Last week I was in Dallas Texas for the International eWomen Network conference (www.ewomennetwork.com).  It was a week filled with meetings with dynamic business women and motivational speakers including Jack Canfield (www.jackcanfield.com) and Vernice (Flygirl) Armour (www.vernicearmour.com) .  

Having said all that, the biggest highlight of the week for me was winning an International Managing Director Award for ‘Inspirational Transformation’.   What does that mean?  I guess it means that I somehow inspired myself and others to aspire to greater heights and action. 

I know we all should be able to pat ourselves on the back and recognize all we do right but what a real sense of accomplishment it is when someone else recognizes our efforts.  I know many entrepreneurs can attest to the fact that some days it is so darned hard to get out of bed, put the suit and smile on and sell ourselves.   When something like this comes along, it makes it all worth it. 

Just the name of the award now inspires me to make the effort everyday!  Thanks Sandra Yancey, CEO and Founder of eWomen Network for this honoured recognition.  You and this award, “Make me want to be a better woman”.  :-)

It’s summer.  Have you noticed that your phone doesn’t ring anymore and your email count is down?  You can’t get hold of many business owners?  Out-of-office messages are epidemic? 

According to Tom Hall, in an on-line article by Karen E. Klein, “Some small businesses shut their doors—or mentally check out—during the summer. But companies that do so will leave new business on the table”  Hall, a serial entrepreneur and principal of Tucker/Hall, a crisis communications company in Tampa, Hall recently co-authored a book, Ruthless Focus: How to Use Key Core Strategies to Grow Your Business, with leadership expert Wally Bock. Hall spoke with Smart Answers columnist Karen E. Klein about the importance of pushing business forward and avoiding the summer doldrums. Edited excerpts of their conversation follow.

Karen E. Klein: It feels like a lot of small businesses don't get much work done over the summer. Is that impression outdated?

Tom Hall: It should be. It's a psychological issue: People save up mentally for vacation and start focusing on vacation a week or two early. When they get back, they're mentally on vacation for another week. So a week's vacation turns into a low-productivity month.

What's the alternative?

Tom Hall: Summer is a great time to jump your business ahead. If your clients and customers are all taking a break, take advantage of the slow market and get yourself ready for the fall.”

My tip for summer marketing?

Make those calls anyway!  Isn't it nice to know that when they return from holiday, they will hear your voice when they return, see your name on the message pad or at the very least, know you emailed them?  Be sure and follow up again a couple of weeks later. 

The Latest Trend in Business Today – Creativity

I am often asked, “As a business owner, how can I stay ahead of the competition?”  As Anita Campbell says on her website: www.smallbusinesstrends.com, “Instead of focusing on the competition, strive for a higher level of creativity. To create a great business, create something extraordinary, instead of falling into a rut and settling for average.”

So, how do you make that happen?  Hire and work with right-brained people and let them go!  Alliance yourself with writers, designers, storytellers, teachers...anyone who loves to be a little daring and thinks outside the box.  Don’t be afraid to stand out in the crowd, have some fun, and run your business with a little edge.  Create unusual advertising, write unique blogs and tweet fun daily thoughts, and step out in color and shapes.  Be anything but ordinary!  Be extraordinary!

Check out your marketing plan.  Is it always the same? What can you do to think outside the box?  If you don’t notice it anymore, neither will your customers.  Come out to our fabulous ‘Women and Words, Writing and Publishing in our eWorld’ conference and learn how you can stand out in the written word!

eWomen Network Vancouver and Coquitlam is very excited to give you the chance to meet and learn from some of the best right brainers in writing today!  Join us for ‘Women and Words, Writing and Publishing in our eWorld’, April 29^th & 30^th.   www.womenandwordsconference.com   Check out all the business writing sessions, including blogging, SEO, newsletters... Over 32 workshops, 4 keynotes and several compelling panels! Amazing networking opportunities to connect with the best. HURRY, seats are filling up fast at the early bird rates! Limited Trade show opportunities are available.

