the Xfactor

WPO Co-Hosts Thrive Time

2009-09-15T18:30:00.001-07:00

Together with the Boys & Girls Club and Sam's Club, the Women Presidents' Organization is hosting Thrive Time. Described by the WPO as a "financial literacy event," Thrive Time teaches girls about the importance of financial freedom and helps them develop the skills necessary to achieve it.

Thrive Time is named after the game that's used to educate these young women. The game was developed by Sharon Lechter and her company, Pay Your Family First. Letcher is member of the WPO's national board.

The third annual Thrive Time will place on Thursday, September 17th at Sam's Clubs in the following cities:

~ Chicago
~ Dallas
~ Denver
~ Orange County, CA
~ Philadelphia
~ Phoenix
~ Renton, WA
~ Secaucus, NJ
~ St. Louis
~ Ypsilanti, MI

Source: Women Business Leaders to Teach Financial Literacy to Youth by Kirsten Wynn (WPO), courtesy of Reuters

Image: Green Abstract, Financial [credit: Simon Howden] from freedigitalphotos .net

NYT Virus: Beware!

2009-09-14T18:21:00.000-07:00

If you read articles from online news publications while at work (or at home), be more cautious as you navigate around those sites.

Why?

The New York Times' website has recently been the victim of a viral attack. Some readers have experienced a pop-up window (though I hesitate to call it that since it really looks more like the My Computer window in Windows) that states their computer is at risk and offers a protection program. However, it turns out this so-called anti-virus program is actually a virus itself and may take control of your browser. Apparently the virus poses less of a risk to Mac users, since it's easily recognizable as a Windows box, rather than one from OS X.

Yesterday, the Times issued a letter to readers regarding the issue - though to be on the safe side, it might be best to avoid the NYT site for a little while and learn about the situation from these articles (to prevent accidental clicking, letter to readers is the only NYT link in this entry):

Rogue ad hits New York Times site by Steven Musil(CNET)

New York Times Web Site Hit With Malicious 'Advertisement' by Caleb Johnson (Switched)

Malware Appears On New York Times Hompage by Peter Kafka (All Things Digital)

Ads Used to Spread Malware on Reputable Sites by Terrence O'Brien (Switched)

A screen shot of the window is included in Kafka and Johnson's articles.

Image: laptop [credit: Gregory Szarkiewicz] from freedigitalphotos.net

Service Day Concert Benefits Women & Children's Charity

2009-09-13T19:36:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday, the President officially declared September 11th Patriot Day, as well as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.

The next day, a tremendous act of service occurred: a concert, entitled "Answer the Call," was held at Madison Square Garden. All proceeds went to the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund (tickets were at least $50) and was headlined by Jay-Z, a Brooklyn native.

In regards to those who acted so selflessly 8 years ago, Jay-Z stated: "You're humbled by those types of acts of heroism. You only hope to live up to that type of courage and strength. I'm doing a concert. I'm entertaining. At the end of the day I'm doing a great thing, but it's not what [these people did]."

The New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund was founded by Daniel Staub in 1985. For more information on the Fund and its work, visit answerthecall.org

Photo: "Micro" [credit: dan] from freedigitalphotos.net

Previous photo: "the rose" [credit phil 1950] from freedigitalphotos.net

2009-09-11T19:36:00.000-07:00

In memory of the victims of September 11th and their families

Advice from Judge Judy

2009-09-09T21:28:00.000-07:00

At the end of August, Judge Judith Scheindlin (aka Judge Judy) had beat Oprah for #1 rated syndicated TV show.... for nine weeks in a row. Slightly shocked? So was I.

Kiri Blakely recently interviewed Judge Judy for ForbesWoman.

Here are some key pieces of wisdom from television's most famous judge:

"If you're a positive person, there are no mistakes, only learning experiences. Even robbing a bank is a learning experience if you get caught."

"You also need to know your business, make yourself an expert in it and then you can negotiate within that business. Most importantly, become indispensable in whatever job you do. [...] if you run a doctor's office and the doctor can't function without you, because you know the office and are great with the patients, then you've become indispensable and you can set your own terms."

"The important thing people have to do is live within their means. They can have big dreams, there's nothing wrong with dreaming, but it became the American Dream to live the dream without the resources to do it."

"I'd be lying to you if I said that I don't use [my fame]. Everybody uses what they have."

eRb

Image: http://www.artworldsalon.com/blog/2008/02/online-art-auctions/">artworldsalon.com

Labor Day

2009-09-07T17:35:00.000-07:00

According to the Department of Labor, "Labor Day [...] is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contribution workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country."

