NAWBO® Central Illinois - The PULSE

Chicago Author Asks For Input For Her Next Book

Carol Abrahamson is a member of NAWBO's Chicago chapter and the author of 14 business books. She is writing a new book, "The 15 Lucrative Ways Your Book Can Forever Change Your Professional Life," and she is looking for a few more authors to profile whose nonfiction book(s) generated great results for their business.

Her request is as follows:

I have collected many Chicago authors’ success stories, but I want the book to describe successes from across the country. I hope your chapter might have – or your members might know – an author or two who would like some free PR by being included in my latest book.

Does your chapter have a listserv or other announcement vehicle through which your members could learn about my project? Most of the authors I have connected with to date are friends and colleagues of NAWBO members rather than chapter members themselves, and as members have forwarded this email to non-NAWBO authors, the authors have seen the power of the NAWBO network in action (a great thing to actually show off – and not just talk about – to get new members!).

If you are interested in learning more about her project, you can contact Carol at 815.748.1537 or carol@ExecutiveAuthors.com. Her website is www.ExecutiveAuthors.com.

Peoria Symphony Orchestra Performs with "The Beatles"!

On September the 24th at 7:00PM at O'Brien Field, the Peoria Symphony Orchestra will be performing with a tribute band that looks and sounds just like the Beatles. Tickets are $30 and $40 each. Sharon Law is buying a block of tickets, so the cost will only be $20 each. If any member of NAWBO would like to attend, please let Sharon know, and she will make sure to get enough tickets.

Sharon's Contact Information:
Phone: 309.683.2363, ext. 52363
E-mail: Sharon.Law@busey.com

Need a research project completed for your business?

From Eden Blair, Ph D., Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship, Foster College of Business Administration, Bradley University:

I have at least one student and possibly others interested in doing an independent study in entrepreneurship.  One of the possible ways of doing this is by acting as a research consultant for an entrepreneurial organization or small business.  Unlike an internship, this will be a research project to help your organization gather data about something that interests them.  Depending on the number of credit hours a student needs, these projects would take between 20-80 hours of work time for the student.  You would be required to meet with the student and me once at the beginning of the semester (Jan or Feb) and once for the presentation of the research at the end of the semester (Apr-May).  Other than that, any meeting between the student and you can be negotiated.

Possible projects include:

• Research on a topic of interest to you and related to entrepreneurship (like methods of innovation, women in entrepreneurship, etc.)
• A market analysis
• A feasibility analysis
• Development and gathering of a survey to customers, employees, etc.
• Focus group of customers or employees
• Developing creativity and innovation techniques to get better creativity out of your employees

This is free to you.   Most clients have been pleased with the work of the students (most are final semester seniors and entrepreneurship majors).  I will work with the student and the client to determine what is fair and reasonable in terms of work.  I'll be grading the final project, so I expect students to do a good job.

Please contact me at the below info if you are interested.  I will only be able to manage  1-3 projects, but projects on hand will make it easier to attract students.

NAWBO® Central Illinois Welcomes the Disney Keys to Excellence

Join us as we welcome the world-renowned Disney Institute to the Bloomington-Normal Metro Area on April 21, 2009, for an incredible day of learning, insight, and inspiration.

In slow economic times, Disney Institute helps you pick up the pace – through cost-effective professional development.  Join thousands of professionals, world-wide, who have learned how to thrive by:
•    Strengthening loyalty and retaining valuable customers;
•    Expanding their brand and generating greater profits;
•    Building team involvement and ownership;
•    Creating a service culture and motivating employees;
•    Maintaining a competitive edge in a sluggish economy.

We invite you to attend the Disney Keys to Excellence program because of the current economy, not despite it!  A one-day workshop, the Keys is:
•    Relevant: Impacts critical drivers of success in a slow economy;
•    Affordable: Priced to serve more people under limited budgets;
•    Actionable: Easy to implement upon return to the office;
•    Inspirational: Generates team excitement and momentum;
•    Short: Takes only one day away from the office;

•    Local: No airfare or hotel expenses.

