Business Negotiations: Volleying Like an Expert
Small business and entrepreneurial advice and wisdom
A parent, partner and entrepreneur all have one thing in common; they require great negotiating skills. Sometimes it takes hours of conversation to get children to pick up their clothes, thirty minutes to consult with a partner on the right movie to watch and multiple days to secure the right contract with a vendor or new customer. The truth is in life we are involved with endless negotiations. A productive day is a day when everyone agrees to the same outcome.
With my first company, I was involved with many negotiations involving special event planning clients, event management details, vendor contracts and proposals. Weeks would be filled with discussions, conversations and coming to agreeable solutions between customers and vendors. I had forgotten what tough negotiating entailed until a few days ago when I was faced with a situation that required a back and forth contract volley like you’d see in Wimbledon between two great players trying to win the match. What I learned from this “match of wills” was negotiations skills are as essential to an entrepreneur as having the right ball placement on a serve is to a tennis player.
There are a couple key points to remember when creating agreements with other people or companies. The first is to understand what you really want out of the agreement and being crystal clear about it. Sometimes agreements are declined because you aren’t obvious enough. Second, think of the negotiation through the other person’s perspective to reach creative solutions. Third, contemplate how you, your company or your customers will benefit from being a good negotiator. There is a trickle down affect in creating healthy partnerships.
Today identify if you are a good negotiator or not or if you need more education or practice in this area. By becoming a more confident negotiator you engage in more productive discussions, create better opportunities for both parties involved, and empower yourself with the benefits of fair contracts.
You owe it to yourself to approach negotiations like tennis players approach a volley in a match – with confidence, skill and will power to place the ball perfectly in the court.
Independence Day Inspiration for Entrepreneurs
Independence Day Inspiration for Women Entrepreneurs and Business Owners
The American flag has been a symbol of American freedom since July 4, 1776. According to historians, the recognizable colors and symbols have meaning. The white in the flag’s design signified purity and innocence, the red stripes represented hardiness and valor and the blue signified vigilance, perseverance and justice. The stars are a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which humankind was aspired from time immemorial; the stripes are symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun. As I pondered these colors and symbols, I feel they have meaning for women entrepreneurs as well.
Our entrepreneurial goal began as a pure light beam connecting our mind and heart. We are inspired to start something new, to take a fresh idea and breathe life into it. The red is the color that penetrates our entrepreneurial journey as we struggle through disappointments and setbacks. Blue is the shade we rest in when we have persevered to a new level of success for what we’ve accomplished.
Throughout our business journey we are led by the stars and divine goals to set the world on fire with our passion and purpose. Individually blessed and gifted we bring a significant meaning to what we do and who we help. The stripes of entrepreneurship are the rays of hope we rest our eyes on knowing with hard work and valiant effort we will achieve the financial rewards we seek.
Today’s blog post is to reignite the entrepreneurial spirit within you that was created from a pure light and purpose, which has stood the test of time and tribulation and has been rewarded for perseverance and vigilance. On July 4th in 1776, not only did we gain independence from the British, we ultimately gained freedom of choice.
I hope you look at the beautiful symbol of freedom flying high everywhere during the upcoming Independence Day celebrations and see how it reflects on the career path you have chosen for your life. May you remember the purity of your deepest goals, the hardships you’ve been through and the peace that comes from all the big and small success you have achieved over the years. We are blessed to be Americans and we are blessed to be business owners in this beautiful, free country of ours.
Business wisdom and entreperneurial inspiration for female owned companies, women and women entrepreneurs
On a regular Tuesday afternoon on a quiet college campus, it was anything but ordinary and calm in the auditorium packed full of mostly women. The first words uttered from the special keynote speaker, Nancy Zimpher, 12th Chancellor of the SUNY System was, “When you put yourself forward, others see you.” Zimpher delivered a brilliant, positive and poignant speech with the theme “I am not suppose to be here” as she recounted her rise in professional ranks from college graduate to leader of one of the largest university systems in the country.
The program produced by New York State Senator Patty Ritchie called “Ladies Who Lead” was a panel discussion hosted by SUNY Oswego featuring several female speakers who emphasized the need to empower women in the business and education fields and their communities. Every time Zimpher broke another glass ceiling within her career, she said to herself, “I’m not supposed to be here – but I am.” She acknowledged that women can be anything they want to be even if the world says, “you aren’t supposed to be here.”
Deborah Stanley, SUNY Oswego President, one of the 25 women leading one of the 64 SUNY colleges said, “I made sure not to listen to anyone say I couldn’t do something. I never took “no” for an answer and that was key in my career success.” For most of the panelists, success was summed up in this one statement, “We talk about success as monetary gain but success is about changing the world for others in your own special way and offering the world something you can be proud of.”
