The second point, which all the speakers agreed, was to "fail fast." Take a risk, give it a shot, do your best, but be ready to cut your losses and move on. Don't beat yourself up over failure; it's an important part of success… and life.
Let's celebrate our failures, knowing they are an important step toward success!
I wish you all quick failures and many successes in 2011 and a happy holiday season to wrap up the year.
Linda Back to top |  |
WBENC'S 2011 Women's Business Enterprise Stars Announced
Fourteen exemplary women business leaders will receive the nation's premier award for excellence among women's business enterprises (WBEs) bestowed by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) at its Annual Salute to Women's Business Enterprises, Wednesday, March 23, 2011, before 1,000 corporate executives, WBEs and government and nonprofit VIPs at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD. Front L-R: Floriza Genautis, Rebecca Boenigk, Sharon Castillo.
Middle L-R: Patty Klein, Michelle McHenry, Candice Bennett, Pam Curry, and Angie Hollerich.
Back L-R: Beth Williams, Lorelei Carobolante, Janice Migliore, Monique Honaman, and Janell McGill.
Not pictured: Rosalie Edson.
WBENC's Summit & Salute is part of a comprehensive two-day strategic educational program showcasing thought leaders and key business trends, and providing WBEs with vital access to WBENC Corporate Members. This year's sessions will include ways in which WBEs can expand their businesses in alliance with prime suppliers and other WBEs.
The 2011 WBENC WBE Stars are national representatives selected by WBENC's 14 Regional Partner Organizations (RPOs), which process WBENC's world-class certification of WBEs, in addition to providing skill-building educational programs and business development opportunities with major corporations.
"Our 2011 Women's Business Enterprise Stars are role models of innovation and drive for women's businesses everywhere," said Linda Denny, WBENC President and CEO, the leading advocate for and authority on WBEs as suppliers to the nation's top corporations.
"The Summit & Salute illustrates why WBENC is The Opportunity Connection for women's business enterprises," she added. In delivering sophisticated resources and senior-level networking opportunities, WBENC enables the long-term success of women's businesses and the corporations they serve.
The following 2011 WBENC Women's Business Enterprise Stars will be recognized for leadership in their respective local business communities, inspiration to other women business owners, and active roles at the helm of successful certified businesses:
- Candice Bennett, President, Candice Bennett & Associates, Inc., representing Women Presidents' Educational Organization-DC, www.candicebennett.com
- Rebecca Boenigk, CEO, Neutral Posture, Inc., representing Women's Business Enterprise Alliance, www.neutralposture.com
- Lorelei Carobolante, President & CEO, G2nd Systems, LLC, representing Women's Business Enterprise Council-West, www.G2nd.com
- Sharon Castillo, Principal, SB Services, Inc., representing Women's Business Development Center – Chicago, www.sbservicesinc.com
- Pam Curry, Executive Vice President, One Safe Place Media Corp, representing Women's Business Council-Southwest, www.onesafeplace.com
- Rosalie Edson, President, Meadows Office Furniture Co., representing Women Presidents' Educational Organization-NY, www.meadowsoffice.com
- Floriza Genautis, CEO, Management Business Solutions, representing Women's Business Enterprise Council-Great Lakes, www.mgmtbsolutions.com
- Angie Hollerich, CEP, CCA, and Owner, Brass Ring Productions, Ltd., representing Ohio River Valley Women's Business Council, www.brassringpro.com
- Monique Honaman, CEO, ISHR Group, representing Greater Women's Business Council, www.ishrgroup.com
- Patty Klein, CMP, President and CEO, A-Plus Meetings & Incentives, representing Women's Business Development Center-Florida, www.aplusmeetings.com
- Michele McHenry, President, Laser Lab, Inc, representing Women's Business Enterprise Council-PA-DE-sNJ, www.laser-lab.com
- Janell McGill, Principal, Milligan Events, representing Astra Women's Business Alliance, www.milliganevents.com
- Janice Migliore, CEO, PALCO, representing Women's Business Enterprise Council- South, www.palcotelecom.com
- Beth Williams, CEO, Roxbury Technology Corp, representing the Center for Women & Enterprise, www.roxburytechnology.com
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Summit & Salute Registration Now Open!
 Registration for WBENC's Summit & Salute to Women's Business Enterprises is now open at www.wbenc.org/summit-salute. WBENC's Summit & Salute will be held Monday, March 22-24, 2011 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbour, MD, bringing together America's leading corporations, government agencies, women business owners and strategic partner organizations. We are very pleased to announce that Accenture LLP and Ernst & Young LLP are the 2011 Presenting Sponsors for the event. Their leadership will enhance the quality and content of the program.
