Women in biz 2015

n e m o W

A Southern Lakes Newspapers LLC publication 2015

Empowered, successful and leading the way

in BUSINESS .

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Meet local businesswomen

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Managing work and family Financial mistakes to avoid

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2015 WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Small

business, big opportunities

Women own nearly 8 million businesses in the United States, that’s almost 30 percent of the businesses in the country.

TIPS FOR WOMEN FOCUSED ON MANAGING THEIR SMALL BUSINESSES

I

t’s no secret small businesses are essential to the economy. The latest U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Business Owners reported women owned 7.8 million businesses and accounted for 28.7 percent of all businesses nationwide. These small business firms generated $1.2 trillion in receipts.

Given the challenges facing small businesses overall in this current economic climate, now more than ever women are navigating work-life demands, business management and talent retention issues.

In fact, women are more concerned about virtually every economic factor than men, including the effectiveness of government leaders (76 percent vs. 73 percent), commodities prices (76 percent vs. 70 percent) and healthcare costs (75 percent vs. 66 percent), says the recent Bank of America Small Business Owner Report, a semi-annual study exploring the concerns, aspirations and perspectives of small business owners nationwide.

The report also revealed that running a small business causes owners – both men and women – three times as much stress as raising children and twice as much stress as maintaining a healthy relationship with a spouse or partner. However, women do not give themselves the free time that men do – 62 percent compared to 53 percent.

“Small business owners are constantly making sacrifices and prioritizing the success of their business over other personal

FILE PHOTO Women in Business

priorities in their lives, but there are some simple ways to maintain a better work-life balance,” says Steve Strauss, small business expert and USA TODAY columnist.

Strauss offers the following tips to managing the daily juggling act of owning a small business:

services and mobile banking are other resources that can help.

If you’re not already using these types of tools, be sure to speak with your financial institution about how to better manage your finances and improve efficiency.

Build a diverse support system While a vast majority of small business owners need some level of financial guidance, often in the form of occasional or ongoing expert advice, the report finds more women than men engage an accountant/ bookkeeper (79 percent vs. 70 percent), a financial adviser (73 percent vs. 65 percent) or banker (52 percent vs. 47 percent) to help them run their businesses. Resources such as these can expand your network, provide essential professional support and keep you current on relevant trends.

Boost your competitive edge in the war for talent The financial benefits you offer current and potential employees can be a dealmaker or deal breaker. The good news is that small businesses now have access to 401(k) and IRA products designed specifically for their needs and budgets.

For example, Merrill Edge Small Business 401(k) is designed for small businesses’ unique needs and offers a simplified, easy-to-manage retirement plan

Use tech tools and resources available to you According to the Bank of America Small Business Owner Report women are actually more likely than men to view technology as a useful cash management tool.

For example, female small business owners are more likely to view online banking (78 percent vs. 67 percent of their male counterparts) or direct payments (46 percent vs. 35 percent of males) as helpful in managing their small business.

Electronic invoicing, online payroll

with lower costs than many traditional 401(k) plans, enabling owners to provide an important benefit to their employees.

Offering these benefits is more important for women particularly when coupled with the cultural and work-life balance perks that often make small businesses attractive to employees, and they can boost your competitive edge.

With the right expertise and tools, small business owners can be equipped to improve their work-life balance.

For more information, visit www. bankofamerica.com/smallbusiness, smallbusinessonlinecommunity. bankofamerica.com/index.jspa and ahead. bankofamerica.com/fueling-the-economy/ bank-of-america-releases-inaugural-smallbusiness-owner-report/.

n e m o W 2015 in BUSINESS

(BPT)

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2015 WOMEN IN BUSINESS

SUBMITTED PHOTO Women in Business

SHE’S THE

Talk OF THE Town

After nearly a decade of working for others, all men, in the very beginning of installed car phones and bag phones, Lisa Stettner set out on her own. In July of 1998, she made the brave decision to partner with U.S. Cellular to open Talk of the Town Communications, Inc. in Burlington.

“When I first opened, it was myself and one employee Lisa Stettner working six days a week in the strip mall where the Burlington Walgreen’s is now,” Stettner said.

Now Talk of the Town has the latest U.S. Cellular-designed store in Burlington Crossing Shopping Center as well as seven employees and is open seven days a week.

