One Woman. One World. Inspirational Blog Post
Today I share the blog post from last year’s International Women’s Day Celebration. I hope it inspires you today.
Business post for women entrepreneurs
The opening of the One Woman. One World event in Saratoga Springs yesterday started with a moving song produced by the UN Women. The song was launched on International Women’s Day, March 8th, 2013 and displays the singing talents of women from China to Costa Rica, from Mali to Malaysia who came together to spread a message of unity and solidarity. The song is a rallying cry that inspires listeners to join the drive for women’s rights and gender equality.
As their website states,”’One Woman’ was written for UN Women, the global champions for women and girls worldwide, to celebrate its mission and work to improve women’s lives around the world. It reminds us that together, we can overcome violence and discrimination agains women and look toward a brighter future: We Shall Shine!”
The women at yesterday’s event were reminded that all over…
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Business inspiration and advice for women entrepreneurs and small business owners
Another Monday has arrived and whether you look forward to it with anticipation and excitement as a professional probably is influenced with how you ended your business week last week or the rest, rejuvenation and enjoyment you found over the weekend. There is something very appealing to Monday mornings if you are an entrepreneur because if you are like me you are excited about ways to increase revenue.
If you are having trouble finding motivation behind doing sales at the start of a new work week, I am hoping today’s blog post, which was inspired by a recent presentation called “Increasing Revenue Takes Effort” by Lynn Hidy of UpYourTeleSales.com at one of my Women TIES events will inform and motivate you in your sales efforts this week.
Increasing Revenue Takes E.F.F.O.R.T
E- Enthusiasm
* Ask your customers why they buy from you and what keeps them coming back.
* Ask them “why work with me vs. a competitor”?
F – Focus
* Focus is critical in generating more money. You must focus on specific revenue generating activities all the time.
* Set an appointment with yourself to make sales calls.
F – Forecast
* Focus is crucial in generating more money. Focus needs to be specific revenue generation energy.
* Set an appointment with yourself so you can focus and concentrate on sales activities.
* Women entrepreneurs do not spend enough time forecasting. Forecasting can help drive your sales activity!
O – Optimize
* Create an ideal customer profile of who your best customers are.
* Know where your customers are and when to allow you to be in the right time and place to meet them.
* Put yourself in the position to have a great sales conversation.
R – Results
* Conduct a survey because the goal is to turn data into information, and information into insight to make decisions.
* You must know your customers well enough to know when a potential customer does not fit your client profile. If they don’t “qualify”, let them go.
TT – Talk Tracts
* Create good scripts to qualify prospects.
* Know how you will handle any objections.
* Make sure you know how to close a sale.
I wish you a fantastic and productive revenue producing week ahead. Believe that anything is possible if you put your focus and effort into achieving your goals.If you are a woman entrepreneur, we have a fantastic revenue stream program tomorrow on March 8th in Clinton, NY and another program focused on financial failure vs. success in Binghamton on March 10th. Please join us if you could use more information and inspiration on this subject.
Business Inspiration – Be a Beacon of Reason
Wisdom, Inspiration and Business Advice for Women Entrepreneurs
Flooding the airwaves this morning were results from Super Tuesday voting. Before I lose you on that opening sentence, remember my wisdom writings are inspired by everyday occurrences that relate to entrepreneurial life. Being American means having a right to vote, supporting any candidate we choose, and living in a beautiful country of free speech. As a woman entrepreneur who has lived in public relations for twenty years, I have diligently selected spoken and written words to inspire, motivate and educate others no matter how different my audience.
As a woman brought up on strong catholic values surrounded by a very caring family and friends, my attitude, tone and outlook were influenced and shaped by my environment and beliefs. As hard as it can be at times in life and business, we must respect others. As I lay awake last night worried about the possibility of an insensitive, “politically incorrect” male candidate becoming the leader of this country, I reminded myself that thankfully we have a woman in the race.
