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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
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JANUARY LUNCHEON | "Leading as a M.O.M. (Millennial/Officer/Mom) | Sarah Rae Murphy, Vice President Global Operations Strategy, Planning, and Design for United Airlines
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Wednesday, January 10, 2018
Union League Club of Chicago
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
65 West Jackson Blvd.
$40 members | $60 non-members | $0 Premier Members and Sponsors,
but RSVP is requested.
Must register by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 5th or the price increases by $10.
Register here.
It's a brand-new year and PWCC is kicking it off in a big way. Join us as we welcome Sarah Rae Murphy, Vice President Global Operations Strategy, Planning, and Design for United Airlines. Sarah will address a topic to which many of our members can relate: the challenges of balancing the responsibilities of a career with those of being a mom.
Sarah Rae Murphy is vice president of global operations strategy, planning and design for United. In this role, Sarah is responsible for leading all customer-facing operations strategy and planning, including airport operations, inflight services, food services and customer contact centers with the goal of consistent service delivery and efficiency.
Prior to her current position, Sarah was United's vice president of financial planning and analysis, overseeing United's $33 billion operating cost structure, $3 billion capital budget, managing the business planning functions and leading enterprise financial goal setting. Previously she served as the managing director of financial and capital planning and was the controller for United's administrative divisions. Sarah also spent time as the managing director of investor relations.
Sarah joined United in 2006, and has developed extensive knowledge of the airline industry. She has worked in United's Mileage Plus, corporate strategy, revenue management, and customer experience departments. Prior to joining United, Sarah
worked at Merrill Lynch in its investment banking division.
In 2015, Sarah was named as one of
Crain's Chicago "40 under 40." She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and she is married and has a daughter.
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PWCC MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Leslie McDonnell | Oakwood Worldwide
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Leslie started her career with Hyatt Hotels here in Chicago in 1986 and had many roles within the Rooms Division, starting with the Front Desk and including Turndown Manager, Housekeeping Supervisor, Hotel Assistance, and ending as Assistant Reservation Manager.
From Chicago, Leslie relocated to Greenville, South Carolina, and worked for Holiday Inn Hotels as the Executive Housekeeper and then the Front Office Manager. Next, she moved to Orlando, Florida, and worked for Vintage Air Tours in the Reservations department. Vintage Air Tours was a small Charter Company owned by Richard Branson with a 1940's Theme that offered trips to Key West, Florida. She then relocated to St. Louis and worked for TWA Airlines' Corporate Reservations Department while also working as a Flight Attendant until she returned to Chicago in 1997 when her first son was born.
When she became a mom, she switched gears and sold building maintenance/cleaning products for State Industrial Products in Chicago, working as an Account Executive for thirteen years. She then worked for Buildingstars, a commercial cleaning franchise for five years as the Sales/Operations Manager. She was the client liaison and assisted the franchise owner in growing the business.
Eventually, Leslie realized she wanted to return to the hospitality industry and, through research on LinkedIn, identified Oakwood Worldwide as a company for which she wanted to work. As luck would have it, the company had an opening in Chicago! 2017 is her third year working as the local sales representative.
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TIPS FOR SMARTER LIVING: Surviving Business Travel
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I love to travel and enjoy telling my kids how when I first started traveling I would have to call a local chamber, order brochures of local hotels, and drive around to ask if I could see the room and negotiate a fair rate, or go meet with a travel agent to plan a trip. Now, we have the luxury of virtual tours, apps, and online reviews. But for all of this new-found convenience, traveling for business can still be arduous. Below are a few tips to make business travel easier in 2018.
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Take advantage of all the virtual information available! Download apps for the airlines, hotels, and rental car companies you tend to favor. Downloading your airline's app will give you access to your mobile boarding pass, gate information, and more! Downloading your rental car agency and hotel apps often gives you the ability to check in online and skip the counter when you arrive. Remember to sign up for frequent traveler programs to earn points and be notified of special deals. This works best if you are loyal to one or two companies. See our Saavy Business Traveler IQ Test for find a few more apps you may like.
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Sign up for TSA Pre-Check if you only travel domestically. The sign-up process can take up to 8 weeks, so plan ahead. The $85 fee is well worth it, as TSA Pre-Check membership is good for five years and you will love the feeling of waiting in the (usually) shorter security lines and not having to take off your shoes, belt, etc.
To keep reading, click here.
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PWCC BLOG: Surviving Business Travel, Part II
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2017 ushered in some unpleasant realities about travel: there is no perfect day to buy a plane ticket; you can get bumped from your paid-for seat with little recourse; people misbehaving can result in a return to the gate and/or a cancelled flight.
