by: Anne Alexander
A few years ago, Vlasic Pickles teamed up with Walmart to sell a gallon of pickles for the unheard of price of $2.97. They sold over 240,000 gallons of pickles a week. Vlasic loved the sales numbers, only to discover that profits were shrinking by 25% or more, since they only made a penny or two of profit on each jar. Vlasic filed for bankruptcy in 2001.
This story (fully described in Fast Company December ’03 issue), highlights a vital point. In general, we want to price with a goal of maximizing profits, not sales volume. Too often, business owners look at gross revenues (sales), when the net profit is what really matters. We could have sales of $250,000 a year, or $1 million, and be losing money. More sales do not necessarily mean more profit. Having sound accounting and analyzing financial reports regularly are essential. It’s important to remember that profit is not a dirty word. A business must earn a profit to stay in business. Whether a particular business’ profit is fair or is excessive is another matter – that could be the subject of another article!
Why Women Underprice in Their Businesses
Underpricing is a common problem for women entrepreneurs, which happens for several reasons, one of which may be that we don’t know how to properly set a price that will yield a fair profit. Another reason is we often undervalue ourselves and our product and/or service. Furthermore, many of us have concerns about fair economic access to our products and services.
Pricing basics
The first problem of understanding the best way to approach pricing one’s product or service is solved by getting sound business advice, which is readily available in Western North Carolina’s entrepreneurial environment (see sidebar).
There are many methods for pricing for service businesses, retail operations and manufacturers. Going into many of them would be too extensive for this article. However, the basic parameters are easily set. Costs determine our lowest price and must include overhead expenses, marketing costs, R & D, etc. Demand and competition determine our highest price.
Self-worth
Another reason for underpricing is that we often undervalue ourselves. It’s only in the past decade or two that women have been business owners in the large numbers that currently exist. Most new business owners, whether male or female, do not have extensive prior experience in running a business. Women have the additional challenge of overcoming our internalized devaluation of ourselves, especially in the business world. We may feel unqualified or undereducated. Where men might have the tendency to understand and properly value (or sometimes overvalue) their product or service, this is usually not the case with women.
Related to this, we may also underprice so customers will think we’re reasonable and nice. In charging full worth for our products or service, we value not only ourselves but others, because we know that they will receive full value from what they buy. Charging too little for our product or service ultimately devalues both the customer and us. Have you ever had someone charge you too little? You may well have felt bad because you were getting away with something, or you may have paid that person more because otherwise it wouldn’t have felt right. I’ve done both. We must get the help we need to fully value ourselves.
To handle this, we need to get a more objective evaluation of the worth of our product or service. First, we must come to terms with our own worth, through our own inner work with or without the help of friends, therapists, etc. Then we need to do market research. We must know what competitors are charging. This doesn’t mean we charge what they charge, but we need to think through the reasons to charge less, the same or more. Any of these may be effective and profitable, depending on our business.
Equity & social justice
Another reason we might underprice is that we want to have our service and products available to a wide spectrum of people, not just those with higher incomes. This comes from valuable ideals of social justice. Instead of lowering our prices across the board, perhaps to the point of inadequate profits, we can offer unadvertised discounts or sliding scale prices, when appropriate. Another approach is, in our marketing materials, to invite prospective customers to inquire about opportunities for low-income people. If we offer too much at low prices or pro bono, we may end up out of business. Then we can’t help anyone!
Sell on value, not price
The key benefit of our product or service should not be having a low price or the lowest price. This turns our product or service into a commodity (as in the Vlasic pickle story), which is something to be avoided at all costs, no pun intended. We will do best to sell on value. Lowering our prices may result in competitors lowering theirs, so we gain nothing and actually lose. As Bill Caskey wrote in Same Game, New Rules, “The real question is not "what's the price?" although that is what the prospect asks. It's really, 'Is there value in changing from my current situation without this product?' ”
Cash flow
Sometimes we need cash quick, and lowering prices can accomplish that. However for long-term profitability, we may need a higher price. Remember, our product or service helps people solve their problems. The good news is that there are plenty of problems to be solved. So if some potential customers find our prices too high and we have fully explained the value they’ll receive, we can let them go, knowing there are plenty who will see the value and buy from us. Changing our pricing may not be the solution, but rather developing our communication skills.
Raising prices
It’s the same with raising prices. We may gain customers. However competitors may raise theirs, too, and keep their existing customers. If we raise prices and sales decline, it’s not automatically a bad thing. We need to examine our net profits. If our profits are the same or higher, we’re okay. Also, if sales decline, we should see if there has been an overall market decline, rather than a decline in our market share.
In summary, analyze the pros and cons that affect various pricing options you have. If you have extensive industry knowledge, trust your intuition on pricing. Review your pricing frequently, but don’t change it frequently. It’s good to experiment in the beginning, but after the start-up phase, change your pricing only if there is some fundamental change in your product, service or market. Do your homework, experiment scientifically, and don’t get yourself into a pickle!
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Women in Business… Stay Home Moms Making Big Money Selling Window Blinds
by: M.B. Gournay
As a National Wholesale supplier of window blinds, shades and shutters, I have had the privilege of helping many men and women start their own businesses. It is most satisfying to see the success of our stay home moms who develop significant home based businesses in the window treatment field. Many of our established and several of our newest distributors are recognizing benefits well above their former career incomes. And, they do this while exercising and spending time with their new born and other young children.
I just wanted to take a few minutes to share the methods for their success and describe the steps you need to take in order to achieve the same success.
Starting your own blinds business, the right way, will cost about $275 in most cases.
Step 1: Goggle your state’s Secretary of State web page. Most offer online applications to establish an LLC. This is a limited liability corporation and is your protection to prevent business litigation from attaching to your personal assets. Most states charge $100-$200 for the filing.
Step 2: Goggle Online Federal Tax ID Registration… and register your new LLC to get a Tax ID number.
Step 3: Find your local State Sales Tax office or visit your State Comptroller’s web page for a re-sale certificate application.
Now that you have a business shell and all the needed government numbers, you are ready to get some customers. Years ago, I started my business in this same fashion. I made Flyers on bright colored paper and passed them out daily to new homes under construction. I pushed my baby jogger, logged a lot of miles, lost the baby weight and started making money in just a few weeks. After you get a few customers, word of mouth starts traveling real fast.
You simply respond to the calls, arrange a daytime meeting to review the color selections and take a 1” steel tape measure so you can get perfect measurements. We have detailed instruction on how to measure and install like a pro on our website. Visit our site at http://www.mybeautifulblinds.com Then, you create a bid sheet from and Excel Template and fax, mail or email the details to your prospective customer. When they are ready to proceed, have them sign the proposal and deposit 2/3 of the bill. Collect the final 1/3 after installation is complete. Collecting 2/3 generally insures that you have collected the full cost of the product. The rest is your profit. A typical 20 blind home should net about $400 in profit if you or your spouse have the ability to install the blinds. I was fortunate that my husband can install a blind in about 3 minutes so we had plenty of $600 days… after he got home from work.
After a few years, we were putting friends all over the country into the blinds business and were supplying their blinds. We finally opened our Web Store to help facilitate their ordering and decided to make it available to anyone who could receive a shipment within the continental 48 states. http://www.mybeautifulblinds.com/ wants to help you become the successful, independent income-producing mom that we know you can be. You don’t have to have multi-level marketing parties or chase after your friends and family. You can offer better than Big-Box Store quality, personal service, broader selection and do it all for less while making real money.
You’ve just got to be willing to get the ball rolling and I promise that this is easier, faster and cheaper than other in home businesses. You don’t have to buy your blinds from me to be successful. Just follow the steps and let all your friends who are building homes know what you are doing.
As a National Wholesale supplier of window blinds, shades and shutters, I have had the privilege of helping many men and women start their own businesses. It is most satisfying to see the success of our stay home moms who develop significant home based businesses in the window treatment field. Many of our established and several of our newest distributors are recognizing benefits well above their former career incomes. And, they do this while exercising and spending time with their new born and other young children.
