San Francisco Womens Journal » Publisher’s Note

Highlights of the 2010 Professional Business Women of CA Conference

SFWJ — Tue, 18 May 2010 02:35:17 +0000

Connect-Discover-Shine! was the 2010 theme for the Professional Business Women of CA (PBWC) Conference held May 11 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.

by Debbie Josendale, Publisher
San Francisco Bay Area Women’s Journal

The PBWC was started 21 years ago by Jackie Speier who today serves as U.S. Congresswoman, 12th District CA. Speier’s vision to create an organization that inspired women in both their careers and personal lives was in full swing with a blockbuster lineup of keynote speakers and workshops.

Here are some of my favorite sound bites of “wisdom” and other memorable moments from the conference:

“It starts with you. Trust in yourself first.” Misti Burmeister, who led a fabulous workshop on Expanding Your Influence.

“Leaders have to be the light. Leaders have to bring possibility thinking.” Dr. Cile Chavez, who shared insights on The Leadership Imperative.

“The answer to “How are You” should be more than “just fine”. Your answer is an opportunity to share and promote yourself.” Chris Melching, whose workshop Paddle Your Own Canoe…Tips for Selling Yourself, was filled to standing room only… and, overflowed out the doors.

“Change your thinking from networking to net-worthy. Net-worthy is about abundance and asking yourself how can I be a resource to others?” Sarah Michel on The Art of Intentional Connecting.

“If you can see it, YOU can be it!”…the tag line from Jennifer Siebel Newsom, First Lady of SF, new documentary Miss Representation.

Safra Catz, President of Oracle

One of the highlights of the day for me was the keynote given by Safra Catz, President of Oracle Corporation. Frequently named to the Fortune 100 Most Powerful Women list among many other accolades and accomplishments, it was a rare gift to hear from the media shy Catz.

Delightful, witty and clearly a razor sharp mind Catz shared her thoughts on things she learned on the way up, that she wished someone would have told her .

1. You can never be #1 by chasing someone else’s business. To be #1 you have to do something different. And quite often in that pursuit, people will think you are an idiot until you are a genius!

2. Focus on the value that your business provides versus size. It’s all about scale and serving your customers better.

3. If it doesn’t make sense, it doesn’t make sense.

4. Don’t stand still. You can’t beat the competition if you’re standing still.

5. Don’t chase fashion! Execute on your strategy and stick to your core.

6. If you don’t ask, you don’t get!

7. Just because everything can be put online…doesn’t mean everything should be put online.

8. Integrity is a perishable asset. You can recover from being stupid, but you cannot recover from being a liar.

9. Business is a team sport.

As Catz finished her talk, the energy in the room was electrifying. For most of the women in the audience, it was the first time to ever hear a Keynote speech given by a President of a Fortune 500 company…who is a woman!

And Now for the NEXT Generation

And finally two High School Senior young women were awarded PBWC scholarships. Each of them gave a brief speech that was filled with excitement, enthusiasm and great expectation that they could do anything they set their mind to. It was such a joyous moment to witness these two young women filled with ambition. Yes we have a way to go…but oh how far we have come!

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Help Fight Hunger with Our Virtual Food Drive!

SFWJ — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:07:17 +0000

Often as I gaze out at the San Francisco Bay, with the sun sparkling across the water and then… catch the beautiful and sweeping vistas, I am overcome with a feeling of abundance. The natural beauty is so massive and impacting, that it literally fills me up. But, not everyone in the Bay Area feels full.

by Debbie Josendale, Publisher

Debbie Josendale

Hunger is a Problem. In the midst of so much abundance it might be hard to imagine that hunger is a problem. But it is.

2009 proved to be a record-breaking year for the San Francisco Food Bank, with the amount of food distributed to the city’s hungry topping previous numbers every month. The SF Food Bank distributed over 36.5 million pounds of food to Bay Area residents and its non-profit partners!

The impact of hunger is staggering. Food, nourishing food is at the very core of a person’s well-being. It impacts health, mental wellness, self-esteem, physical development, energy, emotional stability.

And in these challenging economic times, the demand is growing.

Since When did “You’ve Got Mail” Equal Food?

Since January 1, 2010!

This year the San Francisco Bay Area Women’s Journal is launching a “virtual” food drive! When you subscribe to the online SF Bay Area Women’s Journal, we’ll donate a can of food to the SF Food Bank. At the end of each month, we’ll tally up the number of new subscribers and deliver the same number of canned goods to the SF Food Bank.

So sign up right here, right now….and you’ll be helping Bay Area Families and the SF Food Bank!

And we promise not to bombard your e-mail account. The SF Bay Area Women’s Journal is delivered twice a month to your in-box and is filled with stories and information that we hope will inspire you to live your OWN best life in the beautiful SF Bay Area!

What better way to start the New Year…or any day in fact than by lending a helping hand in the fight to end hunger!

Bono said it best “If you want to eliminate hunger, everybody has to be involved”

Thanks in advance and we’ll keep you updated every month!

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The Mommy Dilemma: Stay Home or Work?

SFWJ — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:17:53 +0000

by Debbie Josendale, Publisher SF Bay Area Women’s Journal

Debbie Josendale

Recently I read an article in the Nov. edition of San Francisco Magazine titled Mother of All Recessions and have been haunted by the backward-looking tone. The author explores issues surrounding Working Moms versus Stay at Home Moms. Unfortunately her narrow focus promotes old worn out arguments that pit Working and Stay at Home Moms against each other.