Labor Day Facts

Originally celebrated with festivals and parades, the first Labor Day occurred on September 5, 1882 in NYC and was planned by the Central Labor Union. Since 1884, Labor Day has been celebrated on the first Monday in September. On February 21, 1887, Oregon became the first state to recognize Labor Day by law. The name of the person who first came up with the idea for Labor Day is unknown - historically, credit's given to either Matthew McGuire, secretary of the Central Labor Union (NY) or Peter J. McGuire, co-founder of the American Federation of Labor (According to the DOL, "recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew McGuire [...] proposed the holiday in 1882").

For more information on Labor Day: U.S. DOL - The History of Labor Day

eRb

Image: "Helmet" [credit: Suat Eman] from freedigitalphotos.net

New Sections of ForbesWoman

2009-09-06T19:43:00.000-07:00

ForbesWoman has long been a great news resource for business women. Recently, it seems to be undergoing a makeover - topics, such as Net Worth and Time have been added, and all articles are neatly grouped by tabs.

Articles this week include:

Easy Organizing: Planning Your Estate by Heidi Brown

Women And The Confidence Game by Jenna Goudreau

A Job Suffused With Meaning? Bring It On! By Sylvia Ann Hewlett

eRb

Image: "Rainbow Wave" [credit: EA] from freedigitalphotos.net

Labor Day: "Put the BlackBerry down."

2009-09-05T11:20:00.000-07:00

In the past, choosing to relax on Labor Day probably seemed like a given - but now, as the unemployment rate draws closer to double-digits, it reasons that many professionals may be considering working instead.

So should you take Monday off?

According to Meghan Casserly (Forbes), the answer is yes. Taking some time out for yourself will boost your overall mood, which, in turn, can either improve your performance come Tuesday or rejuvenate you in your job search.

I think the opening paragraph of Casserly's article says it all:

"Whether you're mourning the end of summer or celebrating with friends this Labor Day weekend, do yourself a favor: Put the BlackBerry down."

eRb

Image: View from Horseneck Beach, Westport, MA [credit: eRb]

The September Issue

2009-09-04T19:39:00.000-07:00

For much - if not all - of her tenure as editor of Vogue, Anna Wintour has been depicted as a cold and unfeeling individual who has no qualms about exploiting her power. However, with the release of The September Issue, a documentary that focuses on the construction of Vogue's September 2007 issue, it seems that the tide of opinion may be about to change (though, notably, the documentary has Vogue's full approval).

According to Leah Bourne (Forbes), "Those expecting to see Wintour in her devil personal will be disappointed [...] Wintour is mostly portrayed as professional and a perfectionist with a well-defined vision and an inferiority complex that becomes apparent when she admiringly talks about her three siblings who consider her profession 'amusing' [...]." At the same time, Bourne is quick to note that the glamorous aspects of Wintour's position are not mentioned in the film (i.e. "six-figure clothing budget and a daily hair blowout by a stylist who comes to her home every morning").

Around the time The Devil Wears Prada was released, it was said that Wintour would not receive such harsh criticism if she were a man. As I read Bourne's article, I wondered if this were true - or if even (gasp), the two Wintours - the cold, crazed perfectionist and the dedicated workaholic - are actually the same person, and perhaps, she is seen primarily as the former because of an antiquated double standard in regards to men and women in power.

eRb

Image: "Autumn Tree Colors" [credit: Ron Bird] from freedigitalphotos.net

Nokia Booklet 3G – is it worth it?

2009-09-03T17:26:00.000-07:00

At a starting price of $800, the Booklet’s considerably more expensive than some of its competitors - like the Dell Mini 10v, which starts at $304.

What is it that makes the Booklet cost so much? (Or, alternately, what is it that makes the Booklet worth so much?)

For starters, the Booklet packs 12 hours – that’s right, 12 – of battery life. It also doesn’t require a cooling fan (read: energy efficient and relatively silent) and has Windows 7 Home Premium as its standard operating system (no other netbook can say the same).

On another note, Apple’s also slated to release a netbook in the near future.

For more information, see Jack Ewing’s Next Up for Nokia: Netbooks, Banking (BusinessWeek)

eRb

Image: “Motherboard” [credit: Darren Robertson] from freedigitalphotos.net

Financial Tips from Suze Orman

2009-09-01T18:14:00.000-07:00

The September issue of O features "What Money Has Taught Me About Personal Power" from financial genius Suze Orman :

"Power comes from who you are, not what you are."

