Women's Business Conference marks fifth year

Leading Edge Coaching and Development were the featured speakers for the 2014 Women's Business Conference

With their signature style of improvisational theatre and humor, Carol Grannis and Cindy Maher of Leading Edge Coaching and Development entertained and educated nearly 300 women who attended the South Dakota Center for Enterprise Opportunity's fifth annual Women's Business Conference at the Lodge at Deadwood on Oct. 24.   

This year's conference theme was on teambuilding. Grannis and Maher discussed what makes a productive team, how to run team meetings effectively and how to hold team members accountable and provide constructive feedback - all issues that are important for women leaders in today's professional industry. "The team building really hit home when I compared how I rated our meetings compared to the staff's rating. There is definitely room for improvement" said Sandy Burns of Project Solutions, Inc.

Leading Edge Coaching and Development spoke at the 2013 Women's Business Conference and were asked to return for 2014.  "Cindy and I have spoken all over the country at various conferences and this conference is one of our favorites!  We are so inspired by the care and support that all the women have for each other.  It's a perfect blend of learning, inspiration and fun. We were honored to be a part of this special event" said Grannis.  

Maher agreed, "Carol and I speak with great women's groups all over the United States - but there is something truly extraordinary about this particular conference.  There is a strength, warmth and connection that we don't always see.  Women reach out to each other, focused on building relationships and wanting to learn from the experiences of others.  I'm not sure if it's the magic of the Black Hills or the strength of South Dakota women, but it's really something to see!  The day is filled with frequent laughter and 'ah-hah' moments it has been a privilege for us to be a part of the conference for the last two years."

Dr. Priscilla Romkema, dean of the School of Business and Natural Sciences at BHSU, led a discussion with the Panel of Entrepreneurs. Members of the panel were Suzanne Olson of Properties Unlimited Realty, Nina Braun of Ketel Thorstenson LLP, and Dawn Claymore of Midwest Marketing. The panel discussed their leadership roles in their respective professions, as well as offered advice to attendees on how to develop effective teams and handle day-to-day challenges in the work force.

SD CEO, the only Women's Business Center in the state of South Dakota, provides comprehensive training, education and business assistance, support and counseling for aspiring and established entrepreneurs to foster economic development in South Dakota. The SD CEO is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA), and is part of a network of more than 110 centers nationwide established through the SBA's women's business funding.

The SD CEO is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The support given by the U.S. Small Business Administration through such funding does not constitute an expressed or implied endorsement of any of the components or participants'o opinions, products or services. SD CEO operates under Cooperative Agreement SBAHQ-14-W-0018. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. All SBA programs and services are provided to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Accommodation will be provided to clients with Limited English Proficiency when requested in advance.