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There were 500 attendees to hear David Gergen speak yesterday morning at the WBDC’s Business Breakfast entitled: Power, Politics & Purse Strings (giving it the female slant). Besides great networking, the spirit of the room and the opportunity to re-connect with longtime colleagues, Gergen’s talk was excellent.
Everyone who listens to the news and reads the paper (er, tablet) knows that the economy is still in deep trouble and that the business opportunities of yesteryear have severely diminished. This political consultant and presidential advisor put it in these words: “It’s like flying a 747 at 200 mph–stall speed. There’s the danger of free-fall at any time.”
What he found hopeful, and why the presentation was actually positive, is that he recognized and credited women business owners with the ability to shape the future. As he put it, he was very happy and energized to be in an environment that was as optimistic and vital as a large gathering of women business owners.
I’ve always felt that particular energy among female entrepreneurs. Unlike our employed counterparts, we are the ultimate decision makers, the buck-stops-here personalities and the visionaries who take risks and reap rewards. There’s a no-nonsense, I-am-responsible vibe that’s palpable in the room. It’s where I want to be.
Gergen predicted a bumpy ride for the next 3-5 years saying it won’t be easy. But, the statistics for women owned businesses contributing to the economic growth is staggering–8.1 million women-owned businesses in the US, 123,000 in CT alone. In state we contribute $26 billion to the economy and add hundreds of jobs each year. Despite the gloomy national picture, women are shaping the future.
I walked out, not depressed, but inspired to continue making the contribution I make and helping other women entrepreneurs to stay the course.
I’ve been a fan of Susan Keane Baker since we first met at an NSA-NY Chapter meeting in NYC at least 15 years ago. Class acts have a way of being class acts from the get-go. Susan’s brand experience is excellence, depth and connection and she’s delivered that consistently in our friendship and professional relationship since day one.
It was from Susan that I learned how important the personal touch is. She’s been sending out a print newsletter for over a decade. She mails several thousand at a time and hand writes a message to each recipient. Who does that anymore?!
Every newsletter I receive from Susan is packed with valuable content on her subject: improving the patient/health care practitioner relationship. Of course, substitute the word “client” for patient and “service provider” for health care practitioner and her advice resonates loud and clear.
Each time I open one of Susan’s mailings, and they come quarterly, I think to myself, will there be a message in this one? Is it really possible for her to do this repeatedly?
I was not surprised then, but ever delighted, when I opened up her most recently mailed newsletter and found not “Happy Fall!” or “Hope to see you soon!” but a truly personal, hand-written note acknowledging my new webinar launch. That’s the Susan experience.
What’s your brand experience, and when was the last time your client/patient/customer had a taste of it?
