Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship

Michele Bellso & Sean Branagan to talk about marketing on May 29

2008-05-14T16:22:00.001-04:00

A new series of monthly began last month called Talking Business: A Conversation With... Every month, a local business owner will talk about the lessons her or she has learned while in business; lessons that others can learn from. Tips and other information will also be shared.

Co-sponsored with the WISE Center, the next event will be May 29 and will feature Michele Bellso and Sean Branagan, two marketers professionals. Every business needs to market itself, including marketing businesses. Whether it is developing a marketing plan, creating an online presence, using print media, or thinking out-of-the-box, Bellso and Branagan have done it for their businesses. During the event, they will discuss how they have approached marketing their own businesses and the lessons we can learn from their efforts.

It is likely people will recognize Michele Bellso's name from her most recent venture; however, her first company was Designworks Advertising and she's still involved in it. Designworks is a local company that works on a national scale. I can't wait to ask about company's logo, which is a pair of denim jeans!

Sean Branagan's company has worked with companies in many different industries, including high-tech companies. Personally, I am impressed at the places I see Communigration mentioned. How does Sean get his company associated with so many area events?

I'll be moderating this event (which is more like an interview than two people doing presentations), which means I'll ask both Michele and Sean questions about marketing and get them to tell us lessons they've learned from developing marketing strategies for their businesses. It should be an exciting event!

Co-sponsored by the WISE Center, the event -- Talking Business: A Conversation With... -- will be held at the South Side Innovation Center, 2610 S. Salina St. on May 29, from 5 – 6 p.m. Networking and light refreshments will be available before and after the event. A $5.00 donation per person is requested with proceeds used to support the series.

This project was made possible, in part, through an Enitiative award. Enitiative is funded by a grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, focusing on entrepreneurship in the arts, technology, and our neighborhoods. To learn more about Enitiative, please visit www.enitiative.syr.edu.

For Email Marketing you can trust

Technorati tags: Syracuse, Entrepreneurship, Business,New York , Marketing

WISE 2008: Susan Taylor, former Editor-in-Chief, Essence Magazine

2008-04-01T21:10:00.003-04:00

Susan Taylor worked for Essence for more than 27 years. Although highly accomplished and extremely well-read, her early successes were due to her innate business sense and ability to plan (and follow-though). She joined Essence as a freelance beauty and fashion editor in 1971, yet did not have a college degree. That came later from Fordham University (evening classes). She has since been the recipient of many honorary degrees.

Highlights from her talk:

Taylor noted that each day bring us a new "guest." That person or event is a moment where we can learn and grow.
Anything that is known is knowable. Are you willing to do the work to find the information?
Look at the needs people have, then fill those needs with your business.
Your integrity is everything.
How do you maintain balance and peace in your life?
Suffering is a choice, pain is not. Pain is information that you should act on.
Quiet time is the key to everything.
Every day, fire the "judge" -- the person in you that sets limits.
For every problem there is a solution.
Be sure to ask yourself how you are doing, then listen to the answer.
You have to give yourself to yourself before you give yourself away.

Taylor was motivational and inspirational. Above all, we heard that we need to make time for ourselves and that will help us succeed.

Technorati tags: women, business, entrepreneurship, wise2008

WISE 2008: Robin Koval, Co-founder, Kaplan Thaler Group

2008-04-01T21:05:00.004-04:00

Robin Koval left us with these thoughts....

Nice Facts:

Companies hire people that are perceived as being nice.
Companies are more likely to retain nice employees.
Kids who hear positive words have higher IQs.
Nice people are healthier.
Nice people are less likely to get divorced.

Nice Principles:

Positive impressions are like seeds.
Negative impressions are like germs.
You never know (when being nice will have a huge impact).

Nice Tips:

Shut up and listen.
Help your enemies.
Yes your way to the top.
Sweeten the deal.

Technorati tags: women, business, entrepreneurship, wise2008

WISE 2008: Cindy Solomon, Solomon & Associates

2008-04-01T20:42:00.003-04:00

Cindy Solomon was an engaging presenter, who received a spontaneous standing ovation when she finished. Her presentation -- Creating Courage: Business the Company and the Life You Want -- was educational and entertaining. She peppered her talk with stories about herself, her clients and her family that we could easily relate to.

What does risk mean? Solomon researched it and found that originally the word was associated with the "imminent danger of assassination."

In thinking about courage:

Courage is a personal, individualized quality.
Most of us think we're not courageous.
Courage does not equate to a heroic act.
Courage can be learned.

In thinking about courage, she noted that there are two variables: self-awareness and personal accountability.

[Imagine a square divided into four boxes. Along the left side is the phrase Self-Awareness and along the bottom is the phrase Personal Accountability. Self-Awareness can be low or high, as can Personal Accountability. Solomon used such a box and then described thew four quadrants.]

When Self-Awareness and Personal Accountability are both low, that is Blind Courage. This is the courage that teenagers have and it knows no fear.

When Self-Awareness is high and Personal Accountability is low, that is Role Courage. Role Courage is what firefighters have. They train for their position and know what to do in a crisis (and do it).

When Self-Awareness is low and Personal Accountability is high, that is Crisis Courage. This is the courage that takes over in a crisis situation that allows you to do the impossible.

When Self-Awareness is high and Personal Accountability is high, that is Core Courage. This is the courage that comes from fully formed decisions. This is the courage that comes when you are thinking clearly, understand what to do, and are lead to do it.

None of the four types of courage are better, since each has its place and works in a different situation. Solomon's examples demonstrated that!

What type of courage do you need in order to build the life you want?
"Courage is not the absence of fear. Rather it is the capacity to move ahead in spite of fear." Rollo May

Technorati tags: women, business, entrepreneurship, wise2008

WISE 2008: Sharon Hadary, Executive Director, Center for Women's Business Research

2008-04-01T20:28:00.003-04:00

Each year, one of the speakers reviews the state of women entrepreneurship. Dr. Sharon Hadary did so in a lively manner. She gave us many facts and pointed us to her web site for additional information (www.WomenBusinessResearch.org).

Here are some key thoughts from her presentation:

In the U.S., women-owned businesses employ 13 million people.
New York State ranks #2 in the number of women-owned businesses and #5 in the growth rate for women-owned businesses.
Entrepreneurship is a home for diversity.
90% of women-owned businesses are actively trying to grow their businesses.
3% have revenues over $1 million. For men-owned businesses, that's 6%.
When you structure your business, focus on growth.
Your goal is the most important factor in your business.
Women-owned businesses take thoughtful risks.
Women-owned businesses are more likely to adopt new technologies as a way of creating workplace flexibility.

Hadary then gave us her top 10 tips:

Define success in your own terms.
Be values based.
Acknowledge your own power.
Trust your instincts.
Set high goals.
Nurture the Midas touch.
Treat your time and energy as a scarce and valuable resource.
Invest in yourself.
Build multiple support networks.
Always live time for serendipity.

Technorati tags: women, business, entrepreneurship, wise2008

WISE 2008: Maxine Clark, Founder, Build-a-Bear Workshops

2008-04-01T20:06:00.004-04:00

Today was the 6th annual WISE Symposium with more than 700 attendees (referred to as "delegates"). Nola Miyasaki, from Syracuse University, opened the event. She noted that entrepreneurship was a lot like Zen philosophy. It must be practiced daily. There are intense periods. And you should practice it with others. In comparing it was Taoism, she noted that entrepreneurship is a way of being.

Nancy Cantor, Chancellor of Syracuse University, then welcomed the group. She noted that women entrepreneurs are the sector in business start-ups that are growing the most, but that women-owned businesses are not growing big. She also noted that we live in a region where women have historically been collaborative. Women today also need to think about collaborating -- formally and informally -- in order to grow successful businesses.

Nola then introduced Donna Adamo, from WTVH-TV, who was the emcee for the event.

The first speaker was Maxine Clark, Founder, Build-a-Bear Workshops. Clark, who was a successful corporate executive, started Build-a-Bear after shopping one day with her daughter. The experience led her to think about a business where people could build their own stuffed animals. From her past corporate experience, she knew where to source the materials, etc.

Build-a-Bear began in fall 1997. In 2003, the company opened its first international store. In 2004, they launched a national ad campaign and had stored on four continents. In 2007, revenues topped $400 million and there were 370 stores worldwide. Now Build-a-Bear has an online virtual world called BuildaBearville.com.

Here are some highlights from her speech:

"Retailing is entertainment and the store is a stage. When the customer has fun, they spend more money." Stanley Goodman
Make your employees part of the product.
Hire people who care.
Empower kids to make a difference.
In order to stay in the lead, you have to keep leading.
If you live your imagination, the your life will be a dream come true.
As a business owner, get the correct insurance for your business.
Use your money appropriately.
Have a good business plan and use it to convince yourself.

Technorati tags: women, business, entrepreneurship, wise2008

One-page marketing plan

2008-02-06T09:34:00.000-05:00

Jennifer Mattern has written a "One Page Marketing Plan Guide" (2+ pages) that links to a real one-page marketing plan template! If you have never done a marketing plan, you will be surprised that it can be boiled down to one page. Yes, you will need to give it some thought -- for example, what product or service are you marketing, and what marketing activities do you want to undertake -- but this template will guide you though that thought process.

If you are going to embark on a marketing campaign this year, take time to look at this guide and template, then put some thought into your marketing activities.

IRS Announces 2008 Standard Mileage Rates; Rate for Business Miles Set at 50.5 Cents per Mile

2008-01-18T19:25:00.000-05:00

With the new year beginning, you may want to know what the IRS has set for standard mileage rates. Full-text is here. An excerpt is below.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2008, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (including vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:
50.5 cents per mile for business miles driven;
19 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes; and
14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations.

Blog post: 14 Educational Games to Teach Your Kids About Business

2007-12-24T14:05:00.000-05:00

Although this blog suggests 14 games to give as holiday gifts, you could give these games to children at any time in order to help them learn about business.

Book: Discovering Your Inner Samurai

2007-12-13T18:33:00.000-05:00

I just finished reading Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success, which was written by Susan Reid. Reid, a former professor at James Madison University in its music department, started her own business in 2004. At first, she worked doing things that were similar to her old job (e.g., as a freelance conductor) and then moved into being a business coach. Her business, Alkamae, helps "creative women transform their start-up woes into start-up goes." (back cover text)

A colleague recommended the book to me, so on a business trip last week, I made it my mission to read it. The "inner samurai" is the name Reid gives that voice within each of us that helps us on our journey. As she says, it might be called others things depending on your point of view (e.g., self, soul, spirit). It might be a part of ourselves that we're not firmly in touch with and, therefore, need to rediscover. It is not the voice in your head, but the "voice" deep within you that "knows." [Note that she uses the word "samurai" in a way that may feel quite odd. Samurai were professional warriors. They were also principled people. In chapter 4, she explains her view of the samurai and then her word usage becomes clearer.]

Using stories from her life, and from the lives of her clients, Reid discusses the inner samurai and many topics that will be of interest to new and established business owners. And although titled "Discovering Your Inner Samurai", it was the other stuff that stood out to me and that seemed to be the focus of the book. Is that that the book is mis-titled or that what struck me was the stuff on setting priorities, etc.? I don't know. And that bothers me.

Now, let me stop and say that yes, it's a good book -- see my other blog post. It shines as a book of advice for a woman business entrepreneur. However, as a generalist, Reid covers many topics and I felt that some could have been covered more in-depth. For example, she advises that we should work on 60% of our goal now and 40% in the future, but doesn't give practical advice on how to do that.

Okay...so you've read this far and are wondering if you should buy the book. If you need inspiration and advice mixed together, yes. If you want to hear a woman talk about the change she made in her career -- and the changes others have made -- yes. If you want to read a book that compares with The Secret (which is a comparison you will see on the book's cover), then no. Actually, if you're curious about the book and would like to flip through it before buying it, ask your local public library to obtain a copy for you. And if you're in Syracuse, you can look at a copy housed among the business resources at the WISE Center.

Technorati tag: entrepreneur, startup, business, entrepreneurship

WISE 2008: Featured keynote by Maxine Clark, the founder of Build-a-Bear

2007-11-12T11:32:00.000-05:00

It was just formally announced that Maxine Clark -- Founder, Chief Executive Bear and Chairman, Build-A-Bear Workshop® -- will be the keynote speaker at the 2008 WISE Symposium on April 1, 2008 in Syracuse, NY. Below is her biography.

Maxine Clark is one of the true innovators in the retail industry. During her 30-year career, her rare ability to spot emerging retail and merchandising trends and insight into the desires of the American consumer generated growth for retail leaders, including department store, discount and specialty stores. In 1997, she founded Build-A-Bear Workshop, a teddy-bear themed experience retail store. Today there are more than 300 Build-A-Bear Workshop stores worldwide, including company-owned stores in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada and the United Kingdom and franchised stores in Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa.

In 2006 Maxine Clark was inducted into the Junior Achievement National Business Hall of Fame and received the 2006 Luminary Award for Entrepreneurial Achievement from the Committee of 200. She was named a Customer-Centered Leader in the 2005 Customer First Awards by Fast Company. Maxine was one of the Wonder Women of Toys by Playthings magazine and Women in Toys, and was also one of the National Finalists in Retail for the Ernst & Young
Entrepreneur of the Year 2004. In 2005, the National Association of Small Business Investment Companies (NASBIC) made Build-A-Bear Workshop Portfolio Company of the Year, it was named one of the International Council of Shopping Centers “Hottest Retailers of 2004” and
the Retail Innovator of the Year for 2001 by The National Retail Federation.

Maxine is a member of the Board of Directors of The J.C. Penney Company, Inc., and serves on the Board of Trustees of Washington University in St. Louis. She is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Teach for America – St. Louis and a member of the Committee of 200. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia. In 2006, her first book “The Bear Necessities of Business: Building a Company with Heart” was published.

Celebrating Dame Anita Roddick (1942-2007)

2007-11-05T15:32:00.000-05:00

A year ago, Dame Anita Roddick spoke here in Syracuse. What a shock it was to see that she died suddenly in September 2007 of a stroke. She had revealed earlier this year that she had contracted Hepatitis C 35 years ago, although she only discovered it in 2004. For a woman with a very serious disease, she never slowed down!

The groups that sponsored her presentation in Syracuse are now making a video of her talk available online for a limited time only (two weeks from Nov. 5, 2007). You can view that video, along with an interview done the same day, at http://whitman.syr.edu/eee.

Nobody talks of entrepreneurship as survival, but that's exactly what it is and what nurtures creative thinking.
Anita Roddick (1942 – 2007)

SSEA Monthly Meeting, Nov. 14, 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.