Continuing The Opportunity Connection theme from the previous year, WBENC's Summit & Salute will focus on the evolution of supply chains in the new eonomy, especially as it pertains to the capacity of women's business enterprises and their ability to deliver in this new environment. This comprehensive two-day program offers:
- Information sessions focused on topics of most importance to you, including best practices panels and informative sessions on joint venture management and working as a Tier II vendor to build capacity.
- Networking among top corporate and WBE companies in multiple innovative formats
- A panel discussion and Q&A session on the Small Business Administration's Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract (8m) Program
- Corporate-WBE Roundtable Discussions on topics critical to the evolution of supplier chains and the capacity of women businesses
WBENC kicks off its annual Summit with featured keynote speaker, Alice Schroeder, Bloomberg News columnist, former regulator, CPA, all-star securities analyst, and author of The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life, #1 New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal bestseller. Schroeder has studied how companies in different industries adapt business models and financial strategies to changing business climates, how they manage risk, and respond to evolving regulation. Schroeder is an expert on how successful industries and businesses are adapting to the changing economy.
An exciting new addition to the Summit is WBENC's Multi-Tier Dialogue & Opportunity Connection. Participating Corporate Members will be available in two simultaneous sessions:
- A meet and greet session designed for Certified Women Business Enterprises to introduce their companies and products and/or services to participating Corporate Members.
- An opportunity for Certified Women Business Enterprises to visit tables hosted by Corporate Members and their prime suppliers/key business partners for short meetings to explore 1st, 2nd, and 3rd level sourcing opportunities and to learn how to be considered for these opportunities.
For complete sponsorship package details and advertising opportunities, please visit www.wbenc.org/summit-salute or contact Paige Adams, Director of Development and Corporate Relations at 202-872-5515, extension 8020 or email padams@wbenc.org.
Register and pay for an individual ticket (full registration) to WBENC's Summit & Salute by January 31, 2011 and get $50 off the individual ticket (full conference registration) price of WBENC's 2011 National Conference & Business Fair. WBENC Conference registration must be completed by April 8, 2011 to take advantage of the $50 discount.
For questions regarding the 2011 Summit & Salute, call Kari Dee Schlapman at 786-888-3213 or send an email to wbenc@aplusmeetings.com.
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WBENC's 2011 National Conference & Business Fair
Preparations for WBENC's 2011 National Conference & Business Fair are underway. The Conference will take place June 21-23, 2011 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. Amgen, The Act-1 Group, and Zorch have all stepped up as Co-Chairs of the 2011 Conference. Details and the new registration site will be announced soon.
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WBENC 2009 Annual Report Released
 WBENC's 2009 Annual Report was released to its Board of Directors and standing committees during its November Annual Meetings held November 16-17, 2010 at the Westin Alexandria Hotel in Virginia.
The 2009 Annual Report is now available on WBENC's website in PDF format. The Report was designed by DoubleTake Studios located in Tampa, FL and printed by Bayside Printing, Inc. located in Houston, TX. Both companies are WBENC Certified Women Business Enterprises. The Annual Report was made possible through the generosity of Chevron.
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Membership Main Street
It's that time of year again, and WBENC's Member Services team is busy following up with each Corporate Member to confirm membership renewal for 2011. WBENC National Corporate Members, who have not yet confirmed their intent to renew for next year, should contact Kim Jones, Manager of Corporate Membership Services, at kjones@wbenc.org or 202-872-5515, ext.: 8001. Click here for WBENC's current membership roster.
WBENC appreciates the ongoing support of all its Corporate Members, and looks forward to partnering again in 2011. Major corporations interested in obtaining more information about WBENC and member benefits should contact Kim Jones at the above e-mail address or phone number. Please note: corporate membership renewal does not pertain to WBENC Certified Women Business Enterprises.
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DEVELOPMENT DRIVE
Corporate Members - Summit & Salute and WBENC National Conference Sponsorships: Sponsorship opportunities are available for regional and national Corporate Members at both the Summit & Salute to Women's Business Enterprises and the WBENC National Conference & Business Fair. Each event provides excellent visibility for your brand and for your supplier diversity initiative. Don't miss out on the opportunity to stand out among your peers and hundreds of potential suppliers. Click here to review Summit & Salute opportunities, and click here to view WBENC National Conference & Business Fair sponsorship opportunities.
