Dr. Marsha Firestone, Founder and President of the Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO), encourages us to be patient in starting a business. Take it one day at a time and keep going amidst tough times. Believe that you are strong enough to make the venture a success.
Dr. Marsha Firestone is a recognized expert in entrepreneurship and the Founder and President of the Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO), which began in 1997. WPO is a peer advisory organization for women who own multimillion dollar businesses and has 95 Chapters on four continents. She is also the Founder and President of the Women Presidents’ Educational Organization, dedicated to increasing access to business opportunities for women’s business enterprises (WBEs).
Dr. Firestone is also the author of The Busy Woman’s Guide to Successful Self-Employment and has published research in business and educational journals on adult learning theory, nonverbal communication, and managerial competency. She also serves the worldwide women’s business community as a frequent guest speaker.
Dr. Firestone shares her professional knowledge by serving on numerous boards and advisory councils including: the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), Enterprising Women Advisory Board, Forbes Executive Women’s Board, Newcomb College Institute Director’s Advisory Council, the International Women’s Forum, and The Key Bank Women’s Advisory Council. She also serves as a special advisor to the Chair of the National Women’s Business Council Board. Dr. Firestone earned a Master’s degree in Communication from Teacher’s College of New York and a Ph.D. in Communication from Columbia University, where Margaret Mead sat on her dissertation committee.
In this episode, Dr. Firestone joins Inside the Winner’s Circle to tell us more about the Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO), from its early conception to what it is now, the premier global peer advisory organization connecting top women entrepreneurs who own multi-million dollar companies. She also discusses the model on which the organization was based upon as well as the dynamics within the group itself.
Tune-in to hear how our guest Les Adkins shares a truly unique perspective on the expanding world of Social Media and the importance of Social Strategy. Les Adkins is the founder and CEO of Orange SMS (Social Media Solutions), an organization that helps companies and organizations integrate social media strategies that follow their corporate or organizational objectives. In this informative and fun show Les offers some truly valuable insights on how you can leverage Social Media to stop “cold calling” and do some “warm calling”. As educational interviews go this was one of the tops in offering kernels of information that you can use today to close more business. I would highly encourage a listen to learn how Social Strategy is changing the way we sell.
Thanks for tuning in and Happy Selling! And remember everyone is in Sales!
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We sat down today to talk with Veronica Sheehan, SVP Turner Broadcasting, Ann Hart VP Sales Digitalsmiths, and Kathy Hatala, President of WICT (Women In Cable & Telecommunications) and VP Business Development for Speakeasy. Hear us talk about what it takes to be an authentic leader, to articulate our personal brands, and to keep pushing ourselves outside of our comfort zones.
Veronica Sheehan is Senior Vice President of Global Network Operations and International Information Technology (IT) for Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc.), with executive oversight of U.S. Network Operations and International Operations and Technology in the Latin America, Asia Pacific, and Europe, Middle East Africa (EMEA) regions. She is based in Atlanta and reports to Dan Darling, chief information officer for TBS, Inc.
Most recently Sheehan served as Senior Vice President of U.S. Network Operations for TBS, Inc., responsible for leading the broadcast operations, engineering, traffic and media management functions for Network Operations, the division that provides 24-hour technical and operational support for Turner Broadcasting’s entertainment networks, including TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Turner Classic Movies, truTV, NBA-TV and NBA-TV International, as well as content offerings and products on numerous other platforms such as portable handsets, tablets, and the Web.
Sheehan joined Turner Broadcasting in 1999 as Director of broadcast operations and later that year moved to TBS, Inc.’s in-house production/post-production division, Turner Studios, where she served as vice president of operations and original productions. Previously, she was director of operations/division services for National Video Center/Recording Studios, Inc. in New York City.
