NAWBO Women's Business Conference
National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Power Your Dreams Women's Business Conference Chicago 2009 June 24 - 26th, 2009 In business, when a keen sense of urgency combines with the deep vision of forethrough, powerful opportunities emerge. The NAWBO Women's Business Conference 2009 propels these opportunities to the forefront. Executives from among America's 10.1 million women-owned businesses - from diverse cultures and perspectives - will gath together on June 24-26...to Power their Dreams.  Cick here for more information: 
Author: Site Contributor

Business Travel Made Easy
Cancelled flights …  lost luggage …  presentation programs that won't run …  the list of potential business trip challenges is virtually endless. In fact, when it comes to business travel, it seems that problems and delays are the norm, not the exception. The key is to be prepared for anything that comes your way. Only then will arriving at your destination be as simple as your morning drive into the office. Unfortunately, most business travelers are unprepared for even the smallest of travel glitches. And although they may have made numerous business trips in the past, each with its own problem or two, people still don't plan for setbacks when the next trip rolls around. As a result, they get frustrated when traveling and view business trips as a hassle they wish they could avoid. If you have to travel for business, take the approach that everything will go wrong. That way you're prepared to handle whatever comes your way and no challenge will derail your business plans. Following a...
Author: Christi Youd

WBENC National Conferences
Annual Women In Business Conference In June 2008, WBENC will hold its 9th annual Women In Business conference in Atlanta, GA. More than 3,000 attendees and 400 exhibitors are expected to attend the event. Conference sponsorship levels range from $75,000 to $5,000. This event is the largest of its kind for women's business enterprises. During the three-day event, WBEs, senior corporate executives, supplier diversity and procurement professionals, and government representatives will foster many business opportunities by participating in an ambitious agenda including networking activities, workshops, key note plenary sessions, special events and Matchmaker meetings. JAne Austen Society of North America 2008 Annual General Meeting, Chicago, Illinois "Jane Austen's Legacy: Life, Love, & Laughter" 30th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Jane Austen Society of North America in Chicago during October 2-5, 2008, at the Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel.  
Author: Site Contributor

On The Road? Don't Skip Your Workout
Early morning meetings and late-night business dinners make it almost impossible for Trisha Curtin to fit in a workout on the road. "It's been a huge challenge to do any type of exercising other than walking from building to building," says Curtin, who works in planning and distribution for a department store. She's not alone. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics estimates Americans take more than 400 million long-distance business trips each year. Many of the travelers skip their workouts. Curtin acknowledges: "It's going to be me taking the initiative to get motivated." Personal trainer Brent Brinkmeier of Atlanta, Georgia, says there's no excuse for not exercising, even when you're traveling. He has some basic advice for people like Curtin who are looking to stay in shape. Before leaving town, he recommends checking with your local gym to see whether they have an affiliated facility in your travel destination. Call your hotel ahead of time or go online to see whether it has a ...
Author: Judy Fortin

Why Women Are Better NetWeavers
What is NetWeaving and how does it differ from traditional Networking? NetWeaving is, in many ways, an altruistic spinoff form of networking. It follows the Golden Rule of, “What goes around will come back around.” In the long run, the benefits and outcomes from NetWeaving will almost always exceed those of the more traditional, “What’s in it for me?” (WIIFMe) networking.  What’s wrong with “traditional” WIIFMe Networking? Here is a common situation: You go to a networking or business reception or meeting and have nice conversations with several people. You exchange business cards with great intentions to reconnect based on a common interest or possible strategic connection identified at the time.  But then, as you get back to your office -- to the piles of emails and phone messages, meetings, etc. – you get caught up in your current work. A few days go by and no one follows up. A week goes by, then two weeks. Pretty soon, you come back across those business cards from the energiz...
Author: Bob Littell

Build Your Business Through Smart Networking
Many of us still have a negative perception when we hear the word "networking," and, as I always say, it's a misunderstood word. My theory is that good networking skills build links and alliances with people we meet along our career path. The opposite of networking is not working. You can learn from everyone you meet and also be a resource to them. If you are lucky, down the road something may come back. Here are a few questions that I am  often asked about this "new philosophy" on something that has been around since the beginning of time. Is networking just about finding customers and growing one's business? Networking is all about developing and building relationships first. When this happens with hard work and sincerity, customers will come. It's like a garden. When you meet new people for the first time, it's like planting a seed. When you stay in touch by meeting for coffee or sending a holiday card, it's like watering the seeds. Finally when there is a genuine reason for yo...
Author: Andrea Nierenberg

Paying Yourself During the Startup Phase
Here's how to determine what you should pay yourself and when to give yourself a raise. During the startup phase, it shouldn’t be surprising to find yourself asking, “Where’s my money?” over and over again. That’s because salary -- or a lack thereof -- is one of the main frustrations small-business owners experience during startup. You’re most likely working harder than you’ve ever worked, but I'll bet you feel you’re not really receiving adequate monetary compensation in return. Welcome to the world of entrepreneurship! When it comes to paying yourself a salary, you’ve got to remember an important point: You’re in this for the long haul, and your rewards and compensation will come once you’ve got your business established. You have to be patient, because paying yourself too much too soon is a sure recipe for disaster. Every business consultant and accountant will tell you that your compensation needs to be a secondary consideration during the startup of your business. Focusing only...
Author: Pam Newman