The selection of wireless devices has increased exponentially.

“I came aboard in 2004 – when color screens and camera phones were only starting to come out – and texting was a pretty new concept. Now, we offer wireless modems, tablets, vehicle monitoring devices and so much more,” Amy Singstock, Stettner’s sister and general manager said.

The amazing growth of the industry has made Stettner’s big risk a huge success story – including marrying her favorite customer in 2004 and having two children while also growing her business into one of U.S. Cellular’s busiest Authorized Agent locations in Wisconsin with over 7,100 subscribers in their customer base.

And, although the industry she stumbled into just out of her teens has a lot to do with her success, so does having a great, tenured team to connect with new and loyal customers alike. Relationships she has with customers literally go back to 1998 when she first opened.

Another piece of advice she has is to get involved and stay connected to the local community.

“We support both the Burlington and Waterford Chambers of Commerce and participate in as many local events as we can, including ChocolateFest and the Waterford Balloonfest,” Singstock said.

“Lisa and Talk of the Town continue to be a valued partner for U.S. Cellular in and around the Burlington community,” Solomon Filer, agent development sales manager for U.S. Cellular. said. “Lisa does a great job of creating a vision of success for her associates, and takes great pride in ensuring her customers have an outstanding experience each time they visit Talk of the Town.

Lisa invests in both the town of Burlington and surrounding communities, as well as in the lives of her associates.”

Stettner said she appreciates both the loyalty of her customers and the support of U.S. Cellular in making her dream come true. “I really am very fortunate to have picked the right business at the right time in the right place.”

Talk of the Town is at 1709 Milwaukee Ave., Suite B, in Burlington. For more information, call (262) 763-8255, visit talkofthetownuscc.com and/or see their ad on the back page of this publication.

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Sisters Jeannene Clark (left) and Therese LaLonde own Angelus Home & Garden in Walworth. The home store carries a mix of new and vintage gifts and housewares.

It’s a God thing

Area women take a leap of faith with home store

Sisters Jeannene Clark and Therese LaLonde are the owners of Angelus Home & Garden in Walworth, a one-ofa-kind, home store that carries a mix of new and vintage gifts and housewares as well as found architectural salvage and reclaimed barnwood.

Angelus is also Walworth County’s exclusive retailer of Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan. A unique line of paint (often copied but never duplicated) with no VOC’s that is used for decorative painting of furniture and adheres to almost any surface with little to no prep other than cleaning.

“We opened our shop almost four years ago with the intention of selling painted furniture,” Therese said. “After suffering through stripping, sanding, and paints with harmful chemicals, we were introduced to the Chalk Paint by our sister-in-law, Deb LaLonde of Batavia, Ill. Once we tried it, we were hooked and contacted the company to find out if we could sell it.”

Since that September day in 2011, the sisters have expanded from a rented 1,200-square-foot showroom, to purchasing the building and expanding to more than 10,000 square feet of what they refer to as a, “Swank-topia” style!

“Our customers love this place and tell us they have never seen anything like it!” Therese said. “Even customers from downtown Chicago, where there is so much variety to choose from tell us how different we are! We have a hard time labeling it as well, so we made up our own word, Swanktopia!”

Often asked how the store was named, the sisters explain that while they were brainstorming what to name it, they were originally focusing on something relating to repurposing but felt that would be too limiting as they had so much more to offer.

Both sisters agreed it should somehow encompass a spiritual aspect as well, because this store would put to use

their God-given talents and the glory would go to Him. LaLonde was thinking of something in the Latin language from her horticulture background and kept thinking of the plant, Angelica. Meanwhile, unrelated, Clark was looking up an old time prayer called the Angelus and a photo of a famous French painting entitled the Angelus came up on the Internet.

Clark remembered seeing that picture at a nearby thrift store and went back to buy it.

At the same time, the same day, separately, LaLonde thought to herself, “Angelus” and Clark was also thinking about the name Angelus but thought it had nothing to do with the repurposing idea and thought LaLonde wouldn’t go for it.

LaLonde texted Clark asking, “How about Angelus?”

Clark said she got goose bumps because it was at the exact same time she was thinking about that name. That was all the confirmation they needed. Angelus Home & Garden was born.

