Tips for Business Women

Women and Work/Life Balance

September 9, 2011 By Sofia Fraser

Work/life balance is the Holy Grail for many people and particularly working women if they also take on the majority of family commitments such as school runs and housework. One of the ways to approach this elusive concept is to consider working for yourself and managing your own hours around your children.

If you are working at a senior level and trying to look for a part-time alternative to the 80 hours you are currently doing then you will be well aware of the lack of employed options. Unless you can negotiate a scaled-back version of your position or arrange a job share then it is almost always impossible to find what you are looking for without compromising the level you are currently at. A depressing thought, and one some recruitment genius out there should really apply themselves to…

The alternative – working for yourself – can be a daunting prospect, but something that more and more women are considering in order to take charge of their own lives. Make sure your business ideas are sound and that there is a viable market for what you are offering. Consider webhosting reviews, set yourself up with a shop front online and away you go! It’s also vital that you have your antivirus software installed and up to date, because if you are sending files back and forth with clients, you can’t afford to take the risk. Kaspersky antivirus offers free trials, so you don’t have to spend a fortune on expensive software unless you are convinced of the benefits of the product. If you stick to what you know well then with the experience and the contacts you have you will find that the transition from employee to employer is easier than you anticipate.

Don’t forget to check out the competition as well – what are they up to online? Who is buying their goods or services and who is running their sites technically? Check out their web hosting reviews to find out more. You may well find that saying goodbye to corporate hell and setting up on your dining table is the best decision you ever made. Go on, you won’t regret it!

Filed Under: Tips for Business Women

Eating healthy at work

September 1, 2011 By Sofia Fraser

If you’re trying to lose weight it is well worth giving thought to what you are going to have for lunch the following day. Many of us have to leave home at some ungodly hour to get to work and, unless you are an early riser, it is often difficult to make the time in the morning to pack a healthy lunch so do it the night before.

Sandwiches made at home can often be pretty boring compared with the ones sold in shops. With a bit of thought and with some ideas from innovative online recipes, though, you can make your own sandwiches every bit as tasty and far healthier than a shop bought one, to say nothing of the money you can save. Forget the sliced white bread. Opt for an interesting (and healthy) granary bread, a wrap or pitta bread. Instead of using butter choose a low fat spread or low fat mayo. If you want to use salad in your sandwich it is better to take that to work separately. No-one wants a sandwich that has turned into a soggy mess thanks to the tomato or cucumber. If you are bored with salad then supplement your sandwich with some raw carrot sticks, chopped pepper and celery sticks; these are also handy to nibble on if you are hungry mid-morning. If lunch just isn’t lunch without a bag of crisps to go with your sandwich then look for a low fat version.

If you’re lucky enough to have a microwave and fridge at work then the sky’s the limit. Why not make an extra portion of your favourite healthy low fat dinner recipe and heat it up at lunch time?

In the winter months what about substituting a lovely bowl of soup for your usual sandwich? All you need is a blender and some good vegetarian recipes – pretty much any kind of vegetables can go into your soup. All you need is a good vacuum flask to keep the soup piping hot, if you don’t have access to cooking facilities.

If you need a pud with your lunch then fruit salad can be made the night before although bananas are notorious for discolouring.

Filed Under: Tips for Business Women

Tips for Setting Up a Website

August 31, 2011 By Sofia Fraser

Setting up a website is a walk in the park for some people, but for us mere mortals the very thought of trying to do it is daunting. Having just been through the process myself the best advice I can offer you is to take one step at a time and if it all gets too much then engage an expert to do it for you. The latter can be a costly option however so why not have a go yourself first, and look for assistance if you get stuck.

Hosting reviews are a good place to start as every website needs to be hosted by a provider. Things to consider are what you need the site to do, what functionality is required and whether you are likely to expand in the future. Take your time reading about several different options before you make any decisions.

Webhosting reviews are not the only thing to look at of course. It is also advisable to review all your competitor’s sites and see what they are doing well and where you could improve on what is on offer. Also, find some websites for unrelated products or services which you think are particularly good and try to analyse why you like them so much. Maybe it’s the interesting content, the welcoming home page, the visual feel or the navigation process. Whatever attracts you could be something which can be incorporated into your site too.

