Women Business Owners Making Their Mark in the 21st Century

November 4th, 2011 by admin No comments »

The number of firms owned by women has grown by twice the rate of all other firms in the past ten years. Marjorie Alfus, chairperson for Women’s Business Research said, “Women business owners are significant players in the nation’s economy and their momentum shows no signs of slowing down”.

This is further supported by the Center For Women’s Business Research and their projections for 2006 that there would be 10.4 million privately held businesses in the US with women owning over half of these firms. Between the years of 1997 and 2006, the number of firms owned by women increased by up to 42%, which was almost double that of other firms, at around 23%.

The United Kingdom has also had significant growth from women in business. It is calculated that women, in a matter of three months, started 20,500 new businesses in the year 2006, which is around a 30% increase from the same time last year. Clair Logie, who is the director of the Bank of Scotland’s Women in Business Team, commented, “We are definitely seeing a huge uplift, particularly in the US, which we tend to trail here in terms of trends.”

With these staggering facts, it is safe to say that women becoming entrepreneurs is a world wide phenomenon. Home based businesses were the largest number of businesses held by women at around 56%. The Census Bureau’s director Louis Kincannon commented recently that home-based businesses collectively generated a remarkable amount of economic activity, especially for women and minorities.

More women are becoming entrepreneurs because they see the attractiveness that a home-based business has to offer them in terms of freedom and flexible working hours. No longer having to work hours dictated to them, women entrepreneurs have more time to spend with their families and to bring up their children. They enjoy more varied and meaningful tasks in their business, without the limitations and stresses associated with the glass ceiling corporate world.

Technology has definitely been a contributing factor to the development of home-based businesses. Many have been able to work from home following the introduction of computers, internet, cell phones and faxes. “The rapid acceleration of information technology has opened doors for new businesses. It has helped change the way America conducts business today by offering more choices. Many women entrepreneurs have taken advantage of these choices and created home-based businesses that have proven to be more practical, effective and convenient for their lifestyle” says Dick Falcone, AT&T Vice President of Sales for the Small Business Markets.

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Top 7 Reasons Why Women Business Leaders Are Needed

November 4th, 2011 by admin No comments »

That’s what they say…but business is being done a new way. Massive technological connectivity and access to tidal waves of information is causing a shift in society, workers attitudes and how business is done.

Rapid changes in technology are causing disruption in the way corporations do
business. Communication is now digital. Products are now digital. Marketing and
delivery of product and services must be done in a different way.

Added to that, the evolution of global business environments has significantly
increased competition and stress on the traditional corporation.

One other important shift is that now the “knowledge worker” (skilled and
experienced) is now becoming the most valuable asset of the corporation versus
capital equipment and they are leaving corporations by the thousands.

So what is a corporation to do? Find and retain the best people.

I believe a new, better corporate structure is evolving and it will take women of
ability paired with men of ability to make it the best and most profitable business.
However, few women make it to the top management positions.

This is where many women’s development programs have failed. They simply
addressed the soft skills of mindset and confidence for women.

The truth is that successful business is led by people of experience with specific
business skills AND the right mindset.

This is why we must develop women managers further through learning
experiences, coaching and training that insure the results a corporation needs to
obtain highly skilled women leaders.

Here are some reasons why we need more women as leaders in business:

Women, on average, are terrific communicators and tend to be better at it than men. It’s the information age and it’s highly competitive. This means companies will need more skilled communicators involved in all aspects of business where good, clear communication is critical to generate revenue, control expense, manage top talent and build a loyal customer base.
Global business will require expanding business networks. Women are natural networkers.
Diverse viewpoints can result in better, more creative solutions to business issues. Both women and men are needed to address business issues effectively.
Keeping a talented knowledge worker will require relationship strategies. Women instinctively care about building relationships which is why they tend to gravitate toward jobs where building relationships is a major component such as Marketing or HR.
Increased competition will require the resources of creative thinkers to develop new products and services that meet the needs and desires of the marketplace. The talent pool of creative leaders is doubled when more women leaders are available.
Rapid change in technologies requires more flexibility. Women have extensive multi-tasking abilities as evidenced by women who manage business and families at the same time.
Half of the workers available today are women. Women in leadership roles can act as mentors to develop other potential women leaders just as executive men have done for years.

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Women’s Business Clothing – 8 Fashion Crimes and How to Solve Them

November 4th, 2011 by admin No comments »

Have you committed a fashion crime or two with your business clothing? Who hasn’t? From overcoming the dreaded muffin top bulge to covering up peek-a-boo lingerie, these expert tips will help you overcome common wardrobe blunders.

1. Revealing too much, as in baring your midriff: Blame it on Britney Spears, but low-rise pants are amongst the biggest business no no’s in a professional environment. To prevent the world from getting a view of your midriff, add a tank or close-fitting shirt under your top layer. You’ll stay warmer while adding visual interest to an outfit.

2. Over-the-pants bulge: Otherwise known as the muffin top, this is the spillover effect from pants that are too tight at the waist. What to do? Go one size up. We all like to think we are a size smaller than we really are, but when it comes to pants, you always look slimmer when they fit well and don’t create any bulges.

3. Visible lingerie: Good lingerie should be invisible. Wear nude, not white undergarments with white pants or a white shirt. To get rid of panty lines, check out some of the newer styles of seamless underwear.

4. Gaping blouse: If your favorite blouse is gaping at the seams, here’s a quick fix: a small piece of double-sided tape placed between each button will keep gaps closed and prevent any embarrassing peek-a-boo moments.

5. Too tight clothing: Painted-on pants, and too tight tops are not for the workplace. Wear clothing that fits, but is not overly revealing

6. Frumpy and forgettable: Ditch the dowdy pants and sweaters that are functional but boring, like the turtleneck paired with Mom Jeans. These items don’t flatter you, and project the message that you have no style.

7. Still in high school: A miniskirt, cartoon t-shirt and big hair make you look like you never left high school. They lessen your authority and professionalism in the workplace.

8. Senior citizen pastels, cheesy fabrics, and shapeless cuts make it seem like you’re too old to care – not a good sign for the office.

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