Letter from your WICT Greater Chicago President

Hello WICT Greater Chicago members and supporters,

As third quarter has come to a close, most of us are still focused on how we can make an impact in 2011 and help our respective companies achieve results.  I have been fortunate to attend the 2011 WICT Leadership Conference and another leadership event in Chicago recently.  I am happy to share with you some "nuggets of wisdom" that can help you as you focus on accomplishing your goals during fourth quarter and beyond.  Even if you have heard them before, they can be good reminders to help you step up your game and achieve results.

• Become conscious of your comfort zone.  Then step outside of it.
• As a leader you can get great things from average talents and you can get average things from great talents.  It's up to you.
• There are "me" people and "we" people.  Be self-aware to know which you are-and which is needed in different situations.
• When negotiating, know your goal, and whether no agreement is better than a compromised agreement. 
• BATNA=Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement. This is your alternate plan when the talks start to go out of control. It can also be your trump card to make the deal happen to your advantage, or walk away from it altogether.  This is not just useful for negotiating contracts.  It can apply to many facets to your work and home life.
• Think about your personal brand.  What do you want to be known for?  Now, be good at it.

Here's to finding a nugget that inspires you and helps drive success-not only in the last quarter of 2011, but in many years to come. 

Negotiate Your Best Deal

by Billi Lee

(On September 29, Billi taught a negotiation class for the Greater Chicago Rising Star Mentoring Program. Click here to see photos from the event.)

The world is a large negotiation table. Those who negotiate the best, get the best deals.

Debbie Daniels bought a new car. The sticker price was $28,000 but Debbie insisted she pay less. When she drove away, she had chiseled the price down to $21,500. Debbie is an able negotiator. So why can't she negotiate a promotion with her company?

Charley Kittridge is an office equipment salesman. Although his products also have a "sticker price" Charley makes all kinds of deals. Charley also knows how to negotiate. Yet he is resentfully paying an old contested IRS bill.

When Debbie was hired the recruiter told her she was qualified to work in only one department. She took an entry-level position hoping she would be trained for something better. It's never happened and she feels she is being treated unfairly.  

Why do these two intelligent people, with well-developed negotiation skills, hold their own in one situation and give way in another? The reason is simple, yet subtle. In situations where Debbie and Charley skillfully craft a good deal, they feel they have been given permission to negotiate. When they don't feel that comfort, that permission, they assume a less powerful position hoping the other side will treat them well.

Debbie knows when she enters the automobile showroom that the sticker price is only pretend; she expects to negotiate. And yet at work she just waits for a better deal.   Charley's company has sent him to sales training specifically to learn and use negotiation skills, giving him both permission and encouragement to negotiate. But Charley assumes that the IRS makes up the rules and their rules don't include negotiation; and so he reluctantly pays.

Both these people misunderstand the usefulness and power of negotiation. Negotiation is an alternative to blindly obeying someone else's decisions. Debbie can pay full price for a car or make a different offer. She can accept the terms of employment or she can present an alternative. She is free to accept or reject any deal. Charley can counter the IRS decision that the government may or may not accept.

For both Debbie and Charley, the reluctance to take care of themselves stems from the same need for permission. Many people willingly negotiate when they think that negotiation is a predetermined rule of the game, when it is "acceptable," yet don't use this powerful tool as often as they could. Every situation, every single one, is an opportunity to negotiate. Had Debbie negotiated with the recruiter, demonstrating this valuable ability, she may have been offered the opportunities she desired. Charley may have been able to negotiate the amount or at least the terms of his disputed tax bill.

Unsavvy people often feel powerless, taken advantage of, even victimized. But the person who hesitates to negotiate can be a self-made victim, playing by the rules, waiting for someone else to make the rules fairer. The last time I checked there were only ten rules written in stone. Since all the other rules have been negotiated once, they can be re-negotiated.

Negotiation is an unwritten rule in all the games of life. But our society seems to have a price tag mentality; an expectation that in every transaction the "price" should be fair, is clearly marked and is the same for everyone, except of course, in those few occasions where negotiation is clearly defined as one of the rules.

Yet every transaction between humans is a negotiation, each party trying to influence the other. In other societies, negotiation, the art of making a deal, is a part of everyday life. People learn the game early and enjoy the process. Every situation is seen as an opportunity to negotiate.

