Willow Woman Book Signing and Reading Scheduled
Traveling Solo Book to be Previewed
April 2005: Maria Richard will be at the Union Library Company of Hatborough, 243 S. York Road on Thursday, April 21, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm reading from and signing copies of her book, Evolving from Shrinking Violet to Willow Woman (ISBN: 0-7388-4508-6). “Women achieve more and feel better about themselves when they can level the business playing field by overcoming gender differences and finding their power”, notes Richard. “Evolving from Shrinking Violet to Willow Woman will show you how to develop a persona that is noticed, powerful and respected.”
In addition, Richard will preview her upcoming title, Willow Woman on the Road, a book for the solo woman traveler. She notes that statistics confirm the current trend for women who don’t have a ready travel companion to travel on their own. Richard reveals, “Of all my current speaking topics, Traveling Solo is one of the most requested.” A solo traveler and aspiring willow woman herself, Richard grew up in Hatboro and has lived in North Carolina and Texas.
Women: When You Speak, Are You Heard? Seminar Addresses This Concern
January 22, 2004: What is a woman to do if no one notices when she speaks? Many women face that quandary on a daily basis in the workplace and other mixed gender groups. “Part of the solution is to develop a persona that is noticed and respected”, explains Mara Richard, author of Evolving from Shrinking Violet to Willow Woman (ISBN: 0-7388-4508-6) and seminar facilitator. “This is just one challenge faced by women and addressed in 'Bloom Where You're Planted!', the workshop based on the book.”
“Bloom Where You're Planted!” is hosted by the Health Design Center, located at the Health & Wellness Center by Doylestown Hospital, 847 Easton Rd, Warrington PA and will focus on assisting women in their path to empowerment. Richard teaches shy, meek or quiet women ways to be heard, noticed and respected, enabling them to enhance their presence in the world. Seminar participants are involved on all levels – physical, emotional and mental – so that each can nurture and fertilize the soil around her so that the seeds she plants will grown into her heart's desire. The workshop utilizes discussions, experiential exercises, journaling and coaching to explore the areas in which participants can gain clearer self-understanding of their tendencies to be Shrinking Violets and how to implement changes into Willow Women, strong and graceful—yet flexible enough to weather any storm. The 2 day workshop is scheduled for March 13 and March 27, 10-4pm. The fee is a total of $130 for both sessions. Registration: 215-918-5990 or online at www.wellnessdh.org.
Evolving from Shrinking Violet to Willow Woman Now Available as Correspondence Course
June 12, 2003: Quality of Life Trainings, Inc. announced today that a correspondence course based on the book Evolving from Shrinking Violet to Willow Woman (ISBN: 0-7388-4508-6) as well as the accompanying workbook and study guide is now available online through the Holistic Healers Academy, an accredited correspondence school based in Morristown, NJ. The course was developed in response to the demand for access to personal growth programs designed especially for women through distance and on-demand learning.
According to Maria Richard, the book's author and course developer, Shrinking Violets tend to be meek and quiet. The violet is a very beautiful flower, but it grows close to the earth and can be difficult to find. A Willow Woman is an entirely different persona. The willow is flexible and grounded at the same time. A woman who sees herself as a willow feels strong and graceful, yet flexible enough to weather any storm. The course utilizes reading assignments, journaling and coaching to explore the areas in which students can gain clearer self-understanding of their tendencies to be Shrinking Violets or Willow Women and implement changes, if desired.
For more information go to Correspondence Course, or e-mail Maria Richard.
Book Publishing Topic of Cable Show: Gender Expert and Author Maria Richard is Guest
September 20, 2002:Gender Issues expert and author Maria Richard will be Brian Jud's guest on Book Authority, a local access cable program. Book Authority is a weekly program targeted to writers, authors and publishers that focuses on the business of successfully getting a book to market as well as promoting the work. Jud is a book niche marketing consultant. The program airs on AT&T Cable Services, Public Cable Channel 5 on Tuesday, September 10 at 7:30 pm. The program will be rebroadcast a week later on other cable networks.
Richard utilizes the Internet for the majority of her market research and promotion. “This is an exciting opportunity to share with other writers the resources available online for the price of Internet service,” Richard said. She explained that before the advent of the Information Superhighway, much of the information available at the tap of the keyboard took enormous amounts of research resulting in high purchase costs. Using this appearance as an example, Richard noted that she was able to learn about and contact Jud to schedule the appearance entirely online.
Richard is the author of Evolving from Shrinking Violet to Willow Woman (ISBN: 0-7388-4508-6). "Women achieve more and feel better about themselves when they can level the business playing field by overcoming gender differences and finding their power”, Richard said, "Evolving from Shrinking Violet to Willow Woman will show you how to develop a persona that is noticed, powerful and respected."
