I firmly believe rules are meant to be broken. But there are some rules—even in the ever-changing social media world—that you’re better off following or being really sure you understand the repercussions if you don’t.

In Netflix’s case, they committed two ginormous no-nos after announcing their new pricing on July 12: saying nothing and deleting posts.

No-No # 1: Saying NOTHING When the Doo-Doo Hits the Fan

Forty-eight hours after announcing the pricing changes on Facebook, Netflix had yet to respond to the 65,000+ people who commented on their wall in the first two days. And followers noticed as well, and were still voicing their opinion seven days later.

Netflix’s silence was equally deafening on their blog.

No-No # 2: Deleting Wall Posts

There have been many blog posts since the pricing announcement that Netflix was removing followers’ comments from their Facebook wall. And there were even more comments on their wall complaining about earlier comments being removed. According to a post on MSNBC’s Technolog, Steve Swasey, vice president of corporate communications at Netflix, says the company wasn’t deleting comments.

If they were, shame on them—unless the ones they deleted had profanity, etc. If they weren’t, then why not speak up? Address the accusation. Say something. And while at it, address the entire pricing situation (see no-no # 1 above).

An Extra No-No: Not Allowing Commenting on Blog Posts

While doing research for this post, I was spending time on Netflix’s blog and noticed an odd occurrence. There are no comments for any of the posts between July 27 and October 30 (except one on October 4); nor does there appear to be anyway to comment on them either. If you access the July 27 post or any others before then, an abundance of comments display, with a “Post a Comment” link at the bottom—same for the September 27 post. However, no such link is included on any other posts since July 27, including the September 18 apology and the post on DVDs staying at Netflix.com.

The removal of commenting on the blog could be a technical glitch, but it’s an odd one if it is. I explored a few of the recent posts that had comments in more depth. And the one on October 4 (“Power, Deception and Lies Plus Other Good Stuff”) shows that comments have been disabled for this post by a blog administrator.

So, it looks like Netflix has decided not to allow commenting. As Julia Roberts said in Pretty Woman, “Big mistake. Big. Huge.”

Social media is two-way communication. If you don’t want a dialogue and only want to push information out to the masses, stay away from social media. Period. If you don’t, you’ll likely find yourself in a Netflix-like situation at some point.

Better Choices to Make If You Find Yourself in Netflix’s Position

1. Have a plan. Before announcing anything big, have a plan for handling possible negative comments, so you can respond.
2. Respond immediately. Even if you don’t have a plan, be prepared to respond quickly with something—even if it’s just to say, “We hear you, and we’re working on a solution.” Your top priority for the next however many hours it takes should then be writing an apology and explanation, developing a plan for monitoring and managing the communication, and working out alternatives to what you announced, if that’s an option.
3. Don’t act as if the backlash isn’t happening. The ostrich approach never works.
4. Don’t delete. Don’t delete. Don’t delete. Did I mention you shouldn’t delete negative comments, unless inappropriate, like fowl language. In that instance, make sure you’re clear about why—that it’s not the negative comment, it’s the choice of words used that resulted in the removal.
5. Avoid any additional big changes/announcements until you address the current problem.
6. Keep commenting enabled even when the comments are unpleasant.
7. Monitor all the time and have staff on hand to respond. If you’re as well known as Netflix with 2,000,000+ people (roughly 1.5M in July) liking your Facebook page, you can’t afford to not monitor the social media conversation constantly—and respond regularly.
8. Use your social media channels to capture the pulse of your customers before making big changes. Poll people. Find people with whom you can test the waters. Employ crowdsourcing.

Before closing this post, I should note that not all the comments on Netflix’s Facebook page are disparaging. There are some who would say the complainers are just loud but not the majority.

But with social media, it doesn’t really matter if the naysayers are in the minority. It can still tarnish your image and damage your relationship with customers—both of which take time to rebuild.

Will Netflix come out of this? I think they will, but they have a long road ahead of them to repair the damage that’s been done.

So, given this fondness, I was sad to see Netflix make such a muck of things these past few months. Some say its arrogance. Some say its greed. Some say Netflix is just moving too fast. The latter is not new.

I get the need to “move at Internet speed,” but even back then I thought Netflix could benefit from a little more thought before public action. Now, it’s even more imperative, because they’re big and everything they do is noticeable. An interesting quote from Hastings in a New York Times blog post on the latest reversal, speaks to this moving too fast:

‘“Companies rarely die from moving too fast, and they frequently die from moving too slowly,’ Mr. Hastings wrote in a blog post that night. His implication then was that Netflix had to act aggressively to expand its fast-growing streaming service by severing its older, slower DVD-by-mail arm.

In a sentence that now seems like a bit of foreshadowing, Mr. Hastings also wrote, ‘It is possible we are moving too fast — it is hard to say.’”

