A woman starts a business in the U.S. every 60 seconds. And, American women are the largest economy on earth. Put those two stats together with the possibilities of the Internet - and you’ve got a revolution to be reckoned with. To read more about the power of women online, check out my eBrandMarketing post and let me know what you think!
MAKE IT HAPPEN: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2007 the average American worked 42.9 hours a week. Over the course of a year, this added up to approximately 2,230 hours, which is about 13.3 weeks straight. If you’re spending this much time in your office, create a space that reflects the real you by addressing the needs of your five senses. TIP IN ACTION: Start with color. Choose colors that exhibit your personality. For example, those who consider themselves to be imaginative, idealistic, a visionary and somewhat eccentric at times may be drawn to the color blue. You may also want to surround yourself with visual reminders of your hobbies and passions. My walls are blue, and I have sea glass on my desk to remind me of the ocean (I’m landlocked in Ohio). I also have tons of pictures and mementos [...]
Women have been grappling with this one for years. The honest answer: it’s not about having it all. It’s about having what you want—and being real. Being real means aligning your values and personality with your business—and the people in your life. Think about who you are and what you want. How do you think? What makes you tick? Then, make sure the members of your team think like you do. Forget about having it all; instead, focus on integrating work and family with your personal goals. Begin by setting aside some time, away from life’s distractions, to focus on your goals. Develop a clear plan, and then put it into action after your family, friends and professional team members are on board. Together, you will make it happen! For more tips on making it happen check out Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials For Women [...]
I’ll admit it. I’m a big fan of eHarmony.com and I’m married and the mom of four. The reason I’m a fan is the marketing genius and lessons we all can learn from the site and its approach. Launched in 2000, the site is the #1 trusted relationship destination on the website, and has kept that position even in the face of a lot of competition. Why? Check out my eBrandMarketing post.
You’ve heard it said that first impressions are everything, and in many cases, it’s true. When you’re out there pitching your business and selling yourself, you need to be prepared to articulate your message on a moment’s notice. Having your business card handy will simplify the process. In the meantime, practice what you want to say the next time you need to ask for business. Keep it short, perhaps a sentence or two, and be sure to include the key points—your name, your company name, what service you provide or what product you sell, and finally, how people can find you. That’s where the card comes in. Have it ready—always! Hopefully you were able to attend last evening’s RYI event at the Wexner Center when I hosted a panel of professional women from Central Ohio, and together we discussed how women have a unique ability [...]
Real Living has been marketing to women for 7 years now! In fact, Real Living was the first women-focused brand in real estate. Why market to women? • Women make or influence 91% of all home buying decisions.• Women guide 94% of all home-furnishing purchases.• Two-thirds of real estate agents are women.• 78% of engaged women say that while they already have furniture, they’ll replace most or all of it when they marry. This being said, I presented at the national Marketing to Women (M2W) conference in May about the tremendous purchasing power women hold in this country, but more specifically in real estate. It was a great learning experience! The M2W conference attracts brands from across the country that understand the influence women have as consumers. M2W asked Real Living to put together a video highlighting more great statistics on the purchasing power of [...]
We have been waiting quite some time to see the pay gap between women and men shrink. Well ladies, in some professions the tables are turning. Here are a few current careers where women are earning more than men: • Sales engineers • Statisticians • Legislators • Automotive technicians and mechanics • Baggage porters • Financial analysts • Aerospace engineers • Advertising managers According to an article on AOL, women tend to verbally outpace men and are excellent with details and follow-up, and it is these characteristics that enhance their workplace performance. Currently, women are also receiving college degrees in larger numbers than men. After graduating, they are moving to large urban cities, where, in the past few years, there has been an increase in women earning more than men. The glass ceiling is getting thinner. Become a pioneer in your field, and begin paving [...]
Who is your hero? What are the words that describe your hero? What is something that person did that you admire? And finally, what is one way you can be more like your hero? Write these thoughts down on paper. Then, make a list of the qualities that you admire in your hero. If you have several heroes, they will probably all have similar qualities. But identifying your hero and what that person has done is only the beginning of the process. The next step is to contact your hero. It doesn’t matter if your hero is a famous person or a close friend. Write to that person. Reach out to her. By doing so, you will be greatly inspired to live your life in a way that makes you happy—a way that you’ve admired in others and therefore can apply to your own life [...]
Begin by articulating your personal and business brand to potential employees. That’s as easy as writing a job description that provides a glimpse of what your company is all about. That will get the ball rolling when it comes to attracting the right individuals to your door. You know the kind of people I’m talking about. They’re the workers who understand that it’s your company, but treat it as if it’s their own. You’ve created a real brand. Now it’s time to hire some real people who think like you about the culture you’ve created. For more tips on hiring a knock-out team and building a creative culture, check out Real Fact Five in Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials For Women Entrepreneurs. What makes your culture great?
Connecting with like-minded individuals is a great way to grow your business and your personal network, but we all seem to be strapped for time with work, family and other activities. That’s why it’s best to only join organizations that have meaning to you. Start by visiting several groups so you can determine which ones are right for you. Then be selective, because attending too many meetings, or joining a long list of organizations, is the opposite of real. Once you find that perfect fit—an organization that turns out to be exactly what you’re looking for—volunteer your time as a leader. Why? Because you’ll get the most out of it that way—and so will the organization. Leaders who give their time this way quickly learn that the benefits far outweigh the input. Check out this website for great professional organizations in your area! Have you [...]