Today’s post is meant to have you think about this leadership wisdom or recollect leadership advice from other female leaders throughout your lifetime. I hope you reflect back on your career and see the trajectory it has taken, the successes you have accomplished, the people’s lives you have touched and the “I’m not supposed to be here” moments that continue to move you forward in your profession.
Striving for Excellence in Business and Life
Inspiration, Wisdom and Business Advice
In the depth of my computer, a Honors Convocation speech I delivered to SUNY Oswego students two years ago arose. Its “wisdom” enlightened my day. It’s funny that sometimes we can inspire ourselves when we least expect it. I decided to share a portion of the speech as my “Wednesday Wisdom” blog post hoping the inspiration will be exactly what you need today.
I couldn’t have predicted my career path back in 1986 when I graduated from Oswego but by pursing excellence and being dedicated to a personal and passionate mission statement it would lead me to you today 30 years later. My words of wisdom begin with suggesting you strive for excellence and allow the strong traits you possess, the dedication you display and the academic excellence you pursue to move forward in career or life decisions 5, 10, or 30 years from now. In order to succeed, I suggest you:
Be a Leader – Raise your hand. Keep raising it. Raise it as often as you can. Say yes to challenging opportunities. Say yes to leadership roles. Become a leader early in your professional career and in your community. By stepping up – you step out – into unlimited connections, possibilities and opportunities that open doors.
Continue to Learn – Education is the key to success in one’s professional career. Learn more by obtaining your masters or doctorate in your chosen field, securing certification in your profession that makes you more valuable to your employer, and learning from others. I couldn’t be the success I am today without constantly learning.
Give Back – It is the most important thing you can do – not only for others – but for yourself is to give back. My favorite quote on my desk reads, “What we are is God’s gift to us. What we become is our gift to God.” I live by that. I want my life to count for something when it’s over. There is too much to do in this world, too many people to help, too many causes to be a part of – to NOT do something!
Today be reminded that personal happiness comes from helping others so I encourage you to think about what interests you, what stirs your heat, what injustice or cause resonates with you and then dedicate your time and leadership skills. We each have a unique calling in life – it’s up to us to hear it and do something about it.
Business, Basketball and Buckets of Inspiration
Inspiration for business owners and women entrepreneurs
Yesterday on Father’s Day my memories went back in time to 1972 learning how to throw the perfect spiral football pass and basketball free throws as a daughter of a coach without sons. I was the oldest daughter and most eager to play with Dad at anything that interested him. Off the edge of a dock, I caught my first sunfish and behind my grandfather’s house I shot a gun at a pheasant. I was most successful at the free throws out of all the things my father taught me.
It is no wonder after my first son was born and predicted to be 6’4” tall that he entered basketball camps and eventually became a 90% free throw shooter. It was in his genes passed down from generation to generation. My husband and I joked that every conversation with him went back to basketball – from hating broccoli (some NBA player hated broccoli too) to learning to get his driving test (this was as easy as shooting foul shots) to asking a girl to the prom (if Larry Bird took risks he could). Everything came back to basketball. It is no wonder in 2008 we ventured out to Cleveland to watch LeBron James play Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat – a dream come true.
What turned into an adventure for my son became one of the top ten memories of my life as LeBron James had a triple double and etched himself in my heart as my favorite player. I was never a hater when he moved to Miami after all I’m a woman entrepreneur who knows when the time is right to make a good move. I appreciated his willingness to try to win a NBA Championship in another town. I came to respect him even more when he came back to Cleveland to win a championship when the return was anything but easy.
I knew LeBron James was going to bring that championship home to Cleveland some day and I’m glad I witnessed it last night watching the 2016 NBA Championship. I woke up this morning with three pieces of inspiration that related to the game, LeBron and my business. I hope it inspires others today.
* LeBron said in one of his interviews, “When we lost the first two games in the series, I had to go back and create a new blueprint for success.” Creating a new blueprint is a perfect idea for any entrepreneur who faces defeat and needs to “re-set” a situation and not treat it as a defeat.
* Anyone with exceptional focus, fortitude and confidence can accomplish their goals no matter what anyone else believes. It is what we believe about ourself that matters. LeBron demonstrated this not only last year in his attempt to win a NBA Championship without his valuable teammates but this year when it counted most.