2007-11-05T10:59:00.001-05:00

This will be a very different South Side Entrepreneurs Association meeting. First, it will be held on a Wednesday (Nov. 14) and in the evening (4:30 - 7:30 p.m.). Second,this will be a trade show with tabletop displays from several traditional and non-traditional lenders. Participating lenders include:

CNY Regional Planning &Development Board
City of Syracuse Economic Development Office (EDO)
Key Bank
M&T Bank
Syracuse Cooperative Federal Credit Union

Several others have been invited, so it is likely that 8 - 10 financial institutions and others who help businesses find funding will be at this event.

Why should you come? In order to grow your business, you will need funding. You may be able to be self-funded, but likely you want some external funding. At this event, you will be able to talk to a variety of financial institutions in a comfortable environment.

Besides the trade show, at 5:30 p.m. there will be a speaker and discussion about Using Financing to Grow Your Business. At 6:30 p.m., there will be a short workshop on getting financing for your business.

Reservations are not required and all are welcome to attend. The cost of the event is $2.00 for SSEA members and $4.00 for non-members/guests.

Technorati tags: Syracuse, Financing, Business

Save the Date: WISE 2008 will be April 1 (Tuesday) -- No fooling!

2007-10-24T12:07:00.000-04:00

Mark your calendars now and save the date. More details will be coming out soon. The keynote speaker will be Maxine Clark, founder of Build a Bear.

Blog post: Women-Owned Businesses Not Doing Well

2007-10-22T08:45:00.000-04:00

Women-owned businesses tend to be smaller than those started by men. Why? In talking about a recent New York Times article, Susan Reid identifies to reasons that keep women-owned businesses from breaking the $50,000 per year mark.

Women throw in the towel too early.
Women take business challenges personally.

You can read the blog post (and article) for more details. The question is...is this what is stopping you from having a million-dollar business?

New York: The World's Supermarket Exhibitor List

2007-09-22T14:22:00.000-04:00

The name doesn't sound thrilling, but this is a list of New York State-based food companies with their phone numbers and web site addresses. This is a 14-page list that undoubtedly includes some women-owned businesses, like Juanita's Soul Classics. Remarkably, there are some businesses on the list that you may think of as not being from NYS, such as Wan Ja Shan (Mandarin Soy Sauce, Inc.) which has a plant in Middletown.

Event: Connections Synposium, Oct. 25, Oswego

2007-09-06T09:44:00.000-04:00

On Oct. 25, SUNY Oswego’s Office of Business and Community Relations will gather women from Central and Northern New York for the second annual Connections symposium. This event is designed to bring women of all ages and backgrounds together to explore their place and power in their professions.

The day’s agenda will include such speakers as SUNY Oswego alumna Joni Daniels whose book, "Power Tools For Women: Plugging Into the Essential Skills for Work and Life", touches on all levels of professional and personal development. Julia DeVillers, also an alumna, an author of books that empower teen and tween girls. Also featured will be Carrie Lazarus, Co-Anchor on WSYR, Channel 9 whose Family Healthcast was one of the first daily health and fitness reports in the nation.

Throughout the event attendees will have the opportunity to visit the Women’s Market Place to support the sponsors and shop women-owned businesses (cash & check only – no credit cards).

FOR MORE INFORMATION, visit the Connections web site at http://www.oswego.edu/about/centers/cbcd/connections/. You can also view a one-page flyer at http://www.oswego.edu/about/centers/cbcd/connections/connections102507.pdf.

Please note that EARLY BIRD REGISTRATIONS end on Oct. 15 ($25).

Blog Day 2007: Six blogs worth checking out

2007-08-31T08:00:00.000-04:00

On Blog Day (August 31), bloggers try to inform their readers about other blogs worth reading. In keeping with the spirit of Blog Day, here are six blogs worth checking out!

Alkamae -- This is a blog with tips and other information geared towards women entrepreneurs. There are also interviews with women entrepreneurs (entitled "Accidental Pren-her: Stories of the Unexpected").

Lifehacker -- "Computers make us more productive. Yeah, right. Lifehacker recommends the software downloads and web sites that actually save time. Don't live to geek; geek to live." There is always something of interest in Lifehacker and frequently tips that will be very useful.

Linked Intelligence -- Likely you've heard of the networking site called LinkedIn. Maybe you're using LinkedIn and, if you are, probably you feel like you could be using it better. This blog is dedicated to using LinkedIn well. Scott Allen, who writes this blog, even does Extreme LinkedIn Profile Makeovers.

Make Money Online with Dosh Dosh -- Written by a Canadian, this blog is "about making money online, about what works and what doesn't. Exposing fraudulent scams, Dosh Dosh aims to be the largest online repository of legitimate profit initiatives."

Startup Spark -- This blog contains tips, advice and interviews geared towards entrepreneurs. It is also the blog that maintains the Carnival of Entrepreneurs.

Young Upstarts -- This blogs "seeks to provide a voice, and serve as an incubator, for small businesses in Singapore. " This blog touches on topics of interest no matter where you are located.

Additional: If you did not see it, feel free to read last year's Blog Day 2006 post.

Technorati Tag: BlogDay2007

A carnival of entrepreneurs

2007-08-15T10:21:00.000-04:00

No, not a place for rides and games, but a blog carnival "where someone takes the time to find really good blog posts on a given topic, and then puts all those posts together in a blog post called a 'carnival'." In this case, people are gathering information on worthwhile blogs posts related to entrepreneurship.

The Carnival of Entrepreneurs is published weekly with someone different hosting it each week. To see a list of past blog posts (and to link to each of them), go here. The last Carnival of Entrepreneurs blog post was written by Steven Fisher and includes information on:

How to Write a Headline and Grab Your Prospect by the Eyeballs!
You Can Make More Working Less
How to React to Criticism
How I Became a Millionaire While Working In My Pajamas
How Much is Your Work Worth?

Reading this Carnival each week would be a great way of getting new ideas and learning more about being an entrepreneur.

Office of Minority and Women Business expands in Syracuse

2007-07-26T19:47:00.001-04:00

The article states:

The City of Syracuse Thursday announced the expansion of the M/WBE Compliance Office with the hiring of Charles Anderson as Minority and Women Business Enterprise Specialist.
Anderson will add outreach services to the M/WBE office, which currently serves as a compliance office for municipal projects throughout the City. The outreach services will enable more constituent services to minority and women owned start up companies wishing to be certified among the city’s directory of businesses.

To read the rest of the article, go here.

Article: Women Build Businesses Their Way

2007-07-11T12:23:00.000-04:00

This is a good article on the positive impact business incubators have had on women business owners. Although those in this article are structured differently from the South Side Innovation Center, it shows that having a place to meet and learn can be very important. It can mean the difference between success and failure.

Five Tips for Increasing Networking Success

2007-07-03T09:41:00.000-04:00

These tips are from Joe Groden of JG Consulting.

Five Tips for Increasing Networking Success

Choose the right groups. Not only those groups that share common interests, but branch out to groups where your target customers participate. In addition, there are networking groups solely formed to refer business to each other.

Set goals. Have a realistic goal for the number of new contacts to make at each meeting/event. Most importantly, set goals for the follow-up to any contact made. This could include setting an appointment or lunch date, a follow-up call or email, or sending out some appropriate information.

Create an intriguing introduction. It should be no longer than 30 seconds, tell what you do and how that benefits the listener. You would have to modify that introduction depending on the contact.

Make a good impression. This is not the time for a sales pitch, or a “life of the party” act, but being you and showing interest will have the most value.

Gather good information. Listen carefully for clue’s regarding the life and interests of the person you are talking with. The real goal is developing a relationship that can have future value.

Leading Meetings: Getting Things Done and Having Fun

2007-06-26T19:36:00.000-04:00

While at a conference recently, I attended a session entitled "Leading Meetings: Getting Things Done and Having Fun." It was led by Shelly Edwards. Edwards did not use PowerPoint, which allows us to focus on what we were discussing and not on a screen. (She did have two people take notes on flip charts.) Highlights:

People are either right or left brained. Left brained people are interested in content, analysis and participation. Right brained people are interested in the process, interpersonal dynamics, and organization.
People often think and listen differently depending on where they sit in a room.
There are three modes of analysis -- auditory, visual and kinesthetic (multi-processing). You need to present information in meetings that will appeal to those three modes as well as to whether people are left or right brained.
How do you engage the visual learner in a virtual meeting? Use online software that allows for interaction, use an instant messenger as part of the meeting, send information ahead of time.
What are the frustrations with a virtual meeting? Distractions, length, people being too polite or not being polite enough, not knowing each other.
How do people define a meeting from hell?
- No agenda
- No ground rules
- Interruptions
- People come with their own agendas
- Unresolved issues
- Conflict
- People don't respect the time of the meeting
- A few people dominate
- Not organization
- Presenters read their PowerPoint slides
- The leader doesn't control the meeting

Edwards suggested that everyone find out their learning styles. (and you might want to find out the styles of those that you meet frequently with.)
She noted that the person who called the meeting may not be the meeting facilitator or the note taker.
You might ask people to take different roles during a meeting. For example, if it is a regular meeting, ask different people to run it.
If you decide to use Roberts Rules, explain to people what the rules are.
Consider using planning worksheets to ensure that you don't forget anything when planning a meeting.
- Planning is 80% of the total time that goes into a meeting.
- Consider calling people before a meeting in order to remind them and get them engaged before the meeting begins.
- Have a pre-meeting checklist.
She mentioned these resources:
- typetalk.com
- ASTD Press -- Meetings that Work
- Facilitating with Ease
- FacilitationFirst.com

Shelly Edwards really kept people engage during the session by using several of the techniques she discussed. She proved that a 7 a.m. meeting without food or coffee (which this was) can be fun!

Top 25 Alternatives To Venture Capital

2007-06-15T08:10:00.000-04:00

Need to find additional funding for your business? Not sure of your alternatives to a loan or venture capital? BusinessFund.com has an article that lists 25 alternative funding sources for your business. There is an option on this list for every business, no matter how large or small.

Technorati tags: entrepreneurs, financing

We need more women...

2007-05-22T18:17:00.000-04:00

Quoting the Re:Invention blog:

The world desperately needs more women media spokespersons. According to the Global Media Monitoring Project (2005) and the White House Project....
Women make up only 21 percent of all people featured in the news.
Women represent only 14 percent of all company spokespersons and 17 percent of all experts quoted in the news.
Women are twice as likely as men to be portrayed as victims in the news.
Women represent a mere 14 percent of all Sunday morning political talk show guest appearances.

Do you consider yourself to be an expert? Are you knowledgeable in your business area? Yes! Then get yourself in the media and quoted talking positively (or constructively) about your work, your industry, and your world.

Making the sale

2007-05-07T09:42:00.000-04:00

At a Women Business Owners Connection meeting this winter, Leslie English from Dale Carnegie talked about the technique she uses to close a sale. It is called the questioning model. Basically she:

Asks about the current situation. What is occurring now?
Asks what the situation should be. What should be happening? What should this situation look like?
Asks about the barriers. What will stop you from moving forward (from having the situation that you want)?
Asks about the pay out. With this, she looks to see how she can turn this -- what she is offering -- into something the prospective buyer has to do.
Does a trial close. She restates what she had learned and asks the buyer if making this change is something the person wants to do.

If she has used the technique well, it should lead to a sale. Sounds easy, right? But there is a technique that needs to be learned and it needs to become second nature. English said that if you have your technique learned, then you can put your self into it. You can make it sound like you and not like a memorized technique.

Article: The Art Of The Business Pitch

2007-04-30T15:45:00.000-04:00

Trying to get financing for your business? Not sure what to say in your "pitch"? According to Wil Schroter, CEO of the Go BIG Network, "A good pitch is a short pitch." However, the details do matter. For tips on creating the right pitch, read this Forbes article.

Technorati tag: Entrepreneurship,

Is your business helping to protect the Earth?

2007-04-22T15:00:00.000-04:00

If you think the answer is "yes," check again. You may have instituted changes that are meant to have a positive impact on the Earth, but is your staff carrying out those changes? For example, many hotels say they will not change linens every day unless they are asked by their guests. However, those who work in housekeeping see it as part of their job to keep the rooms fresh and clean, which means changing the linens every day (which they do). So what the management says it is doing and what the staff really is doing are two different things.

If you have instituted ideas in your business to help save the environment, take time this week to check on how those ideas have been implemented. Make sure that your staff understands what you want and why you want it. Ensure that they are "on board" with the idea. The Earth will thank you!

Technorati tags: earth day, environment, climate change

WISE2007: Final Thoughts

2007-04-12T19:46:00.000-04:00

What a day! People who had been to multiple WISE symposiums said this one was the best. It was the first one with two tracks: startup and growth. That seemed to make a difference. And overall, the speakers were excellent.

As I think back on the day, these are the things that stand out to me:

It is always heartening to see who comes to this event and where they are from. Women came from the greater Syracuse area, Rochester, Ithaca and the Southern Tier (that I noticed). This is a "mecca" event that draws women together to learn, network, and be inspired.
Speakers taught without sounding like they were teaching. For example, B. Smith and Randy Snow told stories, yet those stories were filled with lessons. Taking notes for this blog helped me find the lessons. Likely others heard things I missed. (Please feel free to leave comments on these blog posts with information from the event that you want to share.)
So many speakers, so little time! With two sets of concurrent sessions (16 sessions total), what I captured was a fraction of the content. (Those that I covered were Randy Snow and Mary Cantando.)
The WISE symposium has outgrown the OnCenter. Although the ballroom was amazingly able to acommodate this year's crowd, the breakout rooms were slightly too small. And the hallways and open area (where a mini-trade show was held), really were not meant for the crowd on hand. Moving nearly 800 people through those areas at once required a lot of patience on everyone's part. Since there is not a larger facility in the area, the challenge for the organizing committee will be figuring out how to continue to accommodate the crowd that they get.

They did not announce the date of next year's symposium. It should be on about the same date in April 2008. Look for announcements towards the end of this year here and on distribution lists geared towards women business owners.

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WISE2007: B. Smith

2007-04-12T18:59:00.000-04:00

The final speaker was Barbara “B” Smith, the founder of B. Smith Enterprises. A former model, she now has her own line of furniture, jewelry, and bedding. She owns three successful; restaurants.

“Whatever you do, just do it with style.”

She is from Western Pennsylvania (near Pittsburgh). Her mother was a wonderful cook. Her father could build anything.

She went to modeling school in Pittsburgh and modeled there. Then moved in New York City.

