Do you need to brainstorm different news angles to get the media interested in your story? Are you trying to determine the key elements for a PR or marketing communications plan? Or maybe you need a marketing expert to look at your Web site to provide feedback on the content and writing style?

Why book a coaching session?
Now you can tap into my broad expertise with a private "PR & Marketing Strategy Coaching Session" conducted via phone. This is a perfect solution if you're looking for advice, ideas or coaching rather than someone to implement PR or marketing strategies and tactics. Or, maybe you want to run ideas past me so I can give you valuable feedback based on my more than 20 years of experience as a marketing and PR strategist and consultant.

Possible coaching topics
These affordable 60-minute coaching sessions are conducted via phone and during them I will focus exclusively on your PR/marketing/writing issues and challenges. For example, you may want to discuss or have me coach you on such things as:

• Effective marketing or PR strategies and tactics.
• Different news angles for a news release or a PR pitch to the media.
• Story ideas and suggestions for producing an effective e-newsletter.
• Ideas for a new company name or tagline.
• Writing Web site content and tips to make it more scannable, concise and compelling.
• Tips for writing a persuasive business proposal and/or executive summary.
• Developing key competitive advantages for your business or organization.
• Tips for conducting successful media interviews.
• Strategies for developing an online newsroom.

The investment for a 60 min. session is just $185!

How it works

1. Contact me at bmednick@bkmconsulting.com to book your session. Describe the marketing/PR/writing issue or challenge you want to discuss, your phone number, company name and address.
2. I will call you at the scheduled time for a one- hour phone call. Prior to that I will have reviewed the information you sent me (no follow-up report will be issued).
3. I will send you an invoice for $185 for the session.
4. Within the next month, you can email me once with a follow-up question if it is something that I can answer in a few minutes time.

Schedule a session
To schedule a strategy session, please email me at bmednick@bkmconsulting.com.

Questions?
For questions, please contact me at 651-486-7007.

"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

By Joan Runnheim Olson, Certified Career & Leadership Coach

For years women have been told that to succeed in the workplace, they need to "act more like men." These days, however, that mindset is beginning to change and women are now being viewed as possessing special traits that enable them to be effective leaders.

Gender stereotypes
What are those traits? And, are gender stereotypes still posing challenges for women?

Despite the fact that 50 percent of the working population is comprised of women, and that more than 50 percent of women have managerial positions, they still hold only 15.7 percent of C-level positions at Fortune 500 companies. According to a recent study by Catalyst, Inc., gender stereotypes continue to prevent women from reaching the summit.

Proverbial "double bind"
The study underscores the fact that women often find themselves in the proverbial "double bind". If they lead in a collaborative way, they are often seen as being 'too soft'. If they are too aggressive, they are often viewed as being 'unfeminine'. The bottom line: rarely are women viewed as being both competent and well-liked, according to the study.

Shift in mindset
There are some however, who see this mindset slowing beginning to shift. "Rather than women changing to adapt to the business climate, I see the business climate moving toward a more nurturing, collaborative model that supports the intrinsic strengths of women," says Amy Coulter, vice president and founder, VisionShare Inc. in Minneapolis.

Amy Brenengen, director, Office on the Economic Status of Women in St. Paul, Minn. echoes that sentiment. "It seems as though traits that were once viewed as being 'traditionally feminine' are now taking on more of a positive, mainstream point of view in terms of how organizations and entities are led," explains Brenengen.

Embracing women's strengths
Recognizing the unique talents that women bring to the workplace, some organizations are making changes to foster a more 'female-friendly' environment. In a recent Newsweek article titled "Women and Leadership", Donna Orender, president of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), notes that women are more collegial and focused on team building. According to Coulter, "Top down management is being replaced by team approaches and flexible, family-oriented schedules are more the norm than the exception. It has taken time, but the workplace today is embracing women's strengths."

Focusing on strengths
Too often it seems as though women leaders focus too much on trying to fix their [perceived] weaknesses or traits uncommon to men. In their book "Now Discover Your Strengths", authors Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton, point out that women [and men] need to capitalize on their strengths and talents, rather than focus on their weaknesses.

Key to success
While some women are beginning to shatter the glass ceiling, others remain glued to the sticky floor. It seems the key that unlocks the door to success is for women in the workplace to acknowledge and focus on their strengths. As time goes on, more and more companies will soon realize the special gifts that women offer and reward them for it.

As a certified career & leadership coach, Joan Runnheim Olson, M.S., inspires leaders to become the best they can be. Ten years ago, Joan founded Pathways Career Success Strategies, and through one-on-one coaching and workshop facilitation, she has helped thousands of professionals, managers, and executives take charge of their career. Subscribe to her no-cost monthly newsletter designed to help you take charge of your career at www.pathwayscareer.com.

"Barbara is a consummate professional who listens well and executes with accuracy, timeliness, and great attention to detail. She is a pleasure to work with, and we can always count on her to provide excellent work."

-- Creative Manager
U of M College of Continuing Education