The first newsletter of 2007 started the year with information on the core competence of "understanding the business". Given all that has happened this year in the political arena, it seems fitting to end the year with a fun test about business. It probably seems like I nag about certain topics in these newsletters but this past year has demonstrated the significant impact of political decisions on the business world and the importance of understanding what goes on in our business community. So, here goes - see how you do!

Understand the Business Quiz

1. In December, 2007, this company announced an agreement to partner with BP for an integrated oil sands joint development - name this company.

2. What was the highest the Canadian dollar traded against the U.S. greenback in 2007?

3. Name 2 sections of a consolidated statement of earnings in the financial statement.

4. Discover the logical pattern for the number sequence below and then identify the missing number:

5. In December, 2007, this company announced they had entered into an agreement to acquire UAP Holding Corp.

6. What was the highest price that oil reached on November 21, 2007?

7. What is one of the geographic/economic reasons identified as contributing to the high oil price?

8. Using your visual thinking skills, solve this problem. You are driving a car east on the highway. You leave the highway via a cloverleaf exit, drive on that road for 2 miles and then take another cloverleaf exit. Which direction are you now traveling?

9. How many women alderman are on city council? Name them.

10. Thinking of a balance sheet, can you give an example of an asset?

Answers:

(1) Husky (2) $1.07 or $1.0722 to be exact (3) revenue, expense, earnings before tax, or net earnings (4) 33 (5) Agrium (6) $99.29 (7) tight supply/strong demand of Asian countries (8) West (9) 3 - Diane Colley-Urquhart, Druh Farrell & Linda Fox-Mellway (10) cash or accounts receivables

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Build Your Influence - Communicate with Power
A Workshop for Women in Business

Have you ever made a suggestion at a meeting only to feel that it wasn't heard? Are you taking the right steps to position you and your work group for success in your organization?

The "Build Your Influence, Communicate with Power" Workshop is scheduled for April 1st and 2nd at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce located at 100 - 6th Avenue S.W. Continental breakfast and lunch will be included. This workshop is geared for professional women who must influence without authority, require the collaboration of groups across the organization to be effective, or interact with senior management.

Dates:
April 1, 2008 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Build Your Influence
April 2, 2008 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Communicate with Power

Overall Program Objectives - Participants will:

	determine the role of gender in communication in the workplace
	identify success strategies in communication that level the playing field
	examine how to use influence skills to achieve goals and objectives on the job
	explore how to position oneself for success in various situations
	examine gender dynamics at play in work situations an identify strategies to put in place to enhance effectiveness

Mary Shapiro, an expert and MBA faculty from Simmons School of Management in Boston will be joining me in facilitating this unique workshop.

Wine & Cheese Reception, Learning & Networking
Wednesday, April 2 - 4:00 - 6:30 p.m.

Panel Presentation begins at 4:30 p.m.

Join us for the wine & cheese reception following the second day of the workshop. In a panel discussion format, women will have the opportunity to learn & dialogue with some of Calgary's most successful female leaders. The panel will share their insights and experiences around communicating with power and how they used their influence skills to ensure success in their work. Biographies will be available on the Leibham & Company website of all the panel members by January 20, 2008. Leading women from the Calgary business community who will be participating on this panel include:

Judy Fairburn - VP, Downstream Operations, Integrated Oilsands Division - EnCana

Kathleen Sendall - Sr. VP, North American Natural Gas - PetroCanada and Governor - Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP)

Mary-Jo Case - VP, Land - Canadian Natural Resources Limited

Maureen Cormier - VP Project Services - Suncor Energy Services Inc.

Sonia Tibbatts - Managing Director, RBC Capital Markets, Royal Bank

Tasha Westerman, Manager, People Services, Long View Systems - Panel Moderator

More information and registration will follow at the end of January. Registration begins February 1st and closes February 28th, 2008.

Thanks for a Great 2007

Looking back over 2007, there were many people who were instrumental in supporting the work that I am so passionate about. Thanks to the Leading Women who made a valuable contribution to the Lunch with Calgary's Leading Women back in April/07: Lonny Gabinet, Linda Hohol, Donna Friesen, Cathy Williams, Alex Federucci, Linda Chambers and Vineeta Maguire. This event was also successful because of the table sponsors who demonstrated their commitment to being a workplace of choice for talented women. This includes Long View Systems, Dr. Lori Egger, EnCana, TransAlta, TransCanada and Talisman Energy. I would also like to thank those of you that I have had the pleasure of working with this year - you have made me a better coach! And those of you who have referred someone to me - this is truly the highest compliment. And finally, thanks to Mount Royal College and the University of Calgary staff and students who continue to challenge my thinking.