Friday, February 13, 2009

Jan Marie Dore's Top Seven Business Tips for Women Entrepreneurs

Enjoy

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Over the past thirteen years, I have worked with hundreds of women entrepreneurs as their business coach. I've noticed that many women small business owners experience the same challenges in growing and running their businesses, such as feeling overwhelmed and isolated, having difficulty keeping focused, not enrolling enough support, and not planning for growth.

Here's a summary of my best advice for any woman running a small business - my top seven tips for women entrepreneurs:

1) Focus on your strengthsThere's an old saying - 'Do what you do best and delegate the rest.' Know what your top strengths are. Delegate or drop anything that you're not exceptionally skilled at, and focus at least 80% of your time using your key talents that bring you income.

2) Put yourself firstYour growing business needs a lot of time and attention. Many women in business put themselves third or fourth on their list of priorities. Put you and your business first and everything else will fall into place.

3) Learn to say 'no'I ask women who have started a business to drop anywhere from 25% to 50% of their time commitments when we start working together. Most women are too over-committed with non-business related activities. Be strategic about what you say yes to, especially in the first few years of your business. Guard your precious time as the valuable asset that it is.

4) Plan for successLack of planning causes more businesses to fail than anything else. Planning is very valuable because it causes you to think ahead to your vision and next steps to reach your goals. You can create a simple one page marketing plan that outlines your business objectives and how you will achieve them.

5) Ask for supportDon't try to figure it all out by yourself. Notice where you are stuck and could use some help, and ask for it. Ask colleagues or others who have been in business and could mentor you, hire a business coach, or form your own mastermind support team.

6) Delegate or drop your weaknessesGet clear on what you don't enjoy doing or don't do very well. Either stop trying to do it, or find someone who will do it for you. A perfect example is bookkeeping. If you dislike it, give it to someone else to do, and free up your time to earn money doing what you do well.

7) Keep an eye on the bottom lineYou don't need to have complex financial statements, but setting targets and tracking some key indicators every month will help you understand how you are doing. You'll know sooner what's working and what's not working so that you can make strategic adjustments.


Implement at least three of these tips, and watch your business flourish!


© by Jan Marie Dore of Femalepreneurs.com. Jan Marie Dore mentors coaches, speakers, consultants and other solo-professional women to work fewer hours and make more money with online businessbuilding strategies. Get your free 'Professional Women's SuccessKit' and other marketing resources at http://www.femalepreneurs.com/ezine

3 comments:

(STYLE) SIMPLY STATED said...

I found this information to be insightful. SheNotes is a wonderful resource for business tips. When it comes to Ms. LeBlanc's business news and marketing trends, "She notes" a number of key business tools that one needs to leverage their business to the next level!

Naima Turner

TaRosa Jacobs said...

Hi, Raychelle! I am sorry to have to reply to your MySpace message like this, but every time I tried to reply to you on MySpace my page would freeze and I would be informed that I had been phished! Very strange...
Anyway, thank you for writing me.
I am an independent vintage buyer, seller and stylist living and working in Denver, CO and I would like to find ways to market myself, my product and my services to shops, stylists and startlets on the coasts.
Because of my unique geographic position, I am able to find exquisite vintage clothing at a reduced price. I want people to know that I am here so that when they are looking for great, unique pieces for photo shoots and other events, they will know that they can come to me for pieces that are more affordable and less picked over.
My main issue is figuring out how to even let people know that I exist. Here in Denver, I have already won a Best of Denver award, been featured in local media and have been asked to style lots of photo shoots and fashion shows. Now it is time to hit the coasts.
My budget is super limited, but I would like to know what you offer in terms of PR and marketing and see if I might (if not now then later) be able to afford your services. Just so you know, I am more than willing to offer trade, if that is something that you would ever consider. I have hundreds of gorgeous pieces of vintage and retro clothing...
Thank you for your time!
TaRosa Jacobs
Vintage Buyer, Seller and Stylist
http://thriftonista.blogspot.com

TaRosa Jacobs said...

I forgot to leave my email address! It is thriftonista@gmail.com
I really hope to hear from you!
TaRosa