We are delighted to offer up a panel of speakers on 2/25/2010 to help you understand the trends in social media, learn tips on building your brand and your business and use social connectivity through new media tools to find business partners.  As always the Seed 2020 aims to connect women and minority owned businesses in the Louisville KY area in order to enhance the strength of these vital economic engines.

Our panel of speakers includes Dr. Tyra Oldham, Stephanie Ringer, Jessica Bratcher and Allen Cartwright.  The event will be held at:

Blue Mountain Coffee House
400 East Main Street
Louisville, KY 40202-7100 
(502) 582-3220

The event begins with networking at 6 p.m.  A full agenda is availble.

We know you find the information shared at these events powerful and helpful so mark your calendars and join us.

Constance Ard

Seed2020 has some announcements.

First, the Seed2020 team is now part of the Strategic Social Networking Web log. You can read about our team's expertise in social networking planning, event management, and project execution at SSN Blog (http://ssnblog.com). The new information service we have launched is SSN, shorthand for Strategic Social Networking. Our meet up video is featured on the home page of this new information service.

Second, we are in the planning stages for a Seed2020 meet up event to be held in Louisville, Kentucky. We will announce the date, the format,and the location in next week. We want to provide an opportunity to women and minority owned businesses to network and make useful business contacts. There is no charge for the event, and we will be featuring several local companies. Watch this Web site for more information.

The Seed2020 Team, January 28, 2010

Join us for Holiday cheer and gain some insight into search engine optimization techniques you can use on your web site!
When:  Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Time:    6:00PM - 8:00PM
Where: The Bristol Prospect
             6051 Timber Ridge Drive
             Prospect, KY 40059
             502.292.2585
Cost:     There is no cost for the content of the event, however, all attendees are responsible for their own food and drink. An 18% gratuity will be added.

Our speakers will address basic techniques you can use to improve your web site's standings in the search engines. Join us for some holiday cheer, a networking session and to learn some basics to search engine optimization!

http://www.theseed2020.com/event-registration/

On November 4, 2009 at the Muhammad Ali Center in downtown Louisville a plan was executed.  The plan was to offer women and minority owned businesses in the area, an opportunity to highlight their business, ask for investments and sell their services.

As the organizers looked around the room of some 80 odd attendees we were overwhelmed.   We had truly succeeded in putting together a unique networking opportunity that met our expectations.  The room was full of energy, it was a diverse crowd, and people met new people and futures were discussed.  Take a glimpse at the video and see for yourself what The Seed 2020 accomplished.

A study released today by UC Davis on California Women Business Leaders reinforces the commitment of Seed 2020 organizers to provide networking opportunities for women owned businesses.

Of the 400 public California companies surveyed a few key facts  came to light from the study.

• 118 have no women board directors and no women executives

15 have female CEOs

It's interesting to note that this study has been conducted for the past 5 years and there has been little change in the numbers  10.6% of top positions are held by females.

This indicates that there is still a corporate cultural reluctance to move women up the ladder.  This article discusses the study.  Wendy Beecham, chief executive of  Forum for Women Entrepreneurs and Executives talks about why the upward mobility has stalled.

The most interesting point Ms. Beecham makes is:

Women don't always have role models or mentors to help them advance in corporate careers.

That is a distinctive disadvantage.  I agree with Ms. Beecham's statement that people tend to hire like people.  Thus there exist multiple obstacles  to overcome in the continued struggle to move into powers of position.

Seed 2020 is designed to connect women and minority owned businesses to other business people who can help them grow.   This movement offers live networking opportunities.  As the program evolves and our supporters voice their needs and share their struggles our purpose will evolve to meet those needs and shared expectations.

One event we will be planning for in early 2010 is an event designed to allow small groups to solve real problems presented by our members.  We hope that as we listen and design programs that meet real needs, the connections we make will help women owned businesses overcome the challenges that their counterparts in California experience.

Mentoring is one of our goals.  It's amazing to me that as far as women have come since the suffrage movement began there is still so far to go.  No, I'm not a rabid feminist, I still like it when doors are held open for me.  Nevertheless, I want my work to be judged on my ability, my intelligence, and my client's satisfaction.  I want to accomplish what my male counterparts accomplish, especially if I'm putting in the same effort.

Giving voice to methods women can use to break the glass ceiling and succeed in the corporate world makes being a part of Seed 2020 exciting and inspiring.  I have had and continue to meet great role models, both male and female. Using their  knowledge and experience and learning the ins and outs of how to relate with all levels of company workers has been invaluable.  Seed 2020 offers the opportunity for women to benefit from the collective knowledge and experience that has allowed our members to succeed in much the same way.

Matching members to mentors, providing methods to navigate the corporate minefield and offering practical advise that is easily applied is just one more way for Seed 2020 to contribute to the success of women and minority owned businesses.

Constance Ard November 19, 2009