The Hot Mommas® Project

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2008-12-22T21:49:00.006-05:00

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Is Blogging Self-Indulgent? Top Mom and Dad Blogs.

2008-12-19T11:15:00.009-05:00

Today I read a great post by Lisa Belkin on her favorite mommy and daddy blogs. As I looked through the comments, one particularly bitter reader caught my eye:

"No doubt we live in an age of voyeurism. Many of us obviously like to peek in on others’ lives, or at least what they describe as their lives. And then there are those who feel the need to talk about their own lives as if they’re more important or interesting than everyone else’s. I guess this is really what blogging is all about. Everyone becomes an expert just because they live and have experiences. God, how boring.

Bur what I want to know is how all of you have the time to read all of this self-indulgent pablum.

— dave"

I responded as follows with my comment:

"I think many of the women and men who put it out there in these blogs are fabulous role models on a number of levels. The women’s leadership project I run project deals with role models, so, I was particularly amused by the “indulgent” comment above. If talking about your experiences and lessons-learned is indulgent, then, I encourage everyone to have an all you can eat buffet on http://www.HotMommasProject.org. You’ll can indulge yourself right into a major textbook and help women, girls, and educators in the process.

Nice work Lisa

Kathy and The Hot Mommas Project team"

As mentioned in one of our insider blog posts, the social media community is THE BEST THING that has happened to our project: The Hot Mommas Project. Here you have a community of people self-identifying themselves with a "yes". Yes, they are willing to share. Yes, they are willing to learn. Yes, they want to connect. However you view this community, it is a tough-sell to unilaterally say these behaviors are a bad thing.

****************************

Below please find a list of blogs mentioned in Lisa's post:

Lisa Belkin writes for
http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/

Belkin recommends

http://www.babble.com/ (see essay section)

http://www.babycenter.com/

http://crashcoursewidow.blogspot.com/

http://www.dailycoyote.net/

http://dooce.com/

http://hannahandlily.blogspot.com/

http://henrystrongingoldberg.blogspot.com/

http://blogs.wsj.com/juggle/

http://www.mama-is.com/

http://www.mattlogelin.com/

http://mom2my6pack.blogspot.com/
http://www.mommytrackd.com/
http://www.motherhoodlater.com/

http://www.pleasestoptherollercoaster.com/about
http://www.urbanbaby.com/
http://www.ivillage.com/
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/parenting/

http://stephanieklein.blogs.com/greek_tragedy/

http://svmomblog.typepad.com/nyc_moms/
http://svmomblog.typepad.com/50somethingmoms/
http://svmomblog.typepad.com/deep_south_moms/
http://www.thecowgoddess.com/

http://thepioneerwoman.com/

Readers recommend
http://moms.alltop.com/

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The Hot Mommas Project is an award-winning leadership initiative raising self-efficacy of women and girls through exposure to role models. We produce case studies showing the full range of factors influencing a woman’s success. We are housed at the George Washington University School of Business and are the recipient of a 2006 Coleman Foundation National Case Award. Learn more at http://www.hotmommasproject.org/ and through this personal letter.

If you want to participate in the project and impact education: NOMINATE a role model (yourself included) by emailing the Hot Mommas Project TODAY.

Winners of the case study competition will have the chance to be published in a major Prentice Hall textbook and win thousands of dollars in prizes. The contest goes through January 31.
*********************************

Why You Should Write Your Story for The Hot Mommas Project

2008-12-18T20:21:00.004-05:00

The following is an edited version of an email sent from one inspirational woman to another as part of the Hot Mommas Project. Read below, and nominate someone you know - yourself included - as a role model. Impact women's education and make a difference this holiday season. The writing period ends January 31, 2009

December 18, 2008

Dear "Janet,"

When we first met, you told me your story about how you came to be at the position you are currently at in your life. It is a inspiring story. I have since volunteered to be on the Host Committee for The Hot Mommas Project. The premise is to develop a database of case studies for educators to use to teach young women and girls about the power that they have within to achieve great things through stories of real life women who have achieved personal and professional success and are true role models. Janet, you are a role model. Your story of entering a male dominated industry with no real background or education in it and through utilizing a philosophy of hard work, strong ethics and good old customer service, you have become a 'force to be reckoned with'. That is a motivational and inspiration story from which other women could learn.

I chose to do this for two reasons:

1. I have four daughters that I want to see develop into the tremendous women that I know that they can be and seeing "real" women making great strides is a way for me to assure them that it can be done.

2. I believe that every women has a "case study" inside of them. The Hot Mommas Project provides an opportunity for women to be recognized and to give the gift of their "case study" to other women to role model after.

I know you are an extremely busy woman and this may be something that you don't have time for. I hope it will be something that you will consider though. You would be surprised how easy it is to write 500-1500 words when you sit down to actually do it!

I would like to officially nominate you as a Hot Momma. Please take it as the compliment it is meant to be! Here's all the information.

BTW, there is a contest attached to it with some pretty cool prizes. Hope you will think about it. It is a George Washington University project and case studies could be published in text books.

Janet, thanks for sharing your story with me. Have a great holiday! For questions, you can contact Kathy Korman Frey and her team.

Tina Williams

P.S. Here's the latest Press Release

Here's the OFFICIAL NOMINATION LETTER:

Congratulations. I officially would like to nominate you as a role model for girls and women. I am writing to encourage you to tell your story at www.HotMommasProject.org. Your official nomination notice is at the following link as well as information on where to start:

Nomination link: http://hotmommasproject.blogspot.com/2008/11/nominate-role-model-to-help-women-girls.html

Where do I start? http://hotmommasproject.blogspot.com/2008/12/where-do-i-start-in-writing-hot-mommas.html

Here is the summary: As a Nominee you are authorized to go to www.HotMommasProject.org and write a case study about your personal and professional experiences. Please find more on the project, below and attached. Here is what to do if you are interested in becoming part of the project and impacting women's education:

1. Log on at www.HotMommasProject.org

2. Write your 500-1500 word case study using our case study wizard (see, below, what case writers are saying about this reflective process. We project 1 hour to 2.5 hours depending on how fast you write.)