She says she is a serial re-inventor. She wants use to be the same. At any age, we can re-invent ourselves and what we do.

Lessons (pulled from her talk):

Make contacts.
Tell people what you need.
Be your own business.
Do your homework.
Talk to the universe. Tell the universe what you need.
Continue to learn.
Have balance in your life.
Everything you touch will not turn to gold. But there are things that you touch that will turn to gold.
Nothing is a given.
You are a brand.
Be willing (and ready) to re-invent your self.
Give back to your community.
Have fun.
Tell people your dreams.
Be fearless.

She recommended the book Think & Grow Rich.

She worked in a restaurant for a year (while modeling) before opening her own restaurant. She convinced those owners to partner with her, which allowed her to open a large restaurant. She’s now been in the restaurant business for more than 20 years.

She met her husband through the restaurant (a TV producer). They are now business partners.

Question – How do we get to where she is? Hard work. But be careful what you wish for.

Question – How can someone start their own line of….? Go to trade shows. Talk to your suppliers. Talk to the reps that visit you. If you have to, close the shop and attend the right trade show. You must ask for it or you may not get it. Invest your time in your business and in growing it.

Question – How do you know when it is time to re-invent yourself? How do you expect the fact that you need to change? Look at the passion in your life. Find ways of exploring the things that bring you passion. Be willing to change with the times. Have people around you that will help you change.

Question – Has she considered franchising? They have thought about.

Question – When will she go back into media? She is working on a TV show. She’s on the radio.

She ended by singing part of a Stevie Wonder song (Child’s Life?).

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WISE2007: Three Keys to Entrepreneurial Success

2007-04-12T18:50:00.000-04:00

Doreen Garrett, Founder & CEO, Otis Technology Inc.
Patience Brewster, Founder, Patience Brewster Inc.
Victoria MacKenzie-Childs, Founder, Mackenzie-Childs (1983) and Victoria & Richard Emprise (founded after the cessation of the genuine MacKenzie-Childs)

Mike Morris – Entrepreneurship is not a job. It is a mindset. It is about values. Values matter.

Courage & Will – Doreen Garrett (Lyons Falls, NY) – She started her business when she was 15 years old (22 years ago). It has grown tremendously with clients around the world. Her success has allowed her to contribute to the community. She recently had a daycare center built in the community (September 2006).

Are entrepreneur and courage the same?

She did her first trade show in Houston when she was 16. (She had to look 18 in order to get in, even though she was the president of the company.)

Don’t always listen to the first person you turn to for advice. The first patent attorney she talked to thought they had nothing to patent. She didn’t listen and now they have 30 patents.

She reminded us that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Up until two years ago, they never have a facility that was truly built for what they did. She took the risk of building the facility in Lyons Falls (and not move the business elsewhere), and has paid off.

Passion & Integrity – Patience Brewster (Skaneateles, NY) – she has done many things including illustrating and writing books. She now does gift cards and other items in her own business.

Entrepreneurs have ways of doing things – even at a young age – that are different.

She got frustrated being edited by others. She wanted complete creative control. She heard, “I love what you do, but I don’t think anyone will understand it.” Companies didn’t understand that consumers are smart.

At her first trade show, she received enough order to ensure the success of her business plan.

An entrepreneur loves her business and is not just doing it for money. Remember why you started doing what you’re doing.

Being an entrepreneur is a lot of work but there are tremendous rewards.

Imagination – Victoria MacKenzie-Childs (Aurora, NY) –

Mike Morris – Entrepreneurship is where discipline meets imagination. Imagination is the life blood.

Imagination is innate. We all have it.

Inspiration = breathing.

Entrepreneurs have a short memory. We forget how hard our work is.

She believes there is a point when entrepreneurs want to work out of being entrepreneurs. There is a beginning of entrepreneurs. At some point, you want the idea to live on without your personality. A desire to help others. Realize that the work is a joint venture between you and your employees/partners.

The entrepreneurs may start something, but it is others who must finish it.

The creation of “Mild Zanie Checks” is how they raised initial funding for their new business. It was a way of bringing investors onboard.

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WISE2007: Randy Snow

2007-04-12T18:48:00.000-04:00

Randy Snow works for R&R Partners. His session was entitled “What happens here, stays here:why your brand is built around your customer.” R&R Partners did the ads about Las Vegas that everyone admires.

Every ad campaign depends on one basic thng – to establish a brand and connect that brand with your customers. It is an emotional connection. The brand is a relationship betweena product and its customers. A brand is the best insurance against becoming a commodity. A brand is not a product. A brand exists in the heads of your customers. Marketers can try to direct that thinking.

They’ve worked with Las Vegas visitor center for about 30 years. Every ad campaign has come from their interaction with the customer.

In 1999, they were doing marketing the same way that other destination marketing was done (a video brochure on TV). Not a lot of concept or connection. It showed the product.

In 2000, the nature of Las Vegas had changed. More casinos in the nation. 48 out of 50 states had legalized gambling (not Hawaii or Utah). So Vegas is more than just gambling. What was it? Did an 18 month aqccount planning product. What is it about Vegas that draws people back? A common theme was freedom. Freedom to be a different person in Vegas than at home. When I’m in Vegas, my current reality melts away. Vegas is a state of mind.

The buildings are important, but they don’t provide an emotion connection.

There is also plenty of Las Vegas imagery out there already.

Fall 2000, Freedom Campaign – “Las Vegas: The Freedom to Start Your Own Party.” Their own presidential candidate.

Freedom Campaign – “Mud-flap girls” – About wanting to be in Vegas (Vegas or Bust).

Then 9-11 happened. Imagine working for a client (Vegas) that its clients have to fly to? They went and talked to people who were stuck in Vegas after 9-11. People said they should do what they’ve been doing. Don’t change anything. People knew that they would need a break and would want to go to Vegas.

When you think of Las Vegas, what is the first thing that comes to your head? Surveyed 2000 people. Did a new ad campaign (“It’s Time for You”).

Las Vegas when to pre 9-11 visitor levels faster than any other vacation area in the country, and has continued to grow.

Summer 2000 – “Vegas Calling”

2003 – Time for Vegas to embrace its adult-ness. Create a serious of ads – odd open-ended stories. “What happens here, stays here.™” No scripts, no stories. Let the actors run with the scenarios. Their customer trusted them.

You can get a lot of bang for very few dollars. They wanted to buy Super Bowl ads (2004), but the NFL banned the ads. They got a lot of mileage out of the news stories about the ban. News stories ran the ads. In the course of three days, they got $3 million in free airtime (with $200 of dubbed ads).

The actors and the talent have made this campaign.

Allow yourself to do something different. When opportunity knocks, allow yourself to open the door. Allow magic to happen.

2005 – The power of the campaign is that you decide what has happened. You can create your own fantasies. Engage your customers. Remember the brand is in the mind. The brand is fragile. You must take care of it and feed it.

How do they know that an ad has run its course? When the letters of complaint stop coming.

“Be anyone in Las Vegas.”

They have done print ads and associated web sites.

Personal Note: Once I heard that Randy Snow was going to speak at WISE, I knew that I wanted to hear him. I, like many others, admire those ads. It was very interesting to hear how the ad campaign was born and how it has changed over time. It was also interesting to hear about the market research they have done. For example, right after 9-11, when air travel came to a standstill, they surveyed people who were stuck in Vegas in order to understand what message Vegas needed to convey to vacationers in the wake of what surely was going to be a changed vacation market. What they heard was to not change anything, and that people who come back to Vegas.

They also tested -- for example -- the first "Freedom" ad to hear what women thought about it. The findings? Women loved it! (The woman in a limo going to the airport.)

He demonstrated the need for continued market research in order to understand how consumers are reacting to the brand.

I'm glad I did get to hear Randy Snow. He did not disappoint! Unlike Vegas, I hope that the lessons people learned from his presentation are discussed and passed along.

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WISE2007: Lunch program & awards

2007-04-12T18:47:00.000-04:00

During lunch, two awards were given:

Ann Michel WISE Distinguished Entrepreneur Award for Small Business – Carol R. Fletcher, C.R. Fletcher Associates, Inc.
Ann Michel WISE Distinguished Entrepreneur Award for High Growth Business – Doreen Garrett, Otis Technology Inc.

Quoting Carol Fletcher:

Success is who you surround yourself with

Also during lunch, Michael Morris was thanked for envisioning and starting the WISE symposium five years ago. He had done similar efforts in Ohio and Hawaii, but this undoubtedly is the best. In addition, Key Bank was thanked for their financial support of WISE for the last five years (and for next year, too).

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WISE2007: Mary Cantando

2007-04-12T18:43:00.000-04:00

Mary Cantando is a Growth Expert with WomenBusinessOwner.com. She spoke on “Open the Floodgates! Discover how your business is stronger than the competition and get that message to prospects & customers.”

Her Ya Ya (Ya Ya Sisters) name is “Countess who wants it all.” She wants it all for herself and for every women business owner.

The exercise we did was part of her The Women’s Advantage Workbook. Process she developed to help us differentiate our brands.

Over the past 15 years, she has built and sold two technology businesses. She sold the last one in 2001 (when the economy was changing). She now helps women business owners grow their businesses.

She worked with us on four questions that asked how our clients view us and our strongest competitors, both in words used to describe us (and our competitors) and words that would not be used to describe us (and our competitors). The bottom line was to figure out how to talk about what differentiates us from our competitors. (A very interactive session!)

Tip -- Make sure your web site is focused on (for) your target market.

Understand the difference between features and benefits. Think about the features and benefits of your services to your specific markets (e.g., corporate clients).

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WISE2007: Seattle Sutton

2007-04-12T18:42:00.000-04:00

Seattle Sutton is the founder and president of Seattle Sutton’s Healthy Eating. Her presentation was entitled “Life Begins at 50: My Entrepreneurial Journey.” The company was founded in 1985 when she was 53 years old and with only $1000 of startuo capital.

Her name really is Seattle Sutton. Her three daughters are all nurses like herself and her daughter (Paula) works for the company. She has always been interested in nutrition. She began her career by working for her husband (a doctor) in his office. Her light bulb moment came when someone said that he wouldn’t eat well on his own, but he would eat well if she did it for him.

Her business started small and has grown to be nationwide.

Tip – surround yourself with honest, ambitious people who know what they are doing. They will make mistakes…and if they do, just move on.

She like incentives. Her “distributors” are customers, who then bring in other customers.

Companies that are using her product line often offer incentives to their employees.

She believes in serving people what they should it.

Food in delivered by DHL on the same schedule everywhere (Monday & Thursday).

Don’t stay stagnant. Follow trends. Know what changes are coming.

Look who is sending customers you way. Help that group of people. Help them sell your product.

One of the things she talked about is that we are becoming a nation that doesn’t cook. Although she doesn’t seem think that trends is what we should have, it is a trend that feeds into her company’s growth. She ‘s capitalizing on a trend.

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WISE2007: Tips

2007-04-12T18:41:00.000-04:00

Tips from Donna Adamo:

Perfect time to hold a press conference is 10:00 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. That’s when the news crews are rally looking for a story.
There are two things people will remember about you: performance and potential. What you did and what you could do (or what you could have done).

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WISE2007: Susan Duffy

2007-04-12T18:40:00.000-04:00

Dr. Susan Duffy is from George Washington University ands teaches in their entrepreneurship program.

Lessons leader from women entrepreneurs: Six steps to entrepreneurial success

Entrepreneur your life – Build the competence and confidence to believe: You can do it!

Tap into your entrepreneurial past. Likely you’ve already done something that is entrepreneurial.

She talked about a fast food place she worked for and the lessons they learned (and the mistakes they made). They didn’t do their research and the business closed six months after opening.

Her latest venture is the entrepreneurial program at GWU. They think of the program as an entrepreneurial venture. They did their market research, etc.

Tour de entrepreneurship (think if bike riding)

The big wheel: Identify & build on your passion and core strengths. What is your core strength? What is your asset that is different from everyone else? Figure out what you are great at and own it. Do a passion inventory. What are you good at? What activities are effortless? What jobs do you look at and think that you’d like to do?
The training wheels. Develop the tools you need for success. It is about the bike and the rider. It is about the business and the woman (business owner).

What are your value proposition, market, competition, and financials? Put your financials in context. They still the story of your day-to-day operation. Know your leadership strengths and weaknesses. What are you good at? What don’t you like doing? Not only hire people who are good at your weaknesses, but hire people with similar strengths (who can take over for you).
Build leadership skills: effective communications, negotiation, and selling. (Book Selling for Women) Learn the process of negotiation (Book Getting to Yes). Learn to negotiate for yourself (Book Learning to Ask). Learn how to make a pitch and close the deal. Notice the sales styles and techniques around you.

The supportive push-off. Seek out role models. Find mentors. Build network. Look for people who have what you want. You don’t need mentors just for your business, but also for your personal life. You will have different questions for different mentors. How do you find a mentor? They are everywhere. Life gets down through relationships (networks).Networking is very strategic. Spend your precious time and energy in places where there is something you need to capture.
The banana seat bike. Managing and growing your post-startup business.

Be prepared to evolve. Everything you did pre-launch was a plan. It may not work the same way. You will now have real data.
DROOM – DROOM: Don’t run out of money. Don’t run out of money. Keep track of your financial indicators. Don’t look backwards, look forwards. What is coming?
Commit to continuous improvement. (Externally) Learn from customers. (Internally) How did you do? Learn from your successes and mistakes.
Managing your team. “So you have to learn how to step back and let them be great.”
Managing your board. Your board will want feedback. They will be interested in your business. Figure out how to communicate with them efficiently and effectively.

The 10-speed: Expect the unexpected. The 10-speed offers unlimited choices. Unexpected key events.

Managing human capital – employment laws, partnership agreements, and policies.
Sales – building customer relationships. Spread out your customer relationships with a client. Don’t just have one contact.
Role of CEO – You’re going to grow. Negotiate your agreements with employees with a bit more distance. You can’t be their friends (always). Be aware of how you set boundaries.
Financial management

The spin bike: stay tapped into the energy of others. Talk to other entrepreneurs. Join peer groups of similar sized businesses. Peer forums. This is the way people like to learn.

Keep up with the maintenance of your bike!

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WISE2007: Susan Lacz

2007-04-12T18:37:00.000-04:00

The first speaker was Susan Lacz, CEO of Ridgewells Catering in Washington, D.C. She began by talking about her mother and early family life. She was brought up with a strong work ethic. She worked in high school and seemed to work around food.

She went to college in Virginia and received a bachelor’s degree in marketing. In college she worked in a bar (still selling, still marketing). After college, she sold microcomputers.