I just wanted to take a few minutes to share the methods for their success and describe the steps you need to take in order to achieve the same success.
Starting your own blinds business, the right way, will cost about $275 in most cases.
Step 1: Goggle your state’s Secretary of State web page. Most offer online applications to establish an LLC. This is a limited liability corporation and is your protection to prevent business litigation from attaching to your personal assets. Most states charge $100-$200 for the filing.
Step 2: Goggle Online Federal Tax ID Registration… and register your new LLC to get a Tax ID number.
Step 3: Find your local State Sales Tax office or visit your State Comptroller’s web page for a re-sale certificate application.
Now that you have a business shell and all the needed government numbers, you are ready to get some customers. Years ago, I started my business in this same fashion. I made Flyers on bright colored paper and passed them out daily to new homes under construction. I pushed my baby jogger, logged a lot of miles, lost the baby weight and started making money in just a few weeks. After you get a few customers, word of mouth starts traveling real fast.
You simply respond to the calls, arrange a daytime meeting to review the color selections and take a 1” steel tape measure so you can get perfect measurements. We have detailed instruction on how to measure and install like a pro on our website. Visit our site at http://www.mybeautifulblinds.com Then, you create a bid sheet from and Excel Template and fax, mail or email the details to your prospective customer. When they are ready to proceed, have them sign the proposal and deposit 2/3 of the bill. Collect the final 1/3 after installation is complete. Collecting 2/3 generally insures that you have collected the full cost of the product. The rest is your profit. A typical 20 blind home should net about $400 in profit if you or your spouse have the ability to install the blinds. I was fortunate that my husband can install a blind in about 3 minutes so we had plenty of $600 days… after he got home from work.
After a few years, we were putting friends all over the country into the blinds business and were supplying their blinds. We finally opened our Web Store to help facilitate their ordering and decided to make it available to anyone who could receive a shipment within the continental 48 states. http://www.mybeautifulblinds.com/ wants to help you become the successful, independent income-producing mom that we know you can be. You don’t have to have multi-level marketing parties or chase after your friends and family. You can offer better than Big-Box Store quality, personal service, broader selection and do it all for less while making real money.
You’ve just got to be willing to get the ball rolling and I promise that this is easier, faster and cheaper than other in home businesses. You don’t have to buy your blinds from me to be successful. Just follow the steps and let all your friends who are building homes know what you are doing.
Friday, December 8, 2006
Small Business Loans for Women
by: Rebecca Game
The Small Business Administration states that business loans for women are on the rise, and will continue to be needed on an increasing basis in coming years. Business loans for women are more popular than ever due to a variety of factors.
1. Women are taking the initiative needed to become business owners and are opening new businesses.
According to the most recent data on businesses, available from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, there were 5.4 million women-owned businesses in the United States in 1997. The Bureau of the Census also stated that the number of women-owned firms grew almost three times as fast as all firms between 1992 and 1997. They have reported that the number of women-owned firms increased by 16 percent in this five-year period, compared to a six percent increase for United States firms in general. The 1997 Economic Census states that women-owned firms made up 26 percent of the nation's 20.8 million nonfarm businesses, employed seven percent of the 103 million workers, and generated four percent of the $18.6 trillion in receipts. The National Foundation for Women Business Owners states that the current estimated growth rate in the number of women-owned firms is nearly twice that of all firms, and this increase is a trend that is expected to increase even more in coming years. The anticipated increase in women-owned firms, therefore, brings about a tremendous need for business loans for women.
2. The past decade has shown a boom in the home-based business arena.
The increase in home-based businesses popping up nationwide is due very much to the idea that many mothers are starting businesses in order to choose a work-at-home lifestyle to bring income into the home, and at the same time, raise their children at home rather than placing them in daycare. While these home-based business are operated in a nontraditional work environment, in perhaps a nontraditional style of operation, they are nonetheless the same as other businesses in the style of carrying inventory, making purchases for the business, marketing the business, and creating a web presence. Business loans for women are crucial for small businesses such as these. Many have proven to be just as successful or even more successful than traditional businesses and businesses owned by men.
3. Women often purchase existing businesses.
Nearly no explanation is needed to stress the need for business loans for women in this area. Purchasing a business requires money, most often obtained through business loans for women or through another type of loan. Because more and more women are leaving the work place and carefully weighing all factors of owning a business, purchasing an existing business is a wonderful option for those that don't want the risk involved in actually starting a business. By purchasing an existing business, it allows the potential new owner the opportunity to carefully examine the existing business regarding many things, including its profitability, gross sales, and market position. A business that rates high in all three areas is a good business investment for a new potential business owner, especially a women with past business experience. Business loans for women can offer a new, potential business owner the opportunity needed to operate a successful business.
4. With more women in business for themselves, business loans for women are needed to offer women capital crucial for a business to succeed.
Regardless of whether the business is home-based or more traditional in nature, and whether it's a start-up business or was a purchased, existing business, capital is needed for a business to succeed, and to start, business loans for women are of great assistance. Business loans for women offer women a way of starting a new business with capital. Business loans for women can also assist women in increasing sales for an existing business, as well as marketing the business or expanding a business.
5. Women tend to choose to operate businesses in the services or retail trade industries.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than seven out of every 10 women-owned businesses and firms are operated in the services or retail trade industries. Considering the nature of these two types of businesses, one can easily see why the need for business loans for women is on the rise. In order for a woman to successfully operate a retail trade business, for example, inventory is needed. While drop shipping can sometimes be an option, especially for an at-home retail business operated through an online store, more realistically speaking, inventory needs to be purchased. Business loans for women offer women the option of purchasing inventory to be sold in a retail business. Likewise, a service-related business normally operates with the use of equipment, and is often specialized equipment for that specific type of business. The availability of business loans for women offers women the opportunity to purchase equipment and supplies needed to operate and succeed in running a service-related business.
Business loans for women are increasingly important for female business owners. However, careful consideration should be taken before securing a business loan to make sure that the loan is truly needed for the business to expand and succeed, and to make sure that the loan payments will easily fit into the business' budget.
The Small Business Administration states that business loans for women are on the rise, and will continue to be needed on an increasing basis in coming years. Business loans for women are more popular than ever due to a variety of factors.
1. Women are taking the initiative needed to become business owners and are opening new businesses.
According to the most recent data on businesses, available from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, there were 5.4 million women-owned businesses in the United States in 1997. The Bureau of the Census also stated that the number of women-owned firms grew almost three times as fast as all firms between 1992 and 1997. They have reported that the number of women-owned firms increased by 16 percent in this five-year period, compared to a six percent increase for United States firms in general. The 1997 Economic Census states that women-owned firms made up 26 percent of the nation's 20.8 million nonfarm businesses, employed seven percent of the 103 million workers, and generated four percent of the $18.6 trillion in receipts. The National Foundation for Women Business Owners states that the current estimated growth rate in the number of women-owned firms is nearly twice that of all firms, and this increase is a trend that is expected to increase even more in coming years. The anticipated increase in women-owned firms, therefore, brings about a tremendous need for business loans for women.
2. The past decade has shown a boom in the home-based business arena.
The increase in home-based businesses popping up nationwide is due very much to the idea that many mothers are starting businesses in order to choose a work-at-home lifestyle to bring income into the home, and at the same time, raise their children at home rather than placing them in daycare. While these home-based business are operated in a nontraditional work environment, in perhaps a nontraditional style of operation, they are nonetheless the same as other businesses in the style of carrying inventory, making purchases for the business, marketing the business, and creating a web presence. Business loans for women are crucial for small businesses such as these. Many have proven to be just as successful or even more successful than traditional businesses and businesses owned by men.
3. Women often purchase existing businesses.
Nearly no explanation is needed to stress the need for business loans for women in this area. Purchasing a business requires money, most often obtained through business loans for women or through another type of loan. Because more and more women are leaving the work place and carefully weighing all factors of owning a business, purchasing an existing business is a wonderful option for those that don't want the risk involved in actually starting a business. By purchasing an existing business, it allows the potential new owner the opportunity to carefully examine the existing business regarding many things, including its profitability, gross sales, and market position. A business that rates high in all three areas is a good business investment for a new potential business owner, especially a women with past business experience. Business loans for women can offer a new, potential business owner the opportunity needed to operate a successful business.
