Congratulations and celebrations are in order! Our own Jody DeVere has been honored by WE Magaine, who recently included her on their list of the Top 100 women in e-commerce - worldwide. This is a true honor, and all of us on the Ask Patty team would like to send our sincere congratulations not only to Jody, but to all the Who's Who honorees. Read on for the WE Magazine announcement in its entirety, followed by the names of all the honorees. Congratulations to everyone, and thanks again to WE Magazine for such an honor!
WE Magazine is delighted to announce our newest AWARD – The Top 100 Who’s Who Among Women in Ecommerce™ for 2012!
Imagine being in a room full of 100 of the top women doing business on the web! And being able to chat with them and find out what makes them tick (or click), why they do what they do, and do it so well, they are considered role models in their industry. Well, maybe you will never get the chance to meet each one of these face to face, but you can connect with them in a way that only a few short years ago we could not. Via the vastness, unending universe known as the internet. In fact you can have access to any of these women with the simple click of a mouse!
You can reach out to Charly Leetham in Australia, Linda Pereira in Portugal, Daisy Wright in Canada, Debbie O’Connor in the UK, Gisele Rufer in Switzerland and several women across the United States.
There are 100 Women in Ecommerce™ who represent their industries and professions as artists, astrologers, authors, internet marketers, photographers, coaches, consultants, manufacturers, clothing designers, inventors, event planners, personal trainers and everything in between.
Some of the women have been in business for more than 20 years and others as few as two years. And what does each of these women have in common? They all promote their products and services on the Internet. Successfully.
According to Susan Ward of About.com, “Ecommerce (or e-commerce) is the art and science of selling products and/or services over the Internet.”
And art and science it is! You have to be a creative person to get people to pay attention to you online and you have to balance that with the science of self-promotion or hire experts to do it for you.
In all, we have gathered 100 women who WE believe truly represent doing business on the WEB.
You can read their stories in the latest edition of WE Magazine for Women (along with some great articles on doing business on the WEB). Here is the link to the Turning page (FLIP) version: http://wemagazineforwomen.com/pdfs/WhosWhoRelease2012.pdf
Please join me in congratulating the 2012 Who’s Who Among Women in Ecommerce™. Click on their links, visit their sites and offer your own personal congratulations! Special thanks to all our advertisers, those returning and those who have joined us for the first time. Because of their support, WE have been able able to provide you with great content and the amazing women WE continue to showcase on our site and in our magazine (since 2006).
In the swirl of media surrounding the sudden and entirely unexpected death of pop icon Whitney Houston, I remembered that February is also Black History Month in the US and Canada. Black History Month, also known as African-American History Month, is an annual observance during which we celebrate the achievements of the African-American community, who literally rose from the ashes of slavery and fought for their rightful place in human society.
Whitney is just such an achievement. One of what now seems to be an ever-dwindling number of musicians and performers with roots in the "Motown" sound, Whitney was a Jersey girl who claimed the heart of Detroit. She was a part of a family of singers - including her mother and sister - who brought soul and R&B music to the forefront of Western society, and Whitney herself was an inspiration in her own right. Had there been no Whitney Houston, there may be no Rhianna, Jennifer Hudson, or Beyonce today. Her voice inspired others to raise theirs and make a "joyful noise."
So - today on the Ask Patty blog I'm not calling for a moment of silence. I just want you to go out and sing today. Any song at all. Doesn't matter if it's in the shower, in the car, in your office, on the street, if people are listening, or if it's a private moment. Just sing. Raise your voice, no matter who you are or where you came from. That's the spirit of Motown, it's what Whitney and her family were all about, and ultimately, I think it's one of the messages of Black History Month. Stand up and sing, even if it's all you have left. Make a joyful noise. Let Whitney's inspiration carry on.
Happy Valentine's Day, Ask Patty Nation! Today, we want to know: if a car could be your sweetheart, which car would it be? Which ones do you crush on? Do you burn for a Mini Cooper, or does a Mercedes S Class do it for you? Today we want to hear from you, Ask Patty Nation. Tell us your most secret car-crushes, and tell us why. What's your To get things started, I'll share mine. Be warned, they're a little nerdy.
