NAWBO-SV LOOP | Volume 1 | October, 2007

President’s Visions

Newsletter articles you can look forward to in upcoming issues include:

• Features and profiles on our members and executive team - we’ll highlight emerging companies as well as established successful businesses in our chapter
• A question and answer forum with CEOs - our seasoned executive officers will provide insight into any business issues
• Board of Directors news - get updates on our latest projects
• Member news releases - have a newsworthy event? We’ll include your businesses news
• Article contribution - want to lend your talent and unique voice to WOB concerns? Tell us what’s on your mind
• Calendar of upcoming events - so you can start planning now for attending
• Advertising - offering sponsorship opportunities to our partners
• Quick links - easy access to information you need such as renewing or joining NAWBO, and visiting our affiliate partners
• Legislative Alert - current legislative bills to be posted that may affect your business

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Upcoming Events

NAWBO-SV Board of Directors Projects

Listed here is a sampling of our current projects and discussions that are in process:

• Developing Champion Membership Category
• Defining Student Membership Category
• Developing Google Calendar on NAWBO website for advanced notification for events
• Developing fund raising ideas for chapter operation costs - need chapter input (have idea column?? )
• February 19th First Annual NAWBO Silicon Valley Business Conference
  • Prime Corporate Procurement Matchmaking
  • Awards Luncheon
  • Four hour business seminar/workshops
  • Book signing
  • Business Expo - Corporate Partners and NAWBO Business - Outside company invitations
  • Member Appreciation
• Developing chapter strategic planning - partially completed
• Developing annual budget
• Seeking out new Corporate Partners for financial support
• Providing multiple member procurement contract opportunities

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I Heart Marketing

	Know your target client and market to them. This is sometimes difficult because I think especially for women we want to be all things and make everyone happy. But you just can't and in attempting too, you will undermine what is so special and unique about your particular product or service. Who and why would someone want to work with you? Take your precious time and money, figure out what is the very best client fit for you and go after them tooth and nail.
	Understand your clients pain. This is HUGE. Understanding what keeps your clients wake at night and crying in their sleep is your first priority in life. Find solutions for them with examples of what, when and why. Don’t ever assume your clients really know what you can do…show them, tell them. Spell it out them in a clear, concise way.
	Nourishing your garden of relationships. Referrals are still and probably will always be the #1 way to get new business. Make sure you cultivate and keep in touch with the contacts you have. You never know who will mention you when that great new project comes up!
	Stand up and say "Over Here". Shy marketing is suicidal! Underscore your achievements through your collateral, web and public relations. Expertise is hard won and it speaks volumes to clients evaluating your worth.
	Crush your competition. Your product or service should be impeccable and always about excellence. Make any first impression a knockout and remember your client needs to be happy. Period.

If you plan, execute and make a commitment to marketing your business it will show you the love right back.

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Member Profile: Wendy Buller

Wendy Buller understands what it takes to run your own company; for the last 13 years she’s been the President of Benchmark Environmental Engineering. And for the last four years she’s been sharing her knowledge with NAWBO Silicon Valley members as well as learning from them.

“The first year I was a NAWBO member, I was happy to go to the meetings and I met a lot of vendors that in my business I wouldn’t normally have met. I utilized several of them to help me and it worked out great. The last few years, as I became more active in the organization, it’s completely changed the way that I think about my business,” Buller said. The experience she’s gained by having to: form committees; work with the Board; outreach to Women Owned Businesses (WOBs) beyond the Silicon Valley; actively pursue outside vendors to help grow our chapter; has given her insight and leadership experience with her own business.

“I trust the women in our chapter and to be able to share experiences and talk about the conflicts that arise has been such a benefit. I have received fantastic advice on ways to handle issues (such as HR) that I might not ever have received. After participating at two strategy sessions with our Board, I changed the way we have business strategy meetings at my company. Now we delve much deeper into the strategy process than we used to and my executive staff and my business has benefited as a result,” Buller said.

Under current President Carla Davis, 40 percent of the membership is active in NAWBO-SV. “The direction Carla is taking us is really exciting. With a dynamic Board and a lot of commitment from members, it’s great to be a part of it. There are several organizations in the Bay Area that cater to WOBs, but this is the one I put the most energy into because I get the most out of it. I believe in the organization and where we’re going,” Buller said. It’s also been during Davis’ tenure that the educational presentations have shifted from selling to teaching. “Carla has listened to our chapter and sought out educators that teach us in areas we are interested in growing our businesses. The dynamic has changed from an introduction on the speaker’s company to learning tools and takeaways,” Buller commented, “if you’re serious about growing your business, this is the organization that will help you do it,” she concluded.

Wendy Buller is the President Elect for NAWBO Silicon Valley.

About Benchmark Environmental Engineering

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