Good Times or Bad Times? Who to Trust in Your Woman-owned Small Business
Posted on April 17, 2007
Filed Under Women Leaders | 10 Comments
No matter who you listen to about the economy one thing is certain, the woman small business owner stands the biggest chance of not only surviving, but thriving.
The reason is simple. Women entrepreneurs are by nature nimble and flexible, while behemoth big businesses are not.
But … to be nimble means successful entrepreneurs have to know who to listen to and who to trust. Should it be the media? I hardly think so!
In fact, to succeed at your woman-owned small business, no matter what the economic conditions are you have to listen to your clients and trust your instincts.
The economy as a whole is made up of many thousands of ‘micro-economies’. It’s common that when one micro-economy is up, the other is down.
Right now, I’m experiencing this first-hand in the building of our new custom home. The sub-contractors who rely on new home construction for their bread-and-butter are hungry for work, while the sub-contractors whose business includes remodels are booked solid with a waiting list. (Don’t believe me? Try getting the attention of any door-and-window guy right now. Mine has a waiting list that is weeks long!)
There is a wealth of money flooding our economy in a variety of different micro- industries. And, there is no shortage of clients with problems who will happily pay someone to have those difficulties resolved.
Fortunately, this is where YOU step in!
To recession-proof your woman-owned small business you must know your clients’ complaints, problems, difficulties and inconveniences. Not sure what they are? Then it’s time to dig in and ask. Your clients will spend money to solve a problem that’s important enough to them. (That’s the exciting part of being a successful entrepreneur — knowing you are helping people solve something that they care deeply about!)
Now, about the trust part…did you know that a favorite technique used by Native Americans to hunt buffalo was to incite the herd to stampede toward a cliff? Once the lead buffalo went over the others willingly followed. It’s sad to think of so many animals’ lives being wasted because of following the wrong leader.
Being successful in business has always meant understanding your clients inside and out, knowing their hearts and minds, and trusting your instincts. Successful women entrepreneurs can’t follow the herd and expect to thrive because the herd isn’t thinking, it’s just reacting.
What do your instincts tell you to do? Where is an untapped opportunity for your woman small business? That is the direction you want your business to take, no matter where the rest of the herd is headed.
Listening to your clients and trusting your instincts are the hallmarks of a great, thriving woman small business owner. Pay attention to what your clients want, and then give it to them in new and exciting ways. Then, the news of the economy will be music to your ears.
Watch the video related to woman leader
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Would you like to learn more business coaching tips that help women entrepreneurs move quickly away from “dollars-for-hours work” and create more money, time, and freedom in their businesses? Check out my web site, www.kendallsummerhawk.com, for free articles, free resources and to sign up for my free audio mini-seminar “7 Quick and Simple Tips to Brand, Package and Price Your Services for More Money, Time and Freedom in Your Business.”
Award-winning small business expert Kendall SummerHawk is the “Horse Whisperer for Business.”
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10 Responses to “Good Times or Bad Times? Who to Trust in Your Woman-owned Small Business”
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Hoop Sisters! I love the holistic program that teaches so many positive skills. The other programs that link corporate leaders with community based programs, women connecting, sharing, and changing lives… so powerful!
AS soon as Obama chose Biden I wanted Palin. I said she can debate Biden, because he came out trying to be a woman's rights activist. He will have to be careful of how he criticizes her on a debate stage. Or he will lose any womens votes. Plus that hear she is quite a debater anyway.
Not saying Biden doesnt have a serious advantage.
Pretty much the same thing that they'd admire in a male leader:
Assertiveness — without being "bossy" or "bitchy"
Competence — without being a "know-it-all"
Diligence — without being "picky"
Compassion — without being "mushy"
Goal-directed — without being obsessive
If a person shows those qualities, the person can lead, regardless of gender.
It's a guy who determines that the woman is better at leading that he his.
It takes a great man to defer leadership. Or a wimp.
In the 20th century, women have not started wars, but countries have participated in wars with women leaders. Thatcher led England during the Falklands War, but Argentina started this war, not England. Germany presently has troops in Afghanistan but not involved in combat.
In history, England was led by Queen Elizabeth and started the Anglo-Spanish war and Queen Anne was involved in the War of Spanish Succession.
Catherine the Great of Russia started the 1st Russo-Turkish War.
Emma Goldman was one of the greatest leaders the world has ever seen.
Rosa Luxemburg was one of the greatets leaders the world has ever seen.
Alexandra Kollontai was one the greates leaders the world has ever seen.
the U.S. needs a woman for President
after all the dumb men have messed everything up
lol. It would seem that way wouldn't it.
Ask them if they remained in Afghanistan when the Taliban took control. What was their life like? How did they gain their political positions post-Taliban and what the hope to achieve in the coming years for themselves and Afghanistan.
United Kingdom – Margaret Thatcher
India – Indira Gandhi
Argentina – Isabel Peron
Check the link for more
and then take away the countries that are left in the world and you will have the correct answer… remind me to read better next time lol