 

Some topics you won't want to miss:

KEYNOTE: Sharing Your Gifts as a Writer

How to Get Publicity for Your Book

How to Attract the Right Publisher

GET SOCIALIZED! Literary Techniques for Social Media

Flog Your Blog: How to Turn Your Blog Into a Book

Power of Story: a System for Writing Your Non-Fiction Book

Your Book is Your Marketing Tool: Utilize Uncertainty to Create Fresh Possibilities 

Memoir Writing as Art and Therapy

Audiobooks: How to Get Published Without Writing a Word
Got Writer's Block? Get Unlocked!

PANEL: Writing Blocks

PANEL: Trad. Publishing vs Self Publishing & ePublishing:

OPEN PITCH: Pitch to Publishers and Agents!

10 Tips for Making Money Blogging

A 30-day Guide to Launching Your Book Without Losing Your Mind

Writing with Cold Feet  - for Reluctant Writers

30 Days to Results: Bestseller Book Marketing

KEYNOTE: CRAVING Success - A New Publishing Business Model

Make Your Mark in the Travel Writing World

How to Self Publish and Market Your Book to Big Companies

How to Cultivate a Bloomin' Great Brand

How to Work with an Editor

Writing Articles for Profit and Promotion

How to Use Video to Market Your Book

PANEL/ FORUM: Author Q & A - Open Questions

PANEL: Social Media vs. Trad. Media

PANEL: Do it Yourself vs. Professional Publicity

And much much more!!

 

 

Not long ago, eWomen Network CEO, Sandra Yancey released the results of an eWomen Network survey that clearly showed U.S. and Canadian women entrepreneurs are “Charging head and have a positive outlook despite the economy woes.  Here are three amazing quotes from that survey:

 

1.      When asked how businesswomen are feeling about the current economic situation, 72.5% replied that they are “charging ahead and keeping a positive outlook.”

2. When asked if they felt this was a good time to grow their business, an overwhelming 73.8% responded “yes.”

3.      92.3% of businesswomen responded that they are networking and investing in building more relationships to stay positive and up-beat!”

 

The results from this survey are very inspiring as they remind us all that we can’t let negative media or people stop us from surging forward networking, promoting and marketing our business.  One of our wise eWomen Network members recently said to me, “Pamela, I can never stop meeting new women and taking good care of my established customer relationships.  As soon as I do, business slows down. People quickly forget I’m there.  As long as I show up with a smile on my face at every event, follow-through with friendly phone calls, get to know each and every one of these women and provide wonderful sales and service, I remain on their radar.  Who do they think of first when they need my service...you bet!  ME!  Customers are why I am in business and I can never have enough of them!”

 

So, if you find yourself hearing all the recession talk and beginning to believe it, look around you at all the successful eWomen Network members.  They aren’t listening to it.  They have increased their marketing budgets and efforts.  Now isn’t the time to slow your efforts down.  Success comes from facing the challenges head-on with energy and investment of time to cultivate new relationships, network and transact deals.”  Don’t just survive, thrive!

Hi Pamela

I am thrilled for you and your recent award from the Kitsilano Chamber of Commerce. Over the past two years I've gotten to know you better and I'm impressed with how you can support a large group of women and make everyone of them feel special. Your support and feedback has been most helpful. You truly walk the talk and anyone who hasn't met you is missing out on a special connection. I look forward to continuing a valued relationship with you in 2011.

 

Thank you

 

Glennis Deslippe

I often get up early on Sunday morning and enjoy the time reading and drinking coffee.  However, reading has become secondary since I discovered the early morning news show on CBS called Sunday Morning.  It is a wonderful blend of fascinating stories about people. Thre are stories about people from history, rich or famous people, and ordinary folk who live in our communities who make a difference.   Check it out if you are up early and want to hear about something other than the bad news.  www.cbsnews.com/sunday

 

 Bravo CBS for creating a TV that is different and has some intelligence to it!

