Alliance for Affordable Services

Bay Area Business
Women News

Munday and Collins

Our membership is constantly seeking advice, support, training and information from service providers to help further their business practices. If you or someone you know would be interested in participating as a one-time sponsor at a WIC monthly meeting, held the third Thursday of each month, please contact us for more information.

I am very excited that so many WIC members have expressed an interest in our first Silent Auction meeting scheduled this month. This meeting will highlight two unique activities which include a powerful networking presentation by Cynthia Stringer as well as the Silent Auction. The proceeds for the auction will be used to generate more exposure for WIC to businesses seeking consultants, and fund events and services for WIC members and the WIC community. Special thanks goes out to Deb Henken and the auction committee members for making this event happen, and to all Silent Auction donors for donating items in support of WIC. I look forward to seeing you all at this fun-filled and informative evening.

As WIC moves into 2004, there will be a few open officer and committee chair positions available. Please take a moment to review these positions in this newsletter. If you are interested in serving an office, please notify me directly. Volunteering with WIC is a rewarding way to engage more fully in the organization, to interact professionally and to build new professional alliances with other consultant members. In addition to the many rewards of becoming a volunteer, you can expand your own resume and experience base.

A special thank you to Lisa Goldman and Niqui Hunt for another great workshop in September focused on Value Based Pricing. We have two more great workshops on the calendar, the first "How to Set Profitable Rates" next week and the second "Marketing Brand You" in November. Space is still available, so don't miss this opportunity to boost your business skills and get to know other WIC members.

Sincerely,

Kate Purmal
President, Women in Consulting

Winning Contracts
— by Kathryn Smith, with Lisa Goldman

One of the goals of Women In Consulting is to raise the professional performance of members and allow them to produce results. One necessary component of all consultants' businesses is to produce the signed contract.

Lisa Goldman, Partner at Management Associates, and WIC Board Member, has been in the management and consulting business for 16 years. She has a total of 28 years of management experience in strategic planning, marketing, sales and customer service. And she has kindly agreed to share her contract experiences and recommendations with WIC members.

Throughout her consulting career Lisa has become very familiar with business contracts and how they fit into the selling process, and continues to improve hers based on her experiences. Her answers to our questions can help to shorten our learning curve. Remember, these answers are based on her regular mode of operation - they work for her, and they can work for you, too!

I spoke with Lisa by phone on Friday, October 03, 2003 and the following is our conversation.

On September 18, Lisa Goldman and Helen Conroy led a highly energized moderated discussion about proposals and contracts. Attendees had an opportunity to learn first hand what it takes to develop a winning consulting proposal for clients. Lisa successfully answered questions about how to field questions from clients on a proposal, while Helen Conroy gave suggestions on how to get a proposal pushed through an organization quickly, and effectively. WIC members had the chance to ask questions in advance of the meeting so that the material presented incorporated top requested questions from WIC members.

Here are just some of the things that WIC members learned at the meeting: top tips for developing winning proposals, how to reduce the amount of time spent on proposals and contacts, developing a contract that protects your interests — that the client will sign, what to do when you must sign your client's contract. For more information on proposals and contracts, read the feature article interview in this month's WIC Direct.

To register go to: Upcoming WIC meeting

To register go to: the WIC home page

WIC has volunteer positions available for 2004!
Website Committee Chair:
Contact Karilee Wirthin at karilee@klconsulting.com

Education Committee Chair (responsible for seminars and educational programs).
Contact Lisa Goldman at lisa@massociate.com

Meeting Committee Chair (responsible for monthly speakers, topics, and networking).
Contact Lisa Goldman at lisa@massociate.com

Volunteer Members for Member Benefits Committee
Contact: jberkley@theinsightadvantage.com.

Don't miss out on WIC's exciting Fall workshops! Register today!

October:
How to Set Profitable Rates for Your Consulting Practice: A Seminar on Setting Rates and Creating Project Bids Register now — click here

November:
Marketing Brand You: Practical Strategies to Increase Your Visibility and Generate New Business! Register now — click here

WIC Direct articles and submissions:
Now accepting articles and top tips on "how to successfully dine with your clients" as well as top tips for "best holiday gifts and gift-book ideas" for your top clients. Please email kasmarketing@comcast.net.

WIC quote of the month:
"The broader and deeper your network of contacts, the greater chance you have to get what you want, when you want it." — Paul Montelongo

We'd like to welcome our new WIC members! Please make sure to introduce yourself to these women at the next WIC meeting!

Elizabeth Flood	Kathryn A Smith
Lee Sigler	Amy Tenderich
Angela Polk	MB Deans
Elizabeth Becker	Kim Weins
Elizabeth Vattuone	Susann Cloutier