If you’re in northern Virginia and beyond, you’ve likely heard of parenting expert, Dr. Rene Hackney, and may have even seen her speak and/or you or your children may have participated in one of her play groups, workshops or classes. This event is specifically designed for working moms to address challenges that come with working in or outside the home while raising a family.

A leading parenting and child development specialist and the founder and creator of Parenting Playgroups – Where Parents Learn and Children Play and AskDr.Rene, Dr. Rene will present strategies for effective and empowered parenting and she’ll address your challenges during a question and answer session.

Learn how using positive discipline strategies can empower you as a parent and build a stronger family, ultimately having a positive impact on your work life as well!

Learn more about Dr. Rene, get details about the event and register today at http://events.theenterprisingmoms.com

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While there is no one definition for CSR, here’s a good working definition:

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is operating a business in a manner that balances the social and environmental impact created by the business with the expectations of its “stakeholders.”

CSR is a big “umbrella” definition for many business practices.  It covers the gamut — from fair treatment of employees, to monitoring and maintaining safety standards of products, to minimizing natural resource consumption to volunteering and community partnerships.

At The Enterprising Moms’ upcoming event, “Doing Well While Doing Good: Demystifying CSR,” we’ll narrow the focus on two areas of CSR vitally important to a small business owner: Community Partnerships and Sustainability.

Community partnerships are an effective way to engage with non-profits and governments to accentuate and strengthen shared values.  A non-profit gets the benefit of donated time, services, and/or financial resources; and as growing business you form relationships and business contacts to build, strenghten and maintain your brand.

Sustainability should be a priority to all businesses, small and large, for many reasons, including that having a vibrant economy with enough natural resources is important to staying in business.  As business owners, it’s important to look at the resources we are using critically and make choices to minimize our impacts. 

We’ll discuss these topics and more at next week’s event.

In the meantime to jump-start your process, you could …

• Hop on Hands-On Network to peruse potential non-profit partners
• Watch this 2-minute Sustainability Cartoon that provides a concrete definition  to another mysterious buzz word
• Register for next Tuesday’s event, Doing Well While Doing Good: Demystifying CSR!

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Corporate Social Responsibility … What is it? And why should you care? Simply put, it’s creating business value by incorporating your values.

If you donate a portion of your proceeds to a worthy cause, you’re integrating CSR. If you partner with an organization-in-need to collect food, books, clothing, etc. on their behalf, your integrating CSR. If you sponsor an event for a non-profit, if you donate your products or services to an under-served population, you’re integrating CSR.

While many of us are already doing some level of CSR, is it being done in a planned and strategic way?

Whether your already integrating CSR or would like to do so, you’ll want to be at this event where you’ll learn about:

• The business case for CSR—why it’s important &  why you should do it
• Considerations for developing a CSR aspect to your business
• How to align your CSR goals with your business mission
• How to market & communicate CSR—and why marketing is crucial
• Self-Assessment for your business—what are you doing & ways to align business with CSR

The event will feature Jane Meier of Full Circle Partnerships, a marketing consultant who loves helping businesses integrate marketing with Corporate Social Responsibility.  Whether seeking to build partnerships with non-profits, developing marketing strategy, or planning or implementing special events, clients hire Jane for her skills in partnership building, her attention to detail and passionate commitment to corporate social responsibility.

Jane previously worked for Whole Foods Market for four years as a marketing & community liaison.  While at Whole Foods Market, she created successful partnerships resulting in positive publicity, business growth, and awards for the company.  She has a B.S. Family & Consumer Sciences Education and a M.S. in Housing and Consumer Economics.

Door prizes: A choice of a communications review (assess your current communications and provide recommendations for ways to articulate your commitments) or a partnership assessment (whether refining existing partnerships or starting new ones, we’ll take a look at your business model, mission, and partnership goals and make recommendations). Each valued at $300!

Early bird rate ends on April 30th. Get details and register at http://events.theenterprisingmoms.com.

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Name

Product/Service:
Spoken with Authority offers small-group classes and intensive coaching sessions that develop the speaking skills professionals need to advance their careers.  It also provides interactive workshops and keynote addresses to companies and organizations that want to unlock the potential of their employees or members.

Years in Business:
Two

Ideal Customers/Best Referrals:
Smart, motivated professionals who are comfortable socializing, but don’t know the best way to package and present their thoughts in formal or high-stakes speaking situations (like client pitches, briefings, networking events or job interviews).