She spoke about her family and calls “home” her second shift. As women, we work, then go home to work.

She started at Ridgewells in 1986. She actually applied to the company in 1985, but was told she didn’t have the right experience. When she was finally hired, she reached her goal in three months. The next year, her goal was more than one million in sales and met that.

She eventually moved into the director of major events. She got the contract for the U.S. Golf Association and they still have the contract.

Then she talked about how she came to purchase the company, which grew out of a failed deal, and the realization that she could turn the company into a truly profitable venture.

She purchased the company in May 1997 with funding from a venture capitalist ($12.4 million in revenue at the time). The sons of the original owners (Ridgewell) sold the company in 1984, but are still involved. Lacz calls on them for advice. (BTW the company has been in existence for more than 75 years.)

In 1997, she had a web site built and did exciting things to reposition the company.

Where are they today? Now over $30 million in revenue.

Corporate
Social
Major events
Quick-n-Haute® ($5.2 million in revenues)

Takes their led from the fashion industry (in color, etc.). Update menus, etc, twice a year. They don’t stand still. They are high-end – boutique – caterers.

They are now the caterers for FedEx field (Redskins football, etc.). They now do Super Bowl Sunday for the NFL (hospitality). They’ve done that for three years.

2002 created Haute on the Hill by Ridgewells. They have an exclusive contract with House of Representatives and now will be doing the Pentagon. In 2006, more than $6 million in revenue. And a new contract will be more than $11 million in revenue.

How did they get to $40 million dollars? $1.1 million on advertising. Wonderful advertising. Very, very professional. She does her own PR. She is very active in Washington. She is out there and visible, even does a lot of charity work. She noted that charity work gets her “access.” She is now part of the Young Presidents Organization (she‘s 46 years old).

One of the volunteer efforts she does is Camp CEO, an event done by the Girl Scouts.

Top 10 List – Advice for us: (These are in reverse order…)

Have faith, believe in something
Eat dinner with your family as often as possible
Have the courage to do what feels right
Have passion, then follow your passion
Surround yourself with smart people
Let go, know how to delegate
Take risks
Never lose your own identity
Give back, give often, give always
Think big

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WISE2007: Opening Session

2007-04-12T18:34:00.000-04:00

The 2007 WISE symposium was opened by the president of Key Bank, then by Dr. Eric Spina, the Vice Chancellor and Provost of Syracuse University. Dr. Spina noted the importance of women owned business to the U.S. economy. Women owned businesses have a tremendous impact on our economic growth. Many people are employed by women owned businesses.

This fifth annual WISE symposium has nearly 800 people in attendance, including a few men.

Next Nola Miyasaki, Executive Director of the Falcone Center, spoke. She noted that the first symposium has 300 women. Oh how this event has grown. However, she wanted to talk about where we are going (not where we have been). She talked about the gentleman in Bangladesh who has made a tremendous impact on women-owned businesses through micro-credit loan programs. Women owned businesses are growing worldwide.

According to Miyasaki, women-owned businesses in Central NY will lead our economic expansion. Entrepreneurship is not an easy route. It is not for the faint hearted. But there are great rewards. She is asking us to dream and dream big. WISE is about women in CNY changing our area one venture at a time.

Miyasaki then introduced the emcee for the day, Donna Adamo, from WTVH-5 in Syracuse.

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In her own words: B. Smith

2007-04-01T13:52:00.000-04:00

I think a lot of people are afraid of failure, so they don't try. It amazes me how many people like to gamble, even at the slot machines, but they never take a business risk.

Barbara "B" Smith
Quoted in Port-Standard
April 1, 2007, p. D-3

B. Smith is one of the speakers at this year's WISE conference to be held in Syracuse on April 12.

Technorati tags: women, business, entrepreneurship, WISE2007

WISE 2007: Speaker Information

2007-03-28T17:27:00.000-04:00

Interesting facts about several presenters for the 2007 Symposium…

B. Smith, B. Smith Enterprises: B. Smith knows style: The former fashion model turned restaurateur, television host, author, entrepreneur and entertainer extraordinaire is widely regarded as an expert when it comes to casual but elegant living. She owners three successful restaurants, has her own line of jewelry on QVC and home bedding products at Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Victoria MacKenzie-Childs, Victoria & Richard Emprise: After the cessation of the genuine, original MacKenzie-Childs founded in 1983, Victoria & Richard rose up to the challenge with a new adventure, Victoria & Richard Emprise. Victoria’s works have been exhibited at industry trade shows, where they rave reviews and explosive sales, doubling at each showing.

Patience Brewster, Patience Brewster, Inc.: Patience has illustrated cards for several card companies and launched her own card company. Today, Patience is spending all her time designing cards and ornaments while working on her annual original art show with her sister on Martha's Vineyard.

Susan Lacz, Ridgewells Catering: A recognized leader and sought-after public speaker in the Catering and Special Events Industry, Susan Lacz is passionate about her work. She works on catering high profile sporting events such as the US Open Men’s Championship and the annual NFL Super Bowl.

Randy Snow, R & R Partners: After years back and forth between agency and client sides of the industry, Randy found a home as the Creative Director of R & R Partner’s Las Vegas office and oversees the agency’s creative staff in Las Vegas, Reno and Salt Lake City and is one of the masterminds behind the “What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas” campaign.

Seattle Sutton, Seattle Sutton’s Healthy Eating: Sutton, of Marseilles, Ill., founded the company in 1985 at the age of 53 to help improve people’s eating habits and has continued her original mission to this day. She did so with only $1,000, three employees and a lot of determination to make it a success.

Saundra Parks, The Daily Blossom: When it comes to flowers, Saundra Park’s Daily Blossom is the go-to florist for many of New York City’s financial, corporate and entertainment elite for one-of-a kind centerpieces, arrangements and floral design.

Doreen Marks Garrett, Otis Products: Doreen became an inspired entrepreneur as a 15-year-old girl, while out hunting with her father. Otis Products, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading manufacturer of firearms maintenances systems and regarded by global professional firearms users as the most advanced gun care system provider. She recently opened a new $1 million day care center just steps away from the manufacturing facility.

Fran & Bill Lytle, Brand Champs, LLC: Fran & Bill Lytle are Consumer Behaviorists, Brand Strategists, Published Authors and Radio Show Hosts. They are also the Co-founders of Brand Champs, which works with brands to develop strong relationships with consumers through marketing, communications, promotions and entertainment content. They have particular expertise in marketing to women, the primary decision-makers for most categories.

Mary Cantando, WomenBusinessOwner.com: Mary Cantando is a nationally-recognized author, speaker and columnist who focuses exclusively on helping women grow their businesses. As an entrepreneurial executive, she’s founded, led and expanded businesses for over 20 years. Mary has personally closed contracts of $50MM with Fortune clients, and as a consultant, she helps women develop new revenue streams.

AND there are more speakers than this! This will be an exciting event. For registration information, go here.

Technorati tags: women, business, entrepreneurship, WISE2007

WISE 2007: Agenda for the WISE conference

2007-03-05T20:31:00.000-05:00

The WISE conference has an all new agenda this year. You may register online at http://whitman.syr.edu/eee/WISEweb/. Registration is $50/person and include breakfast and lunch.

Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship 2007

Presented by Syracuse University’s Falcone Center for Entrepreneurship and

Key Foundation

April 12, 2007

Agenda for the Day

7:45-8:30 Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:30-8:40 Welcome by Dr. Nancy Cantor, Chancellor, Syracuse University (introduction by Steve Fournier)

8:40-8:55 Welcome to the Entrepreneurial Revolution, Nola Miyasaki, Executive Director,Falcone Center for Entrepreneurship, Syracuse University

Introduction of Emcee for the Day, Donna Adamo, WTVH-5, CBS Affiliate

8:55-9:35 Change Your World---but Be Smart about It!, Susan Lacz, Principal, Ridgewells Catering, Washington DC

9:35-10:15 I Wish I’d Known That: Lessons Learned from Women Entrepreneurs, Dr. Susan Duffy, George Washington University

10:15-10:30 BREAK

10:30-11:05 Life Begins at 50: My Entrepreneurial Journey, Seattle Sutton RN, BSN, Founder and President, Seattle Sutton’s Healthy Eating

11:10-12:00 Concurrent Break-out Sessions I:

Startup Track

1) A Heritage of Success: Loving What You Do and Doing What You Love, Juanita Bass, Founder, Juanita’s Soul Classics

2) She’s Got the Power: Gender-specific Behavior and the Market, Fran and Bill Lytle, Brand Champs, LLC

3) How Entrepreneurs Think: The Psychology of Creating a Successful Venture, Dr. Mike Haynie, Syracuse University

4) It’s Not Rocket Science: What Entrepreneurs Need to Know about Accounting Numbers, Bill Walsh, Syracuse University

5) Can I Get a Bank Loan: Improving the Odds, Renee Polera, KeyBank Ron Ehrenreich, Syracuse Cooperative Federal Credit Union, and Valerie Shoudy, Small Business Administration

Growth Track

6) Open the Sales Floodgates! - Discover How Your Business is Stronger than the

Competition and Get that Message to Prospects & Customers, Mary Cantando, Growth Expert, WomanBusinessOwner.com

7) Growing a Business is Different than Starting a Business, Patricia Henriques, Founder, Management Alternatives, Inc.

8) Business Models for Growth Ventures: Break on Through, Michael Morris, Syracuse University

9) Marketing Turned Upside Down: The Entrepreneurial Solution, Dr. Minet Schindehutte, Syracuse University and Founder, Proxi Business Centres and Julie Briggs, Founder, Syracuse Gift Basket Company, Inc.

12:15- 1:30 Networking Lunch with Guest Entrepreneurs; Greeting by Renee Polera of Key4Women; Presentation of the Ann Michel WISE Distinguished Entrepreneur Awards, with Eric Spina, Vice Chancellor and Provost, Syracuse University and Nola Miyasaki, Executive Director, Falcone Center for Entrepreneurship; Presentation of the Women Entrepreneurs Day Proclamation by Mayor Matthew Driscoll and County Executive Nicholas Pirro

1:35-2:25 Concurrent Break-out Sessions II:

Startup Track

1) How to Write a Brilliant Business Plan, Mr. Larry Bennett, Syracuse University

2) Dream Big but Act Smart: Understanding the Entrepreneurial Path, Dr. Michael Morris, Syracuse University

3) Figuring Out Insurance Needs for Start-ups, Tracy Cifra, Haylor, Freyer & Coon

4) Do I Need a Lawyer: Legal Challenges for Start Ups, Bruce Poushter and colleagues, Sugarman Law Firm

5) You Are Not Alone: Sources of Help for Entrepreneurs from the SBA, WBC, SBDC, and SCORE, Cathy Pokines, U.S. Small Business Administration; Connie Gregory, WISE Women's Business Center; Joan Powers, Small Business Development Center; Helen Fountain, Service Corps of Retired Executives and guest entrepreneurs

Growth Track

6) What Happens Here, Stays Here: Why Your Brand is Built Around Your Customer, Randy Snow, Vice President and Creative Director of R&R Partners

7) Does My Company Need a Board of Directors, a Board of Advisors, or What?, Anne Messenger, Messenger Associates, Inc. and Carol Fletcher, CR Fletcher Associates, Inc.

8) Finding Money: Can I Qualify for an SBA Loan? Tony Saya and Renee Polera, KeyBank

9) Growing a Firm: It’s the Company You Keep, Saundra Parks, Founder, The Daily Blossom

2:35-3:25 Three Keys to Entrepreneurial Success:

-Courage and Will, Doreen Garrett, Founder and CEO, Otis Products

-Passion and Integrity, Patience Brewster, Founder, Patience Brewster, Inc.

-Imagination, Victoria MacKenzie-Childs, Founder of MacKenzie-Childs and of Victoria & Richard Emprise

3:25-4:15 Entrepreneurship with Style, B Smith, founder, B. Smith Enterprises, including the B. Smith with Style Home Collection, the B. Smith Jewelry Collection and the B. Smith Restaurants (into by Ann Marie Stonecypher)

4:15- 5:30 Reception and Wine Tasting, Registry for WISE Forum, Resources for Women Entrepreneurs---Join us for a special book signing with keynote speaker B. Smith! Register of the WISE Forum, how to sign up and participate in this free resource to work with other women owned businesses. Networking, Exhibits, Wine Tasting, Food, Drinks, Spa Displays, and Entertainment

Technorati tags: women, business, entrepreneurship, WISE2007

Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (WISE) Conference

2007-02-26T12:04:00.000-05:00

Join us for a day of inspiration and learning: hear from women entrepreneurs sharing their stories of success, from challenges to triumphs!

networking opportunties with hundred of women interested in starting/growing their business
All-New program, including breakout session tracks designed specfically for Start-ups AND Growth businesses
Learn how to turn your dreams into reality!

WHERE: Convention Center at the Oncenter
WHEN: Thursday, April 12, 2007 8:00am-5:30pm
COST: $50.00 registration includes meals, networking & resource binder

Learn. Share. Be Inspired.

Two Dollars and a Dream

2007-02-26T09:26:00.000-05:00

Two Dollars and a Dream: The story of Madame C.J. Walker, the first African American women millionaire, and how she did it.
A conversation with Juanita Bass, founder of the Whitehouse Berries and Juanita's Soul Classics: "A Heritage of Entrepreneurial Courage, Then and Now". Discussion about overcoming challenges and barriers of starting and growing a business historically and today; finding the courage to support your passion!

WHERE: WISE Center
SSIC(South Side Innovation Center)
2610 South Salina Street, Syracuse, NY

WHEN: Tuesday, February 27, 2007

TIME: 5:00pm-7:30pm

FEE: $10.00 (for an evening of insight, inspiration, food and fun)

CONTACT: JoAnn (315) 443-8634

10 reasons why most proposals fail

2007-02-16T20:37:00.000-05:00

The first three reasons are:

They’re too long.
They don’t reference the prospect’s pain.
They’re too technical.

To read details on these -- and to read the other seven -- go here.

Learn, share, be inspired...

2007-02-08T11:30:00.002-05:00

Announcing the fifth annual WISE Symposium, to be held on Thursday April 12, 2007 at the Oncenter in Syracuse, NY. Join us for a day of inspiration and networking! This year the conference offers all-new sessions, including special tracks for both start-up and growth businesses.

Women changing the world, one venture at a time.

Connie Gregory

2007-02-08T11:30:00.001-05:00

Welcome to WISE Center at SSIC. We are open Mon-Fri 830am-530pm. We're also open by appointment evenings and the 2nd Saturday of each month.