How to Work a Room
Do you find yourself stuck in awkward silences with members of your own family? Whether you want to improve your social skills in your business or personal life, Susan RoAne, keynote speaker and best-selling author of the newly revised How to Work a Room (Collins, 2007), can help. In this LifeScript exclusive, RoAne gives the low-down on how to feel at ease, meet new people and form new relationships – no matter what social situation you find yourself in. The Benefits Savvy social skills are essential for business executive women who attend conferences and high-powered meetings. But those in the workforce aren’t the only ones who can benefit from networking know-how. Whether you’re at a wedding, birthday party or casual barbeque, working a room with charm and pizzazz will ensure everyone remembers you. You’ll have a blast meeting new people, and you’ll make new friends and contacts along the way. Prepare Think of it as studying for a test: Your work begins before you show up to the...
Author: Carly Young

Network Circle Peer Groups
Fill out a confidential professional profile to be matched in a private peer networking group of 4 - 10 members with common interests. You'll be able to learn, seek advice, discuss topics and share viewpoints.  Typical groups will include the following areas of interest: Corporate Fast Track Entrepreneurial Journey Selling a Business New Career Path Job Loss Transition Self Employment Networking Skills Mentoring Work or Career Change Re-entering the Workforce After Raising Children Promotion Back to College Back to Work Finding Time for Personal Growth Building a Friendship Support System Divorce Relocation Empty Nest Retirement Aging Parents Dating as a Professional Women Work Family Life Balance Work Health Life Balance Work Single Life Balance My Own Forum Group Click here to go to the Network Circle page.
Author: Site Contributor

Take Your Career to the Next Level
Discover your higher career potential by harnessing the power of peer networking on the web with w2wlink's Network Circles.  They are effortless to join, and match you specifically to private groups of reasonable size for professional women who share similar interests with you.  The Network Circle concept was created by CEO Lisbeth McNabb (formerly CFO of match.com), who knows the Internet and knows about matching. Have you ever wondered ‘How does she do it?’ about the professional women who seem to 'have it all' – great leadership and presentation skills, strong networking connections, a balanced work and family life and the ability to deal with seemingly any challenge that comes their way.  How can other professional women everywhere tap into, learn and be mentored by these women who have the business world figured out?  Networking. . . with w2wlink.com's online networking circles that match professional women with like interests into private groups of up to ten, it has never been...
Author: Site Contributor

The 6-Step Guide to Pricing Your Product
Bob Barker fans know how tricky it is to guess the price of a product. Harder still is guessing what customers are willing to pay for your own product. Too bad setting prices is one of the most critical challenges faced by any entrepreneur. "Assuming you have a product worth selling, price is the biggest factor that affects the success," says Sunil Garga, president of business and consumer insights for Information Resources Inc., a test-market researcher. While big companies can afford to blow millions of dollars to run sophisticated tests in multiple markets, small shops have to rely on less perfect information (and a healthy dose of gut instinct). Pricing pros will tell you that setting a product's price involves as much art as science--but it doesn't have to amount to spinning the wheel on The Price Is Right. Here are six simple, relatively low-cost steps at making that best guess. Step 1: Can You Brand It? Say you are selling applesauce. The range of market prices is massive-...
Author: Lisa LaMotta

Professional Women's Guide To Office Essentials
At long last, Democrats and Republicans agree on something: Nancy Pelosi is the best-dressed woman in Washington. Her stylish suits, paired perfectly with jewelry, are sophisticated and polished – and show the world she means business. Pelosi knows that what we wear speaks volumes about how seriously we take our jobs. The media may not be analyzing your every fashion choice, but you can bet your boss is. Read on to discover which office essentials you should keep in your closet. Dress to Impress The first step to dressing well is to acknowledge that your clothes send a message about your work ethic. “Whether it’s fair or not, people size you up by what you wear,” says Mary Lou Andre, fashion consultant and author of Ready to Wear (Penguin, 2004). Ironed slacks and a crisp blouse will earn the boss’s applause, while scuffed pumps and fraying sweaters will draw attention you don’t want. Shallow as it seems, the state of your shoes affects your coworkers’ view of you. But look on the b...
Author: Carly Young

11 Tips for Being Productive While Working Out of a Suitcase
Not everyone has the natural ability to live out of a suitcase or do business from a laptop bag. However, with a little practice, you can learn how to make the most of your travel time. It’s amazing what you can get done when you put some miles between yourself and the usual distractions of everyday life. So how do you make the most of your time away? Here are some tips that work for me. I hope a few of them will help you become as efficient when you’re away from the office as you are when you’re there. 1. Pack efficiently It all starts with being organized and thinking ahead. Did you ever stay up half the night packing and spend an entire trip frustrated, exhausted, and wondering what it is you forgot? Don’t let it happen again. It’s pretty rare that a trip will pop up at the last minute, but they do have a way of sneaking up on you. Instead of getting packed the day before, start thinking about your trip the week before. Find an out of the way spot to leave an open suitcase and dr...
Author: Laura Stack