eWomenNetwork Blog

Dianna Amorde

Acknowledge Your Brilliance and Your Blind Spots

A Guest post by Dianna Amorde

Your brain is a masterpiece, filled with knowledge and capabilities of which you have no conscious awareness. It’s tailor-made to maximize your unique potential at any given moment. You are brilliant—no matter what anyone or any test ever told you. You are brilliant and your brilliance is unique to who you’re meant to be and what you’re meant to do in this world. But, that brilliance comes with a caution.

Your mental knowing or intellect is associated with your inner critic as well. And that inner critic’s job is to keep you safely thinking, feeling, and doing the same old things. This part of you is your left brain’s best friend, as it’s not very comfortable with change either.

Let’s call your mental knowing or intellect ‘LB’ for short. LB knows it’s superior at processing information and thinks its way of making a decision is the only way that counts. It tells itself and you that it’s very rational and objective, bringing in all sorts of data and expert opinion. It will do all that it can to discredit any other forms of knowing, even knowing that brings up important personal beliefs and values.

While this part of us is critical to successfully maneuvering our way in this world and getting anything accomplished, it is ONLY one way of knowing—and, quite frankly, the least important way. Start seeing your mental intellect as only a part of you. It’s not your soul or spirit. It’s not the only way you receive information. So don’t blindly follow its reasoning at the expense of your other sources of information and knowing. Trust your brilliance – - all of your brilliance. Bring in the wisdom of your emotions, your intuition, your spiritual connection, and your body’s reaction into any decision too. Aha! Now you’re making your best decision.

Look for more ideas for accessing your inner wisdom over the next two weeks.  [Adapted with permission from Dianna Amorde’s new book, Aha! Moments: When Intellect & Intuition Collide]

Loral Langemeier

A Guest Post by Loral Langemeier

Don’t be Shy – Tell the World!

Starting a business on a shoestring is tough but not impossible. All you need is some creativity, especially when it comes to marketing. Advertising your business is essential but you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get your name out there. Truth is, all you really need to do is talk to people. YES you have to talk to people.

Whether your business is a product or service based Cash Machine your first step is to develop a 30 second “pitch” about what you do. Remember you’re the expert and you want to come off that way. Have it ready to spill out at every opportunity. You never know when you’ll meet a potential customer so you’ll want to know what to say when the time comes. Be ready!

Your first sale will likely come from someone you know personally, professionally, or casually. Start thinking about everyone you run into on a daily basis. Go through your address book and write out a list of people you’ve done business with such as your realtor, contractors, mechanics, and so on. If you’ve patronized their business, it’s only fair that they hear you out!
Don’t be shy! Your Cash Machine is exciting — so tell the world.

Once you’ve got your list of people you’ll want to compose a short and effective email announcement telling your friends, family, and associates what you’re up to. Follow that up with a telephone call. Don’t forget to ask people if they know of anyone that might benefit from your product or service. Referrals are a great way to expand your database and really get the ball rolling.

It sounds scary at first but you’ve got to overcome your fear. You’ll find people are much more open to your ideas than you thought. What you’re doing is exciting and that can be contagious. If you’re excited about your business, others will be too!

Once you start getting a few “YES’s” you can invest in more sophisticated marketing strategies. For right now, work with what you’ve got.

Ready GO!