Walworth, is a town at the west end of Geneva Lake, about 15 minutes from downtown Lake Geneva. When asked why they chose this location rather than the more popular east side of the lake, the sisters explain that this side of the lake is calmer, and has a more relaxed feel, and the real estate is a price that a business owner can afford.

“We knew we would be different in every way, including our location, but we wanted to enjoy our work and that had to include a more relaxed atmosphere,” Therese said.

“We’ve been approached by so many people who want to tell us how to grow via their methods but we are completely confident and at ease with our growth plan which includes our faith,” Therese said.

Clark and LaLonde give credit to their team members, Meg, Julie, Joey, Dawn, Leslie and their family members Don, Jeff, Brent, all who have contributed great effort in the growth of Angelus. They also give great credit to their team of buyers who help fill the gaps with finds they don’t always have time for.

“This is an amazing journey and we are grateful for all of the people who are part of Angelus,” Therese said. “We look forward to our work every day – every, single day. That is a blessing!”

Angelus Home & Garden is at 325 Kenosha St. in Walworth. For more information, call (414) 815-6638 visit www.angelushome.com, and/or see their ad on Page 6 of this publication.

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TIPS for young

2015 WOMEN IN BUSINESS

women moving to

s a e r a n a t i l metropo

T

FILE PHOTO Women in Business

Young women must consider a host of factors before moving to a new city to pursue their careers.

oday’s college graduates face an uphill battle to find gainful employment.

A May 2012 study conducted by researchers at Rutgers University found that over the last five years only 51 percent of graduates from a four-year college program held a full-time job.

While employment opportunities for recent graduates with little or no professional experience may be few and far between, a 2012 report from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics noted that, while unemployment rates remained high nationwide, 20 metropolitan areas boasted unemployment rates below 5 percent.

Such figures are readily available to recent college graduates, who may feel their best bet to begin their careers is to move to a metropolitan area with a low unemployment rate.

The prospect of moving to a new city can be daunting for anyone, and young women are no exception. That move becomes even more intimidating for young women without a job to support them once they arrive in their new homes.

Though the transition figures to be somewhat rocky, the following are a few tips for young women considering a move to a new city.

RESEARCH BEFORE YOU START PACKING

While the BLS study revealed numerous metropolitan areas that can boast low unemployment rates, that doesn’t mean every major city or those that young people tend to find most desirable are doing so great.

Many young college grads dream of moving to New York, Chicago or Los Angeles after graduation.

But those cities did not fare as well with regard to job growth as smaller cites like Austin, Texas, and San Jose, California.

Before packing your bags for a new hometown, do your research to find the best fit for you and your particular degree. Because even if the Big Apple is beckoning, it might not be the place you’re most likely to land a job.

DETERMINE COST OF LIVING

‘

Many young people, particularly those from rural areas where the cost of living tends to be more affordable, are shocked to learn just how expensive it can be to live in a big city. In an analysis of

FROM THE DESK OF….

SEE

Tips ON PAGE 10

Money mistakes to avoid

Not having a good delivery. It is common to have understanding of a business’ partial billings on large jobs or cash flow dynamics is a when the job will take some mistake all business owners protracted period of time. should avoid.

Consider using some event or With most small milestone as a trigger for an businesses, cash is king. By invoice. It could be passing a that we mean that one of design review, completing a your most important tasks critical test, or receiving a large is managing your cash flow amount of material. to ensure there are funds If negotiated into the sale, available for meeting your these events could authorize you operating needs and funds to issue an invoice before the job available to enable you to take Diane Gustafson is totally completed.

CONTRIBUTOR advantage of opportunities for • Set payment dates. Your growth. customers are trying to optimize their Optimizing your operating cash flow cash flow too. In the sales process, and on really boils down to three basic rules: the invoice, state when payment is due.