However you go about setting up a website to support your business, it will be something which you will be pleased you have faced up to. When your online profile is raised it becomes more important than ever to have up to date antivirus software. Don’t delay this – there are plenty of free antivirus applications available.

The interest in your company which is generated can only be a good thing and you will be glad you made the effort. Go on – you know you can do it if you put your mind to it!

Refurbishment For Your Business Premises

August 31, 2011 By Sofia Fraser

Owning your own business in a difficult financial climate can be a real challenge. The experience is always hard work but can also be incredibly rewarding, and one of the most exciting times is when you move to new premises or are looking to expand or refurbish your current establishment.

Getting the environment right for your customers is crucial, and it is really important that you create a welcoming space which will put them in a buying mood! Professional assistance in doing this can often make the difference so make sure you get expert input right from the start. Consider who your target market are and study what your competitors are doing. Think about your ideas and make a note of any questions to discuss with them before they arrive – you will get more from your consultation this way and be nearer to a clear idea of the costs involved.

Don’t forget about your staff when you make your plans. Loyalty from the people who represent your business is something to treasure, so make sure the staff areas are as well appointed as the customer facing ones. Fit a kitchen in the staff room for drinks and meals, and make sure there is somewhere comfortable to sit and rest during breaks. Ask the people who work for you for their input on colour schemes or decoration for the staff areas and make them feel really involved.

Kitchens might be the last thing on your mind unless you own a restaurant or café, but rest assured it will be one of the first things your employees want to know about! We all like to be looked after and made to feel valued so get this right and you will be glad you did. If you get professional help they should be with you every step of the way to make sure your refurbishment is a success and so is your business.

Filed Under: Tips for Business Women Tagged With: business premises refurbishment, kitchens, staff kitchen

Why not boost the value of your home with some tiling?

August 30, 2011 By Sofia Fraser

Properties are taking a while to sell nowadays, so it’s well worth investing in something which will give your house that little je ne sais quoi when it’s on the market.

Adding a feminine touch to a few of the rooms in your house could do just that, making sure your property stands out from all the others.

The right tiles, in the right places around your house, could really to boost its value.

Mosaics have always been hugely popular and they look ornate and expensive if they’re done right, so consider taking on a project which will see you turning an ordinary work surface into something extra special with some tiling.

This is bound to take a fair amount of time and effort to achieve, as it’ll require you to use a tile cutter to create tiny square-shaped pieces which then need to be shaped and styled to create a design you’re proud of, but it’ll really be worth it in the end, especially if it ends up being a huge selling point of your property.

Perhaps it’s also worth looking at a DIY article to get some other ideas for tiling. You might find it recommends going for tiles in the obvious places around your home – such as bathroom – or it might advise trying to put them somewhere a little bit different.

For example, you could add some class and colour to your kitchen by putting some tiles on the walls. Maybe attach them above a neutral-coloured stove and oven to make the room a little bit more interesting to prospective buyers.

With the right eye, the project could prove a huge success – just look for plenty of complementary hues when creating your design to ensure it exudes style and glamour to all who see it.

Filed Under: Tips for Business Women Tagged With: decorating, property, property value

Rental market decorating tips for a first time landlord

August 30, 2011 By Sofia Fraser

When you ask around it is amazing how many people have a second property which they rent out planning to keep the investment as a future pension provider. The situation quite often arises when couples who own a home each get together and decide to live in one and rent the other – a sensible plan in its own right to see how well you co-habit, never mind the financial implications! However the situation arises many people are entering into the world of being a landlord and are renovating their properties accordingly.

Doing up a house or flat for the rental market is not the same as working on somewhere for yourself. Consideration needs to be given to the type of fittings you install and decorating you go for, not just from an aesthetic point of view but practically as well. Kitchen worktops made of solid wood for example look lovely but are harder to care for than a cheaper version and are more likely to get scratched and marked. Likewise, an expensive bathroom suite might fall foul of damage by careless tenants and will be more difficult to replace or repair.