1. The DeLorean. I hope I'm not alone in this, and I'm sure I'm probably not. These stainless steel beauties had a brief burst of fame thanks largely to their creator's legal woes - but would likely be a footnote in car history if not for the 1985 film Back to the Future. There, Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd converted a sleek, gull-winged DeLorean into a time machine which propelled them to the 50's, the old west, and now the (now not-so-distant) future. DeLoreans are now essentially synonymous with the film, and the DeLorean Motor Company which until recently dealt only in parts for the old models, are planning an all new, all electric version of the classic car, which I covered here in the past. I came very close to buying one of these in the past, but the price tag and some quality conditions kept me at bay. Still sometimes I wish I'd just done it - if only to crank up Huey Lewis' "The Power of Love" and cruise around town from time to time. DeLorean, be my valentine?
2. The Mazda Miata. This car may have been my first love. Now known as the MX-5 (as it has always been known in Europe), the classic roadster was known simply as the Miata in the US until 2006. These guys are small, sleek, and stylish, and they're just about everything I love in a car. I test-drove a Miata once just to drive one - I wasn't in a postition to buy one, but I was determined to get behind the wheel of one. The newer models have a slightly different silhouette that doesn't quite appeal to me as much, but the second generation Miatas of the late 90's and early 2000's still make me squee whenever I see one. I'm a sucker for nostalgia. This car is a fixture on my "I will own one of these someday" list, when I can afford to throw practicality to the wind and buy a car to just have fun in. You never forget your first love. Oh, Miata, won't you be my valentine?
3. The Tesla Roadster. So if you can't tell, I'm a sucker for a roadster. I'm also a sucker for electric cars, and had a pretty hard time not including the Nissan Leaf or Wheego Whip LiFe on the list, even though those are certainly car-crushes. But no, I decided to focus on pure fantasy for this list. The Leaf and Wheego cars are adorable, practical, and generally affordable - the Tesla Roadster on the other hand, is the automotive equivalent of a celebrity crush for me. Take your Porches and Ferraris, and give me Tesla. Ignoring for the moment that it's named for Nikola Tesla who is one of my nerd-crushes (yeah, I'm like that), this thing is an all electric, high performance, convertible sports car. With a price tag just north of $100k us, it's definitely a dream car, and don't let the electric lithium-ion power cells fool you. This thing outperforms many electrics on driving distance, going 240 miles on a single charge, and hits 0-60 in 3.7 seconds to boot. This car isn't love, this car is pure infatuation. Still - give me one date with this bad boy. Just one. That's not too much to ask, is it? Psst, Tesla. Call me? I'll be your valentine.
Now it's your turn! Tell us your car crushes, and don't skimp on the details! We want to know your most secret automotive desires. Happy Valentine's Day!
AskPatty.com Inc, the premier online resource for automotive advice for women by women announced today that they have launched a new geo-location female-friendly website adjacent to AskPatty.com that is dedicated to helping women take advantage of money saving offers, coupons and expert automotive advice FAST with the company's growing network of Certified Female Friendly® automotive retail locations across the U S. and Canada. The new website address at www.askpattycertifiedfemalefriendly.com, enhances the online experience women have with Certified Female Friendly® automotive retail locations in their local area.
The Ask Patty Certified Female Friendly® program, launched in 2006, offers female-friendly certification, ongoing training and marketing to women expertise for automotive retailers to insure the highest level of customer satisfaction for women. The program provides comprehensive tools and training on how to attract, sell, retain and increase loyalty with women. Included in the program are innovative award winning marketing and advertising to women strategies.
“Just as AskPatty.com continues to evolve as the premier trusted source of automotive advice to women by women, our fast growing network of Certified Female Friendly® locations across the U. S. and Canada is evolving too,” says Jody DeVere, CEO of AskPatty.com and Marketing to Women Conference board member. "Our goal is to continue to add more value to women looking for a trustworthy hassle-free experience with our network. This simple and clean geo-location design helps women find the closest Certified Female Friendly® automotive retail location and money saving coupons FAST. A mobile geo-locationversion of the new site is also coming soon to help women find Certified Female Friendly® locations and coupons on the go."
Before the launch of the new site, Certified Female Friendly® retailers were available to readers via a search by zip code on the AskPatty.com homepage, the new dedicated female-friendly website affords women Geo-Location results right on the homepage. Women are greeted immediately with a selection of Certified Female Friendly® locations in their local area, along with local coupons and specials, no manual search required. Women can also sign up for a free membership to participate in the Ask Patty community to review Certified Female Friendly® locations, their vehicles for the benefit of other women, get expert automotive advice via email and cash in on additional specials and coupons.
