The WITI Strategist
www.witi.com

Jan. 13, 2004

WITI's mission is to empower women to achieve unimagined possibilities and transformation through technology, leadership and economic prosperity.

In This Issue:

WITI Health

WITI Watch

WITI Marketplace Featured Business

WITI Works

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Chapter Meetings

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Mar 10-11 2004

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July 31 2004
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Oct. 20-21 2004

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WITI's 15th Anniversary: Are you a member yet?

Join WITI now to be part of our 15th year - our best ever! Catch up on where we've been and plan to join us as we move powerfully into the future! Don't wait; membership dues are scheduled to increase later this year. Register today with promo code "anniversary" and receive a special 15th anniversary discount!


New Year Affirmations, Not Resolutions
By Carolyn Leighton, CEO/Founder/Chairwoman of WITI

I have found writing affirmations much more powerful than making New Year's resolutions. One of my first coaches taught me the value of writing affirmations and, since the year is just beginning, I wanted to share his insight as my New Year's gift to you.

I will never forget the first meeting I had with my first coach, Dr. John Bullaro... Continued ...

Discuss this article!


Consider Walking
By Mellanie Hills

If your 2004 resolutions or goals include losing weight or improving your health, consider walking. A brisk 30-45 minute walk, 5 or more times a week, gets your heart pumping, burns calories, makes you feel better, and increases good (HDL) cholesterol. It's also an opportunity to think and de-stress, doubling your benefits. A heart rate monitor will help you stay within your heart's optimal range.

The hardest part is shoehorning it into your already full schedule. When I don't have time to walk, I do it anyway. I'm more productive as a result, easily making up the time invested. When you consider the health and productivity benefits, can you afford not to?

Discuss this article!
For more health tips

Mellanie Hills will be speaking at the WITI Austin Networking Event on February 9. Keep an eye on WITI's website for details.

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WITI Talk TeleClasses
The first WITI Teleclass ever offered by WITI sold out so fast, we added another Series One, beginning February 5th! Many participants are taking advantage of the additional coaching sessions which can be packaged with each teleclass series at reduced fees. Register now!

If you are a consultant or small business owner, there is still time to register for the next series, "Laying The Foundation For Explosive Growth In Your Business/Consulting Practice", starting January 21st. This series is designed for those who are starting or have already started a business or consulting practice and want to take it to the next level. We will help you clarify your vision for your business or practice, look at how you communicate the differentiators between your business and your competition, and design strategies for increasing growth and revenue. We will examine your target market and the product/service you offer, helping you to focus on and create a marketing plan for a specific niche. We will review active and passive marketing strategies in addition to sales techniques and the different systems that you will need to have in place to support and set up your business. Register today!

WITI will be offering more teleclasses on a variety of topics, offering you the opportunity to work with accomplished WITI leaders in a small group environment, allowing you to focus on smarter, more effective solutions without leaving your home or office. More information is available online or via email.

Register now for WITI's Dallas Regional Conferenece
To receive the best discount, be sure to sign up today for WITI's Dallas Conference, March 10-11, 2004. This year promises eye-opening, dynamic sessions as we focus on "Moving Powerfully into the Future!

We'll look at how business, technology and our lives will change with nanotechnology, technology transfer opportunities for entrepreneurs, the aging of baby boomers, offshore outsourcing and social entrepreneurism. We'll examine success and "building your dreams while life goes on". And we'll we take a look at your tool belt: technology tools to make your job easier, communication tools to facilitate your marketing efforts, presentation tools to help you "wow" your audience.

Join us for this exciting conference that will be a major force in enabling you to "Move Powerfully into the Future"! Register today

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WITI Marketplace
Featured Business: Urban Art Designworks

Graphic Design that focuses on new business development, providing both online and printed marketing communications. Consulting for start-ups and branding identity. In today's world of information overload, it is the companies that understand the power of design that will flourish.

Is your business in the WITI Marketplace? Do you have a special offer for WITI members or would you like to be a featured business in a future issue of the Strategist? We'd love to hear from you!