The women’s movement of the 1970’s helped to give women choices that were previously only available to men. If this article had been written in 1970, it might be more relevant.

But it’s almost 2010 and as noted in Maria Shriver’s Woman’s Nation report, the women’s movement today is about shedding old stereotypes and…the power to choose to live your life on your terms.

Let’s Move Ahead with a Different Conversation…Support versus Divisiveness!

It’s time for a new conversation. One that is supportive and honors the choices that are best for where we are in our lives.

Giving birth is a deeply personal and individual experience for every woman. Staying at home with the kids or going back to work is also personal and a very important individual decision. Thus it’s not a good or bad scenario, but rather what works best for you and your family at this point in time.

Let’s focus on supporting one another and celebrating the abundance that is available to women today!

1. Women Have More Choices than EVER Before!

Today, a woman can go to college, stay single, get married, pursue a career, have children, decide to not have children, take time off to raise the kids, go back to work, own their own business, run for President of the U.S., rise to the top spot of Fortune 500 companies and more.

With all of these choices our decision making is much more complicated! To stay at home with your kids, return to work or somewhere in between is a difficult and different choice for every Mom.

2. Parenting is a JOB that Deserves Respect!

Stay at Home Moms and Dads are often referred to as “unemployed”. But have you ever considered the fact that if both parents are working…someone is HIRED to take care of the kids! That sounds like a job to me!

It’s time to respect the job of parenting and change our outdated notion that Stay at Home Moms or Dads don’t have a job! Parenting is one of the most important jobs any of us will ever do.

3. Define Success on YOUR Terms

Define success for yourself, on your terms.

In today’s world there is no one-size “June Cleaver” fits all definition of success.

As women, we experience many different phases in our life. Today we can choose and define what is right for our life at every point in our journey.

4. Embrace and Honor Your Feminine Powers

We no longer have to strive to be just like the guys. Dr. Barbara Mark writes in Women Leaders: It’s Time for a New Conversation, we no longer need to learn to lead from men and adopt the masculine style of leadership. We can be who we are—Women—and bring our own natural and authentic skills to our life and careers.

Let’s help move ourselves forward by honoring and valuing our feminine power!

5. Respect Yourself and Teach Others to Respect You

Eleanor Roosevelt said “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. Never give it.”

Whether you’re a Stay at Home Mom or a Working Mom, remember this is not a zero sum game! Respect yourself for whatever decision you have made at this point in your life. If you don’t, no one else will either.

Thought Provoking

You can read the SF Magazine article here. I also recommend watching a video from this year’s CA Women’s Conference. David Gregory moderated a panel discussion on the status of American Women with special emphasis on the issue of working and stay at home Moms.

Participants included Madeleine Albright, Amy Holmes, Valerie Jarrett and Claire Shipman. It is the most thought provoking and inspiring discussion that I have seen on this topic. It is definitely worth watching.

What do you think? Let’s start a new converstaion…I’d like to invite you to post your thoughts and experiences on this important topic.

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Shortcuts to Your Success!

SFWJ — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:56:43 +0000

Publisher’s Note

Debbie Josendale Publisher

Hi,

October is one of my favorite months. I’ve always enjoyed both the sense of change brought on by the beginning of the Fall Season and at the same time, the moment of respite before the Holiday Rush.

This column, Shortcuts to Your Success is written to bring you the quick notes of each edition of the BAWJ, in this case the October 2009 edition. In reviewing all of the many wonderful articles, I’m struck by the idea that sometimes looking back helps us to look forward with a greater sense of ease.

And since the Holiday Season with all of its stress, joy, emotion and exhaustion is upon us, I think the following five articles from the October edition are sure to help you look forward to a wonderful Holiday Season!

5 Shortcuts to Your Success

1. Who has time to work out and go to the gym during the Holiday season? Don’t worry; add simple movements to your day to improve your health! Stand when you’re talking on the phone, take the stairs instead of the escalator, walk to a colleague’s office instead of sending an e-mail! Laura Putnam reminds us to simply Keep Moving!

2. Get ready for the whirlwind of the Holiday Season by making time to improve your inner well being! SF Image Consultant, Michele Benza encourages you by sharing 10 easy ways to glow from the inside out.

3. And speaking of the holidays, why not buy that digital camera you’ve been thinking about. Or better yet, if you already have one, improve your picture taking. SF Photographer Kathi O’Leary shares her tips in easy to understand steps that will turn your pictures into family treasures!

4. The Holidays can be a very bumpy time emotionally. So if you hit a bump of disappointment, learn the art of bouncing. SF entrepreneur Ann Tardy inspires us to dust off the dirt and get going again…bounce back!

5. And finally, there is simply so much to do that you might feel like you are running ragged. Check out the leading edge thinking on the importance of honoring and integrating feminine power to achieve balance in your life!

Each and every day is filled with possibility…so whether you’re chasing a toddler, pursuing a promotion or going after your dream…here’s to living your best life!

If you enjoyed this article please help us spread the word about the SF Bay Area Women’s Journal! You can e-mail, Tweet or Bookmark it by clicking the Share/Save button!