Motivation for starting your business:
As a college freshman, I was forced to take debate as a requirement of my major.  After a humiliating defeat in my first debate round, I committed myself to becoming a great speaker and empowering others with communication skills.

After earning two degrees in communication, teaching public speaking to undergraduates and participating in Toastmasters International, I realized there weren’t any outlets for professionals, especially young professionals, to hone their speaking skills in a fun, fast-paced and results-oriented environment.

I launched Spoken with Authority because no one should feel anxious or tongue-tied in speaking situations, whether they’re formal or informal, in front of an audience of one or 1,000.  Sure, speaking with confidence is a career development issue; but it’s a quality-of-life issue as well.

Greatest challenge you faced in starting your business?
Becoming self-reliant with technology.

How you overcame it:
I switched to a Mac and signed up for a year of their one-on-one sessions.  It was the best $99 I’ve spent.

Greatest learning (as relates to business) to share with others?
Figure out what your good at and what you aren’t.  For the things you’re not good at, pay a coach to teach you how or hire a professional to do it for you.

Greatest benefit of running your own business:
Narrowing the focus of my work to what I do best and love most.

Personally speaking …

Home life (spouse/partner/kids/location/pets/etc.):
I live on Capitol Hill with my husband, Doug, and 19-month-old son, Finnian.

Childcare situation:
Finn is with our babysitter about 15 hours a week.

Greatest challenge in managing home, business, family, self?
Sticking to a budget.

How do you handle it?
Not as well as I’d like.  Speaking of which: if anyone out there knows QuickBooks and wants to trade coaching services, let me know!

Greatest success you had in the past month (personal or biz) and how you celebrated it:
I just booked and received a deposit for two, half-day workshops on communication skills in May for a regional engineering firm, which is a new client.  To celebrate, our family ate outside at our favorite Mexican restaurant on one of the beautiful evenings last week.

Be advise or tip you ever received (personal or biz):
Network with people who can use or refer your service or product, not people who do what you do.

The one tool, resource, or toy you just can’t do without:
Digital camcorder so clients can see and hear firsthand their speaking strengths and areas needing improvement.

What’s the most effective thing you do on a daily basis to make it all work?
Sleep.

On your nightstand:
Woman at the Washington Zoo (a collection of profiles by Marjorie Williams)

Last purchase for self:
Two new pairs of my favorite running shoes – Asics Gel Cumulus.

Favorite way to unwind:
Running, hiking, biking and Belgian beer.

Best thing about being an Enterprising Mom:
Positive energy and can-do attitude I get from associating with other members

Connect and learn more:
Web Site |   Speaking of Speaking E-Newsletter |  Linkedin |  Facebook |  Twitter

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What is Celebrate Mama?
It’s a family friendly festival for moms of all ages and stages festival that had more than 3,000 participants the past two years. The goal of Celebrate Mama is to provide small businesses the opportunity to reach a large audience for a small cost. You register for the event and all of the marketing is done for you.

If you offer a product or service for moms and/or their families, you’ll want share your ware at Celebrate Mama, and here’s good incentive for you to do so now … 10% off registration for Enterprising Moms who are first time participants. Rates increase after April 2nd, so be sure to sign up by 4/2 for the best rates.

ADDITIONAL SPECIAL OFFERS:

Two Ways to Increase Your Exposure at No Additional Cost:

Take advantage of the following opportunities to be entered into a special drawing, the winner of which will be able to include a promotional item in 300 goodie bags for attendees at no additional charge (a $100 value!).

1. Sign-up by the close of business on April 2nd
2. Refer vendors – Any participating member who refers a new potential vendor who becomes a paid vendor (and is one who has not already been in contact with Hillary regarding Celebrate Mama)

Take a look at who’s already on board … And join us!

• Apply Within
• Buggy Bonnets
• Handmade by Amanda
• Health Quest MD
• Love Life Images
• Photography by Marirosa
• Preschool Palettes
• Rebecca Weiner Photography
• Stamp 4 Life
• Stella & Dot
• Why Wait, LLC
• Zetta Handbags

For details or to sign up, contact Enterprising Mom Hillary Berman, the mom behind the Maryland event directly at Contact Hillary directly at hillary@bermanevents.com or  240-342-2164.

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You’ve probably heard that you should have a minute long “elevator pitch” or “elevator speech” ready in case you hop on an elevator with that prospective client you’ve been trying to land or that potential investor you’ve been dying to meet.

