PWCC Connections Newsletter
November 2018
A Season of Giving Thanks to our Members and Sponsors
Mission

PWCC provides networking connections that support, enrich and inspire women to advance professionally and personally.

Goals

PWCC brings professional women together in a variety of networking venues to share knowledge, experiences, and resources with other women. Members have access to:

  * Facilitated networking opportunities at monthly speaker luncheons
  * Special member-only events
  * Committee activities
  * Board participation
November Networking Luncheon:
Being a Unicorn in Your Industry
Chrishon Lampley, Owner, Love Cork Screw
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
Union League Club of Chicago
65 West Jackson Blvd.
11:30 am-1:30 pm
$40 members | $60 non-members |
Table of 10 - $500 | 
$0 Premier Members and Sponsors, but RSVP is requested.

Must register by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 9 or the price increases by $10 . Register here.
Success in today’s marketplace is often defined by a person’s ability to create something new while simultaneously paying homage to elements that are classic. While this is certainly no easy task, Chrishon Lampley’s journey has allowed her to embody this paradox into a beautiful tapestry that has become her flourishing brand.

Lampley is a negociant, wine enthusiast and founder of LCS Entertainment, LLC that features Love Cork Screw wines. Love Cork Screw is a lifestyle brand that launched six varietals in the fourth quarter of 2013. Since its inception, the LCS brand has acquired over 50 locations including, Target, Mariano’s, Whole Foods and other Chicago land area stores, restaurants and bars. This rapid expansion is attributed to Lampley’s 14 years’ of experience in the industry, which has given her leverage to develop a keen awareness of what people enjoy and what the market is missing.

As a holistic brand, five wine-scented candles were added to the portfolio in 2014 available now also at Target locations, including a bonus scented candle.

Lampley leverages her platform to mentor young women and budding entrepreneurs who can benefit from her lessons and her success. She gives her time and resources greatly to nonprofit organizations through sponsorship and speaking engagements. Lampley has mentored youth through Urban Broadcast Media, Chicago Sky and Polished Pebbles to encourage Chicago’s youth. She is a member and supporter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Come learn the secrets to Chrishon’s success, reserve your seat today!

Special Note! In the spirit of giving thanks this holiday season, PWCC will be collecting donations for Refuge for Women . To learn more, please click here .
Members' Only Fashion Event at MM. LaFleur Chicago
Thursday, November 29, 2018
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
MM.LaFleur Chicago
230 W Huron St
Chicago, IL
$40 - Members Only
Purchase your ticket here .

Spend an evening mingling with fellow PWCC members and getting styling tips from the pros at the MM.LaFleur showroom while enjoying some bubbly and light bites.

MM.LaFleur stylists will be providing mini styling appointments for guests and a fireside chat inspired by The M-Dash blog. PWCC will  collect donations for Refuge for Women during this event; all attendees are encouraged to bring a donation the night of the event (see suggested items attached ).

MM.LaFleur is a vertically-integrated womenswear brand that provides a complete wardrobe and personal-styling service for the busy professional woman. The company is revolutionizing the workwear space through a trifecta of offerings: luxury workwear that is both practical and elegant, complimentary personal styling (available online and off), and content that resonates with the multidimensional woman of purpose. MM.LaFleur’s mission: to take the work out of dressing for work.

Refuge for Women is a national network of aftercare homes offering a new beginning to women who have been sex trafficked and exploited. The non-profit offers a 9-12 month healing and empowering residential program that provides the evidence-based support, individual education, and job training a woman needs to enter the workforce and her community with confidence and impact.

Let’s show the residents at Refuge for Women that our PWCC membership cares about them and supports their efforts to enter the professional workforce.
November Tip for Smarter Living: Business Entertaining that Leaves a Good Impression
Success in today’s marketplace is often defined by a person’s ability to create something new while simultaneously paying homage to elements that are classic. How can we make business entertaining fresh and fun, while honoring classic etiquette?
 
Know the purpose of the meeting and pick an appropriate venue:
Client hospitality is a highly effective way to nourish existing relationships, especially as preserving business with existing clients is far less costly than attracting new clients to replace those who take their business elsewhere.
 
Because it's not always possible to know the detailed preferences of the client you're hosting, ask some thoughtful questions to better understand what might serve as the ideal treat.
What do they do to unwind? Do they have a favorite kind of music? Do they adore chocolate? Also listen for their pain points. Are they annoyed by the lack of great vegetarian restaurants? Do they long for some quiet time to re-charge at a spa? As always in business, if you can relieve a strain or discomfort, your client will be that much more grateful.
 
