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I recently received a tempting and intriguing offer by mail to transfer one of our big-time office services from one vendor to another. Interested, but not thrilled with the extra effort it would require to make the change, I let the flyer sit on my desk. A few days ago I thought about the benefits of the financial savings in the offer, and decided to phone the toll-free number displayed all over the mailer. I immediately got a recording that asked if I was calling to pay a bill or if I was calling to report a problem with my service. What a terrible first impression for a potential new client! There was no option to speak with someone in sales.

Out of total curiosity, since I knew I didn't want to do business with a company that clearly has problems with its service, I decided to work my way around the phone system. I never managed to get a human being on the line, but I eventually did find the sales extension. Their recording told me their hours of operation and that, even though I was calling two hours prior to said closing time, there was no one available to speak with me and that I should call back later. That was followed by a click. And then the call disconnected.

I really don't want to reveal the name of this company because, at some point in time, we all fall short on our business follow-up. But I feel I must tell you that this company that does not have dedicated staff to handle incoming phone inquiries for new business, is actually a company that offers phone service. And, to make matters worse, according to Bonnie and Donna who answer the phone in my office, this same company cold calls us a minimum of two times a day, to sell us a similar service.

This lack of follow-through really bugged me. I couldn't let it go. I went to the company website where I saw no mention of the mailer offer. I did a web search for the email address or direct phone number for the person whose signature was on the flyer. I found nothing in my initial search. But I was so determined to share my impression of how this company had spent a lot of money to send me a marketing piece that had actually succeeded in motivating me to pick up the phone, and then not have the proper follow-up, that I took another 45 minutes out of my day and, buried deep within a member organization website, finally found the person's email.

I sent him an email outlining everything that happened. It's been a few days and I have not received a return email. However, our office has gotten another half dozen blind phone solicitations from this company.

Suffice it to say that I will be sticking with my current, more expensive vendor whose service I had never doubted until their competitor's mail offer came across my desk. The old adage, 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it,' comes to mind.

The adage applies on the home front, as well. Take the sink faucet in the half-bath in my home as an example. A few minutes ago I determined that its water flow was definitely not as strong as I recalled; so I tried to fix it. Now, when you turn the faucet knob, no water comes out at all. I sure hope the plumber who left a flyer on my front door the other day answers the phone when I call.

NOW is the time to sign up to advertise in the 2009-10 edition of the Women's Yellow Pages. When you pay, we will add your listing to the online directory at www.philawyp.com and it will remain there until your official year begins in June of 2009. That means if you sign up in April, you will get A FREE MONTH OF ONLINE ADVERTISING!!! That's a deal that's hard to pass up. To get rates and advertising info, shoot us an email at rates@philawyp.com so you can start to let the Women's Yellow Pages work for you and your business.

FEATURED WOMEN'S YELLOW PAGES BUSINESS CATEGORIES
Being part of a network is all about doing business with each other. If you happen to be in the market for any of the following products or services, please contact these 22nd edition Women's Yellow Pages advertisers:

"The distance is nothing; it's only the first step that is difficult." ~Mme. du Deffand

Our very own Ellen Fisher, Women's Yellow Pages, for being the recipient of the Advocate for Women in Business Award from Women's Referral Network of Chester County.

(Attention 22^nd and 23rd edition 's Women's Yellow Pages advertisers: Please send your accolades to congrats@philawyp.com.)

Click the link below for a chance to see the Phillies take on the Atlanta Braves at the home opener. One lucky winner will receive two tickets to the Braves-Phillies game on Sunday, April 5, a copy of the Phillies 2009 Gameday magazine; and a copy of the 2008 Phillies Video Yearbook DVD.

Patience Lovell Wright (1725-1786) began her career in South Jersey as a wax sculptor to support herself and her five children after her husband's death in 1769. Wright, who specialized in life-sized sculptures of well-known contemporary subjects, learned the techniques of wax sculpting from her sister Rachel. In 1772 she established a successful wax studio in London due, in part, to introductions to society made through Benjamin Franklin. Wright, who lived in London until her death, passed along any military information she gleaned from studio gossip to the Continental Congress during the Revolutionary War.

