Go For The Greens – Are you a women-owned business looking to obtain contracts with major corporations and government agencies?

Procurement Hall and Match Making Event

Are you a corporate or government agency buyer looking for women-owned businesses that can become contractors or subcontractors for some of your work?  

Make business connections that count!

The Go for the Greens Procurement Hall is a place where buyers (procurement specialists from major corporations, government agencies and contractors) can connect with sellers (representatives from women-owned businesses) during informal roundtable sessions.

In the Procurement Lounge, buyers and sellers connect for one-on-one “matchmaking” appointments.

Interested in participating?

Please contact Diane Sears, Conference Co-Chair, diane.sears@goforthegreens.org or 407-826-8675; or Nancy Allen, nancy.allen@goforthegreens.org or (305) 971-9473.

Participants

Note: Participant list is subject to change

The following companies have confirmed participation at the 2011 Go For the Greens Conference:

• Progress Energy
• UPS
• Disney
• Lockheed Martin
• U.S. General Services Administration
• Chep
• U.S. Small Business Administration
• General Dynamics
• Raytheon
• PNC Bank
• Moffit Center
• CSX
• Craig Technologies
• Athena PowerLink Program

In addition to those confirmed, the following organizations have also been invited to participate:

• Southwest Airlines
• OPEN/American Express
• Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club
• NASA/Kennedy Space Center
• State Farm
• Burger King
• University of Central Florida
• Women’s Business Centers
• Women’s Business Enterprise National Council and more!

Peer-to-Peer Business Development

Remember, one of the benefits of attending this kind of event is the people you meet! You never know whether the women business owners sitting next to you are possible business contacts for your company … until you meet them. Learn about each other in the special Peer-to-Peer Corner in the Procurement Hall and throughout the day. Bring your business cards … and keep your eyes and ears open!  

 

Early Bird Registration for Procurement!

PROCUREMENT/MATCHMAKING EVENT

Go For The Greens

September 15-17, 2011

www.goforthegreens.org

Are you looking for women-owned suppliers?

• Access to numerous women-owned businesses that offer products and services for companies like yours.

• Connect face-to-face with potential suppliers in one-on-one matchmaking meetings and informal roundtable sessions.

• Introductions to major corporations, government agencies and sponsors.

• Panel discussions and breakout sessions on topics that include:

o Procurement and contracting o “Green” business practices and purchasing

o International business development

o Access to capital

o Technology tools

• A two-day event that includes the sessions, procurement roundtables, meals, beverages, and themed receptions designed to help you meet the right people.

• An optional golf networking event for players at any level at an additional cost of only $95. Go for the Greens is a not-for-profit venture operated by a volunteer team of people who have won awards from organizations that include the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, National Association of Women Business Owners, Women Impacting Public Policy, and Executive Women’s Golf Association.

Also check us out on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter! A maximum of 30 supplier diversity and procurement professionals. So take advantage now of early bird pricing. Go to www.goforthegreens.org and register today!

Contact: Diana Matthews, Procurement Committee Chair, diana@executivesconnected.com

Go For The Greens was a Success!

If you are a women-owned business owner or a company that desires to conduct business with women business owners, then this is the Conference for you!

As an attendee, you will have the opportunity to meet and hold discussions with companies who conduct business with women, as well as attend breakout sessions and matchmaking events.

As a Procurement Professional, you will have the oportunity to have a roundtable to sit with the attendees and discuss your needs for your organization.

If you are a golfer, a wonderful day of golf is planned on a Disney course with fun and laughter. Most of all, how to ocnduct business on the golf course.

Lastly, fun is also part of the Conference! This year, we had a reception with a Pirate theme. There were  door prizes from various companies and inspiring speeches by women business owners.

If you are looking to be educated, inspired, conduct business with companies and have fun while doing it, then we hope to see you in 2011. Keep checking the website for updated information and this years pictures.

http://www.goforthegreens.org

If you are interested in a roundtable for the Procurement Hall, please contact Diana Matthews, Procurement Chair at 321-757-8343.

ECC is WBENC Certified

Executive Career Connections is proud to announce that they have received their WBENC (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council) certification on March 23, 2010. The WBENC is a nationally recognized certification insuring that Executive Career Connections is a 100% women owned nationwide recruiting firm.  This certification assures that Executive Career Connections is an ideal minority owned business for Supplier of Diversity Programs.