 

They interviewed Lionel Richie this morning.  Great quote:  : "I used to think that driving a Ferrari meant driving it very fast; now I know that driving this car means drving it so slow  that people can see that it's you in this car." (sic)

I am thrilled and honored that the Kitsilano Chamber of Commerce named me '2010 Business Person of the Year!  This is the blog posting that went onto the eWomen Network site:

 

On November 18, 2010, Pamela Chatry became the Business Person of the Year at the Westside Awards of Distinction ceremony for the Kitsilano Chamber of Commerce.  Pamela is the Managing Director of eWomenNetwork Vancouver Metro and Coquitlam in Vancouver, BC. 

 

The Westside Awards of Distinction brings together and celebrates the achievements of local businesses.  The Business Person of the Year has shown exceptional vision and expertise, demonstrated consistent performance and dedication, and has served as a wonderful role model for business development and excellence.  Pamela is thrilled to be acknowledged for her commitment to women and business in both her company, Pamela Chatry and Associates, and as Managing Director for eWomenNetwork. 

 

“There were eWomenNetwork logos all over the place!” said Chatry. “My fervent belief in the support and promotion of women in business is a natural extension of the eWomenNetwork philosophy: Lift as you Climb.  Taking on the role of Managing Director has not only enhanced my work, but also the quality of my life.”

 

Congratulations to Pamela Chatry for this prestigious award and for her commitment to her members and her community.

While I realize that this is a very serious topic, I think it is one that needs to be talked about.  Lately, more and more of my boomer entrepreneur clients are facing the loss of their aging parents.   It is  such a sad time for them as they prepare to say good-bye.  While this alone can be a challenge, there is often a bigger and more complex one on the horizon.  How do they handle the grief at the same time as keeping the business on the rails?  No one I know addresses this in their business plan!    As a Life Coach said to me, "What happens when life gets in the way?  What is your plan?"  How do you take care of you and heal while at the same time continue to grow a your  business?  First step out the gates:  book time with a grief counsellor so that you can be supported with your needs.

 

Here's an article addressing the human element of grieving.

 

Grief Recovery: Are My Emotions Normal, Healthy or Sane?       
by Glynis Sherwood, MEd, CCC

As a grief recovery counsellor, one of the most common questions I get asked is, “Are my emotions normal?”.  And sometimes people worry,  “Am I going crazy?”.  Read on to learn more about common emotional responses to grief and loss, and what you can do to recover from this painful experience.

People often worry about their emotional responses to grief, and ask me if what they are feeling is normal, healthy or sane.  The answer is almost always yes.  Emotional responses to loss can feel unfamiliar and upsetting, but that does not mean they are wrong.  And although the way individual people grieve is as unique as a fingerprint, there are still some common emotional reactions which, though painful, are signs of healthy recovery from loss. 

Typical responses to grief and loss include feelings of numbness, shock or ‘going blank’- especially in the early days; tearfulness and sadness and denial that the loss has occurred.  Other reactions can range from anger, including anger towards the deceased if there has been a death; obsessing about the loss; and guilt, especially the grieving person wishing they had done something different that might have prevented the loss or death. 

During the early stages of grief, it is not uncommon for people to be completely pre-occupied with their loss, and to return to it over and over again as they try to make sense of and come to terms with that loss.  Mental and physical fatigue can also be high in early grief, as the energy that is normally available for day to day living gets channeled into the hard but important work of grieving.  Again this is a normal response, as the healing process from grief initially requires a lot of energy in order for healthy recovery to occur.  However, if grieving people give themselves permission to mourn their loss, and find appropriate supports, then they usually pass through this most exhausting time and find their life energy gradually beginning to return to normal.

Sometimes grieving people fear that the intensity of their grief means that their mental health may not be the best.  It is completely normal for the intensity of grief to feel in direct proportion to not only the type of loss, but also what the loss means to the grieving person on a deeper level.  For example, the loss of a love relationship may or may not feel as intense as the death of a loved one.  It depends on the importance of the relationship, and the meaning the relationship had for the grieving person.  In other words, although the depth of a grief response is unique to each individual, and is dependent on the meaning of that loss, there are a range of healthy responses that can include intense mourning.  The good news is that with healthy grief – i.e. approaching varied emotions with acceptance and getting positive support - intense mourning is usually time limited. 

