Archive for business development
Entrepreneurial Tip #1: Begin with a Dream
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A dream for a small business might be as simple as a sidewalk flower shop. Or you have an idea for a cozy four-table breakfast shop. Maybe your dream is to start up a concierge bookkeeping service. No matter what the business is, it began with a dream.
As a writer, I’ve been absent from Women On Business for awhile as I was working on redesigning my business blog and art blog; beginning a new direction for my art – into ceramic mosaics [my home-based business revolves around my art business]; and getting into the thick of the art show season. Now that the blogs are redesigned to my liking and I have three new mosaics done and on my gallery page and the season for shows is two-thirds complete, it’s time to pick up the pen again [so to speak].
Leadership and Emotional Pollution
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Did you ever throw a paper cup on the ground and walk away? The women who read this blog would not think to do that. The cup would find a home in a trash can.
And, if you look down and there is a candy wrapper lying on the pavement, do you pick it up and throw it in a waste basket? Most likely you would take the moment to help clean up the area.
So, why do we walk past unpleasant situations, unpleasant people and just keep going? And, sadly, there are also times we add to the difficulties with our comments and critiques and more “junk” is left in the room.
It’s time to look emotional pollution in the eye and start a campaign against toxic patterned behavior spills.
Saying “no” to divisiveness, to gossip, to office politics is an important step to cleaning up this invisible environment that pollutes as much as leaving trash on the floor.
Think about it for a moment. When someone tells you a “juicy tidbit” about a colleague how do you respond? Do you simply say “uh huh” and walk on? Do you ask for details and add “I knew she couldn’t be trusted?” Do you go to another colleague and say “Wait till you here this?”
5 Lessons I’ve Learned about Leadership
Posted by: | CommentsThe economic waves have settled a bit and my company is getting ready to hire several new employees. As the resumes have rolled in, more than I can ever remember, I thought back to my very first professional job and the anticipation of the world that was unfolding before me.
When you started your career what was front and center on your work agenda? I was armed with a master’s degree in psychology and I was going to make the world a happier place.
There was no idea of owning a business, no idea of leading others, no idea of public speaking, and no idea of writing a book. I was focused on learning the ins and outs of being a therapist, working with the invisible forces that make us do what we do.
Interestingly, forty years later the core of my career is the same. I still love to dig down into the hidden world of behavior patterns and how they impact us at home and at work. I also am amazed that instead of a small office with just the right therapeutic setting of chairs, tables and a couch I run a 450 acre retreat center that can sleep 60 people, with an organic vegetable garden, labyrinth, pond large enough for a paddle boat and outdoor dining pavilion.
Visibility of Female Leaders
Posted by: | CommentsIn the past two posts we have been talking about why we do not see more progress in the advancement of women in business , community and politics. In the first post we covered an overview of what is happening to slow down our progress. Much of what happens is subtle and not well understood. (Post May 24) In the second post we talked about the first barrier in more detail- the lack of career advocacy and targeted development for women. This lack of advocacy is not because anyone is setting out to exclude women, but because of subtle organizational and human habits and bias. ( Post June 3)
Todays post is about the second barrier- the lack of visible female role models. This barrier is also not well understood and often very very underestimated in it’s power. In all the work I have done in organizations that have undertaken an effort to understand and impact the gender diversity of it’s leadership ranks- the lack of visibility is a barrier and also an answer to acceleration of progress. We , as humans, instinctively look for role models . We look for individuals we can observe, learn from and emulate. We look for those who’s path we might follow. In the end we forge our own unique path but it is most often comprised of a mosaic of the experiences of others.
Manufacturing Loyal Employees – Is it Possible?
Posted by: | CommentsI have observed many firms attempt to create loyalty and an inspiration for hard work amongst their staff. One financial planning firm has actually gone to the extreme in attempting to create a staff of loyal, committed staff people. But what has transpired, instead, is more of an episode of The Office than a truly inspired workforce. The reason: loyalty is not something you can force upon people or manufacture; it is earned through the relationships you establish with your employees.
A Woman Leader for Today
Posted by: | CommentsHere is the recipe:
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take a very large scoop of entrepreneurs ready to change the world
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add one powerful leader who ignores the word “can’t”
- drop in, one at a time, equally powerful women who hear the call to success
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mix with social media
- garnish with online and on-site programs
- blend with international flavors
- serve this nutritious combination everyday for health and wellness
ENJOY!!
That is the essence of what Sandra Yancey has done, created the right recipe for our times. I had the pleasure of interviewing her at the eWomen networking event in Sonoma County California.
A ball of energy, she exudes the power, passion, and purpose of the modern female entrepreneur. I was curious to understand how her dream began. There is always a back story that can help us look at our own barriers, challenges, and ways to overcome obstacles.
Sandra has the look and feel of someone who can move mountains. Her strength came from a series of unexpected deaths in her growing up years and a mother who modeled steadiness and how to face adversity head on.
Increasing Your Millionaire Mindset
Posted by: | CommentsIf you give a million-dollar idea to a person with a $500 mentality, they’ll turn that million-dollar idea into $500. Alternatively, if you give a $500 idea to a person with a million dollar mentality, they’ll turn that little idea into a huge, multi-million-dollar business.
We all like to stay in our “safety zone.” If your constrain your safety zone to a certain amount per year (level of job responsibility, salary, net worth, etc.), then you never willingly or consciously go beyond that safety zone. In fact, you’ll sabotage any efforts to expand beyond your safety zone.
To increase your external world by having more (more time, more money, more ability to engage with the people you care about, more time to do the things you love), the first thing to do is work on increasing your internal perceptions.
You are who you believe you are.
Increase your external world by increasing your internal world.
You adopt a more prosperous mindset by considering what kind of value you bring to others. How do you help other people in your community, or your state, or country, or our world?
Are You Working in the Red Zone, or Just Working?
Posted by: | CommentsBlog from Maribeth Kuzmeski of Red Zone Marketing
What is worth the effort in your business? Where does your productivity and focus pay off the most? Of course, the activities that produce the greatest results are not the easiest. The biggest successes often come when we are in the difficult, magnified, and critical “red zone.”
The red zone is a common football term. In football, it is the final 20 yards on the field before the end zone. It is the area on the field where the team either scores or does not. Frankly, all of the other activities on the rest of the entire field are insignificant in comparison. It is the same in business.
The red zone in business is where the sale ultimately closes. Getting almost there does not count. Yet, we spend most of our time everywhere BUT in the sales-producing red zone. We are answering emails, researching, preparing, networking, finding interested buyers, etc.
Are you ready when you have a red zone opportunity? And why is it that we often spend the least amount of our time in a day doing red zone activities, when they are the only measurable actions that matters?
Social media: pick three avenues, and move forward
Posted by: | CommentsI found this through my Twitter stream and thought it was apropos for women in business. If you or your boss does not yet have a social media plan in place, now is a good time to get one started.
Too overwhelming? Start simple.
Too confusing? Ask a trusted advisor.
Too hard? Hire out.
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