4. With more women in business for themselves, business loans for women are needed to offer women capital crucial for a business to succeed.
Regardless of whether the business is home-based or more traditional in nature, and whether it's a start-up business or was a purchased, existing business, capital is needed for a business to succeed, and to start, business loans for women are of great assistance. Business loans for women offer women a way of starting a new business with capital. Business loans for women can also assist women in increasing sales for an existing business, as well as marketing the business or expanding a business.
5. Women tend to choose to operate businesses in the services or retail trade industries.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than seven out of every 10 women-owned businesses and firms are operated in the services or retail trade industries. Considering the nature of these two types of businesses, one can easily see why the need for business loans for women is on the rise. In order for a woman to successfully operate a retail trade business, for example, inventory is needed. While drop shipping can sometimes be an option, especially for an at-home retail business operated through an online store, more realistically speaking, inventory needs to be purchased. Business loans for women offer women the option of purchasing inventory to be sold in a retail business. Likewise, a service-related business normally operates with the use of equipment, and is often specialized equipment for that specific type of business. The availability of business loans for women offers women the opportunity to purchase equipment and supplies needed to operate and succeed in running a service-related business.
Business loans for women are increasingly important for female business owners. However, careful consideration should be taken before securing a business loan to make sure that the loan is truly needed for the business to expand and succeed, and to make sure that the loan payments will easily fit into the business' budget.
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Business Grants for Women
by: Rebecca Game
Many women in business find that in order to meet their business' financial needs, they turn to searching out a loan source. Business loans for women are widely available through the Small Business Administration and a variety of other sources such as banks, credit unions and other financial institutions. Loans, however, are not the only source for financing. In some instances, business grants for women are available.
Business grants for women are a wonderful option for some women in business. Grants are an excellent source of funding because grants are not repaid. The funding is provided through government resources that have been budgeted for specific needs in our national community. Anyone is open to apply, so business grants for women are available to anyone regardless of gender, race, religion, or background.
The downside of grants is that business grants for women are not widely available. Rather, business grants for women are available only to select businesses and under very strict circumstances, mostly for research or development. Technologically-focused businesses, for example, will find it much easier to qualify for a grant than a craft or retail business. Still, because the money is readily available, even if your business is retail oriented, it may be of benefit to check into business grants for women available for various resources that could assist you in your business.
According to Denouement Solutions and Grants.gov, the United States government and its government organizations offer more 1000 grants totaling more than $400 billion in grant funding every year. Only 10 percent of citizens that qualify for these grants actually apply for grants, despite the fact that many more than that would qualify for a business grant for women. Therefore, even though not every individual or business is eligible for a business grant for women, it certainly can be beneficial to check into business grants for women.
According to grants.gov, the United States government's web site and main resource for grants that are available and can be applied for, there are more than 1000 grant programs offered by the 26 Federal grant-making agencies. These programs fall into 21 different categories, as defined by the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. While some agencies may list available grants under multiple grant categories, the Federal government lists these categories of grants as follows:
- Agriculture
- Art
- Business and Commerce
- Community Development
- Consumer Protection
- Disaster Prevention and Relief
- Education
- Employment, Labor, and Training
- Energy
- Environmental Quality
- Food and Nutrition
- Health
- Housing
- Humanities
- Information and Statistics
- Law, Justice, and Legal Service
- Natural Resources
- Regional Development
- Science and Technology
- Social Services and Income Security
- Transportation
Even though the category of Business and Commerce may be what appears to have the largest selection of resources for business grants for women, consider the other categories as well, according to where your business falls. For example, if your business is a restaurant, don't hesitate to check the Food and Nutrition category for grants currently available. If your business is a farm, check the Agriculture section.
Grants aren't available for starting or opening a new business, and they also aren't available for expanding on an existing business. However, business grants for women can offer funding for research or development of the business. Many grants may not be applicable to your particular business or needs, but there may be funds available for research, education, or other things needed for you to operate and improve your business to help you achieve business growth.
In general, when considering the options for a business grant for women, do your homework and read carefully. Look at all grants available that might be related to your particular business. Consider looking into the Business and Commerce section, of Grants.gov, as mentioned, and also look into the different categories of grant fundings. Take the time needed to read the grant qualifications carefully. With any business, check into the Regional Development category, as well as the Community Development category. Depending on your location within the United States, it's possible to qualify for a grant to economically develop certain areas, and expanding a business in one of these areas can possibly assist you in qualifying for a business grant for women.
Additionally, consider applying for an educational grant if returning to school is an option you'd like to consider. Many grants for higher education are offered each year, and not all are awarded. Knowledge is an extremely valuable business tool, and because the money is readily available for those who qualify, and educational grant is an excellent option to consider as a business grant for women.
Contact the specific government agency offering the grant for tips, information, and to ask questions before submitting your application.
Many women in business find that in order to meet their business' financial needs, they turn to searching out a loan source. Business loans for women are widely available through the Small Business Administration and a variety of other sources such as banks, credit unions and other financial institutions. Loans, however, are not the only source for financing. In some instances, business grants for women are available.
Business grants for women are a wonderful option for some women in business. Grants are an excellent source of funding because grants are not repaid. The funding is provided through government resources that have been budgeted for specific needs in our national community. Anyone is open to apply, so business grants for women are available to anyone regardless of gender, race, religion, or background.
The downside of grants is that business grants for women are not widely available. Rather, business grants for women are available only to select businesses and under very strict circumstances, mostly for research or development. Technologically-focused businesses, for example, will find it much easier to qualify for a grant than a craft or retail business. Still, because the money is readily available, even if your business is retail oriented, it may be of benefit to check into business grants for women available for various resources that could assist you in your business.
According to Denouement Solutions and Grants.gov, the United States government and its government organizations offer more 1000 grants totaling more than $400 billion in grant funding every year. Only 10 percent of citizens that qualify for these grants actually apply for grants, despite the fact that many more than that would qualify for a business grant for women. Therefore, even though not every individual or business is eligible for a business grant for women, it certainly can be beneficial to check into business grants for women.
According to grants.gov, the United States government's web site and main resource for grants that are available and can be applied for, there are more than 1000 grant programs offered by the 26 Federal grant-making agencies. These programs fall into 21 different categories, as defined by the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. While some agencies may list available grants under multiple grant categories, the Federal government lists these categories of grants as follows:
- Agriculture
- Art
- Business and Commerce
- Community Development
- Consumer Protection
- Disaster Prevention and Relief
- Education
- Employment, Labor, and Training
- Energy
- Environmental Quality
- Food and Nutrition
- Health
- Housing
- Humanities
- Information and Statistics
- Law, Justice, and Legal Service
- Natural Resources
- Regional Development
- Science and Technology
- Social Services and Income Security
- Transportation
Even though the category of Business and Commerce may be what appears to have the largest selection of resources for business grants for women, consider the other categories as well, according to where your business falls. For example, if your business is a restaurant, don't hesitate to check the Food and Nutrition category for grants currently available. If your business is a farm, check the Agriculture section.
Grants aren't available for starting or opening a new business, and they also aren't available for expanding on an existing business. However, business grants for women can offer funding for research or development of the business. Many grants may not be applicable to your particular business or needs, but there may be funds available for research, education, or other things needed for you to operate and improve your business to help you achieve business growth.
In general, when considering the options for a business grant for women, do your homework and read carefully. Look at all grants available that might be related to your particular business. Consider looking into the Business and Commerce section, of Grants.gov, as mentioned, and also look into the different categories of grant fundings. Take the time needed to read the grant qualifications carefully. With any business, check into the Regional Development category, as well as the Community Development category. Depending on your location within the United States, it's possible to qualify for a grant to economically develop certain areas, and expanding a business in one of these areas can possibly assist you in qualifying for a business grant for women.