Maybe you’ve even given some thought to how you’d introduce yourself if you ever have that once-in-a-lifetime chance meeting in the elevator.  Or maybe you think you’ll never encounter that sort of situation, so you haven’t worried about preparing an elevator pitch.

You’re probably right about never needing to pitch yourself in an elevator.  But as an entrepreneur, you’ll certainly need to introduce yourself at networking events, conferences, social functions, and anywhere you’re asked: “What do you do?”  If you’re not approaching these everyday situations as opportunities to give your carefully crafted elevator pitch, you’re missing opportunities to land new clients and grow your business.

Don’t fall into the trap of all too many professionals who think that because they’re meeting potential clients in informal situations or small-group settings, they don’t have to take time to carefully prepare and rehearse what they say.  In fact, you should treat your introduction to one potential client at a networking event with as much care as you would an address to a room full of industry experts at a conference.

When you approach the crafting of your elevator pitch as you would a formal speech, it means that you need to prepare strategically, rehearse thoroughly, receive feedback and rework material if it’s not getting you the results you want.  (It doesn’t mean your elevator pitch should sound or come across like a formal speech!)

Are you ready to win clients and grow your business with your elevator pitch?

Sign up for The Enterprising Moms’ monthly networking event on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, at 9:30 a.m. at Busboys and Poets in Shirlington.  The featured interactive program, “Say It Like You Mean It: Communicate More Effectively with Your Clients, Community and Clan!” will teach you how to speak with confidence and avoid common pitfalls of women speakers.

At the event, you’ll get a chance to share with fellow Enterprising Moms the elevator pitch you will craft in advance and you’ll receive personalized feedback in person and afterward via e-mail on the content and delivery of your introduction.  And before the event, you’ll get specific advice on how to prepare your elevator pitch strategically so that it is memorable and establishes rapport.

Stay tuned for the next post, which will get you started on the crafting of your elevator pitch before the April 13 program!   Meantime, register online for the space-limited event.

Christine Clapp, president of Spoken with Authority, unlocks the potential of young professionals by giving them confidence as speakers. Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/christineclapp

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Where: Busboys and Poets – Arlington, VA
Date: Tue Apr 13 @ 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Fees: $15 Early Bird (through April 6th)  |  $20 after April 6th
Register: The Enterprising Moms

Join us for an interactive workshop with Christine Clapp, of Spoke with Authority, who will share strategies for communicating more effectively in all areas of your life.

Many of people aren’t fully aware of how much of an impact the manner in which they communicate their messages has on how their message is received. Some are aware of the impact, but don’t know how to communicate more effectively.

Enter Christine, who offers small-group classes and intensive coaching sessions that develop the speaking skills professionals need to advance their careers.  She also provides interactive workshops and keynote addresses to companies and organizations that want to unlock the potential of their employees or members. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, Christine customizes training and coaching to meet the needs of each client.

During this interactive workshop, participants will learn:

• The importance of speaking with confidence in professional and personal interactions
• How to speak effectively to an audience of one or 1,000
• Mistakes women speakers make that undermine their credibility

What you’ll gain:

• Confidence as a communicator, especially in high-stakes situations
• An inventory of your speaking strengths and areas needing improvement
• A more polished elevator pitch (your introduction in networking situations)

As an attendee, you’ll receive:

• Personalized feedback after the event from Christine
• Contact Connector – list of event participants to facilitate networking during and after the event

About Christine

Christine Clapp is a presentation skills expert who unlocks the potential of talented professionals by giving them confidence as speakers. As president of Spoken with Authority, she conducts small-group classes, intensive coaching sessions, interactive workshops, and keynote addresses that give participants polish whether they’re speaking to an audience of one or 1,000.

Christine previously worked on Capitol Hill for five years in communications and has been teaching public speaking to undergraduates at The George Washington University for seven years. She holds two degrees in communication: a bachelor’s degree from Willamette University, and a master’s degree from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Space for this event is limited, so register today!

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2. Speak Your Way to the Top: Three Elements of a Memorable Elevator Speech This is the second installment in a two-part series...
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The goal of Celebrate Mama is to provide small businesses the opportunity to reach a large audience for a small cost. You register for the event and all of the marketing is done for you.

