Gail Sullivan, Founder & CEO of  BECAUSE WOMAN, LLC

Philanthropy… The Missing Link in Your Business?

I recently attended a businesswomen’s luncheon on “Giving Matters” and heard one of our community’s most distinguished philanthropists state, “The joy of living is in the joy of giving”.

Surely you have heard the old adage that is sometimes described as the Principle of Giving:

“Give and it will come back to you – good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.”

Many of the happiest and wealthiest individuals that I have met over the last several decades have commented that the “key” to their success has been in their generous giving.

Personally, I wouldn’t have it any other way, and that’s why philanthropy is one of my company’s key components.   Consider the following ways to add value to your company through giving, and watch for the positive returns

5 Ways to Add Philanthropy to Your Business Plan

1. Put together a Philanthropic Budget.

Consider setting aside a portion of your monthly business income to be specifically used for philanthropy.  There is a vast range of non-profit organizations in every community that could use your help.  Every gift, great and small will be considered a blessing.

It’s so easy to say, “ I don’t have any money.” But then, when I think of how easy it is to waste dollars at a time on things that don’t really matter (like those daily fancy coffee drinks that are filled with calories that I’m trying to avoid or the newest office supplies that are bought in excess and never used). Contrary to all that, my philanthropic giving can help organizations achieve something that really does matter.  You know what?  I’m embarrassed that I haven’t given more and more often.  Now is the time to change that!

Not enough cash flow?  Consider budgeting your philanthropic services.  501c3 organizations always appreciate service gifts.  For example, the local catering company caters 2 big non-profit fundraising events a year; a florist supports her favorite charity by providing the centerpieces for their annual fundraising event; and an entrepreneur of a local hair salon provides free haircuts, on the Saturday before school starts, to kids in a lower income neighborhood. What an awesome way to contribute!

2. Volunteer.

Philanthropy can also be in the form of service. Consider volunteering to help out at an annual event for a cause that you are passionate about.  This is something that you can do personally as well as getting your employees involved.  You will be amazed at how many people will join with you in your efforts to give back to the community.

For the last several years I have joined our local Boys and Girls Club to help hand out gifts to the children at their annual Christmas party.  The first year my two daughters joined me.  The following year several co-workers decided to come with me and continue to give to this day. Eventually the company I worked for became a sponsor of one of their annual events. It appears that philanthropy can be contagious.

3. Master the layups.

There are many community organizations that provide some of the most basic essentials for people in need.  All of us can make a huge difference just by consistently giving our gently worn clothing to the Goodwill, or extra food to the local food bank.  Consider having a seasonal giving drive for these events right in your office.  Allow clients to participate and accept donations as well. These are easy layup shots that any business can incorporate.

4. Take it to the next level.

Do you sometimes feel that your gift is so small and wonder what good could it possibly do?  A giving “team” boosts donation dollars to the next level. That’s right, get others involved… family, friends, co-workers, clients and even prospects. Does your company hold any type of annual event?  Consider adding a raffle in which all the proceeds go to a chosen non-profit group or cause.  Allow all attendees the opportunity to participate.

I recently held a company event and had determined to give a percentage of the income to a local cause.  I was disappointed when I realized how small that donation would be. I decided to brainstorm about how I could give more. I took a third of the money I was going to give and bought an amazing raffle prize for the event and announced where the proceeds were going.  The donation ended up being almost 3X what I was originally going to donate. Bravo!

5. Never underestimate the value of a small gift, and don’t hold back on giving a larger gift when you know the time is right.

“Despise not the day of small things!” Everyone starts somewhere. Become a consistent giver in the small opportunities that exist, and over time, you may develop into an experienced, generous philanthropist.

As you begin making philanthropy a key component in your company, begin to notice what happens.  Time and time again, I end up with so much more in return.  The effects are amazing!  The people I work with seem happier.  Somehow, this “giving” component allows for something great to occur in the workplace.  Goodwill manifests itself and my clients and prospects like that.  My business begins to change, for the better.  I feel like I begin to change for the better. And all this just makes me want to give more.

Recent research also shows that there is a correlation between philanthropic giving and sales.  (Network for Business Sustainability, Use corporate philanthropy to grow your top and bottom line, Source:  Strategic Management Journal, How corporate charitable contributions enhance revenue growth. (2009) Baruch Lev, Christine Petrovits and Suresh Radhakrishnan)

If you are attending the eWomenNetwork Conference in Dallas this month, you will witness firsthand the impact of generous giving.  Throughout the year there are many opportunities to give to the eWomenNetwork Foundation.  You will be inspired at how your philanthropic contributions can accomplish great things!

Gail Sullivan is a Platinum Member of the Chairman’s Circle

The 2011 annual eWomenNetwork Conference (#eWN2011) is just 47 days away.  Susan Rueppel, a long-time eWomenNetwork member and devoted Conference attendee, has gathered some valuable tips for optimizing your Conference experience.  From Susan’s list, each week we will be featuring three things you can do now so that you feel well prepared to take full advantage all the benefits—from soup to nuts—that the Conference has to offer.