HR Managers and Meeting Planners can Review Programs, Tour Training Facilities and Enjoy Refreshments on their Coffee Break!
March 20, 2002: A strategic alliance including Quality of Life Trainings, Inc., Mobile Air Conditioning Society Worldwide (MACS), Whole Foods Markets in North Wales, Fast Signs in Montgomeryville and Marjeanes Catering has been formed to host an “Off Site Coffee Break” event on April 25, 2002 in Lansdale for area human resource managers, meeting planners and business leaders.
“This event provides local business leaders an excellent opportunity to meet and sample products and review services from the businesses in this alliance”, Maria Richard of Quality of Life Trainings, Inc. commented, “It is noteworthy not only because of the opportunity to expose business leaders to these organizations but also that this alliance has its roots in networking and is based on handshake agreements.”
The complimentary “Off Site Coffee Break” event is scheduled for April 25, 2002 at 10 am and 2 pm in MACS' state of the art training facilities, 225 South Broad Street in Lansdale. Attendees will be able to tour the training facilities, sample coffee from Marjeanes and refreshments from Whole Foods Markets as well as attend a 30-minute preview of business communication programs facilitated by Maria Richard of Quality of Life Trainings; Inc. Fast Signs in Montgomeryville is providing the signage.
Business communication programs to be previewed at 10 am and 2 pm include the keynote presentation Curiosity Did NOT Kill the Cat and these educational seminars: Getting What You Need to Get the Job Done, Gender in the Workplace: Harnessing the Power and Moving Forward, and Building Rapport in Any Situation. For more information or to register for this complimentary preview, send an e-mail.
Listen to Motivational Programs on the Internet "Willow Woman" Program Featured
October 29, 2001: Now you can listen to motivational programs 24 hours a day on the Internet at www.PersonalSuccessRadio.com. PSRN, which bills itself as Personal Success Radio Network, doesn't play music nor is it a talk show. “Instead of hit music, we play hit ideas and concepts,” said Don DePaul, President and General Manager. Self-help has become a $200 million industry, encompassing everything from career guidance and romance to investments. Spotting this trend, DePaul decided that radio was a natural vehicle for self-help information. On August 8, 2001, he introduced the Personal Success Radio Network on www.PersonalSuccessRadio.com.
PSRN features three to five minute clips of motivational speakers and authors from all over the USA, including Brain Tracy, Patricia Fripp and local speaker Maria Richard of Sellersville. “PSRN is a great resource for people who would like to attend seminars but for one reason or another cannot. It's also an excellent way to share inspiration with many people.” PSRN runs audio recordings from Evolving from Shrinking Violet to Willow Woman, a program based on Richard's book of the same name for women who wish to develop a persona that is noticed and respected.
Women in Business Event to Benefit Life/Job Skills Training Program
August 2001: A complimentary networking event for women in business is scheduled for August 22, 2001 from 11:30 to 1:30 pm at the Hatfield Athletic Club, located on Route 309 in Hatfield.
Sponsored by Fresh Fields/Whole Foods Markets, North Wales, Hatfield Athletic Club, Hatfield and Quality of Life Trainings, Inc., Sellersville, the event will include time for networking, a gourmet salad lunch provided by Fresh Fields/Whole Foods Markets and an one hour seminar on “Rapport Skills for Women in Business” presented by Maria Richard of Quality of Life Trainings, Inc. In addition, gifts donated by other sponsors will be raffled with the proceeds going to the New Choices/New Options program at Montgomery County Community College. New Choices/New Options is a life/work skills training program for people who wish to enter or return to the work force. Although the majority of participants are women, a few men have completed the curriculum in recent years.
Eric Hughes, Corporate Accounts Manager at Hatfield Athletic Club developed the idea. “We (Hatfield Athletic Club) wanted to perform some form of community service this summer. The program fell into place once we met with Ms. Richard and discussed her seminar offerings.” Hughes added that Fresh Fields' generous lunch donation indicated to him that this event is timely and will be well attended. “And”, Hughes reminded, ”All the proceeds from the raffle will go directly to New Choices/New Options.”
To reserve your space or donate raffle items, contact Eric Hughes at Hatfield Athletic Club at 215-822-6177 before August 17, 2001.
Book Signing in Chestnut Hill
April 2001: Maria Richard will be at the Chesnut Hill Borders Books at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 17, 2001 signing copies of her new book, Evolving from Shrinking Violet to Willow Woman. In addition to signing copies of her book, Richard will speak about her sources of motivation and inspiration.
Richard also announced that she would be facilitating a book discussion group at the Chestnut Hill Borders location. The group will meet for twice to review the exercises and discuss the process and suggestions in the book. There is no charge to join the group, but attenders are asked to bring their copies of the book and a journal. The group will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on May 24 and June 7, 2001.