And yet, travel we must. So what are some (sometimes small) things we can do to mitigate the disasters that seem to be lurking around every corner?
- Make 2018 the year you enroll in a "trusted traveler" program. Global Entry (for those who frequently travel abroad) or TSA Precheck (for those who frequently travel domestically) is like a gift from some heavenly providence. The money, required interview, and wait time will repay you every time you move through security lines and customs more quickly.
- Invest in a really good carry-on piece of luggage. Not a bag, a suitcase. Buy one with a hard shell (they survive rough treatment). While it may require some strategic packing (see #3), you'll be able to avoid the hassle of baggage claim and get on your way much more quickly once you reach your destination. Additionally, you won't have to worry about your luggage getting lost since it will be with you at all times.
- Learn to pack smart. Experiment with either folding your clothes flat or rolling them (rolling usually prevents wrinkles), stick to a monochrome color scheme, and try to limit yourself to two pairs of shoes (and stuff those shoes with small things - think of shoes as mini-suitcases).
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NETWORKING TIP: "It's better to give than receive"
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This adage likely rings true for most of us after the holiday season, especially if we've been gifted one too many scented candles or bags of liqueur-filled chocolates. As we start the new year, it might also be a useful way to think about your approach to networking. Instead of wondering how you can meet someone with the right connections to help you grow your business, consider shifting your perspective to focus on how you might help someone else.
Take an open-minded approach and give it a try at our next PWCC luncheon. When you encounter someone new whom you find interesting, ask about her work and professional goals and needs and think about someone in a similar or complementary line of work who would might make a great connection. If so, ask if your new connection would be interested in an introduction and follow up within two days; all setting up such a connection typically takes is a quick phone call or a few emails. Whether or not their new connection pays off, both will appreciate and remember your effort in making the introduction!
You will find it feels good to do something for someone else, and, somehow, less stressful than focusing your attention on finding 'the right' contacts for your own business-generating needs. Ultimately, you will find building goodwill around a larger circle of people is what creates a truly valuable network over the long term.
Fiona Ray, Ready About Consumer Insights,
fionaray@readyaboutinsights.com
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MENTORING TIP: Mentoring Resolutions to Use all Year Round
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Successful mentors and mentees know the value of developing key habits that become integral parts of their daily lives. January is a great time to gear up your resolutions to develop the habits that will carry you throughout the year and your career. Here are some quick tips:
1.
Become an active listener. Mentors and mentees need to keep their channel of listening open at all times to be most beneficial to each other. Practice active listening; it takes work. Be attentive, avoid distractions, engage eye contact, take notes, and ask questions. Mirror what you hear by repeating key phrases and use non-verbal gestures like nodding to indicate you understand and are following what you are hearing.
2.
Be engaged in your surroundings at work, at professional events, and in general. Learn more about your industry, your company's departments, and develop a big picture view. This is true for both mentors and mentees.
3.
Be curious. Take the time to read all you can about cutting edge changes in your industry. Try to stay abreast of evolving changes often based on fast-moving technology. Absorbing information helps you better determine what extra steps to take to move forward in your career, a step beneficial to both mentors and mentees.
4.
Step out of your comfort zone: growth only happens to those who venture forward. Mentors can be an invaluable resource of encouraging mentees to think outside the box to become comfortable with verbalizing new ideas and trying new things. Learn a new skill, attend a new seminar, listen to a talk that helps you think about things in a fresh light.
Ellyn Caruso, Principal,
CarusoPR,
ellyn@carusopr.com
an award winning Chicago public relations and marketing firm.
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PWCC Savvy Business Traveler IQ
Test your knowledge of the basic business traveler tips, hacks, and tools --- from planning your trip, packing, booking your hotel, and travelling to and from your destination.
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1. Which of these actions could save you money on your next airfare?
A. Signing up for in-flight Wi-Fi
B. Clearing your Internet browser's "cookies" before searching for a flight online
C. Saving those airline miles for at least a year-they increase in value over time
D. Flying frequent, short-distance flights to earn extra miles
2. Which of the followings are proven practices of road warriors?
A. Limit luggage to a carry-on
B. Use technology to plan ahead
C. Join 1 (2 at the most) rewards program and stick with It
D. Keep a bag packed with minimum amount of clothing, shoes, and accessories
E. Keep customer-service numbers for hotel, car, and airlines stored in your phone
F. Keep you Traveler Profile current with airlines, hotels, and car rentals
G. Dress well and appear wealthier
H. Apply for expedited traveler status like TSA Pre
✓
I. Pack at least one change of clothing and a few toiletries to take with on the plane
J. All of the above
K. All but G
L. All but F and I
3. 81 percent of millennials prefer ride-sharing services to taxis
A. True
B. False
4. 76 percent of millennials opt to hail a Lyft or Uber over expensing a rental car
A. True
B. False
5. 7 in 10 business travelers are interested in a "shared accommodation"
