Powerful Women CEO Networks

The power of women CEO networks came home to me recently.

Talk about the good old boys club, they don't have anything on this good 'ol girls club, and it's extraordinarily powerful when put in action. At the WomenCorp website, women executives are asked to nominate women friendly companies for commendation from WomenCorp.

Interestingly, I noticed that a few women led companies got a lot of recommendations. The networks are out in force. Using their networks to spread the word and have their clients recommend them is smart marketing.

Research has proven that women are either the primary buyer or influence the majority of purchases for the home and business. Yet, women executives and customers still get treated with less respect sometimes than men.

It is interesting to note that businesses that make an effort to train their people to be respectful, efficient (because women are busy!!) and helpful to women are seeing an exponential growth in their business.

By recognizing these companies that do a good job of helping women succeed as employees and/or buyers we are spreading the word that this kind of attitude is not just good business, but profitable business.

See our survey at http://www.womencorp.org/survey/nominate.htm .

Mark my words, this is a new generation of CEOs who know how to network. And good networking means good business!

Women Who Give Away Their Power In Elections

Let's talk about the time that women got the right to vote.

It wasn't that long ago that women were fighting for the right just be able to have their say in the elections. Now it's a fight just to get women to vote. They are staying away in droves.

I think it's because they no longer know who to believe. We've all been inundated with negative messages, unscrupulous politicians and ineffective leaders. Why? Because we allow it.

Those of us described as moderates (which is the majority I might add!) don't have a voice anymore. It is because only those who have strong opinions and are willing to make bold statements get their opinions heard. It has become too difficult, too time consuming and too deflating for good, honest people to run for election. It has become a fight, and so those who are moderate simply don't choose to fight. I believe this describes most women.

As a result, the campaigns are totally negative. No longer do you hear what the political candidate is really for. Instead, you hear what's wrong with the other guy.

Let's face it. You can take the words and actions of anyone, twist them just a hair and make them out to be Godzilla. As a result, good solid women of leadership are choosing to stay out of it and that is a shame.

If women are going to change the world, we're going to have to talk, create strength by banding together, and make our voices heard as one. We're also going to have to get behind women who can lead and help them get elected.

I don't know about you but I am tired of negative leadership. I want leaders that we can admire, truly care about us, and are trying to make a positive difference. Women have gifts of compassion, caring and intuition that can help them make a difference IF they make their voices heard.

It is my hope that more women decide to lead and/or decide to promote women as leaders.

Please vote. Please run for office. It is your time.

For more articles, teleseminars and information about women leaders go to WomenCorp

Corporate Boards and The Business Woman

This will be of interest for women in business who are working hard to elevate their status in the corporate world. In three years we've only increased our presence on corporate boards by 1.1%. But it could just be that it's partially because we just didn't know the rules.

I had the opportunity to attend a seminar for business women on how to attain a position on the board of a corporation. I've been on boards before and have even chaired a couple, but the speakers revealed some new angles I hadn't thought about.

One was the fact that boards become "good 'ol boys networks" simply because when asked, they share names of those people they already know have served well on boards. After all, you want someone who has been recommended right?

Recommendation? Volunteer on committees and get known! This builds not only your network but your opportunities for referrals and recommendations.

Another new thought to me was that once women attain a seat at the corporate table, they must remember that they are there first as a board member who just happens to be female. Not the other way around. Because if you behave as though you are different it will be hard to blend in and be one of them.

I think we all know the person who goes into life with a chip on their shoulder and we know it holds them back. Maybe ours isn't a chip, but more like a little negative energy that keeps people from getting close enough to know and like you. Give them a chance to know the real & wonderful you.

The third was that men and women interact differently. I guess I knew this but I didn't think about it in the corporate world....men don't make a lot of eye contact when talking or listening to you. Women do. Therefore, it's quite common for women to assume the men are ignoring them or aren't listening just because they are not looking directly at you.

So instead of getting our feathers ruffled because we're ignored, maybe we should look at it as though we're being treated just like one of the guys! Be professional and move ahead with enthusiasm, understanding that men are who they are and no different in the board room than the den at home!

The last was a quote from Gaundi who said "seek first to understand, then to be understood". Wise words for a would-be board member AND for the woman who wants to get ahead in the corporate world where men still dominate.

Women Executives Take Control!

I've had it with testosterone driven political leaders. How about you?

Don't get me wrong. I love men and enjoy working with them. But some have gotten out of hand and we're letting them rule the world.

Here's the truth...

Until women decide to take their power and use it we're stuck with leaders who act like little boys, threatening each other by throwing rocks... Or nuclear missiles. What's the difference? To them it's just same old bullying tactics they always use to resolve issues.

According to Tom Powers research, we women either make the decisions or significantly influence the purchasing decisions of 60-98% of most goods and services. That means we control the money. That is power ladies! Yet we often don't believe we have power. Many of us have a natural tendency to want to serve rather than lead. It seems so..so..show-offy, right?

Whatever the cause of our letting men rule the world, we've got to solve it and put women in as leaders. And I don't mean just 13% of us, as it is now. I mean the majority of leaders need to be women. We need more confident women executives who lead corporations and have influence.

Money = power. If you don't believe, look at those in power and you'll always find they have money behind them.

Do something today. Do whatever you can to help a woman start her own business or rise up the ladder of the corporation. Let's get women making more money and in higher positions of authority. Let's get women taking over the world. I believe a kinder, gentler world will result.

For more articles and information especially for women executives go to WomenCorp

Strong Women In Business

I watched a show that I have to admit, "I Love!".

Boston Legal is amusing to me because it pokes fun continuously on our prejudices, our human frailties and continuous blundering through life.

In particular, I love Shirley Schmidt. Shirley is the ideal woman. Intelligent, beautiful, sometimes full of doubt, yet has the inner courage to pursue her dreams. Tell me what woman doesn't want to be this person?

It's a human need to want to be loved. It's a human reaction to have ego and be tough. What I love is that the characters demonstrate how the package works so well together. It represents us all who try so hard to cover up our fears.

But the best statement I heard of the evening was when a guy who was trying to romance Shirley, the top notch lawyer, but was the opposing council said "tell me you're not that good"

and she said....

"I wish I weren't!" (ha!)

Have confidence. Enjoy life. Enjoy living. Business women CAN have it all!

For women...Check out the ASK PATTY advice for women about cars at http://www.womencorp.org