When choosing the paint and carpets for the house it is ideal to go for a neutral colour scheme but avoid everything being white. High gloss white kitchen cabinets will show every finger mark and if they get chipped it will be very visible. Go for creams and beiges instead and ideally a speckled or textured finish rather than a flat colour. Keep in mind the market you are aiming at as well: is your property going to be let by a family or a young couple or even students? The type of most likely occupant will always influence the DIY projects you do on the property. Get it right and you will rent the place easily – who knows it may even develop into a business!

Filed Under: Beginner Business Women, Tips for Business Women Tagged With: first time landlord, kitchens, rental market tips

The Perfect Staff Kitchen

August 24, 2011 By admin

If you own or manage a business, you will probably agree with me that your greatest asset is your staff. The people within a company of any kind can make or break the success of the venture, and will have a huge influence on the environment which your clients and customers enter. Keeping a staff team happy should, therefore, be a high priority, and one of the ways to ensure they feel valued and cared for is by providing an appropriate and inviting area in which to take breaks and eat meals.

Most offices and businesses need some kind of staff kitchen. At the very least it should be somewhere to make hot drinks and refrigerate food, but ideally it should present an opportunity to escape from the working environment and socialise with colleagues. Kitchen cabinets should be available for storing cups, teabags, biscuits and breakfast cereals, and a water cooler is a valuable addition too. A range of seating which offers enough room to sit at a table for meals and relax on a sofa for breaks is perhaps not always possible depending upon space restrictions, but avoiding the need to eat at individual desks is certainly the preferred option.

The kitchen design can be more quirky and fun than you might have at home. Use corporate colours or bright inspirational hues instead of the more usual domestic tones. Fittings and appliances should be hard wearing and functional but you can afford to bring a fashion element to the room, as the chances are you will renovate more often than at home.

If you can create an aspirational space, then hopefully you will inspire loyalty from your staff and a feeling of worth. Personal touches like individual lockers, newspapers and magazines on subscription, and a plentiful supply of chocolate biscuits will further enhance this mood. Encourage a sociable feel with a staff notice board and put some money in the tin for staff nights out!

Look after your people and they will look after you.

Filed Under: Tips for Business Women Tagged With: business, kitchen, staff, work

Bringing the Kids to Work

August 22, 2011 By admin

OK so the school summer holidays are upon us and offices are full of the boss’s kids sat at a spare computer watching a DVD whilst the rest of the workforce fumes over the cost of childcare. Sound familiar? It’s really not on at all is it – unless we can join in of course! Imagine the look on the bigwig’s face if you sauntered in with the kids in tow sporting pack lunches, the lot!? Hmmm unlikely to happen, so in the meantime it is a whirlwind of dropping off, picking up, calling in favours and shelling out for entertainment.

If you are looking for economical and fun craft activities to keep the kids entertained on a wet summer afternoon then how about using some of the office resources rather than actually bringing them into the office? I am not talking about waltzing off with a spare PC or stripping the stationery cupboard bare but there are things to be had which can help. Paper shredders produce a huge amount of non-recyclable waste so how about grabbing a bag of that for turning into papier mache crafting or just to make the hamster comfy?!

The office shredder is not the only resource to raid either: un-shredded non-sensitive waste paper is often thrown away and could be gathered up for art projects without anyone minding in the slightest. Keeping children amused – particularly in the rain – is never easy, so make the most of what is available to you. Perhaps you work somewhere which could spare a huge sheet of bubble-wrap to create the perfect jumping and popping surface, or maybe there is something else just as good – think laterally!

Whatever you get up to just remember that September will be upon us before we know it so make the most of your family time, enjoy the kids and keep yourself going with plenty of rest.

Filed Under: Tips for Business Women Tagged With: business, entrepreneur, women

Different Types of Business

March 1, 2011 By admin

Business

Though forms of business possession change by jurisdiction, there are a few common forms:

Sole proprietorship: A sole proprietorship is a for-profit business owned by one individual. The owner may operate on their own or may employ others. The owner of the business has unlimited culpability for the debts created by the business.

Partnership: A partnership is a for-profit business owned by several folks. In most types of partnerships, each partner has unlimited culpability for the debts run up by the business. The 3 standard classifications of partnerships are general partnerships, limited partnerships, and capped liability partnerships.