Loral Langemeier

Guest Post by Loral Langemeier

Add To What You Have
The hottest trend in small to mid sized businesses today is additive revenue and I’ve been teaching it for years. Simply put, additive revenue takes what you already offer in your business and expands it to offer complementary products or services. You may even consider packaging your current products or services with a new option and rekindle the relationship with previous customers.
Are you an interior designer? You could offer seasonal or holiday decorating services. It’s a great way to earn extra cash.
Have your own housekeeping business? Offer “green” cleaning supplies to your clients to use in between scheduled services. Personal shopping services might also work well.
The possibilities are endless!
If you’re not sure what you can add on to your business, why not ask your customers? This is very effective and it will let your clients know that you’re always striving to offer them the very best in convenience and service. Give them a call and find out how you can serve them better. Compose a questionnaire or survey, and get the conversation started.
Another great way to incorporate additive revenue is to partner with another business. I’m a big believer in this method. It’s a “scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours” world. Cross promotions are great for all kinds of businesses. Strike up a conversation with fellow business owners that complement your products or services. For example, house cleaning services could partner with a handyman service.
If you’re in a person’s home and notice a problem with a stair step, mention to the homeowner that you work closely with a home repair company that offers discounts to your clients. Have them do the same for you. After construction clean up is a great service you could offer customers of his! Do you see where I’m going with this?
With a little effort you could strengthen your relationship with current customers and bring back some old ones. Small changes and adding a little extra could make a big difference to your bottom line.
Ready GO!

A Guest Post by Joelle Prochera

Joelle Prochera

The clearer and more vivid your dreams, the greater the pull they will have on your heart and the more likely they will become part of your reality.  It is time to add color and life to your entrepreneurial vision by creating an inspired visual representation of the life and work you have imagined.  It is time to “make memories of your future” by creating your own Reverse Scrapbook™.
In scrapbooking you preserve pictures and memories of the past…. but in Reverse-Scrapbooking TM you create pictures of your future and design the memories you are going to make!  It is a way to literally make your life a work of art!
I have been personally using Reverse-Scrapbooking to create my life and my business for over 10 years, and it has not only been one of the most powerful tools I have used, but also one of the most fun and rewarding. It is one of those really productive activities that doesn’t feel like work!
Whatever it is you want to create in your life or your business, Reverse-Scrapbooking will help you to play your way to having it!
How do I start my Reverse Scrapbook?

1. Start by sitting down and identifying the important areas of your life and create a page for each area of focus.
•    One page for a vital, fun and romantic relationship.
•    One for a joyful business.
•    One for that beautiful new home.
•    One for optimum health.

You get the idea.

2. Load up on the following supplies:
a) A beautiful book to create your future in.
b) Color markers.
c) Glue stick and scissors.
d) Magazines, pictures, books etc.
e) Anything else that you are inspired to use:  glitter, stickers, colored paper, paint, etc.

3) Begin creating your future!
Choose an area of your life, pick a page and cover it with pictures and words that make you smile.  Fill each page with images that are beautiful and inspiring to you and that represent the business you want to create, the life you want to live, and the person you want to be. (See examples at http://coachjoelle.com/Reverse_Scrapbooking.html)
4) Enjoy your creation!
Your Reverse Scrapbook is a living document which you will be continually adding to, and modifying along the way.  Always keep it close as a reminder of the life that is awaiting you as you build your business and make your life.
The invitation: Make your own Reverse Scrapbook, and begin creating loving memories of your future! Schedule an afternoon to create.  Invite some friends over or make it a special activity for you and your team.   Oh, and, if you happen to be one of those people who do not consider yourself particularly creative, then this exercise is a must!!
Reverse Scrapbooking is a wonderful opportunity to use creativity and play in designing your life and business on purpose. Enjoy the process and know that this exercise in creativity is bringing you one step closer to living the life you imagined.

A Guest post by Joelle Prochera

Joelle Prochera

Do you want to know what I think about the youth of America?
Personally, I think they rock!
I mean, they R.O.C. K.  -They are Refreshingly Organized Conscientious Kids! (Ok, technically they are “young adults” but then it would spell ROCYA – which kind of works too )
It all started when I got clear on something, and that was that I was tired of trying to be a one-woman show—a coach, marketing expert, graphic designer,  editor, and web designer. I had big dreams and a big vision but I was worn-out from wearing all the hats. I wanted to just be me and bring my own skills, talents and passions to the table while surrounding myself with energetic people, each working in their own area of excellence.  Basically, I just wanted to coach and not be bogged down with all the technical details.
Now this all sounded great in theory, but I was not in a financial position to hire $250,000 worth of skilled professionals. Then, much to my delight, a friend shared with me a magical little website.  A website created for the purpose of matching employers with local college students.  I said to myself, “What the heck, Joelle?” and I signed up.  I began thinking about who I would want supporting me, if I could have anyone on my team, what skills would they bring?  So I wrote out my wish list of the characteristics and abilities I wanted my team to possess.

