Guest Post by Premier Success Coach Sharon L. Hardy, MA, PCC, Executive Leadership Coach

As CEO of your business, are you spending more time focused on your business priorities, or fighting fires and caught in the daily grind?  This CEO FOCUS blog post will give you strategies to develop an Executive Perspective.

I work with company executives who run business units or functions within a larger organization.  They usually have a large staff, departments and infrastructure in place to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.

As a small business owner, you may not have the large staff, but you still have the need to think like an executive. You are in charge of vision and profitability as well ensuring effective sales, marketing, product development and service delivery.  How can you think like a CEO?

An Executive Perspective means a 30,000 foot view – seeing the big picture and how the parts fit into the whole of your business (and life!).  The first key to success is:

PLANNING!  Annually, quarterly, weekly and daily. This puts you squarely in the CEO mindset, supporting your business growth.

Three tips from executive pros will make your planning more effective:

• Annually:  Every October, re-set your goals and objectives (What & Why); in November, develop strategies and projects (How & When), and finalize your budget in December. Ensure that staff are part of the process and goals are written and assigned.

• Quarterly:  Review the plans with those accountable and adjust projections as needed.  Glean the learning – what went well, what did not, what did you learn and what will you do differently?

• Monthly and Weekly, review your goals and make sure action steps are on your daily schedule. Use a planner system that works for you.

Making planning a habit brings clarity, peace and balance – isn’t that why you wanted to be a CEO in the first place?

Connect with Sharon Hardy at eWomenNetwork

Original Post @ SharonLHardy.com

Under current U.S. tax law, long term care insurance premiums offer a tax deduction that is often overlooked. In addition, when a policy is paid for out of a Health Savings Account there can be tax advantages.  Based on federal tax information from the Internal Revenue Service, for 2010 the maximum amount of qualified long-term care premiums you can include as medical expenses has increased.  For businesses, there are tax breaks that can be especially attractive. Some business owners can deduct premiums without having to satisfy the 7.5% medical expense threshold amount.  In addition to federal tax benefits, there may also be state tax benefits as well. For those who don’t currently have policies, investigating long term care now could position you for deductions next year.  Be sure to ask your tax expert to check into every deduction that may apply in your case.

Take advantage of this opportunity to educate yourself about your options.  For more facts on long term care, click here.

*LTCFP does not offer tax advice, but teams with consumers’ financial advisors and accountants to provide information on long term care insurance options affecting one’s financial situation.

On November 18, 2010, Pamela Chatry became the Business Person of the Year at the Westside Awards of Distinction ceremony for the Kitsilano Chamber of Commerce.  Pamela is the Managing Director of eWomenNetwork Vancouver Metro and Coquitlam in Vancouver, BC.

The Westside Awards of Distinction brings together and celebrates the achievements of local businesses.  The Business Person of the Year has shown exceptional vision and expertise, demonstrated consistent performance and dedication, and has served as a wonderful role model for business development and excellence.  Pamela is thrilled to be acknowledged for her commitment to women and business in both her company, Pamela Chatry and Associates, and as Managing Director for eWomenNetwork.

“There were eWomenNetwork logos all over the place!” said Chatry. “My fervent belief in the support and promotion of women in business is a natural extension of the eWomenNetwork philosophy: Lift as you Climb.  Taking on the role of Managing Director has not only enhanced my work, but also the quality of my life.”

Congratulations to Pamela Chatry for this prestigious award and for her commitment to her members and her community.

Who wouldn’t love blinged Stem Wear on your holiday list? The designer uses semi-precious stones to adorn stem glasses, napkin holders and much more.  Look for the distinctive and the delightful.   What about exotic visors or a chic cap embellished with Austrian crystals for that golfer or jogger on your list?

And if you have a practical and thoughtful client, a purse hook might be the perfect gift.  Wrapped in black velvet, this is an accessory every woman needs to have.  It keeps your purse in sight, off the floor and within arm’s reach.  It even works for backpacks, diaper bags and messenger bags!

This holiday season, don’t forget a present for yourself. Is it time for a new briefcase or travel gear?  Ms. Fernow recommends a line called Exclusively Chic Travel/Business bags. It includes a Bag on Wheels, The Overnighter Garment Shoulder Bag, a Laptop Case, Large Tote, Organizer Purse and a cell/business card shoulder purse called PurCELLnality.  Gift yourself something fashionable and practical at the same time.