1. Get money you are due as fast as Whether it is “30 days” or with a “1 percent possible. discount for payment within 10 days,” 2. Pay money you owe as late as customers are more likely to respond to possible. specified dates and terms. Sales to poor 3. Earn as much as you can on your credits should be COD. Once the payment cash balances. date is established in your contract, you Unless you are in a retail business, most have a legally enforceable document. receipts for sales or services performed • Establish late payment penalties. take place some time after the sale actually As Oscar Wilde said, “Nothing focuses occurs. A sale is made, goods are shipped the mind like the sight of the gallows.” or services are performed, an invoice is Customers respond and your chances presented and you wait for payment. of collecting interest from delinquent Here are three ideas for accelerating accounts improve with a stated policy. when you receive payment: Holding on to your money as long as • Identify a billable event, other than possible also improves your operating cash

flow and enables you to earn interest on your funds.

With major suppliers it may be possible to negotiate a more flexible payment schedule.

They want your business and are often willing to respond with payment terms, especially if the materials you are buying are being used over an extended period.

The time to approach the supplier is when placing the order. They are more willing to consider this before they have your order in hand.

As a customer, consider some form of discount for prompt payment. While the practice has become less common, some organizations still offer a 1 percent or 2 percent discount if invoices are paid within a shorter period. A 1 percent discount for payment within 10 days equates to a 36 percent annualized return on your money.

If your cash flow allows it, taking advantage of prompt payment discounts may be the best return on your investment.

Finally, make sure you are earning as much as you can on your excess cash balances.

While certain banking laws may restrict paying interest on commercial accounts, you should at least check with several banks to learn their policies.

Some banks offer “sweep” arrangements that automatically move amounts in excess of some minimum into

an interest bearing account.

At First National Bank and Trust, we know every business is different. And we’re a little different too. If you’re looking for a true partner to help build your business, we’re ready to roll up our sleeves, find out what you need, and make a plan to help you get it. Now that’s sound advice.

Cash and time are two of your most precious resources. Spending some time setting accounts receivable policies, negotiating payment schedules with vendors and finding the right account(s) for your cash will help you maximize both.

Diane Gustafson, is a vice-president and commercial loan officer with First National Bank and Trust Co. With more than 20 years of banking experience, she works with clients in Beloit, Clinton, Darien, Janesville and surrounding areas and is responsible for commercial loan growth, providing excellent service and sound advice to customers to ensure all her customers’ banking needs are met.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Wheaton College, and has completed the Wisconsin Bankers Association Commercial Lending School and the WBA Advanced Ag Lending School. Active in the community, Gustafson sits on the board of the Beloit Health System Foundation.

2015 WOMEN IN BUSINESS

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How moms can find opportunities to chase W hile raising children, many women find themselves looking for a solution in which they can work, while still being involved in their child’s life. This may be one of the reasons for the rising trend of successful “mompreneurs” – women starting and running their own businesses, often from home.

There’s no need to choose between being a parent and running your dream business. Female entrepreneurs have been phenomenally successful in the recent past, with more than 8 million women-owned businesses in the United States.

This trend doesn’t seem to be a blip on the radar; in fact, women entrepreneurs are poised for continued growth over the next few years. Women entrepreneurs in the United States will create more than 5 million new jobs by 2018, which is more than half of the new jobs the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects to be created over that time, according to the Guardian Life Small Business Research Institute.

When women do make the leap to start their own businesses, research shows that they may be more successful than their male counterparts. The Institute also found that female small business owners may succeed because they are more engaged in strategic facets of their business, more committed to creating opportunities for others, and more customer-focused than their male counterparts.

Becoming a mompreneur is exciting, but your dream business won’t start itself. BizFilings, an online incorporation provider, offers the following business tips for mompreneurs, both aspiring and current.

Start a business that lets you follow your passion. If you plan a business around a hobby or something you enjoy, work can be fun, and you may not mind putting in the extra hours it will take to make your endeavor successful.

BizFilings has helped over a million entrepreneurs start a business, and has incorporated businesses large and small, from fabric stores to Facebook. Starting your business gives you the freedom to choose your dream job or something that lets you spend more time with your family.

• This past year saw continued growth from “digital moms,” or women bloggers, turning their blogs into businesses. If you have a blog, you can draw revenue from companies who agree to advertise or promote their products or services on your blog, turning something you love into a successful business model.

• If you have a soft spot for our fourlegged friends, consider capitalizing on the millions people spend each year on their pets. Start a pet care business for busy pet owners who don’t get a break in the day to take Fido for a walk. If you’d rather take your pooch to work, opening your own pet store (or pet bakery, a rising trend) can give you that flexibility.