* Adapted from Women in the City of Brotherly Love... and Beyond: Tours and Detours in Delaware Valley Women's History, by Gayle Brandow Samuels with Lucienne Beard and Valencia Libby, Second Edition 1996.

Women's Yellow Pages 22nd and 23rd edition Advertisers may submit events of interest to women in business as part of their advertising package. See above for more information.

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Environmental Consulting	Erotica
Event Planning	Exercise/Physical Fitness
Feng Shui	Financial Planners
Financial Services	Financing
Framing	Fund Raising Consultants
Funeral Services	Furnished Rentals
Gift Shops	Graphic Design/Illustration
Hats/Millinery	Health Care
Health Insurance	Holistic Health
Home Care/Senior Services	Home Furnishings

APRIL 2009 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Date	Event	Organization	Time and Location	Contact Info
Apr 1	Negotiate Better: How to Avoid Tricks and Beat Hardballers	Women's Business Forum of Bucks County	8:00 - 9:00 am; James Lorah House; 132 North Main Street, Doylestown	267-337-6073 programs@womensbusinessforum.org
Apr 1	Secrets of Super-Productivity: Get More Done	eWomen Network	11:00 - 1:30 pm; The Mansion on Main Street; Vorhees, NJ	Marilyn Kleinberg 609-601-1333 Marilynkleinberg@eWomenNetwork.com
Apr 1	The Road Ahead - How to Survive & Thrive in Today's Economy	Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce	8:30 - 11:30 am; LuLu Country Club, 1600 Limekiln Pike, North Hills, PA	Wendy Klinghoffer 215-887-5122 info@emccc.org
Apr 2	Thoughts are Power-Make Yours Work for You, Not Against You!	Freedom Healing and Wellness, LLC	6:30 - 8:30 pm; Buxmont Unitarian Universalist Fellowship;2040 Street Road, Warrington, PA	Kimberly Ruch-Alegant 215-357-6474 kim@freedomhealingandwellness.com
Apr 2	Effective Networking Workshop	Women's Business Forum of Bucks County	9:30 - 11:30 am; Saxby's Conference Room, 22 N. Main Street, Doylestown	267-337-6073 programs@womensbusinessforum.org
Apr 3	On Deck with the Phillies	Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce	2:30 - 5:00 pm; Citizens Bank Park; One Citizens Bank Way, Philadelphia	215-790-3707
Apr 3	Satellite Meeting	Center City NAWBO	9:00 - 10:00 am; the Fork Restaurant; 306 Market Street, Philadelphia	Roslyn Pilla 888-977-3873 rsolyn@pillacreative.com
Apr 3	Satellite Meeting	Chester County NAWBO	9:00 - 10:00 am; Executive Office Link; Great Valley Corporate Center; 7 Great Valley Parkway, Suite 200, Malvern	Paula Marolewski 610-287-3977 pmarolewski@prodigy.net
Apr 3	Satellite Meeting	Montgomery County NAWBO	9:00 - 10:00 am; The Free Library of Springfield Township; 1600 Paper Mill Road, Wyndmoor	Jane Barr Pino 215-628-3875 nawbophl@barrpino.com
Apr 3	Satellite Meeting	Bucks County NAWBO	9:00 - 10:00 am; Saxby's Coffee House; 22 N. Main Street, Doylestown	Jane Barr Pino 215-628-3875 nawbophl@barrpino.com
Apr 3	Satellite Meeting	Delaware County NAWBO	9:00 - 10:00 am; Community Arts Center; 414 Plush Mill Road, Wallingford	Nancy Davis 610-566-5680 davis@ivygroup.com
Apr 4	Handi-Women Workshop Stud Night & Safe at Home	Women's Business Forum of Bucks County	12:00 - 4:00 pm; Intelligencer Building, Broad St., Doylestown	Michelle Halbsgut 215-313-4495
Apr 7	Business Card Exchange	Main Line Chamber of Commerce	5:30 - 7:30 pm; Pohlig at Haverford Reserve, 934 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, PA	610-687-6232 X1110 info@mlcc.org