When people ask me why I have so strongly supported women in all aspects of life, it is because we can be tough but at the same time kind. We can intellectually attack a problem without having to attack people. We can be gracious without being weak. Our female DNA has created sensitive, well meaning, smart people who can listen, care, compromise and lead. I am thankful for the two X chromosomes running through my body, mind and spirit every single day.
As a leader I do not believe in outwardly condemning anyone for their practices, beliefs or ideologies. Only through positive written word and speech can I inspire others and highlight the wonderful attributes women possess. I can count five strong female leaders who have influenced me and ones who still do today. Whether it’s Women’s History Month or not, my history – and I would suspect yours too – has been greatly impacted by women. Let’s never stop lifting up our sisters because the world desperately needs more maternal tones and influences.
Today’s post is to remind you as Women’s History Month begins to be mindful of the women who have made a positive impact in your life and in our world. Reflect momentarily on the negative environment of politics and then take a cue by pledging to yourself and your constituents to be a positive, shining beacon of reason, insight and knowledge as you lead. The world is harsh enough without its leaders adding insensitivity to the mix. Lead with a warm, caring heart and strong personal brand and your followers will notice.
During Women’s History Month remember these words of Bobbye Erhardt, “Aspire to be your best self. No one else can do that, no one else can be that and no on else can tell you what this is.”
Leap Day Action and Inspiration for Women Entrepreneurs
Leap Day Action and Inspiration for Women Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses
With one extra business day gifted to women entrepreneurs this year, we must utilize it t0 the fullest. Unlike the last three years, we have one extra day to do something extra we might not normally do. It’s a day that must not be wasted.
Besides leaping for joy at having another day of work, you could also do the following business activities themed in the name of the day:
L – Look online to find a YouTube video to learn something news. Listen to inspirational or educational clips and implement what you hear.
E – Engage with new friends on your social media marketing sites. Excite your followers with educational tidbits that can help them in business today. Expand your casual online relationships by inviting one person to share information about themselves to create a better relationship.
A – Ask new acquaintance for their business. Take action by hiring someone to help you with your business in an area you have been failing at. Act bolding by asking someone to assist you in connecting you with someone who can open up new doors for you.
P – Plan now for special days later this year where you invite your biggest clients to lunch or a special event. Promote your business with a press release on new happenings in your business this month. Sign up for a special program or conference where you can expand your ideas, connections and network in the fall.
Today is the perfect day to do some simple or long-awaited activities to take advantage of this extra entrepreneurial day. It only comes around every four years so make it meaningful.
Staying Positive as a Business Owner
Business wisdom and advice for women entrepreneurs
I opened up the Power Thought Cards by Louise Hay given to me from a close friend. She understands my love for inspirational thoughts. Today’s beautiful taupe colored card with shimmers of turquoise blue popped out ready to share its message, “As I say yes to life, life says yes to me. Life mirrors my every thought. As it keep my thoughts positive, life brings to me only good experiences.”
If you have been a woman entrepreneur for 21 years like me or 2 years or 2 months, you know the essence of your day must begin with positive thoughts to carry you through a day of sales calls, social media marketing posts and customer troubles. Life needs to vibrate positive expectations to carry us alone in our day full of a hundred tasks. Similar to the card color, our day may appear dull brown full with mundane tasks but if we trust our entrepreneurial wisdom it will become speckled throughout the day with glimmers of turquoise like new revenue, new client appointments, and exciting collaborations. A dull day can turn brilliant in the blink of an eye, a random phone call or testimonial from a customer.
I learned a long time ago that the only way to mentally make it as a woman entrepreneur was to carry positive thoughts throughout my day. If my event totals are low, I pick up the phone and call women to invite them to attend our programs lighting up my day after hearing their voices. If an impossible problem surfaces, I call a trusted adviser to help solve it. When revenue isn’t flowing, I look back at sales notes and set a plan to re-energize my efforts. Holding tight to positive thoughts is what we need every day in every situation.
