Monthly Roundtable
The Women’s Power Networking
Executive Roundtable
Women's Power Networking, the nation's premier networking organization for professional women, is proud to announce the launching of its sensational new conferencing event, its stimulating monthly Executive Roundtable. Professionally facilitated monthly summits designed to enlighten and energize professional women everywhere and take your business to the next level of self-motivated success. Here is your opportunity to learn from and share insights with other business leaders and power players about how to grow personally, professionally and profitably. Be sure to take this opportunity to be part of a forum where you can experience being "Extraordinary" by contributing to the various discussions/issues presented by guest facilitators. Our topics are chosen to enhance your skills and bring you to a higher level of personal growth and development.
Our current membership is $200 for the year, please feel free to visit us up
to three times before joining. To join please go to our JOIN page.
April 20, Raleigh/Durham, NC
Speaker: Jean Hedges, Author, Business Women, Founder of Women's Power Networking
"Get Your Sales Zen On"
Jean Hedges has been a leader in sales through multiple incarnations including telecommunication and home loan origination. Jean is the founder and Executive Director Women’s Power Networking as well as Coffee and Contacts. She is currently the Senior Loan Advisor and team lead with Team Hedges at Prime Lending where she is a top producing Loan Officer. She attributes her success to creating an energy rich environment that motivates clients to do business with her. She will share her insights at our April Round Table and facilitate attendees ability to create their own dynamic approach to taking their business and professions to the next level.
She is the author of The DARE Journal and founder of The Dare System – a simple, systematic approach to overcoming the obstacles that stand between your dreams and your reality. Jean holds a bachelor's degree in liberal arts and sciences, a master's certificate in business management and is a licensed teacher who is known for founding one of the first charter schools in the country in 1994.
March 16, Raleigh/Durham, NC
”Be Your Brand: Seven Steps to Boost Your Style, Build Your Credibility and Stand Out like a Rock Star in Your Industry”
Speaker: Mary Michele Little, Founder and CEO of One Chic Mama, Inc.
You are your brand. How you do anything is how you do everything and your image is more powerful than you realize. Style and self-image expert, Mary Michele Little of One Chic Mama, Inc. wants to teach you about the power of personal branding through style and how you can catapult your business just by cultivating your own personal image. Join her as she shares her 7 easy steps to taking your image and your business to new heights. Following Michele will be a panel discussion around other elements of branding that help you create a presence and that makes you memorable for all the right reasons.
Mary Michele Little is on a mission to help women discover how beautiful they really are. As Founder and CEO of One Chic Mama, Inc., she knows firsthand that you can be pleased with nothing if you are not pleased with yourself and is committed to creating resources to empower women to feel fabulous from the inside out. She is also Creator of the I am Beautiful PROJECT with a focus building confidence and fostering self-esteem. Members, Guests, Spouses, Friends and the General Public are invited.
February 17, Raleigh/Durham, NC
"Achieving Goals: Not Just Setting Them"
Speaker: Leslie Flowers, Personal Growth Facilitator
Are you fed up with setting annual goals, only to watch them fall by the wayside every year pretty much within the first quarter? Do you feel frustrated that you don’t ‘reach’ or achieve the things you want, even when you think about them a lot? Would it be helpful if you had ‘new’ information that revealed WHY we don’t follow through with goals in general? Are you committed that 2012 will be THE BEST YEAR of your LIFE? YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
We hear throughout our lives a lot about goal setting, as we round the bend into each new year. We hear nothing about ‘achieving’ those goals, however. And soon after the first of the year is gone, we hear nothing about goals again until we ready to move into the next year. Have you ever wondered WHY? We are not taught goal setting or achievement in school! So of course we proceed with what little we know. Because we cannot achieve a goal using the same thinking that created it, we simply need the ‘missing’ information.
February’s Womens Power Networking Executive Round Table will provide the information about goal setting and achievement you simply never learned, and a fun facilitated conversation and a collaborative exercise that will absolutely have you begin to use the new information -- to not only set goals, but then to watch as they show up in your life – and ACHIEVE them. Finally!
January 20, Raleigh/Durham, NC
"Tools, Tricks, and Tips for the Too Busy, Stressed Out Super Woman"
Speaker: Barnsley Brown PhD, President, Spirited Solutions
Trade in the tension and stress of being a Super Woman for Wonder Woman's kick-butt bracelets! Learn a formula that will help you deflect all the nnecessary stuff in your life, put stress to rest, and create business success.
As a professional speaker, trainer, coach, and President of Spirited Solutions™, Dr. Barnsley gives you wings to soar, personally and professionally. She’s a member of numerous organizations including the National Speakers Association and the American Society of Training and Development. Her poems, articles, and work have been featured in newspapers, journals, and other publications.
