Working Wisdom:Working Wisdom:Strategies for an Experienced Strategies for an Experienced

WorkforceWorkforceShelley Jensen-Decker & Amy BrenengenShelley Jensen-Decker & Amy Brenengen

WomenVenture WomenVenture

Your Guide to More Rewarding Work

Who is WomenVenture?Who is WomenVenture?

Economic Development Organization founded in 1978

Serve approximately 5,000 clients per year

Workforce Development and Small Business Development

Diverse Funding Base including individuals, corporations,

foundations and government

1:1 Consulting, Classes, Products in both program areas

SBA Women’s Business Center and Micro-Lender

A leading voice for women in Minnesota

Statistics and TrendsStatistics and Trends

U. S. workforce is aging rapidly: 19% age 55 or older in 2012.

76% of Boomers intend to work in retirement. “Retirement” is now 20 – 30 years longer. Boomers seek purpose, flexibility, and a

phased approach. Retirees will have to earn income during the

first 1/3 of retirement.

Our Role in the Our Role in the Maturing WorkforceMaturing Workforce Older women were the most dramatically impacted by

the last economic downturn, so (as always), we

responded.

Worked in partnership with other organizations to

address mid-life issues for women

As statistics and information became available, we

broadened our focus to include retirement issues for all,

including the perspective of employers.

In 2004, made a concerted integrated effort to address

issues.

Working Wisdom Working Wisdom ProgramsPrograms “Beyond the Myths” Conferences

Working Wisdom: Strategies for an

Experienced Workforce Breakfast Series

Applying programming to this specific

audience

Program samples/activities

Beyond the Myths Beyond the Myths ConferenceConference Two Conferences, ’04 & ’05. Full Day ’04, ½ day ‘05

Convened Planning Team

Built Agenda with Planning Team

PR/Marketing Strategy (web, word of mouth/email,

radio, ads

Key Learnings:

Flexible Pricing Strategy

Timing

Target Audience: Inviduals vs. Employers

Working Wisdom Working Wisdom BreakfastsBreakfasts

Quarterly Breakfasts Throughout the Year

We wanted to create a “working meeting” atmosphere, where

individuals and employers could have a platform for action.

Wanted to Build a Community:

A place to build connections

Share stories

Build Momentum for Future Customized Programming

Business Side: Aggressively sought sponsorship to ensure the

programs would earn income so we could reinvest in future

programming and development.

Key Reflection Key Reflection QuestionsQuestions Who am I now? What is my passion? What is my purpose? Where do I belong? What will I do? How am I preparing myself now?

“If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.”

Thomas Alva Edison

Letting Go; Exiting

Go For It!

Searching for the right path.

Decision Making; Recommitting

Go For It!

Plateau

Triggering Event

Self AssessmentSelf Assessment

Who am I? What is my passion?Who am I? What is my passion?

Generating OptionsGenerating Options

What will I do?What will I do?

Researching OptionsResearching Options

Which options are best for me?Which options are best for me?

Evaluating & Action Evaluating & Action PlanningPlanning

Making it happen.Making it happen.

The Career Diamond

Creative Thinking ExerciseCreative Thinking Exercise

“All beginnings require that you unlock a new door.” “All beginnings require that you unlock a new door.” Rabbi Nachman of BratslavRabbi Nachman of Bratslav

Additional Tools & ResourcesAdditional Tools & Resources

Retirement Assessment Resources Employer Best Practices Retirement Tool Kit

“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than the things you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away

from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream.

Discover .”Mark Twain

Contact UsContact Us

Shelley Jensen-Decker Sjensen-decker@womenventure.or

g 651-251-0713

Amy Brenengen Abrenengen@womenventure.org 651-251-0709