"I can't tell you how many times my grandfather would say, 'Suze, they can take your house, they can take your job, they can take your money, they can take your mind, but you can't take your heart. So you have to grow up valuing your own heart, who you are.' My grandfather understood the difference between external and internal power.

"Money has no power of its own."

"You alone are the power source. You are the one who makes the choices to spend money, to save money, to borrow money."

"Self-worth builds net worth."

"I realized we spend more than when we feel less than. [...] If you have credit card debt and no savings, and you feel miserable, don't attribute your woes to not having enough money; instead see the lessons your money is trying to teach you."

"Do what's right, not what's easy."

"To know whether something is right or just easy I turn to my gatekeeper test questions: Is it kind? Is it necessary? Is it true? And I make sure I can answer yes to all three. Is it kind - to me? Is it necessary - to me? Is it true - to me?"

"Ignorance is not bliss where money is concerned."

"Gathering information is important, but at the end of the day you must depend on yourself to synthesize it and make your own informed decisions. Seeking out opinions is smart; blindly following those opinions without thinking through whether they make sense to you - and for you - will leave you drowning in a pool of powerfulness."

"How you respect your possessions says a lot about how you respect yourself."

"If you don't respect what money can buy, you don't respect money. If you don't respect your financial obligations - paying your bills on time, buying only what you actually have the money for, saving for your future - then you don't respect money."

eRb

Image: "Broken Piggy Bank" [credit: Daniel St. Pierre] from freedigitalphotos.net

Have You Heard of BlogHer?

2009-08-28T15:15:00.000-07:00

BlogHer is a blogging network that is specifically for women. It was created by Jory Des Jardins, Elisa Camhort Page, and Lisa Stone in 2005. Topics include balance, business/career, and NPO's.

It's self-described as "the leading participatory news, entertainment and information network for women online, reaching more than 14 million women each month via annual conferences, a Web hub, and a publishing network of more than 2,500 qualified, contextually targeted blog affiliates (http://blogherads.com)."

The posts are both interesting and informative - be sure to check it out when you have a chance

eRb

Source: "Tulips on Park Avenue" [credit: Maggie Smith] from freedigitalphotos.net

Advice from Kraft's CEO

2009-08-26T07:54:00.000-07:00

She’s only been CEO of Kraft Foods for 3 years, but Irene Rosenfeld already holds a top ten spot inForbes’ list of the 100 Most Powerful Women (she’s currently #6 and was also #6 in 2008 and #9 in 2007).

How?

According to an article by Javier Espinoza, the answer is simple: “Thanks to cost-cutting measures and consumers trading down during the recession Kraft has been relatively insulated from the global financial crisis. On Aug. 4, the company beat expectations with its second quarter results. Rosenfeld says her company’s key to success lies in its ability to understand the needs of today’s frugal shoppers.”

Espinoza interviewed Rosenfeld for his article, and here are a few words of wisdom from Kraft’s CEO:

“Rewiring the organization—it has been the underpinning of everything else we’ve done.”

“It’s always challenging to get those out of the way who are in the way of those who are doing well.”

“‘Servant leadership’ is the most important aspect of a successful leader—the recognition that I am here to help the organization accomplish its objectives rather than they are here to meet my needs. Once you recognize that, you are able to engage the hearts and minds of your followers, and they are able to just deliver the kind of results that you are looking for.”

eRb

Nokia to Produce Netbooks

2009-08-24T18:46:00.000-07:00

Apple has been producing the iPhone for over two years now, so really, it was only a matter of time before a cell phone company started selling computers. The company in question is Nokia, and although it isn't making desktops or laptops (yet?), it is entering the netbook market with its Booklet 3G. Notably, the company first tried to (unsuccessfully) produce PC's about fifteen years ago.

According to Parmy Olson, the Booklet is "[a] 10-inch, 2.8 pound device [that] boasts impressive specs, including an Intel Atom processor, high-definition screen and 12 hours of battery life, along with a broad suite of Ovi software offerings. That will include Ovi Maps working with a built-in GPS navigation chip." Olson also notes that Nokia's has strong relationships with companies such as T-Mobile and Vodafone (popular in Europe), which will likely prove highly beneficial to this new venture. The above of a Vodafone Nokia seems to prove Olson's point.

Prices will be available September 2nd.... about the time most colleges go back to school, and I'm inclined to believe that's no coincidence.