SSIC Newsletter Coming Soon

2007-02-08T11:30:00.000-05:00

We are excited to announce that the inaugural South Side Innovation Center (SSIC) Newsletter, SSIC Update, will be published very soon. The first issue contains profiles on some our tenants and members. Be sure to look for it on the SSIC Website at whitman.syr.edu/eee/ssic

More Than 85 Broads

2007-02-06T16:21:00.000-05:00

I am researching the topic of mentoring for a client and came across this book. Of course, the title -- More Than 85 Broads: Women Making Career Choices, Taking Risks, and Defining Success - On Their Own Terms -- immediately caught my eye. The publisher writes about the book:

More Than 85 Broads introduces us to a remarkable group of strong, passionate, and talented women who all define success on their own terms. Along with author Janet Hanson's riveting account of how she built 85 Broads into a groundbreaking global network community, each of these women candidly tells her own powerful story.

Meet Trailblazers who need no roadmap or formula for success-just their own optimism, confidence, and gut instincts. Meet Adventurers who push past boundaries and find new ways to define success for themselves. Meet Parents who are building true partnerships rather than just “balancing” their lives and careers. And meet Visionaries who are answering the questions: “What's my passion?” “What's my destiny?” “What's my gift?”

Whether you're striving to align your passion with your career, standing at a crossroads deciding which path to choose, or well on the road to fulfilling your lifelong dreams, you can tap into the enormous power and potential of “some of the most incredible women on the planet” and . . .

Discover how building a strong network gives you your own unique platform for creating new opportunities, connections, and personal definitions of success.
Learn how women are blazing their own trails as business leaders, entrepreneurs, survivors, philanthropists, and parents.
Find out how smart, successful and courageous women really think about their careers, their lives, their families, and their futures-all in their own voices.

“The most powerful and courageous voice any of us can listen to is our own, but it is often the one that we spend the least time cultivating and tuning into...” writes Hanson.

And who are these 85 Broads? (from the back cover)

Wall Street trailblazer Janet Hanson introduces us to the extraordinary women of 85 Broads, the independent network she founded in 1999 for women professionals who currently or formerly worked for investment banking powerhouse Goldman Sachs.

The name of the network is a humorous play on Goldman's address, 85 Broad Street in NYC. Today this phenomenal network has grown into a global community that reaches across cultures, borders, career paths, and generations to connect and empower over 10,000 members around the world. It now includes women from the leading graduate business schools and undergraduate campuses through the network's unique “Broad2Broad” and “Broad2Be” co-mentoring partnerships.

This sounds like an interesting book. One to put on the wish list.

Guerilla marketing & the oops in Boston

2007-02-04T21:27:00.000-05:00

At the November Women Business Owners Connection (WBOC) meeting, Minet Schindehutte spoke about guerilla marketing. This past week, more people became familiar with the term with the discover of objects in Boston that were suspected of being bombs. They weren't. They were advertisements.

Seth Godin is frequently associated with the term "guerrilla marketing", so I was curious to read what he would say about the events in Boston. On Friday, he posted his thoughts here.

In Godin's eyes, guerrilla marketing has moved away from its original intention. It has become one of many marketing techniques that businesses are using. He notes that it is more difficult for ads to stand out and be noticed. In fact, the devices in Boston had been in places for several days before the caught the attention of someone who thought they might be evil. They had not stood out as much as the creators expected. They -- like the many ads around us -- had become part of the background.

And if their ads didn't stand out, what are yours doing?

Article: Contract-Shmontract, What’s the Point?

2007-01-23T19:08:00.000-05:00

Think you don't need a contract when you do work for a client? This article asks you to think again, and then use contracts to your advantage.

Upcoming events at the Syracuse Technology Garden

2007-01-07T15:33:00.000-05:00

Syracuse Technology Garden, 235 Harrison Street:

Open House, Jan. 10, 5 - 7 p.m., RSVP to Annina@GrowSyracuse.com
Turning Concepts into Companies (Video conference), Jan. 24, 5 p.m.
Syracuse Technology Roundtable, Jan. 31, 5 p.m.
Entrepreneurs Workshops (Video conference), Feb. 21, 5 p.m.

More information is available at:

http://www.growsyracuse.com/techgarden/events.asp

Upcoming events from the Syracuse Cooperative Federal Credit Union

2007-01-07T15:30:00.000-05:00

All workshops are free and open to the public, light refreshments will be served, and child care can be provided upon request. Also, for each workshop you attend, you'll be entered in a drawing for a prize! The drawing will take place in June, 2007.

1. Small Business Financing - Jan. 18
2. Legal Issues for Small Businesses - Feb. 6
3. Marketing on a Shoestring - Feb. 13
4. Copyright and Trademark Law - March 6
5. QuickBooks Payroll - March 22 + 29
6. General Bookkeeping - April 5 +12
7. Retail 101 - April 24
8. Credit Repair for Entrepreneurs - May 3

1. Financing Your Small Business
-Thurs. January 18, 6:00-8:00PM
-Southwest Economic Business Resource Center, 506 W. Onondaga St., Syracuse NY 13204
-Learn about types of business loans and how to best present a business loan application.
-Please register ahead of time: contact Lori at the Business Resource Center, 471-2720.

2. Legal Issues for Small Businesses
-Tuesday, February 6, 1:00-2:30PM
-Southwest Economic Business Resource Center, 506 W. Onondaga St., Syracuse NY 13204
-Learn about the legal structures of for-profit business and why they matter for yours.
-Please register ahead of time: contact Lori at the Business Resource Center, 471-2720.

3. Marketing on a Shoestring
-Tues., Feb. 13, 6:00-8:00PM
-South Side Innovation Center, 2610 S. Salina St., Syracuse NY 13205
-Learn about developing your message and getting it out on a small budget.
-Please register in advance: contact Nick at 471-1116 x223 or nickcavanaugh@syrcoopfcu.org.

4. Copyright and Trademark Law
-Tuesday, March 6, 1:00-2:30PM
-Southwest Economic Business Resource Center, 506 W. Onondaga St., Syracuse NY 13204
-Learn what you need to know for your business regarding copyright and trademark.
-Please register ahead of time: contact Lori at the Business Resource Center, 471-2720.

5. QuickBooks Payroll
-Thursday, March 22 and Thursday, March 29, 6:00-8:00PM
-Southwest Economic Business Resource Center, 506 W. Onondaga St., Syracuse NY 13204
-Learn how to use QuickBooks to track your payroll in this 2-session course.
-Please register ahead of time: contact Lori at the Business Resource Center, 471-2720.

6. General Bookkeeping
-Thursday, April 5 and Thursday April 12, 6:00-8:00PM
-Southwest Economic Business Resource Center, 506 W. Onondaga St., Syracuse NY 13204
-Learn basics about bookkeeping from an experienced bookkeeper at our credit union.
-Please register ahead of time: contact Lori at the Business Resource Center, 471-2720.

7. Retail 101
-Tues., April 24, 6:00-8:00PM
-South Side Innovation Center, 2610 S. Salina St., Syracuse NY 13205
- A retail expert presents tips for starting a new retail business or managing your recently opened retail business. Learn about business plan ideas and what makes a retail store successful.
-Please register in advance: contact Nick at 471-1116 x223 or nickcavanaugh@syrcoopfcu.org.

8. Credit Repair for Entrepreneurs
-Thursday, May 3, 6:00-8:00PM
-Southwest Economic Business Resource Center, 506 W. Onondaga St., Syracuse NY 13204
-Learn to improve your business's credit worthiness by reviewing credit reports, clearing them up and improving your credit score. Also learn about resources for business lending, planning, accounting and so on.
-Please register ahead of time: contact Lori at the Business Resource Center, 471-2720.

Event: Registration for WISE (April 12) is now open

2007-01-07T14:53:00.000-05:00

Early-bird registration is $35 until Feb. 14. The fee then becomes $50 through April 9. Registration at the door will be $65. If you are a full-time student, the cost is $10.

This is the fifth year of WISE: Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship. The one-day symposium attracts more than 500 people and has been a sold-out event the last two years.

This is a phenomenal event that opens eyes and changes lives. Notes from the 2006 WISE event are here.

What's right with CNY?

2006-12-28T12:46:00.000-05:00

According to speakers at FUSE 2006 and Insight CNY this fall, what's right with our region is:

Governments in the region want to help business
High density of universities
The environment and quality of life
Lots of intellectual capital
New companies/spin-offs being formed and nurtured
The region is moving up in the rankings
Abundant water
Close to an international border
Very central to global economy
Access to recreation
Affordable housing
Engineering talent
Business acumen
People have a strong work ethic
Low-cost of living

Rewarding sales staff

2006-12-27T09:50:00.000-05:00

This press release points towards a report ($) and report summary (free, 6 pp.) entitled Best Practices in Sales Recognition Programs. The report is based on a study of 84 companies. Both tangible and intangible rewards for motivating salespeople were reviewed. According the summary:

One key finding that emerged was that companies, in aggregate, reported that a mix of 60% tangible and 40% intangible rewards was the preferred structure.

The press release notes:

Intangible rewards - that are clearly important to motivation - include special recognition by management at team meetings, praise in private and emails from direct managers. By contrast, tangible rewards are such items that can be touched or consumed such as gift certificates, trophies and plaques, and cash and dinner for two.

Informing sales staff of the rewards system requires a broad mix of communication methods, including face-to-face, company newsletter, orientation, e-mail and any other methods available to you.

It is important to remember that a reward will be valued if it is what the employee wants. So the report notes that you must know what will motivate the employee and solicit feedback.

Finally, Best Practices, LLC, the report author, does make you go through a few hoops before viewing the report summary. So be patient, if you decide to do so.

Article: 5 Ways To Prepare Your Website for 2007

2006-12-26T09:00:00.000-05:00

In the Dec. 7 Vision of Success newsletter, five ways are outlined for improving your web site in 2007. They are:

Increase the content on your website
Build an online community with a blog
Track the life cycle of the people visiting your site
Ask your visitors to take action
Optimize your site to begin to capture new clients

With that list in mind, how do you plan to improve your web site in 2007?

Is your web site winning you business?

2006-12-26T08:59:00.000-05:00

This was the title of a presentation done on July 26, 2006 by Brian Bluff of Site-Seekers as part of the Dollar$ and Sense Workshop, held at the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce.

Bluff talked about the need to:

Drive traffic to your web site
Convert that traffic into contacts and sales
Measure the results

In his fast paced and information packed presentation, Bluff gave the audience some tips and information. Among them were:

He noted that the Internet is outside of most companies' core competencies. Therefore, companies may need to look to an outside "expert" to help them with their web site.
45% of companies cannot measure the effectiveness of their web sites.
People will judge a web site in milliseconds. Therefore, it is important that people instantly be able to recognize what you do when they visit your site. He actually showed us web sites and counted how many seconds it took for us to recognize what the site did. "What" definitely should be evident in under five seconds.
Have your contact information on every page.
Keep your web site content fresh, which means updating content on a regular (frequent) basis. This will attract the search engine "spiders" that index the Internet.
Include a site map on your web site, since a site map helps spiders find and index all of your pages.
In the title tag on your web pages, place the product information first, not your company name. This helps with the indexing of your site in search engines.
Bold important text. Search engines assume that what is bolded is important.
Have target phrases for each page.
Make sure that there is synergy between the words in your title tags, the phrases that you bold, and the target phrases on each page. This is important so that the search engine spiders clearly understand what the page is about. It also helps with your search engine ranking.
Those sites that you link to should be "natural." In other words, if you are a software company, link to other web sites in your industry or in a related industry. Don't link to a site that is totally unrelated to what you do. (Of course, you should link to client sites.) Why? Because you want everything on your site to be focused on what you do and your subject domain.
Create your web site to be viewed on 1024 x 768 pixel size screen. Evidently, this is now the prevailing screen size.
Hotlink your logo so that it returns the person to your homepage.
Solicit and include customer testimonials.
Write white papers on your topic area and make them available on your web site.
The more pages a person has to go through to get the information they need, the fewer people who will do it. There is a 40% drop off for each page a person must go to in order to find the information he wants.
There is useful search engine optimization tools and information at SEO Book.

Technorati tags: SEO, search engine optimization

In her own words: Dame Anita Roddick

2006-12-10T15:13:00.000-05:00

Focusing on the customers is far more important than focusing on profit. You can't have one without the other and you must have the customers first.

-- Dame Anita Roddick
Founder of the Body Shop
Nov. 15, 2006 at the British Library

5 Ways To Prepare Your Website for 2007

2006-12-10T15:03:00.000-05:00

In the Dec. 7, 2006 issue of the Vision of Success newsletter, they give "5 Ways To Prepare Your Website for 2007."

Increase the content on your website
Build an online community with a blog
Track the life cycle of the people visiting your site
Ask your visitors to take action
Optimize your site to begin to capture new clients

For details on each, read the newsletter here.

SmallBizU

2006-11-21T09:44:00.000-05:00

Key Bank has a web site for business owners called SmallBizU. SmallBizU includes online classes on Money, Management and Marketing as well as the Entrepreneurial Master Class Curriculum (EMC²). Some of the classes are up to four hours in length. You must register in order to take any of the courses, however, the courses are free. The web site also contains a knowledge base of information on specific business related topic.

Please note that SmallBizU works best with Internet Explorer and may not fully function with another Internet browser (e.g., Firefox or Netscape).

IRS Announces 2007 Standard Mileage Rates

2006-11-17T11:20:00.000-05:00

This is information that we all need to have.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2007, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (including vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:

48.5 cents per mile for business miles driven;

20 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes; and

14 cents per mile driven in service to a charitable organization.

Full details are available here.

Article: Grooming Women for the Top: Tips from Executive Coaches

2006-11-14T15:57:00.000-05:00

Good information including details on these three tips:

Getting heard.
Looking and acting the part.
Focusing on the big picture.

Read there full article here.

Event: Supplier Diversity Open House at Cornell

2006-11-08T16:03:00.000-05:00

Cornell University is holding its first Supplier Diversity Open House on Tuesday, December 12, 2006, at the Ramada Inn on Triphammer Road in Ithaca. Information about the event is available here. Reservation must be made by Nov. 27.

Event listings from the Syracuse Technology Garden

2006-11-07T13:34:00.000-05:00

11/8/2006
8:30 A.M. until 10:30 A.M.
IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and Cash Balance Plans

The provisions from the recently signed legislation - Pension Protection Act of 2006 - will be discussed.
As a plan sponsor (employer) you need to know some of the changes, like the permanency of increased contribution limits and catch-up contributions that are directly affecting your employees.
This informational session is specifically organized for CEO's, Employers, and Human Resource professionals.