* Finally, we must remember to always keep our eyes on the prize. We must work hard – harder than we imagine – to win. Nothing comes without sweat, determination and tenacity. It’s a reason I turn on ESPN to catch a LeBron interview or recap every day. I know if he can obtain his biggest goal, I can too in my business. He has helped me focus on non-confident days.
I treasure business and basketball because of my father, son and LeBron James!
Your Miracle Moment – Business Inspiration
Business advice and wisdom for women entrepreneurs and small business
After winding through the beautiful lush green Adirondack tree lined roads, I entered the quaint village of Lake Placid with Mirror Lake greeting me at its entrance. I had arrived just in time to catch the water sparkle before nightfall. The soft sounds of lapping water lulled me after the four hour drive; but the energy of being in a town of Olympic pride ignited me.
I was in Lake Placid to deliver a keynote speech entitled “The 5 M&M’s of Leadership Success” to a New York State Association of Tax Receivers to motivate them. I didn’t want to admit I had barely passed tax accounting in college so I concentrated instead on sharing the “sweet morsels” of leadership success which included one strategy titled “Embracing Your Personal Mission Statement and Miracle Moments.”
Obviously the city of Lake Placid can be a deep reservoir of inspiration if you imagine how many Olympians must have had personal mission statements in order to win medals there. Lake Placid was home to the 1932 Olympics and the 1980 Olympics. It is impossible to be in that historic town and not be inspired by the “Miracle on Ice” which occurred on February 22, 1980 when the USA defeated the Soviet Union. I wondered if each hockey player had a personal goal of making the Olympics and what that Miracle Moment did for those players that changed the course of their life.
As I encouraged attendees to think back to one or more “miracle moments” that inspired them to become leaders. I pose the same question to you today “Was there a moment of injustice, inequality, inspiration or a situation that actually was your own miracle moment?” We might not think about this question often but if we do and write down our moment and it can be inspiration on days when other people doubt or disagree with us, and we wonder why we do what we do every day to change the world with our business or life.
Today’s blog post is to encourage you to think about your own miracle moments which made you who you are as a woman entrepreneur, small business owner or leader in your profession. Take time on this beautiful June day to think back on moments that shaped you. After you remember your moments craft a short personal mission statement that reflects the lessons from those moments and keep it on your desk for the next month to inspire you forward.
We don’t have to be Olympians to recognize the miracle moments in our own lives. When we do remember them it is as if we had a shiny gold Olympic medal hanging around our neck reminding us of the journey we’ve taken and the successes we have accomplished.
Inspiration and Wisdom for Women and Women Entrepreneurs
I just had to stay up for the moment – “the moment” – last night. As I waited for the moment to occur, I flashed back to 1979 standing at a podium in my Junior High School auditorium facing hundreds of classmates as I introduced our all-girls’ slate running for class positions. I was running for President and believed with all my heart our all girls slate would be embraced by our class. As you might imagine, similar to the 2008 Presidential election, no one was ready to elect a female president. I knew then the time wasn’t quite right for victory.
I have held many “President” positions since that embraceable moment. I have been grateful to become the President of some non-profit board of directors and President of two companies. When I see any woman running for President in any position, I throw my support behind her 100% because I understand the dream in her heart. “Women supporting women” has always been my life motto. It is no wonder Women TIES was destined to become a reality.
I’ve also been blessed to have been taken under the wings of many female leaders – women a decade or two older than me. Their wisdom has always touched my spirit. I have continued that tradition when I “pump up” my young nieces trying to accomplish their own great feats, female college interns working for me or a young woman entrepreneur just beginning her company.
I vote pink. I always have and the reason is because I believe that our country needs as many female voices to equalize male voices. I have supported many women running for office because I want women’s issues to be in the forefront for equality for my generation and my nieces’ generation. I have supported Hillary Clinton for President in 2008 and today. I have supported Joannie Mahoney for Onondaga County Executive and Joanne Yepsen, Mayor of Saratoga Springs. I endorse female leaders in public and private life especially my beloved group of female entrepreneurs who are Presidents of their own companies.
Today’s blog is to ignite your passion to think pink as often as you. Be a woman who supports women in all aspects of life – business, sports, equality, politics, community and life. We must have each other’s backs if we are to change this world for once and for all for 50% of the nation.
I hope you share the message with every woman you know – especially young women. We must be the fore-mothers now for the next generation of women to follow just like so many women who have come before us including Hillary Clinton today.
Forward Motion Aids Entrepreneurs
Business Advice and Wisdom for Entrepreneurs
‘Forward Thinking’ and ‘Forward Motion’ are statements which crossed my mind this week and made me think about their significance as a woman entrepreneur.
