Kaira Rouda | Kaira Rouda

9 04, 2009

Empowering Cultures Attract Positive People

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T01:51:35+00:00April 9, 2009|brand essence, business, company culture, employees, growing business, hiring|Comments Off on Empowering Cultures Attract Positive People

Businesses often go through growing pains. Sometimes good; sometimes bad. And right now, many companies are facing the pressures of having to downsize. However, there are some companies that are prospering and need to hire more employees. To ensure that you hire the best and most well-fitting employees, my advice is to create a great culture; one that is inviting and represents your company’s outlook. Potential employees will use your culture as a guide for gaining insight on your company. And, if you misrepresent your company’s culture, you may end up wasting time interviewing candidates that are not a good fit for your company. To ensure your culture is truly representative of your company’s brand, first take a quick inventory of your surroundings. How would you define the culture you’ve created up to this point? Is it stiff or fun? Casual or crazy? Formal or [...]

8 04, 2009

It’s never too late to tell you about trends, is it?

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T01:51:48+00:00April 8, 2009|blogs, social networking, swanepoel, trends, tribes, twitter, write|Comments Off on It’s never too late to tell you about trends, is it?

Ok, here's a funny story. My friend Stefan Swanepoel is THE real estate trends guy. He publishes a well-researched, well-read Trends Report each year and the industry folks who are smart, read it. I realize it's April, and first quarter is over, BUT I am finally reading the report! In my defense, for some unknown reason, it took two months to arrive from California to my mailbox in Ohio. (Yes, even reports don't want to visit Ohio if they're from Laguna Nigel.) But enough excuses. I learned a lot, and here are the trends that resonated with me: 1. Real estate is in the "transformation years", and those years will continue until 2012 (yikes!) 2. Social media is a real estate agent and company's friend! (yay!) I'm not going to dwell on the negatives surrounding point 1 above, as I'm sure if you live in [...]

7 04, 2009

Building a Professional Network

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T01:51:59+00:00April 7, 2009|business, entrepreneurs, leadership, mentors, networking, social media, success, women|Comments Off on Building a Professional Network

We always hear that building professional networks is vital to success, but it should also be noted that your network should reach beyond family and friends. Family and friends are great, and most of us would be lost without them. They create a great support system in a wide variety of situations—including helping you fulfill your dreams. However, if you’re talking business, you really need to expand your network. Most women rely on family members as their primary network, but these individuals don’t always have access to meaningful business information—like new leads, business experts or financial advice. Your contacts should be people who will help you develop your competitive advantage. You need diversity of opinions and backgrounds, so as you build your network, try to include individuals with varying backgrounds and expertise. Ideally, it should be people who don’t work for you. That way you [...]

6 04, 2009

Finding a Balance that Works for You

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T01:52:10+00:00April 6, 2009|business, entrepreneur, passions, stress, women business owners, work life balance personal brand|Comments Off on Finding a Balance that Works for You

Women continually struggle with work-life balance. There are many women who believe there is this set, generic and ideal form of balance. However, that is just not the case. Balance differs for everyone. What works for your co-worker may not work for you. And what works for you may not work for your neighbor. Everyone is different and has a different job and your work-life balance should reflect that. Also, many women believe that their personal and business life should be completely different. But instead hear this: Your business is your personal life. By that I mean if you develop your business around your personal brand essence, then the real you will rise to the surface. You’re a package. Your values, personality—even your passions—they all come together to create a personal brand that defines you. Now take it one step further and incorporate that brand [...]

2 04, 2009

Mastering Phone Interviews

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T01:52:19+00:00April 2, 2009|entrepreneurs, interviews, marketing, promotions, reporters, small business|Comments Off on Mastering Phone Interviews

So, you’ve scored your first interview with a reporter. Woohoo! I know that feeling. It’s exhilarating the first minute; the next is filled with panic. Don’t worry. It’s time to get serious and start preparing. Do your homework. Check out the reporter. What beat do they cover? What’s their style? What companies have they covered in your industry? Nail down the key messages you want to get across. Put together your talking points. What are your three main points and supporting facts? Consider all questions you may be asked. What’s the worst-case scenario question? Make sure to do a mock interview with a teammate to help you get comfortable. Stand up during the interview. It sounds odd, and people walking by might chuckle, but it helps you get focused. You’re less likely to go off on a tangent in this power stance. Nix distractions. Shut [...]