What do you think about the Nokia Netbook 3G?

eRb

For Olson's article: Nokia Goes PC (Forbes)

Image: "Mobile Phone" from freedigitalphotos.net

Bristol's Plants That Kill

2009-08-22T19:06:00.000-07:00

Today I came across Margaret Bristol's Plants That Kill (AOL) - a surprisingly interesting article with often forgotten but important information. In her article, Bristol discusses the seventeen deadliest plants. Here are a few common household/garden flowers that I never expected to make the list:

Peace Lily

- Ingestion causes swelling of the mouth and may cause kidney failure in cats

Foxglove

- Merely touching this plant (flowers, leaves, whatever) can give you hives or a rash. This is because the foxglove is completely poisonous... "Ingesting any part [...] can cause headaches, convulsions or even death"

Hydrangea

- It may not contain a lot, but the amount of cyanide in a hydrangea is hazardous to animals

Oleander

- Depending on the amount, ingestion may result in a stomachache, coma, or death

eRb

Image: "Foxglove - Digitalis" [credit: Tom Curtis] from freedigitalphotos.net

Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany

2009-08-20T20:04:00.001-07:00

According to the 2009 list compiled and ranked by Forbes, Angela Merkel the most powerful woman in the world. Impressively, the Chancellor of Germany has held this position for 4 years in row - and it's for this reason that I thought it'd be interesting to learn a little bit more about her.

- Merkel is the Germany's first female chancellor (2005- present)

- She joined the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in 1990, eventually becoming its leader a decade later

- The daughter of a Lutheran pastor, Merkel was born in Hamburg in 1954

- She received her PhD in physics at 24

For more information on Angela Merkel: BBC news profile: Angela Merkel

eRb

Photo: "Icmeler Sea" [credit: Matt Banks] from freedigitalphotos.net

Forbes: 100 Most Powerful Women

2009-08-19T17:54:00.000-07:00

This week Forbes released its The World's 100 Most Powerful Women list, which is primarily composed of presidents, CEO's and government officials.

Here are the top 10 most powerful women:

1. Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany - notably, this is the fourth year that Merkel has been ranked as the most powerful woman in the world

2. Sheila Blair, Chairman of Federal Deposit Insurance Corp

3. Indra Nooyi, CEO of PepsiCo

4. Cynthia Carroll, CEO of Anglo American

5. Ho Ching, CEO of Temasek

6. Irene Rosenfeld, CEO of Kraft Foods

7. Ellen Kullman, CEO of DuPont

8. Angela Braly, CEO of WellPoint

9. Anne Lauvergeon, CEO of Areva

10. Lynn Elsenhans, CEO of Sunoco

For Francesca Donner's article: The World's Most Powerful Women

eRb

Photo: "A Star At The Beach" [credit: Federico Stevanin] from freedigitalphotos.net

Permanent Commission on the Status of Women

2009-08-14T11:46:00.000-07:00

I recently came across the site for the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW). It consists of several sections, including Civil Rights, Leadership and Democracy, Women and Business Development, and Women & Girls in Education.

According to its site:

"The Permanent Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW) was established by the State Legislature in 1973. Seventeen appointed volunteer Commissioners join a staff and volunteers to work to eliminate sex discrimination in Connecticut. They are to inform leaders about the nature and scope of discrimination, to serve as a liaison between government and private interest groups concerned with services for women, to promote consideration of women for governmental positions, and to work with state agencies to access programs and practices as they affect women."

In addition to a monthly e-n e w s l e t t e r, the PCSW publishes annual reports and directories. One if its most recent publications is the 2009 Directory of Women's Organizations in Connecticut, which may be viewed for free online.

eRb

Image: "Large Pink Flower" [credit: Graeme Weatherston] from freedigitalphotos.net

Top Cities for Working Moms

2009-08-13T18:04:00.000-07:00

Forbes recently published its list of Best Cities for Working Moms (2009). Here are the top 10:

1. NYC

2. Austin

3. Minneapolis/St. Paul

4. Milwaukee

5. Portland

6. Cincinnati

7. San Jose

8. Pittsburgh

9. Seattle-Tacoma

10. Denver

The list is based on factors such as childcare, education, health care, and cost of living - to learn more about Forbes' ranking process, check out Heidi Brown's The Best Cities for Working Mothers.

To find out where your city falls, see the Complete List.

eRb

Image: "A child jumping on the beach" [credit: quyenian] from freedigitalphotos.net

Management Ideas from BW

2009-08-11T18:35:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for new management ideas, check out the Management Ideas section of Business Exchange on BusinessWeek. It has over 1,800 news articles and 510 blog postings to read.