Additionally, consider applying for an educational grant if returning to school is an option you'd like to consider. Many grants for higher education are offered each year, and not all are awarded. Knowledge is an extremely valuable business tool, and because the money is readily available for those who qualify, and educational grant is an excellent option to consider as a business grant for women.
Contact the specific government agency offering the grant for tips, information, and to ask questions before submitting your application.
Friday, December 1, 2006
7 Tips for Women’s Business Success
by: John McKee
Many aspiring female executives, business managers and other professionals often forget that they really have 2 jobs – the first is to do what they get paid for (and do it better than men). The other is to proactively manage their career path and do what is required to ensure their upward mobility isn't dependent on others – especially those who notoriously subscribe to the “Old Boys Club” mentality who may or may not be working in her best interest.
The following “secrets”, amassed through my extensive background as both a corporate executive and business consultant, will help female professionals better manage their success path:
1. Understand the “circle of success”. A common piece of advice given to managers is for them to spend a great deal of time getting to know, and working side-by-side, with their staff to ensure each employee has what (s)he needs to be productive. While that idea is well intentioned, it’s does not provide maximum benefit to all involved. Rather, it is more important that female managers spend time helping their boss look good at every opportunity. When (s)he understands that you are able to help her/him succeed, you and your team will get more time, attention and resources facilitating maximum productivity.
2. Accept that sexist stereotypes still exist. Gender stereotyping remains a harsh reality even in today’s so-called politically correct workplace. Many women professionals cite male stereotyping and preconceptions of female “appropriate” roles and abilities as a top barrier to their advancement. It’s important for women to gauge where a male boss stands relative to female professionals. This can be done by analyzing his promotion track record of men vs. women, his balance, or lack, of interactions with male vs. female staffers, and if his interactions with female staffers is strictly professional rather than flirty or simply inane small talk solely about her family. Knowledge is power and, with it, female professionals can navigate accordingly.
3. Speak assertively. How we sound (i.e., one’s unique characteristics of the voice such as pitch, tone, and volume) play an important role in how women are perceived. It is important for female professionals to be especially mindful of how their voices carry during meetings with others, in large rooms, or in rooms with ambient noise issues lest her comment not garner the attention, and perhaps the response, it warrants. Additionally, many women tend to state their opinions, objections or suggestions as a question as opposed to affirmatively and confidently making their point as a statement. In a work context, women must command the floor lest their great ideas fall by the wayside.
4. “Presence” pays. One’s “presence” plays a big part in who gets promoted and who doesn’t. In a nutshell, presence is a combination of how we look, how we carry ourselves, and our communication skills. Because many of us still associate one’s appearance, demeanor and speaking ability with their overall ability, this remains a formidable challenge for those women who have physical or other stereotype-based attributes that are difficult, if not impossible to change, such as height or weight, blonde hair color, or simply a high pitched voice. This subjectivity is even worse for women as society is generally more able to accept men with what’s considered to be shortfalls more than women. Irrespective of these barriers, condition yourself to carry yourself with best posture, speak and gesture in a confident and authoritative manner, and wear attire that imparts your success.
5. Pace your boss. To really stand out from the others and get the all important promotion, women should ensure they are in the office whenever her boss is in the office. Let her or him see that you share the same work ethic. Right, wrong or indifferent, these are new rules of time management. Simply put, if your boss is at work, you should be as well. If (s)he has decided that it's necessary to be there after hours, on weekends, or early in the morning, it is entirely to your advantage to be there at the same time. Even in this day in age of so-called gender equality, women must take advantage of all opportunities to distinguish themselves in the workplace.
6. Step up self promotion. It is important that those who are in the position to benefit a woman’s career in any way know who she is and what she has accomplished. Successful business people understand the importance of letting others know about their successes, and go about it in the appropriate way. If done properly, it will not be construed as bragging or conceit. Women should not wait to get noticed while they toil away at the task at hand, but rather develop the skill of how to strategically talk about her achievements in the workplace.
7. Avoid stagnation. Far too many workers throughout our nation are bored and disinterested, which is adversely impacting their productivity and creativity. Consequently, many U.S. industries are falling behind in the global marketplace. It’s time for our nation’s corporate leaders to re-engage and spend more time acting as leaders rather than bureaucrats. People respond best to positive feedback, emotion and enthusiasm – not e-mail communications, inexplicable charts and fear management. This is where ladies have a leg up, since they tend to be more in tune with the feelings and attitudes of those around them. Women should exploit this innate ability whenever possible, since such attentive leadership ensures that everyone is focused on, and vested in, getting to the goal lines. This is the most critical issue impacting an organization’s productivity.
Many aspiring female executives, business managers and other professionals often forget that they really have 2 jobs – the first is to do what they get paid for (and do it better than men). The other is to proactively manage their career path and do what is required to ensure their upward mobility isn't dependent on others – especially those who notoriously subscribe to the “Old Boys Club” mentality who may or may not be working in her best interest.
The following “secrets”, amassed through my extensive background as both a corporate executive and business consultant, will help female professionals better manage their success path:
1. Understand the “circle of success”. A common piece of advice given to managers is for them to spend a great deal of time getting to know, and working side-by-side, with their staff to ensure each employee has what (s)he needs to be productive. While that idea is well intentioned, it’s does not provide maximum benefit to all involved. Rather, it is more important that female managers spend time helping their boss look good at every opportunity. When (s)he understands that you are able to help her/him succeed, you and your team will get more time, attention and resources facilitating maximum productivity.
2. Accept that sexist stereotypes still exist. Gender stereotyping remains a harsh reality even in today’s so-called politically correct workplace. Many women professionals cite male stereotyping and preconceptions of female “appropriate” roles and abilities as a top barrier to their advancement. It’s important for women to gauge where a male boss stands relative to female professionals. This can be done by analyzing his promotion track record of men vs. women, his balance, or lack, of interactions with male vs. female staffers, and if his interactions with female staffers is strictly professional rather than flirty or simply inane small talk solely about her family. Knowledge is power and, with it, female professionals can navigate accordingly.
3. Speak assertively. How we sound (i.e., one’s unique characteristics of the voice such as pitch, tone, and volume) play an important role in how women are perceived. It is important for female professionals to be especially mindful of how their voices carry during meetings with others, in large rooms, or in rooms with ambient noise issues lest her comment not garner the attention, and perhaps the response, it warrants. Additionally, many women tend to state their opinions, objections or suggestions as a question as opposed to affirmatively and confidently making their point as a statement. In a work context, women must command the floor lest their great ideas fall by the wayside.
4. “Presence” pays. One’s “presence” plays a big part in who gets promoted and who doesn’t. In a nutshell, presence is a combination of how we look, how we carry ourselves, and our communication skills. Because many of us still associate one’s appearance, demeanor and speaking ability with their overall ability, this remains a formidable challenge for those women who have physical or other stereotype-based attributes that are difficult, if not impossible to change, such as height or weight, blonde hair color, or simply a high pitched voice. This subjectivity is even worse for women as society is generally more able to accept men with what’s considered to be shortfalls more than women. Irrespective of these barriers, condition yourself to carry yourself with best posture, speak and gesture in a confident and authoritative manner, and wear attire that imparts your success.
5. Pace your boss. To really stand out from the others and get the all important promotion, women should ensure they are in the office whenever her boss is in the office. Let her or him see that you share the same work ethic. Right, wrong or indifferent, these are new rules of time management. Simply put, if your boss is at work, you should be as well. If (s)he has decided that it's necessary to be there after hours, on weekends, or early in the morning, it is entirely to your advantage to be there at the same time. Even in this day in age of so-called gender equality, women must take advantage of all opportunities to distinguish themselves in the workplace.
6. Step up self promotion. It is important that those who are in the position to benefit a woman’s career in any way know who she is and what she has accomplished. Successful business people understand the importance of letting others know about their successes, and go about it in the appropriate way. If done properly, it will not be construed as bragging or conceit. Women should not wait to get noticed while they toil away at the task at hand, but rather develop the skill of how to strategically talk about her achievements in the workplace.