We all know life can be hard. Unexpected situations can creep up when we least suspect them. The test is always how we mentally look at a situation and move forward with positive energy.
Today’s post is to remind you that life can be tough, surprising situations can suddenly appear, and disappointment can cloud excitement, but if you mentally look at any situation with positive thoughts the energy from them can carry you forward to another day. If the world was a perfect place, we would be rich, successful and happy all the time but then life might eventually appear dim like the tan shades of my inspirational card. Only through tests, trials, and tribulations, approached with positive energy, can the beautiful blue green specks of color balance out the neutral.
I hope you look for the turquoise colors in your business life today. They are there waiting to be noticed or created. The decision is totally yours.
Entrepreneurial Wisdom: “I Was Born To Do This”
Business wisdom, advice and inspiration for women entrepreneurs and small businesses
Sometimes life’s wisdom comes to you when you open your office doors in the morning and turn on your computer to start your day. Four beautiful quotes from three historic women, who have changed the world, welcomed me as I prepared my own words of wisdom for the women entrepreneurs I support, promote, unite and serve. The inspirational words were too good to keep to myself this cold February morning so I have folded them into my editorial.
The first quote was by Susan B. Anthony which made perfect sense as I glanced out my window at yesterday’s snow pack, “The older I get the greater power I seem to have to help the world; I am like a snowball – the further I am rolled the more I gain.” This second sentiment stated by modern day woman Maya Angelo, mirrored Anthony’s quote, “Nothing will work unless you do.” The third sentiment came from a four minute video recording of Jane Goddall, an environmental activist, who said, “If you really want something you have to be prepared to work very hard, take advantage of opportunity and above all never give up.”
Lately I have been hosting thirty minute conversation with my members – female business owners – who have asked me to talk to them about recent entrepreneurial dilemmas and struggles. Every situation they share appears unique to them; and yet is universal based on the women I have worked with for two decades. Listening to them discuss the difficulties when it comes to making money, most likely is the reason the three sentiments moved me this morning. Lending my advice and support on subjects like not making enough money and wanting to give up their companies, doesn’t feel like sufficient at times although listening to their worries appears to help them.
Women love to be inspired by other women and perhaps that is why the words from Susan B. Anthony, Maya Angelo and Jane Goodall were meant for me to read and share this morning. They provide a spark of hope to push forward with hard work to change the world and pay ourselves a good living. We can have both of these if we want but it takes resolve and fortitude to press on. Jane Goddall at the age of 80 said, “I wish I could go back in time and contribute even more to the world because there is so much left to do.”
Today take notice on how you feel right now about your business endeavors. If you are feeling like your efforts aren’t producing enough results, like enough customers, revenue or contributions to the world, there is still plenty of time to change that starting today. Ask yourself in Jane Goddall’s words, “Do I need to work harder and take advantage of more opportunities to be more successful?” If the answer is yes, seize educational opportunities, speak with other women, hire a consultant, join an industry organization, set very specific goals and action plans to do what needs to be done to change your situation to a more fruitful one. First it takes realization and then hard work and action like these three women did.
I will leave you with one more quote from another famous female Joan Arc who said, “I am not afraid, I was born to do this.” Work hard at your life work today and every day to follow.
Social Media Marketing is Your Toolbox for Business and Event Success
Business Advice for Women Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners
With the dawn and development of the Internet more entrepreneurs and small business owners have turned to promoting, publicizing and advertising their company’s services, products, new developments, programs and events online. Known as a passionate marketer of my own events, I have rejoiced in the dawn of social media marketing sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Google+ to market my programs to a larger audience. Gone are the days when printed flyers stuffed in sealed envelopes mailed at the post office were the key delivery method of event news.
Even though entrepreneurs know they can use social media to promote anything they are selling, most seem to use it a majority of the time to share pet photos, post inspirational sayings, highlight the weather or talk about recent events like last night’s Grammy’s, I have found great success using social media marketing focused mostly on promotion and publicity of my companies or events significantly more beneficial for my business which distributes news to my “friends” which are mostly current and potential customers.
