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International FEMTOR™ Awards Deadline—hurry nominate an outstanding woman!

on March 22, 2012 in Uncategorized

The International Femtor™ Awards are one of North America’s most prestigious award honors. Each year nominated leaders are selected to be recognized for their outstanding achievements and the role they play in elevating the stature and well being of women. This year’s awards ceremony, July 13, 2012 in Dallas Texas, promises to be the most exciting event ever!

Past winners include:

Debbie Meyer, inventor of Debbie Meyer GREEN BAGS and HSN TV Star; Sheila Johnson, Co-Founder of BET, owner of Salamander Hospitality, movie producer and impassioned philanthropist; and Marilyn Tam, former CEO of Aveda, former President of Reebok Retail and Best Selling Author.

The term Femtor™ means “a wise and trusted woman providing knowledge, inspiration and practical information to other women.” Femtor™ acknowledges the mentoring work done from a female experience and knowledge base. These experienced women seek out ways to teach, share their wisdom and help other women find their wings.

The eWomenNetwork Foundation is currently accepting nominations in each of the following categories:

Business Matchmaker of the Year: The award recognizes one unique eWomenNetwork member who has consistently gone out of her way to help others succeed. She is the consummate connector, who unselfishly looks out for the business needs of others.

Made it to a Million Award: Current research shows that only 2% of women owned businesses generate revenues of $1 million annually. This award recognizes an outstanding eWomenNetwork member who has demonstrated exemplary leadership and business skills in the course of starting and growing her company. She must be the owner/CEO of a 51 woman-owned business that has a minimum of 4 full time employees with an annual company revenue of at least $1 million for the preceding fiscal year.

Emerging Leader of the Year: This award recognizes our leaders of tomorrow and the promise of a vibrant and heart-centered future. Applicants in this category are the best and the brightest in the 22-29 age group. Emerging Leaders must have demonstrated extraordinary and significant accomplishments in the areas of education, business and service to their communities.

Grants to Local Non profits: Do you know a small non-profit whose mission includes improving the emotional and financial well-being of women and children? Encourage them to apply for an eWomenNetwork Foundation Grant!

Deadline for all nominations is April 9, 2012.

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Be a Master Communicator

on March 21, 2012 in Success Institute

A couple years ago, I volunteered my time directing traffic in and out of the ATP Tennis Tournament. When the tournament ended, thousands of cars wanted to leave the massive parking lot at the very same time. An accident occurred on the road facing the field, which meant that everyone’s access to leaving the lot was blocked.

There was one older woman that was screaming at a man who was volunteering his time. I could see that he was talking to her, and the more he talked, the more she screamed and cried. After 10 minutes of witnessing how things were spiraling down for her, I walked over to try to help.

I put my hand on her shoulder and asked her what was wrong. She screamed, cried, and explained her frustration and I replied that I totally understood it. Basically, I validated her- I agreed with everything she said. Then softly I explained to her why our hands were tied.

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You’ve Got Less Than 15 Seconds. Impress Me! How to Give the Perfect ‘Elevator’ Speech

on March 15, 2012 in Success Institute

How do you make your initial ’15 seconds of fame’ count? (Sorry Andy Warhol, the 15-minute window has compressed).

You must know how to ace the communication ‘equation’: 55% non-verbal (body language), 38% tone of voice and your speaking pace, 7% data.

Temporary employment company, Kelly Services, says you can ace an interview in the first 15 seconds by showing up on early, smiling, being impeccably groomed and projecting confidence with your body language.

Let people know up front about the problems you solve and your first 15 seconds could lead to long-term business.

Join Elevator Speech Coach, Presentation Skills Coach, and Media Trainer, Annetta Wilson, on the eWomenNetwork Success Institute Tuesday, 03.20.12 at 1:30 PM CST, as she shows you how to talk about your expertise in ways that attract your ideal clients and get you paid.

We want to know your thoughts! How do you get people interested in your message?

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How to Win Over Any Audience with the Wave of Your Hand

on March 13, 2012 in Success Institute

I was sitting in the audience watching a professional speaker perform.  He was energetic, knowledgeable and well spoken and all I could think of was “I’m exhausted! I wish this guy would shut up and get off the stage!”.

Then the next speaker took the stage.  He too was energetic, knowledgeable and well spoken and I remember thinking “I could listen to this guy all day long!”

So what was it about each speaker that caused two completely different reactions?

The answer has to do with two major factors; dominant mindset and body language.

