LinkedIn is the best social media site for professional conversations. LinkedIn Groups are communities of like-minded people who share a common interest. As someone who is a member of LinkedIn Groups and also manager of my own group, I have extensive experience from both sides of the fence. Here are a few etiquette tips when participating in LinkedIn Groups: Create … [Read more...]
3 Power Tips to Land a Board Seat in 2015
If you want to get a corporate board seat in 2015, then you'll benefit from the three power tips to make it happen below! 1. Pay Attention to Your Self-Signals. Do you have a negative or positive voice that speaks to you as you progress toward your goal this year? Are you overstated or understated? Learn to hear your thoughts, pay attention to your self-signals, and turn off … [Read more...]
The Business Value of Hiring Veterans
It's Veteran's Day in the United States, which is a day to honor Americans who have served in the military. However, for many men and women who dedicate years of their lives to their country, they find themselves practically unemployable when they leave the military. The problem of transitioning from military service to the business world is one that many people are trying … [Read more...]
Crowdfunding Can Launch Your Business
One of the largest challenges entrepreneurs face is getting funding for their great ideas. Women business owners struggle in spite of efforts by the government to create SBA and micro loan programs to help entrepreneurs’ access capital. The challenge is that even the SBA requires good credit, collateral, and an income source to repay the loan. If you are starting a company … [Read more...]
The Tone of Business
I recently got some feedback that I have to say, took me aback a bit. The feedback came from two very different source with very different interest. And while the feedback certainly has merit, I have to say it took me a few days to process it. ‘Leona, you are animated and that’s great. It’s why people love you, but some people don’t know how to take it. It can come off as … [Read more...]
Are you the reason you’re business is failing?
It has taken me 15 years, an MBA, starting my own firm, acquiring and firing partners and staff to understand one infinite business fact. Your gut is always right, no matter what situation no matter who the players. That knot in your stomach that tells you something isn’t right, never lies. So as I come out of a difficult situation I find that I am not doing something that I … [Read more...]
Business Advice for Dummies
As a business owner particularly when you are starting out, ‘constructive criticism’ is something that you get in spades. Some of the criticism is great, it tells you things about yourself and your company that you didn’t know. Other times it can feel like a direct attack, so how do you know the difference and how do you find the silver lining? Consider the source Sometimes … [Read more...]
Work and Being Productive
Sometimes they do not go hand in hand... I am doing it today, and it just has to happen for those of us that are balancing work and home and families and Lord knows what else! I am not sure about you, but sometimes, I forget that I am actually supposed to be WORKING at home. I love my job more then you can imagine and I consider myself incredibly fortunate to be able to … [Read more...]
Growing my Way?
Growing is hopefully a natural part of your business, but for most small businesses it happens almost as an afterthought. When we start our businesses, we think about success but we don’t consider that success means that we are going to have to grow our business by staffing and strategy it as well. In an age of 1099’s here is what I learned to ask myself through a meaningful … [Read more...]
Make Tomorrow a Better (Work) Day
Surfing the web gets a bad rap, but when you stumble upon articles and posts that have workplace relevance (and that are so smart, you wish you'd penned them), there's real satisfaction. Such was the case yesterday, when a little aimless clicking led me to 14 Things You Should Do at the End of Every Work Day, an engaging summation of how ending your workday on a positive note, … [Read more...]