Registration and Information:
Phone: 877.544.2384
Fax: 913.712.9247
Online:http://keysus.com/splash/WBOPCLWsplash.htm

Email: registrations@keysUS.com

Receive $50 off the guest admission price by using promotional code WBOMNE and pay only $345 per guest (group discounts available).

To learn more and register, go to www.KeysBloomington.com.

No pre-requisite training required.
 

It's a "Fluff Sale!"

Melanie Spurgeon is having a "Fluff" sale on Thursday, November 20, from 10 am - 4 pm at Coldwell Banker Devonshire, 3300 W. Willow Knolls in Peoria. Download her sale flyer for more information. Happy Shopping!

Member News & Marketing Opportunity

Congratulations to Holly Jones for the release of her new site H. Jones Productions!  The site provides information on the various events that she produces.

Her upcoming event is WAHM Job Fair and Conference.  What is a WAHM?  You might be one!  WAHM is Work at Home Moms. 

Marketing Opportunity -- If you have a business that targets women from 30-50 years old, this is a great venue to consider marketing your business. Holly has a number of options from sponsorship (Title Sponsor is Disney Travel!), Exhibitor, Show Book, Business Expert Panelist. Representatives from across the nation are coming to be a part of this exciting new venue in Central Illinois.

Learn about the opportunities: Marketing opportunities
Learn more about the event: Event information

8 Steps to Better Office Communication

This month’s SVR Communications e-newsletter features eight expert tips you can use today to reduce office conflicts that can take a toll on team productivity.   Member, Susan Voigt-Reising would like to invite you to subscribe to this no-cost monthly e-newsletter by going to www.svrcommunications.com and clicking the newsletter link at the bottom of the page or link directly to the article at www.svrcommunications.com/office.htm.

Member News: Curves Open House

Please join us at Curves (on Sterling Ave.) for an Open House!

SATURDAY MARCH 1ST FROM 4:00-5:00

WE ARE SHOWCASING OUR NEW CURVESSMART SUCCESS COACHES, AND ANSWERING ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT OUR FUNFASTFITNESS AND NUTRITION TOO!

DRINKS AND APPETIZERS WILL BE PROVIDED NO NEED TO BRING ANYTHING BUT YOU, AND OF COURSE AS MANY FRIENDS AS YOU WOULD LIKE, And SO PLEASE SEND THIS INVITE TO ANYONE YOU CAN THINK OF.  THE MORE THE MERRIER!  COME AS YOU ARE, BUT KEEP IN MIND YOU MAY WANT TO GIVE THE CIRCUIT A TRY.

THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNTIY TO NETWORK AND MEET LOTS of WONDERFUL WOMEN.  IF YOU PLAN TO MAKE IT, GIVE ME A CALL AT 840-2387 OR JUST SEND A QUICK E-MAIL.  I HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!

P.S.  ALSO, MANY OF US ARE MEETING AT JOHNNYS STEAK HOUSE AT 7:00 FOR DINNER AND A FABULOUS GIRLS NIGHT OUT!  I WILL NEED TO KNOW IF YOU WILL JOIN US AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO MAKE APPROPIATE RESERVATIONS.

IN ALL THAT YOU DOMAKE IT GREAT!
Kim Brown

Celebrate National Pie Day! Jan 23

Apple's Bakery will be celebrating National Pie Day by giving $2 of each sale to MS.

Web Updates: Get Your Information to Tammy!

Tammy Finch reminds all members that the NAWBO Central Illinois website provides a current member listing that is accessible to the public.  She is reworking this section so we can add some additional information about our individual businesses.  If you are interested in being represented on our website, please email her at Email with your contact information and a brief description of your business.  Thanks!

Do you have member specials that you would like to share?  Email Us! 

10% Discount on Office Miracle Services

Stephanie wants to remind us that she now offers a 10% discount on Office Miracle services to all NAWBO members!

Do you have member specials that you would like to share?  Email Us!