About AskPatty.com, Inc.
With international headquarters in Thousand Oaks, California, AskPatty.com, Inc. takes a two-pronged approach to revolutionizing the women's automotive retail market in the U. S. and Canada: For consumers, the AskPatty.com website is the premier safe and reliable source for expert automotive advice and research for women by women. For auto dealers, tire dealers, quick lubes, car washes, collision centers, service and repair centers the AskPatty.com Certified Female Friendly® program provides a comprehensive program on how to attract, sell, retain and increase loyalty with women.
Women can find an Ask Patty Certified Female Friendly® location, money saving special offers, coupons and advice fast by going here www.askpattycertifiedfemalefriendly.com.
Go here to learn how to become Ask Patty Certified Female Friendly®.
We always like to let you know when one of the Ask PattyCertified Female Friendly retailers does something cool, and this is one of those times. Tamara Darvish is a vice president of DARCARS Automotive Group, a privately owned group of 34 franchises in the Washington Metro area, and she's written something pretty amazing. It's called OUTRAGED: How Detroit and the Wall Street Car Czars Killed the American Dream, and it's a story about how the auto industry's collapse in 2008 and the subsequent bailouts may have saved auto manufacturers, but ultimately spelled doom for many smaller dealerships across the country. Check it out:
The “taking out” of America’s hometown car dealers is perhaps the most misunderstood or little-known story of the decade, certainly of the last few years. The collapse of the “Detroit Two” automakers (General Motors and Chrysler; Ford is the third component that makes up the so-called “Big Three,” or “Detroit Three” automakers), and a temporary government group designed to rescue them set the stage for the events that transpired. The automakers saw new life. But a good portion of “Main-Street” car dealers were left to hang out to dry. Main Street and Highway 61 are used as metaphors for the rejected dealers, many of whose businesses were located on Main Streets or along highways in rural, small and midsize towns, as consultants pointed out. And dealers, as portrayed here, represent entrepreneurs everywhere, as symbols of the American dream.
Pretty heavy stuff - but important stuff! 2008 and the resulting chaos was tough for everybody, but the best thing we can do now is learn from those mistakes so we don't repeat them again. Ever. Thanks to Tammy for penning this torrid tale, and contratulations to you from the whole Ask Patty team. We hope it's a hit for you!
You can learn more about Tammy and her book at http://www.tammydarvish.com/, and the book's available for purchase at Barnes & Noble and Amazon - plus, it's available on the Kindle. Go get it!
I have now had the opportunity to view the new Ford Fusion twice-once in Dearborn and once in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) and WOW!!!-it almost drives itself. Not only is the styling sweet but so are all of the appointments for driver and passenger convenience and comfort and efficiency.
MUST HAVE TECHNOLOGIES
Here is a sampling of the technologies as listed on the www.Ford.com site and how they can assist us be better drivers.
Lane Keeping System: This class-exclusive technology consists of three elements to help a driver maintain proper lane position. Using a small, forward-facing camera behind the inside rearview mirror, the system “looks” down the road, monitoring lane lines to determine that the car is on course.
The system will alert a driver if drowsiness or erratic lane-keeping is detected.
The second element warns a driver with a steering wheel vibration if the Fusion drifts too close to lane markings.
Finally, lane keeping aid will actually apply pressure on the steering to help bring the car back into proper lane position
We're not talking about purses, jewelry, and other such things. No, today we're asking about vehicle accessories. All those little extras that make your vehicle a little safer, a little more handy, or just a little more you. Whether it's extra lighting, luggage racks, spoilers, utility accessories like hitches, or little touches like bug shields, accessories are what make your car uniquely yours, and we want you to tell us all about it.
Take the Izmocars / AskPatty Vehicle Accessories survey and tell us all about your accessories - don't like accessories and tend to shy away from the extras? Tell us about that, too! We want to know what makes the women of the Ask Patty Nation ticks when it comes to accessorizing your rides.
Plus - have an idea for the next big "thing" in car accessories? Is there a gadget, trinket, or concept that you have been dying to see for your own car? This is your chance to share your big idea. You never know, you may just provide the spark that creates a whole new trend in vehicle accessories!
