I just returned from the Women Corporate Directors Global Summit in New York - one of the most interesting and inspiring meetings I've attended in years. Directors of both public and private companies from around the world gathered to discuss pressing issues of governance and risk...from managing CEO succession to the importance of cities, to the pending water crisis. First-rate discussions.
The WCD also issued a "Call to Action":
"WCD Challenges Every Leader to Actively Help Bring More Women onto Corporate Boards, and to Build Diverse Boards that are Multi-Gender, Multi-Skilled, Multi-National, Multi-Ethnic, and Multi-Generational"
1. Build the pipeline through Advocacy and Mentorship
2. Assure every director slate includes at least one woman.
3. Declare Board diversity a necessary component of good governance.
4. Turn CEOs into champions and Change Agents
5. Expand the pool.
6. Provide specific Board training.
7. Sponsor more research.
8. Report and write about the issue.
9. Refer women to Board seats.
10. Exercise all of your rights as a shareholder.
Organizations concerned about the future cannot afford to not use all the brainpower available -- read the whole "Call to Action" --
http://www.womencorporatedirectors.com/associations/9942/files/05-18-11_WomenCorporateDirectors_Call_to_Action_release_FINAL.pdf
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Do you know any women-led companies looking for funding?
Do you know any women-led companies looking for funding?
Building on the phenomenal successes of Minute Clinic, Via Cell, iRobot, Zipcar and hundreds of others in their portfolio, Springboard’s venture forums have presented some of the best clinical and commercial stage companies to the nation’s investment communities. Springboard has hosted 21 venture forums since early 2000 showcasing over 400 women-led companies that have raised over $5 billion in equity, grants and strategic investments.
Applications are open for women-led companies seeking funding to participate in the Springboard: 2011 Venture Forum program which will showcase early and later stage companies to potential investors and strategic partners across a range of sectors
Companies that apply will undergo a rigorous screening process before being selected to participate in Springboard’s signature program, including regional in-person events and a hands-on coaching process. Participants gain exposure to Springboard’s national network of angels, VCs, corporate investors and strategic partners.
The deadline for applications is May 2, 2011. Please visit www.springboardenterprises.org/2011 for more information and to apply today!
Building on the phenomenal successes of Minute Clinic, Via Cell, iRobot, Zipcar and hundreds of others in their portfolio, Springboard’s venture forums have presented some of the best clinical and commercial stage companies to the nation’s investment communities. Springboard has hosted 21 venture forums since early 2000 showcasing over 400 women-led companies that have raised over $5 billion in equity, grants and strategic investments.
Applications are open for women-led companies seeking funding to participate in the Springboard: 2011 Venture Forum program which will showcase early and later stage companies to potential investors and strategic partners across a range of sectors
Companies that apply will undergo a rigorous screening process before being selected to participate in Springboard’s signature program, including regional in-person events and a hands-on coaching process. Participants gain exposure to Springboard’s national network of angels, VCs, corporate investors and strategic partners.
The deadline for applications is May 2, 2011. Please visit www.springboardenterprises.org/2011 for more information and to apply today!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Don't GRIPE -- GRYP instead!
It's always easy to find the gripers...about the economy, about "kids today", about slowness, stagnation, even the weather. And I've got to admit (especially about the weather!), I can gripe with the best of them.
But I'm truly heartened by the GRYP-ers, the Greater Reading Young Professionals, a local group of under-40s who have organized themselves into a force of nature. They are networking, learning and teaching about the community, raising money and investing it as social entrepreneurs, placing members in community leadership positions, and really making a difference.
The GRYP-ers are professionals from all areas, and we've been fortunate enough to host some of the business entrepreneurs for lunch. We've had 2 free-wheeling discussions -- about what's working in our community, what's not, how they see things, what help they need and how they can connect and help each other. They are innovative and serious about growing their businesses and creating a better community. Encouraging!
