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Leading Ladies – Take Charge!
Thursday, October 20
Eagle Crest Conference Center
1275 South Huron Street, Ypsilanti
3:00pm – 5:30pm

Cost: $25

Premier Sponsor:

Agenda:

3:00 – 3:30: Arrival and Registration
3:30 – 5:30: Welcome, Workshop and Close
5:30 – 6:30: Networking Happy Hour

Please join WXW and presenter Vicki Baker, Ph.D. for an interactive workshop designed for leaders (and aspiring leaders!) at all levels. In this workshop, you’ll learn:

1. The top 4 mistakes all leaders make (and how to avoid them), and
2. How to tap into your “inner leader.”

You’ll work in small groups to discuss common leadership mistakes, and then as a larger group to identify common themes and action steps to avoid making these mistakes. Our emphasis will be on women leaders in the workplace and at home. We’ll then use this information to identify ways to tap into your “inner leader.”
You’ll walk away with an individual action plan to implement in your daily life.
Following the workshop, please join us for a networking Happy Hour to extend the conversation!

Workshop Presenter: Vicki Baker
Vicki Baker is an Assistant Professor of Economics and Management at Albion College in Albion, Michigan. She teaches Management, Organizational Behavior, Consulting, Leadership, and a first year experience called Lessons Learned at “The Office”. She recently served as the Interim Director of the Gerstacker Institute, Albion College’s honors program in business. Prior to joining Albion College in August 2007, Vicki was an Instructor of Management & Organization at the Smeal College of Business at Penn State University for three years. Her research focuses on doctoral student development/learning, developmental networks and mentoring, and ethical and moral decision making.

Trendsetter Sponsor: Eastern Michigan University Professional Programs and Training

Location Sponsor: Eagle Crest Conference Center

Note: This is a guest blog post from Marisa Smith, President and Founder of the Whole Brain Group.





I always feel guilty when I leave for a conference – is it going to be worth the expense and the time away from the office? Should I really be spending time and money “working on the business” when there are so many other pressing concerns in my inbox?



I recently attend the Inc Magazine’s GrowCo 2011 Conference in Las Vegas with the usual worries running through my head. However, as I sat in our conference room after I returned, surrounded by my team engaged in lively discussion about customer service and company culture, I realized the worrying was the true waste of time.



The next time you question whether or not a conference is worth it, ask yourself four questions:

1. Will the office really fall apart without you?
2. Is your company where you want it to be?
3. Is there anything left for you to learn?
4. Is there anyone left for you know?



A stagnant company is a dead company – don’t let your worry about missing something at the office keep you from being inspired by the people and ideas we encounter at conferences like GrowCo or the WXW May Forum.

Do you dread receptions, banquets, and other business-related social events? Do you struggle to make meaningful, long-term connections at work? You’re not alone. Many of us are apprehensive about these situations, because most of us either loathe entering rooms where we don’t know anyone or dislike spending time with people we don’t know well. With a little practice and use of these helpful tips, you’ll be building relationships one conversation at a time.

1. Introduce and initiate. Go ahead and initiate with a hello! Even if you recognize, or slightly know someone, re-introduce yourself. By taking ownership and initiating a conversation, you will feel more in control to drive the direction of the exchange.




2. Use an icebreaker. An icebreaker not only provides a way to meet new people, but also helps jumpstart conversations. For example, using an icebreaker such as “Tell me about the type of work your firm is involved in” instead of simply saying “hello” can lead to a fruitful conversation, rather than an uncomfortable silence. Some other valuable icebreakers you might use are:

- “Bring me up to date on your latest project.”
   - “What do you find to be the most enjoyable aspect of your job?”
   - “Tell me about your history with ________.”
   - “How did you come to find yourself in the health care field?”