However…whether Netflix is moving too fast or not really isn’t what’s causing their reputation problems. Their communication style is.

Communication Breakdown # 1: Being Less Than Forthright

On the surface, the pricing increase wasn’t out of sync: $7.99 per month for unlimited DVDs, one out at a time, or $11.99 to have two out at a time, while streaming would be $7.99 per month. Blockbuster is $11.99 for one, $16.99 for two, and $19.99 for three.

Previously, streaming and unlimited DVDs (one at a time) combined was $9.99, so $15.98 for both is a big percentage increase, if not a huge amount of money on its own. However, at least one satellite provider that I know (who will remain nameless) charges $5.99 per pay-per-view movie, so $15.98 for unlimited streaming and DVDs sounds like a steal.

Sure, for some it’s too much. And they will, as expected, drop the service in favor of more affordable options, like Redbox, even if less convenient. But why this intense, over-the-top backlash?

Quite simple: Netflix said the pricing change was for their customers, when it was obvious it wasn’t. To a large percentage of Netflix subscribers, the post on the Netflix blog was nothing but marketing fluff. And it made them angry.

Communication lesson: Be up front. Don’t package any messaging—especially in social media—in fluff designed to make it look like you’re doing your customers a favor. They may not like the decision you made, but they won’t ever get as mad as they will when you try to pull the wool over their eyes. It increases the irritation factor exponentially.

Communication Breakdown # 2: Ignoring the Conversation

Other than the blog posts announcing the price changes in July, apologizing and announcing Qwikster in September, and announcing that Qwikster was a no-go in October (and similar emails to customers and announcements on Facebook and Twitter), Netflix has pretty much remained silent on these topics at all other times. Bad idea.

This deafening silence doesn’t appear limited to the current communication crisis either. On their Facebook wall, for example, I didn’t see any response from them to any follower posts in the last 72 hours. Positive comments, complaints, queries, customer service questions—other followers commented, but Netflix was missing from the conversation. Again, bad idea—and a big no-no in the social world.

Communication lesson: Don’t ignore the conversation. Let me repeat it in case it wasn’t clear: DON’T IGNORE THE CONVERSATION. Embrace it and let it be an opportunity to strut your customer service responsiveness.

Communication Breakdown # 3: Not Tapping the Pulse of Customers First

One gets the feeling that Netflix communicated very little with customers prior to the announcement in order to understand how the changes would be received. If that’s the case, it’s not a good idea. Consumers are used to having a say and don’t hesitate to voice their displeasure, making gaining customer insight prior to implementing big changes a must in the social age.

Communication lesson: Test the waters before making big changes—and test them well. My friend and talented colleague Jennifer Berkley Jackson of The Insight Advantage is very good at helping companies do just that.

Communication Breakdown # 4: Waiting Two Months to Apologize…

…and wrapping that apology with an announcement that “Hey, we’re now breaking these two separately priced services into two companies and websites.”

Reed’s apology started off on the right foot, “I messed up.” He even offered an explanation, although it didn’t come across entirely as a mea culpa and many felt it a backhanded apology. But he made it worse by tacking on another “big” announcement at the end. It was like Netflix learned nothing from the fiasco two months ago. And what was the community response? The exact same thing as occurred with the pricing announcement.

Communication lesson: Fess up. Right away. Don’t wait, because you think it will blow over. In today’s social world, it likely won’t go away. If anything, it will gain momentum, because customers will just get angrier over being ignored and your perceived arrogance. So, take a lesson from the politicians—especially since they seem incapable of learning it—if you fess up and apologize, things will go a lot smoother.

And don’t tie your apology to another announcement, as any genuine intentions in the apology will be colored—from your audience’s perspective—by the “thing” you’re announcing, unless, of course, it’s undoing whatever upset them in the first place.

There are other breakdowns and lessons to be learned from Netflix’s pain, but who wants to read a blog post that long? This one is long enough. I will, however, go over a few of the social media no-nos Netflix committed throughout this almost four-month-long communication spiral in my next blog post.

San Jose, CA – October 24, 2011—

“For the majority of those surveyed, business momentum continues and their optimism for the next 12 months grows unabated,” said WIC President Avery Horzewski. “Following best practices, like increasing the ways in which you network, outsourcing to other experts, and being price smart, is the surest way to grow a consulting business.”

Key findings show gross revenues climbed eight percent over last year. Median net revenues, after paying subcontractor fees, rose 16 percent. The past 12 months’ strong revenue growth is credited to more available work, a greater use of subcontractors, and an emphasis on using the full spectrum of best practices to attract and retain clients, survey respondents report.