7. Avoid stagnation. Far too many workers throughout our nation are bored and disinterested, which is adversely impacting their productivity and creativity. Consequently, many U.S. industries are falling behind in the global marketplace. It’s time for our nation’s corporate leaders to re-engage and spend more time acting as leaders rather than bureaucrats. People respond best to positive feedback, emotion and enthusiasm – not e-mail communications, inexplicable charts and fear management. This is where ladies have a leg up, since they tend to be more in tune with the feelings and attitudes of those around them. Women should exploit this innate ability whenever possible, since such attentive leadership ensures that everyone is focused on, and vested in, getting to the goal lines. This is the most critical issue impacting an organization’s productivity.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
How To Influence People
By: Joe Love
Most of your success in life will come from your ability to deal effectively with other people. Your success will be determined by the number of people you know, and who know you in a favorable way. Everything you achieve will be through other men and women. These are people who will be there to assist you at the critical junctures of your life. Your ability to influence other people to act in your best interest is one of the most important skills you can ever develop to achieve happiness and success.
One of the common qualities that all leaders possess is the ability to get people to go along with them. In fact, the opposite of influencing others is simply being influenced by them. You can be either proactive or reactive. You can either go along with people, or you can get them to go along with you. Your success will depend on your ability to gain the active cooperation of others. Having the cooperation of others is indispensable in achieving your goals.
How you are perceived by others will not only determine the influence you have over them, but it will also determine your credibility as well. Everything you do or donโ€™t do either ads or takes away from your credibility and your capability to influence others.
One of the most important factors in your credibility with others is your appearance. Youโ€™ve probably heard of the saying that you never get a second chance to make a good first impression. When you meet a person for the first time, they make an initial judgment about you in approximately four seconds, and a final judgment within thirty seconds.
Everything contributing to the way you look on the outside is important. If itโ€™s not helping you, then itโ€™s hurting you. While you cannot control your physical features, you have total control over the way you dress and your grooming. You are consciously and deliberately making a statement about yourself by your appearance.
Your clothes are responsible for 95 percent of the first impression you make on someone. Your grooming and your hair style can exert an inordinate influence on the way that you are perceived by someone. Your accessories, such as a purse, briefcase, watch, tie, pen, and other items you carry with you all make a statement about you that influence the way you are perceived by others.
Another important element in influencing other people are the emotional elements of your conversation with other people. Your ability to communicate to the deep and subconscious needs of other people will have a major impact on your ability to influence them. We are all emotional. Everything that we do or say, and all of our decisions are determined by our emotions. Therefore, to be able to influence others, we need to be able to connect with whatever causes them to feel strongly one way or another.
One of the most powerful, yet underused skills you can develop to influence others is the ability to ask questions carefully, and then listen to the answers. Listening builds trust and credibility. The more you listen to what the other person is saying, the more he or she will trust you and be open to your influence. An important rule to follow when it comes to effective communication, is to never say anything if you can find a way to ask it instead.
Your success in every area of your life will depend a great deal on the quality and quantity of the relationships you can initiate and develop over time. If are going to achieve happiness and success in life, it will be through the relationships you have with other people. In the business world, a person will not do business with you until theyโ€™re convinced that you are their friend and that you are acting in their best interest. In other words, someone canโ€™t be influenced by you unless they like you in some way. Of course, itโ€™s often possible for you to influence a person if they fear you, but that type of influence lasts only until the person can rearrange their situation and escape the circumstances that enable you to have control over them.
The safest way to influence someone, is to earn their liking and respect, by becoming their friend. This requires spending time with them, caring and respecting them. The more time your are willing to spend with the person, the greater that personโ€™s tendency will be to trust you and to feel that you are acting in his or her best interest. The more obvious it is that you care about the person, about what they really need, the more likely it is that he or she will be open to your influence. This is even more important in your personal relationships, with members of the opposite sex, your friends, and your children. The more that people feel you care about them, the more open they will be to your influence in some way.
Another way to influence others is through expertise. Expertise is closely tied to knowledge, but it is a little different. Expertise it the ability to perform well in your chosen field. Men and women with expertise are those who practice over and over in whatever they do until they become known far and wide as the very best in their field.
Having a positive mental attitude is indispensable if you want to influence other people. The more positive and enthusiastic you are about yourself and your work, the more influence you will have over other people. Emotions are contagious. Your emotions have an impact on the behavior of other of other people. When you get excited about what your are doing, you get others excited as well. The more positive and optimistic you are about what you are doing, the more positive others will be towards you. And this makes it easier for you to influence them to accept your ideas, and get them to help you achieve your goals.
One of the best ways to influence someone is to do something nice for them. Always find out how you can help the other person improve their life in some way, without expecting anything in return. You are sowing the seeds to reap the harvest later. When you do nice things for others without any expectation of anything in return, it triggers a desire in people to reciprocate.
One of the best ways to use the principle of sowing and reaping is to continually look for ways to say and do positive things for people. Look for ways to do kind acts and favors for your family and friends. Send thank-you notes and birthday cards. Send clippings from newspapers and magazines about subjects that you feel may be of interest to them. Always keep your promises, and follow-up on your commitments. Always do what you say you will do. Do everything possible to put in, confidently knowing that you will ultimately be able to get out far more. Remember, you will always reap what you sow.
The most influential and successful people always look for ways to do nice things for others. When you meet someone under almost any circumstance, one of the best questions you can ask is this: โ€œIs there anything that I can do for you?โ€ Always look for ways to put in rather than to take out. If you want to be successful you have to be a โ€œgo-giverโ€ as well as a go-getter.
You need to be open to the influence of others if you want to be able to influence them. You need to be willing to accept feedback and to self-correct. You need to be flexible, fluent, and responsive to the needs and feelings of people. You need to be willing to change your mind and to approach situations and problems differently if your current method is not working.
The more people feel that you are open, empathetic, and sensitive to their needs and concerns, the more open they will be to you influencing them in some positive way. The more you can influence others with the power and impact of your personality, the more you will accomplish, and the faster you will accomplish it. And, the more rapidly you will move toward the great success that you desire and deserve.
Copyrightยฉ 2005 by Joe Love and JLM & Associates, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.
Joe Love draws on his 25 years of experience helping both individuals and companies build their businesses, increase profits, and achieve total success. A former ad agency executive and marketing consultant, Joeโ€™s work in personal development focuses on helping his clients identify hidden marketable assets that create windfall opportunities and profits, as well as sound personal happiness and peace.
Reach Joe at: joe@jlmandassociates.com
Read more articles and newsletters at: http://www.jlmandassociates.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Love
Most of your success in life will come from your ability to deal effectively with other people. Your success will be determined by the number of people you know, and who know you in a favorable way. Everything you achieve will be through other men and women. These are people who will be there to assist you at the critical junctures of your life. Your ability to influence other people to act in your best interest is one of the most important skills you can ever develop to achieve happiness and success.
One of the common qualities that all leaders possess is the ability to get people to go along with them. In fact, the opposite of influencing others is simply being influenced by them. You can be either proactive or reactive. You can either go along with people, or you can get them to go along with you. Your success will depend on your ability to gain the active cooperation of others. Having the cooperation of others is indispensable in achieving your goals.
How you are perceived by others will not only determine the influence you have over them, but it will also determine your credibility as well. Everything you do or donโ€™t do either ads or takes away from your credibility and your capability to influence others.
One of the most important factors in your credibility with others is your appearance. Youโ€™ve probably heard of the saying that you never get a second chance to make a good first impression. When you meet a person for the first time, they make an initial judgment about you in approximately four seconds, and a final judgment within thirty seconds.
Everything contributing to the way you look on the outside is important. If itโ€™s not helping you, then itโ€™s hurting you. While you cannot control your physical features, you have total control over the way you dress and your grooming. You are consciously and deliberately making a statement about yourself by your appearance.
