Professional Women

Hello Everyone:
On December 10th Empowering Women Network, Inc. will be holding its last event of the year.  A HOLIDAY PARTY full of cheer at The Rosebud Restaurant in Schaumburg, Ill from 5:30-7:30pm www.empoweringwomen.net to register.
 
This year EWN supports The Salvation Army and we will be collecting unwrapped toys at the event for The Salvation Army's Christmas Store!  See you all there!
 
Georgia Dudley, CEO and Founder

Hello Everyone:
 
Well we have created a "mini" social media institute at www.empoweringwomen.net !  You can follow us via twitter = ewninc. You can join our LinkedIn Group and you can join the conversation on our Blog and the lively discussion group we've created in our LinkedIn Group and oh by the way if you are currently looking for a new position or are looking for a new professional to fill a position ~~ feel free to post a job opening or your resume at our LinkedIn Job Posting section!
 
We also have some interesting PODCASTS of past EWN speakers....you can download any time!!! if that isn't enough...we really like you to JOIN US at an EWN Event and meet the amazing professional women of Empowering Women Network, Inc.
 
Georgia Dudley, Founder, Empowering Women Network, Inc.
 

Hello All:
On Thursday, Septebmer 17th EWN will be hosting an event titled "Selling Outside Your Confort Zone". In today's economy selling "smarter" is a requirement ~ but how do we take the "fear" out of the all important action/s of selling ourselves, products, etc.?
 
It seems the word itself can trigger NEGATIVE feelings and response. Why?  I'm a proud sales executive....but I can tell you I've had to defend the profession most of my career? 
 
Things to remember about great sales people.  We see the profession as a strong ability to understand and communicate. We listen and hear our customers and then are able to intelligently communicate ideas and solutions. If our product our service happens to "fit" a need our client may have we WIN. The art of selling is knowing the path to take and the questions to ask along the way.  Leading our clients and seeing ourselves as the "quarterback" of the team gives us a winning combination. 
 
So, lets learn together - how we can best reach oustside our comfort zone! See you in September at EWN's September 17th event. Georgia Dudley, Founder Empowering Women Network, Inc.
www.empoweringwomen.net
 

Hello Everyone:
It's June 5th have you played Golf yet this year?  Depending where you live will probably determine your answer.  Here in the "windy" city we are just starting to swing our dusty clubs.
 
Next week is Empowering Women Network's Annual Golf Outing.  We take a different approach to this type of event.  We encourage everyone to participate and play even those who have never played before!~! We start with a clinic (beginners and advanced) then off to the course for 9 holes of Best Ball and a networking event in the club house right after. 
 
Golf events are great ways to meet new people for business and personal.  It seems professional women sometimes prefer not to play because they haven't had the opportunity to play before. (We are too busy working and taking care of the kids). 
 
If you are in CHICAGO next week come out and see us!
 
In any event, go out this year and swing a few..... ~ I promise  you'll enjoy the time out in the sun with other professionals!  Just "keep pace" :)
 
Until next time, Georgia Dudley, Founder Empowering Women Network, Inc.

Networking is the "hot topic"!  With the economy changing, developing strong relationships and meeting new contacts seems to be the thing to do. So I won't go on about the fact that if we had all been doing just a "little" more connecting over the years ~ finding that all important new job would have been alot easier.... time to "staying connected" even after you have landed that new job!
 
So, what is the best way to "connect" when you are at an event?  How do you find that connection in a sea of bodies?  My suggestion is that first you have a Plan (read my previous blog entry) ~ for example:  "The reason I'm attending this specific event is that I would like to meet the type of professionals that would attend an event like this and I'm going to meet one or two that spcecifically _________________" you fill in the blank!  
 
With your goal in mind ~ the key now is to ASK QUESTIONS vs TELLING everyone around you about yourself.  The reason you ask questions:  1) Most of the people there want to "spew" about themselves you will stand out from the rest if you start asking questions, 2) You already know about yourself your goal is to find out about them so you can figure out if they can help you, 3) It's easier to ask a question and listen than make small talk about yourself. 4) If you ask questions you may find out that you can help them......5) If you help them they will be more likely to help you, 6) It's much more fun to find out about people then to talk about yourself - remember you already know all about you.....
 
Happy Networking....see you soon!
 
Georgia Dudley
Founder, Empowering Women Network, Inc.

For those of us who have always networked we are seeing new faces these days! With the economy changing and the importance of "relationship building" on the upswing we are (finally) seeing a change!  Those who never "connected" are starting and those who have consistently "connected" are meeting new people.
 
Very cool, right....so why does the word "Networking" drive us crazy ?
 
Sticking to Networking 101 ~ the "rules" are being stoomped on!  What I'm saying is that no matter when you join the team of networkers there are some basics that we all have to know. So stay tuned and come back often over the next couple of weeks and you will have the "tips and tools" to be the best networker in town!
 
Here's TIP ONE:  Decide why you are attending a certain networking event before you go.  There are ONLY two reasons why someone goes to a Networking Event.  1) To meet new people; 2) Learn something.  Decide before you go which one of those is at the top of your list. 
 
