Sessions
These were the sessions for the 2011 Women's Business Conference. Check back in early 2012 for the 2012 sessions.
Special Sessions
Hi, We Haven't Met: Improving Your Possibilities (Welcome Address @ 8:15 - 8:45 am)
by: Maltee McMahon, Magic Happens, LLC
What is one of the most difficult things to do in business? For many, it's being in a situation where we don't know the people around us. Meeting new people and networking can be hugely stressful, but it's a necessary part of doing business
Networking takes courage and self-confidence, and in this session we will explore a safe way to meet new people. You'll learn why now,more than ever, meeting, greeting and networking can be a powerful experience. Bring your business cards and discover a fun, easy way to network and expand your horizons.
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Being the CEO of "I AM, Inc" (Keynote Address @ 11:30 am - 12:30 pm)
by: Kari Dahl, Kari Dahl Consulting
As the CEO of "I Am, Inc." you are responsible for your success.
Successful, high-performing organizations have vision and purpose, and they are guided by values. Sometimes the stockholders determine these values. Sometimes the CEO determines them. Who are the stockholders in your "I Am,Inc."? Do you own 51 percent or 49 percent? Are your thoughts, beliefs, and decisions being out-voted by others?
Learn how the results you are getting are exactly the results you should be getting. If you want different results, you have to do something differently. If you want to be the leader of a successful, high-performing company, you must find and use all of your potential. You must determine and eliminate interferences that are getting in the way of the achievements of your hard work.
Track 1: Business Basics
Business Success Stories (Session 1 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am)
by: Mary Jo Hanson, Here We Grow Again Sale; Donna Kmetz, Here We Grow Again Sale; Laurel Robertson, Dinner's On; and Carla Schultz, Schultz's Country Barn.
Ready to grow your business, but not sure how to take the next step? Learn how each panelist started, overcame adversity, and grew to achieve success and recognition locally and beyond.
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Basic Legal Issues in Hiring: Effective Hiring Procedures, Liability Issues and Strategies (Session 2 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 am)
by: Mindy Dale, Weld, Riley, Prenn & Ricci.
Learn about the legal issues surrounding hiring your first employees.
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Business Plan Basics (Session 3 @ 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm)
by: Scott Deml, Western Dairyland EOC
This class will be repeated during Session 4.
This training session teaches participants how to start a business by assembling the basic pieces of a business plan. Topics covered include feasibility, proving your market, funding your business, writing a business plan, marketing, business legal structure and more.
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Financial Statement Basics (Session 4 @ 3:30 - 4:30 pm )
by: By: Aimee Pernsteiner, UWEC College of Business, UWEC College of Business.
This session reviews the income statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows for a small business. Participants will review financial information for a sample company and see how the information flows to each of the financial statements. In addition, participants will learn about financial ratios of particular importance for small business owners and how they can be used to evaluate a company's performance.
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Track 2: Marketing
Marketing Plans: More Than Just Flyers and Facebook (Session 1 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am)
by: Christina Thrun, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin
This class will be repeated during Session 2.
This session will help attendees learn the steps to creating an effective marketing plan from a top-down approach; starting with the overall marketing objective. The focus of this session will be on how to achieve your marketing objectives through a consistent message and cohesive marketing strategy.
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SEO and VSEO: What Your Business Needs to Know About Search (Session 2 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 am)
by: Jim Zons, EZ New Media
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and VSEO (Video Search Engine Optimization) are essential components of any successful online marketing strategy. This non-technical session will explain the basics of SEO and VSEO in easy-to-understand language with simple step-by-step instructions and tips you can use.
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The Power of Email Marketing (Session 3 @ 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm)
by: Jeff Ferrazzo, Constant Contact Minnesota.
Email marketing is about getting your message heard in a world of increasing email communications. In this session, attendees will learn how email marketing works, obtain useful email marketing tips, and discover email marketing strategies and techniques.
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Social Media 2011 & Beyond (Session 4 @ 3:30 - 4:30 pm )
by: Laurie Boettcher, Laurie Boettcher Speaks.
This session will cover current social media trends and show how local and national businesses are using social media. We'll go over the steps for getting started, share resources for more information, and discuss what can be expected in the future of social media.
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Track 3: Trends in Business
Are Customers & Vendors Driving You Crazy? (Session 1 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am)
by: Joan Sosalla, UWEC Educational Opportunity Centers.