• Starting your own bakery or

business dreams

FILE PHOTO Women in Business

Becoming a mompreneur can have many benefits other than spending more time with your kids. Working from home can come with its own set of tax breaks, as long as your designated home office meets certain specifications.

restaurant may seem daunting – but a food truck presents a unique opportunity to break into the food industry.

Food trucks are popping up in cities nationwide, with Americans embracing the trend of mobile eating. Serving everything from crepes to cupcakes and sushi to sandwiches, this trend may be perfect for food-fueled entrepreneurs.

Create a business plan that works for you. This can be one of the most important first steps to starting a small business. Business plans aren’t tailormade – everyone considers different things to be important. Use the Small Business Administration to help you write yours by visiting your local chapter or by using the resources available on www.sba.gov.

Consider incorporation to protect

your family. When you’re starting up a business, you may have to rely on your family’s savings to get the business off the ground. Incorporating your company can protect your family’s assets and savings by providing a layer of liability between your business and your savings.

If anything goes wrong, your family’s home, vehicles and even your child’s college fund could be at stake – but not if you’ve incorporated.

Incorporation can also grant you a better financial foundation when getting your business off the ground. Women are more prone than men to finance their business on credit cards – a risky gamble that often backfires with bad credit and steep interest charges.

Getting a loan from a bank is a much savvier business decision, and

incorporating your business can be a crucial factor in showing the bank that you take your business seriously.

“If you have a dream business, we’ll incorporate it – it’s that simple,” says Karen Kobelski, mother of two and a member of the leadership team at BizFilings. “And as a supporter of mompreneurs, we help our customers pick the business structure that’s right for them and their family.”

The government also provides specific programs to help women entrepreneurs, including grants and loans as well as specific contract work not available to other entrepreneurs.

To find out more about government assistance for entrepreneurs, visit the SBA’s website, www.sba.gov.

(BPT)

2015 WOMEN IN BUSINESS

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In a sea of dark suits, we stand out from the crowd.

At First National Bank and Trust Company, we know every business is different. And we’re a little different too. If you’re looking for a true partner to help build your business, we’re ready to roll up our sleeves, find out what you need, and make a plan to help you get it. Now that’s sound advice.

Looking to grow your business? Give us a try, we’ll treat you like family. Contact our Commercial Banking team today.

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Page 8

2015 WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Tips JUGGLING WORK for AND

Balancing work and family is a juggling act faced by many working parents.

Responsibilities to work and family often overlap, and that can make solving the riddle of balancing work and family that much more difficult.

Single-income households have decreased dramatically over the last several decades, as escalating costs of living have made it difficult for many families to get by on just one income. But working parents can employ several strategies, both at the office and at home, as they attempt to make the job of juggling commitments to work and family a little less difficult.

Around the office A major concern many parents have as they attempt to balance work and family is that they are not spending enough time at home with their children or not paying enough attention to their kids or even their spouses when they are home.

One way to find more time at home is to inquire about the possibility of working remotely.

Advancements in technology that have made it easier to remotely communicate with clients and co-workers has led to an influx of work-from-home employees.

While working from home does not mean workloads will diminish, it does save men and women the time they would spend commuting to and from work, and that translates to more time at home with the family.

If working remotely full-time is not a possibility, men and women can ask if it’s possible to do so one or two days a week, as such a schedule will still provide more time at home.

Another avenue men and women can explore as they attempt to achieve a better balance between work and family concerns how efficiently they do their jobs.

Chatting with co-workers about issues that do not pertain to work can be a great way to reduce work-related stress, but professionals who feel as if they never have enough time to get their jobs done in a typical work day should determine if they are working as efficiently as possible.

Avoid too much water cooler chitchat and resist the temptation to check personal emails or text messages while

at work. Such distractions can eat up a considerable amount of time over the course of a workday, making it harder for men and women to get their jobs done in a typical workday and forcing them to stay late or bring work home.

Men and women working to achieve a greater balance between work and family also can examine how willing they are to take on additional work.

While coworkers love a team player willing to pitch in, routinely accepting extra work can drastically cut into the time men and women have to do their own jobs as well as the time they have to spend with their families.

Helping coworkers out in a pinch is fine, but men and women should resist any urges to take on more than they can reasonably handle.

