Step Together is breaking barriers and fostering a supportive network for women leaders.
When Laura Blackmer, president of channel sales at Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., attended the first playing of the 2020 Pelican Women’s Championship on the LPGA Tour at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida, she knew the event had the potential to become a valuable experience for Konica Minolta’s female leaders in the dealer channel. A longtime proponent of championing women in the office technology industry, Blackmer saw an opportunity to create a program that fosters a network of women within the dealer community to allow them to connect with each other, provide a forum to share best practices, offer learning experiences, and nurture a supportive culture that elevates women’s voices and experiences – as well as develop more women in the sport of golf.
“Golf, particularly in this industry, is one of the key ways that dealers not only network among themselves and their manufacturers, but also with their customers,” said Blackmer, who added that nearly every dealership sponsors a golf charity event, plays in a professional event, or simply go play. Blackmer spoke about the deep connections she has made by playing golf with people across the industry, especially given that an 18-hole course can give players up to six hours of quality one-on-one time, something rarely achievable in a purely business setting. “Golf has such a connection to the business world, and it’s an area where women have been traditionally locked out of,” she said. “It doesn’t even remotely need to be that way.”
Step Together Events
With the LPGA golf event set as the premier live event, Blackmer helped establish Konica Minolta’s industry leading program for women—Step Together—in 2022. With the intent of creating a positive environment to share experiences and cultivate intentional leaders, Step Together features several virtual events each year, building up to the main golf event in Florida, The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, of which Konica Minolta is a key sponsor, along with other partners.
Each event offers educational and networking opportunities, most notably with Konica Minolta executives and industry leaders. The events are intended to educate, inspire, and connect women so the members of Step Together can foster relationships among themselves, improve their personal well-being, and work toward advancing their careers within the industry.
At the first event, “Women and Whiskey,” members were led through a whiskey and snack pairing session by Tracie Franklin, a whiskey educator, marketing consultant, public speaker, writer, and distillation apprentice. Other events included a lesson in chocolate, led by chocolatier Ruth Kennison; a face yoga session led by New Jersey instructor Nancy Holly; and an eye-opening discussion about maintaining a healthy gut through stress management, self-care, and meal preparation. In September 2023, Step Together featured guest speaker Joy Marini, global director, women’s health, office of the chief medical officer, Johnson & Johnson, and Konica Minolta’s Alison Seltzner, who explored the four phases women pass through in their lifetimes and how these phases affect their careers.
Step Together Member Benefits
There are currently roughly 110 members of Step Together. Membership for Step Together has spread largely through word of mouth among Konica Minolta dealerships’ women. Blackmer said women call her each week to be added to the Step Together program, whose membership is free.
“If you’re not the principal of an organization, you’re not getting as much interaction with other women in dealerships,” said Blackmer, who also said this dynamic is changing as more women are taking lead roles in dealerships, including Chelsey Bode, president of Pearson-Kelly, a Step Together member, and one of The Cannata Report’s 2023 Women Influencers. “Their ability to build a network with people who look like them is powerful,” said Bode.
Members of the Step Together program consistently tell Blackmer that what they value the most from the program is the opportunity to connect with each other and build relationships. Through Step Together, members are communicating, exchanging best practices, and sharing their stories not only at the program’s events, but more importantly, outside the confines of the program – a true sign of value and success, according to Blackmer.
“Konica Minolta’s Step Together program has greatly benefited me,” said Reena Philpot, co-owner of Precision Duplicating Solutions in Kentucky. “I always look forward to the programming and the opportunity to learn from and get to know the other ladies. I recently attended the leadership event in Florida, and meeting in person further strengthened my connection to this great group of ladies.”
In November 2023, 25 members of Step Together attended The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, with Konica Minolta as one of the key sponsors. Attendees joined the Raymond James Women’s Leadership Summit, where they heard from female leaders from various industries, and were guests at the evening Pro-Am party.
Konica Minolta hosted its own workshop day for the Step Together attendees, which included yoga on the beach and a golf clinic, followed by a lunch with Blackmer and the Pelican Golf Club’s director of women’s golf. As a charity component of the event, Konica Minolta contributed to a non-profit organization Birdies for Babies, where each women had an opportunity for a long putt shot. For those that made it in, Konica Minolta matched the LPGA’s donation.
“The intimidation factor [in golf for women] is real, but it’s very easily overcome,” said Blackmer. “It sets you apart because you’ll be one of the very few women on the course. If you’re looking to connect with a customer or a boss or a person in any kind of role, it’s a great way to do it.”
Future Goals for Step Together
Blackmer is looking to triple the membership of Step Together in the coming years. Through book club readings, entertaining and educational events, and the golf tournament, Step Together strives to facilitate lasting relationships among members for the benefit of the larger industry.
“I think the ultimate goal is to seed this network of people that are going to be the future of this industry,” said Blackmer. “These are talented younger women who, in some cases, are parts of succession plans or moving into key leadership roles. The more we can arm them with skills, a network, and tools, the better they’ll be able to do their jobs today, and in the next job, and in the next job. We want to keep growing this amazing group of people who are really going to be integral in the success of this industry moving forward.”
