Mastering the Art of Impactful Communication

On April 9, 2025, the Entrepreneur and Small Business and Women on the Move Committees co-hosted a very informative event to remind professional and businesswomen, so of course women on the move, of tools to be used in enhancing their success.

Odile Bocande Koffi gave us additional time so that we could really apply her recommendations to our specific interests and needs, engaging attendees with interactive exercises that underscored important perspectives. After all – we mostly know what we need to do. But we forget how we intend to communicate that knowledge, and we neglect the impact we desire to achieve.

She quoted John Powell: Communication works for those who work at it – then proceeded to unpack this for us. While tempting – I will not go through the entire discussion here – but want to bring up 10 styles of communication she had us work through:

Essential Communication Types to navigate the modern workplace successfully

• 1.           Non-Verbal Communication
• 2.               Verbal
• 3.               Written Communication
• 4.               Active Listening
• 5.               Digital Communication
• 6.               Interpersonal Communication
• 7.               Persuasive Communication
• 8.               Visual Communication
• 9.               Feedback
• 10.            Cross-Cultural Communication

All this before underscoring the point that more than 90% of communication between people is non-verbal and has distinct behavior patterns that may have little to do with words used or even tone of voice.

Of course, if you want to achieve a specific goal when communicating with others, you absolutely must generate engagement and keep your listeners focused, by being authentic, and engaged yourself.

Odile was very generous with links we could use for further learning and practice. While we did not specifically focus on communications for those who have been in the military, as woman return to civilian life from active duty, they also need to take what they have learned about communications to adapt to new circumstances, different listeners, and new objectives.

Who is Odile? I met her during CSW and was blown away by not just her engagement and knowledge but by one comment, after a particularly intense set of presentations: Women speakers can inspire change for women more effectively, by avoiding a defensive or lecturing tone and instead, engaging all the women in the room, into thinking about how to own the change they could make I was intrigued, and we spent more time together discussing what could be improved – not only for women speaking with women, but for women seeking to make change happen!

Odile is an executive and management coach, who leads workshops and retreats around the world – where she works with her 10 experts on NeuroLeadership, Emotional Intelligence, Neuro- Linguistic Programming, Practice-based learning, psychometric tests and collective intelligence – in the US, Europe and on the continent of Africa. She has her Executive MBA from the ESCP Business School (ranked 2nd worldwide for Executive MBAs) and has an outstanding list of clients ranging from Banks, through UN Agencies (UN Women, UN Volunteers, the World Food Program and the UN itself) to sports companies, medical firms, engineering companies and so much more.

If you attended her talk, you will be receiving her slides. If you did not, but want to learn more about her coaching, and how she can work with you, your organization, or your community, you can check out her webpage https://www.obkperformance.com, or reach out to her at odile@obk-performance.com with NFBPWC-USA in the subject line.

Odile lives up to the high standards I set for myself as a woman, and especially as a woman constantly on the move. Her generosity with time and her attention to details, combined with her patience are qualities I aspire to. I hope I can be more like her, as a woman on the move – from success to success in life, or location to location around the world.

Join this Standing Committee. Help our voices soar.

Nermin K. Ahmad
NFBPWC Women on the Move Committee Chair

Just halfway through the Commission on the Status of Women’s 69th session, I realize how important Women on the Move could be. This Standing Committee is about all of us, and about each of us helping those around us. Think about how long we, as women, have advocated for equality, including equal pay for equal work, and against violence against women, trafficking of women, and more. We have been organized and (somewhat) united for at least the 69 years of the Commission (and longer when you think of the roots of our movement). But it is a pilgrim’s progress – for every two steps forward we fall back a step.

Some of the best speakers I heard were the young women still in school or in college, who called out for a seat at the table, a voice for their future. They did not speak about what they had achieved as did many of the more seasoned representatives, but they spoke about what they sought. Some of their concerns are new to those who advocated in Beijing 30 years ago: e- bullying and e-body-shaming. Insidious, invisible, poisonous commentary via a range of platforms that deliver hate speech and promote doubt. Many of these girls seek an inclusive world in which they may thrive as women. They demand courses in civics, in financial literacy, in advocacy. They are very much on the move to secure a future they believe in.

We heard from numerous organizations who network their knowledge and actually shared it across the world through their membership, in projects for which to collect, provide or direct seed money. Their intent is to ensure that women who are on the move, because of poverty, violence, fear or climate change, have the tools they need to establish themselves elsewhere successfully. I was at events where women were rewarded with practical knowledge for conceptualizing projects that could change their livelihoods – in agriculture, in small businesses, and with the new refrain of artisanal work enhanced by AI.

Teaching a woman how to use her 2G or 3G phone to check real time market prices helps her negotiate a fair price with buyers. As she builds her phone skills, she learns more about her produce, what sells, what doesn’t, and she becomes able to make smart choices.