A. True
B. False
6. Which of the following is the most efficient packing method (i.e., you can fit in more in the same size bag)
A. Flat Packing
B. Rolling Packing
7. Which of the followings is NOT a valid international business travel tip:
A. Notify your bank and credit card companies to avoid any unwanted security stops.
B. Check your mobile phone plan for overseas rates and charges, buy a temporary international service if you need one, and keep your mode in Airplane mode unless you have Wi-Fi
C. Get cash at the airport
D. Make sure you have a credit card without international transaction fees.
E. Learn what's required for entrance visas ahead of time
8. Which of the following are NOT a helpful packing tip for a woman business traveler:
A. Pick one basic color (black, brown or blue) and stick with it.
B. Pack a comfortable travel outfit and comfortable shoes for the trip home.
C. Bring 3-4 pair of shoes
D. Pack enough underwear and stockings for each day of your trip plus two extra pairs of each. You never know when you might want to change clothes or just freshen up a bit.
E. Pack one lightweight quick-dry exercise outfit. Wash it out in the sink after each exercise session and hang it to dry.
F. Replenish your supply of business cards before each business trip.
G. Don't take an entire office supply store with you in your briefcase - just what you will actually need for your trip (minimum pens, pencils, paper clips, sticky pads, and notepads)
H. Don't pack an umbrella. This helps you avoid the separate fee to check your bag.
9. The followings are tools (websites, apps, helpful devices) used by modern travelers to make their trips stress free and efficient. Match the name of the tool on the left with its function/benefit on the right.
A. Upside
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_____Priceline website that gives you discounted rates-and cash back in the form of gift cards for Amazon and other retailers-when you combine flight reservations, hotel stays, and even Uber rides. Rewards will depend on the cost of the booking, but a hefty signup bonus can net you anywhere from $100 to $250 in gift cards for spending as little as $400
.
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_____This website uses the same rates as other hotel booking sites, but offers "Price Drop Refunds." If the price of the room you've booked goes down, it locks in the lower rate and refunds the difference to your credit card without you having to click, call, or log in. If you don't want to worry about playing the pricing game, and want to book early, this site makes your life simpler.
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______Practically packs your bag for you.
A travel
packing list organizer
and packing planner for serious travel pros. It helps you organize what you need to pack in your luggage and suitcase based on length of travel, weather at your destination, and any activities planned during your trip.
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______
Known as a collective of travel specialists, this has
an online tool
that works just like Expedia-except your booking comes with bonuses, including free breakfasts, free Wi-Fi, room upgrades, and restaurant and bar credits.
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______
Travel-size to-go containers. These easy-to-load silicone tubes hold products and prevent drips with a ring on the rim for you to designate bottle contents.
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_____
A
simple search tool
fort international travelers to learn about visas, as well as vaccinations and other requirements.
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______
A smart Carry-on luggage with a TSA approved removable battery. This high-tech luggage does everything except book your flight. The ergonomic handle doubles as a scale to determine its weight and the two external USB ports will make sure your phone never runs out of battery. And once you download its app, you'll also be able to track your bag via Bluetooth.
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H. Raden22
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______Get this
app
so you can quickly find food or coffee when at your airport. This travel hack allow you to maximize your time at the airport so you can get work done before a flight.
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Click
here for the answers.
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________________________________________________________________________________
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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Upcoming Events!
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Members' Only - Your Best Face Forward
Wednesday, February 14, 2018
February Networking Luncheon
Members' Only
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CONNECTIONS & CONVERSATIONS
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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 on Wednesday, January 10 at 11am
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Please join PWCC in welcoming these new members who joined during December 2017:
Sheryl Becker, MBA, Guaranteed Rate
Ann Greenberg, Moneco Advisors
Heather Hammack, STK Chicago
M. Courtney Hughes, Relias Institute
Tiffany Hughes, The Law Office of Tiffany M. Hughes, P.C.
Stacey Leinheiser, David A. Axelrod & Associates, P.C.
Nicole Nelson, Grayson Search Partners
Ellen Reda, Artisan Talent
Zoe Reese, Windy City Massage, Inc.
Liz Ryan, Relish Tray Media
Gail Songer
Jenifer Valentine
Traci Weiss, NextGen Global Resources
Julia Zukowski
and to our newest Corporate Sponsor Member:
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.
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All reservations for the monthly luncheons are requested
no later than 5:00 p.m. the Friday before the luncheon.
Anyone reserving after Friday, January 5th, 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.
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