I Am WICT...7 Questions with an Industry Leader/Mentor

Each quarter we will interview an industry leader to include their perspective on women in leadership. This quarter we introduce you to Steve Shimkus, Director of Project Management. Steve and his team lead the implementation of cross-functional product and process improvement initiatives for the Greater Chicago Region.

7 Questions

1. How would you describe your leadership style today? My leadership style is open, inclusive, and adaptable. I welcome others' ideas, and regularly seek input from our teammates.   I actively strive to keep our teammates appropriately informed, and I adjust my communications style based on the needs of the situation and the person. I ask lots of questions, because it helps me increase my understanding and ownership of our business and the projects we're leading. And, I really enjoy when others ask me questions as it shows their interest and engagement.

2. How has your leadership style changed over the years, and why? I am more collaborative now, and I pay more attention to creating and maintaining strong relationships across the company. While this allows me to be more effective in my current role, I do this primarily because I really enjoy the working environment this fosters.

3. What is one lesson about leadership you learned from a boss or mentor? Regardless of how stressful or chaotic the situation you find yourself in, it is important to remain professional and easy to do business with at all times. People will remember when you do this. Likewise, they will remember if you don't.

And...

Until proven otherwise, assume everyone wants to do a good job. This is especially useful when meeting new people. Maintaining this perspective will help you build strong relationships, based on open communications, mutual respect, and trust.

4. What is one lesson you would like to pass on to other leaders? Talk with others and really listen. Meet face-to-face, or pick up the phone. Listen to what others are saying and how they're saying it. Email, Texting, and IM are useful tools, but great leaders know how to talk with and listen to others.

5. What is the best career or management decision you have made? Joining the Cable Industry. I started my career at the Phone Company, but had the opportunity to switch to Cable TV in the mid-90s. I truly enjoy the team spirit and desire to win that we share here at Comcast. While we work harder, we celebrate more, and we definitely know how to have more fun.

6. What is one career or management decision you would like to do over? Early in my career, I was offered the opportunity to take a public speaking course by one of our VPs and I didn't follow up on it. This was a gift that I should not have let pass, not because I didn't learn how to become a better speaker, but because I missed the opportunity to continue to network with this leader.

7.  What is one thing you wish "they" would have told you, about being a leader? It's important to network with others, and you should seek out a mentor. Better yet, get involved in an organization and help plan networking events, and have multiple mentors. But don't forget, get out and network.

Bonus Question:

You are a Mentor in the WICT Mentoring Program. Can you describe your experiences or what you have gained from the program/relationship. Through the WICT Mentoring Program, I was able to get to know someone better. She shared with me her thoughts, concerns, and ideas. Hopefully she found our time together and my thoughts and ideas helpful (but you'll need to ask her). We were able to talk openly which was very rewarding. We had a lot of fun discussing the Savvy Profile, our similarities and differences, and how we both can become more "Savvy" in our lives and careers. But mostly I have enjoyed seeing her confidence increase, which has allowed her to take on bigger challenges and contribute more, which has increased her confidence even further.

I Am WICT...Get to know your WICT Board

Fun facts you never knew about Sharisse Sheridan, our WICT Greater Chicago Mentoring Program Chair and XOC Manager for Comcast.

What is your Must See TV show?  Dexter and True Blood

What leadership books do you recommend to colleagues?  Who Moved My Cheese?;, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable; and The One Minute Manager.

Who are you rooting for? Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago White Sox

What was the best/worst advice (professional or personal) you ever received?  Best Advice - Sometimes it is better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission. Worst Advice - That's just the way it is.

What do you do on the WICT Board?  I am one of the two Directors for the WICT Rising Star Mentoring Program.

Why are you involved with WICT?  Early in my career, WICT provided me with many opportunities for both personal and career growth and I was excited to be a part of the team.  I am still learning everyday from my partners on the board as well as our members!

Embracing Multiculturalism

This summer WICT Greater Chicago hosted an Educational Series and Summer Mixer offered in bothChicago and Wisconsin. Both events focused on Multiculturalism in the industry.Did you miss the events? Check out the photos: Chicago Event and Wisconsin Event.

The first event was held at the National Museum of Mexican Art and featured speakers Cristina Benitez, Director Latino Media & Communication, DePaul University and Founder/President, Lazos Latinos; Homer Gonzalez III, Director Content Acquisitions, specializing in Spanish-language and ethnic content and Diana Maldonado, News Director, Telemundo. The event also included a tour of the Cultural Center and a Spanish language movie in the park.