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WITI Watch
Celebrating Companies that Get It -- and educating those that don't

This story comes from a WITI Strategist reader:

After a layoff from the telecom industry, "Mary" decided to change directions and pursue an opportunity in insurance as a "career agent" at Mass Mutual. "Though I have spent my entire working life in industries that are traditionally male dominated," she says, "never in my life have I ever been treated so poorly as I was there."

"One small example: at a sales meeting, where I was the only woman in the room, accompanied by my male team members and the General Agent of the entire office, the sales manager opened the meeting with the words 'Good Morning Gentlemen,' and did not correct himself, even after I cleared my throat to point out his little oversight. The General Agent told me later by that the sales manager was 'probably nervous' and that he 'didn't mean anything by it.'

"I was screamed at (by a co-worker) in front of this same sales manager, and then told I was 'overly sensitive' when I objected to it.

"When I stated that I had never been yelled at by customer in any of my previous jobs, I was told that 'you must have led a charmed life.'

"I was told that since I've only been in this geographic area for 8 years, there was no way I could be successful selling for Mass Mutual since I didn't have enough family and friends here to sell to.

"The General Agent made derogatory comments to me about another female agent, a personal friend and the person who brought me to Mass Mutual, then told me 'don't tell Jane.' A few months later, 'Jane' was told that I had lied about the incident, and this same General Agent continued on to make derogatory comments about me.

"This is all absolutely true. Needless to say, I am not there any longer. I am 48 years old, and have been working for a long time. Before this experience, I had never witnessed or been the victim of sexual discrimination EVER. I could not believe it, even when I saw it happening. The only other females at the Mass Mutual office in question are in admin capacities, or in one case, there is a woman works the same way the guys in this office do: lacking both integrity and ethics.

"Interestingly enough, Mass Mutual is trying to appeal to the female market as they recognize the wave of the future. Unfortunately for them, it takes more than words and a sales slogan to make it happen. While they should be commended for recognizing the potential in the women's market, there is, at least in this one office, a distinct lack of concern and commitment to making their offices a level playing field for all."

WITI Watch wants to celebrate those companies who are respectful of and empowering to women and keep you informed about those companies who need to change their ways. How are the companies you interact with doing? How can we as women encourage companies and others to take our contributions seriously? Send us your thoughts and any cheers and jeers or post to the discussion board.

The smart money was on the women in 2003

Eight Fortune 500 companies have female CEOs, and as a group they outperformed the broader market by a substantial margin. An $8,000 investment Jan. 1 in the S&P 500 index would be worth $10,130 as of the close of stock trading Monday. The same $8,000 invested equally in the eight companies with women at the helm would be worth $12,130, including a loss in energy company Mirant (MIRKQ), which has been under bankruptcy protection since July. That's a 52% gain for the women vs. a 27% gain for the index of all large companies.

Read the complete report

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Mentor 5th through 8th Grade Children through Fun and Exciting Toy Design Challenge

There is little doubt that the future well-being of society depends not just on how well we educate our children, but also on how well we educate them in engineering, science, mathematics and technology. Research points to the middle school years as a time when maintaining the interest of young students, especially girls, in engineering, science and technology is crucial.

Toys are a great way to learn about science, engineering and the design process, and working on a team builds skills in collaboration, leadership and communication. The Sally Ride TOYchallenge connects students in 5th through 8th grade with all of these principles in an exciting and fun environment. That is why WITI is pleased to announce our sponsorship of the Sally Ride TOYchallenge and the wide range of opportunities this sponsorship provides for our members and chapters.

During elementary school, there are lots of girls (as many girls as boys) who are interested in math, science and computers. We are dedicated to sustaining their natural interests during the critical years, when so many of them drift away.    - Sally Ride
How Can You Participate?
There is the opportunity to become involved in the TOYchallenge in a number of ways:
  • Coach one or more teams in your area.
  • Offer to coach a team in another area that may need a coach.
  • Sponsor a team financially.
  • Volunteer to help at a TOYchallenge Showcase or a Sally Ride Science Festival.
How Do You Get Started?
Pre-Application Deadline is January 30, 2004
Apply Online Today! NOTE: Under "Organization" be sure to select "WITI"

Don't miss the Intel Developer Forum Systems Conference
February 17-19, Moscone Center, San Francisco

Save $700 off the regular/onsite fee ($1695) when you register using Promo Code SGTWTY.