Similar stories exist for builders, for contractors, for architects and others who through technology can compete for better pay, contracts, and purchasing power.

In many cases, it was a sharing of knowledge rather than access to funding that made the difference. A seed project that invited curiosity, and from which other projects were born. I love the concept of women igniting opportunities for one another and being there in support of their continued growth.

There was also the acknowledgement that women are raising sons to be supportive of women, and that an increasing number of men can be recognized for eschewing toxic masculinity to favor the success of women. We need to thank them, and celebrate them, as willing allies for our various moves.

I will be writing up my notes from the meetings I attended, and I will pull out specific projects for us to consider – but I respectfully ask you to consider: what do you need to know to be a woman on the move, who is counted and who is respected for who you are. If you already are able to move with that respect, then I ask – how can you share what you know?

Nermin K. Ahmad
NFBPWC Women on the Move Committee Chair

Tracey MacDermott
Co-Chair

Remarkable Woman – Maria E. Beasley

American Entrepreneur and Inventor

Women can be on the move in many ways. Maria Beasley not only moved around at a time when this was not the norm for women, but she certainly was a woman on the move when it came to her inventive mind.

Maria E. Beasley American Entrepreneur and Inventor 1836 – 1913

North Carolina, USA

Her grandfather taught her barrel making which fueled an already strong interest in mechanical work. She already had experience with her father’s watermill and her other grandfather’s distillery. When she was only about 13 years old, she built a small sailboat that was able to safely transport herself and a pet dog safely across water. Between 1878 and 1898 she patented fifteen inventions in the US, including a footwarmer, a bread-making machine, a machine to paste the upper part of shoes, a steam generator, two for improved life rafts, and anti-derailment device for trains, as well as more in barrel-making machines and processes. She licensed a barrel cooping patent to the Standard Oil

Company, exhibited her work, and founded companies for the manufacture of barrels (one later sold for $1.4 million or

$42,222,963 million in 2021 currency).

Her curiosity in all things mechanical drove her to move around, leaving the south for Philadelphia so her children could have better schools. Maria became a frequent visitor to the Centennial International Exposition that was held between May  and  November 1876. She specifically spent a lot of time checking out the exhibits in Machinery Hall, which was the second largest structure at the exposition. These exhibits, featuring a wide range of machines as well as emerging industries, inspired Beasley to pursue a career as an inventor.

She moved to Chicago, where she co-founded the Wabash Avenue Subway Transportation Company. Her family staunchly supported her, with her husband becoming her patent agent and her son Walter managing operations in her Chicago Barrel factory. Despite the then-present laws of coverture (where men had legal rights over their wives’ earnings and possessions), her husband signed away any claims he might have had, so no one could abuse her legal status as a married woman.

In the mid 1890’s she wanted to understand how to use trains to move perishable goods over long distances, using speed and not refrigeration. She built a short track on her property to work on the design, and designed more aerodynamically shaped motors, a telescopic glass (to see further ahead), a device to cool train axles, and more. She was brought on board to help design an elevated electric railway from New York to Chicago through to San Francisco (the Inter- Ocean Electric Railway company.

For more information on Maria E. Beasley, please check out:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_E._Beasley

Nermin K. Ahmad

NFBPWC Women on the Move Committee Chair

By: Nermin K. Ahmad
NFBPWC Women on the Move Committee Chair

I spent this week interviewing potential members for NFBPWC. Women from different countries who were inspired by the projects undertaken by BPW members in their country of origin, and who seek the same framework here in the US.

Their belief in BPW is sobering and rewarding. In my case, it gives me pause as I consider what we mean to so many women. What we, as BPW Sisters, represent. The fortitude and endurance shown by our foremothers who fought for us to have the vote, who fought for us to be respected equally, and yes, who fought for Equal Rights.

The United States of America is a beacon of hope for so many women who come here, expecting to achieve their full potential once they arrive – and yet women here face a mixed bag of rights depending on which state they call home, and what they hope to do. Just take Health – the US is ranked 30 on the global healthcarelist for women (on a par with Kazakhstan and Mauritius). We rank last overall for women’shealthcareamong wealthy nations. Better Health for Women is worth fighting for – and we do have our Health Committee to advocate for us to take control of our own health!

Then there is the Equal Rights Amendment. I am asked about it, and I admit I am confused as I read:

President Biden on Friday declared that he considers the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution "the law of the land," a surprising declaration that does not have any formal force of effect, but that was celebrated by its backers in a rally in front of the

National Archives.

The amendment would need to be formally published or certified to come into effect by the national

archivist, Colleen Shogan — and when or if that will happen is unclear.