Corporation: A company is a capped liability business that’s got a separate legal character from its members. Firms can be either privately-owned or government-owned, and privately-owned companies can organize either for-profit or not-for-profit. A for-profit establishment is the property of investors who elect a board to direct the co. and hire its managerial staff. A for-profit establishment is either privately owned or in public held.

Cooperative: frequently referred to as a “co-op”, a cooperative is a restricted liability business that will organize for-profit or not-for-profit. A for-profit co-operative is very different from a for-profit firm in that it has members, versus investors, who share decision making authority. Cooperatives are typically catalogued as either buyer cooperatives or employee cooperatives. Cooperatives are elemental to the philosophy of industrial democracy.

Filed Under: Tips for Business Women, Types of Business Tagged With: Business Styles, Business Types

Advice for Business Women

February 26, 2011 By admin

Business women

According to the Women’s Monetary Network, 2 times as many ladies start up companies as men. All successful businesswomen share certain pro-active habits that help them flourish.

The following 5 pro-active habits of successful businesswomen will help you raise your productiveness and profits. These tips are going to help you understand the seriousness of believing in yourself and your capabilities to work smarter, not harder, in business, and concentrate on reaching your goals twenty-four / seven.

Organization

Cultivating good organizational abilities is the secret to getting organised. Take twenty mins every morning to concentrate on what you need to achieve in the daytime. Organize your instant work environment by filing papers, putting things away, and writing your to-do list. List actions, calls, email, errands, private business, and so forth. Make your list controllable and attack each item individually. Organize your agenda, plans, and appointments by utilizing a laptop, a calendar, a day planner, or a notebook. Track your business activities and keep your records within easy reach. Several word processors are available that come with accessories like calendars, lists, and helpful forms. Organising your money affairs and time helps you become more profitable and reactive and makes sure you avoid unneeded problems, eg incurring wasteful late penalties. Setting your goals helps give you focus and gets you on the path to finance success. Be certain to set realistic time frames with each goal. Plan your work time so that you can get the things on your must-do list done. You could need to screen your telephone calls and post a signal that lets folk know you are working.

Networking

Successful businesswomen actively network each day, using strategic associations to create more business. Networking helps you become part of the business community, which advances your business more speedily by providing contacts that may open doors to potential opportunities, including clients for your business. Build your business relations slowly over a period of time. Doing so helps ensure you at last get business from your contacts. After making contact, you need to e-mail or telephone the individual to keep the organisation alive. If feasible, get together in real life for coffee or lunch. Bring a notebook and pen, or maybe better, take your laptop PC and use it to record info and make business shows. Make notes of the meeting, including who you met with, what you discussed, your ideas, and any relevant private information regarding your contact. Frequently refer to your contact files and chase up. Networking is a give-and-take relationship, suggesting that when business colleagues help you, you in turn help them. As an additional leg-up, develop a continual relationship with a business coach as well as join business-networking setups like LinkedIn that will provide valuable referrals and info.

Creativeness

An essential business talent, creativeness can give your company an edge over other enterprises. Creativity is essential when girls need to acclimatize to a changing business environment or meet the challenges of astonishing developments, for example finding a cheap alternative when money is tight. A technique to turbo-charge your creativity is to utilise oral and visible metaphors. Compare your challenge to something else, for instance, when you’ve got to win more sales ,eg comparing selling your product or service to making a vegetarian soup or building a place. It is a lot like working out twenty paths to employ a paperclip. It will get your creative fires burning so helping you think in inventive ways. Use inspirational tools to induce you ,eg success stories from businesswomen on Homebizwomen.com. Read business books and mags, and surf to beneficial websites. Ask other successful businesswomen about their experiences and what works most efficiently for them. The payoff is a larger chance of business success. Go thru old mags and cut out pictures and words that describe a particular challenge and possible solutions. Make a collage out of the pictures or simply lay them out on your desk surface. Take fifteen mins or even more to unreservedly associate your questions and solutions pertaining to the problem to hand, and take a note of any ideas that seem practicable.

Filed Under: Tips for Business Women Tagged With: Advice on Business, Tips on Business