Within days, much to my delight, the resumes started pouring in.
Less than two months later, my business was thriving thanks to the incredible support of five amazing student interns.
For those of you who are intrigued by the idea, I strongly encourage you to investigate this option for yourself.  When properly orchestrated the intern-employer relationship is a true win-win. The business person gets to forward their business and increase productivity with individuals skilled in a variety of areas, and the interns get valuable real-life experience in their fields, along with letters of reference and professional work for their portfolio.
Did I happen to mention that less than half my group was assisting me for school credit? The others chose to volunteer their time to develop their craft.  Wow!

Not only that, but I have experienced nothing but commitment, timeliness, adherence to deadlines, ability to accept feedback, willingness to learn and openness to trying  new things?  It has been a nothing but an honor and a delight to have these young people in my life!

“This all sounds great, Joelle. But how do I go about hiring an intern for my business?”
How to Hire an Intern in 5 Easy Steps:
1.    Find your intern source. Approach local colleges or universities about job/internship fairs or Google-search for websites where you can post your listing. There are people out there waiting to support your business!
2.    Clearly state the job description and your expectations. The clearer you are up front, the easier it will be to ensure the job is a match for both you and the student.
3.    Interview. Conduct a thorough interview as though you are hiring a fulltime person for your business. Clear expectations are the surest way to create a win-win for both you and the student.
4.    Communicate, communicate, communicate. This is perhaps the most important part of the whole process.  Discuss your expectations, develop timelines, and set time aside for weekly or biweekly feedback sessions.
5.    Have fun! Bringing the youth, the skill, and the energy of students into your business can be an incredibly enriching and rewarding experience. Enjoy!

This is a call to action for all you entrepreneurs out there, with businesses of all shapes and sizes. The youth of America are waiting to better themselves and contribute to the work you’re doing.
After all, Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.”
So…what are you waiting for?  Help build the future (yours and theirs.)  Hire an intern today!

Defining Success! Creating a Successful Business On Your Terms

Guest Blog Post by Joelle Prochera

Joelle Prochera

As a professional life and business coach I always begin with a new client by asking:

“What defines success for you?”

Looking closely at this question, we often discover that the client has been working hard, building a life and striving for successes that are neither fulfilling, nor inspiring to them.  When this happens, life loses its spark, success is fleeting and work becomes drudgery.

Having a definition of success that really excites you and then believing that you can reach it, is the beginning of all great success stories.  So, let’s define what true success looks like for you!

Step 1: Let go of your “shoulds”, your “have tos” and what you think you could never do.

Before you can get clear on what you truly want, we must first clear your head of all the stuff that muddies the waters.

For some, we need to clear out the “shoulds” and “have tos” that have piled on over the years.

For some, we need to clear out your reasons, excuses, and your thoughts of “I could never” so that you can own your success.

It’s time to let go of…

•    Other’s people’s expectations.
•    What you think success is supposed to look like.
•    What you think you could never accomplish.

Nice work! It’s a lot more peaceful without all that chatter isn’t it? Ahhhh.

Step 2: You define your success!

Now, with a clear head, ask yourself the magic question:

How would you define success?

$20,000/month in income? A rapidly growing team? Working from home, making some spending money and having ample time for your children?  You name it.  It is yours to decide. What is success to you?

Step 3 Your inspired vision of success!

Now you know the defining qualities of your success, the next step is to flesh it out in living color.

Answer the following questions in detail.  If anything were possible for your life and your business…

•    How would you spend your days?
•    Who would you have around you?
•    What would you see out your window?

Write it all down as though it has already happened, speaking in the present tense, looking around at what you have created. Fill in every detail until your vision of success is so vivid and complete it puts a great big smile on your face.

(Need a little inspiration? Visit  www.coachjoelle.com/dreambuilder.html for examples.)