At the same time, it’s important to be aware of potentially unhelpful reactions to loss.  For instance, if a grieving person becomes overwhelmed by grief symptoms, or views their loss as insurmountable, their response to loss can become a barrier to healthy recovery.  Unhealthy responses to loss can include normal sadness deteriorating into depression, or anger turning into rage.  If constructive coping skills are not present or deteriorate into depression or rage the healing process becomes blocked, and unhealthy or ‘prolonged’ grief can take over.  People experiencing prolonged grief likely require formal psychological support in order to heal from the pain of their loss and regain their psychological well being.  

Glynis Sherwood is a Grief & Loss Counsellor who resides in Vancouver BC.  For more information on how counselling can help you or someone you love recover from lost, contact www.GlynisSherwood.com/grief-recovery-counselling.php   

So, how many pillows does it take on a massage table when a pregnant mommy has a massage?  Sounds like a bad joke, doesn't it?  Well, it isn't.  Soma Studios owner, Lori Johnson, was telling me that it takes a mountain of pillows to make a very pregnant mommy comfortable.  Any one who has ever been pregnant knows that the word, 'comfortable' isn't normally used when one is pregnant but Lori assures me that they work hard at it and succeed!  I love these kinds of services, unique yet vital to our wellness.  I wish they were around when I was pregnant.  This is a great example of finding a target market and providing the perfect product for it.

 

Check out the article written about Lori and her business;

http://www.vancouvermom.ca/for-mom/wellness/pregnant-bellies-relax-at-soma-studio/

Networking in the eTechnology Age

By Pamela Chatry

Managing Director, eWomen Network Vancouver Metro and Coquitlam

Written for http://timefindersmagazine.com/entrepreneur/tech/366-networking-in-the-etechnology-age

 

Linked in, Facebook, Twitter.  These social networking sites are familiar to most people.  But did you know that there is a hugely successful online social marketing site that connected women long before Facebook and is still expanding to this day?  Ten years ago a dynamic woman named Sandra Yancey from Dallas, Texas had an exciting business idea.  She created the very first online community for professional and business women.  The website was named www.ewomennetwork.com and as its vision stated; it would become ‘the #1 resource for connecting and promoting women in North America’. 

 

Well, Sandra quickly realized that she was truly ahead of the trend.  In 1991 the Internet was still a baby, and people didn’t really understand what the value of this amazing site meant to the average business. Sandra went back to her business plan and clearly identified a missing piece: women don’t always like working in a vacuum.  They need to build relationships face-to-face.  They need to see one another, laugh together and support one another.  Hence, the local chapters of eWomen Network were born and in-person networking events were created to compliment the online community.  Today there are over 90 chapters throughout North America. 

 

So how did this networking group outlive so many others?  eWomen Network constantly evaluates and identifies what women need for success, and then finds opportunities to provide it.  There is now a publishing alliance, a radio show, a keynote speakers’ bureau, educational tele-calls, free coaching services and a huge annual conference.  The list goes on and on. 

 

Sandra Yancey also saw the need to give back to women and children.  She created a separate non-profit eWomen Network Foundation that gives thousands of dollars in grants and awards to communities across North America every year. 

 

So on a local scale, members can take advantage of the multiple networking meetings, follow-up with the women they meet, and build quality alliances.  However, eWomen Network members have access to so much more than local networking.  A membership in a local chapter automatically guarantees a member-at-large status.  What does this mean?  Women can travel to any other city with a eWomen Network Chapter, and be introduced to another established community of professional women. 

 

Membership also means becoming part of a vast database of women.  The website is the most visited businesswomen’s network on the Internet today!  Each member is given a landing page that can be personalized and search engine optimized.  The website averages more than 300,000 hits daily and eProfiles can link to members’ own websites. 

 

Sandra Yancey, eTechology pioneer, has created a new way of doing business where the commute is short, marketing and promotional opportunities are many, and new relationships are for life.