At home Men and women also can take steps at home to create a better balance between work and family. Working parents who want the time they have with their children each night to be more substantive can turn off their devices upon arriving home from work.

Devices such as smartphones and tablets keep working professionals attached to their offices, and many men and women are tempted to check work emails or answer phone calls and voicemails even when they have left the office for the day. Parents should resist that temptation so their families know their focus is on them and not back at the office.

Another way to create a greater balance between work and family life is to make more efficient use of time at home.

For example, rather than spending an hour each night making dinner, working parents can use a slow cooker so family meals are ready the moment everyone arrives home at night.

That frees up time the family can spend together and gives working parents one less thing to do when they arrive home.

Working parents looking to get more quality time with their families also can cut back on the time families spend watching television each night. Limit television time to an hour or two each night, using the extra time to connect with one another.

(METRO CREATIVE)

family

FILE PHOTO Women in Business

Many working parents strive to create a greater balance between work and family. While doing so is not always easy, men and women can employ strategies at work and at home to make the challenge a little less complicated.

2015 WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Page 9

Businesses should strive to see the faces of their customers reflected in the faces of their employees. Organizations that build their external brand as diverse and inclusive will be better equipped to hire and retain talent as well as win new customers and satisfy existing ones.

MODERN OFFICE:

FILE PHOTO Women in Business

Why a diverse workforce works

The shifting demographics of the United States are becoming increasingly important for employers to consider when building a productive workforce.

More than 50 percent of the workingage population will be made up of minorities by 2039, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Now more than ever, a workforce’s accurate reflection of the evolving populace is not only a key to structuring an inclusive office culture, but it also makes great business sense.

Staples, a leader in workplace diversity, offers the following commentary and tips on how to foster a culture of inclusion.

A diverse workforce makes more knowledgeable and effective decisions Various backgrounds, skill sets and experiences all contribute to sound decision-making. For instance a workforce comprised of people all of the same age and background would be limited, as they generally share similar cultural and life experiences.

In contrast, the varying perspectives of a team comprised of different ages, genders, races, nationalities, sexual orientations and

thinking styles can result in more creativity and better problem solving.

Recently Staples, along with 378 other employers and employer organizations, signed an amicus brief, urging the Supreme Court to strike down state bans on gay marriage. State laws that prohibit or decline to recognize marriages between same-sex couples hinder employer efforts to recruit and retain the most talented workforce possible in those states. The successes of companies like Staples, which has earned a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index for the last five years, depend upon the welfare and morale of all employees and such differential treatment creates unnecessary confusion, tension and a significant burden on both employers and employees.

“We see the power of diversity as a competitive advantage and strive to realize its full potential by leveraging the unique talents and strengths of our associates” says Erika Hopkins, director of workplace inclusion and diversity for Staples.

“When diversity is enabled by a culture of inclusion, associates feel respected and valued, allowing them to perform at their peak every single day, resulting in

better innovation, idea generation and organizational performance.”

An inclusive workplace improves performance When employees feel valued and respected, they perform better. Having an inclusive work environment where employees can feel comfortable being themselves without losing any part of their identity will result in exponentially improved performance. This increase in each individual’s performance has the collective effect of significantly better organizational performance.

One effective approach to establishing an inclusive culture is through employee groups that focus on a specific aspect of one’s identity and are open to any interested employee. These groups provide employees with an opportunity to celebrate their uniqueness and create a greater awareness for the entire organization.

To encourage company-wide participation, the groups are internally supported by company executives. For instance at Staples, there are executive sponsors for every Associate Resource Group.

Specifically, vice chairman Joe Doody is the sponsor for “Women Who Lead,” whose mission is to build a thriving community of female associates. The group routinely engages its members with developmental, networking and community-focused events.

Partnering with Friends of Families in Transition, they organized a collection for homeless families, filling gift bags for over 340 people. Events like these empower not only the group of diverse employees, but the rest of the office and surrounding communities as well. They are also a great way to showcase the diversity present within a business while also being a tool to promote engagement among the overall workforce.

Diversity and inclusion – a powerful combination When both diversity and inclusion are present in the workplace, the organization is better equipped to live up to its full potential. This powerful combination can be a real differentiator in the marketplace.