“There’s a very strong uptick in requests for services across the board and the ability to pay for them. More cash is available and clients are less paralyzed by fear of the unknown and are quicker to decide,” said Emily Hall, president of Olive Grove Consulting of Belmont, CA, whose business more than doubled since last year.

Revenues Climb for Many

Survey responders nationwide reveal compensation increases:

• 57 percent of survey participants saw a revenue increase during the past 12 months
• Median gross revenue in 2011 was $130,000, up eight percent from $120,000 in 2010
• Median net revenue was $117,000, up 16 percent from $101,000 in 2010
• Median gross revenue among the top 20 percent of earners rose eight percent to $325,000 after holding stable for the past two years
• Median net revenue among the top 20 percent of earners jumped 10 percent to $270,000, up from $245,000 in 2010
• Hourly rates have rebounded, after dropping significantly in 2009, and are the highest in the history of the survey—topping at $150

“While the business climate is still tough for some, the majority are experiencing steady improvement with some even reporting explosive growth during the past year,” Horzewski said.

Consultants’ optimism that the economic turnaround is happening is clear, as 60 percent anticipate more revenues in the coming 12 months. This represents a significant shift from attitudes in 2009, when only 35 percent expected increased revenues. Optimism even reigns among surveyed consultants who experienced decreased revenues during the past 12 months, as 61 percent of them expect to earn more revenue next year.

“There is a lot more work this year. My telephone is ringing off the hook,” said Sue Raisty-Egami, president of Sure Product Consulting of Los Gatos, CA.

Best Practices Generate New Business

Use of social media continues to be pervasive with LinkedIn far ahead in usefulness for generating new business compared with other networking tools, followed by online communities. Facebook slipped in popularity slightly with 67 percent of respondents counting it among must-use networking and communication tools.

While networking and communicating have always been top ways to grow a consulting business, the combination of many best practices is how top earners are pulling in much more new business and retaining clients.

To grow a consultancy, survey respondents recommend following a variety of best practices, such as broadening networking beyond traditional in-person events and forming collaborations, partnerships, and joint ventures with consultants whose expertise complements your own.

Use of subcontractors is also recommended. Among those surveyed, 70 percent employ subcontractors—an increase of 10 percent over last year’s survey. Meanwhile, among the top 20 percent of earners, 90 percent of them report relying on subcontractors to grow their businesses.

A December 7th webinar detailing the survey results is complimentary for WIC members and $30 for nonmembers. To attend, register online at www.womeninconsulting.org. A free summary of the 2011 WIC Best Practices and Compensation Survey is available on the WIC website, and detailed findings are available online exclusively to WIC members.

About WIC

Women in Consulting (WIC) is a vibrant, diverse, and powerful community of consultants and small business owners working to build strong businesses. Founded in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1998, WIC provides its 400+ members and affiliates a forum to connect and share with like-minded professionals. Established as a nonprofit, collaborative community to foster successful businesses for its members, WIC sponsors programs and activities to help members network, improve their skills, and thrive even in a tumultuous economic climate, and also provides consulting leadership and support to the community at large.

For more information

• Visit our website
• Follow us on Twitter
• Chat with us on our blog
• Become a fan on Facebook
• Join our LinkedIn group
• Email us

Fresh from graduate school, where all I studied was communication—how we humans communicated, what worked, what didn’t—I approached every marcom project as a communication vehicle. My view: it didn’t matter how snappy the writing was or how cool the design looked, if it didn’t resonate with audience—if it didn’t communicate—the chances of success were slim.

Fast forward 15 years, and the mantra of “real, transparent, and audience focused” is heard everywhere—but only for social media. It’s a start, and I love it. But let’s make it the mantra for all communication.

Know Thy Audience

It’s not enough to focus on your audience based on your best guess. You need to know your audience:

• Who are they (customers/prospects, peers, influencers, mentors, others)?
• What do/don’t they like?
• Where are they?
• Why should they care?
• How do they like to interact with you and how can you help them?

I know, “Duh, obvious.” Yet, we don’t’ always communicate this way. Why? Because we’re most comfortable talking about what we know. And what do we know best? Ourselves. And, of course, there are those who think the best way to sell is to just talk about how great the product or service is, but that’s a topic for another post.

Pick a Tool for Gathering Knowledge About Your Audience

There is a multitude of ways for learning more about your audience, from traditional to social:

• Query existing and past clients/customers/patients
• Ask your social media followers what they think
• Be a “lurker”:
  • Find discussion groups and communities in your focus area by doing keyword searches and investigating different sites
  • Follow the same process to find other blogs in your focus area
  • Conduct similar searches on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook, etc.
  • Keep up on your audience’s interests using social media monitoring tools like Facebook Insights, YouTube Insights, Google Insights for Search, Google Trends, Quantcast, etc
  • Conduct old-fashioned market research

Once you’ve done your research, be adaptable and open to feedback and changing any approach that isn’t working. Most importantly, focus on helping your customers. No one wants to be “sold” to or pressured or bombarded with marketing messages. They want information. They want assistance. They want to laugh.

