By now, everyone has heard that success people create plans and goals for their future. However, in a recent panel discussion I attended of Smith College professors, historians and activities, there was a thought provoking conversation about the importance of and need for women to write their own history. The role and major contributions of women have been underrepresented … [Read more...]
Business Model Selection: Contract Employee versus Entrepreneur
There are many former corporate employees in business for themselves today. This number has grown recently due to the layoffs and business closings prevalent in today's economic environment as is likely to continue growing in the months to come. These highly skilled people are either finding it difficult to get a new job or have decided they are tired of "making other people … [Read more...]
How to Stop Scaring Big Prospects
Whale cultures can be maddening to smaller, more entrepreneurial companies. Have you ever been selling into a very large company and left meetings perplexed because they would not make a decision that was so clearly in their best interests? How can you explain their reluctance? How can you bring them to a decision? The nature of big companies and government agencies is to … [Read more...]
The ‘Experience’ Experience
On the way to the commuter train every day, I pass a sushi bar in the station. Next to the company logo are the words ‘More Than Sushi’. Normally, I walk past it without a second glance, but this week has been one of my fish-craving ones, so I stopped to contemplate the sign. It seems to be that in this day and age, providing a product or service is not enough: customers … [Read more...]
Creating Systems to add Value to your Customers
I heard the good news yesterday that a friend and her husband's company is in the midst of a $600 million buyout. Over the years I've seen how they have navigated through major challenges in what their products are, how they capture consumer interest, their market share, and their distribution channels, and I'm inspired (and at the same time amazed and a little awed by) their … [Read more...]
Taking a Risk: It’s All About Trust.
“Living is a form of not being sure, not knowing what is next or how. The moment you know how, you begin to die a little. The artist never entirely knows. We guess. We may be wrong, but we take leap after leap in the dark” ~Agnes De Mille How likely are you to take a “leap in the dark” in your life and your business? I like this quote because it creates a wonderful image for … [Read more...]
Five Ways to Power Your Boat
Since I started writing for Women on Business, I've focused on particular women's issues and perspectives. But I have not introduced you properly to Whale Hunting, which is my company's system to grow your business fast by selling bigger deals to bigger customers. So that's my topic for today. When you are a smaller company selling to other small companies, you can conduct … [Read more...]
Can Principles of Equilibrium Increase Achievement?
Recent polls this week indicate that Americans look with empathy on small business owners that are forced to close their doors due to impacts of this economy. While there seems to be no shame in the cry for mercy, there is a significant feather for the cap of those who have uncovered the secrets for survival. I observed a sales training specialist this week exclaiming that … [Read more...]
Tricks for a Stress-free Tax Season
Those of you who already filed your U.S. corporate tax returns earlier this week are probably breathing a big sigh of relief that tax time is over. For small business owners or entrepreneurs who plan to file as an individual (sole proprietor), you have about three more weeks to get everything in line before the April 15th deadline. According to the official U.S. government … [Read more...]
If You Fail to Prepare, Prepare to Fail
Post by Tanya Goodwin-Maslach, contributing Women On Business writer "The long run is what puts the tiger in the cat." - Bill Squires I’m in Boulder, Colorado on business and its cold. I don’t know how I lived in Colorado years ago – I think it was this cold when I lived here then, too. … [Read more...]