3. Express interest and make an effort. You have to be interested if you want to be interesting. Part of your job as a convers-ee is to get the other person to talk. Listen to what your conversational partner is saying and ask relevant follow-up questions. Take cues from them and make a mental list of questions you can ask to get them to elaborate. If you’re talking to Mary in the marketing department, ask what she’s working on, what the new marketing strategies are. This is a great way to brainstorm about future projects, find out about potential clients or build a lasting business relationship. That being said, be sure not to ask so many questions that you come off as an interrogator. There should be a flow and balance when communicating.




4. Overcome pregnant pauses. It’s up to you to keep the conversation going if there are some uncomfortable pauses. Use your setting for ideas to reinvigorate the discussion. Say, “It’s great having our sales conference in a warm, tropical place. Have you been to Mexico before?” Use pauses as an opportunity to compliment your international counterpart. Try, “I’m impressed with what you’re doing for our Asian business. You’ve made some huge improvements in our technology department over there.” This is also a great time to interject with any material you’ve previously prepared.




5. Establish personal boundaries. It is fine if you want to let someone know where you went to college or how many children you have, but be mindful of how much personal information you provide. Sure, your relationship could benefit if you find out both your husbands are attorneys, but evaluate the value of the subject matter and its impact on the rapport. If the dialogue gets too sidetracked into personal details, the business-networking angle can become lost. Revealing too many personal details in a business setting can be inappropriate. Use your best judgment to maximize the content of the conversation.




6. Exit thoughtfully. In many business situations, it’s important to make contact with several people and move around a room. And, sometimes there is just a good time to move on. Find an appropriate point in the conversation to make an exit. Say, “I really enjoyed talking to you about today’s meeting. I have your card and I’ll be in touch with you this week so we can discuss it further.” Make a plan that is actionable and give a specific time when you’ll follow up. Most importantly, if you say you’re going to do something, do it!

About the Author:
Debra Fine is a former engineer who developed her programs to teach technically oriented professionals conversational skills and business networking techniques. Debra’s programs are held regularly for Fortune 500 firms as well as financial, legal, health care, real estate, government, engineering and entrepreneurial organizations. Her best selling book The Fine Art of Small Talk (Hyperion) was published to excellent reviews and feature stories in USA Today, Entrepreneur Magazine and The Chicago Tribune. Debra’s new book The Fine Art of the Big Talk focuses on winning clients, delivering great presentations and solving conflicts in the workplace. Her recent media appearances include the Today Show, the Early Show, CNN and NPR Morning Edition. Additional information about Debra can be viewed at www.DebraFine.com.

Debra Fine is the Keynote Speaker at WXW’s dynamic, all-day May Forum for women business leaders on Friday, May 20th. Register before Friday, May 6th to receive the early bird discount!

Networking Under the Tent WXW Style
Wednesday, June 29
Ann Arbor Sumer Festival
6:3o pm – 9:30pm

Sponsor: KeyBank

The Ann Arbor Summer Festival is right around the corner, and the Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw is going to be there again!

On Wednesday, June 29th, we are welcoming you, your family, and fellow WXWers out for some summer fun.  Join us under the tent from 6:30pm to 9:30pm for some delectable nibbles & munchies. Wine, beer, soft drinks and bottled water will be available for purchase.

Along with reconnecting with familiar WXWers and meeting lots of new ones, here’s what else the Summer Festival has planned…

Family friendly fun @ Top of the Park:
6:30-8pm KidZone (hands-on activities)

Adult activities @ Top of the Park:
6:30pm Los Gatos taking the stage (musical performance)
8:00pm Zap Toro taking the stage (musical performance)
10pm Stay to watch “Inception” under the stars (feature film)

For more information on the Ann Arbor Summer Festival, including directions & parking, please visit their website.

1. Stores have outdoor furniture displays and everything you could possibly need for your yard including supplies, flowers and soil.
2. Snow & Sunshine in the same week. Spring in Michigan is known for drastic weather changes.
3. New spring clothes have arrived at retail stores and sales on winter clothes have begun.
4. Dairy Queen is open.
5. The WXW Garden Party is today from 4:30pm – 7pm at the Ann Arbor Art Center.

The Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw (WXW) and the Women Lawyer’s Association of Michigan(WLAM) are hosting a networking event on Thursday, April 21st. To help ease the anxiety of networking, listed below are 5 helpful tips.

1. Be prepared! Bring your business cards, name tag, schedule/calendar, pen and anything else you may need.
2. Act like the host. Pretend the event is your own party and be there early. Be sure you know where the food/drinks are as well as the bathrooms, so you can help others find them. In other words, be the hostess with the most-ess.
3. Talk less and listen more! Remember, you are here to create a network of relationships not a commercial for your business or services. Be sure to ask questions and engage in conversation.
4. Don’t do business at the event! This is the time for you to make connections, set up an appointment to do business after the event when you follow-up.
5. Be a connector. A good networker is generous, and helps to introduce others. Being known as a connector is very powerful. People want to connect with the connector.

The Ann Arbor Art Center is once again showcasing the artwork of the area’s most talented high school students. The work of Washtenaw County high school artists is being displayed in the juried exhibition entitled Potential! now thru May 8, 2011.

Potential! is displaying work that clearly demonstrates achievements in creativity and transcends the usual class projects and assignments. Seniors have to opportunity to be awarded cash and scholarship prizes in the portfolio competition, best in show, best in medium and juror’s choice. Christopher Schneider, Program Manager of the Summer Art Institute at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, is the juror for this year’s Potential! exhibition.

Be sure to check out the exhibition at the WXW Garden Party on Thursday, April 21st!

Carrie Hensel and Debra Power, Co-Founders and Co-Presidents of the Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw have received the prestigious award for Women in Business Champions. The Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw is a volunteer-based group, which runs educational and networking programs for businesswomen. WXW has helped women find jobs, create connections, generate referrals and make friends. This award would not have been possible without the support of all the volunteers and WXW attendees.

The Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw (WXW) held their holiday mixer for women business leaders on Tuesday, December 8, at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor. Merry Mingling attendees were asked to donate their gently worn business suits for donation to the Women’s Center of Southeast Michigan, a local non-profit that helps disadvantaged women acquire job skills, coaching, and professional attire so they can succeed in work and life.



WXW Merry Mingling attendees donated 41 business suits as well as several professional winter coats to help stock the Women’s Center’s career clothing closet.



“Thank you so much for supporting our Career Closet, which helps women in our community have appropriate professional attire for job interviews and early days in their new jobs,” said Kimberli Cumming, Executive Director of the Women’s Center of Southeastern Michigan. “Clothing can be such a barrier for women who are starting over and picking up the pieces. Our own job-seeking clients, and women living in area shelters who also use our Career Closet, are much more likely to be successful in efforts to get back on their feet because of generous women like you.”



The mission of the Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw is to host unique events where women business leaders talk through their issues, share experiences and ideas, and form lasting connections. WXW was founded in 2007 by Ann Arbor business women Carrie Hensel and Debra Power to fill a need for an organization dedicated to women who are building strong and growing companies. Today, the WXW serves more than 700 women with interactive events and networking opportunities.



Carrie Hensel and Norman, the LaBeagle

The February 18, 2009 edition of Concentrate featured WXW’s co-founder, Carrie Hensel. In the article, Carrie discusses her winding career path, her philosophy of “fun” in business, and her motivations for starting WXW. Carrie notes -

Debra and I “decided we wanted to form a business group and wanted it to be for women who are leading or part of growing companies,” Hensel explains. “Though there happens to be a lot of support for start-ups, there isn’t as much for established companies that are 5, 10 or 15 years old and face different challenges.”

“Our tag line is ‘Now we’re talking’ and that’s what we do (at WXW events). That is really where the magic happens,” Hensel says. “It sounds cheesy, but that’s the place I want to be — when you’re talking to people and figuring stuff out.”

We encourage you to attend a WXW event to find out what the magic of conversation can do for you and your company.

> Read the entire Concentrate article here.