You make it happen – the 2007 EBWIBR theme

by Claire Kinlaw and Darlene Crane, Executive co-chairs

The East Bay Women in Business Roundtable (EBWIBR) Steering Committee met for its annual strategic planning session on Jan. 20 at the Alameda County Training & Conference Center. The committee reflected on successes from 2006 and charted direction for 2007, focusing on its commitment to continue growing and enhancing the value of EBWIBR for participants.

Please note a change in the Steering Committee’s meeting time to the third Friday of each month, 3-5 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce.

2007 Program Topics

The Steering Committee focused on developing topics for the monthly business breakfasts and identifying new initiatives on behalf of women in business. The theme coined for 2007 is “You Make It Happen!”

The Steering Committee is developing the following topics for the business breakfast series:

• April 26, 2007 - “You Don’t Have To Do It Alone, Power Partnerships”
  • A success story of an effective power partnership between two Bay Area women business owners.
• June 1, 2007 - “Create It, Preserve It, Market It”
  • A panel of experts will discuss issues and strategies to grow a business from several different perspectives, including branding, protecting your identity, and gaining financial strength.
• August 3, 2007 - “Have Courage, Reach As High As You Can, Expand Your Horizons”
  • Continuing with the theme of women and leadership
• October 5, 2007 - “Strategic Approaches To Growing Your Business Through Contracting”
  • Prepare to compete and win by learning the rules of the game
• December 7, 2007 - “Non-traditional Ways to Sell Successfully”
  • Non-traditional ways to sell your products and services

In addition to continuing to enhance the value and visibility for EBWIBR’s morning breakfast programs, the Steering Committee will work on a number of exciting new initiatives in 2007 including:

• Outreach – Advocate for women in business with government agencies and political leaders. Explore a relationship with a prominent woman’s business group in Beijing China.
• Programs – Record guest speakers and post audio files to expand distribution.Develop events to prepare women to compete and win federally and state-funded contracts that are earmarked
• Publicity – Survey breakfast attendees to quantify impact of EBWIBR on Chamber membership. EBWIBR participation in Oakland holiday parade. EBWIBR in local business conferences and trade fairs

To meet its ambitious goals, EBWIBR is seeking sponsors. If your company or organization is interested in aligning with any EBWIBR initiative and getting publicity, please contact Kala Brand, director of Events and Development at the Chamber of Commerce at (510) 874-4815, ext. 307.

If you would like to join in the exciting and valuable work of the EBWIBR for 2007, or would like further information about how EBWIBR can help your ownership and leadership development, please contact executive co-chairs Darlene Crane, PCI Crane Consulting, (510) 886-4483, or Claire Kinlaw, Developmental Products, (510) 531-4996.