Express your unique personality this holiday season with festive, funky, fashionable and fabulous holiday gifting.  And don’t forget to support your fellow eWomenNetwork members and Small Business Saturday℠ on November 27^th. This Holiday Season, “Shop Small”!

Kymberlee Simantel

Congratulations to Reno Executive Managing Director Kymberlee Simantel, winner of The People’s Choice Award at the recent “Dancing with our Reno Stars” event. Audience members paid a dollar to vote, and the highest earning dancer won the People’s Choice Award. Proceeds from the event were to benefit the local Reno chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

See the full story here

Vicki Lynn Klasell

I’m excited to announce that my girlfriend Vicki Lynn Klasell, eWomenNetwork member from my home state of Minnesota, is competing in the upcoming Mrs. Minnesota International Pageant on March 6th and 7th in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Of course, I am highly biased — but just look at that photo of Vicki.  What’s more important is -  not only is she beautiful on the outside, she’s just as beautiful on the inside.  When her son, Trenton, was diagnosed with asthma years ago, Vicki was determined to find ways to help him breathe easier and her quest not only helped Trenton, it’s helped many other children as well.

In October of 2005, she became involved in educating other parents of children with Asthma and speaking to groups.  As a mom of a child with Asthma, she knows how terrible it is to watch your child struggle to get enough air.  Her experiences with Trenton’s Asthma taught her much that she has used to help other children suffer less.

Vicki is participating in the Mrs. Minnesota International Pageant because of her passion for Asthma awareness and education.  As a speaker, educator and advocate for children with Asthma, the titles of Mrs. Minnesota or Mrs. International would provide her with a greater presence to continue her work and reach out to help more children breathe easier and change more lives.

The Mrs. Minnesota International Pageant is scheduled for March 6th and 7th at the Ritsche Auditorium in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Click here to learn more about the Pageant.  As an added bonus, another Minnesota eWomenNetwork member, Kelly Jahner-Byrne, is the 2001 Mrs. Minnesota International and she will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the event.

Please help me in congratulating Vicki and sending her best wishes as she contends for this prestigious award!

Caroline

Back to the eWomenNetwork Blog

Debbie Meyer

Fans of HSN, the home shopping network, might recognize Debbie Meyer, the soft-spoken uber-housewife who sells nifty inventions – say, a device that creates holes in cupcakes, while they’re baking, for no-mess filling – as if teleported from the 1950s. What many may not realize is that behind the apron is a shrewd entrepreneur who’s built a company, Housewares America Inc. of Clearwater, Fla., with more than $100 million in annual revenues. Her patented products, including best-seller Debbie Meyer GreenBags, are now sold in Target, Kohl’s, Bed Bath & Beyond and other stores. Meyer, 59, whose breakthrough invention in 1999 was a cake cutter, recently teamed up with Reynolds to sell vacuum-seal bags.

Read more about it!

Hoarders

As you may or may not have heard, the TV show “Hoarders” recently filmed an episode in Houston, Texas and member Christina Frisbie was honored to be one of three local organizers chosen to assist in the shoot.

We just got news that the episode will be airing this coming Monday, Feb. 1 so if you have a chance to tune in, check it out, and see what an amazing team can accomplish together!

(“Hoarders” airs on A & E on Mondays at 9 p.m. CST. Here’s the link to the episode guide for more info: http://www.aetv.com/hoarders/episode-guide/).

Congrats, Christina!

Marina Spence

A Guest Post by Marina Spence

Don’t you love eWomenNetwork’s emphasis on giving back?  The joy you get from knowing your generosity of spirit makes a difference in someone’s life?

And as an entrepreneur, haven’t you become good friends with stress?   Stress from hours spent at the computer, on the phone, or on your feet your body begs for bed?  Stress from worries about the bills, the sales, and everything in between?

Now you can marry your love for giving back with your need to give away your stress.  But first, do you know what the #1 stress-reducer is, according to Dr. Mehmet Oz of Oprah fame?

It’s meditation.

Don’t start yawning.  Meditation’s not that boring.  And it’s not that hard either.  In fact, you’ve probably done it before and didn’t even realize that you were.

From almost 20 years of teaching mediation to beginners, ranging from Manhattan professionals to prisoners at a correctional facility, I’ve seen that motivation is key.  There’s a saying that if your “why” is big enough, you’ll find the “how” to get something done.  At the end of this post, I’ll make the “how” super-easy.  Let’s talk first about different “whys” to mediation.

Why bother?  What’s in it for you?  Here are my top ten reasons to meditate.