Step 4 Passionately live your way to Success

With this worthy and inspiring vision it becomes easy and fun to take steps forward each day in its pursuit.  Keep your masterpiece close and review it regularly. Not a day should go by when you are not reminded of what you have chosen to create.

Finally, remember you were not given this vision of success without also being given the way to achieve it.  Enjoy creating your life and your business, your way!

Your success awaits!

Go With What You Know, a Guest Post by Loral Langemeier

Loral Langemeier

Overview: Many would be entrepreneurs get stuck in perpetual planning and great ideas never get off the ground because the first step is never taken. Sometimes the best thing to do is to just jump in and figure it out as you go.

A Cash Machine is meant to be your fastest path to cash and the good news is you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get it started. In fact the ideal Cash Machine requires very little cash to start. You will need to invest your time, effort, motivation and determination though.

Using your skills and talents as leverage will get you on the path to cash sooner. Focus on what you know and hire out what you don’t as you can afford it. It’s not necessary to be a great bookkeeper, web designer or expert marketer, all of these people can be a part of your team once you get going.

Many would be entrepreneurs get stuck in perpetual planning and great ideas never get off the ground because the first step is never taken. Sometimes the best thing to do is to just jump in and figure it out as you go. Don’t get stuck thinking you need high tech gadgets or special training. The point is to start making money right away.

If you’re just starting out, remember it’s ok to start small. You don’t need an office; a corner in your home will do just fine. Your personal computer will, more than likely, work for your needs, at least until you get to the point that you need to upgrade. Use what you have around, get out there and make it happen.

All too often people over think their Cash Machine concept. It’s not complicated. Don’t make that mistake. Anyone can make more cash; all you need is the right information and your own skills and talents. That’s it! Get online and find out what other people are doing. Talk to business owners in your area. You’ll be surprised at how many entrepreneurs started their businesses on a shoestring budget and a good idea. Learn as you go and don’t get discouraged if you hit a road block. Shift and adjust and keep heading down the money path.

Once you get going you’ll wonder why you didn’t get started sooner!

Ready– GO!

Loral Langemeier

P.S. Have you checked out my free audio, “5 Secrets to Fast Cash?” www.LiveOutLoud.com/ewomen .

How to Keep Your Performance UP in a Down Economy – a Guest Post by eWomenNetwork Coach, Cathy Holloway Hill

Cathy Holloway Hill

As the workplace population shrinks, work load increases for remaining employees.  An important point to keep in mind is that recessions come and go.  History teaches us there were recessions and depressions in our nation since Washington was President.  The problem is not the reality of the situation – it is your perception of it.

Whether trying to thrive in a bad economy or trying to overcome any life trauma, the mind and body are in sync at all times.  Our surroundings, environment, external stimuli, workplace, and relationships all have a direct effect on our mental health.  When we learn how to re-program our negative thoughts to a more positive state of mind, we make a powerful mindset shift that is critical to life and career success.

Following are tips for keeping your performance, and attitude, UP:
•    Avoid participating in office gossip.   Focus on performing well, and don’t dwell on uncontrollable situations.
•    Ask your boss if you could head up a committee for remaining employees to voice their opinions in a positive manner.  Allowing everyone to be heard may eliminate the need to gossip.
•    Work on one task at a time.  This is necessary if you have been given extra work. Focusing on one item at a time will likely result in you finishing the task in a timely manner with fewer mistakes.

•    Don’t skip lunch.  Your body and mind require proper nourishment.  Leave your desk, and get away from your work area.  Take time to eat.

•    Avoid taking work home.  When you arrive home, unwind before you begin chores.  Sit down, clear your mind – no thoughts, no worries, no deadlines, no projects, no achievements, no goals, no work.  Visualize a peaceful calm place where you can relax and unwind.  Hold this vision in your mind.

Managers should keep in mind that it is especially important for employees to feel like winners at all times, especially during a recession and downsizing.  Taking a proactive approach in keeping morale up will result in happier employees.

Guest article by eWomenNetwork Premier Coach, Cathy Holloway Hill

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