Joining women in business organizations can benefit you in myriad ways. Women small business organizations offer training and educational benefits for members that can help educate and update your management routine. They can also keep you current on the latest trends and statistics with women-owned businesses in your area. You'll also meet and trade ideas with other women in business, just like you.

When you choose women in business groups, look for local groups as well as national organizations. They should:

1. Offer training and educational opportunities at their annual women in business organization conventions.

2. Maintain their own educational institutes that help train and update your business owner skills.

3. Offer virtual classes and training for you and staff members.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Attend women-owned business organizations annual meetings to discover educational opportunities

Annual conferences and meetings are a great way to update training and education, while networking with other women business professionals. Often, round table discussions and other breakout sessions offer innovative ideas and they offer the chance to brainstorm with industry experts on a variety of topics, so joining women in business groups with education in mind can really pay off.

I recommend: The National Association of Women MBAs (NAWMBA) sponsors a conference and career fair each year that includes breakout sessions, training and educational seminars and the chance to meet other women with MBAs from around the country. The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) offers numerous educational seminars at their national conference.

Join women business associations that offer their own high-quality educational and training programs

Some of the largest women owned business associations have their own educational programs, where members can take part in ongoing training and educational seminars and classes. Look for women-owned business organizations education and training classes in several areas to get the most from the organizations for women in business.

I recommend: Executive Women International® offers an Academy of Leadership in easy to complete modules, some of which are online to make education even more convenient. The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) has created the Institute for Entrepreneurial Development, which helps train women executives and business owners.

Sign on with women business groups that offer virtual learning opportunities for you and your staff

You know squeezing training in can be time consuming along with all your other duties, so look for women business organizations that offer educational opportunities online. You can participate in these programs during down times or at home at your own pace.

I recommend: The National Association for Female Executives (NAFE) offers teleclasses and educational events around the country for female business owners and leaders. The American Business Women's Association offers the Women's Instructional Network with a host of online classes and seminars geared to women business owners.

Women in business organizations offer entrepreneurs and executives the opportunity to learn new ideas and strategies. Women form partnerships, network with others and have educational opportunities. There's a sense of camaraderie among members that they may not feel in the day-to-day business world.

Organizations for women in business are centered around integrity, collaboration, respect, responsibility, empowerment, compassion and learning. There are many different organizations, depending on where you think you fit in. If you're an executive, you'd probably want to be surrounded by other company executives. If you own a business, there are several small business owner organizations. When looking into groups:

1. Consider the hundreds of organizations offering membership opportunities.

2. Know women business groups charge membership dues depending on the level you want to achieve.

3. Take advantage of a women business organization for the professional and personal benefits.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose between different types of women's business groups

There are women business organizations of all sizes throughout the US. Some are nationwide, while others are based in your state or city. Every business woman can find the one that matches her personality, goals and objectives. That's because there are several groups--some for international women owned businesses, women small business organizations and minority women business organizations.

I recommend: Use the National Women's Business Council database to link you to dozens of women business associations in the US and abroad. Small Business Notes also provides a list of women business groups including such as Women in Technology International (WITI) and National Association of Female Executives (NAFE). Join the American Business Women's Association (ABWA), which spans the US with tens of thousands of members. Women Entrepreneurs of Oregon (WEO) is one state-based women’s business organization where members have access to networking, education and mentoring opportunities.

Expect to pay membership dues to join a Women in Business organization

Women business associations charge anywhere from less than $100 to a few thousand dollars per year for membership, depending on the available benefits and membership levels.

I recommend: The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) is one of the top women-owned business organizations. To be a NAWBO member in good standing, you must join the chapter and national organization. There are different categories of members, some have voting rights and others do not. Women's Presidents Organization (WPO), a group devoted to promoting acceptance and advancement for women in the workplace, have dues ranging from around $850 to be a member at large, $1500 to belong to a chapter and $5000 to be a member of the Zenith Group.

Benefit greatly from becoming part of Women in Business organizations

Being a member of women in business groups benefits you in so many ways. Not only do you make personal relationships, you develop connections, contacts and resources to help grow your business and you learn from other members. You also have the chance to make a difference in the community. In addition, most women's business groups have tangible member benefits.

I recommend: Women in business organizations such as Association of Women in International Trade (WIIT) get to attend seminars and meetings, access online job banks and become part of a dynamic network of professionals. Benefits for members of National Association for Female Executives (NAFE) include insurance at special prices, financial services, savings on your next car, travel discounts and savings on books.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Jump on board with high-tech ways to benefit from women business organizations. Some groups, such as WPO, provide members with podcasts and webcasts.

Women-owned business organizations are on the rise. Whether it’s an effort to create a more satisfying work/life balance or a passion to provide a new product, more women are going into business for themselves. There are women-owned business organizations such as National Women’s Business Council (NWBC) or the National Association of Women Owned Business (NAWBO) that are essential to research for information whether starting, growing or turning around a business venture. Many women-owned business organizations offer mentoring and advisory boards to offer guidance as well. Get to know a few women-owned business organizations key terms.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

National Women's Business Council (NWBC)

The National Women's Business Council (NWBC) is an advisory organization that reports to the federal government on vital financial issues significant to women entrepreneurs and business owners. The council's recommendations are provided to the President, Congress and the U.S. Small Business Administration. NWBC sponsors programs and policies in an effort to advance the interest of women in all phases of business.

I recommend: Visit the homepage of the NWBC to read up on women entrepreneurs and the organization's member services.

American Business Women's Association (ABWA)

The goal of this women-owned business organization is to bring together businesswomen from a broad range of vocations and to offer assistance in the areas of professional leadership and training opportunities as well as national recognition.

I recommend: ABWA works to increase the number of professional women in business.

Women Presidents' Organization (WPO)

The Women Presidents' Organization (WPO) is an organization that caters to non-profit members who are women presidents of multimillion-dollar companies. The organization serves women entrepreneurs through networking and educational support to offer guidance and peer mentoring to women in an effort to further their business goals.

I recommend: Review WPO for more information on how its advisory group is committed to facilitating the success of women entrepreneurs.

Woman-owned business

A woman-owned business is specifically defined as a business with at least 51 percent ownership by one or more women U.S. citizens.

I recommend: Review the National Association of Women Business Owners' (NAWBO) website for more in-depth information on what this organization stands for.

Association of Women in International Trade (WIIT)

The Association of Women in International Trade (WIIT) provides professional development, advisory councils on policies and programs for professional women business owners engaged in international trade. WIIT is recognized for its range of programs to support and also expand professional knowledge and skill training.

I recommend: WITT is a non-partisan professional organization in Washington, D.C., that has strong interest and expertise in the field of international trade.

National Association for Female Executives (NAFE)

The National Association for Female Executives (NAFE) is an organization that encourages its members in the areas of economic success and business funding expertise. The NAFE serves female executives and women entrepreneurs in an effort to advance the careers of women in the workplace.

I recommend: NAFE offers provides education, networking and public advocacy for female executives and women entrepreneurs.