3. Click "publish" and become part of our free online library available to women, girls, and educators. (Click publish on or before January 4, and be automatically entered into a drawing for one of 2 bags from Beijo's Luxe Collection selected especially for the Hot Mommas Project by Susan Handley. You can change your case up until January 31.).

Winners of the case study competition will have the chance to be published in a major Prentice Hall textbook and win thousands of dollars in prizes.

See judging criteria and prizes/winners at www.HotMommasProject.org for more. You will find a variety of case writer resources on the "case competition" section of the site.

The Hot Mommas Project team is available for any questions or additional information needs.

The Hot Mommas Project:The Hot Mommas Project is an award-winning leadership project raising self-efficacy of women and girls through exposure to role models. We produce case studies showing the full range of factors influencing a woman's success. We are housed at the George Washington University School of Business and are the recipient of a 2006 Coleman Foundation National Case Award.

Here is what case-writers are saying:

"I really enjoyed the process of writing my case. It made me reflect."

"It was fun, the case wizard was clear, and the tutorial and sample cases helped a lot."

"The case study project on www.hotmommasproject.org is great. Just finished mine. Was therapeutic. Women, check it out."

"Writing my case made me feel like I mattered and that I have something to offer."

Find more links and how to get started in your nomination notice:

http://hotmommasproject.blogspot.com/2008/11/nominate-role-model-to-help-women-girls.html

“HOT MOMMAS PROJECT" ANNOUNCES JUDGING PANEL FOR CASE STUDY COMPETITION Hollywood Producer, Stay-at-Home Mom, Ivy League Professor Among Those Named

2008-12-17T16:58:00.006-05:00

The award-winning women's leadership project, The Hot Mommas Project, announces its 2009 panel of judges. The judges will score cases/stories by women aged 18 and older who want to serve as role models and supporters for other women and girls. Submissions will be accepted through January 31, 2009.

Washington, DC-MD-VA-WV December 17, 2008 - What do the executive producer of the popular, box office hit “Lord of the Rings”, a Stay at Home Mom (SAHM), the most influential woman in social media, and a Harvard Business School professor have in common? They are all on the “Hot Mommas® Project” case competition judging panel announced on Twitter, Facebook, and other social media outlets. Case-authors participating in the competition, which will run through January 31, have the opportunity to see their story published in a leading Prentice Hall textbook and featured in PINK magazine.

The “Hot Mommas Project” is an award-winning leadership project raising self-efficacy of women and girls through exposure to role models. The project produces case studies demonstrating the full range of factors influencing a woman's success. At the conclusion of the case study competition, all submitted cases will be made available to educators and others online. The goal of the project is to produce the world’s largest women’s case study library.

“I’m delighted to have such a diverse panel, because role modeling isn’t about just one set of skills. Our judges and case-writers embody a range of personal and professional abilities that you’d expect to see in authentic role models,” said Kathy Korman Frey, founder of the Hot Mommas Project and George Washington University School of Business adjunct professor of management.

Judges will read and rate a maximum of five cases. The cases will be rated based on quality of: professional / business and personal issues set forth in the case, as well as discussion questions, teaching notes, appendices, and links.

Karen Kerrigan, judge and founder of Women Entrepreneurs Inc., commented on the importance of the project’s work, “At leadership conferences I have participated in ranging from Harvard Business School to the Middle East, women want to succeed in both their professional and personal/family lives. The case study database resulting from the ‘Hot Mommas Project’ case study competition is a major step in the right direction.”

The Hot Mommas Project is housed at the George Washington University School of Business and is included in the mission of the GWSB Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence. The project is supported in part by a gift from Linda Rabbit, the recipient of a 2006 Coleman Foundation Case Award, published in a top Prentice Hall texbook, and recently nominated for Best Workshop by the US Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship. To participate in the project, or nominate a dynamic female role model over 18, please contact The Hot Mommas Project team. Winners will be announced on March 10, 2009 in concert with International Women’s Day.

The Hot Mommas Project 2009 Case Competition Judging Panel

Adriana Alarcon Efrach – Part-time SAHM (Stay at Home Mom), part-time interpreter. Former Mexican diplomat and Executive Director of The Latino Coalition Foundation.

Ann Handley – Chief Content Officer at MarketingProfs, a marketing and social networking resource. Voted #1 most influential woman in social media.

Ashgar Mostafa – President and Chief Executive Officer of Entourage Systems, Inc. Winner of GW’s 2008 Award for Distinguished Entrepreneurial Achievement.

Barbara Kasoff – Co-Founder, President and CEO, Women Impacting Public Policy, Inc. (WIPP).

Cynthia Good – Founding Editor and CEO, PINK Magazine.

Donna Messer – Canada's leading expert in networking. President of ConnectUs Communications Canada.

Ellen Mishkind Thrasher – Director, Office of Entrepreneurship Education, the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Karen Kerrigan – President & CEO of Women Entrepreneurs Inc., Founder of Small Business & Enterprise Council.

Lisa Osborne Ross - Executive VP of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, Specialized Communications. Former Deputy Director, Federal Glass Ceiling Commission.

Marc Silverstein – Nationally-known host of Food Network and Discovery shows. Founder and CEO of On the Marc Media.

Mark Ordesky – Executive Producer, Lord of the Rings trilogy. Founder, Court Five Productions.

Myra Hart – Harvard Business School Professor (retired), founding officer of STAPLES.

Sameera Bazaz – SAHM (Stay at Home Mom), MBA, JD, CPA, former PWC & McKinsey consultant and Freemarkets Business Unit Leader .

Susan G. Duffy – Assistant Professor of Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership at Simmons College.

Susan M. Phillips Dean of the George Washington University Business School and former member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.

Shashi Bellamkonda – Head of Social/New Media Strategy at Network Solutions.

Susan Wilson Solovic – Founder and CEO of SBTV.com. Best-selling author: The Girl’s Guide to Building a Million Dollar Business.

