NAWBO-IE Will Be an Exhibitor at IE Largest Mixer

NAWBO-IE Member Participates in Suits for a Cause

Tina Loza, NAWBO-U President and owner of Loza & Loza law firm is participating in a law firm clothing drive called “Suits for a Cause” to benefit WHW (Women Helping Women/Men2Work), an Orange County non-profit that helps low-income women and men get jobs by providing them with resume assistance, job placement workshops, computer training, and a professional wardrobe (www.whw.org).  

The clothing drive ends June 30, 2012. If you have clothing donations, please contact her (tina@lozaip.com) or mail to 305 North Second Avenue, #127, Upland, CA 91786.

Synchronization: The Key to Business Success

Your business operates much like the human body.  It is an integrated, interdependent whole that needs all of its functions working in tandem to make you healthy and fit.  Yet, most businesses today operate as though each segment of its operations were an independent organism, with its own goals, processes and results, many times leading a company to failure.

Recently, I was talking with a major corporation lamenting that they were implementing all types of programs to grow their business, yet were having dismal results.  While they were aware that its units were operating as silos, they felt they were taking steps to improve that situation. 

Training was the focus that would turnaround the company’s mindset.  Marketing had created a series of multi-media presentations on all their products and were put online so each employee could view them at their convenience.  Compliance, following in their steps, purchased a webinar series for different segments of the firm to ensure everyone understood the issues in their highly volatile environments.  Training was at the forefront of the company’s mission and vision for the organization.

So why wasn’t it working?  Nothing was really changing and no one knew why.  We decided to investigate and decided that we needed to get input from all levels in the organization, especially those on the front lines.

It was decided that a series of informal meetings would be held, with the goals of determining what was limiting the company from growing.  They were set up outside the office as breakfast meetings, with representatives from the various departments.  A very likable, approachable and respected member of the senior staff was coordinating the meeting, and started the meeting with “we need your help, your insight and your suggestions on any and all topics that may be an impediment to our growth.”

When the issue of not understanding the full range of products and services arose, the marketing department asked why their multi-media presentations were not helping.  The answer—about 75% of the audience stated that their computers did not have sound, so no one could listen to any training created or any webinars offered outside the firm.  After investigating it was found that over 80% of the company’s computers did not have sound cards.

This was only one of many issues that were brought up at the meeting that showed that programs were not coordinated, departments were not working together and feedback was not part of any program.

Many companies have lost, or may not have developed, the ability to look at the entire organization as a comprehensive whole.  The focus over the years has been to segment—to look at each function of the organization as a separate entity.  The end result is a company consisting of silos---all with their own goals, processes and even cultures.

The amount of resources that are squandered by not synchronizing operations is extraordinary.  The Standish Group does a report called the Chaos Chronicles which is based on 8,380 projects with 365 respondents.  In that report it was stated that only 34% of projects are successfully completed, 51% were challenged (failed to meet schedule, budget or target scope) and 15% totally abandoned.

How well does your company synchronize operations? And what could your company achieve if you synchronized all functions more effectively?  Think about what that would mean to your bottom line.

Diane Weklar is the president of The Weklar Consulting Group.  She is an expert in synchronizing marketing and business operations to accelerate company growth.  For more information, contact Diane@Weklar.com.

Social Media Sensation: Creating Buzz for Your Bottom Line

Social media is becoming a key ingredient in the marketing recipe for your business. There are opportunities and measurable results for businesses of all sizes, and companies are taking notice. According to current research, social media marketing is set to increase at an annual rate of 34% over the next five years, outpacing all other forms of online marketing. In fact, the expected growth rate for social media marketing is nearly double the average growth rate for all online mediums. There's a reason so many companies are increasing their social media budgets - it's proven to be a very effective tool for reaching customers on a new level. Having an active social media presence can help your bottom line, and there are a host of other benefits:

• Interact with your customers directly: Social media gives you a chance not only to engage your customers one-on-one, but you can also hear what they say about your company online. Make sure you take advantage of that opportunity, but don't react harshly to criticism you may see. Every action you take online will be seen and remembered. A great reputation can be spoiled with one misguided post made in the heat of the moment. Build trust for yourself and your brand by consistently adding valuable content, and handle your following with a PR-friendly voice.

• Own your company's social presence: If you don’t already have your own Twitter and Facebook accounts, get them before someone else does. If people make their first contact with your brand online, be sure that you have control over the message. 

• Look like you're "with it": On Facebook alone, there are over 400 million users spending over 500 billion minutes per month on the site, and those numbers are consistently growing. Your target audience is becoming more and more likely to have social media use as an integral part of their daily lives. Customers are twice as likely to do business with someone they identify with. If you're not on Facebook, your customers might wonder if you really "get it".