Here’s a sampling of what you can expect:

Advertising and promotion …

• Washington FAMILY Magazine (already in the March issue), April and May issues
• Our Kids
• DC City Mommy
• The Enterprising Moms
• Giggles on the Go (full page ads in April and May issues).
• Stroller Strides Montgomery County membership of over 300
• Mommy and Me and Daddies Too membership (Mommy and Me events at Congressional Plaza and Rockville Town Square; over 3000 people total).
• In addition, many Celebrate Mama vendors promote the event to their lists.

Who’s on board?

Along with the numerous TEM members who are returning to Celebrate Mama this year, here are some Enterprising Mom-owned businesses that have already signed on for the first time this year:

• Buggy Bonnets
• Handmade by Amanda
• HealthQuest MD
• Love Life Images
• Preschool Palettes
• Stamp 4 Life
• Stella and Dot
• Photography by Marirosa
• Plus several friends of TEMs

General registration closes on April 2. While late registration will remain open for an additional two weeks, it will cost you more, so sign on today

There are many ways to participate:

• Reserve a vendor table
• Place inserts in goodie bags
• Provide a performance or entertainment (this opportunity is reserved for registered vendors only)
• Come as an attendee (free!)

LEARN MORE

• Participate in a call on either Tuesday, March 23, 10am or Wednesday, March 24th at 9:00pm. Details will be sent upon registration: http://events.theenterprisingmoms.com
• Contact Hillary directly at hillary@bermanevents.com or 240-342-2164
• Visit the Celebrate Mama! Maryland web site

You do not need to participate in a call in order to register for the event, so if you’re ready, go for it — contact Hillary directly!  She’ll be happy to talk with you and take care of your registration. Be sure to tell her that you heard about Celebrate Mama through The Enterprising Moms!

Carolyn
Chief Enterprising Mom
@EnterprisingMom |  @ApplyWithin

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Too tied up in the frenzy of the holidays to give it much thought? No worries … Join us at the next Coffee and Connections where coaches Carolyn Semedo, of Apply Within, and Suzanne Caldwell, of Vital Coaching and Consulting, will help you get on track.

What: Setting Goals and Intentions for 2010
When: Tuesday, January 12 @ 9:30am
Where:  Busboys and Poets – Arlington, VA

During this interactive event, you’ll:

• Explore, clarify and get grounded in what’s most important to you, at your essence
• Learn how to integrate those things and honor them in your everyday life
• Understand the basis of those internal struggles, external conflicts and the ever-present “should” and “ought to” and learn what to do about them

Through coaching we’ll help you learn how to achieve a sense of alignment and integration so that you can set meaningful goals and intentions for your whole life from an empowered and grounded place.

Join us to learn how to get your new year off to the best start possible!

Shared by one business owner:

“I have found clients, friends and gotten information for services I need and hired those recommended service professionals. It is a good resource because being a part of the group offers a level of trust you wouldn’t find elsewhere. I have found such a supportive environment in which I have been able to get valuable feedback from a very talented group of women. It is an important group for me especially because it is valuable to have a resource of like-minded mamas.” — Jessica Christian, Photographer, Jessica Photo

Register today!

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• Thanks to all of the vendors for making the event such a hit. I continue to be amazed by the talents of the women in this community!
• Thanks to all of the fellow TEM members and shoppers who came out to shop and support our vendors and Spill the Beans. The energy in the room was palpable!
• Thank you to portrait photographer Rebecca Weiner for our grand door prize of a winter portrait session with up to three children. And congratulations to the winner – Jennifer Folsom, who just happens to have three kids!

A very special thank you to Donna Memmo for opening the doors of Spill the Beans after hours to TEM and the community and providing the delicious food (especially loved the cupcakes!) and drinks that kept us going through the night.

When I approached Donna about hosting the event, she didn’t hesitate for a minute. True to the nature of The Enterprising Moms, she’s a true collaborator and was so eager to participate and to share her shop with us. So, tell your friends about Donna and Spill the Beans and:

• Subscribe to her newsletter
• Become a Facebook Fan
• Visit her shop … to work, to play, to eat and drink, or just sneak away!

The food is fantastic (sorry, not a coffee drinker!) and the atmosphere is so welcoming. Spill is very family friendly with toys, books and games for kids (and health kid-friendly snack foods) and regularly scheduled entertainment. It’s also a great place for adults to meet and gather for work or play, with internet access for either! Learn more and check out the events calendar.

Thanks to all!

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