Stacy Debroff - Nationally acclaimed parenting expert and bestselling author. Founder and CEO of www.MomCentral.com

Sharon Oliver – Cofounder of Meany & Oliver Companies, a commercial real estate brokerage. Commercial Realtor of the Year Award Recipient.

For up to the minute news on the Hot Mommas Project, see our #casewriter08 Twitter stream or main site at www.HotMommasProject.org.

To nominate a role model (yourself included) email us.

Building a Million Dollar Business Part Time #15b: Announcing Our Judges

2008-12-17T16:42:00.003-05:00

Today we announce the Hot Mommas Project judging panel. They are awesome. Here is the press release. How do you figure out how to “announce” something? This is how I did it given that we are going guerrilla and, even if we had more money I wouldn’t spend it because the economy stinks:

1. Modeling - This is a nice word for copying people. I pretty much copied what I saw my friends and clients at the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation do when they released their Johnny Money Online Game (business simulation game). It was picked up by a lot of bloggers and such. Of course, it is really cool. But, if I may be so bold, what we are doing is really cool. (See updated ABOUT page). I found some of the sources below through that, and also fashioned my press release after theirs (JMOG press release).

2. Asking for advice - As I’ve mentioned lots of times throughout this blog, I rely on friends in PR. A lot. I am essentially co-dependent on Racine Tucker-Hamilton at GWSB communications. She reviewed our press release SEVERAL times. I will likely check in with Susan Apgood from News Generation and Candice McDonough in communications at New Line Cinema (I am not putting a link for Candice because people always stalk her and give her their headshots, so, I will spare her).

3. Social media - I am coming up with a few creative ideas, like 150-character descriptions of the judges to list on Twitter along with our hashtag term for the competition “#casewriter08″. More below.

We’ll see what happens as we broadcast this through a number of sources:

For the full version of this post, see our insider's blog.

Building a Million Dollar Business Part Time #15a: The Press Release Backstory

2008-12-17T16:34:00.004-05:00

Pictured here: Didn't you hear about the new reality show? Toddler Renovation.

So here is really what is going on the morning of announcing judges for The Hot Mommas Project.

MUSIC: Can’t get M.I.A.’s Paper Planes from Slumdog Millionaire out of my mind, so, that’s the song to which the following events are set.

5.50 am

I get up, log on to www.888pressrelease.com (a supposedly free press release service) only to notice that the the press release I uploaded last night has been “rejected”.

For full post, see our insider's blog.

Cooking Class: A One Night Girlfriend Getaway

2008-12-12T20:56:00.001-05:00

Here we are -The Shoe Coven - at Chris Leibner's for a cooking class. We are women. Who go shoe shopping together, and support each other. In addition to being a power player in the field of special ed, Chris is a master cook (www.JustSimplyCuisine.com) and Hot Mommas Project case author. One of the "founding mothers" in fact..of the Hot Mommas Project case library providing role models to girls and women across the globe. See Chris's case at www.HotMommasProject.org and see "case library" tab.

If you want to nominate someone as a role model (yourself included) email us at support@hotmommasproject.org. Our case study competition is live through January 31. Be a role model. Tell your story. About: www.hotmommasprojectinfo.wordpress.com.

This weekend..call a girlfriend or better yet, plan a girls night. I guarantee a huge ROI.

Building a Million Dollar Business Part Time #14b: Confessions and Reflections

2008-12-05T01:50:00.003-05:00

This is the second of two posts reflecting on what has worked, and what hasn’t, since conceiving and implementing the Hot Mommas Project case study competition. See first Confessions and Reflections post.

It ain't pretty. Computer + Face Mask = Fake Relaxation

Pictured here, I am “relaxing” with my computer open. Quite unsightly on a number of levels. First confession: I may be a part time working mom physically, but I am full time-plus mentally. I am constantly thinking about the project. I’m freaking exhausted. I seriously think I have carpal tunnel in my shoulder.

What keeps me going?

Comments like this:

“Thanks for making me feel like I matter.”

“I am writing my case to be a role model for my girls.”

Shout outs to our case writers here.

See rest of this post here .

Where do I start in writing a Hot Mommas Project case?

2008-12-04T22:51:00.006-05:00

The Hot Mommas Project is an award-winning leadership project raising self-efficacy of women and girls through exposure to role models. We produce case studies showing the full range of factors influencing a woman’s success. We are housed at the George Washington University School of Business and are the recipient of a 2006 Coleman Foundation National Case Award. Learn more at http://www.hotmommasproject.org/.

Here is what to do if you are interested in becoming part of the project and impacting women’s education: NOMINATE a role model (yourself included) by emailing the Hot Mommas Project.

Winners of the case study competition will have the chance to be published in a major Prentice Hall textbook and win thousands of dollars in prizes. See judging criteria and prizes/winners at www.HotMommasProject.org for more.

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The below is from our beta FAQs page.

Q: Where do I start in writing a Hot Mommas Project case?

A: Sign in, go to the case competition page, and browse the links on the right for tutorials and sample cases. I am not one of the judges (judges announced next week). However, if it were me I would approach it as follows:

1. Browse the steps of the case wizard after signing in and going to the case competition page.

2. Print the written tutorial, review the sample case. There are audio tutorials and most recently, a video tutorial (fast forward to 1.50).

3. Brainstorm a time in my life where I had a huge professional challenge, and then do the same for a huge personal challenge. Think of a specific story to embody those points in time (E.g. Vanessa walked into her office and saw a sea of paper and staff waiting for her….).

4. Write discussion questions to drive readers to really ponder and learn in the areas of your professional and personal challenge (e.g., Vanessa mentions her primary professional challenge is marketing her business. Review the appendix for her thoughts on marketing. Then perform a Google search on “guerilla marketing” and make 3 suggestions for Vanessa).

5. Click “Publish” by December 15 - You can change your case through January 31 (contest conclusion). This way, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a fabulous Beijo bag on December 15, and all subsequent drawings.