If your organization wants to thrive in the 21st century, you can’t ignore the rapidly evolving cultural landscape.

(BPT)

Women IN THE workplace

Page 10

2015 WOMEN IN BUSINESS

If you don’t have a woman boss now, you probably will very soon.

As 50 percent of the U.S. workforce and more than half of all managers and supervisors, women are reaching leadership positions in record numbers.

According to the book “Women Lead”

by Apollo Research Institute, women outperform men in key leadership skills.

Here are some tips to help women (and men) acquire and demonstrate these valuable skills.

postings to see which skills employers are looking for, and take classes that teach those skills.

GET TECH SAVVY

POLISH YOUR PEOPLE SKILLS

By 2020, more than 70 percent of jobs will have a technical component. Stay current by upgrading your computer skills or learning new ones. Check job

Did you know?

Of more than 3,000 managers surveyed for “Women Lead,” nearly half picked communication as the most important skill for today’s leaders. Help your team excel by clearly communicating goals, roles and achievements.

LIVE TO LEARN

Continuing education ranked as the No. 1 most important activity for effective leaders, according to the managers surveyed for “Women Lead.”

Make learning a lifelong habit by enrolling in a certification or advanced degree program to boost your academic credentials.

You can learn more at www. apolloresearchinstitute.org or find Apollo Research Institute on Facebook.

(NAPS)

The number of women in leadership roles in both politics and business continues to rise.

According to the Pew Research Center, the percentage of United States Senators who are female has risen from just 2 percent in 1965 to 20 percent in 2015. A similar spike has taken place in the United States House of Representatives, which is now 19.3 percent women compared to just 2.3 percent in 1965.

State legislatures have also witnessed the growing role of women, as state legislatures, which were just 4.5 percent female in 1971, are now 24 percent female.

Fortune 500 companies have also increasingly turned to women to fill leadership roles. In 2014, 5.2 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs were women. While that figure is still low, it’s certainly an improvement over 1995, when no Fortune 500 company employed a female as its CEO. Fortune 500 companies are also increasingly relying on women to serve as board members, which were 16.9 percent women in 2013 compared to less than 10 percent in1995.

Women also are getting more opportunities to lead on college campuses than they were roughly 30 years ago, when just 9.5 percent of college presidents were women.

By 2011, that figure had nearly tripled to 26.4 percent.

(METRO CREATIVE)

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‘ Tips

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Communication is considered the top skill for effective leadership.

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the rental market in 2012, for example, Citi Habitats, a Manhattan-based rental brokerage firm, found that the average rent in Manhattan was $3,418 per month.

Young women looking to move to a metropolitan area should determine the cost of living before making plans to move.

Metropolitan areas are seemingly always more expensive than rural or suburban locales, but some metropolitan areas are more reasonable than others.

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Many young people harbor romantic notions of the big city. But larger cities, even those that boast low unemployment rates, are not immune to problems.

Young women should visit a city before committing to move there.

If you have friends or family currently living in a big city, spend a weekend with them and talk to them about everyday life and what you can expect. The better feel you can get for the lifestyle of a given city, the more you will know if that city is what you’re looking for.

DETERMINE HOW YOU WILL GET AROUND

Few people who live in large metropolitan areas drive to work. In a city such as New York or Chicago, for instance, residents tend to rely on the subway to get to work, and many residents do not even own an automobile.

Even people who live in the suburbs of New York City, but work within city limits tend to take mass transportation to work.

Mass transportation costs extra money, often several hundred dollars per month, it’s something to consider if you land a job in a metropolitan area, but intend to live in the surrounding suburbs where rent is typically cheaper. Consider the cost and reliability of transportation when choosing your next hometown.

Moving to a metropolitan area is an exciting, and often practical, decision for young women looking to begin their careers. But the decision is one that requires careful consideration of a host of factors.

(METRO CREATIVE)

2015 WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Page 11

Tips for

FEMALE

entrepreneurs

Starting a business is no small task. But as the 21st century progresses, more and more female entrepreneurs are embracing the challenge of starting their own businesses.