What do these campaigns have in common? They’re:

• Unique
• Human
• Interactive
• True to brand
• Multichannel (social and traditional)

Imitation May Be the Sincerest Form of Flattery—But Going Viral Isn’t Likely

It’s good to study and learn from great campaigns, but use them for inspiration vs. a blueprint for designing your own. Remember, these campaigns succeeded because they were unique and the organization stayed true to their brand.

Think about your audience, your brand, your goals—and let your creativity flow. Old Spice is a great example. Personally, dare I say, I thought the first video silly when I saw it at the movies (good decision on Old Spice’s part to show it there, too). BUT, I no longer thought of Old Spice as just for my grandpa. And because it was different and entertaining, it got people talking about Old Spice.

Can we learn from Old Spice? Definitely. Are there best practices to take away from this and employ in your own campaigns? Sure. Mashable does a nice job of outlining the lessons learned and best practices employed by Old Spice imitators:

• Interact with consumers
• Leverage influencers
• Revitalize brand image
• Make your brand shareable

Five Sure Ways to Strikeout with Your Social Media Campaign

Audi’s 2011 Super Bowl campaign had all the makings of a home run. It was unique, interactive, true to brand (but looking to change things up), multichannel, and human. But—and that’s a big BUT—they mucked up the follow-through.

We should be thankful for campaigns that do this occasionally, because the lessons learned are often more beneficial than the ones garnered from home runs.

So what did Audi’s campaign teach us?

• It ain’t over ‘til it’s over—don’t forget the follow-through
• Be transparent—always
• Respond
• Be fluid not rigid in your implementation
• Own up to your mistakes

Ryan Kawailani Ozawa on Hawaii Blog analyzes Audi’s campaign in detail in “Audi’s Social Media Fail.”

What do you think? Did Audi tank? Did Old Spice kick butt? What defines success? As Jeremy Scott writes, “viral success does not equal money.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Avery Horzewski Named Program Advisor and Instructor for First College-Level Social Media Certificate in Bay Area

San Jose, CA – March 14, 2011 – AVE Consulting (AVE) today announced its participation in a new Social Media Marketing (SMM) Certificate Program at San Francisco State University’s College of Extended Learning. AVE President Avery Horzewski was named program advisor, along with Susan Barnes, and will teach the program’s course on social media campaigns.

“Social media is no longer a fad, but rather a bona fide communication tool,” said Horzewski. “Whether you like social media or not, if your audience does, you need to consider it —seriously. This program gives marketers the information and tools necessary to manage this communication channel effectively and integrate it into their overall marketing strategy.”

The groundbreaking SMM program, which kicked off in January 2011, is the first college-level certificate in social media offered in the Bay Area. The six-course program provides a solid foundation in the ever-morphing world of social media and gives students an array of skills and tools that they can immediately apply in the workplace. Courses in the program include:

• The Power of Community: An Introduction to Social Media
• Mastering Social Media: 3 Essential Tools for the Business Professional
• Engaging Your Community: Creating an Effective Social Media Campaign
• Social Media in the Real World: Successful Applications of Social Media Strategies
• Social on the Go: Trends in Mobile Technology
• Integrating Social Media into the Overall Marketing Strategy

“A lot of courses show participants the successes of others, but offer no opportunity to apply that knowledge,” continued Horzewski. “All of the courses in San Francisco State’s SMM program are highly interactive with plenty of opportunities to put into practice what’s being learned—and receive feedback on the plans, tools, and ideas developed during each course.”

Added SMM Program Director, Lauren Vanett, “We’re excited to be at the forefront of executive education for marketing professionals with this new program here in the Bay Area, where such key social media players as Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Twitter were launched and many media luminaries are located.”

About AVE Consulting

Based in San Jose, California, AVE Consulting (AVE) is a marketing and customer communication company that helps businesses communicate with their customers. Whether assessing existing approaches, developing strategies, or executing strategies, AVE brings an audience-focused perspective to the process that results in authentic interactions that truly engage customers. Clients have included such companies as Adobe Systems, ACT Medical, Borland, CareFusion, Cooley Godward LLC, E*TRADE, Exordium Group, Hitachi Data Systems, Logitech, TD Ameritrade, SAP, and Xerox DocuShare.

About San Francisco State’s Social Media Marketing Program

The Social Media Marketing (SMM) program, an offering of San Francisco State’s College of Extended Learning, is designed to provide participants with a solid foundation in the basics of social media marketing, as well as skills that can be applied immediately on the job. The program is designed for working professionals and offers a Certificate in Social Media Marketing, as well as the opportunity to earn continuing education units (CEU) for courses taken on an individual basis. For more information on the program, contact San Francisco State at 415.817.4247; to register, call 414.405.7700, press 5, or go to www.cel.sfsu.edu.

