NOVEMBER 2008
www.wlnnews.com
Empowering
Women
To empower women to
succeed in business personally
and professionally through
networking and education
while building key relationships
and having fun!
Best Tips for Using Business
Inside This Issue
Cards
Page 2
October Meeting - Who
Attended
Page 2
Welcome New Members!
Page 2
Member Spotlight
Mary Dickson, Aflac
Page 3
Business Spotlight
Page 4
Dates to Remember
Page 4
Meet the Board/
Ambassadors
Page 4
Monthly Meetings
2nd Wednesday of each month
Hennessy’s OnQ Steak &
Seafood,
2300 Bushwood Dr, Elgin, IL 60124
5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
$35.00 (includes dinner)
From Our President - Pat Kolodziej
Are We Having Fun Yet?
Have you heard of 5S? This was
introduced to me a few weeks ago and
I wanted to share it with you. 5S is a
Japanese philosophy and method for
organizing a workplace and keeping it
organized. The key targets of 5S are
workplace morale and efficiency.
The benefits of this methodology come
from deciding what should be kept,
where it should be kept, and how it
should be stored.
The 5S’s are:
1.SORTING: Going through all the
tools, materials, etc. in the work area and
keeping only essential items. Everything
else is stored or discarded.
2.SET IN ORDER: Arranging all the
utensils, tools, equipment and parts in
a manner that promotes work flow. For
example, tools and equipment should be
kept where they will be used (straighten
the flow path) and the process should be
set in an order that maximizes efficiency.
3.SHINING: Systematic cleaning or
the need to keep the workplace clean
as well as neat. At the end of each
shift, the work area is cleaned up and
everything is restored to its place. This
makes it easy to know what goes where
and have confidence that everything is
where it should be. The key point is that
maintaining cleanliness should be part
of the daily work – not an occasional
activity initiated when things get too
messy.
4.STANDARDIZING: Standardized
work practices
or operating in
a consistent and
standardized
fashion. Everyone
knows exactly
what his or her
responsibilities are
to keep above 3S’s. Think of McDonalds
– in every restaurant, you know what
to expect. The same type of cup, the
burgers made the same way and the fries
taste the same.
5.SUSTAINING: Maintaining and
reviewing standards. Once the previous
4S’s have been established, they become
the new way to operate. Maintain the
focus on this new way of operating, and
do not allow a gradual decline back to the
old ways of operating. However, when
there is a suggested improvement, then a
review of the first 4S’s is appropriate.
Now that we are heading straight into the
holiday season, you may be interested in
getting your personal or professional life
in order for 2009. I hope this gave you
some ideas to be in better shape for the
upcoming year.
I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving
Holiday! I am thankful for each and
every one of you for you have enriched
my life immensely.
Best Tips for Using Business Cards
By Marc Levack
The business card is the most powerful
single business tool in which one can
invest. It’s compact, energy-efficient,
low-cost, low-tech, and keep working for
hours, weeks and even years. The two
main functions of business cards are to
gain business from the person you give
it to and to get your name out to other
people with whom the first person comes
in contact with via referrals.
Make Your Cards Accessible in Every
Situation
In short, don’t leave home without them!
It’s a great idea to keep a small box of
your cards in your glove box, just in case
you find yourself in a situation where you
need more than you’ve carried in your
pocket or purse. Keep an eye on your
supply. The time to reorder is before
you’re in danger of running out.
Seek Situations to Exchange Business
Cards
Whenever you have a one-on-one
meeting with someone new or someone
you haven’t seen for a while, give his/
her your business card. Conventions and
trade shows are another great venue for
exchanging business cards. The vendors
at the trade shows are anxious for you to
October Meeting - Who Attended
Congratulations to the following
members who made a commitment to
their businesses, and themselves, by
attending the October WLN Networking
Meeting!
Mary Dickson Aflac
Joyce Edwards Point Flow Acupuncture
Gwynne Knutsen Fine Graphic Design
Kathy Sean Birong
It Makes Cents Bookkeeping
Melissa Hernandez
Kelly Vaclavek Attorney for Law Office
of David Gervais
Lauren Perrine Panache Interiors
Lisa Davidson Northwestern Mutual
Robin Braga Sterling Silver Jewelry
take their card - don’t make that a one-
way street. Be sure you give them your
card as well.
When you visit a non-competing business
that might attract the same people you
would like to have as customers, ask if
you may leave a supply of cards to be
handed out or made available. In most
cases, a business that’s complementary
to your own is always looking for a
networking partner. An example would
be a sports nutritionist leaving a stack of
cards at a martial arts studio.
Contacts at a Distance
Enclose several cards in every packet of
sales material you mail out. Along with
your thank you note to the businessperson
whose referral brought you a major
contract, include a business card to
replace the one she gave away, plus
several more.
After any telephone call in which
business was discussed, follow up with
a letter outlining the main points of your
discussion and include one or more of
your cards.
Special Tricks of the Trade
After you get someone’s card and have
ended your time with her, make notes on
Siree Sandberg Bakakos
SSB Financial Services, Inc.
Sheri Miranda
Optimal Health Modalities
Pat Kolodziej PK Tax Services, LLC
Kathy Glink CAbi
Lisa Miller Prepaid Legal Services
Doreen Langereis Cruise Planners
Lisa Langenbach AromaLisa
Paula Ramos DataPros Bookkeeping
Service, LLC
Jackie Prehn T.R.I.M. Designs, Inc.
To be included in future newsletter
recognition, please make sure your
business card is deposited in the canister
when you check in.
the back of the card to jog your memory
about something special that’ll help you
remember her. Don’t do that in front of
her, or you run the risk of making the
impression that you are “forgetful.” If you
need to record information immediately
during your discussion, such as telephone
numbers or other data not on the card, use
one of your own cards. You don’t want
her to think you view her card as scrap
paper upon which to take notes.
Specializing in the highest quality, full color
printing of Business Cards, Postcards, Club
Flyers, Brochures, Letterhead and so much more.
For more information visit: www.uvcards.com/
The WLN is looking for
Ambassadors!
Get more from your
membership by getting
involved and volunteering!
Contact Lisa Davidson
at (815) 444-3779
for more details.
Welcome New
Members!
Tammy Cook: Certified coach
and offbeat motivational
speaker. She helps people
juggling too many projects
make progress on their goals
and regaining balance.
Tammy’s specialties
include marketing for small
businesses, time and project
management, and getting
organized.
Esther Bachrodt: Owner
of Bachrodt Med Legal
Consulting. She is a Legal
Nurse Consultant who works
as an independent consultant
with attorneys on cases that
have a medical aspect, such
as medical malpractice or
product liability.
 Spotlight
“Success means

