Mayday! Mayday! Negotiating in Business and the Workplace to Avoid Distress

Featuring Elizabeth Veliz & Pamela West

Special thanks to our host, Cox Communications!

WHEN: Wednesday, May 1, 2019 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

WHERE: Cox Communications* 1341 Crossways Boulevard Chesapeake, VA 23320

COST: $30 per person (includes lunch); $10 student discount

*Cox is a secure facility. Please bring a driver's license or government issued ID to enter.

Negotiating in business, whether you're a woman or not, is crucial to being competitive in the marketplace. It gives you leverage to drive down costs, receive benefits, and take your business or career to new heights. According to a recent study by psychologists at Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich, Germany, women are less likely to initiate negotiations than men. Why?

Overall, women are confident about their abilities to negotiate, but still feel that they are facing institutional challenges such as gender bias and challenges with responsibilities to family or culture when it comes to negotiating.

FACT: The confrontational nature of negotiation lends itself to the perception of being greedy or demanding, and research from 2016 shows that aggressive tactics from men are better received than from women.

FACT: Less than 50% of women feel confident approaching an investor, and on average, men start their businesses with nearly twice as much capital as women.

FACT: Gender gaps in the workplace are a serious societal issue for both women and men. The average college-educated woman earns $713,000 less over the course of her working life than her male counterpart according to the Coalition of Labor Union Women.

On May 1st WFCV luncheon attendees will hear from two expert perspectives hailing from the worlds of banking and human resources as they share key negotiating skills, advice, and lessons learned. Join us to gain the critical negotiation skills you need to succeed. After all, if you don't ask for you what you want, you most likely won't get it. Contact programs@womensforumnetwork.com with any questions.

About Elizabeth Veliz: As VP of Human Resources with Virginia Premier, Elizabeth performs an integral HR leadership role in administering HR and OD operations for 1700+ employees

across the Commonwealth of VA. As a trusted executive advisor and Change Practitioner, Elizabeth generates innovative business solutions, operational efficiencies and maximizes margins by aligning employee strategies with company goals to increase growth and profitability. Her expertise spans several industries including manufacturing, healthcare, MCOs, BPO, pharmaceutical, business services, consulting, government and not-for-profit sectors.

About Pamela West: Pamela is a graduate of Elon University. She has spent her whole banking career serving consumers, businesses, & associations in Hampton Roads. Serving the

community is part of her DNA. She is actively involved and has leadership roles in the Central Business District Association, Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, Hampton Roads Sports Commission, Norfolk Sunrise Rotary Club, & The Garner Foundation. Pamela was selected as one of Inside Business' "Top 40 under 40" in 2014.