Your clothes are responsible for 95 percent of the first impression you make on someone. Your grooming and your hair style can exert an inordinate influence on the way that you are perceived by someone. Your accessories, such as a purse, briefcase, watch, tie, pen, and other items you carry with you all make a statement about you that influence the way you are perceived by others.
Another important element in influencing other people are the emotional elements of your conversation with other people. Your ability to communicate to the deep and subconscious needs of other people will have a major impact on your ability to influence them. We are all emotional. Everything that we do or say, and all of our decisions are determined by our emotions. Therefore, to be able to influence others, we need to be able to connect with whatever causes them to feel strongly one way or another.
One of the most powerful, yet underused skills you can develop to influence others is the ability to ask questions carefully, and then listen to the answers. Listening builds trust and credibility. The more you listen to what the other person is saying, the more he or she will trust you and be open to your influence. An important rule to follow when it comes to effective communication, is to never say anything if you can find a way to ask it instead.
Your success in every area of your life will depend a great deal on the quality and quantity of the relationships you can initiate and develop over time. If are going to achieve happiness and success in life, it will be through the relationships you have with other people. In the business world, a person will not do business with you until theyโ€™re convinced that you are their friend and that you are acting in their best interest. In other words, someone canโ€™t be influenced by you unless they like you in some way. Of course, itโ€™s often possible for you to influence a person if they fear you, but that type of influence lasts only until the person can rearrange their situation and escape the circumstances that enable you to have control over them.
The safest way to influence someone, is to earn their liking and respect, by becoming their friend. This requires spending time with them, caring and respecting them. The more time your are willing to spend with the person, the greater that personโ€™s tendency will be to trust you and to feel that you are acting in his or her best interest. The more obvious it is that you care about the person, about what they really need, the more likely it is that he or she will be open to your influence. This is even more important in your personal relationships, with members of the opposite sex, your friends, and your children. The more that people feel you care about them, the more open they will be to your influence in some way.
Another way to influence others is through expertise. Expertise is closely tied to knowledge, but it is a little different. Expertise it the ability to perform well in your chosen field. Men and women with expertise are those who practice over and over in whatever they do until they become known far and wide as the very best in their field.
Having a positive mental attitude is indispensable if you want to influence other people. The more positive and enthusiastic you are about yourself and your work, the more influence you will have over other people. Emotions are contagious. Your emotions have an impact on the behavior of other of other people. When you get excited about what your are doing, you get others excited as well. The more positive and optimistic you are about what you are doing, the more positive others will be towards you. And this makes it easier for you to influence them to accept your ideas, and get them to help you achieve your goals.
One of the best ways to influence someone is to do something nice for them. Always find out how you can help the other person improve their life in some way, without expecting anything in return. You are sowing the seeds to reap the harvest later. When you do nice things for others without any expectation of anything in return, it triggers a desire in people to reciprocate.
One of the best ways to use the principle of sowing and reaping is to continually look for ways to say and do positive things for people. Look for ways to do kind acts and favors for your family and friends. Send thank-you notes and birthday cards. Send clippings from newspapers and magazines about subjects that you feel may be of interest to them. Always keep your promises, and follow-up on your commitments. Always do what you say you will do. Do everything possible to put in, confidently knowing that you will ultimately be able to get out far more. Remember, you will always reap what you sow.
The most influential and successful people always look for ways to do nice things for others. When you meet someone under almost any circumstance, one of the best questions you can ask is this: โ€œIs there anything that I can do for you?โ€ Always look for ways to put in rather than to take out. If you want to be successful you have to be a โ€œgo-giverโ€ as well as a go-getter.
You need to be open to the influence of others if you want to be able to influence them. You need to be willing to accept feedback and to self-correct. You need to be flexible, fluent, and responsive to the needs and feelings of people. You need to be willing to change your mind and to approach situations and problems differently if your current method is not working.
The more people feel that you are open, empathetic, and sensitive to their needs and concerns, the more open they will be to you influencing them in some positive way. The more you can influence others with the power and impact of your personality, the more you will accomplish, and the faster you will accomplish it. And, the more rapidly you will move toward the great success that you desire and deserve.
Copyrightยฉ 2005 by Joe Love and JLM & Associates, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.
Joe Love draws on his 25 years of experience helping both individuals and companies build their businesses, increase profits, and achieve total success. A former ad agency executive and marketing consultant, Joeโ€™s work in personal development focuses on helping his clients identify hidden marketable assets that create windfall opportunities and profits, as well as sound personal happiness and peace.
Reach Joe at: joe@jlmandassociates.com
Read more articles and newsletters at: http://www.jlmandassociates.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Love
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Women Play to Win in Business and Life
by: Jeanette Cates
Have you seen this happen to a woman you know?
She gets very close to success - then turns her attention in another direction.
She has an opportunity to "shine" at a meeting, but turns it over to someone else.
You compliment her on what a great job she did and she gives credit to the team instead.
She has a million-dollar idea, but decides to take the safer route and get a steady job and pursue the idea "later."
These are examples of "playing not to lose" and it's often a common ailment of women in business. It's taking the safe option instead of really going for it.
While part of this may be a result of our culture, we still have choices. And that choice can be to "play to win!"
There are five principles for a "Play to Win" attitude.
1. Be Decisive. In business there are opportunities that are time-sensitive and if you delay in making a choice, you may lose the chance. From ordering lunch to signing contracts to choosing the ideal outfit, you need to learn to trust yourself and make decisions quickly. Start with the menu at lunch tomorrow. Make your choice in less than a minute, then enjoy more time for your lunch and the conversation.
2. Live with a Commitment to Learning. Part of the learning cycle is recognizing and admitting that you don't know. Be open to asking questions and give up the need to be the ultimate authority. You'll enjoy a confidence that it's okay to be you.
3. Learn from Mentors with Experience. Successful people did not achieve their success alone, yet we sometimes think we need to do it all ourselves. Seek out a mentor and absorb their guidance and advice. It doesn't make you appear less capable by asking for help. It evokes thoughts of "Winner" when you are willing to ask for mentoring.
4. Be Resourceful with Daily Activities. Women are naturally good at multitasking, so we tend to be very efficient. But what that talent does yield sometimes is a lack of focus. So learning to balance the focus and the multitasking is key to the Play to Win attitude.
5. Join a Team of Like-Minded Players. In the famous book Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, the power of the Mastermind is emphasized. It is important to align yourself with others who are on the level to which you aspire. So be cautious in your associations with people, organizations and even what you read and watch! Be sure they are on the same winning level.
Learning to Play to Win is a process which can be learned and practiced on a daily basis. Start now to stomp out that "playing not to lose" attitude and start winning!
Have you seen this happen to a woman you know?
She gets very close to success - then turns her attention in another direction.
She has an opportunity to "shine" at a meeting, but turns it over to someone else.
You compliment her on what a great job she did and she gives credit to the team instead.
She has a million-dollar idea, but decides to take the safer route and get a steady job and pursue the idea "later."
These are examples of "playing not to lose" and it's often a common ailment of women in business. It's taking the safe option instead of really going for it.
While part of this may be a result of our culture, we still have choices. And that choice can be to "play to win!"
There are five principles for a "Play to Win" attitude.
1. Be Decisive. In business there are opportunities that are time-sensitive and if you delay in making a choice, you may lose the chance. From ordering lunch to signing contracts to choosing the ideal outfit, you need to learn to trust yourself and make decisions quickly. Start with the menu at lunch tomorrow. Make your choice in less than a minute, then enjoy more time for your lunch and the conversation.
2. Live with a Commitment to Learning. Part of the learning cycle is recognizing and admitting that you don't know. Be open to asking questions and give up the need to be the ultimate authority. You'll enjoy a confidence that it's okay to be you.
3. Learn from Mentors with Experience. Successful people did not achieve their success alone, yet we sometimes think we need to do it all ourselves. Seek out a mentor and absorb their guidance and advice. It doesn't make you appear less capable by asking for help. It evokes thoughts of "Winner" when you are willing to ask for mentoring.
