To contrast last week’s post about how men were told to deal with hiring women, I found a nice read on – believe it or not – AskMen! The article is witty, straight to the point, and compeltely in favour of women’s rise in the workplace.

Bottom line? Don’t assume we don’t know what we’re doing, and certainly don’t think we got where we are by using our more “feminine” qualities. We’re rising up because we’re better and better at what we do and love. So watch out, we’re not stopping anytime soon!

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Get ready for the envy, ladies – these women made it on their own, and holy heck, did they make it big. Here’s W100′s list of the most successful women enterepeneurs. Some of these numbers are staggering – but it really gets you thinking. Some of the articles about the list are really inspiring, as well.

They did it, so why can’t you? Get out there and get yourself on 2011′s list!

Fun little sidenote: I had my senior prom at Hockley Valley resort! (#24)

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WomenEntrepeneur.com has it on the nose with their tips for building a successful website. They focus on what your website can do for your business.

But what should you do for your website? You’re not going to have a successful site if you just put it up and leave it there. My personal, tried-and-true tips will not only help you with startup, but will keep your site in the top ranks. Which is right where you want it to be.

1. Your website is a business. Treat it like one.

Just because you don’t have employees running around inside the computer, doesn’t mean you should treat your website as anything less than a virtual version of your company. Professionalism is key. You wouldn’t hire some random Joe Nobody to decorate your office…so why would you hire him to design your website? Research, and research well, and find a legit agency that has experience designing corporate websites, and don’t be afraid to shop around. it might get a bit costly, but again…you don’t want to cheap out on your business, so don’t do it on your site. It’s worth it in the end.

2. Don’t ignore it. Ever.

Company get a new logo? New office? New client? Update your site to reflect ANY AND EVERY major change in your business that clients would want to know about. Frequent updates in the necessary areas show potential clients that you’re busy, and on top of all that hard work you’re doing.

3. Networking, networking, NETWORKING!

Facebook. Twitter. LinkedIn. Skype. GET OUT THERE AND PROMOTE! No matter how big you think your company is, it’s not nearly as big as it could be once you access the potential and guaranteed success of social media. I can’t stress this point enough. The more people you reach, the better. No matter what.

People are going to be viewing your website 24/7. Make sure it’s professional, up-to-date, and reachable 24/7, and you’ll be good to go.

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I just came across a piece from Transportation Magazine from 1943, giving men tips on how to deal with hiring us ladies.

Good for a laugh. It’s fun to imagine how they would react in this day and age with women (and society in general) being so different!

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I bet several of you reading this have a Blackberry or iPhone close by. I know I do. I also bet that 5-10 years ago, you never would have expected to pretty much have your life, be it work or personal at your fingertips, wherever you go, all in one tiny handheld device.

Reading this article by Harvard Business School regarding social media, it got me thinking… When the next generation reaches career age, they will have known this technology for most, if not the entirety, of their lives. They won’t even be able to imagine what it was like to not be able to reach a client who was out of the office because cell phones were unheard of, or getting lost on their way to an interview without Google Maps conveniently at their sides. Or perhaps, even, a boss can check up on why an employee *actually* called in sick by sneaking a peek at their facebook or Twitter account.

Do you think technology and smartphones have made the professional world lazy, or too tied in to our personal lives? Or on the other hand, do you think it has improved work ethic, to have your employees, co-workers, or clients at a button’s touch 24/7?

Some say innovation, others say privacy violation. Which do you find you’re leaning further toward?

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Most people seem to not want to bother with partaking in Halloween festivities at the office. Understandably since we already have to deal with the kids (our own and the ones that will stop by on Hallow’s Eve)  but I think and this article, ‘Halloween At The Office’, that Hollween activities  can add some much needed morale boosters. Some fun things you can do is; have a Halloween Party, a Costume Contest or a Area Decorating. As an employer, you can learn things about your employess that maybe you didn’t know or maybe, just see there potential of skills they already have. Just be careful to not wear something too revealing or inappropriate for your work environment!

Source of this article: http://management.about.com/cs/managementconsutl/a/HalloweenOffice.htm

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I find it funny that women are less likely to be entrepreneurs than men but are way more flexible and ideal business owners (according to a study done by the U.S. Small Business Administration in February 2009). ‘Female Business Owners Benefit From Flexibility’ describes how the report made on small businesses in the U.S. is applied to the everyday women and the benefits of being self-employed. Things like “Self-employed women work about 10 fewer hours a week…” not only is encouraging but surprising!

Source of the article:
http://workingmoms.about.com/od/workingmomsresearch/a/Femaleowner.htm

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Of course, if your boss asks or even demands (excluding harassment) you to complete a task, you’re going to do it. Without a doubt, everyone who’s had to work under someone else registers that it’s imperative to longevity of your job. If your superiors at work insist on using their position to make you listen, then is this really in the best interest for your boss’s job? The article, ‘How to Influence without Positional Authority and Improve Employee Morale Using 3 Simple Strategies’ , teaches you …
..How to:
- Build a relationship
- Honor the Law of Reciprocation
..When it is ok to:
- Participate in healthy conflict
..all without using positional authority to influence a situation. You can apply this to your business contacts, employees and even peers! After applying what I read, I learnt most that your costumer relations greatly improve ^_^

Source of the article:

http://community.businessballs.com/blogs/how-to-influence-without-positional-authority-and-improve-employee-morale-using-3-simple-strategies.html

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‘Do You Have What it Takes to Become a Successful Woman Entrepreneur?’- This article’s title asks the question I ask myself. Being a women in a man’s world is still an issue in this modern day. We have laws in place to ensure equal rights but it’s not the same ball game for us gals as it is guys. I’m not saying it’s harder OR easier, just different.. That’s why reading this helped me understand the short-comings and advantages to being a women entrepreneur and if I got what it takes! Here’s some tips I thought I should share:
- Adopt the Right Business Attitude to Succeed in Business
- Develop the Most Important Skill for Women in Business – Networking!
- Have thick skin!

Source of this article: http://womeninbusiness.about.com/od/startingasmallbusiness/a/3traitsofentrep.htm

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What a women and fine entrepreneur! I already have Heard of Mary Kay and her business but after reading, “Mary Kay Ash – Most Outstanding Woman in Business in the 20th Century” I never realized how much influence this women actually had. I definitely say I look up to her now. She’s not only a celebrated and successful business women but also, a divorcee who started her own company, has her own charity; Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation and a best selling author. Wow! So much for one women it seems… I think everyone (man -or- woman) can learn from her entrepreneurial skills. Especially since, not only, is her company successful but gives tons of incentives and also, recognizes it’s employees with rewards while being socially conscious. As Mary Kay would say “Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember you can achieve.” – Dream big ladies!

Source of this article: http://entrepreneurs.about.com/od/famousentrepreneurs/p/marykayash.htm

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