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In This Issue |
1. WBEA Committee
Update
2.
10 Ways to Nourish A Positive Attitude
Toward Your Work
3. The Art of Getting Through
to Closed Minded Thinkers
4. Article
heading | |
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MISSION
WBEA
is committed to increasing business opportunities for
woman owned businesses and corporate members through
education, programs, and professional
networking.
EVENTS
March 19-21,
2009
University of Texas Community MBA
Program
April 16,
2009
Speed
Coaching
April
17, 2009
Creating
Opportunity Through Effective
Networking
May
20-21, 2009
Expo: Connections
2009
June 8-11,
2009
Women In Business
June 19,
2009
Strategic Alliances:
How to Grow Your
Business - FAST!
July 9,
2009
Full Course Networking
Luncheon
July 17,
2009
Know Your Audience: How to Choose
the Best Marketing Strategy
August 21,
2009
You CAN Get it All Done:
Mastering Control of Your Time
August 27,
2009
San Antonio Full Course Networking
Luncheon
Setpember,
2009
Ask the Pros
September 18,
2009
Sucession Planning:
Begin
With the End in Mind
October 12,
2009
Golf Classic & Silent
Auction
November 19,
2009
Cutting Edge Awards
Luncheon
November 20,
2009
Optimizing Emotions in
Business
CONTACT
US
Executive Director
Susan
Repka
srepka@wbea-texas.org
Mariela Hernandez
Certification
Manager
mhernandez@wbea-texas.org
ext:
204
Ingrid Hill
Re-Certification
Manager
ihill@wbea-texas.org
ext: 206
Andrea Moore
Certification
Assistant
amoore@wbea-texas.org
ext:
205
Brittany Patterson
WBE Opportunity
Development Manager
bpatterson@wbea-texas.org
ext:
202
Melissa Price
Marketing & Events
Coordinator
mprice@wbea-texas.org
ext: 203 |
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Letter From the Executive
Director
The
Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance continues to grow
and change in 2009. One of our most
recent changes we are very excited about is the addition
of the new WBEA Webinar Series. This series is
designed to provide educational content to assist WBE’s
in growing their business. Because WBEA
covers 94 Texas counties, we feel it is important to
provide opportunity for all our members at a low
cost. The
online webinars will help to not only reach members
outside the Houston area, but help with time constraints
and schedules for all our members. Our first
webinar, “Drumming Up Business” was held today
and with over 50 people connected.
Like
many smaller organizations in the United States, WBEA
has taken a hit by the current economic situation.
An
unfortunate change caused by the downturn of our economy
is the closing of our WBEA satellite office in San
Antonio.
WBEA
is facing the same challenges that our small business
are facing and hard decisions must be made. Due
to downsizing, San Antonio Director Sandra Anderson’s
last day with WBEA will be Friday, February 27,
2009
Sandra
joined WBEA in January 2008. Sandra quickly
joined the planning committees of MedWeek and the SMWVBE
Conference and played an active role in getting
certification seminars added to those conferences. Sandra also
worked with the San Antonio National Association Women
Business (NAWBO) and presented WBEA as an active
community partner.
On
behalf of the WBEA Board of Directors and Staff, we
thank Sandra for a great job and all her hard work in
2008; we will miss her energetic spirit and her
dedication to woman owned businesses. While we
reorganize, know WBEA remains committed to helping woman
owned business and will continue to be active in San
Antonio.
As
always you can view upcoming events by logging on to our
website at www.wbea-texas.org
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WBEA COMMITTEE UPDATE
WBEA Forum In Action
Sue Pistone, Sue Pistone &
Associates
The
WBEA Forum is planning a very exciting, educational and
solution based year for WBEs. The Forum is a
committee that every WBE becomes a member of when they
join WBEA. The goal of the committee is to be a place to
address issues WBEs are having and seek solutions. We also share
successes and best practices with each other. The Forum
is wonderful opportunity to meet the supplier diversity
manager from different corporation and to network with
other WBEs.
In
2009, we have an opportunity to explore new technologies
by having some of our Forum meetings, featuring Straight
Talk presentations by Corporate members, presented at
Webinars.
In the past, we had to limit the number of WBEs
who could attend the meetings due to our physical space.
Then when Ike hit we lost our meeting room. Now we can
begin working through the Internet. Our first Forum
Webinar will be in February and you will be receiving
more information soon. Straight Talk is a session where
a corporate supplier diversity manager share with us how
to business with their corporation.
Last
year the WBEA Forum presented the first Ask the
Pros. It
was so successful we are making it an annual event. This
year Ask the Pros will be held on March
12th.
