Entrepreneurial Vision
The vision of an entrepreneurial endeavor is generated in our minds as an image, a dream, an illustration until we make it a reality. For the business to be born, we had to begin by dreaming about it, seeing it and sensing it. The vision was created in our soul where passion, knowledge and instinct exist. Then we propelled ourselves into action to bring the vision to life.
Deep inside each woman entrepreneur lies this vision, this sense, this drive to create and manifest their dreams into reality. Once we become entrepreneurs, we continue to be led by an internal vision. When complications occur, the economy changes, the way we do business keeps adjusting, we need to go back to that vision to guide us through.
As I watched my brother-in-law fly his helicopter above our house last week, it struck me that as entrepreneurs we need different views or perspectives of our business. We need to have an internal view of our companies and an aerial view as well. The aerial view is a perspective seen from outside the entity – by our customers, prospective clients, and the community. As I met with my advisory board yesterday, we discussed the internal view we have of Women TIES as well as the external or aerial view of the company, as seen through our member’s eyes. We discussed the positive testimonials and successes our members are experiencing. Both views will strengthen our core services to help women entrepreneurs grow their companies.
How long has it been since you have taken a look at your company from an internal perspective as well as your customers view? Has it been awhile since you revisited your vision for your company? Periodically do you step back and look at your company from all angles?
Today I encourage you to set some time to re-examine the vision you have for your business, to stand where your clients stand to see what they experience, and to make adjustments so the image of your company matches both perspectives. My hope is that by doing this you will continue to manifest the true vision of your entrepreneurial endeavor and generate more success.
An Internal and Aerial View of Your Company
As a woman entrepreneur, how can you gain both an internal and aerial view for your company so you can keep it strong, vibrant and relevant in today’s marketplace. Here is some quick advice to help you see your company more clearly from both an external and internal standpoint.
Conduct Semi-Annual Reviews: Twice a year a woman entrepreneur should spend a half a day or more to do the following:
* Get quiet and list to your deep gut feeling on how your business is doing. Is it developing the way you envisioned it to develop? What feels right and what doesn’t.
* Write down the top ten successes and top ten areas of improvement you’ve experienced in the past six months. List what you want to continue to do and what needs to change to make you more successful.
* Contact five customers and quickly ask them for the top reason they do business with your company and something they think would improve the company. Remember their comments, keep doing what you are doing well, and make adjustments where you need to.
Take Three Women Associates to Lunch: In the next two months, contact three women in diverse fields who are affiliated with your company, ask them out to lunch to discuss your business. Tell them why you appreciate their opinion and why their feedback will give you a better perspective on how to develop your business. Choose women who know you in different ways, have diverse backgrounds, and who will bring constructive advice to the table. Their ‘aerial’ perspective will help you see your company from a higher ground.
Discuss Your Vision with a Business Advisor: After you have gathered information from your own perspective and others, make an appointment with a business advisor (someone from the SBDC – a government funded organization in your county that provides free business advice) to discuss core changes to your business plan to keep you on track, to make adjustments in this changing economic climate, and to enhance or change parts of your business from those customers and associate suggestions. Revisiting your business plan can help you maintain your core services and make adjustments to give your business a boost.
The Value of Conferences
A woman entrepreneur recently asked me what was a good guide in budgeting money and time away from her business to attend more professional and sales events this year to help her business grow.
Since continuing education has been an important part of my entrepreneurial success. I applauded her for including continuing education in her corporate budget. Typically I budget for one large industry conference, a couple regional business conferences, and numerous local events each year. Annual industry conferences can be more costly because travel and hotel costs are involved along with registration fees. Regional and local events in Central New York can range from $20 – $100 depending on the time, content and location.
I suggested she go online and research 2008 events to help create a budget for attending similar conferences this year. By paying attention to the dates of annual events and regional conferences (because many host events the same month each year) she will have information to help her plan time away from her company. She can also work backward set a specific budget for herself and then decide by looking at her 2009 business goals which events or conferences will be the most beneficial to her professional and corporate development.
Every woman entrepreneur should consider taking time away from their enterprise to educate themselves on the lastest industry trends and business strategies as well as have an opportunity to network with other like-minded individuals.
Media Marketing Transitions
As I observe the landscape this morning, I see the transitions occurring in nature as the winter and spring seasons begin to blend. The frozen ice on our pond turned to clear water again, the white snow that colored the ground is replaced by a dark green and brown hue, the bare branches in the tree are speckled with brilliant red cardinals. Change occurs so subtly at times.