Discover how new technology directions will impact your products through:

  • Graduate-level classes and hands-on labs - 14 tracks, 130+ sessions
  • Intel keynotes on hot technology innovations
  • Birds of a Feather lunch meetings on critical issues
  • Networking events for sharing ideas and making new contacts
  • Register now!


    Coming Soon: DEMO 2004
    February 15-17, Westin Kierland Resort, Scottsdale, Arizona

    65 of the best new products you won't see anywhere else. Top tier media reporting on every idea. Savvy VCs weighing every opportunity. Acquisitive corporations evaluating every move. Expertise you can count on. Technology picks you can't afford to miss. A special WITI Member Discount Rate is available; see the discounts page in the Member area for details!


    Finding government grants now easier than ever

    The U.S. government has recently launched a new Web site, www.grants.gov, bringing together in one place all competitive grant opportunities from the 26 federal grant-making agencies. There are currently more than 800 available grant programs listed on the site with more that $360 billion in grantable funds. To date, five agencies have included their application packages on the site and more will be coming soon. "By putting relevant information in one place, said Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson, "we're helping to level the playing field for organizations less familiar with federal grant programs so that they too can identify and apply for appropriate grants."

    According to Joshua Bolten, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, "President Bush has made it a priority for his administration to provide government information and applications in ways that are more accessible and easier to understand. Grants.gov is a strong step forward in that effort, as it makes the federal grant-making process simpler and more efficient for applicants."

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    WITI Works

    WITI4HIRE
    Accelerate Your Career!
    - Companies that get it are searching the resume database at WITI4Hire every day. Don't be overlooked! So, whether you are actively seeking a job or just open to great possibilities, add your resume today (FREE for members AND non-members, and confidential too!) to be noticed by companies like New York Times Digital, Best Buy, Altiris, Southern California Edison and GOJO Industries, Inc. Don't want to wait? Visit WITI4Hire and search for your next job!

    Employers Click Here

    WITIhost.com
    If You Are Fed Up With Your Hosting Company or Just Want To Upgrade!
    - WITIhost.com has better rates, more capacity and better service than major hosting companies. Check out WITIhost.com for comparisons and fees.

    WITI HALL OF FAME
    This prestigious award honors the outstanding contributions that women are making to the scientific and technological communities. Do you know someone who is making a difference? There is still time to nominate candidates for WITI's Hall of Fame. Download the nomination form here.

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    Company Spotlight

    Hot technologies, great people, rapid career development. That is Keane today!

    You're talented. You want to work with the hottest emerging technologies, side-by-side with other brilliant minds. Most of all, you want to develop your career at your own pace.

    You can do it at Keane. As a full-time consultant, you'll be drawing on your creativity and expertise to provide breakthrough business solutions to clients through web development, systems architecture, e-strategy analysis and more. You'll have the benefit of working with diverse technologies while gaining exposure to a broad range of industries. Your professional growth is assured with flexible career paths, a personal commitment to your development and the resources and stability of a one-billion-dollar company to make it happen.

    And you'll be working with great people. We're friendly, smart and opinionated. We're creative and focused on the customer's business. We thrive on challenge and we love to learn. Everything we do is backed by a culture of individual accountability focused on delivering results. Our mantra: "We do what we say we'll do."

    Search for Keane jobs on WITI4Hire.

    Job Spotlight

    Sr. Process Design Engineer, Bank Of America
    The person in this high-profile position will lead major process improvement efforts and drive multiple large-scale initiatives to deliver significant measurable improvements to process, productivity and defect prevention. Specific assignments will vary and may include development of strategic plans/roadmaps, driving detailed impact assessment from legislation and/or major initiatives, leading cross-functional teams for in-depth process improvement using Six Sigma, and developing business cases for major initiatives. Candidates should possess a strong track record of leading project teams in the delivery of breakthrough process improvements.