You will have an opportunity to hear Pros share
tips and techniques for topics from such as financial,
legal issues, marketing, networking, sales and much
more.
If
you are interested in serving on the Forum Committee
please contact Sue Pistone. We are seeking five
dedicated committee members to bring their talents,
ideas and skills to the Forum to serve all WBEs
belonging to WBEA.
NEXT
FORUM MEETING: March 17, 2009
Contact Sue Pistone
for more information
PR/Marketing &
Events
Connie Gray, C-Ray
Media
If
you are in the PR, Marketing or Event Planning Industry,
or if you just want to be involved, consider joining the
PR/Marketing and Events committee.
The
committee has made a firm commitment to get things done
this year and we REALLY need your help. Our first
task is to better define the branding and to gain more
exposure for the WBEA, as well as revamping a regularly
issued newsletter that will become a tool of useful
information to all WBE’s. We want to revamp the
website and create a “bulletin board” of sorts that
WBE’s can post needs and wants, so we can assist each
other. We want to gather more attention by issuing more
press releases, as well as creating events that will be
of upmost value for all WBE’s.
There
are many more initiatives for our committee and we
desperately need expert assistance in these fields to
help us accomplish our goals.
Would
you consider being on our committee? We promise to
be organized and work efficiently. Our meetings
will be held the third Wednesday of every month from
11:30 – 1:00.
Our next meeting is scheduled for February 18th
and we will do everything possible to stay on track and
keep these meetings on schedule.
If
you are interested, please contact the PR/Marketing
& Events Committee co-chair Connie Gray @ connie.gray@c-raymedia.com
or Melissa Price @ mprice@wbea-texas.org.
Thank
you so much for your
consideration.
NEXT
PR/MARKETING & EVENTS COMMITTEE
MEETING
: March 18, 2009
Contact Connie
Gray for more information
WBEA Launches Virtual Connect Webinar
Program
The
Virtual Connect Committee is trying to bring you closer
to the WBEA from the comfort of your office! By
overwhelming interest from you, the WBEs, the committee
has decided to host 20 webinar sessions in 2009. These 1
to 1 ½ hour webinar sessions are meant to help you gain
skills in business development, human resources,
marketing, giving presentations, sales and negotiations.
The Forum “Straight Talk” webinar sessions, a “How to Do
Business with our Corporate Members” will be hosted by
our corporate partners like Chevron, KBR, Marathon Oil,
M.D. Anderson, and Fluor, just to name a few! We have
received the support of 20 WBE sponsors, who this year
will be funding this exciting new program. We hope you
will travel down the virtual highway and find this new
program exciting and worth your valuable time.
Thank
You to Our Sponsors:
Advantage
Center
Arbill
BL
Technology Inc.
Cajun
Treats
Customized
Real Estate
Dessert
Gallery
Digi-Color
Diversified
Recruiting Services
DPH
Financial
Fleming
Business Interests
Halcyon
Consulting LLC
ImageSet
Digital
Isothermal
Protective Coatings,
Inc.
Jill
Hickman Companies
Kathy
Winkler
Market
Doctors LTD
PCPC
Direct, Ltd.
Sue
Pistone &
Associates
Texas
Motor Transportation Consultants
(TMTC)
WestPark
Communications
We
are currently looking for WBEs to pitch ideas and
presentations to the committee for possible webinars.
The topics the committee is focusing on are business
development, human resources, marketing, giving
presentations, sales and negotiations. If you have a
presentation that you’ve given in person, and would like
to give a presentation via webinar on any of the topics
mentioned, we want to hear from you!Training
will be available for speakers and presenters who are
selected to host a webinar.
NEXT VIRTUAL CONNECT
COMMITTEE MEETING
:
Contact Brittany
Barton
, WBE Opportunity Development Manager, for
more information.
WBEA
2008 Holiday Gala
Over
200 of Houston’s leading women business owners and
corporate partners attended the 2008 Women’s Business
Enterprise Alliance (WBEA) “Home for the Holidays Gala”
at the Lakeside Country Club. The event raised
awareness and funds for one of Houston’s most deserving
charities, The Women’s Home.
For
over 50 years, The Women’s Home has helped women in
crisis regain their self-esteem and dignity, while
empowering them to return to society as productive,
self-sufficient individuals after battling substance
abuse or mental illness.
“The
WBEA is committed to increasing business opportunities
for woman owned businesses through programs, and
professional networking” says Susan Repka, Executive
Director of WBEA. “Knowing that The Women’s Home helps
rebuild women’s lives made them perfect fit for this
year’s fundraising gala.”