Recent articles include: Don't Just Survive-Thrive: Leading Innovation in Good Times and Bad, Lawsuits Question After-Hours Demands of Email and Cellphones, and 25 Ways to Show An Employee Your Appreciation.

eRb

Green terminology

2009-08-10T20:29:00.000-07:00

Going green at the grocery store can be difficult when you're unfamiliar with the terminology. Jenny Bailly breaks it down in an article for Marie Claire's September issue:

ORGANIC

"A USDA-regulated label that says no pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, antibiotics, or growth hormones were used. Produce, meats, and dairy with a USDA Organic seal are 100% organic, while other foods may use the designation if 95% of their ingredients are organic."

NATURAL

"This label, regulated only for meat and poultry, signals that no artificial ingredients have been added. Don't confuse the term with nutritious when, say, reaching for the Cheetos Natural Cheese Puffs."

NO HORMONES ADMINISTERED

"An unverified certification that a cow has never been given hormones in its lifetime. A "no hormones" stamp on pork and poultry is entirely irrelevant since, by federal law, chickens and pigs may not be given hormone injections."

NO ANTIBIOTICS ADMINISTERED

"Another unverified term that purports to tell you that meat or poultry has not been given any antibiotics. Don't bank on it."

CAGE-FREE

"This egg carton label means nothing nutritionally and not much ethically. Cage-free hens can still be backed wing-to-wing in a windowless indoor space."

FREE-RANGE

"This USDA-defined, but unregulated, term means that a bird has outdoor access for more than half its life. Still, many free-range chickens live in crowded barns, with access only to a cramped yard."

GRASS-FED

"Indicates only that a cow ate grass at some point in its life - always true, even of animals raised on big commercial farms. Look for 'grass-finished' beef [the animal only ate grass in its final weeks] or '100% grass-fed.'"

PASTURED OR PASTURE-RAISED

"Though unregulated, this term usually means that an animal has roamed grassy fields throughout its life. Visit eatwild.com for farms that sell pastured products."

For more tips on eating green: The GIRL's guide to eating GREEN by Jenny Bailly, pages 240-242

eRb

Image: "Cattle in Kent" [credit: Tim Beach] from freedigitalphotos.net

Sotomayor + the Glass Ceiling

2009-08-09T21:04:00.000-07:00

In an article for the Huffington Post, Tim Giago states:

"Sonia Sotomayor has experienced the frustrations of climbing the ladder of success in lieu of the glass ceiling by virtue of being a woman, as have the other two women who have served on this highest of courts, but she has also experienced the discrimination that none of the other women experienced, and that is the discrimination of being a racial minority."

To read the rest of Giago's extremely interesting article: Sotomayors Puts Dent in Glass Ceiling (Huffington Post)

eRb

Sotomayor sworn in as 111th Justice

2009-08-08T18:14:00.000-07:00

Sonia Sotomayor was sworn in as the nation's 111th Justice today. She took two separate oaths: first, that of a federal employee, followed by that of a Supreme Court Justice, both of which were administered by Chief Justice Anthony Kennedy. Justice Sotomayor is not only the first Hispanic and third female Justice, but also the first to have his/her judicial oath broadcasted on national television.

Justice Sotomayor's federal oath took place in front just her family and a court photographer. Her judicial oath was witnessed by her extended family, friends, Gregory Craig (White House counsel), Cynthia Hogan (assistant White House counsel), Judge Robert Katzmann (Second Circuit, Court of Appeals), and Representative Nydia Veláquez (D, NY).

For more information on today's ceremonies: Sotomayor Sworn In as Supreme Court Justice by Charlie Savage (NYT).

eRb

Socrates and Technology

2009-08-05T20:00:00.000-07:00

Today, while in CVS, I overheard an older gentleman ask a photo technician approximately how long it would take for his picture CD to be burned. He seemed in awe when she told him that it would take 15 minutes and said that he was rather impressed with the technology that we have today.

The reason I mention this is because the gentleman's reaction reminded me of a quote that appears on the eRichards site: "Wisdom begins in wonder" - Socrates

The more I thought about this man's reaction and Socrates' words (or at least those that Plato attributed to him), the more I realized just how impressive our technological advancements are. Often, we take them for granted but both the camera that took this man's photos and the machine that burned them onto a CD were created by humans, which is really incredible.