Show off your city:
Being in and exploring a new city is an intensely pleasurable and novel experience. Use the unique strengths of the city you're hosting your client in to provide a memorable experience. Are there restaurants that natives love but keep as well-guarded secrets? Even if you and your client are in the same city, there are always opportunities to offer an exclusive peek into a new or well-loved feature, like a private tour through a new museum or a special menu at a classic restaurant.
 
Host with finesse:
  • Select a restaurant with which you are familiar. Knowing the restaurant and staff will make you feel more comfortable.
  • Arrive early and select a table. Seating and table location are important considerations during business meals. Request a table away from the kitchen, restrooms, or entryway.
  • Decide the chair location for each guest. If there will be more than one guest, the most important guest should be seated to the right of the host; the second most important guest to the left of the host, unless there is a co-host. If you are hosting with a colleague, the second most important guest would be seated to the co-host’s right.
  • Stand when guests arrive, shake hands, and let them know where you would like them to sit.
  • Don’t be afraid to make menu suggestions as they may ease a guest’s uncertainty about what to order. Your suggestions will indicate the meal budget.
  • Avoid the common blunder of immediately talking about business. Conversation during the early part of the meal should build rapport with your guest. Serious business is saved for later in the meal, after the entrée plates have been removed.
  • Always pay the bill, including the gratuity. You should also offer to pay for your guest’s coat check and valet parking tips.

Keep your receipts!
Be sure to keep good records of who was present, the dates and times, and the reasons for the entertainment and business discussions that took place. This is the information you will need to verify that these expenses are legitimate business expenses.

Submitted by: 
Debbie Story
Corporate Identity, Inc.
PWCC Member Share
To further support PWCC's mission to connect and support professional women and to provide additional opportunities to meet and share their experiences, expertise, and advice, PWCC has created a new newsletter feature: PWCC Member Share.
 
 Each month we will call for responses to a question we frame for discussion, with submissions limited to 125 words. The Communications Committee will select a few responses and include them in the next month's newsletter. 
 
This month, the inaugural PWCC Member Share is lessons learned when entertaining for business and has been answered by the Communications & Media Relations Committee .  
Debbie Story , Corporate Identity, Inc:
“My husband (and business partner) and I host an annual event for all our best customers to showcase the newest products in the promotional products industry. It’s always a challenge to find new ways to make each of our clients feel special while also making sure we spend time with all of our clients. We imagine that we have clones of ourselves to decide how to spend equal amounts of quality time with each client. ”
 
Elaine Mikesell , Mikesell Digital Consulting/WSI Digital Marketing:
“I was hosting a business development dinner in India for a global tech firm and asked a potential client to select the wine since she considered herself a connoisseur. Oops! When the client and I failed to translate rupees into dollars, the client ordered what she thought was a $50 bottle that turned out to be a $500 bottle! I wound up with a $7,000 dinner bill but all was forgiven when my team and I won a sizable piece of business. Always double check the currency exchange rate when entertaining internationally !”
 
Ellyn Caruso , Caruso PR and Communications
“One of my earliest clients hired my firm to plan a 100 th anniversary dinner cruise. For the event, I commissioned a company to build a replica of the cruise ship on which the event was to take place. As the date of the event approached, it became clear to me that the replica would not be completed in time and I was left having to find a replacement. Being pre-internet days, I had to go into detective mode and, after countless phone calls and weekends spent at Chicago harbors networking with boaters, I was able to find the perfect replacement. Early on, I learned to be persistent and relentless, and that things always eventually work out !”
 
Michelle Collett , Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago
“For my organization’s 50 th anniversary event, we decided to decorate our building with gold balloons and spent a lot of time blowing them up and distributing them to offices. Sadly, no more than 30 minutes later, all of the balloons deflated and dropped to the floor. Despite this decorating disaster, the event was a huge success, proving that not every detail has to be perfect for a great event .”
 
Fiona Ray, Ready About Consumer Insights
“At a large client dinner event, I failed to notice that the waiter was continually replenishing my wine glass and only later realized that I had consumed far more than my usual amount of wine – the night before a full day of meetings! I now know to look out for the waiter hovering over the wine glasses! ”
 
Carol Jambor-Smith , Jambor-Smith Communications
“After planning and hosting countless business events, I’ve learned that what makes an event truly successful is focusing on what is interesting and alluring to the guests (rather than only on what I want the event to accomplish). A lunch or dinner or conference that combines fun with learning is much more likely to be successful. Always plan with the needs and interests of your clients foremost in mind .”

