Mid Year Meeting - E-Myth

During the research for the “Chapter Programming that Works”, I found reference several times to the E-Myth. Several local chapters presented programs based on the principles found in the books by Michael Gerber, the world's number one small business guru.

The E-Myth point of view is the perspective that your business should work for you, rather than you working for it. The "E" stands for entrepreneurial and the myth is that most owners are not entrepreneurs but someone who just works in a business where the owner has himself for a boss instead of somebody else.

Gerber's E-Myth Revisited offers salient points with the most important being, "Work ON your business not IN it." We are introduced to three working personalities: 1) the entrepreneur who always has ideas, 2) the manager who keeps everything organized, and 3) the technician who knows that "If it's going to get done right, I'd better do it myself."

He tells the story of Sarah, who went from making pies for fun to managing a store that delivered pies as a business. She soon became enslaved to her business, dreading the love she once had. But more so, unable to grow the business to achieve her goals.

Through the eyes of a business owner/client, Gerber unfolds the story that allows us to see the importance of each personality preference and the necessity for balance between them. We also see the different stages of business growth and come to appreciate the benefits of implementing systems at the beginning of developing a business.

The franchise system allows all personalities to excel, and when they excel the customer is better served and better satisfied. The system works. So managers and technicians can have a business that will be successful and they will be fulfilled working on. But it does not stop there. He also teaches that entrepreneurs must create their small businesses according to a "franchise prototype," basically set-up systems and operations so the business can work most effectively.

Until next week...

"Chapter Programming that Works" with VaLois Hounsel

As a former teacher, it is safe to say that I am passionate about education. I felt honored and thrilled to be selected as a facilitator for the lab session titled “Chapter Programming that Works”. The goal was to learn from the past using technology to better plan for the future. To achieve the goal, I used an online survey to chart the program preferences of our members and outline sources to search for the best programs/best practices.



Many thanks to the Texas state members who helped by completing the survey. The results of the survey along with the programs that work can be found in the power point presentation. Click here to view the presentation.



The last fifteen minutes of the session were devoted to the winners of the new award for best programming by Wells Fargo. We are Texas proud that the Houston 1960 Chapter won for the Mega Chapters from across the entire nation! Representatives from three of the four winning chapters spoke for a few minutes concerning their efforts to add member value through programming.

Mid Year Meeting - "Women and Money" with Deborah Spangler, 2009 President- elect

I was very proud to be one of three Texans teaching learning labs at midyear in DC... representing over 30%of the lab instructors.. All the classes were great and I was wishing I could have been in all of them. My class, Women and Money, What women need to know about their finances, was well attended and I had a great interactive audience. This is a timely subject and I wanted to share with you a few things I found out from my audience. Click here for Power Point Presentation

1. Only 4 of about 100 attendees knew their net worth.. do you?
2. Only 2 of the attendees had budgeted for the DC trip..
3. Only 1 knew what their current credit card interest rate was.

My desire is that we as women do not allow ourselves to be caught unaware or unprepared for the future. I hope you will look over the powerpoint (lots of interesting facts) and share what you learn with others. Many thanks to all the Texas WCR members that came out for support.

Provided by Deborah Spangler

WCR Mid Year Meeting - AWARDS

The Mid Year Meeting proved to be TEXAS TERRIFIC in every way! We attended interesting sessions, heard inspirational speakers, participated in committee meetings, and WON AWARDS!

First, let’s start with the awards based on 2008 Annual Report…..


1. 2008 Chapter of Excellence Awards - 15 chapters won Gold & 6 won Silver

2. Chapters of the Year -
Mega – Houston 1960
Large – Dallas Metro East

3. State Chapter of the Year –
Super Mega State – TEXAS STATE CHAPTER

4. Wells Fargo Award for Best Programming that includes a $1,000 check
Mega Chapter – Houston 1960

Awards based on 2009 Membership Drive for Recruitment

1. Golden Triangle Chapter – Small Chapter
2. San Antonio Chapter – Mega Chapter


I think the state made Becky Hill, our own Texan, mighty proud!!! Pictures are available on the website under EVENTS; then select Event Pictures.

Over the next few weeks, we will feature information from the lab sessions and speakers. The goal is to have something interesting every week so that YOU will return to the blog repeatedly.