Look them up and give them some business -- don't gripe about the future, invest in it. Thanks to:
Eric Burkey -- Burkey Construction http://www.burkeyconstruction.com/
Mike Sirak -- MGS Insurance http://www.mgsinsurance.com/
Laurie Mikes -- Second Wind http://www.secondwindonline.com/
Dan Laws -- DaBrian Marketing http://www.dabrianmarketing.com/
Jamie Maack -- Industrial Metal Plating http://www.indmp.com/
Lisa and Ted Lavendar -- Berks Fire and Water Restoration http://www.bfwrestoration.com/
and Reading Express Football http://www.expressindoorfootball.com/ Go Team!
Missy Steeber -- Hollywood Dry Cleaners http://www.hollywoodcleanersltd.com/
Ben Franco -- Winedown Cafe http://www.winedowncafe.net/
But I'm truly heartened by the GRYP-ers, the Greater Reading Young Professionals, a local group of under-40s who have organized themselves into a force of nature. They are networking, learning and teaching about the community, raising money and investing it as social entrepreneurs, placing members in community leadership positions, and really making a difference.
The GRYP-ers are professionals from all areas, and we've been fortunate enough to host some of the business entrepreneurs for lunch. We've had 2 free-wheeling discussions -- about what's working in our community, what's not, how they see things, what help they need and how they can connect and help each other. They are innovative and serious about growing their businesses and creating a better community. Encouraging!
Look them up and give them some business -- don't gripe about the future, invest in it. Thanks to:
Eric Burkey -- Burkey Construction http://www.burkeyconstruction.com/
Mike Sirak -- MGS Insurance http://www.mgsinsurance.com/
Laurie Mikes -- Second Wind http://www.secondwindonline.com/
Dan Laws -- DaBrian Marketing http://www.dabrianmarketing.com/
Jamie Maack -- Industrial Metal Plating http://www.indmp.com/
Lisa and Ted Lavendar -- Berks Fire and Water Restoration http://www.bfwrestoration.com/
and Reading Express Football http://www.expressindoorfootball.com/ Go Team!
Missy Steeber -- Hollywood Dry Cleaners http://www.hollywoodcleanersltd.com/
Ben Franco -- Winedown Cafe http://www.winedowncafe.net/
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Learning about Leadership -- not from Tony Hayward's Yacht
I've blogged about our "Distribution Club" in MDM last year -- we're a group of 7 regional distribution company owners who get together to share ideas and help one another. We recently got our Leadership Teams together to learn about "Admired Leadership" from Randall Stutman, one of the best speakers I've ever heard. He's worked with leaders of all stripes and has complied a list of do-it-today behaviors that make a leader admired and successful....and I bet taking a yacht trip in the middle of a crisis is not among them!
We had 80 people from all functions in our companies - they had a chance to network and compare notes, and we all got terrific take-home value about leading people and teams.
Here are just a few of the ideas that resonated with folks on our team:
We had 80 people from all functions in our companies - they had a chance to network and compare notes, and we all got terrific take-home value about leading people and teams.
Here are just a few of the ideas that resonated with folks on our team:
- "Play favorites with your high performers" -- give them extra attention, extra time...others will follow or opt out. How often do we spend time with "problem children", assuming the high performers don't need our attention?
- "Frequency of contact really matters" -- touch base with your followers more often than you think is necessary, stay mindful that quantity build relationships.
- No more "feedback" -- "Feed Forward only" -- looking back leads to interrogations and punishing honesty, discussions about what to do next time keeps the focus on improvement.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
A Warm Spot in My Heart for Build Materials!
Modern Distribution Management just came out with their list of "Market Leaders" in half a dozen industry sectors. They report that the building materials is off 26%...and the market leaders list reports only on revenue, not profitability, stability, or long-term growth prospects in our sector. Many of the usual suspects are on the list, but some are not; and some of the big names have had lots of difficult publicity as they 've had to cut back, reorganize, and manage through the Great recession.