Over the next two weeks, we recommend the following:

• Order business cards – take plenty (200-300).  We recommend that the back is blank so that people can write down notes about you, like what you are looking for and how they can best serve you.  We also recommend that you bring cards that are not coated with a waxy finish that doesn’t allow people to write on them.
• Check out the Conference banner on the website.  Particularly, click on the link Travel & Hotel.

Tips from Susan Rueppel, Ph.D., Chief Intuition Officer, ChiefIntuitionOfficer.com

If you plan on flying into Dallas, you may wish to explore American Airlines.  AA is a national sponsor of  eWomenNetwork.  That’s great news for you because they provide a discount on flights for the Conference.  In order to capitalize on our sponsorship savings, call       1-800-433-1790 and give the American Airlines Representative our STARfile number 9971AN, or go to www.aa.com/women and enter it there.

Did you know that if you fly American Airlines, you can help the eWomenNetwork Foundation in a big way and it costs you nothing?  That’s right, when making your airline reservation, simply either mention or enter the Foundation’s Business ExtrAA account #756327, and AA will gift “matching miles” to the Foundation.  Isn’t this cool!  This is how we fly in our Grant recipients and Emerging Leaders so that they can experience the Conference just like you!  Again, nothing is taken away from you!  You can still use your own frequent flyer number and accumulate AAdvantage miles.  This is simply an “added” benefit and bonus to help the eWomenNetwork Foundation!

• Finally, don’t forget to make your hotel reservations.  At the discounted rate of $149, our room block is selling out fast.  We can’t guarantee that the hotel will honor our special discounted room rate after our set-aside block has been met, so make your reservation today to secure your room at our special rate.  For your convenience, you can click here to register or call 1-888-421-1442.

With these basic fundamentals out of the way, we’ll be back with more information to fill you with more strategies to pace yourself, take full advantage of all the offerings, and ensure that you maximize your Conference experience!

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.

Debbie Meyer

Sheila Johnson

Marilyn Tam

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 a unique woman 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 woman 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 5 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 14, 2011.

Rhona Silver CaterBid.com

Rhona Silver of  CaterBid, has been in the catering business for over 40 years.  She is a trailblazer, changing an entire segment of the catering industry by identifying and filling a niche.  She transitioned from marketing to a select segment to owning the biggest catering hall in the USA.   This 150,000 square foot venue on 18 acres of land showcased events that honored Presidents, Heads of State and Governors as well as hosting trade shows and corporate events. Ms. Silver is a member of the eWomenNetwork Foundation Advisory Council.

How did you come up with the idea for CaterBid?

Several years ago, I was single and using online dating services to meet new people.  After meeting my significant other on the worldwide web, I realized that if you can find love online why couldn’t you use the internet to find a great caterer?  Together with my children, Matthew and Rebecca, we developed the idea of bringing catering into the 21^st century.  And so, CaterBid.com was born!

How does Caterbid work?

CaterBid.com is a completely new way to book events, and the only way to have caterers come to you and bid for your business.  It allows you to save time and money organizing the best party at the best price and it is completely free to use.  You can use it for planning any type of party – holiday and corporate events or birthday parties and weddings.  I wish CaterBid existed back when I was a caterer!

What kinds of things should our members consider when hosting an event for their business?

Don’t be afraid to be creative and festive with your business events.  A simple thing like an invitation can set the tone for your gathering.

Consider what type of business you are in when creating the theme for your event.  For example, if you are in communications you might create an invitation shaped like a computer or a telephone.  Have your food service create opportunities for people to communicate.  Instead of doing box lunches at a one-day training, put large share-worthy portions in the middle of the table.  As the food is passed and shared, the conversation will flow.  You might have notes on the table with ice breakers to spark discussions about your business or even about the food.  Or, add a fun element like a magician or a psychic to spark conversation.

You have a successful history as a woman business owner and entrepreneur.  Reflecting on your experiences, what are the key things that you feel our readers can do to create thriving businesses in this economy?

Despite every adversity in my life, I’ve always kept in mind one inspirational quote that gives me strength to keep moving forward – “A winner never quits and a quitter never wins.”  Just remember that if there is a roadblock, there is still a road on the other side.  Whether you go under, over, or around it, remember that you can and will eventually get to where you are going.

Photo by jeffisageek – Flickr

On Twitter, hashtags (#) have become a favorite tool for conference and event organizers.  They provide a way to track topics and breaking news.  As more and more members register for the 10^th Anniversary International Conference & Business Expo, we want to provide you with easy access to Conference updates, trends and topics.  The hashtag for the 2010 Conference is  #ewomen2010, and utilizing it in posts on Twitter, will make your communication easy to share with other conference attendees.

For those who are unable to attend the Conference, a hashtag (#) will provide them with the opportunity to follow discussions and benefit from the insights of those who are experiencing the speakers and events in real time.  #ewomen2010 is registered at Hashtags.org (http://ht.ly/1VNrU )and Tagal.us. (http://tagal.us/tag/ewomen2010). 

eWomen Network is celebrating “10 in 2010”!  This conference will provide an unparalleled   opportunity to grow and expand your business, knowledge, and network.  For more information on the Conference, events, and speakers, please go to http://www.ewomennetworkconference.com.  And, don’t forget to let your network know about #ewomen2010 !