11/8/2006
5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.
Biotech Seminar; Funding Early Stage Innovation: Is Corporate Venture Capital the Answer?

Biotechnology Management & Entrepreneurship Seminar Series at RPI with speaker Campbell Murray, MD and Director of Novartis BioVenture Fund. Video-conferenced to Syracuse Technology Garden.
Traditional venture capital firms have reduced funding for early stage biomedical technologies since 2002. Entrepreneurs find it difficult to get funding on technology platforms or for preclinical products. Campbell Murray, MD will serve on the panel that will explore the current trends in funding drugs and devices and then discuss the role of corporate venture capital going forward. The discussion on strategic focus vs. financial metrics will be accentuated with the underlying changes in traditional venture capital interest and hedge funds.

11/16/2006
5:00 until 8:00 P.M.
TH3: Citywide Visual Art Nights

TH3 is a city wide art open in Syracuse that takes place on the third Thursday of most months. This gallant project, initiated by the Everson Museum and the Delavan Art Gallery, is joined by the most distinctive venues in the city in a grand event to bring the artistic experience to the public. TH3 establishes Syracuse as a city for the arts in this initiative to reachout its local and regional communities.

11/29/2006
5:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M.
CampaignBase.com Celebrates One Year at Syracuse Technology Garden

SPEAKER: Travis Glazier, Co-Founder and C.E.O. of CampaignBase.com will highlight his success after one-year in business.
Travis will also discuss CampaignBase.com business products, growth, and impact of its software products on the November election results.
Visit www.CampaignBase.com for more information

12/6/2006
5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.
Global Technology & Capital Access to Build a Stem Cell Bio Tech Company

12/6/2006
5:00 P.M. until 6:30 P.M.
Biotech Seminar; Global Technology and Capital Access to Build a Stem Cell Biotech Company

An interesting and exciting business model is described for a high tech venture spread over four continents five countries, built on revenues and cutting edge science for development stem cell therapies.
More about CyGenics at www.CyGenics.com

1/10/2007
5:00 P.M. until 700 P.M.
Open House

We invite you to tour the Syracuse Technology Garen, network and view the beautiful works from local artist.
More information is forthcoming.

Career tips from Lois Frankel

2006-11-02T13:04:00.000-05:00

Lois Frankel, author of Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office: 101 Unconscious Mistakes Women Make That Sabotage Their Careers, uses the acronym WALLET to teach people about building their own personal brand. What is WALLET? (Text from her program on KNX 1070.)

W. Write down what you want people to say about your personal brand in no more than 25 words.
A. Act on it. Take those words and turn them into actions. For example if you want to be known for an excellent work product, start researching, editing and checking quality before turning in your work.
L. Let others know when you’ve acted true to your brand, for example, you can say, “our team worked all night to make that deadline, but we did it!”
L. Look to the edge where winners play the game. Don’t always play it safe.
E. Elicit feedback. Find out if you’re hitting your marks.
T. Treat others with a spirit of abundance. There is more than enough for everyone. Believe it. Act that way.

You can find more words of wisdom from Lois Frankel here.

beetlegrass: 17 things that I've learned over the past years

2006-10-30T16:24:00.000-05:00

This freelance illustrator has put together 17 things she (Megan Jeffery) has learned while being in business for herself over the past 17 years. It is a list everyone should read. For example, under # 13, Jeffery writes:
Don't panic. Panic causes productivity and creativity to come to screeching halt.
And under #15, she says:
Do not abdicate your role as CEO of your company to your agent, or to your accountant, or to whomever else has a piece of your business.
What are you waiting for? Go read!

Insight CNY: Dame Anita Roddick

2006-10-27T10:04:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was the Insight CNY event at the SU Schine Student Center. There was a panel discussion with several business people, then the keynote by Dame Anita Roddick, founder of the Body Shop. In 2003, Anita Roddick was awarded the titled Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II and now carries the title of “Dame.” Despite the title, she is a down-to-earth person. She is passionate about businesses being change agents. She is a social activist. She is creative, well-read, well-traveled, funny and irreverent. Anita has succeeded and wants to use her success to help others.

Undoubtedly each person who attended the event (and there were more than 300 people there) took away different thoughts from her presentation. Below are ideas and thoughts that I captured in my notes:

Syracuse needs to stand for something. It needs to develop something that is unique and capitalize on it. (Or capitalize on some quality that is already has.)

The role of mayors – at least in Europe – is to go out and see what other cities are doing. Then bring back that information to their own cities in order to help their city improve.

Why is it that success is only measured by a company’s profit & loss statement? Anita created a business that took stands on important human rights issues. How do the accountants and investment analysts measure that?

Entrepreneurs march to the beat of a different drummer. They are often outsiders, dreamers, and doers. (She listed other qualities, but I didn’t get them written down.)

Entrepreneurs are pathologically optimistic.

To be an entrepreneur is to be a survivalist.

Entrepreneurship is livelihood creation.

Being 20 times bigger is not a goal. Being better by being value-led is.

Business is about trading. We trade product for money with our customers. We also trade with our suppliers. At lunch, Anita talked briefly about businesses in South Africa that are built on trading ("this" for "that"). The business models those businesses use do not allow them to be seen as formal businesses, yet they create livelihoods.

“The job of a citizen is to keep his mouth open.” – Gunther Grass

We were searching for employees, but people showed up instead. One of the things Anita learned was that she was able to create businesses (e.g., factories) in areas with high unemployment. She was also able to create relationships with suppliers in Africa and South America that were beneficial to those local economies. And she was able to create services that her employees needed (e.g., daycare, although that’s not what they called it).

She worked with groups that businesses are not used to working with. For example, she formed alliances with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). NGOs are democratic entities generally formed around a focused set of goals, and having no affiliation with governments. She also worked with -- and learned from -- Quaker business owners and said she admired their honest business practices.

As a business grows it will become less intimate, create more rules, and be less creative. Businesses need to find ways to grow while keeping the qualities of a small business.

Dialogue is important and should be honored.

Enthusiasm can’t be taught, it must be caught.

Businesses need to have a social agenda.

Direct selling helps shave away loneliness. (The Body Shop does have a program to sell direct to consumers in their own homes. One of the Body Shop at Home people was at the event from Massachusetts. This has not yet spread to the Syracuse region.)

The Body Shop was a communications company. Anita says that because the company was passionate about communicating its values as well as the issues it cared about. Its advertisements were often thought provoking and not about its products, but about social change.

We need to create apprenticeship opportunities for young people and help them recognize “the trades” as rewarding and valuable careers.

I don’t know if Anita mentioned it during her presentation, but she values public art. Public art can lift the spirits of a community. It can become the focal point of the community.

Anita was not “schooled” in business when she started the Body Shop. As with every business owner, if she had known then what she knows now, she would have done some things differently. Perhaps it is because of her naiveté that she built the successful business that she did. Knowing too much can lead people to inaction.

Finally, I was struck by the phrase she used to describe the Body Shop. The Body Shop is a multi-local company. In other words, the Body Shop operates globally, yet in each location it thinks and acts locally.

After her presentation, Anita did a book signing of Business As Unusual: My Entrepreneurial Journey, Profits With Principles. Originally published in 2001, this new edition brings the story of her entrepreneurial journey up-to-date. She signed books and talked to people for a long time. It was obvious that she connected with many people in the audience.

How will the discussion continue that was started at Insight CNY? Hopefully everyone who was at the event will go back to their offices and homes, and talk about the ideas that they heard. Hopefully businesses will take a moment to think about the differences they could make in their communities AND then strive to make those differences. Hopefully each person will recognize her-/himself as a agent of real social change. And...yes...hopefully more entrepreneurial dreams were sparked and will emerge (along with the funding to support them).

Event: Small Business Training Program adds session on Nov. 29

2006-10-24T14:59:00.000-04:00

The SSIC Enterprise Management Institute (EMI) is conducting a multi-week training program. The programs are held on Wednesdays from 12 noon - 1:15 p.m. at the South Side Innovation Center. (more info)

A session has been added on Nov. 29 entitled "Internet & Business Research." Businesses require good, up-to-date information to fuel their decision-making processes. This session will give business people some of the tools needed in order to conduct their own research on their markets, industries and competitors. The hour will include:

* The information life-cycle
* Overview of Internet search engines
* Tips for locating "hidden" information on the Internet
* The benefits of using a fee-based service for locating information (and how to access them)
* How to locate and tap into people to gather needed information (e.g., experts, surveys, etc.)
* Other resources

The South Side Innovation is located on South Salina St. in Syracuse, next to Dunk & Bright Furniture.

Do your employees treat your business as if they were owners?

2006-10-20T09:34:00.000-04:00

Owners care about how a business functions. Owners want the business to succeed. Owners will engaged prospective customers, talk up the business, and see marketing opportunities everywhere. Owners will care about using resources efficiently and effectively.

Unfortunately, sometimes employees don't have the same passion.

For example, at a recent business show, I walked up to one booth where there were at least four employees standing (and only one engaged with another prospect). I looked at the merchandise, handled it, and looked at the booth staff (who were talking to each other). I didn't ask for help because someone should have seen that I was interested (and I was interested). After several minutes, I finally walked away with my questions unanswered.

These employees weren't hungry. They knew that their next paycheck was "in the mail." An owner, however, knows that her next paycheck is coming from the customers (figuratively speaking). Without the customers buying anything, the business will not make money and the owner will be the first person to see and feel the impact.

So today look at your employees and ask yourself if they have the same passion as you do about your business. If they don't, talk to them and find ways to instill it in them.

Notes from Connections 2006

2006-10-16T13:11:00.000-04:00

On October 12 was the Connections conference held at SUNY Oswego. The event was "designed to bring women of all ages and backgrounds together to explore their entrepreneurial place and power in the Arts, business world, and various fields of Science." There were panel discussions with women in business, in the arts and in science (including a woman who is a real life forensic scientist, like on CSI), and two keynote speakers:

Dr. Lois Frankel -- author of Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office and Nice Girls Don't Get Rich
Dr. Mona Lake Jones -- writer, orator and educator, who has been poet laureate for the city of Seattle and for King County (WA)

Lois Frankel asked the audience about the rules that existed in our households as we were growing up. Those rules often impact people and their careers.

What were the rules that everyone was expected to use?
What rules applied only to the boys in the house?
What rules applied only to the girls?

Girls are often taught to be nice, yet being nice is not sufficient for success. More is needed and expected. Frankel is not against being nice, but says that a woman needs to develop other qualities in order to succeed.

Here are some quick tips & thoughts from her talk:

You need to be among the first 2 - 3 people to speak in any meeting in order to have a presence and impact.
When you give an opinion, do not form it as a question. That gives someone else permission to own what you have said.
Men negotiate, are realistic, delegate and manage expectations. (Women are expected to be miracle workers.)
You need to build your brand.
Leap and the net will appear.

Mona Lake Jones wove words of wisdom with storytelling and poetry. Tips:

When you're down, plan how you are going to get up.
Keep a pocketful of coping skills.
Kindness is magnetic.

Several books were mentioned during the day-long event, including:

Along with the speakers, there were several vendors who exhibited, provided information and sold merchandise. It was wonderful to see women-owned businesses being given exposure at an event like this!

Connections hopes to become a yearly event. Keep your eyes open for information on Connections 2007.

Article: Microloan Pioneer and His Bank Win Nobel Peace Prize

2006-10-13T09:39:00.000-04:00

Within the last year, Syracuse University has worked to create a microcredit loan program in Syracuse. This type of loan was begun and popularized by Muhammad Yunus. Now Mr. Yunus has won the Nobel Peace Prize. The New Yotk Times states:

Bangladeshi economist Muhammad Yunus and his Grameen Bank won the Nobel Peace Prize...for their pioneering use of tiny, seemingly insignificant loans -- microcredit -- to lift millions out of poverty.

In a press release from the Norwegian Nobel Institute, which awards the Nobel Peace Prize, they say:

Micro-credit has proved to be an important liberating force in societies where women in particular have to struggle against repressive social and economic conditions. Economic growth and political democracy can not achieve their full potential unless the female half of humanity participates on an equal footing with the male.

Congratulations to Mr. Yunus and the Grameen Bank! His work and truly been felt around the world.

Online video clips on entrepreneurship, leadership & business

2006-10-12T20:31:00.000-04:00

Do you wonder want entrepreneurs and businesspeople have said on different topics? Would you be interested in learning from a diverse group of entrepreneurs while sitting in front of your computer?

Over the last 10 years, the Cornell University Department of Applied Economics & Management has been interviewing entrepreneurs and businesspeople. Those interviews are available online in the form of "e-clips" -- short video clips on specific topics culled from longer interviews. The collection is searchable and open to anyone to use for their personal education (in other words, non-commercial use). The collection includes women and men from many different industries giving information and advice, sharing stories, and letting us learn from them.

You must register (free) to use the site. Once you've registered, you will be amazed at the world that will open up to you.

WISE Center

2006-10-12T20:23:00.000-04:00

On Oct. 11, the business community in the region celebrated Syracuse University receiving a major federal grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to support a new WomenÂs Business Center (WBC) that will be housed within the University's South Side Innovation Center (SSIC). This new center is called the WISE Center (WISE stands for Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship). You can read more about the WISE Center here.

As SU Chancellor Nancy Cantor said yesterday:

Entrepreneurship is a powerful force that can transform a community. Women-owned businesses comprise more than half of all new start-up businesses and generate billions of dollars in economic activity each year. Now, in previously under-served area like SyracuseÂs South Side, women who dream of starting and growing their own business will have access to the resources and expertise to make their dreams come true and to transform not only their own lives, but also their community.

The Center will serve women from all parts of Onondaga County and will also provide services to men. Check the WISE Center web site for more information on the Center's services, as the information becomes available.

Event: Women Who Can

2006-10-04T14:39:00.000-04:00

Women Who Can
Wednesday, October 25
5:00 to 7:30 PM
The Corinthian Club
930 James Street
Syracuse, NY

Our first social gathering was a rousing success. Please join us again for drinks, a light dinner, and a chance to visit with friends and business associates. Feel free to bring a business colleague to this unique and fun social gathering.

Cost: $15, includes cash bar and a light dinner buffet

RSVP: by October 18 by calling 422-9918

Workshops from the Syracuse Cooperative Federal Credit Union

2006-10-02T14:43:00.000-04:00

Retail 101 workshop

Description: Learn basic information, as well as tips and tricks, about starting your own retail business.
Date/Time: October 4, 6:00-8:00pm
Location: Westcott DayHab center, 512 Westcott St., Syracuse NY 13210
Space is limited; to register, contact Nick at 471-1116 ext. 223 by October 2nd.

