In its eighth year, the Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit focused on getting women to not only meet the challenges of industry, but to maximize professional and personal opportunities. With the support of sponsors including Statefarm, EMC, Pepsico and Lincoln, more than 700 women congregated at the Waldorf Astoria in Orlando, Florida, in February to participate in a variety of executive leadership workshops. Here is just a sampling of the strategies offered.
The Future is Now! Optimizing Your Digital Strategy
Panelists: Marve Frazier, Chief Creative Officer, Moguldom Media Group; Portia Brown, Account Manager, Digital Media Consultant, Google Inc; Marlon D. Cousin, Managing Partner, The Marquin Group; Moderator: Patricia Césaire, Principal, The Césaire Groupe L.L.C.
- We are not corporations, but we should have the same approach. Social media allows a recruiter to “get under the hood†beyond the résumé. Ultimately we should be creating something the recruiter wants to buy.
- Recruiters don’t distinguish between digital platforms. Many people use Facebook for family and friends and see LinkedIn as a professional site, but recruiters use all information to build their professional impression.
- Because recruiters are increasingly using social media to source talent, make sure you don’t allow a “friend’s†postings to set the narrative on your platform.
She’s Got Game: Lessons from Women in Sports
Panelists: Wendy Lewis, SVP Diversity and Strategic Alliances, Major League Baseball; Kerry D. Chandler, EVP Human Resources, National Basketball Association; Kathleen T. Francis, Chair and President of the National Board, Women in Sports & Events;
Moderator: Katrina Adams, Vice President, United States Tennis Association
- You have to master your work and work product. Even if you don’t know everything, bring your talent in a strong and demonstrative way.
- The network of other women is essential to progress. In the sports industry it is unwritten but expected that you help and support other women. Women should be sourcing other women to mentor.
- Bring your authentic self. The best of who you are will be reflected in the work you do.
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Negotiation: Be Smart, Be Bold, Be Crystal Clear
Facilitator: Mori Taheripour, Faculty Member, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
- If you don’t ask for a fair salary from the start, the mistake follows you. You are at a salary disadvantage from then on.
- Negotiate your exit package before you accept a position. You have the most leverage when they are giving you the job, not when you’re being shown the door!
- People who aim high in negotiations get better results than people who have modest goals. There is a direct correlation between what you aim at and what you get!
- Don’t let your emotions cloud your expectations. Don’t let your gratitude for your job rob you of getting what you should be paid. Know your market value.
- Don’t get trapped in salary ranges. Just ask for the high number.
Break Through! How to Shatter Your Personal Glass Ceiling
Facilitator: Audra M. Bohannon, Principal, Global Novations
- If you are haunted about the things you haven’t done, that’s your soul speaking to you. Whatever stumbling blocks are obstructing your progress, identify them and put them behind you.
- If you’re tired of hearing yourself say the same thing over and over again, your friends are tired of hearing it too. Stop complaining, make a decision to do it or let it go. It’s OK to let it go.
- Before you can make a decision to move forward you have to know if you’re stuck, stalled, or don’t know what you want to do. Each one is different and requires a different type of action.
- Don’t let how you were socialized take up too much real estate in your head. Be empowered to make your own decisions about your personal and professional situations.