So…how do I explain what this means to our new sisters, and is it true for all women in the US, or is it something that has actual differences on a state-by- state basis – and what happens when Presidents change? NFBPWC has a unique history and the opportunity to be present, advocate, make change happen. Let us never assume – anything. Not everyone knows their rights, and not all rights are applied equally, or even perceived equally. I am not my sister, but I can share with her.

I try to live up to high standards as a woman, and especially as a woman constantly on the move. Not being perfect, I fail many times. But I try to dust off and start over. I also value the many women who picked me up, dusted me off, and set me on a path again. I hope I can be like them, to keep women on the move – from place to place along their life, or around the world.

Join this Standing Committee. Help our voices soar.

Nermin K. Ahmad

NFBPWC Women on the Move Committee Chair

By: Nermin K. Ahmad
NFBPWC Women on the Move Committee Chair

In 2025 Women on the Move will take form and we will be planning regular meetings. In our NFBPWC Biennial and our St. Kitts Triennial conferences, I have collected sufficient information to be able to shape and propose a program that will provide opportunities for everyday women - you, your neighbor, me – women who may move for a myriad of reasons – desire, love, financial opportunity, education, health, weather, work. We will create a sisterly network of like-minded business and professional women around the US, in North America and the Caribbean, and globally who can support one another’s success.

Let me know if you are interested in joining this committee – our intention is to make the world a welcoming place for business and professional women – by truly networking our resources across the globe while connecting locally, uniting nationally and igniting globally.

By: Nermin K. Ahmad
NFBPWC Women on the Move Committee Chair

The workshop for Women on the Move overlapped with delayed voting in the Congress so not many people could join us. But we did spend a fruitful 90 minutes sharing their experience and ideas on how we could make this program relevant on a global level. I was very buoyed by the conversation and the knowledge sharing.

Please contact me to be part of this vibrant and forward-looking concept to grow NFBPWC and BPW generally!

By: Nermin K. Ahmad
NFBPWC Women on the Move Committee Chair

Women on the Move will be a discussion during the Triennial in St. Kitts. I am still looking for Committee Members to work with – and realize that there is a misunderstanding about our focus. This is NOT ABOUT MIGRANTS, REFUGEES, ASYLUM SEEKING WOMEN COMING TO AMERICA. This Committee is for women like you, your neighbor, me – women who may move for a myriad of reasons – desire, love, financial opportunity, education, health, weather, work. It is intended to create a sisterly network of like-minded business and professional women around the US, in North America and the Caribbean, and globally who can support one another’s success.

Let me know if you are interested in joining this committee – our intention is to make the world a welcoming place for business and professional women – by truly networking our resources across the globe while connecting locally, uniting nationally and igniting globally.

I came across a woman “On The Move.” She moved to the United States with her husband from German, where they met and fell in love. When she came to the US, she discovered he was married, but he did ask for a divorce, and they were wed. She enjoyed her life here – except for not being able to get his children to accept her at all and for the language. She maintained a thick German accent.

I met her in the bathroom of a National Park Service Park. She was crying – weeping while washing her face. When asking her what was wrong, I realized she was German and spoke to her in German. Her husband had died and had never put her name as his wife on his social security or pension. The children kicked her out of her home. She had very little money in the joint account, and did not know who to ask for help. The children sold all her things that they did not throw out. She wanted to commit suicide and had come to the Potomac river to jump in, but was Catholic and could not.

She had not been in touch with her family for a while, but by speaking in German with her, and offering her my husband and my picnic lunch I was able to bring her out into the park. We sat and spoke with her, and without confirming it with one another we knew we had to help her. We helped her make a call to her sister’s home, as she knew the number. The warmth with which she received astonished her. In the meantime, my husband and

I figured out we had enough miles to pay for her to go home, in business class. She had nowhere to go, but she had shown us her still valid passport. We just drove her to Dulles, put her on a place, and told her sister when to accept her.

She did not know how to protect herself in the US. This action paid back a thousand-fold years later – my husband had remembered to put me as his wife for social security, but a prior wife asked to be paid immediately after his death. She received the lump sum payment and his payments for two years, before I pointed out that she was not the wife listed in his social security file, and that she in fact was not, and never had been his wife. At least we knew what to do, and it was finally sorted.

But this is the kind of thing women on the move can be caught by. And are. And we need to provide a sisterhood to protect them.

I call on you to join me, to help me build out this action opportunity. Reach out to me on nerminkahmad@gmail.com for information. Thank you!

By: Nermin K. Ahmad,
NFBPWC Women on the Move Committee Chair 

Women on the Move will be a discussion during the Triennial in St. Kitts. I am still  looking for Committee Members to work with – and realize that there is a  misunderstanding about our focus. This is NOT ABOUT MIGRANTS, REFUGEES,  ASYLUM SEEKING WOMEN COMING TO AMERICA. This Committee is for  women like you, your neighbor, me – women who may move for a myriad of reasons  – desire, love, financial opportunity, education, health, weather, work. It is intended  to create a sisterly network of like-minded business and professional women around  the US, in North America and the Caribbean, and globally who can support one  another’s success.  