Member having the courage,

the determination,
and the will to
become the person
you believe you
were meant to be.”
 George Sheehan

Mary Dickson, Aflac
Independent Associate
Tell us a little about your background
and your current business. What
makes you successful?
After 20+ years in management
with Motorola and a not-for-profit
health-care organization, I decided
to take my career to a higher degree
of service to employers, employees,
and individuals in an area of critical
necessity. Like so many folks, I have
had personal experience with the
impact of a significant health event. It
is our basic need to empower ourselves
to understand and make serious
adjustments to our core health package
to cover the many uncertainties that
often times we are not even aware of
until something happens.
As an independent representative of
Aflac, I am proud to say, that National
Underwriter has named Aflac as the
#1 provider of individual guaranteed
renewable health plans year after year.
National Underwriter specifically
complements our health packages for
full & part time employees that save
them tax dollars and has no direct cost
to their employers. We also cater to the
self-employed in many ways as well.
In my specialization with the Aflac
plans, I identify and explain the five
key gaps missing from our health
insurance plans. Understanding each
clients unique needs helps me assist
them make a sound decision on the
best way to fill those gaps and ease
the financial impact of a health event.
Building long-term relationships is
essential.
How did you get involved in WLN?
Any success stories?
Tammy Cook, who spoke at the August
meeting, sent me an email about the
meeting. Tammy was a speaker earlier
this year at another group meeting and
I enjoyed her presentation so I decided
to attend the August meeting. Everyone
was so warm and friendly that I joined
WLN in September.
Who is your perfect client?
Small business owners with 3 to 50
employees as well as mid-size and
large companies. Wal-Mart is our
largest client.
What keeps you ahead of your
competition?
Aflac’s #1 position as a provider of
supplemental plans advertised by the
ever-popular Aflac duck along with
its 54-year history of no rate increases
across all their highly rated plan
choices.
Who is your perfect power partner?
Health and financial related services.
What tip can you give to a business
looking for your services?
Aflac is not insurance as you know it.
Set aside your assumptions about how
insurance works and learn how the
Aflac programs can provide additional
benefits to your employees at no direct
cost to you as well as improve your
bottom line.
You can reach Mary at
847-428-8957 or email her at
mary_dickson@us.aflac.com

Wanted: You! “To get what

Get involved! Share your knowledge and expertise! you’ve never
The WLN Newsletter is looking for members who would like had, you must
to share their business knowledge by submitting articles do what you’ve
for future newsletters. You can submit your articles for
consideration to Jackie Prehn at jprehn01@comcast.net never done.”
Mac Anderson
(All articles must be informational and not promotional.)
Board Members
President Pat Kolodziej
PK Tax Services
Day Phone (847) 858-5074
Email patk@pktaxservices.com
Dates To Remember
November Meeting: November 12th
Hennessy’s OnQ, 5:30 - 7:30 PM, $35.00
Speaker: Marcy Piekos, “Victims of Language”

Fun Night Out! Friday, November 21st, 7 PM

President Elect Lisa Davidson
Northwest Mutual
Day Phone (815) 444-3779
Email lisa.davidson@nmfn.com
Sterling Silver Jewelry Party
Robin Braga’s House, 4493 Rolling Hills Drive, Lake in the Hills, IL
RSVP to 847-961-5526. Proceeds will be donated to the Susan G.
Komen for the cure.

Monday, January 5th, 6:15 PM: Mark your calendar!

VP Events Doreen Langereis
Cruise Planners Zumba Class, Exercise in Disguise
Day Phone (847) 847-8555 More details to come!
Email planyourescape@comcast.net
December Meeting: December 10th
VP Marketing Jackie Prehn Hennessy’s OnQ, 5:30 - 7:30 PM, $35.00
T.R.I.M. Designs, Inc. Speaker: Senator Pam Althoff
Day Phone (847) 289-8007
Email jackie@trimdesignsinc.com
Business Spotlight
VP Admin. Siree Sandberg Bakokos
SSB Financial
Day Phone (847) 519-1142
Email siree@ssbfinancial.com

VP Finance Anne Ward

Creative Core
Day Phone (847) 854-1111
Email anne@creativecore.com

VP Membership Robin Braga

Independent Rep. for a
national jewelry company
specializing in sterling silver
jewelry
Day Phone (312) 259-8032
Email rbraga1@hotmail.com

Ambassadors
Membership:
Visitor Welcoming: Norine Wiebmer
Events: Kathy Glink, Lisa Krupp
Programs:
Marketing: Kris Freeman
Are you interested in becoming an Ambassador? If so, please contact
Lisa Davidson at (815) 444-3779.

Newsletter designed by
Jackie Prehn, T.R.I.M. Designs, Inc.
Women’s Leadership Network
847.289.8007 • info@trimdesignsinc.com
www.trimdesignsinc.com
www.WLNNews.com