Apr 7	Taking Stock	Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce	8:00 - 10:00 am; The Union League of Philadelphia; 140 South Broad Street, Philadelphia	215-790-3707
Apr 7	Back to Basics Thriving in a Down Economy	New Castle County Chamber of Commerce	8:30 am - 12:00 pm; NCC Chamber of Commerce, 12 Penns Way, New Castle, DE	302-737-4343
Apr 7	Ladies (Go Red) Night Out at the 76ers Game	Women's Health Source	6:00 pm; Wachovia Center, 3601 S. Broad St. Phila	whs@mlhs.org
Apr 8	Roundtable Discussion	Chester County Business Leaders in the Community	8:00 - 10:00 am; 107 W. State St., Kennett Square, PA	610-453-7215 info@chescobusinessleaders.com
Apr 8	Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow	eWomen Network	11:30 am; Doubletree Hilton; 4727 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE	mariaNovak@ewomennetwork.com 610-405-0633
Apr 8	Business After Hours	Delaware County Chamber of Commerce	5:00 pm; Generations, 9 State Road, Media, PA	610-565-3677 info@delcochamber.org
Apr 9	Handi-Women 4-Series Workshop	Women's Business Forum of Bucks County	7:00 - 9:00 pm; Birthmark, 33 Bishop Hollow Rd., Newtown Square	Michelle Halbsgut 215-313-4495
Apr 14	Joint Luncheon with Exton Regional Chamber of Commerce	Women's Referral Network	1:30 am - 1:30 pm; The Inn at Chester Springs, Exton, PA	610-639-9776 contactwrn@wrnchesco.com
Apr 14	What You Need To Succeed	eWomen Network	8:00 - 10:30 am; Spring Mill Manor, 171 Jacksonville Road, Ivyland	Kimberly Ruch-Alegant 215-354-0057 kimberlyruch-alegant@ewomennetwork.com
Apr 14	Taking Stock Featuring John C. Bogle (founder of The Vanguard Group, Inc.)	Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce	8:00 - 10:00 am; Union League of Philadelphia; 140 South Broad Street, Philadelphia	215-790-3618 lkulp@greaterphilachamber.com
Apr 14	Going Green Tabletop Networking Mixer	New Castle County Chamber of Commerce	5:00 - 8:00 pm; Embassy Suites Newark/South, 654 South College Ave, Newark	302-737-4343
Apr 15	From Entrepreneurship to Social Entrepreneurship: Living Your Legacy Now	Women's Business Forum of Bucks County	7:30 - 9:00 pm; James Lorah House; 132 North Main Street, Doylestown	267-337-6073 programs@womensbusinessforum.org
Apr 15	Chapter Meeting Guest Speaker - Lisa Nutter (Mayor Nutter's wife)	Executive Women International	6:00 pm; The Acorn Club, 1519 Locust St., Phila.	Christy Barilotti 610-660-7698 christy@barilottiwealthstrategies.com
Apr 16	Handi-Women 4-Series Workshop Part 2	Women's Business Forum of Bucks County	9:00 am - 5:00 pm; Birthmark, 33 Bishop Hollow Rd., Newtown Square	Michelle Halbsgut 215-313-4495
Apr 16	Branding on a Budget	Women's Bussiness Forum of Bucks County	9:30 - 11:30 am; Saxby's Conference Room, 22 N. Main St., Doylestown	Jamie Broderick jamiebroderick@bucksnetworking.com
Apr 16	Business Card Exchange	Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce	5:00 - 7:00 pm; Friedman, Schuman, Nemeroff, Applebaum & McCaffery, P.C., Jenkintown, PA	Wendy Klinghoffer 215-887-5122 info@emccc.org
Apr 17	Uncover the 2nd Tier: Discover Indirect Business Channels	NAWBO	8:00 am - 12:00 pm; Exelon's Energy Hall; 2401 Market Street, Philadelphia	Jane Barr Pino 215-628-3875 nawbophl@barrpino.com