    Candidates should have experience influencing others - particularly senior management - who may not know about, know how to use and/or be open to the tools that Six Sigma & Lean provide. Qualified candidates need to have experience changing a culture that may not be ready for change and must have experience breaking down functional barriers that exist in an organization. Candidates should be intelligent, very creative and extraordinary leaders. Qualified candidates must be able to adapt what they know from other companies
    For more information

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    Not Yet a WITI Member?

    Consider these benefits for WITI members only:

    • Member spotlights, interviews and speaking opportunities
    • Invitations to members only meetings and events
    • List your small business or consulting practice in the WITI Marketplace.
    • Send/receive e-mails in WITI's general or technical listserves for invaluable and quick input on broad ranging issues.
    • Special Interests Groups
    • New Member Directory
    • Special discounts at all WITI events and meetings worldwide

    And much, much, more .... Become a Member Today!

    Upcoming Network Events
    Join WITI Chicago in honoring the recipients of the Excellence In IT Leadership Award!
    Tuesday, January 27, 2004, 5:30pm - 8:30pm, Loyola University Kasbeer Hall, Chicago, IL.

    The Excellence in Corporate IT Leadership Award builds on WITI's mission "to transform corporate and media perceptions of women and technology" by recognizing outstanding leaders in the the Chicagoland Area. This year's recipients represent corporate America, the Public Sector and Academia. They are:

    • Catherine S. Brune - Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Allstate Insurance Company
    • Maureen G. Osborne - Chief Technology Officer, Bank One
    • June E. Drewry - Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer, AON Corporation
    • Padmasree Warrior - Senior Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, Motorola Corporation
    • Ellen Barry - Chief Information Officer, Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority
    • Joy Keeler - Associate Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs & Chief Information Officer at the University of Illinois at Chicago
    For nearly fifteen years, WITI has worked to transform corporate and media perceptions of women and technology. Celebrating their success story certainly will help us do that as well as serve as an inspiration to so many others.

    More details will follow. Keep checking the website for updates!

    Other Network Events
    January 14 - Houston
    Technology Trends: What's Hot, What's Not
    January 15 - Portland
    WITI PDX Hosts Local Networking Event
    January 20 - South Florida
    South Florida Launches Innovative Local Area 'Networking' Series
    January 21 - Thames Valley, UK
    Dealing with Change
    January 22 - Boston
    Women Leaders in Venture Capital
    January 27 - New Jersey
    Becoming a CIO and beyond- Sandra Harris
    January 27 - Chicago
    2004 Excellence in Corporate IT Leadership Awards
    February 4 - Boston
    Branding for Techies
    February 4 - Corpus Christi
    Build Your Network with WITI
    February 9 - Austin
    Staying Healthy and Sane in an Insane World
    February 9 - Orlando
    Women Winning At Work

    More information about network events in your area is available on our website.

    WITI @ ...Keeping you up-to-date on where you'll find WITI!

    WITI@ keeps you up to date on where you will find WITI partners, WITI discounts, WITI women attending industry events. Visit the Members area of the WITI website for priority discount codes for these events. If you want a discount to an event you will be attending and/or want to meet other WITI women at that event, just let us know so we can get it for you!

    Risk Analysis Group Seminar
    Jan 26-Apr 23 2004
    Multiple Cities and Dates,
    Oracle Apps World
    Jan 26-29 2004
    San Diego, California
    2004 SIIA Information Industry Summit
    Jan 27 2004
    New York City, New York
    Midsize Enterprise Summit
    Feb 8-Sep 22 2004
    Multiple Cities and Dates,
    DEMO2004
    Feb 15-17 2004
    Scottsdale, Arizona
    Intel Developer Forum Systems Conference
    Feb 17-19 2004
    San Francisco, California
    Gartner's Wireless & Mobile Summit 2004
    Mar 8-10 2004
    Chicago, Illinois
    Networld + Interop
    May 11-13 2004
    Las Vegas, Nevada
    Gartner Symposium IT XPO 2004
    Mar 28 - Apr 1 2004
    San Diego, California
    SuperComm
    Jun 20-24 2004
    Chicago, Illinois

    For more information and discounts

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