Small Business Saturday on The Strategy Sessions radio show

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Black Friday has long been considered the official start of the holiday shopping season for Americans. Small Business

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Saturday is gaining momentum as the holiday shopping kick off for small businesses, and the customers they serve. Launched by American Express and Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP)  in 2010, this year’s Small Business Saturday is on November 24.

The Strategy Sessions radio show welcomes Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration Marie C. Johns; WIPP Corporate Advisory Board Member and TargetGov Founder Gloria Larkin; and, Small Business Saturday Advisor and owner of Pinnacle Publishing Group, Inc. Patricia Norins to talk about Small Business Saturday and resources for businesses that want to participate.

Questions for our guests? Are you a business owner who participated in Small Business Saturday?

Call into the show: (347) 539-5143
Email talkback@ksgsc.com
Tweet @KesiStribling

Guests’ bios, Small Business Saturday resources including social media pages, are listed on our website at www.ksgsc.com.

DISCLAIMER: ASK THE STRATEGIST is a blog that highlights information on business, entrepreneurship, careers and the workplace, health, community, and women’s issues. Any content or advice dispensed through Ask The Strategist is solely for informational and entertainment purposes. All content is the property of Ask The Strategist and affiliated companies unless otherwise noted, and may not be reproduced without express written permission from the author(s).

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Free Webinar sponsored by the Local Jobs Network on Diversity Recruitment

The Local Jobs Network, an employment website that advertises millions of jobs across the country, and warehouses a multitude of employee and employer resources, will host a free webinar on Affirmative Action Recruiting Under the New OFFC (Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs).

Related content: View my articles on the Local Job Network

Click on the image to register

WHAT:
Affirmative Action Recruiting Under the New Office of Contract Compliance Programs, a 1.5 hour webinar.

WHO:
Join the Local JobNetwork™ team and employment attorney, Ely Leichtling from Quarles & Brady LLP, as we explore the impact of OFCCP regulations on recruiting. Whether you are an affirmative action officer or a recruiter, you are likely to learn something new from our OFCCP webinar.

WHEN:
Friday, June 22, 2012 at 8:00 a.m. PT, 10:00 a.m. CT, and 11:00 a.m. ET

WHY:
Federal contractors need to carefully examine their recruiting practices to ensure compliance due to OFCCP’s emphasis on enforcement, the increasing number of onsite audits, and many recently proposed revisions to regulations and approaches.

ADDITIONAL INFO:
The webinar is approved for one HRCI credit towards recertification of PHR, SPHR, or GPHR credentials. The webinar is 1.5 hours and covers the following topics with a live Q & A (last 30 min.) to ask our experts questions.

To register, visit www.localjobnetwork.com/webinars

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The Strategy Sessions Radio Show on Tuesday, June 5, 2012 11:00 a.m. ET

Click here to LISTEN LIVE at 11:00 a.m. ET

GAINING GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS The Strategy Sessions is pleased to welcome Lourdes Martin-Rosa, American Express OPEN, on June 5, 2012 to discuss American Express OPEN Gaining Government Contracts training series for businesses, strategies for preparing for and winning government contracts, and Lourdes’ own personal success story.

American Express OPEN hosts government contracting series

Lourdes Martin-Rosa of American Express OPEN

Our guest, Lourdes Martin-Rosa, is an Advisor on Government Contracting for American Express OPEN. A business lobbyist turned entrepreneur, Martin-Rosa coaches small business owners on how to navigate a seemingly tenuous process for preparing and competing for government contracts. To read Lourdes Martin-Rosa’s bio, and get government contracting resources, visit www.ksgsc.com/thestrategysessions.

Connect with The Strategy Sessions Radio Show

CALL-IN with questions: (347) 539-5143
EMAIL questions to talkback@ksgsc.com
TWEET questions @KesiStribling

Click here to LISTEN LIVE TO THE SHOW ONLINE on Tuesday, 6/5/2012 at 11:00 a.m. ET

ABOUT THE STRATEGY SESSIONS Featuring industry leaders and notables who share tips and strategies on business, careers, travel, health, and more, The Strategy Sessions radio show airs live on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 11am ET. Guests have included Robin Richards, CEO of Internships.com; Millicent West, Director of the DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency; Glen MacDonnell of AAA; David Sheppard, Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS; Dr. Valerie Wilson, Vice President of the National Urban League Policy Institute; and, Julie Silard Kantor, Executive Director of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship in DC. Visit the site to download previous shows/podcasts on iTunes.

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Excerpt from Examiner.com article

The White House to unveil detailed jobs plan soon

President Barack Obama laid out his plan to get Americans back to work during his speech on jobs to Congress this week. While the nation has been impacted as a whole, job seekers and business owners in the Washington, DC area sound off about their fears, frustration, and hope as a seemingly last ditch effort to corral both political parties to solve the continuing crisis was made by the President.

A real estate professional in Virginia, who asked that we not reveal her identity, said that she continues to endure the negative impact the economy has had on her industry. In addition to worrying about making ends meet due to a reduced income, she faces almost $50,000 in debt from the IRS and medical bills.

Excerpt from article on Examiner.com, 9/10/2011

DC Mayor Vincent Gray announces One City, One Hire

Washington, DC Mayor Vincent Gray, flanked by leadership of the DC Chamber of Commerce and the DC Department of Employment Services, announced the OneCity, One Hire initiative on Thursday at the chamber’s office in downtown DC.

