Harvard Business Review - Why Remote Workers Are More (Yes, More) Engaged

If you have ever considered part- or full-time telecommuting, here are some interesting thoughts as to why it can potentially be as successful, or more so, than if you are in the office.

NYTimes - In Google's Inner Circle, a Falling Number of Women

Another article talking about Google, except this one is more focused on the declining number of women in technical and/or leadership positions in the company, and how the company is trying to address the issue.

Slate - Google Ups Its Maternity Leave and Hangs on to More Women

Google is now offering five months of paid maternity leave to employees.  Could this progressive employer be leading the charge of promoting such work-life balance initiatives at other employers?

Upcoming Event - SWE National Conference

Event: SWE National Conference
Dates: November 8-10, 2012
Location: George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
Cost: Everyone pays for themselves
Do you have questions about the conf and/or you're interested in attending?  Please contact our SWE-D President, Stacy Thayer sthayer.swe@gmail.com

Other info:

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE THROUGH OCT. 12!!!

General conf website: http://we12.swe.org/
Conf schedule: http://we12.swe.org/attendees/conference-schedule
Registration info: http://we12.swe.org/attendees/registration

Upcoming Event - Networking Lunch

Event: Networking Lunch
Date: September 21, 2012
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location: Big Beaver Tavern, 645 E. Big Beaver, Troy, MI 48083
Parking: Parking lot
Cost: Everyone pays for themselves
Point of contact: Eve Vitale evitale@kettering.edu

Other info:
http://www.bigbeavertavern.com/

Please RSVP by September 14.

Enjoy socializing with fellow SWE members.  All are welcome, and feel free to bring friends!

Upcoming Event - Ann Arbor Book Club

Event: Ann Arbor Book Club
Date: September 16, 2012
Time: 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Location: Nicola's Books in the Westgate Shopping Center, 2513 Jackson Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Parking: Parking lot
Point of contact: Janet Goldwasser JanetGoldwasser@peoplepc.com

Other info:

Discussing Mark Adams' "Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time".

Upcoming Event - SWE-D FY13 Kick-Off

Event: SWE-D FY13 Kick-Off
Date: September 17, 2012
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: Bar Louie @ Great Lakes Crossing, 4390 Baldwin Road, Auburn Hills, MI 48326
Parking: Parking lot
Cost: No charge
Point of contact: Faith Kurily faith.kurily@swe.org

Other info:
http://www.barlouieamerica.com/locations/Auburn-Hills.aspx

Please RSVP by September 10.

Come network with SWE Detroit leaders and members, learn about the benefits of SWE, and find out what events SWE Detroit has in store for the year. 

We will be featuring a new "SWE Fair" for you to get to know the executive council and learn about the organization.

Upcoming Event - Royal Oak Book Club

Event: Royal Oak Book Club
Date: August 26, 2012
Time: 11:00 AM - ???
Location: Jenny Partlan's house
Parking: Her driveway :)
Point of contact: Jessica Makae jessica@themakaes.com and Jenny Partlan jpartlan@gmail.com

Other info:

Discussing Hilary Mantel's "Bringing Up the Bodies".

SWE Individual Award recipients

Congratulations to the winners of the SWE Individual Award recipients for 2012, including our own Dawn Tillbury!

Blog - Confessions and Observations of an Accidental Engineer

A female civil engineer wrote this inspiring blog post about why she does outreach, to encourage girls to pursue STEM professions.  This is one of the cornerstones of the SWE organization, and it provides a great reminder about the importance of volunteering.

Upcoming Event - Inforum Professional Photos Shoot & Networking Event

Event: Inforum SE Emerging Leaders Professional Fotos @ the Fillmore
Date: August 14, 2012
Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: Fillmore Theatre, 2115 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
Parking: Metered street parking
Cost: See website link below
Point of contact: Stephanie Squires stephanie.squires@tfsn.net

Other info:
https://www.inforummichigan.org/events/emerging-leaders/se-emerging-leaders-save-date-professional-photo

Does your business portrait portray the image that you would like to convey to prospects, clients, or upper management?  What message are you sending to your peers, prospects, clients or potential employers with your current photo? Is the lack of a professional photo hindering your ability to do business?

Roll out the red carpet with the Inforum Emerging Leaders!  Network with Metro Detroit's Emerging Leaders like the rising star you are!  Image is an important aspect of doing business no matter what level or stage of your career.  Announcing Larry Peplin, Inforum Corporate Investor and professional photographer of Larry Peplin Studios, will provide professional photos that reflect your image.  It is a two step process. 

Larry will take your photo and then enhance your proofs after the event by using photo shop.  You will select the best version of the photo to use on business cards, Linked in, Inforum Profile, and other business media.  Have a lasting impression with your new professional photo or spruce up your existing one.
This event is unique because it will help create a professional photograph of the participant which will be a positive reflection of the individual and their company. Mr. Larry Peplin of Larry Peplin Studios, has experience in photographing professional portraits from entry level to CEO’s of Fortune 500 Companies.

Recruiting expert and Inforum member, Courtney Morales Hofmann of MCM Staffing, will speak about ways to enhance your image either during a job search or as an Emerging Leader in the workforce. MCM Staffing is a Hispanic and women-owned business offering nationwide specialized staffing services. Courtney Morales Hofmann, a partner, has spent the majority of her career helping companies and candidates find the right fit.

New York Times - First Female Saudi Olympian Loses in Debut

Sometimes we get so caught up in our own lives, that we forget what is going on outside of our own bubble or in other parts of the world.  And sometimes there is a cosmic shift that occurs, which changes the trajectory of social culture.  That happened this week, when the first woman ever competed for Saudi Arabia in the Olympics.  In the US, we discuss ad naseum about equal pay for women, paid maternity leave, nationalized daycare, and gender rights/equality in general, but our discussions tend to be centered on what is going on in our own country.  Compared to many parts of world, women in the US are doing extremely well, generally speaking.  Stories like this serve as reminders that one person can make a positive difference.  This woman is a true inspiration.