Apr 20	Women For Women	Women's Business Forum of Bucks County	6:30 - 8:00 pm; Yardley, PA	267-337-6073 programs@womensbusinessforum.org
Apr 21	Protecting Your Business, Protecting Yourself: Avoiding Key Legal Landmines	eWomen Network	11:30 am - 2:00 pm; Chadwick's/The Club at Shannondell; 2750 Egypt Road, Audubon	610-864-6186 rosemaryrussell@ewomennetwork.com
Apr 21	Harness the Power of Image & Body Language for Success	eWomen Network	11:30 am - 1:30 pm; Union League, 140 South Broad St., Philadelphia	Michele Giletto 610-769-5313 michelegeletto@ewomennetwork.com
Apr 21	IDEAS Expo	Women's Business Forum of Bucks County	8:00 am - 4:00 pm; Spring Mill Manor, Ivyland	267-337-6073 programs@womensbusinessforum.org
Apr 21	What You Need to Know About Your 401K and IRA	Caroline Andresen, NYLife Securities	7:30 pm; Tredyffrin Public Library large Meeting Room; 582 Upper Gulph Road	Gretchen Chamberlin, 610-688-7092, gchamberlin@ccls.org
Apr 22	Executive Networking Card Exchange	Ad Com Times	4:45 - 7:15 pm; Crowne Plaza Hotel; 4100 Presidential Blvd, Philadelphia	484-562-0063 adcomtimes@aol.com
Apr 22	Emotional Marketing	Main Line Chamber of Commerce	3:30 - 6:00 pm; Main Line Chamber Conference Center, 175 Strafford Ave, Suite 130, Wayne, PA	610-687-6232 info@mlcc.org
Apr 23	Going Green to Save Green	Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce	12:00 - 1:30 pm; Penn State Abington, Abington, PA	Wendy Klinghoffer 215-887-5122 info@emccc.org
Apr 24/25	The 7 Habits for Small Business Managers	Delaware County Chamber of Commerce	8:30 am; Widener Small Business Development Center, 14th & Edgmont St., Chester, PA	610-565-3677 info@delcochamber.org
Apr 24	Network at Noon	New Castle County Chamber of Commerce	12:00 - 2:00 pm; Ole Tapas Restaurant and Lounge, 1126 Capital Trail, Suite C, Newark	302-737-4343
Apr 25	Attire to Inspire	The Career Wardrobe	All Day; Ardmore Retail District and Suburban Square; Ardmore	Sales Benefit The Career Wardrobe
Apr 25	Sandy Sprint 5K Run/Walk for Sock it to Ovarian Cancer	Greater Philadelphia Business Leaders in the Community	7:30 am; Carousel House in Fairmount Park, Belmont Avenue & Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia	610-446-2272
Apr 28	Michael Port Think Big Seminar	Women's Business Forum of Bucks County	7:00 - 9:00 pm; James Lorah Auditorium, 100 Broad St., Doylestown	Jamie Broderick jamiebroderick@bucksnetworking.com
Apr 28	Network at Noon	Main Line Chamber of Commerce	11:30 am - 1:30 pm; Yangming, 1051 Conestoga Road, Bryn Mawr, PA	610-687-6232 X1110 info@mlcc.org
Apr 28	2009 Small Business Awards Luncheon	Delaware County Chamber of Commerce	11:00 am; Drexelbrook Corporate Events Center, Drexelbrook Dr. & Valley Road, Drexel Hill, PA	610-565-3677 info@delcochamber.org
Apr 29	Young Professionals	Main Line Chamber of Commerce	5:30 - 7:30 pm; Rosemont College, 1400 Montgomery Avenue, Rosemont, PA	610-687-6232 X1110 info@mlcc.org
Apr 30	Starting a Business in MidLife	Women's Business Forum of Bucks County	9:00 - 11:00 am; Horsham, PA	Gayle Crist Shisler 215-489-0225
Apr 30	Awards Dinner- Awardees are: Our very own Ellen Fisher of the Women's Yellow Pages, Ronita Swenson from Fulton Bank, and Denise Werkly, Esquire, Unruh, Turner, Burke and Frees	Women's Referral Network of Chester County	5:30 - 9:00 pm; Chester Valley Golf Club; Malvern	Nina Malone 610-639-9776 rsvp@wrnchesco.com