An effort to encourage employers to hire District job seekers, OneCity, One Hire has an ambitious goal in today’s economy: hire 10,000 residents as soon as possible. Modeled after Atlanta’s Hire One jobs initiative, which helped successfully employ 13,000 job seekers within six months of its launch, Mayor Gray hopes to see similar results in the nation’s capital.

Continue reading the article on Examiner.com: Mayor Vincent Gray launches One City, One Hire to employ 10,000 residents – Washington DC workplace | Examiner.com

http://www.examiner.com/workplace-in-washington-dc/mayor-vincent-gray-launches-one-city-one-hire-to-employ-10-000-residents#ixzz1XZ7bT33A

THE STRATEGY SESSIONS: Does Your Business Have a Disaster Plan (part 2)?

Millicent W. West Director of the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency in the District of Columbia

Join us on May 24, 2011 for Does Your Business Have a Disaster Plan (part 2)?

TOPICS:

1. What the DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency is doing to aid disaster planning efforts

2. The new terrorism alert program

3. The best approach to creating and implementing a disaster plan for  business

4. Resources to help businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community groups with disaster planning

5. Disaster planning for families 

Connect with us!

LISTEN to the show live: http://tobtr.com/s/1886249

CALL-IN with questions: (805) 285-9841

TWEET your questions during the show: www.twitter.com/KesiStribling

Read Diector West’s full bio: www.ksgsc.com/thestrategysessions

The Strategy Sessions: www.blogtalkradio.com/thestrategysessions

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New York-based media conglomerate, Working Mother Media, honored twelve of the nation’s top employers for hourly workers at the Mayflower hotel in Washington, DC yesterday.

Carol Evans, president of Working Mother Media, addresses audience

Carol Evans, president of Working Mother Media, recognized the efforts of the 12 companies honored, including: Best Buy, Bon Secours Richmond Health Systems, Inc., Carlson, Inc., Capital One Financial Corporation, Cricket Communications, Marriott International, Inc., McDonald’s Corporation, Sodexo, University of New Mexico Hospitals, University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, USAA, and Valassis Communications, Inc.

The keynote speaker for the event was Hilda L. Solis, United States Secretary of Labor, who saluted the companies for providing tuition assistance, health care coverage, and training opportunities for workers.

Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis delivers keynote address

For more details, including the honorees and and Secretary Hilda Solis’ keynote address, read my article on Examiner.com:

Today, I had the pleasure of being a featured presenter to a group of awesome women entrepreneurs visiting the United States for the International Visitor Leadership Program. During the session, Women & Entrepreneurship, twenty women from across the globe gathered to hear strategies and insider tips for business success. 

Sponsored by the United States Department of State and Phelps Stokes, the program was a part of a three-week visit designed to:

• Provide examples of entrepreneurial efforts in the U.S, particularly those initiated by women;
• Illustrate the essential role of non-governmental and grassroots organizations in supporting and empowering the development of women-owned businesses; and,
• Highlight the social, economic, and political factors that influence and encourage the development of private enterprise in the U.S.

PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

Participants in the US Department of State and Phelps Stokes International Visitor Leadership Program in DC

Hailing from Algeria, Armenia, Bangladesh, Gambia, Germany, Hungary, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Oman, People’s Republic of China, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, and Venezuela, these women are focused and poised to become great forces in their home countries and globally. 

BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE

Because so many of our ASK THE STATEGIST readers are entrepreneurs, or company and organizational leaders, I am sharing key tips on advocacy imparted to the women during my presentation. There are three types of advocacy every smart business owner should employ on a regular basis:
 

1. Individual Advocacy: The reality is that no one is going to be as excited, motivated and committed to your entity as you are. So, it is important to be a vigilant advocate for your business. Whether it is taking courses to learn more about your industry, researching potential funding, articulating your messaging, or mapping out your company’s overall strategy and operations, you are ultimately responsible for being your own cheerleader and motivator.

2. Collaborative Advocacy: As the old saying does, there is power in numbers. The adage applies to building businesses, as well. Strategic partners and alliances are a great way to increase your capabilities, develop ideas, raise funding and promote your products and services. Allies are great advocates, and can become vital cheerleaders on your company’s behalf. Collaborating to position your company in a favorable way, while increasing your branding and outreach is a good thing. 

3. Legislative Advocacy: Advocating for your business or organization, and gaining strategic alliances will help you go a long way toward sustaining your entity. However, often calling upon our elected officials and legislators is a necessary action, especially if advocacy involves systemic issues, such as education, the environment, health, the economy, and community development. Know who your elected officials are in your community and where your business is located! 

THE PERFECT PITCH 

A special *shout out* goes to Nicole Joseph, founder of Ms. Brafit, who won The Perfect Pitch contest during the presentation. Congratulations! 

The Perfect Pitch: Nicole Joseph-Chin, Founder of Ms. Brafit

 
Visit Nicole’s company website: www.msbrafit.com
Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/MsBrafit 

ASK THE STRATEGIST – Interview with the Director of the DC Women’s Business Center

We asked Samira Cook-Gaines, Director of the DC Women’s Business Center (www.dcwbc.org), to detail some key strategies for business owners. Take a look at the video interview to hear what she has to say!

COMING SOON…Stay tuned for our new video diary,  A Day in the Life, featuring corporations and nonprofit organizations from around the country. The DC Women’s Business Center will be the first featured!