The Chestnut Hill Borders Books (215-248-1213) is located at 8701 Germantown Pike, Philadelphia, PA.
Book Signing Scheduled
February 2001: Maria Richard will be at Borders Books in Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 22, 2001 signing copies of her new book, Evolving from Shrinking Violet to Willow Woman. "Women achieve more and feel better about themselves when they can level the business playing field by overcoming gender differences and finding their power", notes Richard. "My new book Evolving from Shrinking Violet to Willow Woman", she continued, "will show you how to develop a persona that is noticed, powerful and respected." In addition to signing book copies, Richard will be describing the characteristics of a Willow Woman and offering hints on how a woman can become one.
Richard also announced that she would be facilitating a book discussion group at the Montgomeryville Borders location. The group will meet for 4 Thursday evenings to review the exercises and discuss the process and suggestions in the book. There is no charge to join the group, but attenders are asked to bring their copies of the book and a journal. The group will meet from 7 to 8 p.m. on March 29, April 12, April 26 and May 10, 2001.
The Montgomeryville Borders Books (215-412-2655) is located at 801 Bethlehem Pike, North Wales, PA across from the Montgomery Mall.
Willow Women Topic of Recent Radio Show Discussion
July 2000: Maria Richard, founder of Quality of Life Trainings, was a recent guest on the weekly Rejuvenations HealthCare Group Radio Show hosted by Dr. Jeff Sorkin. The program airs on Fridays from 1 to 1:30 pm on WNWR 1540 AM. “It's always exciting to go back to my radio roots, especially when I have the opportunity to share valuable information with the listeners, ” Richard said after the program.
During the show, she explained the concept of Evolving from a Shrinking Violet to Willow Woman, which is also the topic of her forthcoming book. Richard told the audience that a Willow Woman is a woman who has a presence that is respected and noticed by others. She went on to give some tips for how a Shrinking Violet can become more like a Willow Woman. Several of the tips involved speech patterns. For example, many women preface their statements with “I'm sorry” or “I'm not an expert, but...” These phrases weaken the strength of the statements and the women in the eyes of the listeners.
Richard is the scheduled guest for August 25. The topic for that show is Communication Skills.
Rapport Skills for Women in Business Program Scheduled
May 2000: Women who would like to learn more about building rapport in business relationships and how to counteract gender traps will enjoy the presentation, Rapport Skills for Women in Business. This program will be presented at the June 21 luncheon meeting of the North Penn Chamber of Commerce Women's Networking Group. Building rapport is an essential communication skill. Some people are naturally good at it, while others struggle. For women, the challenge of creating rapport in business relationships is complicated by gender issues. Fortunately, the art of rapport can be learned. Using "corporate stories", Maria Richard, seminar leader, writer, speaker and founder of Quality of Life Trainings, will share some of the intricacies of building and maintaining rapport giving extra attention to the role gender issues play. The luncheon will be held at the Brookview Restaurant at the Mainland Golf Course in Mainland, PA. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m., and lunch and program begin at noon.
“Keys to Successful Presentations” Article Published
March 2000: Keys to Successful Presentations, an article about boosting public speaking confidence, was published in print and online in the March 2000 edition of the North Penn Chamber of Commerce's newsletter, the Prospector. The article was written by Maria Richard.
For more information about our Public Speaking workshops,contact us.
Alliance Brings “7 Keys to Successful Presentations” to The Learning Studio
January 2000: Maria Richard of Quality of Life Trainings announced today that an alliance has been formed with The Learning Studio, an organization that offers special interest and life–long learning opportunities to its members. This alliance will bring the public speaking seminar “7 Keys to Successful Presentations” to members at the Studio’s Fort Washington, Langhorne and Princeton locations.
“I’m pleased and excited about our new relationship with the Learning Studio”, Richard said, “this gives more people an opportunity to spruce up their public speaking skills while they work on eliminating their fear of speaking in public.”
The 6 hour workshop is presented in day long sessions. The class investment is $90. All sessions are from 9 am to 4 pm. For directions and registration information, contact the Learning Studio at 215-752-5657.
Awareness Eliminates Gender Traps
January 2000: Many gender traps are tendencies that can be unlearned once women are aware of them, according to Maria Richard, founder of Quality of Life Trainings. "Awareness is the key. Once a women recognizes a specific tendency, she’s well on her way towards eliminating that behavior."
Richard presents the gender trap awareness information in the short program Working Around Gender Issues. This program is based on research into gender communications including the work of Deborah Tannen, Ph.D. and John Grey.
Working Around Gender Issues was recently presented to the Business Over Breakfast group in Newtown and at Borders Books on Bethlehem Pike in Montgomeryville.
For more information or to schedule a program for your group, contact Maria Richard.
Copyright © 2008 by Maria Richard. All Rights Reserved.