Overall Hint: As a wrap up, press rewind back to the time you were a student. If you were a case in a chapter of a textbook - what chapter would that be? Then…

a. Include stories, thoughts, and a couple lessons in the text of the case to support a discussion of that “chapter” among readers. Include some links in your appendix to drive home that focus.

b. If you are tempted to make your case 100% about “here’s what I’ve figured out,”press the pause button. Hold back, and let the readers figure out some of it. You can include your “here’s how I did it” in the teaching notes section (a guide to instructors).

Hope this helps! We have phone and email coaching, so, feel free to get online, throw something up there, have fun with it, and then send out a lifeline for help or feedback.

To learn more (see these links and read below):
Here is a sample case:http://hotmommaskate.wordpress.com/
Here is a press link: http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/542493
Here is more on our mission and research underpinnings www.HotMommasProjectInfo.wordpress.com
Find case writer links on the column of this page: http://www.hotmommasproject.org/competition.aspx

Questions?
See our FAQs (http://hotmommasprojectfaq.wordpress.com) or email us

Start today at www.HotMommasProject.org. Dynamic women need as much lead time as possible! And, the earlier you click "publish" the more prize drawings you'll be automatically entered into. You can change your case through 1/31.

See Virtual Coaching post for more like the above (case direction).

Building a Million Dollar Business Part Time #14a: Confessions and Reflections

2008-11-28T20:43:00.005-05:00

Helping me fight the fight every day: Starbucks

Here is little review of what held true and what didn’t for the Hot Mommas Project journey since March (when this insider’s blog was started). Things that turned out not to be true - that was not by design. I think I was just hopeful. You know, like, “Here’s how we’re going to do this. YEAH!” Then, reality unfolds.

Reality comes in many shapes and sizes, including that of my 5 year old who is sensitive and sweet and brilliant and challenging and has been struggling in his school. Reality comes in the form of my mom - a healthy former aerobics instructor - who almost died in April and has spent 2 of the last 6 months in the hospital. Reality comes in the form of a team that has other priorities because they are students. Reality comes in the form of a slow economy and my incredibly limited time, both of which have impacted my ability to raise more funds. A big part of reality is that things change. You can adapt and move on or struggle and kvetch. I think I’ve done a little of both.

Read entire post here.

Telework Trends and Best Practices: Dec 18, 2008

2008-11-27T10:38:00.005-05:00

For those of looking for the best flexible work arrangements, here is a free event sponsored by the US Department of Labor, Women’s Bureau. The information below is from our friends at WE-Inc.

SAVE THE DATE:
What: Telework Trends and Best Practices
When: December 18, 2008 -- 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. EST

Please mark your calendar for the next Flex Options national teleconference -- "Telework Trends and Best Practices: How Today's Economic and Environmental Factors are Influencing Telework Options." The FREE event, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau, takes place December 18, 2008, 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. EST. Experts including Elham Shirazi, a well-known strategist in transportation planning and telework who has developed and evaluated telework programs for hundreds of public and private firms including GE Energy, Home Depot, Delta Airlines, Kaiser Permanent, AT&T, County of Los Angeles and the State of Georgia, will share telework best practices and discuss the future of telework in both the short and long-term.

For more information about the teleconference, click here for pdf flyer. Click here to register (scroll down to select Dec 2008 call). You will be sent back call-in info. In the near future, an WE-inc says an update will be provided regarding additional speakers.

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Know a dynamic female role model (including yourself) you’d like to nominate for our Hot Mommas Project case study competition? Learn more at www.HotMommasProject.org or email us with your nomination. All participants who self-author their case study using our case wizard will: 1. Impact women’s education and 2. Earn a chance to get published in a major Prentice Hall textbook, and win thousands of dollars in prizes. The contest is live NOW.

Building a Million Dollar Business Part Time #14: How to Do a Business Model

2008-11-26T17:33:00.006-05:00

The Hot Mommas Project has no business model. Is that wrong? Okay, maybe that is not totally true. We have 5 out of 6 parts of a business model. The clincher: We’re missing the economics. So, to rationalize this - I have decided there are two primary ways to look at business models. This can be summarized as:

A. What I teach my students at GW.

B. The “Because it would be cool” theory.

Image: The Hot Mommas Project is making CLOGS, but not the kind you think.

Click here to read full post.

The Way Women Work

2008-11-23T16:29:00.016-05:00

Last week, The Hot Mommas Project participated in our first radio show with host Mark Amtower amd guests, Cynthia de Lorenzi , Marie Russell, and your humble blog author.

Here we are, in studio, recording the show. I am wearing my David and Golaith Tees "Chicks Rule" t shirt. There was a "cough" button by my microphone. Having never done a radio show before, I thought that was cool.

As The Hot Mommas Project continues to research the work-life-balance of many working women, there are also other major issues facing women in the work force today. Joining us on our first radio broadcast, our awesome host, Mark Amtower, and two, very cool, hot mommas, Cynthia de Lorenzi of Success in the City and Marie Russell, founder of Executive Pie. Our discussion hits upon three big differences in the way women work compared to males regarding positions in upper ranks, pay disparities, and work-life-balance.

Upper Ranks

Although there are women in the upper ranks, there are far fewer than men. Research has proven that the combination of men and women working together yields a better result than a board of only one sex. Why is this? It is because men and women think differently. It is the difference in the way that men and women think and approach problems that compliment each other that leads to success. See earlier posts on "Why Women Are Money" (Post 1, Post 2, Post 3).

Pay Disparity

After recognizing that there is a pay disparity between men and women, one question we have is, why? Again, there is a difference in the way men and women think. Men will not hesitate to ask employers for something that they want, whereas women are less likely to talk about money or self-promote. However, our host and hot mommas on the show have some great advice for women to increase their salaries. The best piece of advice? "Ask." When you think that you have put in the hard work and deserve a pay increase, find a way to ask for it. Track and quantify your achievements to make them "real" for the powers that be.