Today I wanted to share some of the ways I have implemented social media marketing to gain exposure for my company, increase event attendance, gain new followers and share my corporate brand in order to help my readers. Here are some of my social media marketing tips:
* If you are promoting an upcoming event, make sure you list it as a public event on Facebook so you can invite all your friends and they can share the event with theirs. It is very simple to create any event using copy, photos, speaker photos or sponsors logos. Continue to add sharp photos, tips or knowledge the audience will learn at your program throughout the promotion time – not just the first time you post the event. You should be posting something new about the program every 3 days at least.
* Once the event is on Facebook ask your friends to share the event with their friends or to share the event on their wall. You can encourage others to distribute event news by giving anyone who shares the event with their network promotion on your website or in the Facebook event page. You will reach many new people by having others share your news. The free PR given to friends who share your events will build loyalty and good will too.
* Most people have their Facebook account connected to their Twitter account. Events posted and shared on Facebook are automatically distributed to your Twitter page where you have different followers. After an event is automatically shared on your Twitter page, go to your Twitter page and use specific hashtags to share the event further with a larger audience. For example, I have a great sales event in Albany on 2/26/16 I am promoting so I make sure to hashtag my event information on Twitter with tags like #Albany #Saratoga #Business #WomenEntrepreneurs #Sales to land on those Twitter pages and the feeds of people who might be interested but don’t know of my company Women TIES. Make sure you return to Tweet the same information multiple times a day or program it on Hoot Suite.
* Every morning think of a quote, success strategy or an educational point that will be shared at the event, connect a photo with it and post it on all your social media marketing pages. People respond to photos differently than plain text. A beautiful image might grab the attention of someone who has missed the event news. If they like the image, they will share it too giving you and your event more views.
When it comes to event promotion you must think about your social media marketing as a toolbox that has specific tools (or social media marketing sites) to help you build the event audience. Take 30 minutes each day to share your event with others online and watch your attendance and brand name grow. It’s all about viral marketing to get more people in the seats. Commit to using viral marketing more often to promote your programs and business.
Ode to Wise Decisions – Business Owners Trust Your Instincts
Business advice, wisdom and inspiration for women entrepreneurs and small business owners
Three days ago when the local weather station predicted a Lake Storm Warning for yesterday, which was one of my event days in a city about an hour away where we were expecting 30 women in a city in direct line of Lake Ontario’s heavy storm totals, I deliberated all day trying to decide whether to reschedule the event. When I looked out my window trying to make the decision the sun was shining and no one was calling our office to ask if the event was going to be moved.
As an event planner the last 2 decades, I felt the warnings were giving me enough information to reschedule the event even though it meant contacting the speaker, venue, caterer, and sponsor to seek their opinions and then choose an alternative future date. I also had to call or email each attendee to communicate the news, give them the new date and expect to refund money. Rescheduling events is never my first choice of action. But in the back of my mind was the warning which suggested travel was going to be dangerous for every one that day.
I needed to make a decision so I quietly sat looking out my business window at the sunshine and heard a voice say “trust me.” I then started the process of moving the event forward. Yesterday morning, the day of the event, I awoke to no signs of snow in the region yet. Frustrated by the lack of white stuff out my window, I doubted my decision.
But two hours later emails started coming to my inbox saying, “Good Call,” “Thank God you moved the event,” and “It is really bad here – smart decision.” Only then could I relax knowing the “trust me” voice was my inner knowledge that knew the right answer after 20 years of event planning. When the snow made it unbearable for my son to get back from college 20 minutes away last night, I received confirmation again the decision to reschedule was correct.
Sometimes in business we feel the need to push on, follow-through, trust others opinions and not listen to our own instincts in order to complete something big or small. But when doubt is surfacing or indicators are giving you notice or you are literally getting warnings, you must trust that you know better than anyone else the right decision to proceed.