The second event was held in Wisconsin at the Milwaukee Art Museum and featured speakers Toni Holland, VP of Human Resources, Time Warner; Maria Monreal-Cameron, President and CEO, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Wisconsin and Nancy Hernandez, President and Founder, ABRAZO Marketing and Communications. Event attendees had the opportunity to tour the museum including many collections of multicultural art.

Members attending the events agreed that both were very valuable and an average of 82% indicated that the speakers were excellent.

Key takeaways shared by attendees:

"Hispanic families watch programming in Spanish and English. I was amazed to learn that some people think in Spanish and speak in English."

Membership Update: Welcome new members

by Andrea Oden and Allen Roscoe, Membership Co-Chairs

Hello WICT Great Chicago Chapter members. What a great new membership year it has been.  Check out what we accomplished:

But wait, there's more!!!

We have submitted 28 additional names to count toward our 2011 new membership.  That will bring our actual new membership to 122 for 2011, or 132% of goal for new members.  What a great collective effort.  In addition, the Greater Chicago Chapter has exceeded 500 members for the first time ever.  With the additional 28 members, we are well on our way toward 600, a number we should easily eclipse during the 2012 new member push.  Thank you for making 2011 such a successful year, not only in terms of membership, but programs and activities as well. 

Please join us in welcoming our new Chapter members: Janeen Barnes, David Bell, Nancy Biondo, Jasandra Booker, Juantana Burton, Oscar Carasco, Steven Clay, Jeff Guilbo, Jason Jackson, Josh Jeanty, Tony Juarez, Traci McCulloh, Lisa Merkel, Angela Moore, Eric Moultrie, Angel Richardson, Jim Sanchez, Leila Sanchez, Celeste Santora, Pat Sciluffo, Deb Sobel, Adrena Stubberfield, Kathleen Tassell, Sheree Teller, Ryan Thompson, Keneta Thompson, Gulnaz Uddin and John Vittorini.

We look forward to having them join us at the upcoming Chapter events.  If you know someone who should join WICT, and really who shouldn't, we are always looking for new members.

News & Notes

What are you doing out there? We want to know. Do you have a happy announcement to share in the next newsletter?  Send member promotions, award, marriage, baby, career change, etc., news, or any other great accomplishment to WICTChicago@gmail.com . You are WICT and we want to share your news with your fellow WICT members.

Christian Aponte has accepted a position as Engineer with Exelon.

Wendy Liu has been promoted to Director of Customer Service and Strategy Operations for Comcast's Greater Chicago Region.

Tracye Mingo Young has been promoted to Director of Customer Service for the Tinley Park Call Center for Comcast's Greater Chicago Region.

John Thompson has been promoted to Vice President of Care from Sr. Director of Care for Comcast's Greater Chicago Region.

Cristina Villazan married Matthew Strout on July 22 in a lovely beach ceremony in Miami Beach, Florida.

Angie Zavala married Aaron Wells on August 27, 2011.

Congratulations to Rebecca Cianci and her team. CN 100 took home two national trophies National Cable Fax Awards in Hollywood.

Program Awards Platinum

Best Show or Series - Public Affairs

* Comcast - CN100 - Chicago - Political Update - Richard M. Daley Special  

Best Host - Regional

Upcoming WICT Greater Chicago Events

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

"How to Not Only Survive, But Thrive in Today's Workplace" Webinar Event

Time: 12 Noon- 1 p.m.

Members: $25

Non-members: $35

Thursday, December 8

Holiday Wrap Up & Reflection

register for this free webinar!

Connect with WICT

• Network with your colleagues across the country through WICT Connects
• Friend us on Facebookand share with your friends
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• Subscribe to WICT Chicago's YouTube channel
• And make our WICT Greater Chicago page one of your favorites!
• Check out photos from our events on our Photo Page

News you can use!

Check out these great resources from around the web.

Ms. Money: A personal finance resource for women that covers everything from investing and budgeting to debt reduction, all to give financial peace of mind to its users.

Punk Rock HR: HR expert Laurie Ruettmann, one of CareerBuilder.com's Top Five bloggers, shares her insights into corporate right and wrongs--and how to get ahead without kissing butt.

She Takes On The World: One of our picks for the 20 best marketing and social media blogs by women this year, She Takes On The World is an award-winning business and lifestyle blog for women.

Share your favorite resources too and we may use them in our next newsletter. Click here to send us a note.