Just as in nature, businesses experience change and the way of doing business changes. It wasn’t too long ago when having a website was innovative, when traditional media marketing was the only way to advertise your business, and when operating a store front was the proper place to run a company. Just like the seasons bump into each other, the old and new ways of doing business collide.
In the last two weeks, with the promotion of the new “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Power Moms” book (http://www.wendywalkerbooks.com/books/chicken-soup-for-the-soul/ ) , I was propelled into the world of social media marketing – a new and exciting frontier in business marketing. Within one week, it opened up Women TIES to new people, places and opportunities I wouldn’t have dreamed of last month. The shift in connecting, marketing and networking is crashing into the old traditional advertising methods. Just like we need to put away the boots and jackets to embrace the spring, we need to put away some old ways of advertising to embrace a new marketing age.
New Technologies
My youngest son came home from school recently and said “We have to turn on YouTube – my teacher’s daughter is on it dressed as a dinosaur singing the Hokie Pokie!” Last week, my oldest son turned on my computer and made me watch the “Mr. Genesee” competition so I could witness his seventeen year old friends perform at this annual spring event. So when Veronika Freeman, owner of Stress Free Design and Dotcalm (http://www.stressfreedesign.com), told me she would like to have her presentation at next week’s Women TIES Syracuse luncheon taped and featured on YouTube, I envisioned a room full of dancing women entrepreneurs since that has been my only experience with YouTube! My worries subsided when Veronika told me that wasn’t necessary!
The concept of taping and displaying her Women TIES presentation online through this relatively new media is to gain internet exposure for Women TIES to draw more new consumers to our website. As busy as we get, we can’t underestimate the new technologies appearing online and the new venues to promote our companies. We must commit to better understanding what they are about and how they can benefit our enterprises.
Today remind yourself that you must continue to educate yourself in the latest technologies so you can stay in touch with the best ways to keep your company looking good and accessible to potential consumers. I promise it doesn’t mean you have to sing the Hokie Pokie to make it happen!
Monday Morning Courage
Being an entrepreneur takes courage. Courage to take a dream and make it a reality. Courage to test our abilities. Courage to do the impossible. Sometimes on Monday mornings, women entrepreneurs need alittle bit more courage to do the things they don’t want to do or have been avoiding. It takes courage to make hard sales calls, to ask for discounts from vendors, to launch a new product, or to walk away from a bad client. Here is some inspiration to help you be courageous this Monday morning.
Courage begins with an inward battle: It is often said “Courage isn’t an absence of fear – it’s doing what you are afraid to do.” Women entrepreneurs are tough, resilient, smart thinkers. We understand that doubt and fear are a part of living, but we push through knowing we have more strengthen and determination inside of us than fear. Courage is our middle name. Don’t forget we must try to do the things we know we must.
Courage in a leader inspires commitment from followers: The most respectable women business owners I know are courageous women who are surrounded by other women who respect them. Their ‘followers’ are their dedicated employees, staunch supporters, business allies and strategic partners. These courageous leaders attract supporters because of their desire for excellence, perserverance and an unrelenting believe in their mission. Courage by a leader inspires. Touch base with someone who inspires you to gain some extra courage this morning.
Your life expands to your level of courage: A Roman historian once said, “The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.” Women entrepreneurs open doors, advance their entrepreneurial vision and succeed quicker when they are courageous. Nothing is impossible. The sky is the limit. Do something bold today to shake-up your world by being courageous. You can do it.
Innovation To Sustain A Business
What does flavored coffee creamer, Dunkin Donuts new luncheon menu, and a graphic designer now offering computer training have in common? All three are innovative products or services created to generate new revenue for the parent company.
In business nothing can remain the same. Everything has to change to either keep up with the times, to respond to customer demands, or to stay fresh. Companies who don’t respond can’t compete. Entrepreneurs are either forced to create new revenue streams to stay solvent or to adjust their business plans to respond to economic changes. It’s much more comfortable to stay with a core product line or service; but eventually it takes the competitive edge out of business. Change is inevitable and necessary to sustain and grow a company.
I always believe in doing what I suggest other women entrepreneurs do, so I’ve added a new service for my members by opening up Facebook and Twitter accounts. I have been inspired by members who already use these social media outlets. I was also encouraged by the promoters of the new “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Power Moms” book (http://www.wendywalkerbooks.com) to connect online with all the other fantastic women in the book. Some of them run amazing businesses! Sometimes as entrepreneurs we can’t ignore the reoccurring messages that come our way to open up ourselves up to new experiences and ideas.
