Evolution of Potomac Webinars.
I’ve been a “stay at home MBA” for the last 7 years. In 2002 after the birth of my first son, I off-ramped from a big corporate job. Looking back, it happened in phases, but ultimately I went from a nice office in a Fortune 100 HQ to happily creating the excel spreadsheet for the playgroup. I have had many moments of wanting to go back to work, but needed to do it on my own terms—which is why I have chosen to work for myself. In addition to creating flexibility I wanted to make sure that the time I am spending away from my family--now 3 children--is not only helping our bottom line but helping others.
I didn’t want to waste my experience but also wasn’t quite ready to just jump back into the corporate world with two feet (for many reasons). I knew that if I was going to spend time away from my family, I wanted something to show for it—more than a paycheck. (Don’t get me wrong…the paycheck helps.) Anyway, choosing one “cause” or group to work for seemed a little too intense. Yes, we try to make our own little patch of the planet better for the next generation…we walk to school, we recycle and we compost. But does that make me a great staffer for an environmental group? Perhaps, but it would be a tough sell. Additionally, while I know deep inside that I can transition my skills from corporate to non-profit, I was having a hard time convincing myself that I could convince others of this. Perhaps I’m wrong, but I didn’t know if I’d be accepted in the non-profit arena straight up. Had I ever officially done fundraising? No. Yes, I’ve been very involved at a corporate business development level in multimillion dollar deals, but fundraised? I think I’d have to check the “no” box on that form. Sure I’ve trained National Account managers across the country on Service Parts Logistics, but would a community organizer see that as a plus?
Still, I know that I have some solid skills that can help others. I have experience in corporate business development, marketing, communications and e-commerce. My positions include Sales & Marketing Director for a product in the UPS Logistics Group. Additionally, I was a UPS e-commerce manager evaluating clients' supply chains.
As I was evaluating my options, I noticed a convergence of web technology with increased pressure to train and communicate across great distances, with reduced resources, has sparked a dramatic increase in online meetings and collaboration—especially webinars. These opportunities are larger and an ever more important part of training, coalition building, public relations and business development. I kept hearing about people conducting webinars and other people who were complaining about them. Boring! Waste of time! Just today an acquaintance told me about a webinar she attended by a major marketing group that was done very poorly.
Hmmmm, an opportunity. A golden moment. My skills mesh perfectly with helping others to develop good Webinars. My e-commerce background, corporate business development experience (presentation development and delivery) and overall interest in communications converged as well. Once I convinced myself that yes I can launch my own business, my next step became developing the framework for Potomac Webinars:
Potomac Webinars crafts strategies for speakers in the DC area, helping to create better online meetings and deliver powerful online presentations. We manage the unique dynamics of participant interaction with a virtual podium allowing the speaker to concentrate on the content.
Bottom line—I hope to use my corporate experience to help good DC groups get their message out. Sure, I’ll be helping all types of organizations--both non-profit and for profit, but I will really look forward to those spunky groups out there trying to save the world. I will enjoy having a little role in it. In the spirit of David Brower, I hope to encourage people to Present Globally, Speak Locally. And do it well.