Press Contact:
Renee Maler
PhilosophyPR + Marketing
For AVE Consulting
925.968.9495
renee@philosophypr.com

It started with one loved one almost dying at the beginning of the year and finished with another one being hospitalized at the end of the year, with a host of similar “stuff” in between. At the same time, I began my two-year tenure as president of Women in Consulting and was blessed to be busy with client work.

So, I violated every best practice known to man and let my blog sit virtually untouched. But while horribly embarrassing, it underscores another best practice I hold even higher:

Put your audience first

My clients cared most about my execution and deliverables and that I was available for them, not whether I blogged. I chose to blog, because:

1. I want to demonstrate the best practices that I coach my clients to follow and teach at the Social Media Marketing certificate program at SFSU College of Extended learning.
2. I love to teach and share knowledge, and a blog is a perfect vehicle for that.
3. It’s fun.
4. It’s an opportunity to write in my own voice, join the conversation, and meet new people, some of who will become clients.

Since blogging was a secondary need for my clients—and a higher priority for the WIC blog (where I post regularly)—I opted to let it slide.

While having a blog and doing nothing with it is not a practice I advocate, listening to your customers and where and how they want to communicate with you is. So before launching into social media, figure out what your audience wants and start there—but definitely still consider a blog. It’s one of the best communication tools out there for sharing your expertise.

As for my blog, this post is my stake in the ground, my recommitment to blogging regularly and practicing what I preach. And in all honesty, this post is really just for me. I was embarrassed by my lack of posting this past year and wanted to explain it. Those who join me here in all likelihood don’t care. But sometimes it’s okay if your motivation is self-focused, just be open about it.

So have you ever let your social media channels slide? If so, how did you get back in the swing of things, and what tools and best practices did you use to stay engaged regularly?

San Jose, CA – February 14, 2011—Women in Consulting (WIC), a collaborative community of professional consultants and small business owners, today announced its 2011 Board of Directors. The all-volunteer board is especially strong this year, with ten returning and two new members, all of whom are leaders in their field and bring years of professional experience to the organization.

For 2011, WIC is putting increased emphasis on delivering services that members throughout the country can access, such as its highly rated webinars and value-based partnerships with companies like Apple Computer, Office Depot, and Armstrong & Associates insurance brokers. In addition, the board will continue to add new programs, as well as further strengthen existing offerings in social media, mentoring, and events.

“This year’s board brings with it a powerful combination of strong leadership skills and a broad range of successful experience,” said WIC President Avery Horzewski. “I’m excited to see where our collaborative efforts will take us this year, as we focus on strengthening the valuable programs we started last year and introducing new benefits designed to help consultants at every stage grow and expand their businesses.”

The 2011 WIC board of directors includes:

President—Avery Horzewski continues for a second year as president. Under her leadership, WIC has launched several exciting programs and partnerships and continues to extend its online presence, bringing the organization’s services to consultants across the United States. Founder and owner of AVE Consulting, Inc., she helps companies develop effective and authentic customer-centric marketing and communications strategies that encompass everything from websites to social media to print collateral. Avery regularly speaks on communication topics, in particular social media, and serves as a program advisor and instructor for the new Social Media certificate program at San Francisco State University’s College of Extended learning.

Vice President—Jennifer Berkley Jackson builds on her past experience and contributions as WIC treasurer and WIC vice president. Founder and owner of The Insight Advantage, she helps businesses integrate customer insight to make key business decisions in the face of emerging customer needs. Jennifer also teaches the Power of Marketing Research at University of California at Santa Cruz Extension in Silicon Valley.

Treasurer and Finance Director—Melissa Stacey returns for a fourth year as WIC treasurer and finance director. Owner and founder of Feeling Organized, Melissa specializes in helping homes, offices, and small businesses create customized organization systems to fit their unique needs and styles. She’s also president of Women’s Networking Alliance (WNA).

Secretary and Communications Director—Deb McClanahan continues as secretary and communications director for a third year. Principal of BroadBand HR Consulting, Deb helps companies with executive search and HR consulting. She’s also developed a practice in expert testimony, helping attorney clients with challenging immigration and employment matters. 

Membership Director—Kathie Sherman returns as WIC’s membership director for a second year. As president of TenFour Marketing, Kathie helps companies develop and implement direct marketing programs focused on increasing response rates, tracking and measuring results, and achieving higher ROI on marketing programs. She’s worked with many well-known companies, including Apple, CapGemini, Sun Microsystems, and Penton Media.