So today, take time to appreciate the wondrous things around you, and you just might gain some wisdom in the process.

eRb

John Tesh

2009-08-04T20:23:00.000-07:00

Today, the John Tesh Radio Show featured a segment on the dangerous measures that people are taking in hopes of saving money on their prescription medications.

1. Asking their doctor to write prescriptions for loved ones without health insurance, which is becoming more frequent as more and more Americans lose their jobs. As Tesh stated, a good doctor will always say no.

2. Cutting a pill in half may seem harmless but it can actually destroy the protective coating, causing it to be absorbed too quickly. Besides, if your doctor prescribed that specific dose for a reason.

3. Trading a prescription you don't use with a friend for a prescription they don't use. In Tesh's words, "[this] can kill you." Enough said.

Avoiding these mistakes may seem like common sense, but given the current economic state, you'd be surprised what people will consider.

eRb

Image: "Tablets" [credit: Darren Robertson] from freedigitalphotos.net

Style tips from Leah Bourne

2009-08-02T16:52:00.000-07:00

Despite what its title implies, Leah Bourne's The Perfect Interview Outfit (Forbes) doesn't just provide tips for job seekers. In her article, Bourne discusses common sense details that are sometimes forgotten (i.e. "Make sure your attire fits well and is pressed"). One interesting tip: "Adding a pop of color to your outfit-- say, a scarf or earrings--will help you appear cheerful and positive to prospective employers."

Bourne also lists stores according to budget:

Under $100: F o r e v e r 2 1 for skirts; H &M for blazers; U n i q l o for tops and sweaters

Under $250: Banana Republic and J.Crew for dresses; Macy's and Kohl's for "designer diffusion line," such as Simply Vera by Vera Wang

Under $500: Stuart Weitzman and Via Spiga for shoes; Botkier, Foley & Corinna, and Rebecca Minkoff

eRb

Image: "Bags of Colour" [credit: Tom Curtis] from freedigitalphotos.net

Social media tips from Joshua-Michéle Ross

2009-08-01T14:46:00.000-07:00

The overwhelming popularity of and easy access to social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, can make it difficult for managers to establish corporate guidelines regarding their use. Joshua-Michéle Ross, VP of O'Reilly Radar offers some tips:

When it comes to the social networking activity, "lead by example."
"Build your policies around job performance not fuzzy concerns about productivity:" if you expect your employees to be check their office e-mail after work, you can't ask them not to check their Facebook or Twitter during work.
Encourage employees to use social sites to connect with each other and clients.
Allow employees to access sites that discuss your products and/or services.

For more media tips from Ross, including those for employees: A Corporate Guide For Social Media (Forbes)

eRb

Image: "Disconnected" [credit: Chris Sharp] from f r e e d i g i t a l p h o t o s .n e t

Forbes' Most Influential Women In Media

2009-07-31T07:09:00.001-07:00

Kiri Blakeley recently published an article detailing The Most Influential Women In Media, as ranked by Forbes. She explains that "[these women] were ranked in four categories determining their influence: audience, press mentions, earnings and social media outreach (followers on Twitter and friends on Facebook)."

The five most influential women in media are:

1. Oprah Winfrey

2. Diane Sawyer

3. Barbara Walters

4. Ellen DeGeneres

5. Tyra Banks

For more information these women: In Pictures: The Most Influential Women in Media

eRb

Image: "American Falls" [credit: EA] from freedigitalphotos.net

Berkshares

2009-07-30T16:52:00.000-07:00

In an effort to promote local businesses and save residents money, Southern Berkshire, MA began printing its own cash last fall. Known as 'Berkshares,' the currency is the brainchild of Susan Witt. The USD/Berkshares exchange rate is $90 = 100 Berkshares.

However, according to Asa Hardcastle, the head of Berkshares, Inc., helping the businesses and residents of Southern Berkshire isn't the only motive: "We think that by strengthening the piece of the fabric of this country, this world, that you're strengthening the whole. We definitely hope that this grows and this becomes something that flourishes across the country and the world."

For more information on Berkshares see "New England Town Prints Up Its Own Currency" (ABC News) by Stephanie Sy.

eRb

Image: "Money" [credit: Greg] from freedigitalphotos.net

Lessons from Akon

2009-07-28T16:52:00.000-07:00

In Episode 5 - Swing: Pure Pleasure of Ken Burns' Jazz documentary, the writer Gerald Early called Swing "the antidote to the Depression." This, he explained, was because the music provided people with something they desperately needed: an escape.