Work-Life-Balance
As a big focus of The Hot Mommas Project, work-life-balance was a large part of our discussion. We really got into answering the question of what work-life-balance means. The answer is that the meaning of work-life balance is different for everyone depending on priorities. However, you must HAVE those priorities to start with. Thus, the most important thing a woman can do when trying to achieve a work-life-balance, is to clearly define what that specifically means. If that means spending X amount of time with the family, Y amount of time at work, and Z amount of time with friends, then that is one goal to work towards to achieve a work-life balance. See a bit of our research here.

To hear more of the conversation, check it out at Federal News Network.

Big thanks to Mark Amtower for having us, and hot mommas, Cynthia de Lorenzi and Marie Russell.

Be part of The Hot Mommas Project case study competition. Nominate someone (including yourself) to be a role model, share YOUR personal and professional lessons, and impact women's education at http://www.hotmommasproject.org/.

J&J Annoys Moms: What NOT To Do In Social Media

2008-11-22T08:32:00.004-05:00

Here is the short version:
Social media expert Chris Brogan says people are losing sight of the fact that it is the INTERACTION not the APPLICATION that makes social media special. Here is that post.

Donna Fenn posted on Inc Online that J&J running a semi-patronizing social media campaign directed toward infant-toting moms. Here is that post.

J&J has apologized. To be honest, I really like J&J. They have a good reputation for their products and doing the right thing. What this situation really highlights is corporate America's struggle for the right way to use social media. I met a blogger at BlogHerDC who works for Sun Microsystems. "They encourage us to blog" she says. I am guessing these blogs are heavily monitored by corporate communications. (More here). I talked with someone on Capitol Hill the other day here in DC. Staffers working in on a presidential campaign had to login to their Facebook accounts and clear out everything. That is the good part about social media on a SMALL scale. You can start over. The issue with J&J's campaign is that it was on a LARGE scale. They can't take it back. So, if you're a newbie to social media, and you're going to go big, here are two recommendations:

1. Experiment - Start small. Get on Twitter, blog, encourage staff to blog. See how it goes. Check out the reactions. Learn. Find models such as @MyStarbucksIdea on Twitter and the new initiative Shared Planet, which apparently evolved from My Starbucks Idea.

2. Hire an expert. A good example is someone like Stacy DeBroff, Founder of MomCentral. She helps companies targeting moms not look stupid. (My kids: "Mommy! Don't say stupid!")

Happy surfing, tweeting, and blogging to all.

Marian Wright Edelman Speaking in DC

2008-11-09T12:23:00.005-05:00

For anyone familiar with Marian Wright Edelman, all you can say is "wow." She is speaking in DC on Wednesday, November 12 about her new book. Here are the details:

Event Update

_____

A Conversation with Marian Wright Edelman and Democracy Now's Amy Goodman, Washington D.C. Nov. 12

Please join us on November 12 in Washington, D.C. as Mrs. Edelman discusses her new book with Democracy Now Radio and TV Host Amy Goodman. Mrs. Edelman is:

* The first black woman admitted to the Mississippi Bar;

* The former counsel for the Poor People's Campaign the Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. began organizing before his death;

* The 2000 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the
nation's highest civilian award, and the Robert F. Kennedy Lifetime
Achievement Award for her writings, which now include nine books.

The Sea Is So Wide and My Boast Is So Small
http://www.childrensdefense.org/images/content/pagebuilder/40011.jpg

CDF President Marian Wright Edelman has released her new book,
http://www.childrensdefense.org/site/R?i=QLnISYJgYyR84M3ZgtmY0A..

The Sea Is So Wide and My Boat Is So Small: Charting a Course for the Next Generation, a call to action for all Americans to address the urgent needs of the country's youth. The book is a series of letters to a variety of audiences-educators, faith leaders, youth, mothers, elected officials and concerned citizens nationwide that reflect on the social and economic progress as well as the setbacks since Dr. King's death 40 years ago. Mrs. Edelman challenges each audience to step up and take action at this pivotal moment to ensure a level playing field for the next generation.

This free event is sponsored by Politics and Prose Bookstore and will be held at the Sixth and I Historic Synagogue. A book signing will follow the talk.

WHAT:

CDF President Marian Wright Edelman discusses her new book with Democracy Now Host Amy Goodman
http://www.childrensdefense.org/site/R?i=1eAqCTuGM7UROFpVW5gJ6w.

WHEN:

Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Discussion begins at 7:00PM
Book signing to follow discussion

WHERE:

Sixth & I Historic Synagogue
600 I Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.

RSVP:

RSVP <http://www.childrensdefense.org/site/R?i=SLDdNvL4HPvBhK1YJjiktQ..> online for this free event

We hope you can join us!

- Children's Defense Fund

Building a Million Dollar Business Part Time # 13 : Leadership and Management

2008-11-08T16:48:00.009-05:00

Here is another installment in the Hot Mommas Project path to becoming a million dollar venture/organization…while being led by a mom working part time. Can it be done? We’re here to figure that out. Our big thing right now is the Hot Mommas Project Case Study competition. Click here to nominate someone. As you’ll learn below, we need to get 200 women to write their cases by January 31, 2009. (We are double checking - now - that this is REALLY the number we need to achieve. Oy. I hope it’s not. More on this later.)

Image: This is who I’m managing right now. Pictured here Achin Jain, Esther Leff, and Kaitlyn McAuliffe. We’ve recently added Ximena Iacono, primarily because her name begins with an “X” which is really cool.

This blog post is on management and leadership because:

1. I’ve read a lot about this area (hasn’t every business junkie?)

2. As discussed above, I’ve been going through some semi-useful OTJ training lately.

3. Heard Cameron Herold speak, former COO of 1800GotJunk, and I plan to regurgitate a lot of what he says with which I agree.

Read the rest of this post on our insider's blog...

Nominate a Role Model to Help Women, Girls, Educators

2008-11-08T08:44:00.009-05:00

Last month, The Hot Mommas Project launched a case writing competition in which women can log on, tell their story, and serve as a role model for girls and women. The nominations for dynamic women have been flooding in, and, it has been beyond inspirational. If you are reading this post, and you have been nominated, please read the nomination notice below. (If you would like to nominate someone - yourself included - please email us.)