Though each entrepreneur has his or her own motivation for starting a business, the chance to be your own boss and turn an idea into a successful business is a driving force for both male and female entrepreneurs. And though male and female entrepreneurs face similar hurdles when starting a business, many female entrepreneurs might be more hesitant to set out on their own, fearing that old stigmas about women in the workplace might affect their chances at success by making potential investors or financial institutions wary of women setting out on their own.

Though such concerns unfortunately are legitimate, women should not assume that such stigmas prevail.

The continued success of female entrepreneurs has shed new light on just how successful female entrepreneurs can be. The following are a few tips for women looking to start their own business.

Seek out a mentor Many female entrepreneurs have blazed the trail you are about to embark on, and such women can prove an invaluable resource as you begin your journey. Find a female business owner you can connect with and ask her for any advice she can offer.

She might not be able to help you with any specifics regarding your business, but she can very well share stories of what you can expect as a woman setting out to start her own business.

Have an airtight business plan As unjust as it is, a stigma about women in the workplace still exists in the minds of some professionals. This means women must be especially diligent and detailed when creating their business plan. One helpful hint is to act as if you are pitching yourself.

Look at your business plan and ask if you would invest in yourself. Ask yourself the questions you would ask a fellow entrepreneur if he or she approached you with the same business plan you just developed. There’s no harm to be done by using every resource at your disposal, especially your own business savvy and experience.

Don’t expect to finance the business entirely on your own Unless your business is going to be especially small, you’re going to need capital to start your business. If you think you can finance the business on your own, you might want to reconsider. A business loan or investors can help you plan for the unexpected.

If you attempt to go it alone, open your business and then find you need a business loan, the lending institution might find your brand has already been damaged and is less likely to succeed. That can make it harder to secure a business loan. Though it’s possible to finance your business entirely out of your own pocket, it never hurts to partner up with a bank or a handful of investors.

Rely on your support system Many women with business experience might feel they need to prove something to themselves when starting their own business and need to do so entirely on their own. While that’s great motivation, underestimating the value of your support system, including your spouse, children and even your mentor, is a mistake. Rely on these people who all want you to succeed, and turn their support into extra motivation.

(METRO CREATIVE)

FILE PHOTO Women in Business

Small business owners should explore the various marketing options they have to spread the word about their businesses. Websites and social media can be great ways to let the public know what you have to offer.

HOW SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS CAN

market their businesses

According to Forbes Magazine, more than 50 percent of the working population works for a small business.

The Small Business Association reports there are almost 28 million small businesses in the United States. Many small businesses are home-based and hundreds get started each month.

Despite their prevalence, only a handful of small businesses survive more than 10 years. Small business owners must learn how to properly market their businesses and garner a larger audience to stay afloat.

While there’s no set amount a business should devote to advertising and marketing, such expenses should be included in an organization’s operational budget.

Small business owners just getting started may want to consider the following tips as they attempt to market their businesses and expand their customer base.

Create an online presence A survey from online marketing firm Yodle found that only about half of small businesses have websites.

Customers routinely go online to learn more about businesses and make purchases. Customers will visit websites to find directions to brick-and-mortar stores, find store hours and/or learn about the products or services offered by a particular firm. Small business owners should establish an online presence and ensure the site is routinely updated and modernized.

Sponsor local events For a relatively small investment, small businesses can get their names out to the public by sponsoring

community events. When approached by schools and other organizations, lend your help. Donate a basket of goods or a certificate for services for gift auctions.

Work with organizations to donate a portion of sales to a charity or school through a specialized fundraiser.

Contact a sports league to see if your company name can be printed on uniforms or used on banners around the field. Not only will this get your name out, but it also will establish a positive image of your company.

Establish yourself as an ‘expert’ Be accessible to journalists and media outlets that may need quotes or insight when writing articles.

Local papers and circulars can get your name out to the community and bring in new customers. Being quoted in print helps establish a reputation as being an authority in your field.

Don’t ignore social media According to Adroit Digital, 75 percent of Americans who use the Internet admit that product information found on social media influences their shopping behavior and enhances brand loyalty. Social media accounts are generally free to set up and require minimal effort to maintain. Social media can help establish and maintain a brand and help you share messages and other content.

Small business owners can enhance their marketing efforts by taking some relatively easy steps to widen their reach and get their names out to the public.

(METRO CREATIVE)

Page 12

2015 WOMEN IN BUSINESS

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