by Tina Frank
PBWC V.P. of Programs
PBWC has been diligent in collecting input from the women they serve, their customers. During last year's conference computers were stationed in the main hall where 800 women logged on giving us demographic information and letting us know their issues of concern. Evaluation sheets collected after each session added another dimension to our analysis.
In the fall of each year the board holds focus groups, covering three geographic areas around the Bay Area. Each session runs for two hours and approximately 25 women attend from a cross section of industry and the community. The results are always illuminating.
The women attending our focus groups this year are pragmatic. They are most concerned with quality of life issues. Topping the list is time management, balancing career goals with personal development and ultimately making the right choices.
Transition is a word that surfaced numerous times most often in the context of life and career transitions. They want to know how to make the transition and how to ensure it will be beneficial. We live and work in a fluid environment where decisions are rapid fire and mental acuity is essential.
The discussions on career transitions looked at management skills adapted to the new workplace, the need for mentoring, strategic planning for career development and the ramifications of telecommunicating on career advancement. Life transitions focused on the entrepreneur versus the corporate world, emotional intelligence and taking a leadership role in the political world.
Education is at the top of the list again in both workforce preparation and educating the youth of America. Can we change the way a female student views her future academic possibilities? Can we change the scholastic orientation that is inculcated in the system? PBWC is compelled to provide a platform for discussion on issues of this magnitude.
The ever changing issue of technology took on many facets during the focus group. Suggestions ranged from setting up a computer lab for a hands on demonstration and training session to providing access to the foremost experts on current technology trends.
As women continue to advance in the workplace creating their own wealth and managing their own financial affairs investment savvy is crucial. It was evident in our discussions that a broad range of information and guidance was a top priority with both the experienced and beginning investor.
The board of PBWC is grateful for the time and effort put forth by all the women who participated in our focus groups. The program will reflect your thinking with workshops and keynote speakers that address the subjects above. The workshops will focus on three segments of time, current (the here and now), transitional and future. This will give all participants an opportunity to examine a subject from different perspectives tailored to their own development in any given area.
The mission of PBWC is to act as a catalyst for creating an environment that consistently generates, finds and provides tools, access and connections women need to move from where they are to where they dream of going.
It is our sincere hope that we fulfill your expectations on May 29, 1997.
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