Today be reminded that you should listen to the messages you’ve been receiving to create new services and products; to read or learn more about innovation; and to implement some brave, new ideas to propel your business forward.
Sales Motivation
As this challenging economic year continues and motivation to increase sales, make money, and keep current clients happy is a priority, consider doing this simple task to keep you focused on these important goals.
On a post-it note write, “Am I doing something right now that is making me money?” On another post-it note write, “Am I doing something right now to grow my client base?” On the last one write, “Am I doing something right now to keep my clients satisfied to retain their business?” Tape the three post-it notes to the top of your computer and look at them frequently. When you find yourself avoiding hard work, ignoring sales calls, and performing time wasting tasks, look at your post-it notes and ask yourself these three questions. To be more successful in 2009, you must be very focused, dedicated and committed to working a majority of the time on something that is bringing in revenue, increasing your client base or keeping your current customers satisfied.
Customer Service Review
The title of Charles Dickens popular novel, “The Tale of Two Cities,” came to mind yesterday as I experienced two drastically opposite customer service policies in two local businesses. Within a half hour, I experienced an unacceptable customer service experience back to back with one of the best. The businesses were located fifteen minutes away from each other but their customer service policies were light years away.
For seven years I have used one office supplier and source for copying promotional and event materials. They are one of my major vendors. Most of the employees know who I am because I’m there frequently. I would consider my account one of their important small business accounts. So when one of their employees refused to copy my headshot I needed for the Girl Scouts Cookie College flyer, I was stunned. Citing new copyright policies the employee and the night manager threw their new copyright policy brochure on the order desk and told me to read it. There was no room for discussion, no flexibility, no way to get the work done. The only option was to walk out the front door.
Fifteen minutes later, when I entered the front doors of a brand new vendor to our family, I was sincerely welcomed by their front desk clerk. The visit continued with a discussion by their manager who was working for the second time on repairing our car since we had experienced reoccurring problems with their repair work. Their policy was to “make everything right” no matter how much time it took them or what it cost. Instead of sticking to a written policy, they threw cooperation and understanding into the mix making sure we wouldn’t walk out the front door disappointed.
The tale of these two businesses are a tale of today’s business times. When frigid economic times hit small businesses they have two distinct choices. The first is to seek, serve and retain clients. The second is to disappoint, reject and lose clients. It’s not complicated. It’s a simple and clear choice by the owner of the company. The owner’s policy, whether it’s good or bad, always trickles down to the front line employees.
Today I hope you will review your customer service policy and make sure all your employees know what it is and follow it. I can guarantee you customers will sing your praises if you treat them well and they’ll leave if you don’t. Make sure you work to retain loyal customers through excellent service so they keep coming back through your front doors.
Dreaming Big & Landing National Attention
“Opportunities lie all around us. You must keep your eyes open. They are out there. Reach for them,” are sentiments from Joyce Finnegan, President of ROJETI a Rome, New York business (http://www.rojeti.com), whose innovative green products are at QVC waiting final approval to go on sale on the most popular shopping network today.
Joyce has sent her unique, eco-friendly laundry bags to major stars, glamorous hotel chains, and media outlets hoping for a big break. Through constant effort, grit and determination knocking on doors and making cold calls to the gatekeepers who monitor celebrity agents, she has gotten closer to putting her company on the map. Her pending breakout opportunity with QVC is a real possible, “dream come true” opportunity for her business.
Like Joyce, I have always believed in big opportunities. I always knew success was possible if I wanted something strong enough. So when a big opportunity presented itself last year, like Joyce, I took it. I’m happy to announce in one month, Women TIES will gain national and international attention when my story appears in the latest “Chicken Soup for the Soul” book series entitled “Power Moms: 101 Inspirational Stories By Stay at Home and Work at Home Moms” (http://www.wendywalkerbooks.com). My hope is the story will inspire women and also direct readers to the Women TIES website to buy from my fantastic members. Women TIES believes strongly in the power of women, especially the buying power of women.
Women entrepreneurs must remember big dreams are worth having, worth pursuing, worth accomplishing. If you haven’t dreamed big in awhile, I hope you start today. I hope you turn on QVC grab a bowl of Chicken Soup and visualize yourself on a national television show, in a popular book series or where ever you want to appear. It’s possible. It’s very possible. You just have to keep your eyes open and seize opportunities.
Women TIES 