO Stock At Time of Release: $34 a share
Stock has tripled since Stewart was jailed, although MSLO recently announced a loss of 15 cents per share.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
RE: Celebrate Like A Woman, Even If You Pitch Like A Girl.
President Bush has proclaimed March is Women's History Month - and this year's theme is "Women Change America." Wonkette Blog, edited by Ana Marie Cox, offers their sarcastic perspective on this announcement, amused by the 1 month short-lived celebration.
My kind and gentle counsel to Wonkette's Ana Marie Cox: How often does the world invite you to celebrate your power? I say take this invite, make it your own, and do something splendid with it. Celebrate like a woman. We know how to celebrate. Celebrate like a woman, even if you pitch like a girl.
This is the 85th anniversary of women winning the right to vote in the U.S. Lifetime Television will honor the National Women's History Project and their 25th Anniversary of "Writing Women Back into History" at a reception at the Hay Adams Hotel, Washington, DC on Wednesday, March 16th from 5:30 to 8:00 PM. Harvard University is hosting multiple celebrations (wonder if Larry Summers will be attending any of these events?) Crayola even offers this nifty coloring book. Ironically Martha Stewart's release is timed to fit this month's celebration (she's out this weekend). This is women's version of March Madness.
While a few women work unintentionally to insult women...and others scramble to host local events...I myself can only pause to admire women (all women) and their lights from within. We are only presidentially proclaimed 1 month each year to celebrate women. It takes 9 months to make a baby. It takes infinitely longer to change the world. We women are not limited to changing the world merely through assimilation. We can inspire change by celebrating our uniqueness and honoring each other for our differences.
"We are volcanoes. When we women offer our experience as our truth, as human truth, all the maps change. There are new mountains." - Ursula Le Guin
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
RE: Moving Women From the Lifestyle Section to the Business Section of the News.
Had a conversation with a features editor from a respected women's magazine yesterday doing a story on emerging women entrepreneurs (among several, it was a busy media day). This particular editor's story angle: general success tips for women-led start-ups. During the course of our interview, it became very clear to me that we had different perspectives on what women entrepreneurs need to succeed, and I found myself increasingly frustrated.
This features editor only wanted to hear the "softer side of sears" tips for women entrepreneurs. Never give up. Be creative. Be passionate. Be persistent. My practical business advice fell on seemingly deaf ears.
Why is it that media stories (particularly women's publications) focus exclusively on "soft issues" not "hard issues" in features about or for women entrepreneurs? Why do women entrepreneurs more often than not get relegated to the lifestyle section, not the business section of the news? It is eeriely reminiscent of the book titled, "Spin Sisters: How Women in Media Sell Unhappiness." Soft success stories are good...but they won't and they can't help women win. I believe that women entrepreneurs -- women in general -- are more sophisticated than they are credited by the world. They want to build a serious business. They are hungry for knowledge and eager to learn.
Women entrepreneurs need practical, actionable business advice about:
- raising capital and taking on debt
- building and motivating a team
- creative and integrated marketing (PR, promotions, word of mouth, branding)
- creating advisory boards and finding mentors
- protecting intellectual property (patents and trademarks)
- work-life flexibility
- long term business planning
- networking for business referrals
- keeping score (measurement and return on investment)
- selling to big companies and government organizations
"But that's not entertainment," quipped two men (a magazine publisher and the head of a respected Chicago PR agency) at a party I attended over the weekend.
Egads, men. Women entrepreneurs need more Oprah/Worthwhile Magazine/CNN-esque programming and business advice and less InStyle/Lifetime Television/Lucky/US Magazine. I'm unwaveringly convinced there's a market for it.
Even a most esteemed male mentor of mine believes the greatest issue women entrepreneurs wrestle with is emotional support from like-minded women and work-life balance. I adore this mentor, and respectfully disagree.
I believe women struggle most with turning their dream into an actionable and profitable reality. That is why
only 3% of all women-led businesses are million dollar businesses.
Passion, persistence, creativity, networking and emotional empathy from like-minded women are indeed essential ingredients for a woman entrepreneur's success. But
they still aren't enough. Women entrepreneurs need a toolbox stocked with
practical and powerful business advice and resources to turn a hobby or dream into a profitable reality. Practical and powerful business advice will help women build enduring and scalable businesses (businesses built for future growth). The toolbox must include money, and meaningful mentors, and marketing. If you are a woman entrepreneur who wants to build a serious business, you need to be sophisticated in your approach. You need to be as smart and savvy as you are about buying Spring shoes, planning your child's education, and investing for your future.
Even if you don't want to build a million dollar business, you surely want to build a business that beats the failure rate odds and endures. A business can't endure on fluff, fancy, and fairy dust.I ran this list a few days ago, and I am compelled to run it again....
Turning a lifelong passion or hobby into a career requires you to ask some hard questions.
A short checklist:
- Is your passion marketable (and how exactly will you market and promote it)?
- What are your true operating costs and future capital needs?
- What are your income and long term growth expectations?
- What specific resources do you need to progressively turn passion into tangible success?
- Who will embrace your product, service or idea...why will they buy it? and what exactly are they buying (peace of mind, freedom, confidence, validation)?
- How are you different than the competition?
- Who can provide you with practical business advice, business leads, and critical feedback - and how can you convince them to connect you with additional resources?
- How will you prioritize business opportunities?
- Where will you sell your product or service (what's your best bet distribution channel)?
- How will you price your product - and how do you justify your price point?
- How will you keep score (i.e., measure success and return on your investment)?
- What valuable aspects of your business (an invention, expression or literary creation, unique name, business method, industrial process, chemical formula, computer program process, or presentation) will you need to protect (also known as intellectual property)?
While I truly wish this features editor the best with her story and respect her right to her story angle, it has fired up the engine for my mission.
To build more million-dollar women-led businesses with more than fluff and fairy dust.
To equip women entrepreneurs with a toolbox of practical business tips and marketing resources.
It's time to move women entrepreneur stories from the lifestyle section to the business section of the news.
Click on the badge above to learn more. On Saturdays, we showcase wise women entrepreneurs. SHARE your 10 tips!