Dr. Barnsley particularly relishes presenting for business owners, busy professionals, women's groups, and teachers who want to relieve stress and excel in what they do. She specializes in helping people create balanced, prosperous lives and work they love! Bring a mental list of your favorite online and offline tools, apps, software, solutions, strategies, and stress busters to share with the other Wonder(ful) Women in WPN.
November 18, 2011 Raleigh/Durham
"What do you want? What is preventing you from achieving it? How can you get different results?"
Speaker: James Murphy, Executive & Life Coach
Join us for an interesting look at applying the psychology of cause and effect in business communication, motivation and success. Formerly an Anthony Robbins Results Coach® for over 10 years, James Murphy is also a Master Practitioner of NLP, Time Line Therapy®, and Hypnosis. Nearly 1,000 clients and over 20,000 coaching sessions speak to his solid reputation for helping his clients achieve both their personal and business goals. You can create the changes you want in your life just as successfully as the top level executives and service professionals James’ has supported over the years. They include top financial advisors, attorneys, IT consultants, realtors, and health care professionals from 14 different countries across 5 continents.
October 21, 2011 - Raleigh/Durham
"Social Media - Strategic New Rules of Engagement"
Speaker: Karen Kanakanui, Social Media Strategist
Lots of people get bogged down in trying to “do” social media – how to create a LinkedIn profile, connect on Twitter, trying to make sense of Facebook’s latest set of changes. And then they get frustrated. Where is all the promise of social media? Copywriter and social media strategist Karen Kanakanui says that social media has changed – probably forever - the rules of marketing; it has altered the dynamics of the conversation we have with our clients and customers. And that’s not a bad thing—as long as you know the new rules! In this informative roundtable, we’ll explore social media strategy and look at some best practices for engagement. Some companies are “doing” social media very well and in stepping through several case studies, you’re sure to get some new ideas for how social media can serve your business. And we’ll examine the various options for implementation, including the social media world beyond The Big Four (Facebook, Twitter, Linked-In, YouTube). You will work on an interactive small group exercise where you are a marketing team for a brand new restaurant concept and tasked with creating a social media plan. Where do you start? What do you choose? The best plan will win! Finally, Karen will bring her copywriting sensibilities to the group as we explore how to write “short content” for various social media platforms. You will know what to say next time you open up a Facebook status update or Twitter tweet!
September 16, 2011 - Raleigh/Durham
"Do You Manage People or Do You Practice Leadership?"
Speaker: John (Jay) W. Wilkins, II, NCNG
A retired Colonel and the Anti-terrorism Program Coordinator for the North Carolina National Guard (NCNG), John is highly regarded for his leadership and managerial skills developed from over 40 successful years in business. Whether running a multi-million dollar business, flying a helicopter for the NCNG or representing the State of NC and the US Army in the Republic of Moldova in Eastern Europe, he is regarded as an accomplished professional. A North Carolina native son, he is married to his childhood sweetheart and is the father of their three children.
This is the ultimate opportunity for all women who are employed, self-employed, business owners and entrepreneurs. If you work with, manage others or have a business learn from and share insights with other business leaders and power players about how to grow personally, professionally and profitably. We encourage you to let the women you know about this event.
August 19, 2011 - Raleigh/Durham
"Time Management For Our Time"
Speaker: Cyndy Ratcliffe, Certified Professional Organizer® and Time Expert
As a Certified Professional Organizer® and Time Expert Cyndy Ratcliffe has assisted corporate personnel, business owners and home owners to reduce stress, boost their image and be more productive through corporate workshops, radio and television appearances as well as hands-on coaching of organizing and time-management techniques.
Cyndy is one of just 5 Certified Professional Organizers® in NC. Cyndy has taken over 100 classes through The Institute for Challenging Disorganization. She is a Gold Circle member of The National Association of Professional Organizers and is a founding member of the North Carolina Chapter.
Cyndy Ratcliffe has been featured as the Time Expert on episodes of the television series “Time Makeover” on The Fine Living Cable Network. Through this television series she delved into the lives of families struggling to “find” time for what’s most important and provided them tools and new habits for their success.
Cyndy received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Ashland University in Ohio and established a career as a senior-level manager for over 15 years. She was responsible for the supervision of over 130 retail stores involving over 500 staff before launching Organizing Solutions, Inc. in September 2001.
Cyndy Ratcliffe, CPO® 413 Stone Monument Drive, Wake Forest, NC 27587 919.612.3953 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.organizingsolutions.biz
July 15, 2011 - Raleigh/Durham
"Exploring the Costs & Benefits of Delegation"
Speakers: Jean Hedges, Founder of WPN, Marilyn Shannon, Co-Founder and National Director of WPN and Elisabeth Galperin, Turning Leaf Organization
As business owners, we all wear many different hats. All too often, business owners and solo-preneurs-especially women in this role-try to "do it all," in their business as well as personal lives. The result? Never-ending to do lists, stress & anxiety, finished products that are not of the highest quality, and time taken away from what we do best. Delegation is a challenge for most professionals, new or seasoned, and is often something we know we should be doing but think we cannot afford to do or we don’t know what to delegate.