Credit Repair for Entrepreneurs workshop

Description: Learn information about improving your credit to benefit your current or potential small business.
Date/Time: November 14, 6:00-8:00pm
Location: Southwest Economic Business Resource Center, 506 W. Onondaga St., Syracuse NY 13204
Space is limited; to register, contact Lori at 471-2720.

Sponsored by Syracuse Cooperative Federal Credit Union and the Southwest Economic Business Resource Center

$100000 Emerging Business Competition

2006-09-28T11:46:00.000-04:00

From EssentialConnections.org

$100000 Emerging Business Competition

We're looking for the most innovative and growth-oriented entrepreneur or emerging business in the region!

The competition is a project of the Central Upstate Regional Alliance, a 12-county public/private consortium that works on a variety of regional issues and opportunities.

In keeping with the Regional AllianceÂs goal-oriented approach to business development, the $100,000 Essential Connections.org Emerging Business Competition is designed to:

Stimulate job creation and business developmenby providingng financial and in-kind resources tcompanies inin the Central Upstate New York region.
Increase the entrepreneurial culture and visibilitof entrepreneurialal activity in the region.
Increase investment-grade deal flow in the region.
Identify several high growth potential business opportunities in Central Upstate and connect these opportunities to a wide range of business development and capital resourceboth duringng the competition and beyond.

The competition will run in two categories: Emerging Business and Business Idea. The 1st place winner in the Emerging Business category will win $100,000, making this event one of the largest business plan competitions in the country!

Eligibility Requirements:

Participation in the competition is limited to individualor entryry teams from the Central Upstate New York region (defined as: Cayuga, Cortland, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Seneca, St. Lawrence, and Tompkins counties).

Emerging Business Competition ($100,000 prize)

Company currently in existence - formally incorporated by January 15, 2007
Revenue stream between $0 and $2.5 million
$150 application fee

Business Idea Competition ($2,500 prize)

Open to general public
No application fee
Only one submission per person
Applications are due by Monday, January 15, 2007 at 5:00 pm EST
Finals will be held on April 5, 2007

For more information, please contact:

EssentialConnections.org Emerging Business Competition
c/o Metropolitan Development Foundation
109 South Warren Street
State Tower Building, Suite 1900
Syracuse, NY 13202
100k@essentialconnections.org

View complete competition guidelines and apply at:
www.essentialconnections.org/100k

Event: Small Business Training Program, every Wednesday until Nov. 15

2006-09-25T11:42:00.000-04:00

The SSIC Enterprise Management Institute (EMI) will conduct a nine week, Wednesday, lunch time, brown bag, Small Business Training Program in the Harriett McDowell Memorial Training Room located in the South Side Innovation Center. The sessions began on Sept. 20, but it is not too late to join in. Each session goes from 12 noon - 1:15 p.m.

Topics include:

Heart, Soul, and Mind of the Entrepreneur
The Key To Making Money
Getting The Most Out Of Your Business Plan
Show Me The Money: Financing Your Business
Winning The Game: Competitive Strategies That Work
Customer Drives The Business
Operations & Performance Measurement
Growth & Expansion of Your Business
E-Commerce

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE SESSIONS (INCLUDING HOW TO HAVE THE REGISTRATION FEE WAIVED) AND TO SIGN UP CALL 315.443.8600 or E-MAIL: DICKSON@SYR.EDU

NYS Assembly Commission on Government Administration

2006-09-22T08:48:00.000-04:00

The NYS Assembly Commission on Government Administration covers areas of interest to micro-businesses. The August 2006 legislative update includes information on the micro-business roundtable and Assembly actions. Those Assembly actions include bills aiding micro-businesses, more support for minority and women-owned businesses, supporting entrepreneurship in the arts, and reforming the State's budget process.

If you did not receive the August 2006 update in the mail, you can view it here. Back issues are also available.

FUSE 2006: Technology, Talent & Capital

2006-09-20T16:05:00.000-04:00

Officially the focus of FUSE 2006, held in Syracuse, was "Accelerating Technology-Enabled Business Growth"; however, its seems like the words "technology, talent and capital" were more appropriate. FUSE 2006 brought together business executives, industry experts, and leaders from research, public sector, non-profit and higher education to talk about innovation, business & economic growth, collaboration and new technologies.

There were several technology areas discussed, but perhaps more important than specific technologies were the ideas around innovation.

The rate and pace of commodization has accelerated. Companies must innovate in order to stay relevant.
Innovation is not just invention. It may mean innovating how a company operates, not just what it makes.
Companies benefit from bringing in ideas from outside its "four walls" in order to spark or hasten innovation.
Patents were mentioned as inhibiting collaboration, yet it is collaboration that businesses need in order to work smarter and faster.
One question posed is whether innovation is a value or a means.

Dr. Kenan Sahin, CEO of TIAX LLC, was emphatic about our older workers being valuable talent. He sees older workers as having the knowledge and capacity to move ideas forward.

He noted -- in talking about youth -- that at events like these, there average age is often 52. If we believe that younger workers are important to our future, why are they not at the "table"?

There was also discussion on tools that our talent (workers) need. Our workers are changing how businesses think about and use technology.

Of course, capital -- money -- is important. Investors, though, want to invest in winners. As someone noted, where are the "rainy day" bankers? Where are the investors who will back an idea whose path is not golden?

FUSE began on Tuesday evening at the Whitman School of Management with a reception then an evening session. It continued on Wednesday at the OnCenter with a full day schedule. By mid-afternoon, you could sense that people were becoming overwhelmed with information and -- perhaps -- their own thoughts on the topics at hand. Ending earlier in the day (maybe by 3 p.m.?) with a real facilitated discussion would have allowed those bubbling ideas, questions and concerns to get out on the table. It might have been useful to have been able to engage Syracuse Mayor Matt Driscoll in a dialogue -- along with Nancy Cantor (SU's chancellor) , Kenan Sahin and David Ahlers (Founding Co-Principal, Cayuga Venture Funds) -- about technology, talent and capital.

Finally, although there were several hundred people at the event, it stood out that the audience might have been 20 - 25% female. Women are involved in technology and in innovation, but this conference did not attract them. Why didn't more women attend? Was it the cost, the topics, or the speakers? Whatever the reason, I hope the FUSE organizers figure it out and ensure that more women are involved in this conversation next year.

Event: Sunday Smoothie Soiree, Sept. 24, Ithaca

2006-09-18T10:37:00.000-04:00

MizBusiness and Lost Art Media Present: Sunday Smoothie Soiree, and early afternoon fete for women entrepreneurs.

Date: Sunday, September 24th
Time: Noon to 2:00 p.m.
Where: Cafe Carpineto at Island Health & Fitness
310 Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca, NY (Map)
Cost: $12 RSVP, pay in advance; or $15 at the door
RSVP: mizbiz@mizbusiness.com

MizBiz and Lost Art Media present Sunday Smoothie Soiree, an early afternoon fete for women entrepreneurs in the Finger Lakes region. We'll be gathering by the inlet at Cafe Carpineto, located inside Island Health fitness. (For directions, contact MizBiz at mizbiz@mizbusiness.com)

Enjoy light snacks and your choice of beverage (of course we recommend the smoothies.) Let's network with our sisters in business, see what we have in common, and find out how we can give each other a leg up. As usual, door prizes will be awarded.

You can read more about MizBiz here (WBOC blog).

Updated Sept. 19 with address & map

Event: 4th Annual CNY Edge Networking Dinner

2006-09-13T16:45:00.000-04:00

4th Annual CNY Edge Networking Dinner

Date: September 21, 2006
Time: 5:00 p.m. cocktails and dinner at 6p.m. sharp
Location: Pier 57 in Liverpool (7376 Oswego Rd, Rt. 57 across from Glenn Crossing Plaza), Liverpool, NY 13090

Back by popular request! Get ready because once again we are bringing you our 4th Annual Networking Dinner!

This is a great opportunity to learn things about both fellow members of CNY Edge as well as non-members that you just could not possibly find out on your own.

Enjoy a four course meal (soup, salad, main entree, and dessert) while switching tables for each course. You will meet new people for every course.

CNY Edge will provide questions that are conversation starters, some will require laughter. Attendees have said that it is a great way to meet new people without any pressure.

Dinner options:

Fresh broiled haddock with baked potato
Twin grilled chicken breasts over rice
8 oz. Delmonico steak with baked potato
Homemade Lasagna

Fee: members $20; nonmembers $25. Pay by check or pay pal.

In her own words: Mona Lake Jones

2006-09-11T16:34:00.000-04:00

Poet Laureate Mona Lake Jones will be speaking Oct. 12 at Connections in Oswego (click here for details). Based in Seattle, Jones is a writer, orator, and educator. She served as Poet Laureate for the City of Seattle for five years and presently holds that title for Washington State’s King County. Her books include The Color of Culture and The Color of Culture II. She has also released CD featuring her spoken work, titled “Poetry Dancing on Music.” She has previously spoken in the region at an event entitled "A Room Full of Sisters", named after one of her poems (excerpted below).

Quotes from Mona Lake Jones:

Put a period in your life and make a fresh start

It's not just thinking only of you,
but caring about those around you too.

It's looking from the inside out--
That's what life is all about.

A room full of sisters like jewels in a crown
Vanilla, Cinnamon, and Dark Chocolate Brown......

They were smart, articulate and well-read
With all kinds of history stored in their heads

Jugglers of professions, managers of lives
Mothers of children, lovers and wives

Hear more from Mona Lake Jones on Oct. 12 at Connections.

Event: Insight CNY, Oct. 26

2006-09-08T11:19:00.000-04:00

Insight CNY

Thursday, October 26th 4-7:30pm
Syracuse University Goldstein Auditorium
Schine Student Center

Presented by Sensis Corporation, Martin J. Whitman School of Management and Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (WISE)

We are at a crossroads.

Can Central New York be transformed into a dynamic entrepreneurial community? INSIGHT CNY examines the future of Central New York from an entrepreneurial perspective. This rich and provocative program is designed to stimulate discussion and action steps that will enable all of us in the region to capitalize on our untapped potential. Hear from successful entrepreneurs who have built world class companies in CNY, and choose to stay despite the challenges of doing business here.

Dame Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop, will inspire our vision with her high growth story from one shop opened in Brighton, England in 1976. Today, The Body Shop is an international business with 2000 stores, serving over 77 million customers in 50 different markets in 25 different languages across 12 time zones.

Join us for an evening that will raise the entrepreneurial consciousness in the CNY Business Community:

Listen to Keynote Speaker Dame Anita Roddick share her entrepreneurial journey to global success and how her experiences have implications for the future of our community.
Hear a panel of four amazingly successful entrepreneurs from CNY offer perspectives on being globally competitive and explain why they make CNY their home base.
Be part of a critical dialog that extends past the event, as we seek ways to change mindsets and build a culture of entrepreneurship in CNY.
Meet and network with entrepreneurs and community leaders.
Meet Anita Roddick and get an autographed copy of her latest book.

Agenda

Registration: 3:45–4:00pm
Welcome and Introduction of Panel
Perspectives of High Growth Entrepreneurs: 4:00–5:00pm
Keynote Speaker Dame Anita Roddick: 5:00–6:15pm
Reception: 6:15–7:30pm
Anita Roddick Book Signing: 6:45–7:30pm

Our Destiny Beyond Destiny: An Entrepreneurial Vision for CNY

CNY needs a new attitude and willingness to compete on a national and international scale. We are a region rich in entrepreneurial potential but lack clear direction in leveraging this potential for economic growth.

In this forum, four high growth CNY entrepreneurs will share their insights on how to embrace a culture of entrepreneurship and thinking big:

ignite passion
take educated risks
create opportunity
build wealth
contribute back to our region
reverse brain drain
Entrepreneurship: A Road of Hope for Syracuse.

For more information, and to register, go to http://whitman.syr.edu/eee/Falcone/insightCNY.asp

Event: Connections, Oct. 12

2006-09-08T11:10:00.000-04:00

Please note that you can now register with a credit card through the box office at SUNY Oswego.

Connections 2006

CALLING ALL WOMEN! Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to overcome the challenges to women within the corporate world, entrepreneurship, and creative paths in the arts & sciences!

F e a t u r i n g

Dr. Lois Frankel

SUNY Oswego graduate, business coach, and speaker

Author of Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office and Nice Girls Don’t Get Rich

Poet Mona Lake Jones

Writer, educator, orator and model of the African American woman on the move

Constance Gomez Gregory, JD (Rochon Gregory Associates)

Tracy Higginbotham (Women’s Ties: http://www.womenties.com)

Christiana Kaiser (Bluetree Studios: http://www.bluetreestudios.com/index.html)

Erin Trowbridge (Center for Forensic Science)

And Many Others!!

Thursday October 12^th

Located in SUNY Oswego Hewitt Union

Sign-in and Continental Breakfast 8:30 - 9:00 am

Program 9:00 - 4:30pm

Lunch will be served! (12:00 - 2:15pm)

Pre-registration required: CONTACT TYLER Box Office @ 315.312.2141

Tickets are $25 Before September 30^th

and $35 After September 30^th

THIS IS AN EVENT YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS!

Wisdom & blogs

2006-09-06T21:32:00.000-04:00

Tonight I spoke at Women Business Owners Connection (WBOC) about blogs. My presentation was entitled:

Unveiling the WBOC Blog
and/or
What You Wanted To Know About Blogs But Didn't Know How To Ask!

You can view the PowerPoint presentation here. I had a slide show running before the meeting and during dinner that displayed quotes about blogging and screen shots of blogs. You can view that here.

I spoke to several women who are interested in blogging as a way of marketing their businesses. Topics they are thinking of blogging on include nutrition & food, stress reduction, selling/purchasing businesses, and leadership. Each person has wisdom that she wants to share. Wisdom that she feels will help to position her in the marketplace and help to distinguish her from competitors. Blogs are a great way of disseminating wisdom. Blogs allow your light to shine. They are a beacon that will attract people to you.

In the crowd tonight were also people who see blogs as (1) one more thing to read and (2) not credible. Yes, blogs can be viewed as one more thing to read. Many people, though, are shifting where and how they get their news and information. Many people read less hardcopy sources and more information online. Why? Information online can be much more up-to-date. Even business and professional news will be more up-to-date in an online journal (e-journal) than what you receive in print.

For those who enjoy reading print publications and find that those publications provide good information, blogs may be perceived as one more thing to read (which translates into something they don't have time to do). For those who find that the print publications are not covering their industry well -- or that the information is old -- then receiving news online may be very beneficial.

