Sneak peek at MWMC’s new Web site January 5, 2010

Maybe it was the sub-zero temperatures or the back-to-work blues, but yesterday I just couldn’t summon much enthusiasm for my first Monday back in the office. Until Shannon Novotne sent me an email with a great link.

If you’ve been with MWMC a while, you may remember when the current Web site was a vast improvement over the previous one which was less visual and energetic. But, the organization’s Web site needed to change so we can keep up with changes in how members expect to get their information.

As the new board started planning for the year, a new Web site was one of our primary goals. The need was more than the desire to change the design of the site, it stemmed from the need to have a more useful content management system and incorporate other features to help manage event registrations.

So, here’s a sneak peek at the new Web site, which is being created as we speak. The members will be the stars of the site and we’re planning on uploading videos and some of the great articles from the Member to Member newsletter.

Content is King–thanks to our great speakers November 18, 2009

Yesterday’s session was great and provided wonderful insight into the relationship between content, experience and brands. Many thanks to our terrific speakers Melissa Rach from Brain Traffic and Eva Keiser from Risdall McKinney Public Relations. Also, Eva’s colleagues Laura Griffith and Cydney Wuerffel, provided a great case study of Go Girl, a product from a local firm which illustrated the power of integrated campaigns.

Eva posted the slides from her presentation on SlideShare. It can be viewed here. She also provided a link to a very funny Microsoft Advertising Customer break up commercial which we couldn’t view because of the audio quality.

St. Catherine’s University was such a wonderful location. Sara Cziok, MWMC’s professional development VP, and Katie Fisher, the professional development chair, pulled together another outstanding event.

MWMC Women@Work Workshop :: November 17 October 29, 2009

Content is King: From Web sites to social media, keeping your online content in control

Tuesday, November 17
1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
St. Catherine University
President’s Dining Room (#372) in the Coeur de Catherine building on the St. Paul Campus
 
Content strategy – the emerging discipline focused on helping organizations effectively create, maintain, and manage content – is suddenly all the rage. But, why now and what’s the web got to do with it? Attend the Women@Work Workshop to learn why content strategy is necessary; how to deliver useful, usable content online, where and when your customers need it most; what you can do to get (and keep) your online content in control.

Register Now
 
Content strategy – the emerging discipline focused on helping organizations effectively create, maintain, and manage content – is suddenly all the rage. But, why now and what’s the web got to do with it? Attend the Women@Work Workshop to learn why content strategy is necessary; how to deliver useful, usable content online, where and when your customers need it most; what you can do to get (and keep) your online content in control.  You’ll also get an up-close look at a couple of case studies that demonstrate how local companies are successfully integrating social media into their marketing mix.  

About Our Speakers:

Melissa Rach

Melissa Rach, Director of Content Strategy, Brain Traffic
Melissa is director of content strategy at Brain Traffic, an agency focused on helping clients tackle messy content problems. Using skills in messaging, information architecture, writing, and communication planning; Melissa has consulted for a wide variety of clients including General Mills, Best Buy, Target, United Health Group, Wolters Kluwer, and Wells Fargo. Melissa worked on her first online project in 1993. Since then, she has become a respected authority on how organizations incorporate interactive content into their overall communications strategy. Her methodologies have been taught at universities nationwide and recognized in books for nearly a decade, from Webmastering for Dummies (2000) to Content Strategy for the Web (2009).

Eva Keiser

Eva Keiser, APR, Senior Vice President, Risdall McKinney Public Relations
Eva has a proven track record of success and expertise in marketing communications and media relations. Working in an integrated agency, Eva is on the front lines bringing elements together – online and offline – to create momentum for a brand and drive Web site traffic. With a deep understanding of the media and storytelling, Eva has the uncommon ability to uncover stories within an organization that resonate with the media, and move readers to action. Over her career, Eva gained a wealth of experience through working on political campaigns, with grassroots organizations, and at various print and broadcast media outlets. Eva is an adjunct professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Parking:
Free parking permits will be sent via email to all attendees who pre-register before 5 PM on November 15.  Permits will NOT be provided onsite, so you must pre-register to receive a parking permit. Permits are valid in the O’Shaughnessy/Event Parking lot, which can be accessed from Gate 4, and the Visitor Parking lot, which can be accessed from Gate 3.

NOTE: If you plan to register at the door, MWMC can only accept payment via cash or check; credit cards will not be accepted at the door.

Learn the eight rules of improv on Sept. 15 September 8, 2009

 

Maureen Tubbs

Learning Lunch: Communicate Better with Improv; Tuesday, September 15 ,  11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Woman’s Club, 410 Oak Grove Street, Minneapolis.

Cost: $30 Members; $50 Non-members; $20 Students Register now at www.mnwc.org.

You don’t have to be a comic to use improvisation. Being able to think on your feet and listen effectively makes you a better communicator. At the upcoming Learning Lunch, you’ll learn the eight rules of improv to improve your presentations, client meetings and interactions with your staff. And, yes, have a little fun along the way. Maureen Tubbs, marketing director for the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal and professional improviser, will give you real tips you can use to feel more comfortable in front of a business audience – whether that audience is your employee or a room full of prospective clients. Learn how to be a better listener, trust yourself and find the “yes, and” in every situation – whether you’re a seasoned communications professional or just starting your career.