1 04, 2009

Of fortune cookies and creative business for times like these

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T01:52:28+00:00April 1, 2009|fortune kookie, interns, twitter|Comments Off on Of fortune cookies and creative business for times like these

Here is what’s great about Twitter. Yesterday I tweeted about my fortune cookie message: Look for the dream that keeps coming back. It is your destiny. About three hours later, FortuneKookie Crew from Chicago followed me on Twitter. Their goal: “We like to follow people who tweet fortune messages!” Works for me! Where else but Twitter? On a more serious business note, I was followed by the founders of www.UrbanInterns.com. Lauren Porat and her partner, Cari Sommer, created a company—beta testing in NYC right now—to connect small business owners with college educated assistants, on a paid or unpaid basis. I love hiring interns at our company. We always learn from them, and hopefully the feeling is mutual. And sometimes, when it’s possible and the fit is right, these intern positions turn into full time employment. And everybody’s a winner. In today’s tough economic environment, which [...]

29 03, 2009

Lessons from spring break

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T01:52:32+00:00March 29, 2009|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Lessons from spring break

It's great to take a break, especially a spring break with your kids. I'm blessed that all four of mine were together this year, for our last family spring break. I say the last, because my oldest is headed to college next year and the breaks don't line up. To say that having him around for 17 spring breaks and then thinking about his impending absence put an added poignancy to this break, would be an understatement. I have found myself sighing a lot more than usual, that's for sure. His future is exciting. The roots we've provided have given him the wings he needs to select a university across the country from home. And that's what parents give their children - roots and wings. In business, it's much the same. We nurture our employees and their dreams, and when they decide to move on, [...]

26 03, 2009

Branding Your Work Space

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T01:52:35+00:00March 26, 2009|branding, business, home office, work space|Comments Off on Branding Your Work Space

Whether others see your office or not, I always recommend that your office be a reflection of you and your personal brand. It should be comfy, functional and stimulating. If you are a messy person by nature, that’s OK; just don’t let the mess overwhelm you. To begin, have a sense and direction of your personal brand, and then begin thinking how you will translate that into the décor of your room. Use the five senses. Start by painting the walls. Display some of your favorite things on the shelves and walls that surround you. These items will inspire you. And that will make you more productive and energized. Then, work with smell. What would you like your office and brand to smell like? Fresh linen, raspberries, spice? Choose a smell that will stimulate the senses and awaken your imagination. Keep moving through the five [...]

12 03, 2009

My day started with a call from a “private” number . . .

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T01:52:42+00:00March 12, 2009|banks, fraud, one-way transparency, talk to me, truth|Comments Off on My day started with a call from a “private” number . . .

I almost ignored the call, as I'd just dropped off the kids and hurrying to get ready for work. "Is this K-eye-rah?" asked a deep, male voice. Accustomed to the name-slaughter, telephone soliciter, I almost hung up but answered warily, "Yah." "I'm with Huntington Bank and I'm calling to check a charge billed to your debit card. Can you give me your last four digits of your Social Security number to verify your identity?" Really? Didn't he just call me? I'm a smart alec, so I said: "How do I know you're really Huntington Bank?" He wasn't amused, so I told him my numbers and he told me The Bank is worried about a charge of $7 for Hearst Magazines, a charge made last night. Hmm. I tell him, I love magazines, but I didn't subscribe to any in the middle of the night last [...]

11 03, 2009

Get your Daily Dose of Laughter

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T01:52:54+00:00March 11, 2009|baby laughing, family, health, kids, stress, work-life balance|Comments Off on Get your Daily Dose of Laughter

As a mother of four and full-time business woman, I understand the pressures moms face. Unfortunately, many women have accepted that stress has become part of their daily lives and are finding it harder and harder to relax. Prolonged and increased levels of stress not only affect our home lives, they also affect our health. Our bodies are well adapted to dealing with short-term stress, but prolonged stress can cause serious health problems. Your stress levels can affect your nervous, respiratory, reproductive and immune systems. To help reduce your stress and make life more enjoyable for everyone in your home, I recommend laughter. We all can benefit from a healthy daily dose. Research shows that laughter reduces the level of stress hormones, stimulates the immune system and helps you connect with others. What a perk! Best of all, if you have kids, they should keep [...]

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