Being a survivor is a new way of defining success, that's for sure, and I'm very grateful to our co-workers, customers, and vendors who have helped C.H. Briggs stay on the "survive and thrive" list.
And now I have a very special place in my heart for one private equity investor and commentator (who I've never met) who thinks that the worst is over and that Specialty Building material is on he upswing and is a good place to invest. I agree...and send thanks and kudos to Tony Wayne, Principal of IronHorse LLC who said in the ACG's "Mergers and Acquisitions" Journal that "as home values slowly recover while the regional glut of excessive inventory subsides, demand for specialty building materials should be a leading indicator of improved health for this sector."
He might be on the cutting edge, but he sees what we see...regional strength, spotty but encouraging home value trends, and a growing remodel demand on the residential side of our business. since the past 2 years have been tough, I delight in thanking Tony and paraphrasing Sally Field..."he like us, he really likes us!"
Being a survivor is a new way of defining success, that's for sure, and I'm very grateful to our co-workers, customers, and vendors who have helped C.H. Briggs stay on the "survive and thrive" list.
And now I have a very special place in my heart for one private equity investor and commentator (who I've never met) who thinks that the worst is over and that Specialty Building material is on he upswing and is a good place to invest. I agree...and send thanks and kudos to Tony Wayne, Principal of IronHorse LLC who said in the ACG's "Mergers and Acquisitions" Journal that "as home values slowly recover while the regional glut of excessive inventory subsides, demand for specialty building materials should be a leading indicator of improved health for this sector."
He might be on the cutting edge, but he sees what we see...regional strength, spotty but encouraging home value trends, and a growing remodel demand on the residential side of our business. since the past 2 years have been tough, I delight in thanking Tony and paraphrasing Sally Field..."he like us, he really likes us!"
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Innovation is Alive and Well -- Even in a Battered Industry!
It's finally spring, and those of us lucky enough to have survived the bruising of the last two years in the construction industry are climbing out of our bunkers. I've been thinking about what drives growth in markets turned upside down...new construction, residential remodeling, and commercial are all vastly different from just 18 months ago, with still-not-clear prospects for the future. How do we get from here to there?
Seems to me that innovation is all we have...we can't count on naturally expanding markets, easy credit, or aspirational consumers. All we can do is invent, experiment, and innovate our way to growth. Briggs just released The Big Green Book, 576 pages of products for manufacturers and specifiers. In an industry that might not seem to have much going on, there is tons of innovation -- new stuff that makes me know the future is bright.
KV has a new concealed undermount drawer slide that's got features we haven't seen before, and DuPont Corian has 10 new colors and aesthetics that change the way you think about solid surfacing. Great new stuff.
On the Green front, Panolam has a new Eco-Logic TFM collection, 3M has a more efficient Inverted Aerosol Adhesive and IWP's Cross Band laminating platform is Forest Stewardship Council certified.
We can always count on FastCap for new inventions -- they gather great ideas and turn them into products that help woodworkers save time and make money.
Even though it's been tough, there is lots that's new. Our industry and our country will innovate our way out of the Great Recession. We've got the Big Green Book to prove it!
Seems to me that innovation is all we have...we can't count on naturally expanding markets, easy credit, or aspirational consumers. All we can do is invent, experiment, and innovate our way to growth. Briggs just released The Big Green Book, 576 pages of products for manufacturers and specifiers. In an industry that might not seem to have much going on, there is tons of innovation -- new stuff that makes me know the future is bright.
KV has a new concealed undermount drawer slide that's got features we haven't seen before, and DuPont Corian has 10 new colors and aesthetics that change the way you think about solid surfacing. Great new stuff.
On the Green front, Panolam has a new Eco-Logic TFM collection, 3M has a more efficient Inverted Aerosol Adhesive and IWP's Cross Band laminating platform is Forest Stewardship Council certified.
We can always count on FastCap for new inventions -- they gather great ideas and turn them into products that help woodworkers save time and make money.