Congratulations on your nomination as a role model for girls and women. Thank you, in advance, for your interest in the Hot Mommas Project. This is your official nomination notice. As a Nominee you are authorized to go to www.HotMommasProject.org and write a case study about your personal and professional experiences. Please find more on the project, below. Here is what to do if you are interested in becoming part of the project and impacting women’s education:

1. Log on at www.HotMommasProject.org
2. Write your 500-1500 word case study using our case study wizard (see, below, what case writers are saying about this reflective process. We project 1 hour to 2.5 hours depending on how fast you write).
3. Click “publish” and become part of our free online library available to women, girls, and educators. (Click publish on or before November 30, and be automatically entered into a drawing for an iPod shuffle. You can change your case up until January 31.).

Congratulations, again. The team and I are here for any of your questions or additional information needs. You will find a variety of case writer resources on the “case competition” section of www.HotMommasProject.org.

Sincerely,

Kathy

Kathy Korman Frey
Founder, The Hot Mommas Project
Adj Professor, Department of Management
Associate Director Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence
The George Washington University

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About the Hot Mommas Project:The Hot Mommas Project is an award-winning leadership project raising self-efficacy of women and girls through exposure to role models. We produce case studies showing the full range of factors influencing a woman’s success. We are housed at the George Washington University School of Business and are the recipient of a 2006 Coleman Foundation National Case Award.

The Case Study Competition and Call to Action
The Hot Mommas Project Case Study Competition is live. The project’s goal is to build the world's largest free case study database available to professionals, students, thought leaders, and especially educators worldwide. We are starting with women, and are seeking nominations of dynamic women age 18 and older to serve as role models by documenting and sharing their personal and professional lessons and challenges. You are one of these women! The call to action is this:

Write your case at www.HotMommasProject.com
Nominate someone you think would be a good case study at support@HotMommasProject.org

Winners have the opportunity to be published in a top Prentice Hall textbook, other media outlets, plus receive thousands of dollars in prizes including SEPHORA gift cards, an Apple TV, a Beijou bag, Morten Fadum art, and David & Goliath “chicks rule” memorabilia.

How do I write a Hot Mommas Project case study?A case study is like a structured story designed to bring out different teaching points. Hot Mommas Project cases are a cross between a typical case study and a blog, and feature a specific person (the case author). Case authors use our case wizard, tutorials, and templates at www.HotMommasProject.org to:
1. Write a 500 to 1500 word case (Introduction, Background, Professional Challenge/Teaching point, Personal Challenge/Teaching point). Student authors can substitute “academic” for “professional” challenge/teaching point.
2. Develop discussion questions and an optional appendix.
3. Fill out additional information (links, etc.), which makes the case “real” for the reader.

The cases should be appropriate for a classroom environment. At the end of the case wizard, you can check a box if you are interested in speaking or mentoring.To learn more (see these links and read below):
Here is a sample case: http://url2it.com/klk
Here is a press link: http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/542493
Here is more on our mission and research underpinnings www.HotMommasProjectInfo.wordpress.com
Find case writer links on the column of this page: http://www.hotmommasproject.org/competition.aspx

Questions?
See our FAQs (http://hotmommasprojectfaq.wordpress.com) or email us

*********************************************************
Here is what case-writers are saying:

“I really enjoyed the process of writing my case It made me reflect.”
“It was fun, the case wizard was clear, and the tutorial and sample cases helped a lot.”
“The case study project on www.hotmommasproject.org is great. Just finished mine. Was therapeutic. Women, check it out.”

“Writing my case made me feel like I mattered and that I have something to offer.”

Here is what influencers in women’s leadership are saying:

"There is great demand both domestically and abroad for practical solutions and models on achieving 'balance.' At leadership conferences I have participated in ranging from Harvard Business School to the Middle East, women want to succeed in both their professional and personal/family lives. The case study database resulting from the Hot Mommas Project Case Study competition is a major step in the right direction. Having free and global access to the database will be a great resource of examples on how to balance."

Karen Kerrigan

President & CEO,Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council

Founder, Women Entrepreneurs Inc. (WE Inc.)

"Exposure to role models can contribute to one's sense of self-efficacy, or the feeling of 'If she can do that, maybe I can too.' The Hot Mommas Project approach of providing role models on paper hits the nail on the head by showing real women successfully managing the daily complexities of personal and professional demands. The online, self-directed learning model offers an innovative "just in time" development alternative for busy women."

Dr. Susan G. Duffy

Assistant Professor

Strategy and Entrepreneurship

Simmons College School of Management

Start today at www.HotMommasProject.org. Dynamic women need as much lead time as possible, don’t we?

Reminder: If you, or someone you know is a role model whose story could help women and girls, and could be taught by educators in classroom, email us and include "nomination" in the subject line.

Do You Have A Mustache?

2008-11-08T08:20:00.007-05:00

On October 25, The Hot Mommas Project promoted our recently-launched case competition at the American Mustache Institute's Stache Bash. Many men out there are incredible fans of the dynamic women in their lives. At this event, mustached Americans nominated the dynamic women of whom they are proud to be role models for girls and women (see below for nomination information). Could such a person be you? Someone you know? Read more here, or contact us.

Pictured here: Aaron Perlut, founder of the American Mustache Institute, and Kathy Korman Frey (moi) at the Stache Bash in St Louis. So why the AMI? They raise money for Challenger Baseball and gave The Hot Mommas Project a table there.Also they are funny.We like funny.

The Hot Mommas Project is an award-winning women's leadership initiative housed at the George Washington University. We're building the world's largest women's case study database which will be free, online, and available to women, girls, and educators worldwide? Read this for detail. Read this for short attention span version. Go to our main site and WRITE YOUR CASE! Be a Role Model...Tell Your Story...Help Others...Get Published.