Please contact Paige Adams, padams@wbenc.org or 202-872-5515 ext. 8020, if you have any questions or wish to discuss ways to customize a sponsorship tailored to your business goals.
WBENC Certified WBEs - Summit & Salute and WBENC National Conference Sponsorships: If you are a prior sponsor of the Summit & Salute to Women's Business Enterprises and/or the Women in Business National Conference and Business Fair, then you are aware of the many benefits derived from participating at that level. If you have not taken advantage of the visibility afforded through sponsorship, then consider incorporating sponsorship into your 2011 marketing strategy. As a sponsor, you receive national recognition in front of your peer WBEs and potential clients. Sponsor participation is a great way to demonstrate your business capacity to a wide audience.
Click here to review Summit & Salute opportunities, and click here to view WBENC National Conference & Business Fair sponsorship opportunities.
Please contact Paige Adams, padams@wbenc.org or 202-872-5515 ext. 8020, if you have any questions or wish to discuss ways to customize a sponsorship tailored to your business goals. | |
AMBASSADOR AVENUE
The Ambassadors are a group of dedicated individuals drawn from WBENC Corporate Members, Regional Partner Organizations, and the Women's Business Enterprise Leadership Forum, who promote certification to potential WBEs and the benefits of corporate membership to entities with supplier diversity initiatives who are yet to join WBENC. Through their efforts, four corporations have become members in 2010! WBENC applauds all the Ambassadors for their hard work in raising awareness of WBENC.
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CERTIFICATION CORNER
Capabilities Equal Opportunities!
The WBE company profile in WBENCLink is critical to the success of each WBENC Certified WBE! Every keyword, NAICS, or UNSPSC search conducted by a Corporate Member using WBENCLink compares the search criteria to the profiles of every WBE in the database. Failure to adequately capture a WBE's end products and/or services could mean a lost bid opportunity.
On September 1, WBENC released an enhanced version of WBENCLink (V3). The enhancements resulted in improved functionality, more specificity of WBE capabilities in each profile, as well as better reporting mechanisms. In an effort to provide all currently certified WBEs (and expired WBEs) the opportunity to update their companies' information, the normally blocked sections of the online profile can be edited.
From November 15 through February 18, WBEs will have the ability to update fields located under the General Tab, Capabilities Tab and Additional Info tab of their profile on www.wbenclink.org. Reminders will be sent every 30 days from wbenclink@cvmsolutions.com as well as from Regional Partner Organizations to ensure that everyone has been properly notified of this opportunity. These reminders will contain the necessary instructions WBEs need to complete profile updates. WBEs who miss the specified timeframe to update their profiles, will only have the opportunity to update their profiles during their normal recertification period.
If you have questions regarding this announcement, please contact support@wbenc.org.
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Misuse of WBENCLink Database!
While the WBENCLink database is an excellent strategic marketing tool to identify the supplier diversity contact of a Corporate Member, to find WBEs for partnerships, to purchase products and services; unfortunately, many WBEs are using it for the purpose of email blasts. Please note contact information obtained from WBENCLink is not permitted for use in any e-mail blasts. Examples of misuse include sending an email blast for the purpose of advertising or promoting:
- A company, executive/employee from your company, or an event.
- A product or service that is on sale or offered at a discount to WBENC Certified WBEs or Corporate Members.
- A product or service offered by your company that would make a great gift for a boss or administrative assistant.
As of June 1, 2010, any WBE who continues to send out this type of email will receive a "cease and desist" letter from WBENC. If the WBE continues to contact WBEs for this purpose, their level of access to WBENCLink will be restricted to their profile only.
Questions about this policy should be directed to Susan Cates at 202-872-5515 ext. 8100.
WBENCLink Database Training for Certified WBEs
WBENCLink Database Training for Certified WBEs will be offered every Thursday for the remainder of 2010. Exceptions are nationally recognized holidays that fall on a Thursday.
Each class is limited to the first 50 people who log in to the session. Therefore, it is not necessary to register for this training. Note: If you choose to log in early to reserve your spot, you may do so. However, please do not phone in to the session until the class is due to begin as WBENC will be charged for this time.
Remaining December sessions will be held on the 9th, 16th, and 23rd. Each session will begin precisely at:
2:00 p.m. Eastern
1:00 p.m. Central
12:00 p.m. Mountain
11:00 a.m. Pacific
https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/wbenc/join?id=WBETrain2010&role=attend&pw=Attend2010
Meeting ID: WBETrain2010
Entry Code: Attend2010
Phone Number: 1-877-923-6297
Pass Code: 9222170#
For information regarding training, please contact Susan Cates at 202-872-5515 X 8100.