• Get great feedback on your business: Better than the results of any survey you could send out to your clients is listening to their reactions online following the release of a new product. With social media, you don't have to solicit for responses - something that can often result in misleading data. If you're engaged in social media forums, you'll have your fingers on the pulse of what is really going on with your business, and how people are reacting to it.

• Establish yourself as an expert in your field: Your company profile is a fantastic opportunity to post about your company's activities, as well as relevant news and trends occurring within your industry. By gaining lots of followers and displaying your expertise, people will begin to identify you as a "guru" in your field. This will ultimately lead to people being more likely to trust you (and therefore do business with you!).

Christine McDannell is Co-Founder and President at Social Starfish. Find out more at www.socialstarfish.com  Christine will be presenting at NAWBO-IE's January 19, 2012 meeting.

Proven Strategies to Build Powerful Business Relationships

Building strong business relationships is an important aspect of any successful business. Yet, it is usually an area that is overlooked or doesn’t receive a lot of attention due to busy schedules. But business relationships can make or break your business, especially in a down or “different” economy. One of my business colleagues recently pointed out that those businesses that survived the recession tended to have deep and committed relationships with their clients and colleagues.

When I think about my business today, I am grateful for the business relationships that I have, and many of them have grown into friendships. When I was working in the corporate world, we were taught to keep a high-level “professional relationship” with clients and colleagues. We didn’t talk about being authentic or really connecting with our clients, we were just taught to close the sale. When I started my own business, I quickly realized that the corporate attitude wasn’t going to sustain me. Plus, being in business can be lonely, so I quickly reached out to others and started to build long-term business relationships.

Recently a business colleague reached out to me through LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a social networking tool that allows you to build your network of business relationships online. I’ve been building my LinkedIn account for years and have just recently passed 500 connections. When this new colleague reached out to me, he pointed out that he was impressed with my 500 connections. While the number was great, I was even more excited about the fact that those 500 connections represent business connections with individuals that I value at a deep level. Unlike Facebook where I have some contacts that I barely know, LinkedIn holds my treasured group of business relationships that have helped me grow my business to where it is today.

Those relationships have lead to incredible synchronicities and opportunities that I only dreamed of when I first started my business. Your relationships are like an invaluable asset that just keeps growing as you invest your time and energy. I have found that there are five key strategies to easily and effortlessly build strong business relationships-with intention.

• One: Connect with Intention. Connecting with intention requires active listening skills and being present in the moment. It is easy to be preoccupied with other things that are going on in our lives, but if you are always thinking about the past or the future, then it is impossible to be present. Others can feel whether or not you are present , and if they feel that you are disconnected, they pull back, stopping a relationship in its tracks. Be present, ask great questions and take the time to get to know someone.
• Two: Be Authentic. Mike Robbins once said, “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.” In business, there is a lot of pressure to “act a certain way” or model other’s behavior. However, I was listening to a speaker recently and she said that the more authentic she is on stage, the more her sales increase. I have found the same to be true. The more authentic I am, the more “me” that I allow to show up, the more clients and speaking engagements I receive. People sense when we are “faking it” and over time those relationships will fizzle away.
• Three: Deepen the Relationship. Once you have connected with intention and started to get to know someone, what should you do next? Unfortunately, we have short memories, and we can quickly forget about that “great person” we met at our last networking event. The truth is, they probably won’t follow up with you, even if they want to. Why? Because they are really busy and have been swept back into their business the next day. It’s your job to follow up and build the relationship, don’t rely on them to do it. Lead the way and set the next time you will meet. My guess is they will be really grateful that you took the lead. The more that you take the lead to cultivate your business relationships, the faster you will build your network.
• Four: Go Beyond Expectations. These days it’s not enough to just keep your word; that’s a given. The key to building long and lasting business relationships is to go above and beyond expectations. For example, you could invite someone to be a guest at your table for your favorite charity’s annual event. Or, you could offer to assist them with a challenge they are having in their business. There are many ways that you can go beyond expectations, just choose one and deliver!
• Five: Be Committed and Available. In a sea of emails and voice-mails, it can be difficult to stay in touch with new business colleagues. However, the beginning of the relationship is when you really need to stay in touch. If they reach out to you, respond immediately or at least within twenty-four hours (this is a great rule, anyway). Make sure that they know they are a priority to you. The more committed and available you are, the more they will trust you and you will be building a long-term, fruitful business relationship.

Action Item: Reach out to five new business contacts this week and schedule a time to meet with them. Determine who you would like to have long-term business relationships with. Then, take the lead and schedule the next time to meet!

As you are meeting new people, it’s important to recognize and filter those individuals to build a business relationship with. Not everyone is a good fit for you, but you will recognize those individuals who are willing to receive support from you and also willing to give as well. Excellent business relationships are built over time. Invest in them just like you would a 401K – knowing that they take time to build and you might not reap any rewards for a long time. However, there will be those people who will really surprise you. They will invest a lot in you and the growth of your business. And, you might just become great friends!

