The Power of Connections
The Journey – BMLI and The Power of Connections
The July 27th announcement of WICT’s 2009-2010 Betsy Magness Leadership Institute (BMLI) for Classes XX and XXI commemorated the launch of the program’s sixteenth year of providing an intense year-long management training program designed to elevate women leaders in the cable industry.
As the more than 500 BMLI Fellows can attest, WICT’s flagship executive development program is a rigorous and rewarding experience that aligns each Fellow’s operational competencies with the strategic goals of their employers. BMLI alumnae emerge poised to take on additional leadership responsibilities and prepared to share what they’ve learned with their teams, companies and the industry as a whole.
Few know this better than President and General Manager of WE tv Networks, Kim Martin. Shortly after graduating from BMLI’s Class IX, Martin met with senior management at Rainbow Media to be considered for WE tv’s Executive Vice President and General Manager position. “I was told that I didn’t have the right experience and that the company could not afford to lose me in my current affiliate sales role. However, given my tenure at Rainbow and within the cable industry, coupled with my BMLI experience, I knew that I was the right candidate for the position,” Martin explains.
Illustrating WICT’s Touchstone to Know Yourself, Martin tenaciously prepared herself for the role even as company management interviewed other candidates. "I set out to learn everything that I could about the network. I interviewed existing employees and I watched the network non-stop." Six months later she was offered the position after presenting the CEO with a comprehensive plan documenting her vision for the network.
What began as Martin’s own leadership journey through BMLI has evolved into an ongoing partnership between WE tv Networks and WICT. For four consecutive years, WE tv’s exclusive sponsorship of BMLI has helped bring new generations of industry leaders to BMLI, including it’s most recent Class additions, Elizabeth Doree, Senior Vice President, WE tv Scheduling & Acquisitions and Andrea Macey, Director of Multi-Platform Content.
Martin and WE tv Networks are proud to partner with Comcast to welcome BMLI Alumnae for the WICT Business Management Symposium in Atlanta November 17-18. Read more about WICT's Business Management Symposium, exclusively for BMLI Alumnae.
WICT recognizes WE tv as the 2009 Programmer Partner of the WICT Business Management Symposium and the exclusive sponsor of the BMLI Program.
WICT recognizes Comcast as the 2009 Operator Partner of the WICT Business Management Symposium.
For the Mentor: The Mentoring of Mentors Process in a NutshellBusiness Mentor Center, by Barry Sweeny
A good mentor will utilize their network to find their own mentor. The mentor will also encourage their mentee to mentor someone.
For the Mentee: Top 10 Tips to Maximize Your MentoringScience, by Joan M. Lakoski
Periodically re-evaluate your mentor relationship. If you don't look forward to meeting with your mentor, you may want to take a look at your network and choose someone new.
Abstract News by INFORMATION, INC.
6.6 Degrees of Separation
The "small world theory" commonly known as "six degrees of separation" between any two strangers on Earth, has been supported by a massive study of electronic communication. Conducted by Microsoft, using data from their MSN Messenger, the study determined:
Source: The Washington Post
Click to view the September WICT Wire Newsletter.
Keely Buchanan from Time Warner Cable brings us the September tech tip, E-learning.
E-learning (or electronic learning ) is a term commonly used for web-based distance education, with no face-to-face interaction. Broader definitions include all types of technology enhanced learning (TEL), where technology is used to support the learning process. E-learning can be CD-ROM-based, Network-based, Intranet-based or Internet-based. It can include text, video, audio, animation and virtual environments. It can be Asynchronous (self-paced) or Synchronous (real-time with a live instructor facilitating the training.)
PC World profiles Sherita Ceasar, Vice President of cross-platform applications and engineering services at Comcast, Grace Egan, Vice President of Engineering Product Management at Time Warner Cable and Vicki Hamilton, Senior Vice President for enterprise performance at Turner Broadcasting System's Operations and Strategy Group in this article on women's ranks in IT. Read more about these outstanding technology leaders and other essential reads at WICT Clicks.
Guerrilla Networking: A Proven Battle Plan to Attract the Very People You Want to Meet
Traditional networking focuses on meeting other people; success in life, however, is not based upon how many people you meet, but instead, how many people want to meet you. Guerrilla networking "[flips] the typical networking mentality on its head," says Michael Port, networking expert and author of "Book Yourself Solid." "Guerilla Networking: A Proven Battle Plan to Attract the Very People You Want to Meet," Jay Conrad Levinson and Monroe Mann's latest book on the subject is an easy read, and is divided into four sections: an overview of the guerrilla networking strategy; 50 specific networking tips; true success stories; and a step-by-step guide to creating a personalized guerrilla networking strategy. Like other books in the "Guerrilla" series, this one provides no-nonsense advice on how to define and win the attention of your target audience. -Information, Inc. (09/01/09)
WICT offers many ways to grow the power of your connections. Here are 30 Ways to Connect Through WICT:
1. Recruit a colleague to become a WICT member
2. Become WICT’s Friend on Facebook
3. Connect with technology teams at WICT’s Tech It Out Breakfast
4. Sharpen your cable business knowledge with your peers at Cable Boot Camp and Beyond
5. Join your fellow BMLI Alumnae at BMLI Business Management Symposium
6. Attend WICT’s free webinar with the authors of What Happy Working Mothers Know
7. Network with your peers at a Chapter Networking event
8. Wear your WICT 30 year anniversary necklace made by WICT's Empowerment Partner, Paper to Pearls
9. Check out the latest WICT event photos
10. Run for office on your local WICT Chapter Board
11. Read your WICT Chapter’s latest Newsletter
12. Write an article for the WICT Wire or your WICT Chapter Newsletter
13. Get to know your WICT Chapter President
14. Follow WICT on Twitter.
15. Guide your career in a WICT Chapter Mentoring Program
Learn, grow and CONNECT at WICT Chapter events:
16. 2009 Norcal Coaching Clinic September 17, 10:00am - 5:00pm
17. WICT Greater Chicago - Developmental Seminar & Bowlfest September 17, 3:00 PM - 7:00pm
18. WICT PNW - The Organizing Muse September 17, 11am - 1pm
19. WICT NY - Understanding Budgets September 23, 12:30pm - 1:30 pm
20. WICT Greater Texas - Riding the Cable Change Wave - How to Execute in Times of Change Six teleclass sessions 12 noon - 1pm CST on September 24, October 8 and 22, November 5 and 19
21. WICT Midwest - You are invited to our next Brown Bag Seminar September 24, 12:00-1:00pm CST
22. WICT Rocky Mountain - Forging Ahead on a Road to Recovery September 28, 11:15am-1:30pm
23. WICT Virginia - Networking, Wine Tasting and Luncheon Event October 1, 11:30am-3:30pm
24. WICT NY - 2009 Executive Women's Luncheon October 6, 11am - 2pm
25. WICT Carolinas Tech It Out Event October 6, 8am-1pm
26. WICT SOCAL - 2009 LEA AWARDS - A Celebration of Achievement October 8, 6pm: Cocktails, 7pm: Dinner & Awards Ceremony
27. WICT Carolinas 2009 Annual Fall Conference and Inaugural Awards Ceremony October 20, 2:00-8:00 pm
28. WICT Greater Philadelphia - The Art of Giving November 5, 6:00pm - 8:00 pm
29. WICT Greater Chicago - Breaking the Mold November 12, 1:30-5:30pm
30. 2009 Norcal Holiday Gala December 9, 6:00pm - 9:00pm