Each
table featured a handcrafted Gingerbread House donated
by Janice Jucker, owner of Three Brothers Bakery. This
invitation-only gala included a successful Silent
Auction, offering lots ranging from one-of-a-kind
jewelry pieces to Texans football memorabilia. The
inspirational night of dining, dancing and donating was
enhanced by the sweet sounds of Yvonne Washington and
the Mix.
WBEA
members generously contributed their time and services
to the worthwhile cause. Event co-chairs Becky Dunn,
President of Metromarketing, and Barbara Paull,
President of General Body Manufacturing, honored The
Women’s Home as well as the volunteers and patrons who
supported its mission. Introduced by
WBEA Executive Director Susan Repka, Paula Paust,
Executive Director of The Women’s Home, presented a
moving documentary of a woman whose stay at The Women’s
Home empowered her sobriety and self-reliance.
Thank you to our Gala
Committee:
Becky
Dunn, Metromarketing - CHAIR
Barbara
Paull, General Truck Body Manufacturing -
CHAIR
Amberly Allen, Direct
Innovations
Biddie Webb, Limb Design
Evalyn
Shea, Shea Writing and Training
Solutions
Janice Jucker, Three Brothers
Bakery
Veronica Jeans, Top
Flyt
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NEWS
10
Ways to Nourish a Positive Attitude toward Your
Work
Why
do some very promising businesses fail while some
unlikely ones prosper? One key factor is the owner’s
attitude toward her work. Few people succeed at things
they hate doing or don’t believe in.
Negative
attitudes can take root in the best of us: “I can’t
stand these petty chores; the economy is impossible; the
whole master plan of life is rigged against me….” If you
don’t want to end up sounding like that—or if you
suspect you may be headed in that direction
already—there are ways to help your attitude stay
positive.
1.
Make
sure you’re in an industry that suits your talents and
interests.
The entrepreneur who enters a field primarily because
“the best money’s there” is the first to wind up hating
her work.
2.
Be
prepared for some “bad moments.”
There’s no such thing as a business where all duties are
fun and everything always goes right. You will
have to deal with difficult people, tedious tasks,
and one-disaster-after-another days. Feeling entitled to
have everything perfect is a sure route to the bitter
disappointment that negative attitudes thrive
on.
3.
Watch
what you say to yourself!
Talk about “challenges” instead of “problems”; eliminate
“just my luck” and “it’ll never work” from your
vocabulary. Don’t talk yourself into perpetual
negativism.
4.
Smile
constantly—and
not just when interviewing important prospects.
Keep the corners of your mouth curved up even when
alone in your office; your mood follows your
expression.
5.
Associate
with positive thinkers. If
your best buddies are grumblers, you’re bound to catch
the habit from them. Hang out with people who believe in
you, themselves, and the overall goodness of life. (And
don’t spend too much time watching TV
news!)
6.
Surround
yourself with inspirational quotes—hang
them over your desk, put them on your screen saver,
subscribe to an e-newsletter that provides a daily dose
of sunshine.
7.
Work
smart. Get
in the habit of asking yourself, before starting
something, “How important is this to the success of my
business?” If the answer is “not very,” reconsider doing
it at all. Wasting time on things of little value is a
major cause of discouragement and
negativity.
8.
Delegate!
Even if a task is vital to your business, that doesn’t
necessarily mean you have to do it. Reduce your
stress level by trusting staff with the basic duties;
save your own time for things only you can
do.
9.
Treat
yourself to something special every day.
Have
a gourmet chocolate with lunch; keep that favorite
perfume at your office. Train your mind to associate
work with positive
experiences.
10.
Finally,
have long-term goals and a “big picture.” These
not only help reduce stress and facilitate planning, but
during times—they come to us all—when every happening
seems to scream “life is hopeless,” they give you
something to look at and remember, “this too shall
pass.”
Work
hard, and work happy!
The Art Of Getting Through To Closed-Minded
Thinkers
By: Morey
Stettner
If
you're set on strengthening relationships this year,
begin by flexing your personality muscles. Rather than
try to make others act or think more like you, adjust to
their style.
Consider
how you deal with closed-minded people. It's tempting to
argue and plead with them to accept your entreaties. But
a better strategy is to dig for more information on how
they arrive at their views.
"Asking
questions is the best way to get others to be more
open-minded," said Shari Frisinger, president of
CornerStone Strategies, a consulting firm in Houston.
Probing in a polite tone shows that you're more
interested in learning than lecturing.