10.  You better remember why you walked into a room—OK, maybe this more applies to us Baby Boomers than anyone else.  But meditation does increase focus and concentration for anyone.

9.    The light changed at the crosswalk and you aren’t left behind, lost in thought—Being lost in thought generally happens when you worry, and meditation is a natural antidote for worry.  Through becoming more aware of our habitual, robotic thoughts we can begin to change them.

8.    You stop the nervous foot tapping thing—Instead of nervously tapping your foot, you breathe instead.  It’s subtle and not annoying (unless you’re breathing really, really loudly).

7.    You smile more and grind your teeth less—One of the meditation techniques I teach involves a BIG GRIN at the end of the technique.  People hate it and love it.  I challenge you to try it.

6.    You have the feeling you do after an hour of yoga, but without the exercise—Don’t get me wrong, I’m a yogini too and nothing takes the place of a yoga class.  But there’s no reason to think the yoga studio is the only place to have that cleared out feeling.

5.    Your obnoxious uncle/aunt/cousin doesn’t bother you as much—As well as not being so bothered, you start liking people that you never thought you would.  The expression “we are all one” begins to feel like less of an expression and more of a truth.

4.    You look younger than you are—OK, meditation is about turning inward, not outward.  But why not enjoy one of the side-benefits of less stress and anxiety?

3.    Your intuition becomes your secret advisor—Amazing, we have this brilliant compass instead of us that can guide us at every turn.  Who knew?  The more you meditate the more intuitive you become because the doubting thoughts are turned down to low.

2.    You have moments of not thinking, and feeling brilliantly alive—We Westerners are raised to do, not be, so meditation is counter-intuitive.  But we need the clearing swish of meditation to re-set.  The most creative ideas, for me, come after a meditation session.

1.    Your heart heals, and holds more love—How many times have you been heart broken?  If you are alive to be reading this, it’s probably more than you care to remember.  Meditation, especially on the heart center, can heal the heart, allowing you to accept and receive love more fully.  There are also forgiveness techniques, focusing on forgiving ourselves first, to aid in our healing process.

A final thought:  meditation is like a shower for the mind.  You wouldn’t go days and days without showering would you?  So how can you even consider going months and years without clearing out your head?

Now here’s the intersection between giving back and learning to meditate.  The Pink Edge (that would be me) is offering a meditation tele-class, Practical Meditation for Impractical Times, which begins 1/5/2010.  The tele-course is a benefit for Women for Women International, the organization that helps women victimized by war become self-sufficient.  What a fabulous organization Women for Women is!  They empower women in the worst of circumstances to become the best, for themselves and their children.  Women for Women has earned top ratings for the amount of money that goes into their work (as opposed to overhead), and were recently featured on Oprah’s “Half the Sky” program.

So you can learn meditation, or pep up the practice you already have, and help a mother, daughter, or sister at the same time.  For de-stress details or to register for the tele-class, visit http://www.itseasytomeditate.com

Meditation:  don’t leave the house without having done it.  It’s easier than you think.

About Marina
Marina Spence is an author, management consultant, speaker, and teacher of meditation.  Of these roles, she enjoys the latter the most.  Her specialty is teaching beginners how to incorporate meditation into their busy & stressful lives, just has she has been taught by master meditators in Buddhist and Indian traditions.  The styles she teaches range from gazing to chanting to using music as a way to increase concentration and drop into silence.  She believes that meditation is the foundation to dropping old ways of thinking and acting, as well as gaining energy and insight for personal and social change.

Marina has taught meditation in Manhattan, and Washington D.C., as well as at a Brooklyn shelter for battered women and to inmates at Rikers Island Correctional facility.  After many years of working & living in New York City, Marina is now in the San Francisco Bay Area.  She is the author of Make Every Day a Friday!  The Joy of Connecting Who You Are with What You Do and the founder of The Pink Edge, www.pinkedge.com.

Aly Calvo & Andrea Kulberg

For those of you who attended the FANTASTIC eWomenNetwork Conference earlier this year, you’ll remember that Aly Calvo and Andrea Kulberg (a.k.a. “The Twins”) were the winners of the Oprah Experience package during the eWomenNetwork Foundation auction the first night of the Conference.

Well, today they head to the Windy City for Oprah, dinner with Corny Koehl, and a whole lot more!  We have asked them to comment on their experiences on the eWomenNetwork Facebook page – please check in and celebrate with these dynamic women as they embark on this amazing experience!

Kym Yancey, Corny Koehl, Aly & Andrea, Sandra Yancey Celebrate at Conference