International Women's Collaborative

Portland Leadership Breakfast & Forum

When:      Friday ~ July 25, 2008
Where:     Portland Hilton and Towers

Event-At-A-Glance

7:30 am       Sign In, Breakfast Buffet and Networking

8:15 am       Event Kick~Off & Welcome - Deena Pierott

Panel Discussion ~ How Did They Do It?
Here's your opportunity to hear from five women who have faced
significant challenges and forged ahead despite them.  This will be
a lively conversation and you'll have a chance to interact with them.

Attendees ~ How Can We Do It?
Here's your chance to interact with other participants and share your own experiences.

Lessons From The Edge ~ Taking Purposeful Risks as You Walk Your Path
Our keynote presenter, Arty Trost, is the only female long distance ultralight
pilot in North America. Her inspiring stories about risk taking and taking on
challenges will have you ready to take seize your own opportunities.

11:30 a.m. Over and Out!

As you leave you'll already be anticipating applying lessons learned from the event. Keep us updated by posting your lessons learned and even some new concepts to the IWC Blog.

The Proper Introduction

How to Make a Proper Introduction

Have you ever questioned your introduction skills? If not, you should since making a proper introduction is a form of business etiquette and sets the tone for how others will perceive you. Learning proper introductions not only enhances your business savvy but boosts your self-confidence.

Years ago, I was meeting with my boss, awaiting our guest. As our guest arrived, I escorted her to meet the boss. I'm an astute business professional who has worked with U.S. Senators, dignitaries, and CEOs; however, at this moment of introduction, all confidence flew out the window. They were both VIPs in the world of business so who do I introduce first: man or woman, boss or guest, older or younger, tall or short?

Honestly, it was all a glaze as I failed to make a proper introduction while feeling like a dried up raisin in the sun. At that moment, I vowed to improve my business savvy and learn how to make a proper introduction to exude competency and confidence. Making a proper introduction demonstrates your level of acumen and respect for others.

Like the old adage goes, "You never get a second chance to make a good first impression," which includes making a proper introduction. When you lose your self-confidence, it's conveyed in your posture, facial expressions, intonation, and demeanor, so even if people never tell you, which they won't, they recognize your mistakes and lack of confidence.

To avoid feeling socially awkward and to present a poised, polished, and professional image upon meeting and making introductions, here are eight guidelines to follow:

1. Introduce people in business based on rank, not gender or age.

"Mr. President, may I introduce Ms. Chief Financial Officer."

2. In business, the client or guest outranks the boss or co-worker and should be introduced first.

"Ms. Client, may I introduce to you Mr. Boss, the President of the company.

"Mr. Guest, may I present Ms. Chief Executive Officer."

3. Women and men should stand when introduced. Always smile and maintain eye contact.

4. Shake a woman and man's hand the same, straight up and down. Extend a good, firm (not painful) handshake to exhibit respect, trust, and acceptance.

5. Keep the forms of address equal to avoid differential treatment or the appearance of preferential treatment.

Proper Into: "Ms. Byrd, may I introduce Ms. Jones."

Improper Intro: "Alice Byrd, may I introduce Ms. Jones".

6. Never use an honorific such as Ms., Mr., or Dr. to introduce yourself.

Proper Intro: "Good evening, I'm Kathy Williams of XYZ, Inc."

Improper Intro: "Good evening, I'm Ms. Williams."

7. Demonstrate professionalism and credibility by clearly stating your full name.

8. Do not call a person by his or her first name when meeting or being introduced for the first time. Use their title and last name until invited to be on a first-name basis.

Maintaining a competitive edge in the business world differentiates you from the competition. The most important advice I can give you is to keep learning and enhancing your business and social skills to boost your success with etiquette.

Shawn E. Gilleylen, creator of Success with Etiquette, is a business etiquette expert, passionate trainer, and author of "Success with Etiquette: Book of Etiquette." Shawn helps her clients enhance their professionalism, corporate image, communication skills, and productivity for increased profits. Shawn has helped people from all walks of life polish their image and interpersonal "soft" skills. You can reach Shawn at (202) 352-3166 or www.successwithetiquette.com.

Turn Off the TV and Get More Done

Organize your time and efforts with expert tips from Jacquie Ross, CEO Castaway the Clutter.

Does TV viewing consume many of your evening hours? If so, try switching off for a week!

According to the A.C. Nielsen Co., the average American watches more than 4 hours of TV each day (or 28 hours/week, or 2 months of nonstop TV-watching per year). In a 65-year life, that person will have spent 9 years glued to the tube.

Most Americans agree that TV can be a big time waster.  For me, watching TV is a relaxing pastime which I refuse to feel guilty about. However, I do like to be in control of my time, so I watch most of my favorite shows on DVD and VHS, which I video-tape to watch later (no, I don't use TIVO yet. I'm still in the video era!).  If you spend a lot of time channel surfing and searching for something "decent" to watch, then you may be guilty of watching a little too much TV. 

Try reducing your TV time to take care of some of the things that you're convinced you will never get to. What could you do if you had an extra hour a day? Would you spend more time with your family, organize your closet or drawer, sort through the pile of papers on your desk or kitchen table, or possibly put a few photographs in an album? Why not call a friend or family member you haven't spoken to in a while, get on the treadmill or even take a walk after dinner, instead of taking a walk to the couch?

Still not convinced? Here are just 3 of the many benefits you may experience if you choose to watch less TV. 

More Productive: You'll be able to take control of your day and do some of the things you've been planning to do for a while.

Lose Weight.  Did I get your attention?  You will spend less time sitting down and more time moving!

Save money.  You will be watching fewer commercials, including those addictive infomercials, so are likely to buy and spend less. 

The last point will only work if you avoid shopping-related activities during your TV free time!