Remember me and my story this Holiday Season. Buckle Up and Say No to Buzzed Driving !!!
We left for home Thanksgiving day in the twilight, filled with Grandma Cleo’s cooking, lots of hugs and our heads filled with family stories shared in laughter.
The drive on Palmdale Highway 138, a two land undivided road, was lined with cars coming and going like bumper cars. I always hated this part of the drive and kept checking my speed to stay at 55 MPH, which was not my normal routine driving practice.
After about ten minutes, feeling overly cautious, I looked over at my son in the front passenger seat and noticed his seatbelt was not fastened and sharply told him to “Put on your seatbelt, NOW!”, and glanced over my shoulder to make sure my other son was buckled up!”
Thirty seconds later a small car driven by a drunken women with five children, only one two year old in a restraint system, swerved from the oncoming traffic right in front of me. There was no way to avoid the accident. I slammed on my brakes to attempt to stop in time. Her oncoming speed and my oncoming speed were equal to at least 110 miles an hour. Not enough time to stop.
That moment of impact will be imbedded in my soul forever. Three of the five children were killed instantly. The woman driver killed her only daughter and two of her sister’s children. The driver (She) survived along with the two year old in the car seat and one other young boy cousin.
At this year’s SEMA convention in Las Vegas there were over 106,000 in attendance with over 1,700 exhibitors. There was so much to see – everything from professional drivers testing out new 2012 car models, to customized rides of every shape and size with many futuristic customizations and accessories.
From exhibits and unending streams of vehicles, roaring engines and new car unveilings to very special events there were many who were honored during the convention and others who were encouraged by many in attendance. As a woman within the industry I also noticed quite a few exhibitors who instead of having scantily clad models portray their products corporations opted for more believable ambassadors, (their educated female employees) who are proud to work for their female friendly organizations.
One such business which had strong and successful females at the helm was 3M. The ladies are not only employees of the adhesive company, they are explicitly knowledgeable about the products their employer produces and recommends for just about any type of vehicle repair imaginable. From Bondo® body work to windshield, and upholstery repair the female crew at 3M were serious about showing their expertise within the industry. Many of the ladies took the time take visitors to different areas within the 3M exhibit and explain processes of many of the vast products on display. “We offer many quick fix products and they also include written and online instructions on how to use them,” Auto Care Marketing Manager Cathy Markovitz said.
The female team also hosted special appearances and product demonstrations by West Coast Customs Chip Foose. Needless to say the dedicated 3M team members were vital in ensuring the 3M booths smashing success.
Jody DeVere, CEO of female-focused automotive website AskPatty.com, is being honored with a 2011 Women in Remarketing Excellence Award today during the National Remarketing Conference at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas. She will also speak of a panel with other leading women who are being honored. It has become an annual tradition for Auto Remarketing to encourage readers to recognize and nominate some of the top leading ladies of our industry. There women stand out for their dedication to excellence and their commitment to furthering the industry. To be considered, a woman must have a history of going above and beyond the call of duty whether through innovation, mentoring new professionals, philanthropy, education or more.
Jody, who was just recently honored at SEMA / AAPEX as the recipient of the SEMA Businesswomen's Association's annual Athena Award, is the CEO of AskPatty.com, Inc, a website, blog, and marketing to women agency providing automotive education to women consumers, as well as training, ongoing marketing support and education, and certifications to car dealers, independent service locations, tire dealers, collision centers, fast lubes, and other automotive retailers. As a social media marketing to women expert, journalist, car care expert, and safety spokesperson, it has been a primary goal to promote, mentor and support careers for women in the automotive industry, and she has more than twenty-five years of achievement as a successful entrepreneur focused on sales and marketing leadership to assist her in this quest. She is a champion for women in the automotive industry, and her company serves as the first point of contact for many women who are seeking the very best in car sales and service across the United States and Canada.
“I am very honored to be recognized by the readers of Auto Remarketing Magazine as a Women of Remarketing Award alongside all the outstanding women leaders recognized in 2011,” says Jody.
This site, its contents and all related content, formats and documents are copyrighted property of AskPatty.com, Inc and are not to be reproduced or republished without the written consent of AskPatty.com, Inc.
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