As I watched a television series come to an end, a major character, who was dark and cruel, admits that one crucial decision he made twenty years prior set him on a life of bad choices. One critical moment created the trajectory of the rest of his actions and decisions. With heavy regret, he realized if he was more mindful about that choice and let it ‘go’ years ago he would have had a better life. He wished he had been “forward thinking” instead of stuck in the past.
After reading a short story on survival, a woman who had tragic and unexpected circumstances occur in her life talks about her will and determination to go on. She said, “Every morning I woke up (literally and figuratively), put my feet on the floor, took a deep breath, fixed breakfast and did everything I always did. I used my routine to keep me moving. I continued moving forward.”
As entrepreneurs we have experienced tough entrepreneurial moments when we’ve lost a client, made a poor decision, experienced a regretful moment, or lost faith in ourselves. The question is, “Have we let that moment, that event, that decision, affect us and our business negatively or positively?” Like the first character, have we remained stuck in a bad decision from years ago that still influence or harm us? Or like the second character, have we moved forward from a bad situation knowing the only way to move on is to go forward?
Today remind yourself that what matters most is the fact we cannot go back and change our past – past decisions, poor choices, or wrong turns. We must continually think and move forward realizing we are always given opportunities to advance ourselves. It is up to us to set the goals, devise the strategy and most importantly control the way we think so we can move forward freely and at peace.
Infectious Business Inspiration
Business Inspiration for women entrepreneurs and small business owners
What comes to mind when you think of the word infectious? It might be a child’s joyful laugh, a warm piece of homemade chocolate cake, a balmy day with ocean breezes or the deep caring of a dear friend. The utterance of infectious can conjure up the melody of our favorite song, the sight of a gleeful new wedding couple and the sound of a familiar voice right at an anxious time.
A recent piece of business wisdom I read suggested for the working woman success is infectious – especially if you catch it! Setting aside time to acknowledge and actually record your most enjoyable accomplishments from the last month, quarter or year can help you not just be successful but feel successful too.
As the six month of the calendar year begins today, look up at the clear beautiful blue sky and the greenery of the grass and trees, to capture the success you felt recently. On a windless day that might let air out of our sails if we were on the sea, let the stillness of the breeze fill up your “entrepreneurial sails” with a nod to recent accomplishments. Let your past successes infect your mind, spirit and heart with insight, fuel and feverish joy.
If you find yourself in a period of doubt or confusion about the path ahead or levels of achievement in sales, progress or expansion, simply sit still like the wind and pick out your most favorite moments of success until they infect your thinking with only visions of light and hope.
Today’s post should inspire you to remember what infectious means to you as a woman entrepreneur. It might be signing a new client, succeeding on a major project, landing a paid speaking opportunity, creating a new collaborative partnership, writing the last page in your new book, networking with new friends or simply taking a day off to relax.
If you are lacking joyful feelings with a weight on your shoulders, maybe today is the day you surround yourself with anything that feels infectious and fuels you with happiness. If you are in a great place in your life, take a moment to celebrate that amazing feeling and then share it with others to fill them with positive emotions.
Commencement Moments for Entrepreneurs
Business advice for women entrepreneurs and small businesses
Most of us can’t remember sitting in rows of a packed auditorium, shoulder to shoulder with classmates, waiting to rise and advance to the stage to receive a diploma. For some of us graduation from high school or college seems like ions ago. Yet every spring as news of graduation speeches flash on television screens or shared on social media, we might be transported back in time to one of our biggest accomplishments.
Even if we graduated from an educational institution decades ago, we have experienced “commencement” often in our business life. We felt it when we filled out our legal paperwork to create our business, as we landed our first customer and when we expanded from a one woman operation to managing a staff. Graduating through the stages of being a business owner happens to us frequently throughout the year and lifetime of running a company.
What we tend to forget as we commence through successes and next stages is the exhilarating feeling of accomplishment as we leave what we learned behind in order to progress forward. We don’t have the opportunity to sit shoulder to shoulder with colleagues, hear inspirational speeches or receive a certificate to prove we have done well; we just move on. Think of the loss of recognition and excitement a student would miss if she didn’t stop to acknowledge her hard work, progression or advancement to the next level.
Today be inspired to think about the last time you were “advancing” in your business to a new stage and whether you acknowledged its importance. If you could write your own graduation speech to address to your “class” what lessons would you share or expectations would you present for the next phase in your life?
Take a few minutes this week, when the weather will be glorious, to sit outside and contemplate that speech so you can remember your journey, lessons and own words of wisdom to yourself as you commence forward as an entrepreneur this year.
Women TIES 