Even if you do not want to commit to switching off for an entire week, try a few hours and you will still see the benefits over time. Visit www.tvturnoff.org for more information.

I invite you to sign up for my organizing tips at www.castawaytheclutter.com.  If you live or work in the Baltimore metropolitan area and need the help of a professional organizer, contact me at CastAway the Clutter!   Serving pack-rats and the overwhelmed! 410-615-0320. Jacquie@castawaytheclutter.com

Voices from Spain

Heels or no heels… That’s the question!

By Performance & Self Esteem Coach Alicia Monedero, Spain

Not long ago, I was talking to a fellow trainer who told me that she couldn’t go into the training room without wearing heels. This was because she didn’t feel confident to deliver her courses without them. It did not come as a surprise to me as I know many other women use specific clothes when they go into important meetings or events. So I wonder how much of this is to do with presentation and how much is to do with the necessity to stay confident in such situations.

A few years ago I sprained my ankle just before a business exhibition and although I always try to be sensible about my footwear when facing full days of walking and standing up, I had no other choice but wear flat shoes. It did not bother me but I am not sure what my fellow trainer would have done in that situation. Heels for example, look and feel great but, do we women rely too much on make-up or clothes to feel confident and maybe subconsciously think that we produce better;results or;feel more attractive? What do you do? Do you care and dress to impress or you’ve passed that point and go for comfort?

If you feel the need to take on a second image, it means that there is something about yourself that you find difficult to accept and perhaps it makes you feel insecure; maybe you decided to create a second persona at some point in your life in order to compensate for something that you think you do not have when you compare yourself to others.

For this reason, many people feel that clothes, make up or jewellery help them to feel better and less inferior. So do we rely too much on these external items when what we really need to do is get rid of the emotional charge that we’ve placed on them? A strong image comes from within, so if you feel good about yourself you will be able to transmit this feeling to others whether you are wearing your best clothes or not.

Here’s a few things to try:

• Take care of yourself and exercise regularly even if it is just 15 minutes everyday; choose an activity that you enjoy; make a list if you are not sure.
• Do fun things that make you feel good and alive; stay positive!
• Do not compare yourself to others; you are unique and have your own special qualities, which make you capable of many things.
• Do not listen to other people’s criticisms or advice too seriously; be objective about what they say; you are the only one that has the right answer for yourself.
• Keep your dreams and goals alive; there is nothing more attractive than someone with a purpose and who feels passionate about it.

About our Author:

Alicia Monedero, The Self-Esteem Coach, lives in Spain and is an accredited coach, Master Practitioner of NLP and Certified Trainer specialized in the fields of Performance and Self-Esteem.

Alicia also holds two degrees in Education and University qualifications in Business Studies with extensive experience in both fields. For more information about creating that strong image within, please visit Alicia’s website: www.the-self-esteem-coach.com. You can use the self survey form provided in total confidence and without obligation.

Mosaic Reflections

One Woman’s Professional Journey

by Judy Trotter McAfee

Up until now, I hadn’t spend much time reflecting on my 40-year professional journey: how I ended up in positions or industries, how long (or briefly) I stayed there, and what was the key factor in getting there or jumping off from there (wherever "there" happened to be).

I’m convinced that most of us don’t end up where we thought we were headed: often, we particularly don’t end where we thought a college major (or some other education or training) was supposed to take us. As a liberal arts college graduate, with a double degree in Cultural Anthropology and Sociology, it became clear early on that I would need a graduate degree in either field to get "gainful employment" (whatever that means). Oh, did I mention that I started college with a declared English major with a desire to teach?

My eclectic, post graduate career began in telecommunications, in two different states. It included survival of the AT&T breakup—remember that Justice Department decision that spun off Baby Bells as multiple regional companies? Fast forward to 2007: one of the cellular companies that was spawned from the breakup emerged, morphed, and has recently been "reborn" as the "New AT&T." Organizations are always morphing and changing directions; we should, too.

After leaving the telephone industry, and deciding I didn’t want to work for a major corporation that was reinventing itself, I subsequently worked for a federal contractor; a Port Authority; myself (a consulting firm), and a county government. Along the way, I was an Adjunct Instructor at a local university, and completed one year of law school. And there were marriages and children.

Upon reflection, I see that although these positions included public and private sector, ranged from small to Fortune 500 companies, involved business and academe, there really was a common thread that ran through all of these "jobs." As I mentor and talk with many people who are changing careers, I tell them that "you, too" can constantly learn, contribute, and then reinvent yourself to fit another venue.

We are all shape-shifters, but I have found a key in identifying transferable skills, soul-searching strengths and weaknesses, and deciding what I really want to include in my work—whatever that may be. When I did this, I opened worlds of possibilities in different arenas, ones I never would have considered. For example, there was the position as a federal contractor: I had a few skills that transcended sectors and industries--supervisory and management experience in developing people and an ability to work with contract language. I also knew that whatever position(s) I applied for, I wanted to include a teaching and training component. You see the "teacher" thought had remained there since College Year One-- subconsciously?

Your transferable skills may be totally different, but take the time to identify and name them. See where that takes you.

As I prepare to retire from a "career" (which is really a series of different things), I am still identifying "what I want to be when I grow up." I know that it will include teaching, and it will include developing people. And I will have fun along the continuing journey.

About the Author

Trotter-McAfee has been employed the past three years as the Diversity Manager for Clackamas County, in Oregon. Other experience includes management positions with the Port of Portland, two telephone companies and a Federal contractor, and owning her own business where she offered management training and business planning. Planning her "retirement" in September, she intends to travel, do some consulting work, and continue to grow her Mary Kay business. Ms. Trotter-McAfee can be reached at trotter@ccwebster.net

Post your comments or reflections on your professional journey