Do you dread those business breakfasts where you have to put on your best suit, best smile, walk into a room where there is no one you know, and then try to make conversation without being pushy? Is that the way business networking plays out in your head? Or do you see it more as a way to make new relationships with people who may or may not want to buy from you … [Read more...]
Archives for September 2015
The Power of Online Reviews
We care what people think. We care about the opinions of our fellow consumers---about their past experiences with the appliances that could possibly fill our homes, the apparel that could clothe our bodies, the products our children might play with, the food that may fill our stomachs, and the services we could experience. The fact that we trust the opinions and experiences … [Read more...]
4 Misconceptions of the Entrepreneur Lifestyle
From the outside looking in, entrepreneurship seems to be a breeze. You are your own boss, you can set your own hours, and can work from anywhere. That sounds so amazing, and it is! However, there are some misconceptions. 1. You’ll Work Less Hours One of the most common phrases I hear from aspiring entrepreneurs that are currently in Corporate America is, “I can’t wait to set … [Read more...]
Why Customers Equate Your Brand With User Experience
Your brand is the emotional and intellectual association your customers make with your company, product, or you personally, according to Dirk Knemeyer, co-founder of Innovation Studios. That means that every single interaction people have with your company, or every "user experience," is part of your customers' brand experience. That is why your telephone needs to be … [Read more...]
Top 10 States for Women-Owned Small Businesses
According to the Thumbtack Small Business Friendliness Survey, New Hampshire is the best state for a woman to open a small business. New Hampshire also ranked as the second friendliest state for both male and female entrepreneurs. Texas took the top spot overall and came in second for women-owned businesses. The researchers surveyed 18,000 small business owners across the … [Read more...]
4 Misconceptions about Women and Leadership in Business
Women executives have often been portrayed in movies as being fearless, fierce, but also alone. However, this--among many others--has always been a common misconception about women leaders running a company or business. Here are just some of the most common misconceptions about women and leadership and the truth behind them. 1. Having kids and raising them get in the way of … [Read more...]
How To Increase Your Focus And Get More Real Business Growth Work Done
It is so easy to get distracted by any number of activities that fill up each and every day, and the problem is that the more capable you are, the more likely you are to be incredibly busy with a lot of things. The question becomes, “Are these things helping the growth of you and your business? Or are they hindering it?” This can be a difficult question to answer without … [Read more...]
The Imbalance of Women in Business Leadership
The imbalance of women in business leadership positions persists despite the growing number of studies that consistently find the same thing---businesses with diverse leadership teams, which include women in executives roles, perform better than businesses that lack women at the top. The infographic at the end of this article includes a number of statistics that prove just … [Read more...]
4 Things Entrepreneurs Should Do Quarterly
Often, entrepreneurs set business goals at the beginning of the year but forget to re-evaluate things as time goes on. We also forget that pleasing our customers is one of our top priorities because happy customers bring referrals. Below are four things entrepreneurs should do quarterly to assist with continuous growth and sustainability: 1. Evaluate Old Goals and Create … [Read more...]
What Should Be Included in Start-Up Training?
Your new recruit walks in the door on his or her first day on the job. You complete the mandatory paperwork, walk them through the building, and then either start their training or turn them over to their manager. What next steps can you take to ensure that this new employee will be able to function effectively in their new workplace? As a human resources professional, it … [Read more...]