Complied by:
Fiona Ray
Ready About Consumer Insights
December's PWCC Member Share answers the question

"How Do You Survive the Holidays -- Personally and Professionally?"

Your "share" could be a

  • Piece of advice
  • A Success Story (or memorable occasion)
  • A “Not so Successful” story (when something didn’t go as planned)
 
Be creative but limit your submission to 125 words or less. For consideration for inclusion in the December newsletter, please send your submission to Debbie Gidley ( admin@pwcc.org ) by November 19, 2018 with subject line: PWCC Member Share Section.  
November Blog: Can Business Entertaining Be Truly Entertaining?
Let’s face it: we usually don’t socialize with our clients unless there is a business-related reason. We may be building a relationship, salvaging one, or nourishing one that already exists. Behind each event is the true hidden agenda: keeping or growing business.

So can agenda-driven business entertaining be fun? The answer can be overwhelmingly “Yes!” if you avoid an obvious mercenary purpose.

Think of business entertainment as a way to better understand your clients: what makes them happy, sad, annoyed, or angry. This information helps you to build a more individualized approach to each client as you work to better know them while also giving them an opportunity to better know – and trust – you.

So what are some basics of business entertaining? A few come to mind:
 
  • Have a plan! Think through what you want to accomplish in the time you will have. Is there a burning issue that needs to be discussed? Will the client be anxious or angry about something or will she be happy to spend some time with you? Thinking this through ahead of time will help you establish the flow of the needed conversation.
  • Research your client’s interests. The magic of the internet makes it easy to know virtually everything about someone before you meet. Start with LinkedIn and check your client’s volunteering activities and semi-professional activities. If they have a blog, spend some time reading it. Do they head the board of an art gallery? Maybe have lunch at a local art gallery. Do they chair an annual golf fundraiser? Organize a game in a nice course nearby.
  • Unless there’s a burning issue, don’t talk shop. Entertaining is all about fostering a relationship, not immediately closing a deal. Get to know your client, let her get to know you, and the deal will come on its own time. However, if your client does want to talk shop, be ready to talk expertly and professionally. Never turn down an occasion to make your pitch!
  • Listen carefully. Our noisy and highly distracting world has made it less easy for us to listen (pay close attention) to those around us. Practice active listening; as Stephen R. Covey said, “seek first to understand, then to be understood.” Empathic listening will radically change the way you relate to people and, when practiced, the way they relate to you. Put the phone away, turn its ringer off, and lean in to learn about your client.
  • Savor both the food and the time you are spending with your client. Don’t think of the time you’re spending as something to be “gotten through.” Since you’re entertaining a client, you’re probably going to a nice restaurant. Make sure you enjoy the opportunity for yourself just as much as for your business. Savoring the meal will help you slow down and be more attentive to your client. And if you think you might be very hungry by the time you sit down at the table, eat a snack beforehand.
  • Keep it fun! You want your client to fondly remember your time together. Don’t do anything too lavish or expensive and keep it fun and light. Be yourself and take the time to get to know your guest as if you wanted to be friends. Actually, you do want to be friends—people like to do business with friends, not strangers!

Submitted by:
Carol Jambor-Smith, Ph.D.
Jambor-Smith Communications
Cjs1407.cjs@gmail.com
Mentoring Tip: Get Ready for the Progressive Luncheon!
PWCC networking encourages members to build meaningful connections to and seek ways to help each other; its mentoring program offers practice in this important aspect of building business relationships. Here are ways mentors and mentees can make the best of networking this month:
 
Mentors: Take time to help your mentee, especially if she is new to the PWCC, understand and prepare for the December Progressive Luncheon, a wonderful opportunity to practice self-introductions. Because it may be overwhelming to a new member, be sure that your mentee is briefed on the process and is well prepared and confident to meet as many people as possible and make the best of the event.
 
Prior to the luncheon, talk with your mentee about the process of networking and emphasize that relationships are created over time and through commitment to the process. Effective networking always starts with listening and genuinely taking interest in the people involved.
 
Mentees: Take the time to practice your self-introduction as well as your active listening skills. As you prepare to talk about your work and your interests, also prepare to listen to and engage with the other women you meet, honoring their engagement with their work and activities.
 
Submitted by:
Elaine Mikesell, PhD
Mikesell Digital Consulting - WSI Agency
Networking Tip: It’s Small Talk Season!
With November comes the beginning of the pre-holiday networking whirlwind, including large organizational festivities, niche industry parties focused on annual achievements, and more intimate gatherings with one, two or three individuals over lunch, coffee, or drinks. The one characteristic all these events have in common is the need to be able to use and participate in small talk.
 