4. Be Resourceful with Daily Activities. Women are naturally good at multitasking, so we tend to be very efficient. But what that talent does yield sometimes is a lack of focus. So learning to balance the focus and the multitasking is key to the Play to Win attitude.
5. Join a Team of Like-Minded Players. In the famous book Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, the power of the Mastermind is emphasized. It is important to align yourself with others who are on the level to which you aspire. So be cautious in your associations with people, organizations and even what you read and watch! Be sure they are on the same winning level.
Learning to Play to Win is a process which can be learned and practiced on a daily basis. Start now to stomp out that "playing not to lose" attitude and start winning!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Women Have Secret Weapons In Business
by: Monica Willyard
Women have 3 assets that I see as secret weapons in the business world. For the past 30 years or so, women have been encouraged to behave as their male counterparts do so they can succeed and achieve equality. To me, this is backward and counterproductive because we have several valuable skills that businesses need to grow and serve their customers well. Since people are unique, these assets show up differently in each woman. Today I'll share the 3 most important of these abilities with you. My hope is that these skills will be recognized for the powerhouses of strength that they truly are.
Women have strong verbal communication skills. In fact, scientists and psychologists tell us that women speak more than 3 times as many words during a day than men do. Furthermore, our conversations tend to involve responsive listening and focus on the process of relations rather than sharing facts. Women know how to build rapport, understand a person's strengths and weaknesses, and can easily include encouragement in conversation. Businesses need effective communication and team building skills, especially in sales, marketing, and negotiations.
Second, women are intuitively skilled negotiators. They have been conditioned for centuries to get what they want through negotiation and community. No matter how you feel about it, this is an historical fact and is our present reality. Women had little economic power, and they learned how to work in a system where they weren't the boss. Rather than bloody fighting and wars, they learned to work with others and create good compromises or find a win/win outcome. Now that they have economic freedom, they can use the skills they've learned to help themselves reach their goals and do it with class. these skills can help a business flourish by creating partnerships with those they do business with. Win/win situations are good for everybody, and women have a talent for finding ways to make that happen. They've done this socially for centuries, and their mothers have taught them these skills from infancy. Women just don't recognize it and thus think they can't negotiate in business matters. They can, and they can often see win/win options that their male colleagues miss.
The final secret weapon women have is their ability to work as part of a team. Again, this is partially due to their inborn character as a female and partially due to their cultural conditioning. Have you ever noticed that when you're with a group at a restaurant, one woman at the table says she's going to use the ladies room; almost immediately others will go with her. They often will go as a group and will come back to the table together. You don't see this behavior from men. Our culture seems to value the image of a self-made tycoon who takes the business world by storm. Reality is very different though. Most "self-made" business tycoons have a quality team of support staff behind them. It is actually the power of the team that brings success. Those companies who reward employees for good teamwork will profit and will survive when hard times come. Women excel at teamwork, and they should be sought out for this quality. Mary Kay Ash understood this well, and she became wealthy by creating a team and helping each team member to reach his/her personal goals.
Women who recognize the power of these 3 secret weapons can accomplish anything they want to do. Using her strong communication skills, her ability to negotiate well, and her teamwork skills, the sky is the limit. Will she be a self-made tycoon? Probably not, and to me, that's as it should be. Can she build wealth and reach her dreams? Yes! You would win that bet!
Women have 3 assets that I see as secret weapons in the business world. For the past 30 years or so, women have been encouraged to behave as their male counterparts do so they can succeed and achieve equality. To me, this is backward and counterproductive because we have several valuable skills that businesses need to grow and serve their customers well. Since people are unique, these assets show up differently in each woman. Today I'll share the 3 most important of these abilities with you. My hope is that these skills will be recognized for the powerhouses of strength that they truly are.
Women have strong verbal communication skills. In fact, scientists and psychologists tell us that women speak more than 3 times as many words during a day than men do. Furthermore, our conversations tend to involve responsive listening and focus on the process of relations rather than sharing facts. Women know how to build rapport, understand a person's strengths and weaknesses, and can easily include encouragement in conversation. Businesses need effective communication and team building skills, especially in sales, marketing, and negotiations.
Second, women are intuitively skilled negotiators. They have been conditioned for centuries to get what they want through negotiation and community. No matter how you feel about it, this is an historical fact and is our present reality. Women had little economic power, and they learned how to work in a system where they weren't the boss. Rather than bloody fighting and wars, they learned to work with others and create good compromises or find a win/win outcome. Now that they have economic freedom, they can use the skills they've learned to help themselves reach their goals and do it with class. these skills can help a business flourish by creating partnerships with those they do business with. Win/win situations are good for everybody, and women have a talent for finding ways to make that happen. They've done this socially for centuries, and their mothers have taught them these skills from infancy. Women just don't recognize it and thus think they can't negotiate in business matters. They can, and they can often see win/win options that their male colleagues miss.
The final secret weapon women have is their ability to work as part of a team. Again, this is partially due to their inborn character as a female and partially due to their cultural conditioning. Have you ever noticed that when you're with a group at a restaurant, one woman at the table says she's going to use the ladies room; almost immediately others will go with her. They often will go as a group and will come back to the table together. You don't see this behavior from men. Our culture seems to value the image of a self-made tycoon who takes the business world by storm. Reality is very different though. Most "self-made" business tycoons have a quality team of support staff behind them. It is actually the power of the team that brings success. Those companies who reward employees for good teamwork will profit and will survive when hard times come. Women excel at teamwork, and they should be sought out for this quality. Mary Kay Ash understood this well, and she became wealthy by creating a team and helping each team member to reach his/her personal goals.
Women who recognize the power of these 3 secret weapons can accomplish anything they want to do. Using her strong communication skills, her ability to negotiate well, and her teamwork skills, the sky is the limit. Will she be a self-made tycoon? Probably not, and to me, that's as it should be. Can she build wealth and reach her dreams? Yes! You would win that bet!
Best Home Based Business For Career Women
by: TopeNelson Ola
Career women have what other women do not have: a deep knowledge of their profession. This they can convert into information by publishing it on the web, then convert that content into targeted traffic and income.
The following information will assist career women to start a "customized" internet based home business. The best of the best home based business.
(1) Start From Your Career/Work Experience: Don't look outside, look inward. Your career information is your product. Your work experience has already equipped your to be a net consultant. All you need is the know-how and the right tools. You don't even need much money to start.
(2) Brainstorm Your Career-related Profitable Topics: Search for keywords and key phrases, which are often searched upon but are rarely targeted by websites. Your career itself may not be a profitable topic.
For example: If you are a teacher, surfers may not search for teachers or teaching, but they may look for related topics like career counseling, best school program for kids, improving child learning ability, building right attitude to learning, etc These are information that a teacher can easily provide. Once you locate a profitable topic make it your site theme or concept.
(3) Build A Website For Your Profitable Topic/Site Theme: For you to have a successful internet based home business you need a professional-looking website.
You don't need to have a prior knowledge of this(no html, or programming knowledge), with a multi-purpose business building tools like SiteBuildIt you can do site building, site hosting, site marketing, etc at one-single-minimum price.
(4) Get Free Targeted traffic With Good Content: When you follow the steps above, and with the right tool. You don't need to do any advertisement, people will look for you because you are providing the information they want.
The secrets?, don't write sales letters, provide good, quality, hard-to-ignore info on your well-known subject.
Develop trust and confidence by writing with your visitors best interest in mind. Identify their problems and identify why your solutions is the right solution.
You will build the best of home based businesses by this act of "preselling." You can get the book "Make Your Content To Presell" by Ken Envoy to help you in this area.
Most surfers look for information from search engines, so write to make your contents search engines friendly so that it is included in the top 10-20 results. the right business-building tool can do this for you.
(5) Turn Your Traffic Into Revenue: Smoothly introduce your site visitors to your revenue offers, these are products, services that help your site visitors to get the solutions that they seek, and to also generate multiple streams of income for you. They must include:
(a) Google Adsense:Visitors click on your Google Ads, generating money for you.