Programs Director—Robin Pieracci is this year’s new programs director. As a pricing and product marketing consultant, Robin helps marketing executives and small business owners drive more profit and revenue from marketing and sales efforts. She brings the strategic focus and implementation expertise necessary to deliver practical solutions for her clients.

Marketing & PR Director—Melody Appleton continues in her role as marketing & PR director. As principal of Avicenna Marketing, Melody draws on over 15 years of experience in high tech to help companies develop strong positioning and messaging that establishes and articulates their competitive advantage, design marketing and public relations strategies that drive demand for their products and services, and develop effective product launch and product marketing that stands out against the competition.

Online Marketing Director—Rachel Melia returns as online marketing director. Rachel is an online marketing consultant specializing in social media marketing, with an emphasis on Facebook marketing. Rachel leads WIC’s website and social media initiatives, including its blog, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter channels.

Partnerships & Alliances Director—Sue Hay  continues her role as partnerships & alliances director. As CEO of BeWhys Marketing, Inc., Sue is passionate about helping clients create and execute demand generation campaigns that deliver real results. She’s dedicated to using the latest and most appropriate technologies and practices—from marketing automation to lead nurturing, lead scoring, and building personas—to help companies cost effectively achieve their vision, reach their goals, and grow their business.

Satellite Director—Angel Rampy joins the board to lead WIC’s ever-growing satellite groups. Angel is the founder and president of Success through Learning. With more than 20 years of experience as a manager, trainer, business consultant, and personal coach, she has the skills needed to empower and transform organizations and individuals. Her work spans from providing and developing customized training to corporations to providing one-on-one coaching to executives and entrepreneurs.

Strategic Audiences Director—Deborah Siegle returns for a third year as director of strategic audiences, overseeing WIC’s Leaders Network. Principal of Strategic Marketing Solutions, Deb assists clients with strategic research, market and product development, technology industry analysis, and customer loyalty and experience projects. With more than 25 years experience, she quickly identifies and addresses core issues, developing actionable strategies and tactics that make a measurable difference to her clients.

Strategic Initiatives Director—Jan Richards continues her role as strategic initiatives director for a third year. A national Baldrige Award examiner for five years, she heads up J.G. Richards Consulting, helping companies streamline and simplify their operations; clarify their vision, goals, and priorities; and implement effective process management. This enables clients to increase profits by reducing costs, growing revenues, and increasing business flexibility.

About WIC

Women in Consulting (WIC) is a vibrant, diverse, and powerful community of consultants and small business owners working to build strong businesses. Founded in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1998, WIC provides its 400+ members and affiliates a forum to connect and share with like-minded professionals. Established as a nonprofit, collaborative community to foster successful businesses for its members, WIC sponsors programs and activities to help members network, improve their skills, and thrive even in a tumultuous economic climate, and also provides consulting leadership and support to the community at large. 

For more information

• Visit our website
• Follow us on Twitter
• Chat with us on our blog
• Become a fan on Facebook
• Join our LinkedIn group
• Email us

San Jose, CA – January 3, 2011—Women in Consulting (WIC), a collaborative community of professional consultants and small business owners, today announced its first quarter 2011 programs, including webinars, networking events, and two new partnerships with Apple Computer and TriNet to augment its already robust member benefits offerings.

Programs slated for the first quarter include:

January 5, 11:00am – 12:00pm: “Blogging for Better Business: Get the Results you Want,” presented by Ann Evanston of Warrior-Preneur (Webinar)