We will explore:
- the costs & benefits of delegation,
- the do's and don'ts, and
- the tools that can help all of us rid our daily "wardrobes" of some of those hats.
You will walk away from this discussion with:
- a better understanding of a successful delegation style, and
- a plan of action that can be implemented right away!
June 17, 2011 - Raleigh/Durham
Speaker: Marilyn Shannon, Dialogue Inc., Co-Founder and National Director of Women's Power Networking
Exciting and clever, the use of questions shows interest, builds bonds, gathers information, saves time, creates wealth, resolves conflicts, and prevents misunderstandings. Too often fear, and not wanting to pry get in the way of our curiosity and a genuine need for information.
Questions open the door to dialogue and discovery. They are an invitation to creativity and breakthrough thinking. Questions lead to movement and action by generating creative insights while igniting change.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Why ask?
- When to start asking?
- What to ask?
- When not to ask?
- When to stop asking?
Let’s come together and share our ideas and experiences about the powerful use of questions.
"What do you get when you combine the vast wealth of Marilyn Shannon's experience in the world of business, with a presentation centered around her insight into "The Powerful Use of Questions"? Well, you get a very informative presentation that is at once thought provoking and entertaining! Beyond the relevance and value of the information presented, Marilyn's lighthearted use of candor, and her wonderful sense of humor was extremely refreshing! Her warm interactions with the audience put me at ease, and her upbeat personal style lifted my spirits."
- Cynthia Wade, Vocal Expressions
May 20, 2011 - Raleigh/Durham
Speaker: Jean Hedges, Founder of Women's Power Networking, Senior Mortgage Advisor, Author
Over four years ago Jean Hedges recognized the power in what is now commonly refered to as networking as one of the most powerful tools available to a woman seeking to maximize her potential in the marketplace. She imagined a place where like-minded women in business could meet, join together to support one another and grow personally and professionally. Out of Jean’s vision, groups of women began meeting at weekly Coffee and Contacts events in their local business communities. Monthly Power Lunches were added to bring members of these chapters together at a central location to hear acclaimed educational and motivational speakers. Evening events called Cocktails and Contacts extended cross-chapter opportunities to enjoy one another’s company and further expand one’s influence. And thus, Women’s Power Networking was born.
Professionally, Jean has enjoyed a 10 year career as a top producing loan officer and now leads Team Hedges at PrimeLending. She is the author of The DARE Journal and founder of The Dare System – a simple, systematic approach to overcoming the obstacles that stand between your dreams and your reality. Jean holds a bachelor's degree in liberal arts and sciences, a master's certificate in business management and is a licensed teacher who is known for founding one of the first charter schools in the country in 1994.
Jean is passionate about all things related to guardianship of our planet. She enjoys creating recipes in her kitchen from fresh and local ingredients and as well as practicing yoga with her daughter, Hayley. With a focus on balance and maximizing one's potential in body and mind she demonstrates that health and wellness gives us the energy to reach our goals. Jean is a happily married mom of two successful young adult children who she describes as “fabulous.”
Phone: (919) 334-9030 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Twitter: @JeanHedges Website: http://TeamHedges.blogspot.com/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jean.hedges
April 15, 2011 - Raleigh/Durham, NC
Bravo Brossman!
Speaker: Martin Brossman, Success Coach, Trainer, Author
During the April WPN Executive Roundtable, Martin Brossman, a well-known Success Coach, Trainer and Author, facilitated a highly involving, interactive and insight-filled discussion on how women can relate better to the men in their lives. Over the course of his many years of leading and coaching men, Brossman has focused on helping men find and become more comfortable in the fellowship of one another – something they do yearn for, but often find elusive in our society. Brossman believes that men need a chance to find their place among men first, before they are able to fully contribute to meaningful relationships with the women in their lives, and society in general. And sadly, he noted, “The environment of our prisons offers more fellowship to men than corporate America!” He further stated, “Men need to know where they are going before deciding who they should go there with.” In closing, he did reassure his rapt all-woman audience that men and women DO complement each other. It is however more about qualities than equality. WPN members said that after hearing Brossman’s terrific presentation, they felt more compassionate about and understanding of their co-workers, partners, sons, and all of the other men so significant in their own lives. According to Brossman "If the feminine heart needs cherishing, the masculine heart needs honoring.” By Nancy Bolts, Editor-in-Chief, Bolts Communications.