When
people expose biases or faulty thought patterns, beware
of trying to point 20hem out. Instead, withhold your
judgment and build friendly rapport. The resulting
goodwill can help you break down their defenses and
exert persuasive power.
By
gently goading others to explain their deeply held
beliefs, you let them bask in the spotlight. Many people
enjoy expounding upon their views.
After
they finish talking, resist the urge to disagree or
otherwise challenge them outright. Hypothetical
questions work better.
"Two
questions that go well together are 'What if' followed
by 'Why not'," said Frisinger.
Dissect
the reasoning that shapes their analysis and then ask
questions such as, "What if the process unfolds at a
different pace?" or "What if unforeseen events influence
the outcome?"
Give
them ample time to answer free from interruption. Follow
up with inquiries such as, "Why not take a different
path to achieve that goal?" or "Why not integrate other
factors into the equation?"
As
long as you speak in a genial, nonthreatening manner,
you can encourage closed-minded people to explore a
wider range of possibilities. Their answers may cause
them to reassess their position.
Using
questions works well because it allows others to
conclude for themselves that they're too limited in
their thinking. Your curiosity can lead them to jettison
certain assumptions.
"By
keeping them talking, you get them to show you their own
boundaries," Frisinger said. "That helps you figure out
why they're closed to new ways of seeing the world and
how their perceptions influence
them."
Because
closed-minded people will filter your comments through
the lens of what they already know, induce them to weigh
evidence that contradicts what they deem as true. Only
after you let them hold court -- and repeatedly ask them
to elaborate so that they reveal their attitudes and
assumptions -- can you poke holes in their
beliefs.
If
closed-minded speakers misinterpret your remarks to fit
their preconceived notions, don't rush to say, "You've
got it wrong." Keep countering with "What if"
inquiries.
"Eventually,
your questions can lead them to realize they can no
longer justify their position quite as strongly,"
Frisinger said. That's when they may grow receptive to
evaluating your
ideas. |
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OPPORTUNITY
Hispanic Business Magazine's 2009
Woman of the Year - June 4, 2009
Hispanic
Business Magazine's 2009 Woman of the Year event will
take place on Thursday, June 4, 2009 at the luxurious
Hilton Americas in Houston. The 7th annual WOY honors
the accomplishments of 20 successful U.S. Hispanic women
who have made a significant impact in the realms of
business, government, entertainment, and academia. This
year, in addition to the evening Awards Gala Dinner, the
program features a full day’s schedule of break-out
sessions conducted in English. Over 500 Hispanic
professionals and business owners in the Houston area
are expected to attend this prestigious
event.
WBEA’s
Houston members will receive a discounted ticket
price of $100.00 – a discount of $99.00 off the
published price of $199.00. This ticket is an all access
pass that includes breakfast, lunch and
dinner.
Please
call Hispanic Business events at 1-800-205-9459 to buy
your ticket and mention
you are a member of WBEA’s Houston Chapter to receive
this discount.
You
may also visit http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/events/woy/register/
and enter Promo
Code: WBEA to receive your discount.
If
you are interested in reserving a dinner table for 10
guests, exhibit, or learn more how your company can be a
corporate sponsor, please call Greg Diaz at 310-584-1286
or email him at greg.diaz@hbinc.com.
Be sure to tell him you are a member of WBEA’s Houston
Chapter.
Dinah Dawson Scholarship Fund for
WBE's
As
many of you know, WBEA experienced the loss of our
cherished staff member, Dinah Dawson. After being
admitted into the hospital on Thursday morning with the
Flu and Pneumonia, Dinah died Saturday morning January
31, 2009 from unknown complications.
Dinah
touched our lives in so many ways and she will be
missed. While this is a very unexpected loss, we
are comforted by the memories and blessings her presence
brought into our lives. These joyful memories we shared
with her will forever be remembered, and her loving and
gentle spirit lives on through the people her life
touched.
Dinah joined
WBEA in June of 2005. Prior to joining WBEA, Dinah
owned her own business from 1980 to 1990. She then
worked for the Coalition for the Homeless of
Houston/Harris County, followed by the Leaders in
Education, Inc. Young Learners School of
Houston.
Dinah’s
children have requested that a Scholarship be created in
her name.
If you are interested in donating to the Dinah
Dawson Scholarship Fund, please contact Susan Repka at
srepka@wbea-texas.org |
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Women's Business
Enterprise Alliance
4100 Westheimer
Rd.
Houston, TX 77027
Phone: 713-681-9232
Fax: 713-681-9242
www.WBEA-TEXAS.org
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