Executive Career Connections provides national recruitment for all positions and all industries, HR Consulting, Outplacement, Career Coaching and Sourcing services. As a result of their recruitment expertise, they are very proud to have a 100% client retention rate and a 99% candidate retention rate.

Executive Career Connections has a unique and innovative concept in allowing their clients to set their own fees, thus saving their clients money and providing retained qualified candidates!

“Our Clients And Our Candidates Are Our Best Assets!”

 

Cathy Whitley and Diana Matthews

Managing Partners

www.executivecareerconnections.com

Negotiate a Salary Increase in 2010!

Do you want to negotiate a salary increase in 2010 but are unsure of how you would justify it during these times? Below are my sure-to-win suggestions that you can implement now to build a strong case for the raise you earned and deserve.

Create a Portfolio and Document your Accomplishments Regularly Throughout the Year

Don’t wait two weeks before you are told you will receive a performance review to dig up your accomplishments! Keep a portfolio of all the projects you managed and performed hands-on work. Place copies of the spreadsheets and other documents you have created in the portfolio. Indicate start and finish dates, quantify with metrics, list problems and solutions, document your contribution and how your efforts helped the company be profitable, save money, reduce time, grow the business, retain customers, etc. Obtain feedback from the project team and the managers that were involved. Place the kudos in the portfolio. By showing and quantifying your value-added skills, you build a better business case to support the requested salary increase, even during the roughest times.

Become a Subject Matter Expert Making you Irreplaceable

Do you do the same old work over and over again? Stop! Create opportunities to diversify your experience. How? Offer to learn and take on additional tasks that extend outside of your comfort zone and are in different business segments. Learn as much as you can about your industry and become a subject matter expert in one specific aspect of the job. Document and add certificates of additional training or education classes taken to educate you on becoming a SME.  As a result of learning, you will be seen as the “go-to-guy” for information. When you become the “go-to-guy” you become valuable and no one wants to lose you because then they have to take ownership of an additional task.

 Management values people in these roles because it makes them shine and they can depend on you getting a task completed allowing them to concentrate elsewhere. Essentially, making their job easier and not wanting to lay you off!

 Employees who demonstrate this level of flexibility and professionalism tend to receive additional flexibility from their bosses on compensation.

 Review Time Discussion

Bring your up-to-date and completed portfolio along to your performance review. The projects you have worked on will become a focal point of the performance review discussion and you can quickly display your documents and the achievements relevant to the topic. You can also show off your accolades you received from management on each project.

 Your success negotiating a salary increase hinges on your ability to discuss the increase in terms of what is reasonable. Keep the conversation focused on measurable achievements and build a compelling business case for the requested pay raise you so deserve. Do your research on what the average percentage of salary increase is in your company or department. Managers are typically given those numbers upfront and yes they can share the percentage of increase with you. However, there are exceptions. If you have a stellar performance review, then your manager can put in for an additional increase over and above the set percentage.

Blackberry or Crackberry? Which one are you?

Hello Friends!

Do you or someone you know pay more attention to their Blackberries(BB) than they do to the people around them?  I have decided that these individuals should be officially called by the addictive behavior for which they exhibit “Crackberry’s”!  Don’t get me wrong — I’m married to a Crackberry.  He is adorable and sweet, but as of late, it is as if his BB has been surgically attached to his hands.  I know the allure and  power of the Berry is strong. But, sometimes you just have to say “no” to the Berry.  I don’t know about you, but I sure  would enjoy dinner more without the Berry being there. Why? It is a constant reminder that at any moment someone more important I am might call — and then the Berry will cause my conversation to be put on hold.  Honestly, is it too much to ask to have someone’s undivided attention?  Here’s what a typical conversation with my Crackberry husband sounds like, “Cathy, you’re my wife, mother of my child, love of my life … hold on someone just sent me an e-mail.”  Sound familiar?  He can’t help it, he’s a Crackberry.  Don’t worry friends, I will love him through this addiction.  Beware…the power of the Blackberry is strong — and  I remember when it was just a fruit!