Even though it's been tough, there is lots that's new. Our industry and our country will innovate our way out of the Great Recession. We've got the Big Green Book to prove it!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
White House Visit
I was surprised and delighted to get an invitation to the White House on February 17th. Thanks to Springboard Enterprises, a great organization that connects women entrepreneurs with venture capital – I had a seat as President Obama and Vice President Biden talked about the importance of the Stimulus program on our economy on the first anniversary of the passage of the Recovery Act.
Although C.H. Briggs has not been the direct recipient of any Stimulus dollars, we have benefited as investments have been made in public housing, military housing and hospitals, VA hospitals, and Base Relocation and Consolidation projects. The sub-contractors who do the interior manufacturing and finishing on these projects are our customers, and we’ve supplied a number of jobs and have more in the pipeline. We are a living example of the multiplier effect that the Stimulus effort can have through the supply chain…a hospital gets re-furbished, architects and a general contractor get hired, a sub-contractor gets picked to build the interiors, C.H. Briggs gets the supply order…and in turn, we order from factories and we all keep people working.
I was pleased to see the kinds of people who were invited to the session. I met a paving contractor from Central Pennsylvania, an IT consultant from Pittsburgh, a director of a chemical and materials manufacturer from Chicago, an aerospace software company owner from St. Louis, and uniformed police officers from Atlanta and Newark…not a corporate titan in sight, but all recipients (in one way or another) of the government’s efforts to jump-start our ragged economy. It might not be perfect, but we’re proof that it’s helping our industries sputter back to life.
Vice President Biden talked about the effort to provide transparency about our tax dollars being spent in this effort. The web site www.recovery.gov is the place to go to track the dollars, projects, and jobs.
As I expected, security was tight – we had to leave the room for a Secret Service sweep even after we had a background check, got badges, showed ID twice, and went through a metal detector. A few things I didn’t expect…President Obama looks a bit grayer around the temples than he did last year…and unfortunately, he did not take questions from the audience. I was all ready with a question about the credit markets and banks not lending – a huge issue with our customers and vendors throughout the construction industry these days. Maybe next time!
In all, a great experience, and encouraging for small and mid-size companies across the country.
Although C.H. Briggs has not been the direct recipient of any Stimulus dollars, we have benefited as investments have been made in public housing, military housing and hospitals, VA hospitals, and Base Relocation and Consolidation projects. The sub-contractors who do the interior manufacturing and finishing on these projects are our customers, and we’ve supplied a number of jobs and have more in the pipeline. We are a living example of the multiplier effect that the Stimulus effort can have through the supply chain…a hospital gets re-furbished, architects and a general contractor get hired, a sub-contractor gets picked to build the interiors, C.H. Briggs gets the supply order…and in turn, we order from factories and we all keep people working.I was pleased to see the kinds of people who were invited to the session. I met a paving contractor from Central Pennsylvania, an IT consultant from Pittsburgh, a director of a chemical and materials manufacturer from Chicago, an aerospace software company owner from St. Louis, and uniformed police officers from Atlanta and Newark…not a corporate titan in sight, but all recipients (in one way or another) of the government’s efforts to jump-start our ragged economy. It might not be perfect, but we’re proof that it’s helping our industries sputter back to life.
Vice President Biden talked about the effort to provide transparency about our tax dollars being spent in this effort. The web site www.recovery.gov is the place to go to track the dollars, projects, and jobs.
As I expected, security was tight – we had to leave the room for a Secret Service sweep even after we had a background check, got badges, showed ID twice, and went through a metal detector. A few things I didn’t expect…President Obama looks a bit grayer around the temples than he did last year…and unfortunately, he did not take questions from the audience. I was all ready with a question about the credit markets and banks not lending – a huge issue with our customers and vendors throughout the construction industry these days. Maybe next time!
In all, a great experience, and encouraging for small and mid-size companies across the country.
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