Do you have trouble understanding how others in the work world make decisions? Take the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) to find out how you and others focus attention and energy, acquire information, make decisions and relate to the rest of the world.
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I Love My Career! (Session 2 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 am)
by: Bob Trewartha, Globe University.
Everybody has a bad day, or even a bad week. The challenge is not only finding the motivation to be productive but to encourage others to find that motivation. This session will give you ideas on how to use motivational leadership on a daily basis and bring a little more fun into the workplace.
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Using Excel in the Real World (Session 3 @ 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm)
by: Juli Kloss, Chippewa Valley Technical College.
Do you struggle with using your Excel skills to create business solutions? Often people know how to use Excel but are not sure how to create budgets, timesheets, and other essential business documents. In this session we will take some raw data and use it to produce efficient Excel worksheets.
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Got Goals? (Session 3 @ 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm)
by: Jane Norby, True Compass Life Coaching
Are you looking for more clarity, focus, and energy for your life or business? This workshop is designed to give depth and definition to your hopes and dreams, to align your actions with your words, and to move you forward in creating the life you love! "Within us all lives the potential to reach the summit of our hearts desire!!"
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Track 4: Roundtables
Roundtable: Arts & Crafts Industry (Session 1 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am)
Moderated by: Kathryn Rulien-Bareis, B Able To, Inc. and Prime Products, DeLong Middle School
Meet with local young artists to discuss the business of art. We will share and discuss how important it is to find out who is your customer, brand yourself, market your product, find connections within your community (giving back), and making more sales.
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Roundtable: Food Industry (Session 2 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 am)
Moderated by: Kristina Beuning, Sunbow Farm and Erin Nutter, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection
Appropriately so, few industries are as heavily regulated as the food industry. Whether you are canning jam, selling at a farmer's market or opening a restaurant, you will benefit from this roundtable discussion.
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Roundtable: Franchising (Session 3 @ 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm)
Moderated by: Colleen Weber, Smiling Moose Deli
Franchise opportunities are plentiful, and they come with a unique set of advantages and disadvantages. If you've ever considered purchasing or running a franchise, this roundtable discussion is for you.
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Roundtable: Wholesale Industry (Session 4 @ 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm)
Moderated by: Galen Klisiewicz, The Wisconsin Group
From pricing to distribution, learn how to break into wholesale and to collaborate wholesale marketing efforts with other businesses in your industry.
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Track 5: Bonus Track
By popular demand, some sessions were repeated, or topics so frequently requested we added them in!
Roundtable: Green Business Industry (Session 1 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am)
Moderated by: Scott Deml, Western Dairyland EOC and Erin O'Brien, Erin Designs
Discuss with other individuals interested in learning about and discussing sustainable, green business ideas and practices.
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Marketing Plans: More Than Just Flyers and Facebook (Session 2 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 am)
by: Christina Thrun, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin
This class was first held during Session 1.
This session will help attendees learn the steps to creating an effective marketing plan from a top-down approach; starting with the overall marketing objective. The focus of this session will be on how to achieve your marketing objectives through a consistent message and cohesive marketing strategy.
Return to Full Agenda grid. | Return to Accessible Agenda.
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Roundtable: Direct Sellers Industry (Session 3 @ 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm)
Moderated by: Kris Kadlec Nilsson, Tastefully Simple
Learn from others on how to choose and succeed in a Direct Sales business.
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Business Plan Basics (Session 4 @ 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm)
by: Scott Deml, Western Dairyland EOC
This class was first held during Session 3.
This training session teaches participants how to start a business by assembling the basic pieces of a business plan. Topics covered include feasibility, proving your market, funding your business, writing a business plan, marketing, business legal structure and more.
Return to Full Agenda grid. | Return to Accessible Agenda.
Counseling
Would you like to discuss your business one-on-one with a local business counselor?
Sign-up for 60 minutes of individualized counseling on General Business Planning during Sessions 1, 2, 3 or 4. Counseling will be provided by SCORE, UWEC Small Business Development Center, and Western Dairyland Women's Business Center
Attendees may request a counseling session during the registration process. Each attendee is allowed only one counseling session during the WBC.
Happy Hour Networking
Join us in Brewski's Pub & Grill for a relaxing network session - all attendees, exhibitors, presenters and WBC staff are invited!