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RECOGNITION ROAD
Ernst & Young Announces 2010 Entrepreneurial Winning Women
Ernst & Young is proud to announce the new 2010 Ernst & Young Entrepreneurial Winning Women, a diverse group of 11 high-potential women entrepreneurs, including a combat veteran improving national security, a medical claims evaluation specialist reducing health care costs and a modern retailer redefining today's direct selling business model.
Four of the new Winning Women are WBENC Certified Women Business Enterprises, including AK Environmental, KNOCK, Exam Coordinators—dba ECI Holdings, and
Translation Plus.
This group of dynamic women entrepreneurs, who were selected by a panel of distinguished independent judges, recently attended the prestigious Strategic Growth Forum in Palm Springs, CA, where they were celebrated at a special recognition ceremony and began participating in a customized leadership program to connect them with the advisors, resources and insights they need to achieve the potential they envision for their companies.
During the Forum, which convened more than 1,700 top business leaders of the nation's most successful high-growth companies, the Winning Women had the chance to highlight their corporate and personal brands with attendees and the media, as well as position their companies with established entrepreneurs, top executives, business advisors and prospective investors who can guide their decision-making and contribute to their success. Linda Denny, WBENC president & CEO, participated in the Forum and the Winning Women festivities in Palm Springs.
Additionally, in an effort to further increase applications for the 2010 Winning Women program, Ernst & Young offered $1000 to the WBENC Regional Partner Organization that generated the most completed applications. We congratulate Women Presidents' Educational Organization - New York, as they were responsible for the most completed applications referred by WBENC. Ernst & Young also recognizes WBENC and its constituents for their outreach and promotional efforts in helping to double the number of applications received over 2009 and supporting Winning Women applicants during the application process.
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WBENC's 2010 WBE Stars Video Receive TIVA Bronze Peer Award
Contracted by WBENC in 2010, Maslow Media Group, Inc. recently received a 2010 TIVA Bronze Peer Award in the Internal Communications category for the production of WBENC's 2010 WBE Stars Video. The video was executive produced and directed by Linda Maslow, Founder, President and CEO; Merry Dunning, Producer; and Roland Millman, Cameraman and Editor.
Maslow Media Group is a 100 percent woman owned, WBENC Certified firm headquartered in Washington, DC. The firm is the first full-service production agency in the U.S.that provides staffing, crewing, payroll, and video production services. Maslow Media Group has also produced WBENC's President Message, WBENC National News, and other videos appearing on WBENC's website in 2010.
The Maslow Media Group provides crews worldwide, video production staffing, payroll services and script to screen video production to corporations, government agencies, cable networks, and production companies nationwide. Maslow Media Group oversees several contracts in excess of $21 million dollars.
Television, Internet and Video Association of DC (TIVA-DC), a local not-for-profit (501(c)(3)) organization, was formed to serve the needs of the growing Washington/Baltimore media production community. Focused on the burgeoning local market, TIVA offers an entrée into a world of career opportunities, new-industry technology seminars, educational outreach, mentoring and award ceremonies.
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2010-2011 Calendar of Events
This calendar includes events hosted by WBENC's Regional Partner Organizations and strategic partners. Visit WBENC's online calendar for more events.
Save the Dates for 2011 WBENC Events:
Summit & Salute to Women's Business Enterprises to be held in National Harbour, MD (15 minutes outside of D.C.), March 22-24, 2011.
WBENC National Conference and Business Fair to be held in Las Vegas, NV, June 21-23, 2011.
RPO Events:
WBENC is represented throughout the U.S. by its 14 Regional Partner Organizations which not only process applications for certification and recertification, and conduct site visits, but also conduct regional business building and networking events and provide training. Here are some upcoming events presented by our Regional Partners. Click here for more events.
Women's Business Enterprise Council South
Holiday Luncheon and Annual Meeting
December 9, 2010
With Keynote Speaker Ana Harvey, SBA for the Office of Women Businesses
New Orleans Marriott at the Convention Center
New Orleans, LA
For information or registration, visit http://bit.ly/WBECSHolidayLuncheon
Greater Women's Business Council
2010 Mentor Protege Graduation Ceremony & Annual Holiday Reception
December 9, 2010
GE Energy Headquarters
Atlanta, GA
For more information, visit www.gwbc.biz
Women's Business Council Southwest
Parade of Stars Annual Gala
January 27, 2011
The Ritz-Carlton,
Dallas, TX
Visit www.wbcsouthwest.org for more information.
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