The first speaker was performing. In his mind he was the star of the show; performing for an audience and showcasing his talent. The second speaker was speaking with us. In his mind he was communicating, not performing and it generated a completely different level of trust from the audience.

Because the mindset of the two speakers was different, so was their physical movement on the stage. The first speaker was theatrical and flamboyant and the second was natural and smooth. The audience gravitated towards natural and smooth and was repelled by theatrical and flamboyant.

To win over your audience, have a mindset of communication with your audience and your movement and body language will reflect your mindset.

Join the Public Speaking and Communication expert, Steve Lowell, on the eWomenNetwork Success Institute on Thursday, 03.15.12 at 1:30 PM CST as he shares the keys to Winning Over Any Audience with the Wave of Your Hand.

Join the conversation! Has your mindset reflected the effectiveness of your presentation?

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How to Fully Utilize Your Guerrilla Marketing Dollars

on March 9, 2012 in Success Institute

Instead of cutting out marketing and thinking it just isn’t in the budget, today’s successful companies are using every penny wisely when it comes to marketing. In fact, successful companies of all sizes know that Guerrilla Marketing means that instead of relying on money power they need to rely on brain power which, by the way, is a lot less expensive.

The best way to use your Guerrilla Marketing dollars wisely is to mostly invest time, energy and imagination to your marketing vs. spending money on marketing. Time, energy and imagination are the brain power that will boost your marketing and allow you to market with great results even on a shoe-string budget.

One of the pitfalls I often see, as a business mentoring expert, is that often companies are not patient and they want results now. They just don’t want to wait for the marketing programs they have put into place to develop and take hold.

The lesson here is: MARKETING RESULTS DO NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT!

I know you were hoping I would say they do – me too! The truth is that all marketing is about people and isn’t about things. This means that it takes awhile to build a relationship and to romance your customer. It takes time to get them to dance with you and you have to be prepared to spend the time to build the trusted relationship that will grow to be deep and meaningful.

How can you build the romance? Keep in front of your prospects with no cost methods. We have great technology at our finger tips that is evolving every day. We have websites and social media and email blasts and customer surveys and even text messaging.

Very simply put this is the day of inviting everyone into your network and giving away as much value as you can to make their experiences with your company good ones. People are more likely to do business with companies that “grow on them” overtime.

Join one of the top professional coaches in the world, Terri Levine, on the eWomenNetwork Success Institute on Tuesday, 03.13.12 at 1:30 PM CST as she shows you how to use time, energy and imagination instead of money to produce better marketing results and more profits.

 

What are some of your tips on fully utilizing your marketing dollars?

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6 Steps to Mastering the Inner Game of Sales

on March 5, 2012 in Success Institute

Mastering the Inner Game of Sales will change who you are being in your business and help you to close more sales, attract more clients and make more money.

  1. Shifting the Mindset. Your thoughts, emotions, and actions must be congruent with your belief so that the universe can give you what you want.
  2. The Power of Choice. You get to choose the direction you want your life to go.   Through the power of choice, you decide how you want to create your life to be.
  3. 100% Responsible. Responsibility starts with being accountable for every aspect of your life.   When you can recognize, acknowledge, and own that you are responsible for your life, you experience a new level of freedom, power and ease in your life.
  4. Move Beyond What’s Stopping You. When you make the decision to move past where you’re stopped, all tolerations, excuses and fears will lose their power over you.
  5. Create a Clear Vision of What You Really Want. Are you REALLY doing what you want in your business?  Once you answer this question, you can begin to create a clear vision for your business and then powerfully communicate it.
  6. Let Go of the Past. Some of our past experiences keep us from appreciating what we have in the present because we believe it will happen again.   By letting go of the past, you’re free to attract anything you want in your life and your business.

Join the Breakthrough Strategist, Rochelle Togo-Figa, on the eWomenNetwork Success Institute on Thursday, 03.08.12 at 1:30 pm CST as she shares with you The Inner Game of Sales.

We would love to hear your thoughts! What are some of your sales tips?

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What is Your Personal Definition of Success?

on February 27, 2012 in Chairman's Circle

How do you define “Success” and how do you know when you have “Succeeded”?  Recently I was asked to answer both of these questions. I had to think about it for sometime before I could respond. I felt like I had been successful, but the question made stop and think about what it really meant.