About our speaker: Maureen Tubbs is the marketing director for the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal where she oversees the circulation and marketing of the Business Journal and its related products. In her role she connects readers with the reporters and researchers in the paper’s newsroom by educating them on how best they can pitch story ideas and get press for themselves and their companies. Maureen is also a corporate trainer for American City Business Journals. She has worked in media and marketing throughout her career. Maureen also performs and teaches improvisation. She has been a professional member of Stevie Rays’ Comedy Troupe since 2005 and has performed at the Twin Cities Improv Festival, Brave New Workshop, Mixed Blood Theatre, in addition to corporate entertainment.

Joining MWMC at the Alphabet Bash, Aug. 20 July 7, 2009

So the economic downturn has gotten your attention and you’re seriously thinking you need to get out and network. Well, the mother of all networking events for professional communicators is coming next month.

 

Dubbed “Alphabet Bash” to reflect the plethora of initials of the participating organizations—PRSA, IABC, AMA, AdFed, AIGA Minnesota and MWMC–the event brings together about 500 people. Join in  for a night of fun and networking, networking, networking.

Date: Thursday, August 20, 2009

Time: Pre-Networking Workshop–4:30 to 5:30 p.m.; main event from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Location: Epic Event Center 110 North Fifth Street Minneapolis

Cost: Pre-Networking Workshop is $15 and includes an extra drink ticket; the main event is $35 for MWMC members.

Registration: Click here to be directed to the registration page

If you’re an introvert or just a little rusty at networking, come early and participate in the “Pre-Networking Workshop.”

Join us from 4:30 p.m. — 5:30 p.m. for Make Big Talk Not Small Talk… and BTW, How Do I Hold My Wine Glass and My Plate and My Cards and Still Shake Hands? Presented by Betsy Buckley, CEO and Chief Rainmaker at What Matters.

During her interactive session, Betsy will share how to realize and navigate through the “work” component of networking. Come prepared! Shell explore why preparation (body, mind and spirit) is critical to making great connections. Registration is an additional $15 and includes an extra drink ticket. Register early as space is limited!

 

If you’re interested in meeting up before the event, check the MWMC LinkedIn, FaceBook and Young Professionals FaceBook pages.

Meghan Wilker named to “Women to Watch” list May 26, 2009

Congratulations to Meghan Wilker, managing director at ClockWork Active Media Systems, MWMC member and speaker at last week’s Women@Work workshop and now an acknowledged Woman to Watch. Last week the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal named Meghan to it’s list of “leaders to keep an eye on for continued success.” The article is available here.

Murder in the family closet April 24, 2009

Tuesday’s Women@Work workshop at the University of Minnesota was great. The speakers (Martha Carlson, Pat O’Donnell and Renita Van Dusen) were all excellent.

 

At our table, Linda Coffin mentioned that she’ll be accepting an award in the next few weeks from the International Society of Family History Writers and Editors. Linda wrote a piece called, “Great Uncle Andrew–The Murderer in the Family Closet.” The ISFHWE will announce the awards on May 13 in North Carolina. Congratulations, Linda!

MWMC video–take 2 April 20, 2009

Revised 4-20-09

Synchronicity April 16, 2009

There are two things I enjoy a lot: when the same idea or person pops up nearly simultaneously in multiple places and when an MWMC member shares their great ideas.

 

Martha Carlson, who will speak at next week’s Women@Work workshop, sent a link to an article she published this spring on women and leadership. Lo and behold, authenticity is one of her recommended strategies for women leaders:

 

Authenticity
Authenticity is being self-aware and doing something about it. This trait allows a woman to understand at a very base level her strengths, weaknesses, desires, and fears. The key factor is her ability to convert this self-awareness into a business tool and intentionally choose how she will leverage the positive and compensate for the negative. Success is achievable if she is comfortable with the fact that she does not need to be a man or act like a man to be effective. She needs to understand that she must be herself and act with integrity. An authentic woman leader sometimes recognizes authenticity itself may be veiled by tact and judgment. A successful woman recognizes and acts accordingly to the fact that things left unsaid often are more powerful than what is said.

Martha is a terrific speaker and brings her experience and thoughtful approach to her work with The Bailey Group. Her article is printed at: http://www.managesmarter.com/msg/content_display/training/e3i213af1e960abb3d8332c8dcb7634a217

21 Events in 2008-2009 April 16, 2009

Scanning the e-newsletters over the past year, I counted up the number of programs MWMC offered and was astounded to realize that we offered members (and non-members) 21 different events/opportunities organized by MWMC. Most of our programming featured speakers–knowledgable and accomplished women. A few of our events were meant to be a stretch, like the yoga session for Seasoned Professionals. And some were an image boost, like the opportunity to professional hair and makeup in addition to a portrait by Wendy Zinns.

 

In addition, we provided information and sometimes discounts on four other events offered by partner organizations. For an association of around 200 members, that’s a tremendous amount of programming!