Sheehan earned a bachelors degree in communications and journalism at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY and currently serves on the President’s Council, advising the college on the evolution of the cable and broadcast industry. She is the founding chair of TBS, Inc.’s business resource group, Turner Women Today, whose mission is to inspire, encourage and empower women to achieve their full potential. Currently, Turner Women Today has chapters in Atlanta, New York, and Los Angeles and plans to expand internationally. She is a member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE), Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT) and the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE). In 2002, WICT inducted her into the prestigious Betsy Magness Leadership Institute and in 2010, she was awarded the national honor of WICT “Woman to Watch.” For several years, Sheehan has served as the National Chapter Advisor for the WICT Atlanta Chapter and was named 2008 WICT “Chapter Advisor of the Year.” Since 2006, she has been named one of the most powerful women in technology by CableWorld magazine. In 2007, she was named to Atlanta Woman magazine’s “25 Power Women Awards” list and that same year also received WICT Atlanta’s Red Letter Catalyst Award for Women in Technology. Most recently, she was named one of the 2011 Working Mothers of the Year by Working Mother Magazine and was also awarded the 2011 Champion for Success by Dress for Success Atlanta.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.
Ann Hart is Vice President of Sales for Digitalsmiths, a technology leader in Video Search and Recommendations. Ann is responsible for surfacing sales opportunities within the Telecommunication’s Industry with high caliber content owners and distributors. Ann’s leadership within the Telecommunication’s industry has been spent building a diverse, multi-platform career. The majority of her professional life was spent within the Weather Channel Companies in various Vice President roles in Distribution, Affiliate Sales, Strategic Marketing and Promotions.
She transitioned a 14-year career within the Distribution group and moved over into The Weather Channel Interactive Digital Media Group. This transformation allowed Ann to maximize her skill set and exposed her to Fortune 500 brands where she developed strategies to drive revenue for digital platforms including weather.com and Mobile. After leaving weather.com, Ann was hired by Digitalsmiths to “open doors” within the Cable industry. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for securing strategic partnerships, strengthening value proposition and sales solutions across multiple industries to achieve revenue and marketing goals. Digitalsmiths has opened new doors within the technology side of the business and empowered Ann to grow and transition her skills into a new industry.
Ann has been recognized for her personal and professional philanthropic volunteer work including Women in Cable & Telecommunications and Cable Positive (HIV/AIDS Education). She is a fellow in the prestigious WICT Betsy Magness Leadership Institute and currently serves on the Board of the National Parkinson’s Unity Walk, playing key roles in fundraising on both the local and national level. Ann received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Radio, TV, Film from Oklahoma State University and currently resides in Marietta, GA. Ann is married and has a 16 year-old son. About Digitalsmiths Digitalsmiths is the technology leader in the rapidly growing segment of video search and recommendations. Digitalsmiths Seamless Discovery™, revolutionized the accuracy and ease with which end-users find relevant, personalized entertainment across multiple channels and devices. Digitalsmiths has become a competitive edge and trusted resource for customers such as Warner Bros, Paramount, Technicolor, Turner, the NBA and NASCAR.
Kathy Hatala is VP Business Development for Speakeasy. She has been in the cable television industry for 25 years. Most recently, she was Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Turner Network Sales (TNS), the domestic distribution arm of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. As Vice President, Kathy was responsible for staff management and distribution activities of Turner’s 10 networks, focusing on top cable affiliates: Time Warner, Cox, Cablevision and Mediacom. In addition, she oversaw the execution of strategic marketing promotions designed to maximize exposure for Turner networks through affiliate partnerships. Prior to Turner, Kathy worked for Nickelodeon (MTVN) as VP Affiliate Marketing, MTV Networks as Director of National Accounts, and The Weather Channel as Manager, Local Ad Sales. Kathy has been an active member of Women in Cable and Telecommunications (WICT) serving on the SE Chapter Board as Director of Mentoring for 2 years, Vice President of the chapter in 2010 and now President of the WICT Southeast Chapter for 2011. In 2009, she was a recipient of the WICT Southeast Red Letter Award for Mentoring.
What’s your “X” factor?