Tomorrow.....TIPS on what to do when I'm networking to Meet People vs Learning from a Speaker, Panel, Workshop etc.
 
Happy Networking.....
Georgia Dudley, Founder Empowering Women Network, Inc.
 

Hello All - Just a quick note on "Selling in a Down Economy".  I have a set of amazing Sales Coaching Clients who are "nervous" about the economy.  They are getting push back from their clients on purchasing goods and services.  The reason:  "Reduction in Spending" or perhaps they are hearing, "Work force Reduction", etc.  The news certainly confirms these findings!
 
TIP 1 - Let's remember why companies purchase goods and services in the FIRST place....to either SAVE THEM or MAKE THEM ($) money.  Most products and services - when cost justified using a ligitmate ROI ~ can show these companies how to save money and/or make money in any type of economy.  If for example work force reduction is the issue (remember things still have to get done).  Can your product and/or service support the "gap" in productivity or the length of time to market companies will may face with a workforce reduction?
 
TIP 2 - Don't let other "down and out" sales folks compromise your own motivation or sales efforts.  You may have to work harder, make more contacts, reduce your margins a little - however business is being done while you are worrying about getting it done!
 
TIP 3 - Get out and NETWORK ~ find new venues, go more often, contact customers and friends for referrals. 
 
TIP 4 - Go back to the basics!  Make sure you brush up on your SPIN selling techniques and have a defined Sales Process.  Keep records of your progress and make MORE CALLS!
 
TIP 5 - HANG in there - this too will pass!
 
See you next week!  Georgia Dudley, Founder Empowering Women Network, Inc.

Thank you ALL for taking time to respond to Empowering Women Network's 2008 Member Survey. 
The anniversary event was amazing and I appreciate all the kind words. (Audio for the event - click on EWN Radio). We have an exciting year ahead and will be using this valuable member information to plan for 2009, future events and new programs for the organization.  Georgia Dudley, EWN Founder
If you have any suggestions, comments please post on our BLOG!
Your Survey Results:
How often do you attend EWN Events?Number 1 Answer:  1+ per month
Using a scale of 1-5 (5 being the highest) please rate the following inimportance to youNumber 1 Answer - EWN Monthly MeetingsNumber 2 Answer - TIE - EWN Roundtables & Progressive Luncheons
What TOPIC/S are of most importance to you?Number 1 Answer - Business Development/Sales/Building RelationshipsNumber 2 Answer - Leadership TopicsNumber 3 Answer - Self Promotion - Marketing "Self"Number 4 Answer - Work Life Issues
What time of day works best for you to attend EWN Events?Number 1 Answer - Early Evening
What meeting format do you prefer?Number 1 Answer - Networking with Key Note SpeakerNumber 2 Answer - Progressive Luncheons
What is the Number 1 Value you have received from EWN?Number 1 Answer - Networking & Meeting "Like Minded" Professional WomenNumber 2 Answer - Business OpportunitiesNumber 3 Answer - Learning/Professional Development
What is your overall satisfaction with your EWN Membership?Number 1 Answer - Very SatisfiedNumber 2 Answer - Extremely Satisfied
Have you Shared EWN with someone you Know?Number 1 Answer - YES

In Gail Evans book "Play Like a Man Win Like a Woman", Chapter 6 "Six Things Men Can Do at Work That Women Can't" she lists those six things she believes men can do in the work place that women can not!  Let's take number one because it's been in the news this last week and addresses Hillary Clinton's tearful episode the day before the New Hampshire primary. Gail Evans writes - They Can Cry. You Can't.  She goes on to say "Men can get away with tears because it's unexpected. Men believe powerful people don't cry. If they do, they must have an excellent reason.  Women on the other hand are expected to cry.  And when we do, men think it's because we're giving in to a natural instinct or worse, they think we're using tears as a game prop, a tool to manipulate them into feeling guilty."  So the question is why did Hillary cry?  Whether Gails theory is true or not what is true is that perception is reality and in Hillary's case it seems that most of the men interviewed do indeed see her tears as manipulative.  I have watched that clip over and over again...and believe she was "feeling" what she was saying. Perhaps she's been trying to HOLD BACK those tears for a very long time because she's read Gail's book and knows it's something she shouldn't do? I wonder what Gail thinks? When you think about it the impact of that moment may have even given her an edge the next day and ultimately the WIN in New Hampshire.  What do you think?  Come back next week for #2....Georgia Dudley, Founder, Empowering Women Network, Inc.

Recently I had the opportunity to facilitate a session on Self Promotion for a group of EWN Corporate Members. During the discussion the topic of  "Self Confidence" was explored in detail. Feeling prepared "enough" for a meeting with peers or a board of directors was one of the things that caused strife in the hearts of some of these amazing professionals.  It seemed that no matter how prepared they were it was never quite enough and they were always concerned that they wouldn't have the answers they needed.  There were three TIPS the group shared with each other.  1) Give yourself a PEP talk prior to the meeting, 2) Turn the fear into excitement about the meeting and it's outcome, 3) Assure yourself that you are more prepared than the person or team you are presenting to about the topic. What other tips do you have you that you have found helps in these types of situtations?  We'd love to hear from YOU!