Let me know if you are interested in joining this committee – our intention is to make the world a welcoming  place for business and professional women – by truly networking our resources across the globe while  connecting locally, uniting nationally and igniting globally. 

As reinforced by the meetings on women and girls that I just attended during the Summit for the Future at the  UN – the time for talk is over. It is time to seek action for change, network to make change happen, and occupy  the space around our demands for change till it happens. I am inspired by the international article on the BPW  Club in Thailand and their solidarity and achievements and would like to measure change as they do. For now,  Women on the Move will connect us locally, nationally, and globally; while uniting us locally, nationally and  globally, and of course the value we provide to members will ignite interest in our organization at all three levels. 

I call on you to join me, to help me build out this action opportunity. Reach out to me on  nerminkahmad@gmail.com for information.  

Thank you!

By: Nermin K. Ahmad
NFBPWC Women on the Move Committee Chair 

Let me know if you are interested in joining this committee – our intention is to make  the world a welcoming place for business and professional women – by truly  networking our resources across the globe while connecting locally, uniting nationally  and igniting globally. 

This is not a committee for endless discussion, but it is intended to invite action.  Women move, whether voluntarily or involuntarily. The reasons can be good, bad and  ugly. One thing is clear – to thrive, women need information and help settling into their  new lives. Our clubs and affiliates know their locales and can make recommendations  

as to how to settle in rapidly, how to crack the local social code as it were. But we can do more – we can promote  local women-owned businesses and services, maybe obtain discounts for our members – in the locale and new to it. 

With Women on the Move our national organization can negotiate national partnerships as well as  discounts for services and goods. Globally, with clubs in over 115 countries, women can come, go, stay or leave  – but they will always have a welcome as members of a global community of sisters. In time Women on the  Move will connect us locally, nationally, and globally; while uniting us locally, nationally and globally, and of  course the value we provide to members will ignite interest in our organization at all three levels. 

President Bozeman has been clear – no Committees of one. I call on you to join me, to help me build out this  exciting opportunity. Reach out to me on nerminkahmad@gmail.com for information.  

Thank you!

By: Nermin K. Ahmad
NFBPWC Women on the Move Committee Chair 

Dear Members of NFBPWC, 

Thank you to those who attended my breakout session in King of Prussia.  I appreciated your input and was very glad to hear your thoughts on this initiative.  A major takeaway from the mind-mapping effort we initiated was that there is a fundamental misunderstanding regarding the Women on the Move Committee Program.  So let me be very clear: 

This is for all women who move, voluntarily or involuntarily, for a short time or permanently.   

It could be your move to study out of state, or to be somewhere new with your partner, or for work.  Fire, natural disasters, political unrest – events out of control could push you to move.  Inter-human violence, abuse, trafficking could cause you to move.  It is about your moves, as well as those that propel others to new places.  Our focus, hope and aim are to ensure that women thrive, wherever they arrive.  This is about connecting with arriving women, uniting in support of their integration and success locally, and igniting the sisterhood to be available to answer simple questions, show a path to success, and develop a program that encourages our global sisterhood to create a living network for one another. 

My dream: is that through a networked sisterhood we create powerful partnerships with services organizations (banks, insurance agencies, rental companies, travel resources, service companies) locally, nationally and globally, so that women, as long as we are paid less than men, also pay less than men when they belong to NFBPWC.  Let us negotiate preferential deals together, locally, nationally and yes, globally.  Let us entice new Business and Professional Women members through our negotiation power.  One day, I would like to see us regain the power we had on the Hill and elsewhere, but in the US I would like to see us as a force to be reckoned with – as AARP is today.  Yep, as a woman, I think big.   

None of this can happen without you.  I cannot do this alone, and our rules are clear.  I may not do this alone.  So, I seek out inventive, fearless, knowledgeable women to join me.  To network with other organizations, find out what we need to do to create special relationships, but also to ensure that our own members who provide services for pay are celebrated, advertised, brought to the fore.  It will become part of our marketing – to be able to advertise your skills or business on our site, you must be a member.  To be able to promote your product as a corporation, you must be a member.  To network with our clubs in different locations, and be welcomed as you move, you must be a member.  Or – maybe we agree on another, more staggered approach.  I am ready to hear, to learn, take action to meet our collective needs.  There are many right ways to serve one another. 

The PowerPoint used in King of Prussia will be available to you on our national website.  Our basis for the initial draft Mindmap is here (and I hope you will help me perfect it):