Provided by VaLois Hounsel

Top 5 Secrets of Great Networkers

The next Savvy Saturday Sessions will feature reports from the Texas state officers and members concerning information and ideas learned from the forums, lab sessions and speakers at the Women’s Council Mid Year Conference in DC.

During the preparation for the lab session, “Chapter Programming that Works”, I found from one of the program speakers, a flyer that was available from her company’s website that I wanted to share.

The Top 5 Secrets of Great Networkers

Networking is about forming authentic, mutually beneficial, long term relationships.
Nobody is born knowing how to network. Here are some tips from master connectors:

1. It’s NOT Just You
_ EVERYONE feels the same way
_ Only rule is the Golden Rule
_ Get outside yourself through curiosity

2. Quality Beats Quantity
_ Whoever leaves with the most business cards loses
_ Focus on Connectors
_ Minimize clones; maximize diversity
_ The one with access to the most information wins

3. Everyone has Something of Value to Contribute – Including YOU
_ Networking is not about tit for tat
_ Being asked feels good
_ “Payback” can be months later
_ Saying ‘thank you’ is often enough

4. Use the Laws of Physics
_ Get in motion – use momentum
_ It doesn’t have to hurt! Make it fun & easy!
_ Follow-up or it doesn’t count

5. It’s a Lifestyle, Not a Project
_ Way of BEING in a relationship
_ Keep it going and the benefits multiply


Networking Gives YOU Power to Achieve Things Important to YOU! –

Check back each week for the next selection from our treasure trove of information !

"Prime Time Women" with Marti Barletta

My favorite new expression – Prime Time Woman – is a phrase coined by Marti Barletta to describe women between the ages of 50 to 70. According to Becky Hill, 2009 National President, “ Marti gave a powerful overview on gender trends and the opportunity that exists in directing your marketing efforts toward women. Her comical approach to this and the differences between how men approach a purchasing decision versus how females make their buying decisions left all of us entertained, as well as enlightened.”

Marti explained how this group “constitutes a market force to be reckoned with for 2 reasons
First, contrary to conventional wisdom, they are in the prime of their lives. Using tired terms like middle-aged frumpy), mature (over ripe), and senior (out to pasture) mislead marketers into overlooking their reality. Studies have shown that the 50’s and 60’s are generally the happiest decades of their life. Baby Boomer women, who were the first to go to college and go to work in large numbers, have also benefited from the spectacular recent advantages in health & fitness. So today they are the healthiest, wealthiest, most education & most active generation of women in history.” READ MORE

"Women who Mean Business" with Vickie Austin

Vickie Austin of Choices Worldwide is a woman on a mission with a message to share for “Women Who Mean Business”. She notes that “as girls & women, we receive mixed messages about power and prestige. Raised to be nice girls, we struggle up the corporate ladder or as entrepreneurs, confused by the roles we’re trained for that are in conflict with the new roles we need to fill. She tackles the conflicts of being a woman in business: money, power, position and how to have it all without losing the very people we love—or losing ourselves. She helps participants build their power base—their posse—while still honoring the people who support them along way, creating a consensus on everyone can win.”

Vickie proposes 9 Lessons for Women Who Mean Business:

1. Surround Yourself with Supportive People - (Financial Advisor, Accountant, Banker, Mortgage Broker/Lender – Doctor(s), Landscaper, Inspector, Home Warranty, Personal Virtual Assistant., Hairdresser, Housekeeper, Photographer, Technical Assistant., Handyman, Business coach, etc.) These individuals become your posse. Build your “golden rolodex” with your posse and focus on referrals for all. Have a quarterly focus group with your posse.

2. Honor These People Whenever & Wherever You Can; i.e., victories, holidays, birthdays, promotions, etc. Send more thank you cards. Watch each other’s backs.

3. It’s Okay to Toot Your Own Horn; in fact, IT’S REQUIRED. (Check out http://www.bragbetter.com/ to create “brag bites”. Weave these bites together in a story to create a memorable introduction.

4. Honor Your Feminine Style
Women are better communicators.
Women are better global managers (because of communication)
Be proud of the differences we bring to the table.

For the remaining 5 lessons, click here.