Even though it sometimes strikes fear in our networking hearts, small talk is something we all engage in every day. Think about how you arrived at work this morning. Did you exchange a friendly few words with your train conductor, parking lot attendant, or security guard in your building? Then you engaged in small talk. It’s an easy, natural way to talk to a stranger. Thinking about it as something you participate in routinely, you can learn to become more at ease using small talk in more formal networking settings.
 
Apply the ease with which you routinely speak with people around you when you enter your next networking event; start by talking with someone as you ride up the elevator, check your coat, enter the room, or grab your first drink. Suddenly, you’re building a connection, engaged in conversation with someone. You’re relaxed and ready to be an effective communicator!
 
Remember to spend equal times listening as talking. When possible, listen to what’s being said and respond to or expand on the topic rather than launching into a well-rehearsed elevator pitch. Doing so ensures that when the appropriate time does present itself for you to pitch yourself and your company, you’ll have the attention of those with whom you’ve been connecting.
 
Keeping in mind the principles of small talk that you use every day, you may find yourself enjoying and better connecting with colleagues and potential clients through the upcoming events season.

Submitted by:
Ellyn Caruso
CarusoPR
Member in the News
Calling all PWCC Members!
Do you have some news to share? Do you have a recent accomplishment that you'd like to highlight? Submit your professional or personal news to  admin@pwcc.org  for consideration in an upcoming newsletter. It's a great way to share your accomplishments and continue to build and grow your PWCC Connections. 
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Members Connect Across International Borders

PWCC board member, co-chair of Communications & Media Relations, Ellyn Caruso , connects with former PWCC board member, Cecile Bernard Pochet while visiting Paris, France - Cecile's hometown. Many members may recall, Cecile joined PWCC board as co-chair of corporate sponsorship while living and working in the US adding to her bi-cultural experiences. Cecile hopes to launch a similar organization for professional women of Paris in the future and enjoys staying connected to PWCC colleagues. 

Travel can be a boost to maintaining and building PWCC relationships and connections! 

___________________________________________________________________________________
PWCC Past President Alyssa Burns is enjoying teaching fall semester as an Adjunct Professor at Loyola University Chicago. 

She’s teaching a “Principles of Public Relations” class in the Department of Communications. Every week is a new adventure and she loves it!
Looking Ahead
Upcoming Events!
Our 2018/2019 Luncheon Events Schedule is available here . Mark your calendars and save the dates for these great events. Remember: non-members may only attend one progressive luncheon and one speaker luncheon in any membership year (September - June). So become a PWCC member now!

Don'r miss our next luncheon - the always popular "Holiday Connection | Winter Progressive Luncheon" on Wednesdsay, December, 12, 2018. Register early for this one, because reservations are due before December 10th, and we don't accept walk-ins.
Connections & Conversations
All First Timers, Experienced Members and Guests are Welcome.
 
Join us at 11am, prior to every luncheon at the Union League Club, to learn about the Professional Women's Club of Chicago and membership engagement. Ask questions, participate in discussions about PWCC, and network during this brief, 30-minute meeting.
 
Our next Connections & Conversations Event is Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.!
Welcome New Members
Please join PWCC in welcoming these new members who joined during October 2018:

Tami Chapek, WeInspireWe
Kim Hoefert, Chicago Bulls
Deborah Holton
Michelle Johnson
Anna King, Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.
Clara Moko
Jessi Richter, Mess
Stephanie Schwab, Crackerjack Marketing
Melissa Smith, Impact Networking, LLC
Mariyana Spryropoulos, Attorney at Law
Tracey Wolfe, DeGrand & Wolfe, P.C.
Melissa Zeman, Northwestern Mutual

New Members:  Be sure to look for our New Member Ambassadors with their Red Ribbons affixed to their nametags at our next luncheon. The Ambassadors are keen to help you feel welcome, comfortable, and introduce you to opportunities available within PWCC.
Important News for Members!

PWCC is increasing membership dues (our first increase since 2013) on 1/1/2019. If you need to renew your membership or have been thinking about joining as a member, now is the perfect time.

To join online, click here. Questions? Call PWCC at (312) 263-1808.
PWCC Policies
All reservations for the monthly luncheons are requested no later than 5:00 p.m. the Friday before the luncheon.  Anyone reserving after Friday, November 9th , at 5:00 p.m. is subject to a $10 late charge and seating availability.  
 
Please help PWCC and the Union League Club make the monthly luncheon experience a great one and reserve on time and observe their  dress code policy .
Stay Connected!