Women owned businesses are a vibrant, rapidly growing area of the economy. Gorby Peters & Associates, LLC is an Atlanta-based law firm with a national practice that focuses on serving family and women-owned businesses. The law firm is owned and managed by women. Founder, Mary Donne Peters will discuss the legal challenges unique to women and family owned businesses.
Mary Donne holds Bachelors of Arts Degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Juris Doctorate Degree, cum laude,from the University of South Carolina. She is an author of a popular legal treatise published by the Thomson-West Company. She also chairs legal education programs for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education—an affiliate of the University of Georgia. Mary Donne is frequently called upon by state and national legal, judicial and business groups to speak on legal topics affecting business owners. Before entering the private practice of law more than twenty years ago, she was selected as an Honors Attorney for the U.S. Justice Department in Washington, DC, and served as a law clerk to the Honorable Emory Sneeden a federal appeals court judge who was chief counsel to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.
Mary Donne Peters is a member of the Women President’s Organization, a business organization for successful, second-tier companies.
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What are the top 2-3 social media tools that actually drive business revenue? Hear from our 3 entrepreneur CEO’s their story and their tips on how they have grown their business with social media.
Judi Knight is a successful entrepreneur. She has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, was the CEO of a Medical Records Software Company, and designed and built award winning real estate projects in Atlanta’s historic districts. Over the last few years, Judi parlayed her valuable business, coaching, technology and design skills into the creation of New Tricks where she and her team work with small businesses and entrepreneurs to create an on online presence that reflects their business brand and converts visitors into sales. Not only does New Tricks set up creative, useable WordPress websites, they train their clients to use new technologies and social media tools to reach their business goals.
Judi is the co- coordinator of the WordPress Users Meetup Group with over 800 members, Co-organizer of WordCamp Atlanta 2012 and speaks and consults with organizations on topics such as web design and social media marketing. You can visit her website at http://newtricks.com, or find her on Twitter @judiknight.
Diane Willard Kaufman is Head Mermaid and founder of Mermaid Cottages Vacation Rentals on Historic Tybee Island, GA. Her collection of cozy cottages and historic home are mostly pet friendly , all include WiFi and were created and designed to offer her guests the best vacation experience ever! She has been in business for 6 1/2 years starting with one home and now managing 45 properties. She retired from her previous career with Marriott International after 26 years working in all phases of the hotel business. Her last 10 years included handling some of Marriott’s largest National Accounts as well training in destination sales and marketing with Marriott’s hotels around the world. She has literally traveled the globe with Marriott but her favorite place to be in Tybee Island! She is very active in her community including the Tybee Tourism Council, Historic Savannah Foundation’s Preservation Fest Month, SUGA (Savannah Urban Garden Alliance) and Sea Turtle Conservation thru the Tybee Island Marine Science Center. She graduated from the University of Maryland with BS in Business Administration and major in Marketing. She is a certified Business Coach , coached during her Marriott career and now working with vacation rental clients as a coach and consultant thru her new business, Island Dog Consulting. She has grown her brand to include Beach Bum Dog Biscuits with proceeds going to sponsoring service and guide dogs and Mermaid Morning Bliss Coffee which proceeds going toward sea turtle preservation. She has bought, restored and sold 12 houses on Tybee Island and just purchased her first historic cottage built in 1889 in downtown Savannah. Diane is the proud mother to daughter Katie who lives and works in Brevard, NC, two labs, Danny a retired guide dog and Sophie a rescue lab.
Cynthia Rogers is CEO of Strategy+Innovation. Cynthia is a digital business and ecommerce strategist focused on growth and innovation. She’s applied her transformational skills to startups and turnarounds as both an executive and entrepreneur for Fortune 100 and venture-backed companies. Besides helping companies do business online, she’s expert at building collaborative partnership ecosystems and high energy, high functioning teams.
Cynthia’s leadership roles and projects in consumer and business categories range from healthcare, retail and media to hospitality, telecom and financial services. She’s worked with such brands as Verizon, Humana, JCPenney, Zagat, HP, Avon, P&G, General Mills, Turner Entertainment, NBC-TV, and the European Union.