Let us know which one you are…

Go For The Greens – Growth, Golf, and Global Good was a Hit!

This business development conference was designed especially for women entrepreneurs and  included procurement, matchmaking, and educational sessions, along with a golf tournament  and best practices on sustainable business.

This event was held at the Boardwalk Inn Convention Center in Orlando, Florida and sponsored by NAWBO, UPS, Walt Disney World, WBENC and more!

Women business owners were provided an all day conference of one – on- one  matchmaking and procurement rountables with the  following companies, which was a fantastic opportunity! Thank you to the companies who participated and gave us this opportunity! 

• UPS
• Walt Disney World
• Progress Energy
• IBM
• Lockheed Martin
• U.S. Department of Defense
• U.S. Small Business Administration
• Procurement Technical Assistance Centers
• Women’s Business Centers
• National/Florida Minority Supplier Development Council
• Disney Entrepreneur Center
• Athena Foundation/PowerLink

We were provided breakout sessions, panel discussions and listened to many fantastic speakers on the following topics:

Secrets to Procurement Success

The Ins and Outs of Social Media

Conducting International Commerce with Maximum Returns

Working Green: Best Practices for Sustainable Small Businesses

Win Bigger Contracts – Even in Today’s Challenging Economy

Talk to the experts: Informal advice from helpful organizations and advisors

Thinking Green: Getting Your Share of Today’s Government Stimulus Money

Working Green: How Profit and Sustainability Go Hand in Hand and more

Of course, we incorporated some fun into our conference!  At the end of a long day, we attended Happy Feet Hour where we unwinded with a cocktail and mingled with the day’s speakers, sponsors and other attendees. When we entered the cocktail party, UPS supplied everyone with special ultra-comfy slippers. They are the BEST slippers my business partner and I have ever worn! Our feet love UPS footwear! Thank you and what a fantstic idea! The slippers really soothed our feet after being on them all day.

We wrapped up the day with dinner and networking with other women business owners in a buffet style dinner. We talked about the days events and enjoyed the gelato liqueur bar! We met so many well educated and professional women at this show. It was truly a pleasure to be in their company!

This event was  educational and a great opportunity to be placed in front of companies that you otherwise would not be placed in front of. Cathy and I look forward to working with all the business owners we connected with in the near future!

We hope that everyone who attended had as much fun as we did! We would love to hear about your experiences as well so please feel free to comment.

Executive Career Connections Joins Melbourne-Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce

Executive Career Connections has recently become a member of the Melbourne-Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce.

ECC is sponsoring Sherry Covell, VP of Talent Management Harris Corporation on August 4, 2009 from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm at the Chamber Auditorium. Sherry will be discussing Restructuring: How to do More with Less.

We encourage everyone to attend. You can register online at www.melpb-chamber.org

ECC is also part of the Womens Business Council where women empower women and assist each other with business ideas and solutions, network and discuss how to grow our business within the community.

Executive Career Connections Joins NAWBO

Executive Career Connections has joined the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) as a national and as an Orlando chapter member. We are very proud to be part of this fantastic organziation of women business owners. We encourage every women business owner to become part of this fantastic organization!

The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) propels women entrepreneurs into economic, social and political spheres of power worldwide by:

• Strengthening the wealth creating capacity of our members and promoting economic development within the entrepreneurial community
• Creating innovative and effective change in the business culture
• Building strategic alliances, coalitions and affiliations
• Transforming public policy and influencing opinion makers

For more information about NAWBO, visit www.nawbo.org

ASME Turbo Expo Update

Cathy and I attended Turbo Expo in Orlando last week and found the venue to consist of approximately 125 exhibitors. Most of the exhibitors were small to medium size companies. However, there were three large companies present. For example, Siemens, Pratt and Whitney and MHI.

When speaking with exhibitors they stated that either they had a great deal of strong contacts or none at all. It was a mix of either glad they were there or not so glad they came.

As for ECC, we made three good contacts out of the twenty-five booths we visited. Most companies we spoke with are not hiring at the moment. Out of the three good contacts we met, one needed HR Consulting services and the remaining two needed to hire due to growth. We hope to partner with those companies and provide the services they requested.

The next Power Generation show will be PowerGen in Las Vegas, December 6-8. See everyone there!