Zack O'Malley-Greenburg's recent Forbes article, Akon's Recession-Proof Tune, reminded me of Early's words. It also made me wonder if artists such as Akon are the antidote to the recession. O'Malley-Greenburg writes: "Akon is one of the only artists to increase his income in a year that's been almost as cruel to hip-hop as it's been to Wall Street." Based on what he told O'Malley-Greenburg, it seems that part of the reason Akon has been able to remain successful is that he understands what music can do for people.

"I think people lean more to music when they're going through the hard times. The recession is really impacting everyday people, and they want to try to get away from the troubles they're dealing. Music is always a crutch."

- Akon in an interview with O'Malley-Greenburg

Akon's words remind us that in order to be successful, we must first understand the needs of our clients.

eRb

Image: "Guitar" [credit: Daniel St. Pierre] from freedigitalfoto.net

Happy Fourth!

2009-07-04T07:12:00.001-07:00

Happy Fourth of July!!

We all know what happened in 1776, so here are some Fourth of July fun facts, courtesy of the Census Bureau (cited by USA.gov):

1 in 6: The chance that the beef hot dog, burger, or steak you eat today is from Texas

1 in 4+: The chance that the hot dog or pork sausage you eat today is from Iowa

192: Population of Patriot, Indiana - the only place in the country with that name

2.5 million: Estimated number of people living in the US in July of 1776

74+ million: Number of Americans who went to a barbecue in 2007

304 million: Number of Americans on July 4, 2008

For more information on the Fourth of July, see Fourth of July is Independence Day atUSA.gov.

Executive Profile: Ursula Burns

2009-07-02T05:39:00.001-07:00

Executive Profile: Ursula M. Burns

Background

As of Wednesday, Ursula M. Burns is the CEO of Xerox Corporation. She holds a BS from NYU's Polytechnic Institute and Master's from Columbia, both of which are in Mechanical Engineering. Burns is a member of the boards for American Express, The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA), For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) National Academy, MIT, the US Olympic Committee, the University of Rochester, and Xerox.

Professional Timeline

1980: During the summer, Burns interns at Xerox for mechanical engineering

1991-1992: She is Exec Assistant to Chairman and CEO

1992-2000: After working in planning and product development, Burns is responsible for various business teams

1997-1999: Burns is VP and General Manager of Departmental Business

1999-2000: She serves as SVP of Worldwide Manufacturing and Supply Chain Services

2000: She becomes SVP of Corporate Strategic Services, a position she holds until October 2001

2007: In April, she is named President and elected to the Board of Directors

2009: In May, Anne Mulcahy, Xerox's then-CEO, chooses Burns as her successor. Burns assumes the position of CEO on July 1.

Why She's Inspirational

In succeeding Mulcahy, Burns is not only part of the the first woman-to-woman CEO transition, but also the the first African American woman to lead a public company of Xerox's size (Brown). Her success also shows precisely how beneficial an internship can be to one's career.

Sources:

Xerox Corporate Biographies: Ursula M. Burns

Ursula Burns: Executive Profile (BusinessWeek)

Burns to Succeed Mulcahy At Xerox in First Big Woman-to-Woman CEO Transition by Heidi Brown (Forbes)

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Executive Profile: Anne M. Mulcahy

2009-07-02T05:38:00.000-07:00

Executive Profile: Anne M. Mulcahy

Background

Just yesterday, Anne M. Mulcahy retired as CEO of Xerox Corporation; she will, however, continue to serve as Chairman of its Board of Directors. She received her BA from Marymount College (Tarrytown), where she studied English and Journalism. Chairman of the Business Roundtable's corporate governance task force, Mulcahy is also on the boards of Catalyst (along with Andrea Jung and Indra Nooyi), Citigroup, Fuji Xerox Company, Target, and the Washington Post.

Professional Timeline

1971: Mulcahy joins Xerox as a field sales representative

1992: After working in senior management for several years, she's promoted to VP of Human Resources, a position she holds until 1995

1997-1999: Mulcahy serves as Chief Staff Officer

1998: She is named Corporate SVP

1999-2000: As President of Xerox's General Market Operations, she oversees the company's dealer, reseller and retail channels

2000: Mulcahy becomes an Executive Director, and in May, she is named President and COO (both positions were held until July 2001)

2001: She is appointed CEO on August 1

2002: On January 1, Mulcahy ascends to her current position as Chairman

Why She's Inspirational

This past M a y, when Mulcahy announced that she would be retiring as CEO, she also named, Ursula Burns, Xerox's President as her successor. In doing so, Mulcahy facilitated, in the words of Forbes' Heidi Brown, "the [first] transition of power from one woman to another at a large public company."