Success! It is something we all want. But what is it really? It should be different for each individual. However, more often than not, we are striving for someone else’s definition of success not our own. Maybe it is society’s view of success, our friends or our parent’s. Or, maybe it is a combination of all those things. In order to be seen as being successful we focus on what is accepted as success and work towards that. For many, success is only measured by wealth and fame, but it is so much more. Success is about who you are on the inside.

Success is a very subjective term, and it does not mean the same thing to two different people. Not knowing how one defines success in life can make the process of becoming successful even more challenging.

Continue Reading →

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Maximize Your Energy & Performance!

on February 23, 2012 in Success Institute

Often feel washed out? Wishing you had more energy? Well you can! If you’re not your best, you can’t give your best…to anyone or anything! It’s little tweaks throughout the day that will have a huge impact!

The cycle starts before your day does!  I cannot stress the absolute impact of SLEEP on your every waking moment. You MUST shift your priorities around to make more sleep happen – ideally 7-9hrs. You’ll get more energy, burn more fat, decrease your appetite and cravings, put you in a better mood & be more able to cope with stress. Try calming herbs: Kava-Kava, Valerian, Melatonin, & teas (passionflower, chamomile).

BREAKFAST!

Are you having it, and is it fueling or draining you? In the morning, your energy stores are depleted by as much as 80%. Without food, your body begins to conserve energy and burn fewer calories—making your metabolism take a nosedive. Then if you load up on sugar and simple carbs, you’ll spike your blood sugar & then it will dip – taking your energy with it. Focus on a protein (eggs/yogurt) and fibrous carbs(fruit/veggies).

LUNCH/DINNER

focus on protein, fibrous carbs, good/unsaturated fats. These are loaded with nutrients & fiber.  Avoid the white foods at all cost – bread, pasta, cakes, sugar, salt! Keep stocked up at home/work/car.

SNACKS

Think protein, good carbs, good fats – all will keep your hunger at bay and spark you energy: nuts, fruit & PB, hummus & celery, hard boiled eggs, protein bars/shakes.  Email me for a longer list (Dawn@NakedHealthGrp.com ) Continue Reading →

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Five Deadly PR Sins

on February 17, 2012 in Success Institute

There are dozens of mistakes that people make when it comes to public relations, but not all of them are fatal. Many PR firms blunder along for years making the same mistakes over and over again. But here are 5 mistakes you simply can’t make if you want to have long-term success with the media:

 

Deadly Sin #1 – Not doing your homework.

It’s pretty basic, but you would be surprised at how many well-paid PR people don’t even do a simple Google search before pitching their story to a journalist.

When I was a TV reporter I would get pitched light, fluffy feature stories long after my station had moved me to hard news. When people would pitch me a “leave them laughing” story, it would make me wonder if they ever bothered to watch one of my reports.

Deadly Sin #2 – Sounding too much like a commercial.

The reason news outlets have sales departments is so that people can buy advertising. If your pitch to a journalist sounds like a blatant commercial, you’re not even going to get a call back.

With our clients we always peel the commercial off the pitch and put a spotlight on the value to the audience. If your story doesn’t meet the “who cares” test, don’t even bother picking up the phone.

Continue Reading →

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Relationship Networking: The Art of Turning Contacts into Connections

on February 9, 2012 in Relationship Networking, Uncategorized

Networking is the art of creating connections and building relationships. Wouldn’t you agree? You build a network through a reciprocal process of giving and sharing referrals, contacts, information, business, leads, ideas, resources and advice. That’s right, it’s a process, meaning it has a beginning, but in this case, it has no end.

At its most powerful, it is built on the foundation of giving first.

Networking isn’t something you do now and then, like only at work; networking is part of every aspect of your life. In short, networking is a lifestyle. It is not a work style. You don’t turn it on or off. In fact, effective networkers don’t even realize they are networking. It just becomes part of who they are. They are constantly and consistently sharing themselves. It involves a personal value aligned with the supportive behavior of being “other-focused.”

Relationship networkers understand that there is something bigger, better and smarter than any single one of us, and that is all of us. I believe the foundation of any great business is built with a collaborative effort. Success is achieved more quickly and seamlessly when we are helping each other. Remember that Lucy had Ethel, Wilma had Betty, and Thelma had Louise. We have a basic need to work together, and we know that, simply stated, working together works.

The word together comprises three individual powerful words – to get her. I don’t believe that the feminine reference in this word is accidental.

- Excerpt from Relationship Networking: The Art of Turning Contacts into Connections by Sandra Yancey

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