It is a benefit to read the blogs of those who are "in the trenches." Imagine reading about an important business deal from those who were involved in the deal...or hearing an analysis of the deal from someone who has had time to review the documents and look into the background. Yes, that can happen in the print media, but online there may be many voices -- many experts --contributing to the discussion.

And that leads us to the second thought -- that you don't know the credibility of the bloggers. I would argue that about any author. We tend to judge the credibility of a person based on what they have done professionally, what they have written, who they have worked with, and who has recommended them. When we judge at a book, we read about the author, look at the reviews, skim the book, and then perhaps decide to purchase it. It is the same with a blog.

Besides looking at the writer's credibility, I tend to consider three questions:

Can I learn something from them?
Do they hear things about the industry that I need to know?
Do they have a perspective that I need to hear?

By the way, I heard a David Weinberger, former senior internet adviser to the Howard Dean presidential campaign, spoke in 2004 talk about blogs, wikis and other new ways of disseminating information as allowing the wisdom of the masses to be recognized. According to Weinberger, wisdom used to be held by people, but then shifted to be a thing that only experts controlled. Now the Internet is allowing ordinary people to display their wisdom and expertise. (I'm over-simplifying this a bit, but not by much. You can hear his presentation here.)

Everyone tonight was given a card with the URL for the WBOC blog -- http://wboconnection.blogspot.com. I hope the women will look at the blog, leave comments, check out the calendar, and see it as a place where they can learn more about WBOC. Will it replace the WBOC newsletter? No, but it will compliment it. The newsletter is published bi-monthly, while the blog will be updated weekly. That means that the blog will have more current information and fresher content. The blog will also compliment the content on the WBOC web site.

In the end, I'm glad that I had a chance to talk about blogs so that more people are aware of them. With things rapidly changing on the Internet, being aware of seemingly new technologies/tools is always good.

opportunityisnowhere

2006-09-05T15:35:00.000-04:00

In the September 2006 issue of Entrepreneur magazine, the editor (Rieva Lesonsky) shares her favorite Barry Faber insight. The insight from Farber, a columnist, comes in the form of these words:

opportunityisnowhere

Lesonsky goes on the note that most people will see the words and discern them to be "opportunity is nowhere." But look again. Could it be that "opportunity is now here"?!

Even in the worst of times, there are opportunities. We need to find them, recognize them, and follow them.

Look around you and see the opportunities that are now here.

Events: Women's Entrepreneurial Training Network

2006-08-31T14:26:00.000-04:00

From the Oswego County web site:

WNET [Women's Entrepreneurial Training Network] is part of a nationwide roundtable for women business owners, sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Through networking, presentations and information sharing, WNET provides professional development and personal growth for women business owners.

WNET is coordinated locally by Operation Oswego County, with assistance from SUNY Oswego Institute for Professional and Organizational Development, SUNY Oswego’s Center for Business and Community Development, BeautiControl, Jody Frawley Advertising and Promotion, Oliver B. Paine Greenhouses and the SBA.

Programs run from 8 to 9:30 a.m. The registration fee of $10 for members or $12 for non-members per meeting covers breakfast and program. Annual member dues are $10 per year.

PLEASE NOTE: All programs are held at the SUNY Oswego Institute for Professional and Organizational Development in the Oswego County Industrial Park, Phoenix (exit 14, state Route 481).

Fall 2006 Program Schedule:

Sept. 7: “Brainstorming Your Business” moderated by members of the Lead Team
Oct. 5: "Writing an Effective Press Release” by Tim Nekritz, SUNY Oswego
Nov. 9: “Sensible Ways to Stay on Top of Your Business Taxes” by Meg Bullis, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County
Dec. 7: “On the Spot—Tips for Effective Public Speaking” by Pamela Caraccioli, Caraccioli & Associates

Download a registration form here.

Call 315-343-1545, or email smantaro@oswegocounty.org for more information.

BlogDay 2006: Five CNY blogs you should know about

2006-08-31T09:22:00.000-04:00

Today is Blog Day and bloggers are encouraged to recommend "5 new Blogs, Preferably, Blogs different from their own culture, point of view and attitude...." So here are five CNY blogs for you to check out.

The Syracuse Real Food Co-op Blog -- This blog started in September 2005 and includes information about the Co-op and even pictures of the Co-op (including people, food and events).

Alive in CNY -- Alive in CNY is a group blog promoting positive change in Syracuse, N.Y., and the surrounding area.

Cookin' in the 'Cuse -- This person is a real foodie who enjoys cooking, shopping for good foods, and talking about it (with wonderful photos).

CNY in the Pros -- Yes, the Post-Standard has blogs and this one follows Central NY athletes who have made it to the professional ranks.

Groovy Green -- "Groovy Green was started as a way to organize the large amounts of information swirling about the little town of Ithaca, NY concerning renewable energy and sustainable living. Over the past few months, it has branched out to cover national and international news, products, and the people fighting to make a difference in promoting sustainability."

Technorati tag: Blog Day

Event: Start-Up: The Syracuse Entrepreneur's Bootcamp

2006-08-29T08:57:00.000-04:00

The Falcone Center for Entrepreneurship and the Martin J. Whitman School of Management will be offering the third annual "START-UP: The Syracuse Entrepreneur's Bootcamp" beginning Oct. 14. The six-Saturday bootcamp is focused, intense, and packed with useful material. The course is tailored to aspiring entrepreneurs in the Syracuse area and answers questions such as the following:

What is a good business concept?
How can I determine if my idea is a good one?
Do I really need a business plan and, if so, how can I write a great one?
What do I need to know about my customer and market, and how can I get answers?
Where do I get financing?
How do I make sense of the numbers, and which numbers really matter?
What is a business model, and does my business model make sense?
What is guerrilla marketing?
Are there ways to do more with marketing while spending less?
What does it really take to succeed in business by myself?
Where do I go to get the information I need to organize my new business?

A team of experienced faculty and successful entrepreneurs will work with you, providing a fun and interactive experience. They will introduce ideas and concepts, and show how to apply them to your current or potential business. Each participant will receive a Syracuse University Certificate upon completion of the bootcamp.

For more information -- including information on scholarships -- and to register, go to http://whitman.syr.edu/eee/falcone/bootcamp/

Women Together Inspiring Entrepreneurial Success blog

2006-08-25T11:14:00.000-04:00

Women Together Inspiring Entrepreneurial Success (Women TIES) has a blog. Titles of recent posts include:

Marketing Tips For Today's Hottest Markets
Fall Publicity Ideas
Business Succession Planning Tips
Finding Time Is Essential For Success

Congratulations to Tracy Higginbotham for incorporating blog into her communication strategy so that more women have access to these tips and techniques.

WBOC has a blog

2006-08-22T15:13:00.000-04:00

Women Business Owners Connection (WBOC), a networking and support organization for women business owners in Central New York, now has a blog. Members of the Leadership Team will blog about the WBOC meetings, business resources, tips and techniques, and information on member activities (e.g., Members in the News). WBOC's blog is in addition to its newsletter and web site. It is another way for it to reach out to its membership and other women entrepreneurs.

This looks to be a blog that will truly be of interest to women entrepreneurs (and maybe even a few men). And when you go to the WBOC blog, be sure to check out the calendar of events and the recommended reading list -- likely you'll find something you want to attend or read.

Event: Women Who Can, Aug. 23

2006-08-17T11:01:00.000-04:00

You are cordially invited to attend a very special event

Women Who Can

(formerly Women Who Dine)

The Syracuse Corinthian Club

930 James Street

Wednesday, August 23

5:00 until 7:30 PM

Relax and enjoy the company of women who belonged to the Women Who Dine organization (women who have expressed an interest in this new social gathering include Darlene Kerr, Judy Mower…and so many more) and welcome new businesswomen who have demonstrated that they, too, are “Women Who Can.”

Please feel free to bring a business colleague to this unique and fun social gathering where you can enjoy cocktails and lively conversation .

Cost: $15, includes cash bar and hors d’oeuvres

RSVP: by Monday morning, August 21, to the Corinthian Club at 422-9918

Event: Connections, a day-long symposium for entrepreneurial women, Oct. 12, Oswego

2006-08-08T08:59:00.000-04:00

SUNY Oswego's Center for Business and Community Development will gather women from Central and Northern New York in the spirit of entrepreneurship on October 12, 2006. "Connections" is a day-long symposium designed to bring women of all ages and backgrounds together to explore their entrepreneurial place and power in the Arts, the business world, and the various fields of Science.

The day's agenda will include internationally known business coach, speaker, author and SUNY Oswego graduate, Dr. Lois Frankel. Dr. Frankel's last two books have been translated into over twenty languages and featured on the TODAY Show, CNN, and the New York Times. Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office and Nice Girls Don't Get Rich have also been featured in USA Today and in both PEOPLE and TIME Magazines.

Also on the agenda is Poet Laureate Mona Lake Jones. Dr. Jones is a writer, orator, educator and model of the African American woman on the move. In addition, "Connections" will have breakout sessions in the morning and afternoon discussing challenges to women in the corporate world as well as in entrepreneurship and the creative paths in the arts or sciences. Attendees will hear from Constance Gomez Gregory, JD (Rochon Gregory Associates), Tracy Higginbotham (Women's TIES), Christiana Kaiser (Bluetree Studios), Erin Trowbridge (Center for Forensic Sciences), and others.

Besides the speakers, there will be women vendors promoting products and services for women.

Event Registration: Advanced registration is $25 for tickets purchased prior to September 30. Beginning October 1, the ticket price will be $35. Ticket price includes registration for the event, a continental breakfast and lunch. To purchase a ticket and register, send a check to:

Connections
Center for Business and Community Development
103 Rich Hall
SUNY Oswego
Oswego, NY 13126
Tel: (315) 312-3492

With your check, please include your name, complete mailing address, telephone number and e-mail address. This information will be used to confirm your purchase as well as update you on event details.

Event Sponsorship: For additional information on becoming a sponsor or vendor and to be placed on an email contact list, please contact Bernadette at mroz@oswego.edu.

Event: Authentic Leadership for Women

2006-08-06T18:52:00.000-04:00

Authentic Leadership for Women is being held Wednesday, Sept. 20 through Friday, Sept. 22, 2006 at the Stella Maris Retreat Center in Skaneateles, NY. This is a comprehensive professional development program by and for women. It includes:

Dynamic programming
Experiential learning
Sharing of best practices
Stress reduction therapies
Networking with other accomplished women

For details, pricing and registration, go to www.AuthenticLeadershipForWomen.com

Technorati tags: Women, Syracuse, leadership

The early bird gets the worm

2006-07-29T21:20:00.000-04:00

Likely many people in the U.S. have heard the saying "the early bird gets the worm." It conveys that the person who shows initiative will succeed. What is initiative? We might say that we know it when we see it:

Initiative is when a person is willing to get up early and drive several hours in order to attend a training session, one that might not have immediate benefit, but that will have a long-term benefit to his or her business.
Initiative is following-up with new contacts with a "hi" or "thank you" in order to begin to build a lasting connection.
Initiative is starting a new business "on the side" while going to school or working full-time.
Initiative is working long hours in order to ensure that your business is on solid footing.
Initiative is saying "yes I can" and then doing it.
Initiative is going to a training session, then using what you learned. (Surprisingly, most people do not use things that they have heard at a lecture, presentation or workshop.)

Every successful business needs managers and employees who have initiative.

Do you have initiative? What have you done in the last week to show it?

"An idea is worthless unless you use it." -- John Maxwell

"Don't wait for your ship to come in; swim out to it." -- Unknown

"Success comes to the person who does today what you were thinking about doing tomorrow." -- Unknown

Free AntiVirus, Spyware, Firewall Software

2006-07-27T13:44:00.000-04:00

Bella Online has gathered together a list of software for keeping your computer free from viruses and spyware, as well as firewall software, that you can use for FREE. As Kim Lynch of Bella Online says:

If you don't have anti-virus and anti-spyware software along with a firewall installed on your computer then your playing Russian Roulette with your system and sooner or later your going to lose.

You might think that you are immune, however, it is very likely that if you are not using a firewall, along with anti-virus and anti-spyware software, that you are infected but just don't know it. The best thing to do is to try out some of the free software, find what works for you, and then consider purchasing the software so you get online updates and support.

In her own words: Gail McMeekin

2006-07-25T10:33:00.000-04:00

In coaching, I often tell my clients to "design me," which means having them tell me specifically what they do and don't need from our relationship. -- Gail McMeekin

Imagine not only doing that with those who are coaching or mentoring you, but also with business partners and other colleagues. Imagine sitting down to meet with those who are supportive of your efforts and starting the meeting by say, "This is what I need from you today...." Maybe it is someone who will just listen, maybe it is advice, maybe it is the opportunity to brainstorm without criticism. Now imagine the benefits you would receive...!

Article: Charting their own course: Indian women in business

2006-07-24T14:29:00.000-04:00

Women entrepreneurs often run into problems (limitations) that their male counterparts do not. This article talks women entrepreneurs in India and gives information on how women are using microcredit loans. The article state:

...while men experiment with enterprises as varied as agricultural implements and steel furniture women are more content with incense sticks and carpentry. This gender bias is also accentuated by bank-run special loan schemes. The Punjab National Bank for example has schemes for financing women for tailoring, boutique, cyber cafes and PCOs.

Where loans are put to newer uses, the reasons are often not only of the woman's making. For instance, Meera Gupta, a Kannauj based rice mill owner who took a Rs.10 lakhs (1,000,000) loan from UPKGIB, attributes her choice of enterprise to her family background. "My father had been in the business so it was a natural choice", says Gupta, who employs 13 people in her business with annual sales of Rs.47 lakhs. (4,700,000)

Other factors matter too. Marriage and consequent migration, an inability to raise even the minimum equity fund for a loan, lack of confidence, gender stereotypes, unsupportive husbands all conspire to keep women away from loans. Even where these are taken they may be under pressure from the family and even be put to unproductive uses.

In the article, the word "crore" means 10 million (10,000,000).

Technorati tag: Entrepreneur

Article: Women tap the power of the blog

2006-07-19T08:54:00.000-04:00

"A survey by Perseus, a marketing research services company, indicates that 56 percent of all blogs are created by women and that women abandon fewer blogs than men do." What to hear what women find as benefits of blogging? Read/skim this article. Lisa Williams, a blogger and former analyst for Yankee Group, said, "Blogging has made me an entrepreneur. It's taught me entrepreneurial skills, how to make connections, how to tolerate uncertainty. It's empowering. Everyone should do it."

Technorati tags: Women, Business, Entrepreneurship