I hope the next time you are faced with a tough last minute decision you use your brain, ears and eyes to take in information but then focus on what your gut knows you should do. Trust it. Trust yourself.
The Polar Vortex Inspires Better Business Practices
Business inspiration and advice for women entrepreneurs and small business owners
Far below the frozen white tundra covered by snow from the latest Polar Vortex is grass ready to grow. Although it’s buried deep, it is there ready to spring into life. Wishing away freezing temperatures and snowy precipitation just won’t do it today, it will take Mother Nature to change her ways.
As business owners we can look outside and only see white for miles and feel negative temperatures; just like we can see our same old business model and marketing outreach stagnating. I challenge you to think what is below the surface of your business ready to bud (like the grass below the snow) come spring. Do we allow outside elements to stop us or do we stop ourselves? Do we live with a million excuses or are we positively preparing for what we want?
It is so easy to freeze, to stop being creative, to stop trying to bring in the big bucks when everything around us seems buried. It is actually the perfect time to be creating, working, envisioning, and producing to bring success back home through this slow time of year. We must do what we don’t want to do and work harder than others. The advantage of being an entrepreneur in the dead of winter is in the stillness of business activity and the time it allows us for planning.
Today’s blog post is to encourage entrepreneurs to ignore the polar vortex, below zero temperatures, the slowing customer calls, the same old patterns of bringing in revenue, and catapult your attitude, vision and work habits into digging out from the white and cold into prosperity. Network more. Pick up the phone and call customers to thank them for their business. Nominate someone for an award. Hire someone new to work for you. Create a new marketing strategy. Redesign your office. Educate yourself. Celebrate the small successes of everyday business.
Don’t get entrenched, buried and motionless in this cold winter that you stop being the best business owner you can be.
Preparedness – A Strategy for Business Success
Business advice for women entrepreneurs and small business owners
Like most people, I have been intently watching the presidential debates. It could be because a female is running for president and I would love to have a woman leading our country. It might be because the news coverage invades every piece of electronic communications from tweets to social media plugs to television. It could be I simply relish public relations and witnessing candidates’ responses on tough questions from moderators and other contenders. It most likely is a combination of all three reasons and because I find wisdom in everyday occasions.
As a woman who only ran for office once in her life – when I was 15 running for 9th Grade Class President – I can testify to the preparedness needed to address an audience on stage and then answer unknown questions from them afterward. My biggest mistake during my own “presidential” debate was not the fact I was confident enough in myself and my all-girl slate sweeping the other two all-male slates, but that I wrote my speech in red ink on small note cards which I couldn’t read at the podium. Like Senator Rubio the other night, I probably repeated sentences because I couldn’t read my own writing and hadn’t prepared myself to speak without notes.
When the election was over and my fabulous all-girl slate lost, I didn’t blame it on the fact we were bucking the tradition of only boys running for office (this was 1979), I blamed it on that darn red ink and not being able to deliver my speech without prompts. As I watch today’s candidates answer questions quickly without notes, it reminds me of the importance of being prepared in both large and small aspects of life so when an unexpected circumstance arises, we aren’t depending on anything more than our intellect to get us through.
The debates also remind me as a woman business owner we must be ready to be quizzed by customers, members and the community about anything to do with my company especially if something goes wrong with services or products we provide. I may never be quizzed quite as bluntly as the politicians standing on stage at these debates but as entrepreneurs we must be prepared to answer customers complaints or dissatisfaction when the time arises.
Today’s blog post should inspire you to think about the areas of your business where you could prepare more for future positive or negative circumstances. Do you have back up plans if your computer crashes? Do you have staff backup if you need to be away from your office due to personal reasons? Are you prepared to answer customer complaints with poise? How well are you delivering messages to keep your own audience informed? What areas do you feel you are not prepared enough in right now running your company?
You don’t have to run for political office to know you will perform better if you are prepared for questions, issues and circumstances that could arise in any business day today or in the future. Being prepared a little bit more might be exactly what you need.
Women TIES 