Coincidentally, right after I was asked to attend The View at WDW, I was also asked to interview Star Jones! I am a member of the National Association of Professional Women (NAPW), as I joined back when I was an Executive Director of a nonprofit in Miami. Being the founder of a national community organization with local chapters, Bloggin’ Mamas, I can related to the strength and importance of bringing empowered women together. I learned that Star would be coming to South Florida, my former home next week for an NAPW event focused on the power of networking.
Here’s what Star told me:
(HL) What is the National Association of Women and what services does it offer to women, especially women business owners?
(SJ) NAPW was founded in 2007 to provide exclusive networking opportunities to women executives, entrepreneurs and professionals as a means of making connections to advance their career and empower their lives. Today, NAPW has more than 855,000 members, over 200 operating Local Chapters across the country and an “eChapter,” our large and growing virtual chapter with more than 26,000 members. NAPW offers a networking community both online and in-person where professional women connect with others, develop personally and professionally, and promote themselves and their businesses.
(HL) What do you think is the current state of women in the workplace?
(SJ) Women have come a long way in the last couple of decades! We have regained footing in the workplace. However, we are not advancing into leadership and executive roles at the rate that men are. We also are not earning what men earn and I am very dedicated to helping women break these glass ceilings. Let’s be honest, women have been leaders all throughout history, yet women’s median earnings are at 80% of men’s. This is unbelievable considering not only do women represent half of America’s customer base and drive purchasing decisions but when it comes to improving overall company performance—women simply do it better.
If you’re the CEO of a company and want to drive innovation, return shareholder value, improve operational efficiencies and have better customer satisfaction, the best and most efficient way to do that is by hiring more women. Companies need to recognize that having more women in C-suite roles is good for business. It has been proven that companies who have more women in C-suite roles are more profitable. The bottom line drives decisions and the sooner companies see the financial benefit of having more women in executive leadership roles, the sooner attitudes and work culture will change. My father always taught me, “If it don’t make money… it don’t make sense.” Having more women in the leadership of your company makes both.
(HL) Why is networking so important?
(SJ) PDN and NAPW were founded on the premise of two very fundamental principles: empowering people and networking, and those two principles are the reason that I’ve accomplished what I have in my career. By having faith in my abilities and by staying connected with the people in my life, personally and professionally, I have been fortunate to experience a tremendous career.
In addition, I want to offer this piece of advice: Women need to help women. Bottom line: Rising tides lift all boats! When women help one another professionally—especially women at the top—everyone benefits . . . from the men and women in the mailroom or on the loading docks to the Board of Directors. Whenever you have the opportunity to mentor someone, recommend someone for a job opening, make an introduction or even act as a sounding board over a quick coffee, do it! Women have made a lot of progress in the workplace but if we are ever going to get to a point where women make equal money and are afforded equal opportunity, women have to help women.
(HL) What can Miami/South Florida professionals expect from your March 21 Power Networking event?
(SJ) The theme of this Power Networking Event is all about confidence building and every Power Networking Event is intentionally designed to help women live their passions and motivate them to move their best foot forward. This event is for business professionals and aspiring professionals. Whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder or are an aspiring entrepreneur. Our speakers include founders and CEOs of fast-growing companies, and icons in the business community. We also have motivational breakout sessions, open networking, and I will personally share my advice on how to perfect your elevator pitch.
*Members and non-members may sign up at NAPW.com
DATE AND TIME
Tue, March 21, 2017
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM EDT
Tower Club Ft. Lauderdale
One Financial Plaza, Regions Bank Bldg, 28th Floor
100 SE Third Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33394
Tickets range from $0-$99
I am a strong believer in the power of networking, as well as bringing people face to face to do business. Trust is built in building relationships and communicating beyond digitally. I encourage you to check out this event on Tuesday!
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