In Search Of Stressed Out Parents (Update)

2008-11-03T21:12:00.009-05:00

Today I read a reporter's query on Peter Shankman's HARO (Help a Reporter Out) which cracked me up. It said, "In search of stressed our parents." That's like, "In search of people who breathe" in my world. See earlier post if you want a laugh on the whole stressed-out, crazy busy topic.

Image credit: Consumer Health Interactive

Here is a good piece on coping with being a stressed out parent: http://www2.vhi.ie/topic/staysane

Remember the Golden Rule we so often ignore! Put on your own oxygen mask before helping others.

What is HARO? Free email queries that go out about 3 times per day (a great resource for small businesses....or all businesses...as I mention in an earlier insider's blog post.)

P.s. Hey, did we mention we're building the world's largest women's case study database which will be free, online, and available to women, girls, and educators worldwide? Read this for detail. Read this for short attention span version. Go to our main site and WRITE YOUR CASE! Be a Role Model...Tell Your Story...Help Others...Get Published.

Young girls, self esteem, and balancing messages

2008-11-02T13:24:00.004-05:00

As the founder of a project focused on role models for girls and women, I was drawn to a blog post by Queen of Spain's blog about her 3 year-old daughter. Here is an excerpt:

"...she came home from preschool crying because another girl didn't like her new haircut. Of course it was quickly forgotten and the two girls are paling around as if nothing tearful had been exchanged.

It has begun and she is only 3.

I don't know how to stop it."

The blessing and the curse of sensitivity. Here we see the "curse" part. My heart just sank. I typed the following response, and encourage others to get in on the discussion.

*********************

QoS,

What a gorgeous post. I remember watching, with mixed reactions, how people would fawn over my niece telling her how "gorgeous" she was. And she was, and is. However, when she was about 4 I taught her to say, "And I'm smart too." The balanced message, I hope (cross fingers cross fingers) is the way. My aunt used to sit me down and do my makeup when I was younger. It was awesome. She rocks. We had fun. But I understood what really mattered. She was a major groomer. She came from a family of groomers. I happened to be the more of the messier-food-in-my-hair-stuff-on-my-teeth gene pool. It didn't matter. She loved me. My family loved me. Good hair day, bad hair day. That is what I remember. I guess I can be my own "female media" to my daughter. What messages am I putting out there? Here is my ticker: Not heroin chic. Not air brushed. Yes shopping is fun. Yes makeup is fun. Ouch mommy poked herself in the eye doing makeup. Okay maybe makeup is not fun. Yes good brain. Yes good health. Yes good vibes. Yes love. Now let's go to SEPHORA! Seriously, though, I am balancing my messages, crossing my fingers, and hoping it works.

For those of you thinking "Hot Mommas?" No worries - code for "Dynamic Women" - we're a women's leadership project. You need neither be "Hot" or a "Momma" to join our posse. Maybe someone will write their case on our site and THIS will be one of the issues/learnings in the case. Would be great.

Free Online Event: Oct 29: Solutions Stars Features Leaders in Social Media, Small Business & Marketing

2008-10-28T14:35:00.006-05:00

Ever wanted to better understand social media and how it could work for you? Here's your chance. This free online event is being organized by friend of the Hot Mommas Project Shashi Bellamkonda of Network Solutions.

Event: Solutions Stars Video Conference
What: Informational Meeting
Host: NetworkSolutions
Start Time: Wednesday, October 29 at 1:00pm
End Time: Wednesday, October 29 at 3:30pm
Where: http://www.solutionsstarsvideo.com/

To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=33854706886

From the Facebook page:
Network Solutions is proud to present the “Solutions Stars Video Conference,” a series of videos and live discussions featuring 34 of the world’s leading small business and marketing experts.

The live video conference will coach small business owners and entrepreneurs on how the Internet can benefit their business.

Video participants include best-selling author Tim Ferriss, Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh, and Alltop Co-Founder and top blogger Guy Kawasaki. Also featured will be marketing mavens Steve Hall, Darren Rowse, Chris Brogan, Wendy Piersall, Lee Odden, Toby Bloomberg, Brian Solis, Liz Strauss and many more.

Attendees will be able to watch individual videos based on their content area preference, or view the conference in its entirety. While the videos are streaming, viewers can chat online with the Network Solutions team (Social Media Swami Shashi Bellamkonda and Now Is Gone Author Geoff Livingston), or participate in a live public chat. Select video participants will also be in the chat.

Visit http://www.solutionsstarsvideo.com/ for more.

Building a Million Dollar Business Part Time #12: Search Engine Optomization and Link Love

2008-10-17T10:10:00.005-05:00

The Hot Mommas Project Case Study Competition has launched (what is this? See our blog brief.) Now, it's time to get the word out. One of the ways to do that is search engine optimization and other social media tools. Lessons learned from BlogHer DC this past week are the subject of this post. It took a while getting there, however.

Pictured here: My shower running.'

: White Noise Machine

Rather pathetically, I am in my bathroom typing so I don't wake up my husband. This is pretty indicative of the weeks/months I've been having which is detailed in a different post for those schadenfreude-inclined individuals.

Click here for full post.

Hot Mommas Project Case Study Competition is live

2008-10-15T10:43:00.008-05:00

The time has come. The Hot Mommas Project Case Study Competition is live (BETA SITE). Our goal is to build the world's largest women's case study library available to women, girls, and educators worldwide. Here is what to do:

For connectors:
Are you a connector? Have a big network? Write a blog? Let others know about the competition. Why? Because you’ll help empower other women. Then let us know so we can put you on our partners list. Link to this post and/or our insiders blog post.

For writers:
1. Go to http://www.HotMommasProject.org and nominate yourself or someone you think would be a great role model. You and your network have lessons to teach, and women, girls and educators want to learn. Even getting through the “warm up question” section of the site contributes to women’s education.

2. How to write a case? Check out the resources on our site competition page including a case wizard, written and podcast tutorial, FAQs, sample cases, and phone coaching. Common questions: What is a case? An educational tool based on stories. See our blog brief. Do I need to be a mom? No. "Hot Momma" really means "dynamic woman."

