In an interview with Oprah Winfrey on October 27, 2010, Jane Fonda astutely said, “Wisdom is knowing what you don’t need anymore.” So how many pairs of “life’s leg warmers” are you holding on to since the 80s, 90s, last year, or yesterday? Do yourself a favor and start clearing out the clutter! Whether you are clearing out personal or professional clutter, they go … [Read more...]
Six tips to creating a business that means something
Stop a minute and think about the impact you have on your clients and the industry you serve. Are you presenting yourself as a leader in your field, full of great ideas and providing valuable resources to everyone who comes your way? Are you making a difference in the lives of the people you meet, either online or in person? Sure, the goal of every business is to make money- … [Read more...]
Entrepreneurial Tip #1: Begin with a Dream
A dream for a small business might be as simple as a sidewalk flower shop. Or you have an idea for a cozy four-table breakfast shop. Maybe your dream is to start up a concierge bookkeeping service. No matter what the business is, it began with a dream. As a writer, I've been absent from Women On Business for awhile as I was working on redesigning my business blog and art … [Read more...]
Notice the Work all Around
I returned recently from a 10-day vacation. For me ten days is a good length of time. One day was "get there" day and one day was "go home" day...that left eight days for vacation. That was enough days to have some solitary beach time, some shopping and "do lunch" time and sightseeing. While resting and relaxing I noticed the variety of businesses associated with the … [Read more...]
Have you ever considered that place between Prosperity and Success?
Semantics can be defined as the study of meanings, or the science and study of meaning in language. I think there is importance to paying attention to the meanings of words and how that applies to our businesses and how we see our businesses. Here's an exercise in semantics. Ask yourself: do you work for success as an end-all or do you see your business as a means or tool … [Read more...]
Attacking and Beating Sales Reluctance With the Right Mindset
“I don’t like selling. But I’m the best salesperson we’ve got . . .” Have you heard someone saying this recently? Or, worse, have you caught yourself making this comment or something similar? Many professionals suffer from sales embarrassment – the notion that selling their services is somehow unseemly or demeaning. They know they need sales to generate … [Read more...]
The Value of SMO-Greater ROI than SEO
I was asked recently about SEO and its importance for my home-based business. SEO? Is Search Engine Optimization important for my business? To be honest I'm not really sure. I think SMO is more valuable. What is SMO? It's Social Media Optimization. And for my home-based business I'm much more interested in the ROI on my social media efforts. [ROI? That's Return On … [Read more...]
Are Business Principles important for the Solo-Preneur?
Ever heard the phrases, "standing on principle" or, "following principles," or "adhering to principles?" Have you considered that how you run your business is based on your idea of business principles? And have you considered that you are the architect of the principles upon which your business is built? Most businesses of more than 10 employees have organizational … [Read more...]
What is Your Business Committed to?
Are you committed to your business? That's an obvious "yes" or you wouldn't put out the welcome mat each morning. What is your business committed to? This is a different question. Is your business committed to fulfilling your initial start-up vision? Is your business committed to fulfilling a perceived need? Is your business committed to something beyond the framework of … [Read more...]
Resources For New Entrepreneurs
If you have always thought about becoming an entrepreneur, or have recently started your own business, there are many resources you can use to help guide you. I have gathered together some of the sites that I visit and that I think are useful for those interested in taking the entrepreneurial route. Do I have what it takes? Some fun online tests to help you determine … [Read more...]