09-06-2008
Become a business super-woman
By Adfero
The world of business may often appear to be very much a man's domain, yet there are countless examples of successful businesswomen out there. It is simply often the case that they aren't quite as visible as their male counterparts. And while the First Women Awards is certainly going a long way towards adjusting the beam of the spotlight, there are many businesswomen out there who could learn from those who have already made it. What did it take for them to go from female entrepreneurs to business superwomen?
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Working from home
For any woman thinking of setting themselves up in business, advice site Every Woman recommends that they get used to the thought and reality of what working from home will mean. They advise that as a less structured setting like that of a home office will feel very different when compared with an office environment - particularly in comparison with larger organisations. It is important to develop a routine that still makes the distinction between being at work and being at home in order to keep motivation levels up.
Importantly, Every Woman recommends that while it may be an attractive proposition to 'go to work' in pyjamas, it will feel better to get up and dressed in attire that would not be out of place in a more corporate environment.
"It's incredibly important to discipline yourself. On a beautiful day, it's so easy to dawdle hanging out the washing. But you have to be organised so that you're not tempted to muddle up the household chores and the office work. Be disciplined and deal with domestic issues at the end or the beginning of the day," said Cath Collins of Cath Collins Ltd in an interview with Every Woman.
Learn how to delegate
The skill of delegating tasks is one of the keys to reducing stress levels and improving time management. However, the act of delegation should be approached with the idea of making staff fully responsible for certain areas of the business rather than considering it to be simply a matter of reducing stress levels by passing on work.
Emma Harrison of A4e Ltd, in an interview with Every Woman, said: "Planning is a great stress-buster. People ask how I manage to do so much. The night before, I look at my diary and make a list of everything I have to do the next day. I then look down my 'to do' list and look for things that I can delegate."
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Communicate, communicate, communicate
While we are often reminded that it is good to talk, Every Woman believes it to be a vital component of business success. The organisation asserts that everyone absorbs information in a different way. Research conducted in the 1970s showed that if people do not receive information in a manner they consider preferable, they actually stop paying attention. Therefore it really does pay to enhance those communication skills and learn how to talk to clients and employees in their own language.
"The ability to communicate your vision and goals to the entire workforce is a great way of motivating individuals. If you visualise your dream - or even try to feel it - this gives you a real energy and helps others to be enthusiastic about what you're doing," said Perween Warsi of S & A Foods, in a report by Every Woman.
These are all vital ingredients for making a business a success. Business really is about much more than getting all of the practical details in order, such as business plans and finances. It is the human elements that need to be considered as high priorities, especially as this is where many women’s strengths lie.
It is reassuring that there is a growing recognition for women in the business community and the forthcoming First Woman Awards on June 11th will no doubt act as a showcase for female entrepreneurial talent that will inspire more women to follow in their footsteps.