Winners have the opportunity to be published in a top Prentice Hall textbook, other media outlets, plus receive thousands of dollars worth of great prizes ranging from an Apple TV to SEPHORA gift cards. See judging criteria.

More questions on case writing or this competition? See the links on the "Case Competition" page of http://www.HotMommasProject.org.

MEN – don’t worry – there is a COOL DADDIES pilot section on the site. You are role models too! Select “M” when asked about your gender.

Thank you in advance, and please post your comments, questions, or experiences with the competition here!

Work-Life Guide for Crazy Busy Moms

2008-10-14T11:55:00.038-05:00

This week I attended the BlogHerDC conference. It was awesome and some of the takeaways can be found in our insider's blog. At the conference, I met Heather Chapman who writes the blog: "The Mother Tongue."

Heather: Do you have kids?

Me: Yeah. Two. 5 and 2.

Heather: Mine are 4 and 1. Any antics there I should know about?

Me: We didn't leave my son alone with my daughter for the first year of her life.

Heather: That's probably wise.

Me: A common saying around our house is "No clothes-lining!"

Heather: [Laughing]

Me: Maxwell will run up with his arm out, careen into my daughter, and flip her right over backwards.

Heather: People need to know this. You should write about it on your blog.

Me: But, aren't there enough Moms writing about crazy kid stuff?

Heather: I think it makes moms feel good to know that other people have crazy lives.

Me: Really?

Heather: Yeah.

So - inspired by Heather: The totally NOT women's leadership oriented blog post about a typical crazy day in my life. I am not really sure what people can learn from this, but, here goes:

**********************************************
To follow along you will need:
1. A lofty goal
2. A box of Teddy Grahams
3. SPANX
4. A wrinkled piece of clothing
5. A plant (or other life form)
6. A good sense of humor

***********************************************
1. A lofty goal. Here is how the day of October 13, 2008 started: I prepared to go to the BlogHerDC conference to promote the launch of the Hot Mommas Project case study competition. Here was my lofty goal on this particular day: Get out the door and go to this conference. In my robe, after being woken up by various little people, I make the error of just "real quick" logging in and seeing if the Hot Mommas Project sign-in process works.

Frequently asked question: Will I need an alarm clock for this step?
No. You will not, I repeat NOT, be needing an alarm clock. Little people will wake you up at something beginning with a "5".

2. A box of Teddy Grahams. Checking the Hot Mommas Project site"real quick" turned into - hmmm - about 1.5 hours. I utilize a box of Teddy Grahams to subdue one of the two loud, feisty little people that live in my house during this time.

FAQs: Is there a certain preferred flavor of Teddy Graham? Is there a certain time of day the Teddy Grahams should be served?
Unquestionably, Chocolate Teddy Grahams are preferred. Bonus points are issued if the Teddy Grahams are served at a completely inappropriate time. Example: Here is Lilah eating Teddy Grahams...for breakfast...on the floor of my bedroom.

3. SPANX. Despite the extreme delays I face due to the "real quick" Hot Mommas Project login test, I spend a good 12 minutes searching for my SPANX upon which I have developed a clinically-diagnosable dependence.

Frequently Asked Question: Could I search aimlessly for a DIFFERENT item (other than SPANX?).
Certainly. Car keys, blackberry, or another item are acceptable replacements.

Pictured here is a 2 week-old pile of clean laundry in which the SPANX were ultimately uncovered.

4. A wrinkled piece of clothing. As I was on "Mission Critical" finding my SPANX, I made an unfortunate discovery balled up in the laundry bin: The shirt I intended to wear to the conference. It was embarrassingly wrinkled. Ironing was clearly out of the question, since I had taken a sacred vow of no-ironing.

Frequently asked question: It it possible to wear a different NON-WRINKLED piece of clothing thus adhering to the sacred vow of no-ironing?
I will not even dignify that question with a response. Clearly, you are at the wrong place my friend. For non-wrinkled clothes wearers and prepared, organized moms please click here or here. Students click here.

Pictured here is said wrinkled shirt which is under attack by my daughter Lilah "the picker" Frey.

5. A plant (or other life form). In preparing the Hot Mommas Project case competition launch I had been neglecting myself for sometime. For some, personal care is a regular, steady routine. For me, it was a distant dream. Today was no exception!

Here are the ferns that have died by my hand. Sometimes at night, when it's very quiet, I think I can hear their little fern screams.

This is, I figure, the worst case scenario if my personal grooming continues in a downward descent.

6. A good sense of humor. As I mentioned in our insider's blog this past week, saying things in a Napoleon Dynamite voice is a good and practical technique I've personally found incredibly helpful for getting through each and every day.

Pictured here is Napoleon Dynamite (Jon Heder). Credit IMDB Photo.

Click the little audio icon below for an example of said "Napoleon Dynamite" voice:

Frequently asked question: Could I imitate a DIFFERENT voice as a helpful technique for getting through my day? Acceptable replacements include:

The little kid from the Indiana Jones Temple of Doom

Rosanne Rosanna Danna

Saturday Night Live - Roseanne Rosannadanna on Smoking

Flex Options Teleconference

2008-10-11T15:32:00.001-05:00

This is a good one from Hot Mommas Partner WE-Inc:

"Compressed Work Weeks: Successful Implementations and Bottom Line Results"
Flex Options Teleconference, October 16, 2008, 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. EDT
Please join the Women's Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor for a complimentary Flex Options teleconference on October 16, 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. EDT. The topic will focus on "Compressed Work Weeks: Successful Implementations and Bottom Line Results." Expert speakers include Jeff C. Herring, Executive Director, State of Utah, Department of Human Resource Management, who will discuss the state's move to an almost exclusively 4-day work week. Mr. Herring will share what they've learned along the way, and the many benefits Utah has experienced. Dee Michaelis, Founder and Principal, HRG Solutions, Los Angeles, CA will walk through the rules in the state of California, focusing on compliance issues and what businesses and organizations in general can do to set the stage for successful implementation of this flexible work option. To register, please read more <http://www.we-inc.org/newsletters/display.cfm?ID=15>