• January 5, 6:30pm – 8:30pm: “Help! How Do I Get Paid?,” presented by Sandy McNabb (North Bay Meeting, Unity Center, Novato; Appetizers)
• January 10, 11:30am – 1:00pm: “Mission-Critical Tips to Getting the Most Out of LinkedIn, the Most Powerful Online Tool for Your Business,” presented by Irene Koehler, Almost Savvy (South Bay Networking Luncheon, Los Gatos Lodge, Los Gatos)
• January 12, 11:30am – 1:30pm: “The New Rules for Attracting and Engaging Clients,” with Adrian Ott, called “one of Silicon Valley’s most respected (if not the most respected) strategists” by Consulting Magazine (East Bay Networking Meeting, Pyramid Ale House in Walnut Creek.)
• January 20, 6:00pm – 8:30pm: “Energizing Your Life, Your Business, and Your Clients in the New Year,” presented by Joanne Bond, a certified Hudson Institute coach (Main Monthly Meeting, Michael’s at Shoreline, Mountain View)
• January 26, 5:30pm – 7:30pm: “Courage and Compromise: Redefining the Game in High-Stakes Client Relationships,” presented by Elizabeth Doty (San Francisco Networking Meeting, King George Hotel, San Francisco)
• February 2, 11:00am – 12:00pm: “Storytelling Secrets for Great Presentations,” presented by Alison Macondray and Matthew Clark of Alimat, Inc. (Webinar)
• February 9, 11:30am – 1:30pm: East Bay Networking Luncheon, (Pyramid Ale House in Walnut Creek.)
• February 14, 11:30am–1:00pm: “Be Yourself: Everyone Else Is Already Taken,” presented by Mike Robbins (South Bay Networking Luncheon, Los Gatos Lodge, Los Gatos)
• February 17, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm: “Social Media Research and Trends,” presented by Jen McClure of the Society for New Communications Research and Reimagine Group (Main Monthly Meeting, Quadrus Conference Center, Menlo Park)
• February 23, 5:30pm–7:30pm: “Your Web Presence: Strategies and Best Practices,” presented by Irene Koehler (San Francisco Networking Meeting, King George Hotel, San Francisco)
• March 1, 8:00am – 12:00pm: “Blogging: From Basics to Brilliance,” presented by Ann Evanston, of Warrior-Preneur and Jerry Bates, Creative Director at Fittingsites.com (Workshop, Michael’s at Shoreline, Mountain View)
• March 1, 12:00pm – 1:30pm: Peninsula Quarterly Networking Meeting (Luncheon, Caprino’s, Belmont)
• March 2, 11:00am – 12:00pm: “End-of-Life Planning: Surprising Facts About the Laws Managing Your Life or That of a Loved One,” presented by Kathy Lane, author of “Die$mart” (Webinar)
• March 9, 11:30am – 1:30pm: “Crafting Your Business Narrative: How to Tell Your Business Story,” with Ruth Halpern, (East Bay Networking Meeting, Pyramid Ale House in Walnut Creek.)
• March 14, 11:30am – 1:00pm: “Helping Your Clients with Their Global Presence,” presented by Lucie Newcomb, The NewComm Global Group (South Bay Networking Luncheon, Los Gatos Lodge, Los Gatos)
• March 17, 6:00pm – 8:30pm: “How to Get Along With Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime in Two Minutes or Less,” presented by Janice Neiderhofer of Peerage Consulting (Main Monthly Meeting, Michael’s at Shoreline, Mountain View)
• March 23, 5:30pm – 7:30pm: “Self Care, Balance, Mindfulness: Stress Reduction at Work,” presented by Suvanna Cullen (San Francisco Networking Meeting, King George Hotel, San Francisco)

In addition to networking events and business strategy sessions, WIC starts the New Year with two new partnerships—Apple Computer and TriNet. WIC’s new relationship with Apple Computer gives WIC members access to special pricing on business-related purchases. TriNet, founded in 1988, enables small businesses to outsource the management of human resources, employee benefits, payroll, and workers’ compensation to a single partner in a cost-effective manner. WIC members receive a 25-percent discount on the setup fee and a 10-percent discount on the ongoing administrative service fee.

“We’re thrilled to start 2011 with the Apple Computer and TriNet partnerships,” commented Avery Horzewski, president of WIC. “Both companies provide products and services that our members want and need, and they support our overall mission to deliver essential business resources and solutions that build strong businesses.”

“I’m equally thrilled with the speakers for our Q1 programs,” continued Horzewski. “They’re reflective of the thought leadership and best practices that underscore WIC’s position as a resource leader for consultants.”

For a complete list of upcoming WIC networking opportunities, meetings, workshops, webinars, and other programs, visit the WIC website.

About WIC

Women in Consulting (WIC) is a vibrant, diverse, and powerful community of consultants and small business owners working to build strong businesses. Founded in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1998, WIC provides its 400+ members and affiliates a forum to connect and share with like-minded professionals. Established as a nonprofit, collaborative community to foster successful businesses for its members, WIC sponsors programs and activities to help members network, improve their skills, and thrive even in a tumultuous economic climate, and also provides consulting leadership and support to the community at large.

For more information:

• Visit our website
• Follow us on Twitter
• Chat with us on our blog
• Become a fan on Facebook
• Join our LinkedIn group
• Email us

San Jose, CA – October 4, 2010—Women in Consulting (WIC), a collaborative community of professional consultants and small business owners, today announced its fourth quarter 2010 programs, including workshops, a holiday charity event, and notably, WIC’s 9th Annual Compensation Review presented in a webinar by WIC’s president Avery Horzewski and vice president of operations Jennifer Berkley.