March 18, 2011 - Raleigh/Durham, NC
Speaker: Pat Howlett, Local Business Connector
Pat Howlett was inspiring as he guided us to the inevitable. You will do anything you can do pursue what you believe is inevitable. Looking at the history of Thomas Edison, Martin Luther King, Jr, and many others he addressed their efforts made to pursue the inevitable. So is your business inevitable? Make it so. Thanks Pat!
Pat owned his first personal computer in 1978 (TRS-80), joined his first Social Network in 1986 (The Well), started his 1st BBS (Bulletin Board System) in 1989 (Online Colorado), brought Internet to the Northern Mountains of Colorado in 1996 (High-speed Wireless in 2002), moved to NC in 2005 and started to work on ideas to serve the Local Small Business person, that became Inside919.” For more information about Pat Howlett, please visit www.pathowlett.com
February 11, 2011 — Raleigh/Durham, NC
Speaker: Jessica Sabatini, The 360 Woman
How often do you have the experience of a relaxing joyous time, listening to a good talk, having a delightful discussion with others, and walking away with a profound idea that can literally change every day of your life? This is the experience we were treated to today.
Jessica presented five levels of focus: vision/purpose, planning/policy, details, problems, and drama. Her point was that if we work on the top two levels things go well and easily, but if we sink to the three lower levels, group work is difficult and progress is slow. But she didn't just say this; our activity, a simulation in several stages, enabled us to realize this ourselves through discussion with others. Jessica's ideas came from a book entitled "Quiet Leadership", but the presentation and workshop we experienced was Jessica's genius. It seamlessly led us to experience the reality of these points during our own role play simulations. It was genuinely a life-changing afternoon. Thank you Jessica for sharing these great ideas with us!
Jessica, Certified Coach, Professional Speaker and Girl Power Activist, works with women who want to “have it all” do just that, but with more joy and sanity than they thought possible. She helps you break through to the next level; empowering you to be a leader in your work as well as your life. Find out more about Jessica and her coaching by visiting www.THE360woman.com and pick up your free audio download “Affirmations for Boosting Your Confidence.”
November 19, 2010 — Raleigh/Durham, NC
Executive Roundtable “What Makes a Women’s Partnership a POWERSHIP?”
Facilitators: Betsy Polk Joseph and Maggie Chotas
From the mouths of two amazing women who have a great one, attendees at the November WPN Executive Roundtable learned first hand the reasons that some partnerships between women really click and about the pitfalls that can cause others to fail miserably. Betsy Polk Joseph and Maggie Chotas, co-founders if Mulberry Tree Consulting led a lively discussion, facilitated interactive exercises and truly demonstrated by their own actions and style what an amazing partnership (theirs!) looks like.
Please click on the images to enlarge and view the photo gallery. Photos by Pepper Oldziey
"Betsy and Maggie are great presenters. They gave some good insights into how, why and when to create a partnership and also when not to as well. It was very educational and entertaining at the same time. I enjoyed the presentation very much"
- Tamara Porter, Market America
"I was very intrigued by what Betsy and Mary had to say. Everything I learned from them will be valuable going forward in the partnerships and alliances that I have or will form with other women. They brought to light both the challenges and rewards presented by these important relationships"
- Nancy Bolts, BOLTS Creative Communications
"The meeting flowed very naturally due to Betsy and Maggie's ability to interact freely with the audience. I like the way that conversation was easily exchanged between speakers and audience. I also liked that the speakers gave each table an 'assignment' for a few minutes and then we used that experience as a platform for the next part of the meeting"
- Olga Santo Tomas, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
October 15, 2010 — Raleigh/Durham, NC
Executive Roundtable
Facilitator: Andrew Sachs
Andrew conducted a most effective meeting, providing a great example of the ideas he was sharing. The participants listed and analyzed ideal meeting stages and steps in an exciting discussion.
Please click on the images to enlarge and view the photo gallery. Photos by Pepper Oldziey
September 17, 2010 — Raleigh/Durham, NC
Here’s How it Feels When You’re On The Right Path For YOU!
Speaker: Teresa Spangler
The second Womens Power Networking Executive Roundtable was held at Brio Restaurant in Raleigh on September 17th. Teresa Spangler, an acclaimed speaker and self-described “social entrepreneur” wowed WPN members and guests as she facilitated a moving and highly motivating discussion about decision making that gets our priorities in order and how to make sound decisions in both life and business. Attendees gave the Roundtable over forty “thumbs up!”
“This is not a lecture or a speech. It is a conversation between the speaker and the group. It was very valuable to any business woman”
— Brenda Priest, Your Door and More
“This Executive Roundtable was absolutely fabulous. I can’ imagine a better afternoon! Wonderful information and a great presentation.”
— Donna Rogers, Autohaus Import Service
Please click on the images to enlarge and view the photo gallery. Photos by Michelle Strickland