(b) Affiliate Programs of merchants who sell related goods or services to your theme.
(c) Referrer/finder Arrangements: Special offers for offline business.
(d)Other models for your long term goals(ex., e-goods, etc).
With these steps and the right tools you concentrate on doing what you love, generate multiple streams of income and build the best of home based businesses.
Career women have what other women do not have: a deep knowledge of their profession. This they can convert into information by publishing it on the web, then convert that content into targeted traffic and income.
The following information will assist career women to start a "customized" internet based home business. The best of the best home based business.
(1) Start From Your Career/Work Experience: Don't look outside, look inward. Your career information is your product. Your work experience has already equipped your to be a net consultant. All you need is the know-how and the right tools. You don't even need much money to start.
(2) Brainstorm Your Career-related Profitable Topics: Search for keywords and key phrases, which are often searched upon but are rarely targeted by websites. Your career itself may not be a profitable topic.
For example: If you are a teacher, surfers may not search for teachers or teaching, but they may look for related topics like career counseling, best school program for kids, improving child learning ability, building right attitude to learning, etc These are information that a teacher can easily provide. Once you locate a profitable topic make it your site theme or concept.
(3) Build A Website For Your Profitable Topic/Site Theme: For you to have a successful internet based home business you need a professional-looking website.
You don't need to have a prior knowledge of this(no html, or programming knowledge), with a multi-purpose business building tools like SiteBuildIt you can do site building, site hosting, site marketing, etc at one-single-minimum price.
(4) Get Free Targeted traffic With Good Content: When you follow the steps above, and with the right tool. You don't need to do any advertisement, people will look for you because you are providing the information they want.
The secrets?, don't write sales letters, provide good, quality, hard-to-ignore info on your well-known subject.
Develop trust and confidence by writing with your visitors best interest in mind. Identify their problems and identify why your solutions is the right solution.
You will build the best of home based businesses by this act of "preselling." You can get the book "Make Your Content To Presell" by Ken Envoy to help you in this area.
Most surfers look for information from search engines, so write to make your contents search engines friendly so that it is included in the top 10-20 results. the right business-building tool can do this for you.
(5) Turn Your Traffic Into Revenue: Smoothly introduce your site visitors to your revenue offers, these are products, services that help your site visitors to get the solutions that they seek, and to also generate multiple streams of income for you. They must include:
(a) Google Adsense:Visitors click on your Google Ads, generating money for you.
(b) Affiliate Programs of merchants who sell related goods or services to your theme.
(c) Referrer/finder Arrangements: Special offers for offline business.
(d)Other models for your long term goals(ex., e-goods, etc).
With these steps and the right tools you concentrate on doing what you love, generate multiple streams of income and build the best of home based businesses.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Home Based Business For Women
by: Jeff Schuman
Affiliate marketing is a good opportunity for a home based business for women. With a little bit of time and effort women are staying at home and running their own home based business.
Like hundreds of thousands of stay-at-home moms, you too can make money from the comfort and safety of your own home, all while your toddler sleeps, while you do laundry, even while on vacation with your family.
Never in history has it been easier for women to make money online. And never before have busy moms had such a viable, legitimate opportunity to start their very own business and achieve the financial freedom they previously only dreamed about.
Working out of the home often means juggling multiple tasks and wearing many hats. But look out. When there is so much to do that there is little time left over for sales and marketing activity, sales can dry up and often do. Here are some ways to avoid that.
1. Monthly Focus – Each month, grab your calendar and see which holidays are coming up. Then focus some type of activity around them. At least minimally, setup a direct mail campaign through the U.S. Post Office site (usps.com) in these quick steps:
Choose one of their postcards.
With their online tools, edit the back with a quick note, sale of some type & referral request.
Load an Excel document of addresses, pay and send.
2. Ad Campaign - Plan ahead with advertising representatives by gathering their media kits and asking about special deals or rates they may have for you. Then follow up and plan a 12- to 16-month campaign, even if it’s just a small classified that runs regularly. That way you’ll always be covered whether you’re too busy to care or not. You can always supplement with cross-promotional pieces. But at least, set up a foundation to get you through the year.
For inexpensive ads to run throughout the year, check out neighborhood newspapers and free or cheap magazines and papers that are placed inside public libraries, large grocery stores and country-type restaurants. PennySavers and Thrifty Ads are other sources.
3. Regular Income Stream - Don’t just have all large projects. Set up a few (or several, depending upon your budget needs) smaller, regular income-producing projects to generate weekly / monthly income. And maintain a steady flow as much as possible. In other words, if five regular, smaller jobs pay the day-to-day bills, once one of them quits or runs out of work for you, replace it as soon as possible so that you maintain your steady ‘five’ as much as possible.
Some people setup affiliate programs in this manner; selling something for someone else and earning a percentage or profit for selling. They target so much income from one source of revenue stream to cover a certain portion of expenses. And if this runs out of steam, they beef up promotions or switch to another affiliate program. Learn more about affiliate options from a place like Commission Junction (cj.com). Or in your favorite search engine, type in ‘affiliate programs’ and see which ones are popular.
So when you juggle, remember to mix in SOME type of regular sales and income generating opportunities. Keep your home based business focused on generating business and you will be successful.
One home based business any woman can start in 3 easy steps is the Plugin Profit Site. This combines all of the elements of a successful business you can run from home online. A website, quality products, email marketing, list building techniques, advertising and marketing support and much more.
Affiliate marketing is a good opportunity for a home based business for women. With a little bit of time and effort women are staying at home and running their own home based business.
Like hundreds of thousands of stay-at-home moms, you too can make money from the comfort and safety of your own home, all while your toddler sleeps, while you do laundry, even while on vacation with your family.
Never in history has it been easier for women to make money online. And never before have busy moms had such a viable, legitimate opportunity to start their very own business and achieve the financial freedom they previously only dreamed about.
Working out of the home often means juggling multiple tasks and wearing many hats. But look out. When there is so much to do that there is little time left over for sales and marketing activity, sales can dry up and often do. Here are some ways to avoid that.
1. Monthly Focus – Each month, grab your calendar and see which holidays are coming up. Then focus some type of activity around them. At least minimally, setup a direct mail campaign through the U.S. Post Office site (usps.com) in these quick steps:
Choose one of their postcards.
With their online tools, edit the back with a quick note, sale of some type & referral request.
Load an Excel document of addresses, pay and send.
2. Ad Campaign - Plan ahead with advertising representatives by gathering their media kits and asking about special deals or rates they may have for you. Then follow up and plan a 12- to 16-month campaign, even if it’s just a small classified that runs regularly. That way you’ll always be covered whether you’re too busy to care or not. You can always supplement with cross-promotional pieces. But at least, set up a foundation to get you through the year.
For inexpensive ads to run throughout the year, check out neighborhood newspapers and free or cheap magazines and papers that are placed inside public libraries, large grocery stores and country-type restaurants. PennySavers and Thrifty Ads are other sources.
3. Regular Income Stream - Don’t just have all large projects. Set up a few (or several, depending upon your budget needs) smaller, regular income-producing projects to generate weekly / monthly income. And maintain a steady flow as much as possible. In other words, if five regular, smaller jobs pay the day-to-day bills, once one of them quits or runs out of work for you, replace it as soon as possible so that you maintain your steady ‘five’ as much as possible.
Some people setup affiliate programs in this manner; selling something for someone else and earning a percentage or profit for selling. They target so much income from one source of revenue stream to cover a certain portion of expenses. And if this runs out of steam, they beef up promotions or switch to another affiliate program. Learn more about affiliate options from a place like Commission Junction (cj.com). Or in your favorite search engine, type in ‘affiliate programs’ and see which ones are popular.
So when you juggle, remember to mix in SOME type of regular sales and income generating opportunities. Keep your home based business focused on generating business and you will be successful.
One home based business any woman can start in 3 easy steps is the Plugin Profit Site. This combines all of the elements of a successful business you can run from home online. A website, quality products, email marketing, list building techniques, advertising and marketing support and much more.
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