In my last blog, I talked about the various ways thieves can obtain your personal information and then shared with you signs that could indicate your identity has been stolen. Rather than having to deal with the unpleasant and time consuming issues that are sure to result from stolen identity, prevent it from happening in the first place! Here are some common sense tools to help you:

Phonebusters is a Canadian anti-fraud call centre and it is an excellent resource to find out about new scams; as well as how to recognize, report and stop fraud. They can be contacted at 1-888-495-8501 or www.phonebusters.com

Remember! Being informed and aware is your best defence. It can happen to anyone, and experts say that the best protection is prevention. I hope the information has provided you with some awareness, and that you can always keep your own identity!

Posted by Heather Stephens at 10:32 AM 0 Comments

Tags Women-owned business  women entrepreneurs  identity theft  bank cards  phishing  spoofing 

I believe in the giving part of networking. The attitude should be one of providing value for value received — whether it’s finding a work connection for someone, creating a referral, or simply providing a link to an area of interest. Women generally are very good at this. By virtue of the ‘nurture’ aspect of our socialization, providing help is the easy part of networking.

There’s another side, though. One that’s often much harder for women – actually working the network, asking for work, contacts or favours based on slight acquaintance and nebulous connections. Men do it all the time and do it well.

Did you see the ‘Mad Men’ episode where Don shows up for a job the morning after meeting Roger in a bar? Roger had too much to drink and doesn’t remember promising the job to Don but is embarrassed to admit that. Thus is born the made-in-heaven advertising partnership of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce.

Now that’s networking plus major chutzpah and not many of us could go that far. However, ask yourself if, after meeting someone for five minutes and exchanging superficial work-related information, would you be able to call the person the following day to ask for a meeting, a lead or a job? More men would answer ‘yes’ than women. What is it that keeps us from taking that all important step?

“Oh, she won’t remember me.”

“We didn’t really have a chance to get to know each other.”

“Why would she do ME any favours?”

Before women ask for anything, they want to make sure that there is the basis of a sound relationship, some common values, or a relationship that has developed over time. Men, on the other hand, are generally more comfortable ‘asking’ when there is limited previous contact.

I think we could learn a lesson from our male counterparts. Don’t be shy! Assume that there will be a reciprocal relationship, whether now or in the future, and do the asking up front.

Posted by Sandra Altner at 9:11 AM 0 Comments

Tags Women-owned business  women entrepreneurs  networking  relationship development  networks 

Back in the day, networking was the physical process of meeting with and using your friends and associates to meet more friends and associates in order to find the means to further your business or personal goals.

Today, your networks may be full of people you have actually never met in person. LinkedIn and Facebook are just two of the sites that have grown in business usage and with them, the ability to connect with or create whole communities and tribes of like-minded folks.

That is not to say that face-to-face real-time communication is as dead as a dodo or that networks created through the more arduous one-at-a-time method are any less strong or effective than those garnered through cybernetic reach. In fact, there are times when the personal touch rules. When you want to create trust and credibility, the handshake and the ability to look someone right in the eye is irreplaceable.

There is no doubt that it is easier to send out a quick note on LinkedIn about your latest publication or product, than to take the time to personally meet with people who may or may not become customers or clients. This is particularly true if you feel you don’t have strong interpersonal skills, are shy, or just don’t have the time. However, in building a business, on- and off-line efforts are essential.

The key, on all levels, is reciprocity. Networks work when there is value on both sides of the table. Successful personal networkers will tell you that their most effective tool is remembering the wants and needs of people with whom they interact at networking functions. They follow up by sending out referrals, news articles, web links and contact information that leaves a pleasant impression and may bear future fruit. Similarly, in developing online communities, the most loyal ‘friends’ and ‘likes’ are those to whom you provide something that is of value, whether it is a link, a laugh or some new learning.

Networking, on- or off-line, is about giving before receiving. Stay tuned for more on networking in an upcoming blog.

Posted by Sandra Altner at 3:48 PM 0 Comments

Tags Women-owned business  women entrepreneurs  networking  on-line communities 

Do you remember your first day at a new job! What was good about it? Were there things that would have made it easier?

In order to reduce the stress for both you and your new staff person, consider developing a ‘welcoming process’. Some easy preparations on your part will make a good first impression on your new employee and can set the tone for your working relationship. While each work place is different, here are some tips to make the first few days a positive experience:

Send your new employee a welcome letter confirming the time, date and location of their first day. If you aren’t the supervisor, you may want to include the name of the person to whom they will report.

On the first day, arrange a tour of their work space, lunch room, restrooms, business equipment centre, bulletin board, supply room, etc. Be sure to introduce the new person to other staff you meet during the tour.

Ensure their desk/workstation/office is ready for them. Assemble appropriate office resources and supplies.

Arrange a meeting to talk about your vision for the company and their part in that vision.

Review the position description, discuss goals and objectives of the position, review your organization’s performance appraisal system, length of probationary period, and present initial job assignments.

Follow up with them at the end of the first day to see how it went.

Plan regular follow-ups to ensure that issues are addressed and questions are answered.

Don’t forget to advise existing staff of the addition of the new person and their role within your company.

When it’s time for you to welcome a new employee into your business, think about your own experiences and what made them memorable. It is a great opportunity to engage your employees, even before they start work and establish early on the culture you want to create for your business.

Posted by Pat Sargeant at 3:14 PM 0 Comments

Tags Women-owned business  women entrepreneurs  new employee procedures  first day on the job  welcome process 

In an earlier blog we talked about the benefit that a Board of Directors can bring to your business. But there has been increasing discussion lately about another option you may wish to consider: an Advisory Board.

In Harness the Power of An Advisory Board, writer Susan Ward states, “No business is too small to benefit from having an Advisory Board and an Advisory Board is such a powerful management tool that no small business should be without one.”

Like a Board of Directors, an Advisory Board is comprised of skilled and knowledgeable individuals whose purpose is to support you as you build a successful business. They will ask questions, draw on their own experiences, and push you to think creatively. They will also hold you accountable for decisions you make.

While having an Advisory Board is highly recommended, implementing one may be easier said than done. Now there are not only stories about the importance of an Advisory Board, there are some concrete tips on how to start and use one. Susan Ward followed up ‘Harness the Power of an Advisory Board’ with Creating an Advisory Board in which she provides several tools and tips including outlining the benefits of participation to potential members and appropriate compensation.

You might also find value in the recent Forbes.com article For A More Successful Business, Create a Board of Advisors that provides 10 guidelines on developing your own advisory board.

If no business is too small to benefit from having an Advisory Board, now might be the time to start implementing one…

Posted by Alison Kirkland at 5:59 PM 0 Comments

Tags Women-owned business  women entrepreneurs  board of directors  advisory board  advisors 

You are a sole proprietor sitting alone in your office looking for inspiration, insight and connections, who do you call?

A Board of Directors may be just what you need. Good boards are comprised of knowledgeable, experienced and well-connected individuals who can help you take your business to the next level. Just as many hands make light work, many brains can help solve problems and create innovative opportunities. Best of all, boards are not just for multi-million dollar corporations with offices around
the world.

The type of board that is appropriate for your business will depend on your corporate structure, the size of your organization and its goals, not to mention its profit or non-profit status.

While legal advice is always recommended when establishing a board, the Free Management Library ™ is an excellent online resource that will help you evaluate whether a board of directors is appropriate for your business, and if so, the form it could take.

Stay tuned for our upcoming blog on Advisory Boards.

Posted by Maurice McCarthy at 2:19 PM 0 Comments

Tags Women-owned business  women entrepreneurs  board of directors  board member