Events slated for the fourth quarter include:

• October 5, 8:00am – 12:00pm: “Positioning Your Consulting Business to Tap Into New Market Segments,” presented by Sherry Prescott-Willis, author of Market This and president of Prescott Marketing (Workshop, San Mateo Marriott, San Mateo)
• October 6, 11:00am – 12:00pm: “The New Rules of Publishing: How to Write, Publish, and Market Your Own Book,” presented by Laura Lowell (Webinar)
• October 6, 6:30pm – 8:30pm: “Creating Social Media Success for Consultants,” presented by Avery Horzewski (Marin/North Bay Networking Meeting, Unity Center, Novato)
• October 11, 11:30 – 1:00pm: “Content Is King—What Does that Mean to Me?,” presented by Massimo Paolini (South Bay Networking Luncheon, Los Gatos Lodge, Los Gatos)
• October 13, 11:30 – 1:00pm: “Fall Networking” (East Bay Networking Meeting, Pyramid Alehouse, Walnut Creek)
• October 21, 6:00pm – 8:30pm: “Best Practices from the Trenches: Learn How to Grow Your Business from Top-Earning Consultants,” a WIC Leaders Network panel discussion with Denise Brouillette, Jennifer LeBlanc, and Lorie Loe, moderated by Deb Siegle (Main Monthly Meeting, Quadrus Conference Center, Menlo Park)
• October 27, 5:30pm – 7:30pm: “San Francisco Networking Meeting” (King George Hotel, San Francisco)
• November 3, 11:00am – 12:00pm: “WIC 9th Annual Compensation Review: Gain Insights Into Consultant Compensation and Best Practices,” presented by Avery Horzewski and Jennifer Berkley of Women in Consulting (Webinar)
• November 3, 6:30pm – 8:30pm: “Leveraging LinkedIn for Your Consulting Business,” by Irene Koehler  (Marin/North Bay Networking Meeting, Unity Center, Novato)
• November 8, 11:30 – 1:00pm: “Prioritizing Prospects to Increase Sales Success,” presented by Cheryl Downing (South Bay Networking Luncheon, Los Gatos Lodge, Los Gatos)
• November 10, 11:30 – 1:00pm: “The Easiest Way to Write Your Business Plan,” with Cynthia Riggs of Business Diva (East Bay Networking Meeting, Pyramid Alehouse, Walnut Creek)
• November 18, 6:00pm – 8:30pm: “Marketing to Apes,” presented by Gavin Johnson, chief anthropologist of Two West (Main Monthly Meeting, Michael’s at Shoreline, Mountain View)
• December 1, 5:30pm – 7:30pm: “San Francisco Networking Meeting” (San Francisco)
• December 1, 11:00am – 12:00pm: “Cloud Computing and the SOHO (Small Office, Home Office): A Case Study Using Zoho,” presented by Mark Buechler (Webinar)
• December 1, 6:30pm – 8:30pm: “Holiday Social Evening” (Marin/North Bay Networking Meeting)
• December 9, 1:00pm – 6:00pm: “WIC Gives Back,” WIC members volunteering at Second Harvest in San Jose and San Carlos, and gathering at TGI Friday’s in Cupertino afterwards to celebrate the holidays—20 percent of WIC’s non-bar tab will go to Second Harvest
• December 13, 11:30am – 1:00pm: “WIC South Bay Holiday Luncheon Celebration, (South Bay Networking Luncheon, Los Gatos Lodge, Los Gatos)
• December 14, 12:00pm – 1:30pm: “Peninsula Luncheon Meeting,” (Divino’s Restaurant, Belmont)

Taking place during WIC’s fourth quarter events is the highly anticipated November webinar on WIC’s 9th Annual Compensation Report, “Committed to the Long Haul.” The webinar provides participants insight into the compensation trends and the best practices used by top-earning consultants for increasing revenues and clients. The webinar, presented by Avery Horzewski and Jennifer Berkley, will take place on November 3 at 11:00am PDT. Access to the webinar is complimentary for WIC members and $30 for nonmembers. To attend, register online at www.womeninconsulting.org.

“Member response to this year’s findings has been overwhelmingly positive,” commented Horzewski. “They were particularly excited by the best practices for growing revenue and clients, seeing them as either a confirmation of their existing approach or a guideline for steps to take in the coming months. We look forward to presenting the results to the community at large in November.”

For a complete list of upcoming WIC networking opportunities, meetings, workshops, webinars, and other events, visit www.womeninconsulting.org/calendar.

About WIC

Women in Consulting (WIC) is a vibrant, diverse, and powerful community of consultants and small business owners working to build strong businesses. Founded in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1998, WIC provides its 400+ members and affiliates a forum to connect and share with like-minded professionals. Established as a nonprofit, collaborative community to foster successful businesses for its members, WIC sponsors programs and activities to help members network, improve their skills, and thrive even in a tumultuous economic climate, and also provides consulting leadership and support to the community at large. 

For more information

• Visit our website
• Follow us on Twitter
• Chat with us on our blog
• Become a fan on Facebook
• Join our LinkedIn group
• Email us