Business Women – Reaching Your Goals Simplified

Dipetik Dari: The Borneo Post ( Monday, May 5, 2008 )

STEP # 1: Start By Stating The Goal You “Intend” To Reach

Many times women have so much to do at home and at work that they often decide they want to do something, but never take the time to clearly define what they want to do.  A woman might have as a goal to purchase a car but what kind and for how much?  Without a goal many women get to the car dealership and are often talked into purchasing cars way over their budgets!  Defining the goals clearly should be made prior to taking the first step to attaining the goal.

STEP # 2: Make a Plan

Did you know that you are more likely to succeed at a goal when it is written down as a plan?  In your plan, write down as much detail as you can about the goal: The cost in time and in money, when, where, how, other people involved, time frame, etc.  And yes, you might even talk yourself out of the goal once you have written a few pages!  But any goal worthy of pursuing is worthy of a plan.

STEP # 3: Discuss “Certain” Goals with Specific People Who Are Credible and Will Keep You Accountable

Not all goals should be discussed with other people.  Only discuss goals with positive people who in your opinion have succeeded in reaching their own goals or who can meet your spiritual and / or emotional needs regarding the goal.  A word of caution: Needless goals “again” with a person who does not believe in your idea or goals.

STEP # 4: Execute Your Plan

When the time is right and only you will know that, go ahead and start executing your plan.  Now, if you have trouble doing that, stop and ask yourself the question “Why?”  Remember that when you come up with an idea for a goal, the goal is generally attainable at the right time.

STEP # 5: Stay Focused

It is imperative that a woman stay focused by constantly reviewing her plans and meeting with her friends.  It is important that other activities in life do not sideline her.  Often women get involved in relationships and other peoples plans and activities that have absolutely nothing to do with her goals.  A woman can avoid sidelining her goals by frequently setting aside time to review her goals and her progress.  Also setting mini goals helps.  Never give up.  If things are not working out, try something different, but do stay focused.

Thoughts to Ponder

Think about this.  It is empowering to be able to reach your goals.  Are your goals written?  Do you have 3 to 7 action items for each goal?  Have you set a time frame for completing your goal?  Once you put everything in motion you will reach your goal, because you are seeking your goal and that is your “intention”.  Hope this helps you.

21st Century Businesswomen

Dipetik Dari: The Borneo Post ( Monday, May 5, 2008 )

The 21st century businesswoman needs to be able to build a vision based on the awareness of economic transformation, then help her partners and staff fulfill that vision. She must draw on a wide range of skills to get to the top and stay there. Following are 7 key characteristics that are essential:

SELL THE VISION

A leader with a fresh, independent plan for her company’s growth and future has a distinct advantage in luring and keeping great talent and investors. Vision is not some lofty ideal, but an obtainable concept that is easy to understand and will make the company grow to another level.

REINVENT THE RULES

While women have traditionally been socialised to please others, the 21st century leader knows that good girls rarely post great returns. The strong managers/owners today not only inticipate change, they create entirely new organisations that respond to shifts and search for innovation.

ACHIEVE WITH A LASER FOCUS

Go where others fear to tread! Being aggressive and ambitious has long been considered male traits, but they are the key qualities for new leaders. Today’s businesswoman has the ability to home in on opportunities that others may simply not see, and then excel in that uncharted teritory.

USE HIGH-TOUCH IN A HIGH-TECH ERA

When a number of leaders are conducting business by e-mail, voice-mail, passwords, and personal identification numbers (PINs), the female entrepreneur succeeds because she guides with a strong, personal and bed-side manner. Today’s businesswoman is just as technologically savvy as her peers, but her skill with staff and customers is “high-touch” which gives her a critical edge and separation from the “pack”.

CHALLENGE OR OPPORTUNITY?

Women are great at turning a challenge into an opportunity instead of using the “slash-and-burn” approach. They are able to make bold strokes, but they also win the co-operation of others in the organisation in making any transformation a success.

A CUSTOMER PREFERENCE OBSESSION

In this information age which makes it easier to shop around for the best “whatever”, businesses must work harder to give people what they want before their competitors do. There is no substitute for spending time with clients to become expert at their businesses and learn their demands. Female leaders are almost intuitively adept in doing just that, and without the client even suspecting.

COURAGE UNDER HIRE

Show me any career woman or female entrepreneur today that isn’t able to “stand-the-heat” in any tough-call situation. Their decision-making skills are rooted in a high level of confidence, because they’ve had to weather and surpass any and all “corporate” storms they’ve encountered over time.

It takes a certain mindset and bravado for anyone to start their own business and succeed, but it’s even more difficult for a female entrepreneur. Let’s face it, ladies! You’ve always had to be twice-as-smart and twice-as-confident as any male counterpart in the corporate would. After all, if you can bear and raise the future generation, how can running a successful business scare you?

Funding for Female Entrepreneurs

Dipetik Dari: The Borneo Post ( Monday, May 5, 2008 )

Modern women, especially those who are also mothers, have myriad responsibilities hefted upon their shoulders daily. A growing number of women are searching for ways to advance in the workforce, and complete college courses, while balancing the needs of their families. Little time is allowed for the actual researching of opportunities in the small window of downtime available during a typical day. A multitude of loans, grants, and low-interest financing options do exist for female entrepreneurs. Searching for the potential funding sources required in order to get a new business off the ground can often seem overwhelming. Through the small business initiatives, revolving loan funds, and grants for non-typical students and businessowners, assistance can be found.

FUNDING SOURCES

An understanding of basic credit guidelines and the creation of a business plan should be the first steps taken before actually applying to any financial agency for potential funding. The expense of working with an accounting agency prior to meeting with lenders or filling out a grant application would be money well spent. A detailed business plan and knowledge of the economic environment would relay to lenders the commitment and professionalism the female entrepreneur possesses.

KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL PLANNING

When preparing to seek funding for a business, it is important to keep in mind the high volume of applications reviewed by any given agency on a routine basis. If the process of seeking funding assistance is approached as a competition, a more realistic view of how to prepare will be visible. Many worthy applications may be turned down due to sheer volume of applicants and funds available. Taking the preliminary steps to make a business plan stand out and the project shine are crucial aspects of gaining approval.

Approach every funding meeting with the assumption that the lender knows little to nothing about the type of business being presented. Develop a marketing package to highlight the need for the particular service of product and history of success for similar business in other locations, and use visual aids if possible. By developing times such as a PowerPoint presentation, charts, photos, and letters of support, a lender or granting agency will leave a meeting with the fullest understanding of the concept being presented.

NETWORKING AND SUPPORT

Women need not feel daunted or discouraged when taking the initial steps of businessownership. The tools are far more readily available than one may think, and a helping hand is often there for the extending. The sole largest resource for a woman considering venturing out into the world of businessownership is often times. The comfort and encouragement women receive when sitting with a group of girlfriends and hashing out the woes and thrills of life is also available in the world of female businessownership. After the decision process is completed and a women is resolved to begin her business, the safety net and guidance is there for the taking.