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.

Debbie Meyer

Sheila Johnson

Marilyn Tam

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 a unique woman 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 woman 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 5 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!

Thompson Family

Anthony Thompson, a U.S. Marine, who was severely wounded serving his country in Iraq will see a new home being built for his family thanks to Homes for Our Troops and the eWomenNetwork Foundation. Yvonne Thompson, Anthony’s wife is overjoyed with the outpouring of love and support from complete strangers not only in Houston but throughout the U.S. and Canada.

John Gonsalves, the founder of Homes for Our Troops, received the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the eWomenNetwork Foundation headquartered in Dallas, Texas. “What John Gonsalves and his organization, Homes for Our Troops, is doing for our wounded soldiers is beyond words. A suicide bomber detonated an explosive under an overpass where Anthony Thompson and other marines had taken up post on April 20, 2007. During recovery efforts, Anthony was found unresponsive on a pile of concrete rubble. As a result of the blast Anthony suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury, an incomplete spinal cord injury and a punctured right lung! Our wounded need our support and charity and we are thrilled to be participating in this Build Brigade in Houston on January 7, 8 & 9,” says Sandra Yancey, Executive Director of the eWomenNetwork Foundation.

In conjunction with Homes for Our Troops, members of eWomenNetwork collectively pledged to help build Yvonne a new adapted house and turn it into home so that she can finally bring her family together for the first time since Anthony’s accident. 

The eWomenNetwork Foundation has formed a volunteer group comprised of local businesswomen from Houston and others traveling from Austin, Dallas and outside of the state.

About the eWomenNetwork Foundation:

The eWomenNetwork Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the financial and emotional health of women and girls. Throughout the year, eWomenNetwork chapters conduct fund-raising activities to benefit local charities in their communities. To date through in-kind services and cash contributions more they 2 million dollars has be distributed to over 60 deserving non-profit organizations in the U.S and Canada.

For More Information, Contact:
Lisa Purvis, Program Coordinator (972-620-9995, ext. 1008)
Sandra Yancey, Executive Director (214-642-9955)
Lisa.Purvis@eWomenNetwork.net

Sandra Yancey and Yvonne Thompson

Lend a Hand to Homes for Our Troops

Come join us January 7-9, 2010 and lend a hand, as we build a home for Yvonne Thompson and her family. Yvonne’s husband, Anthony, was severely wounded while serving in Iraq as a U.S. Marine.

More about the Thompsons and how you can help!

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Bid on 2010 Pro Bowl Tickets and benefit the eWomenNetwork Foundation with your winning bid!

Click here to see all that comes with your tickets for two in this exciting sports package!

2010 Pro Bowl in Miami!

Even a Dollar Makes a Difference! Donate a Dollar, because just $1 can make a difference! Over 80 charities have benefited from your donations to the eWomenNetwork Foundation. Now is the perfect time to give back – donate now!

Journaling to Accelerate your Business and Personal Success, Strategic Marketing Training, Universal  Design, and Lessons in Life with Helen Flynn are the topics being discussed on this week’s show.  You won’t want to miss these great conversations with remarkable and successful women!  Catch up on previous shows on our Radio Page!

Sandra’s guests and topics this week include:

Judy Peebles

Judy Peebles.  Judy is a Business Skills Trainer and International Speaker.  She says, “Experience the Positive Power of the Pen!” with tips on how to make journaling productive for business and personal development.

Joann Weiland

Joanne Weiland.  Joanne is founder and CEO of LinktoEXPERT, a renowned strategic marketing training organization.  Joanne answers the timely question, how do you use leading technology to present your products and services to the world?

Sylvie Meehan

Sylvie Meehan.  Sylvie is the founder of Sylvie Meehan Designs, an independent interior design firm.  She’ll discuss how to enjoy your home and remain there safely & independently, regardless of your age or any physical limitations you may have for as long as you want.

Helen Flynn

Helen Flynn.  Helen is founder of Clareau Coaching and the author of a recently-published new book, Jewels for my Granddaughters.  She is here to share some of the important lessons she has learned in her long and interesting career.

Aly Calvo & Andrea Kulberg

For those of you who attended the FANTASTIC eWomenNetwork Conference earlier this year, you’ll remember that Aly Calvo and Andrea Kulberg (a.k.a. “The Twins”) were the winners of the Oprah Experience package during the eWomenNetwork Foundation auction the first night of the Conference.

Well, today they head to the Windy City for Oprah, dinner with Corny Koehl, and a whole lot more!  We have asked them to comment on their experiences on the eWomenNetwork Facebook page – please check in and celebrate with these dynamic women as they embark on this amazing experience!

Kym Yancey, Corny Koehl, Aly & Andrea, Sandra Yancey Celebrate at Conference