Sources:

Xerox Corporate Executive Biographies: Anne M. Mulcahy, Chairman

Anne Mulcahy: Executive Profile (BusinessWeek)

The 100 Most Powerful Women, 2008 (Forbes)

Burns to Succeed Mulcahy At Xerox in First Big Woman-to-Woman CEO Transition by Heidi Brown (Forbes)

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Executive Profile: Indra K. Nooyi

2009-07-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

Executive Profile: Indra K. Nooyi

Background

Indra Nooyi is the Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo, which consists of 18 different brands and employs approximately 200,000 individuals worldwide. As an undergrad, she studied Chemistry, Math, and Physics at Madras Christian College in India. Nooyi also holds an MBA in Finance and Marketing from the Indian Institute of Management (Calcutta) and a Master's in Public and Private Management from Yale. She serves on the boards of Catalyst (along with Avon's Andrea Jung), Eisenhower Fellowships (Board of Trustees), the International Rescue Committee and the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Nooyi is also the Chair of the U.S.-India Business Council and a Successor Fellow of The Yale Corporation.

Professional Timeline

1980-1986: (Approximate dates) Nooyi oversees international corporate strategy projects at the Boston Consulting Group

1986-1990: After starting as an executive in its auto and industrial electronic group, Nooyi is ultimately promoted to VP and Director of Corporate Strategy and Planning at Motorola

1990-1994: Nooyi is SVP of Strategy and Strategic marketing for the Zurich-based Asea Brown Boveri

1994: Nooyi joins PepsiCo

1996-1999: She serves as SVP of Corporate Strategy and Development at PepsiCo

2000-2001: Nooyi holds the position of PepsiCo's SVP

2001: She not only joins PepsiCo's Board of Directors, but also is named President and CFO

2006: On October 1, Nooyi becomes President and CEO of PepsiCo

2007: Nooyi is appointed Chairman of PepsiCo on May 2, 2007

Sources:

PepsiCo Company Leadership: Indra K. Nooyi (PepsiCo)

Executive Profile * Indra Nooyi (BusinessWeek)

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Executive Profile: Andrea Jung

2009-06-30T07:28:00.000-07:00

For the week or so, I'll be blogging about female executives that are not only successful but are also role models. Doreen requested that the first be Andrea Jung, Chairman and CEO of Avon Products (an excellent choice, I might add) - but the rest is entirely up to you. Please tell me what exec's you'd like to know more about :)

Executive Profile: Andrea Jung

Background

The daughter of Chinese immigrants, Jung was born in Canada and speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese. Completing her undergrad in just 3 years, she graduated magna cum laude from Princeton. At just 49 years old, Jung is the Chairman and CEO of the largest organization in the world, which currently employees some 5.5 million individuals. A member of the New York Presbyterian Hospital's Board of Trustees, she also sits on the Board of Directors at Apple, Catalyst, and GE.

Professional Timeline

1987-1991: Jung serves as SVP, General Merchandising Manager at I. Magnin.

1991-1993: As EVP of Neiman Marcus, she oversees the accessories, cosmetics, children's apparel, intimates, and women's apparel departments.

1994: Jung begins working at Avon, serving as President of the U.S. division's Product Marketing Group.

1996-1998: She continues to work in senior level positions within the Product Marketing Group.

1998: Jung becomes a member of Avon's and GE's Board of Directors. She is appointed Avon's President in January and COO in July, and holds these positions until January 2001 and November 1999, respectively.

1999: On November 4th, Jung is appointed CEO.

2001: In March, she is the first woman to be elected Chair of the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (now called the Personal Care Products Council); Jung remains chair until 2005. She also is appointed Chairman at Avon.

2008: Jung joins Apple's Board of Directors and is also appointed Chair of the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations (WFDSA).

Why she's an inspiration to women everywhere

According to an article by Bill George (U.S. News & World Report), "Jung says she is driven by a passion to make a difference. And with Avon, she has found it. 'There is purpose in my work: enabling women to be self-empowered, to learn to run their own businesses and achieve the economic means to provide education.' At the end of the day, she says, that trumps all things."

Sources:

Avon Investors - Executive Team: Andrea Jung (Avon Products, Inc.)

Executive Profile* Andrea Jung (BusinessWeek)

Andrea Jung - Corporate Executive by Bill George (U.S. News & World Report)

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