Sales Expert Ursula Mentjes will transform the way you think about selling so you can reach your goals with less anxiety and less effort! The Founder of Sales Coach Now, Co-Founder of Top Sales Call, as well as an inspirational speaker, bestselling author of Selling with Intention and One Great Goal and a Certified Sales Coach – Ursula specializes in Neuro-Linguistic Programming to help clients double and triple their sales FAST. Ursula also serves as President Elect of NAWBO-CA

Exciting Lead-Generation Workshop Tomorrow

Tina Loza To Be Presented Coveted ANITA Award

NAWBO-IE is pleased to announce that Tina Loza has been chosen by chapter members as NAWBO-IE’s 2011 ANITA Award Winner! ANITA stands for: Amazing NAWBO Individual That Achieves.
The "ANITA AWARD" is the greatest honor a NAWBO-IE member can receive. The initials stand for "ACKNOWLEDGING NAWBO INDIVIDUALS THAT ACHIEVE" and was named after an outstanding past president who was instrumental in laying a solid foundation for this chapter.

Tina has definitely achieved many amazing things this year, while earning the respect of the organization's board as well as the members! She will be honored at AWE along with all of the other incredible awardees.

Congratulations to Tina on this well-deserved award!

NAWBO-IE's Annual Amazing Women of the Inland Empire Awards Banquet will be held on Wednesday, April 27, 2010, 6pm, at the Eagle Glen Golf Club Corona, California. Click here to register.

Let's Meet & Mix at NAWBO-IE's Free Fashion Show and Mixer...Dec. 7th

Inspired to Help “Aged-Out” Foster Youth

When young people in foster care reach age 18, they suddenly find themselves on their own, without a home or a support system. These teens are “aging out” of foster care and typically have to fend for themselves. Often they have nowhere to go.

But in the Inland Empire, many are finding support and resources at Inspire Life Skills Training, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides housing assistance, life skills training, and education and employment support for youth aging-out of the foster care system.

Camplin Sets Up to Make a Difference

Inspire was founded by Kristi Camplin in 2005. When a social worker she knew expressed frustration with the lack of services for foster care youth who age out of the system, Camplin pondered about how she could help.

“I wanted to just be a mentor at first and then I realized that 70% of foster kids are homeless,” Camplin said. “I knew I had to do something about it.”

Armed with a degree in psychology, a background in sales and years of youth ministry experience, Camplin was ready to make a difference. She founded the organization on a shoestring budget of a mere $7,000. But with hard work and diligence Inspire soon had its first house, a safe home where program participants could live. Every year since then the organization has been able to obtain another house. Today, Inspire has four different houses; two for girls and two for boys. Currently eighteen youth are in the program.

Staggering Statistics

According to a new study from Chapin Hall, a policy research center at the University of Chicago, young adults who age out of foster care have higher rates of unemployment, homelessness and higher risk of being involved in criminal activity compared to their peers. Researchers tracked over 600 youth in the Midwest that aged out of foster care and the outcomes were dismal. At ages 23 and 24, less than half were employed. Approximately 25% were homeless. Nearly 60% were convicted of a crime and only six out of 100 completed a community college degree.

Inspire, based in Corona, is helping to break the cycle and improve these numbers in the Inland Empire with its unique program.

“Our program is education focused and no other program for aged-out foster kids has an education focus,” said Camplin. “We require that they go to school full-time and work part time. They must also go to professional counseling and meet with a mentor regularly.”

New Bill Passes in California: On the Right Track

Although the Chapin Hall study’s data is disheartening, the report does suggest that extending foster care until age 21 may be associated with better outcomes, at least in some domains.

In California, Gov. Schwarzenegger recently signed a bill (AB-12) extending foster-care support to young adults between the ages of 18 and 21. In a press release, Schwarzenegger said, the benefits will “ensure our foster youth have access to important resources as they transition into adulthood."

While the bill is certainly a step in the right direction, it will take some time to implement.

“The way I understand it, 2012 is when the age-out age will increase to 19,” Camplin said. “When it happens, I think for a lot of kids it will be great, especially for kids who are in foster homes and have been there a while. But the kids I get are the ones who have gone from home to home or live in remote areas where care and resources are not available.”

Camplin’s Inspire program has not only provided necessary resources and life skills training, but has been successful with many participants graduating from college, but the mission continues.

Inspire Life Skills Training Inc. is a NAWBO-IE affiliate organization. Inspire is completely privately funded, which means it receives no government contracts. On Dec. 7, 2010 NAWBO-IE is hosting a mixer at Casa de Salsa Mexican Restaurant in Claremont and proceeds from the event will be donated to Inspire.

Joan Burke Stanford is the owner of Jazzy Pen Communications. With a journalism background, she has more than 15 years of experience writing and editing for a variety of companies and organizations. Visit http://www.jazzypen.com/ for more information.