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Jul 07 2018

Challenges Unique to the Female Entrepreneur

 

Today I wanted to explore a touchy subject. It’s bound to generate some conversation. It’s the “how do you handle this situation” blog. The blog where we discuss how to handle difficult situations that seem to happen to women, at least once (if not for some, multiple times) in a career, where you are faced with a series of awkward tweets, or conversations or text messages, from a male colleague, co-worker or supplier / contractor.

Now in light of the recent “MeToo” movement – perhaps you feel there is nothing touchy about this topic at all and that it’s very straightforward but let me describe a situation, recently experienced by a female entrepreneur, and I invite you to share with me how you might have handled it.

At a recent networking event a female entrepreneur, let’s call her Mary, meets a male entrepreneur whom we will refer to as Fred.  Fred seems genuine enough, they have a great conversation and he provides a service Mary actually needs. Nothing in the conversation was overly “friendly” or in any way inappropriate. She takes his business card and they agree to stay in touch. Later that week she emails him with her specific business requirements. He responds via text, not email. He uses words like “sweetie” and “hun.” Mary immediately feels that familiar feeling I think we have all felt:

 

  • “Why did he use that language?”
  • “Did it mean anything or is that just the way he talks?
  • “Why did he text not respond to my email?”
  • “Should I comment on his choice of words or just let it go?”
  • “They words weren’t that bad….”

Mary chooses to ignore the use of language, texts Fred back referring him to her email where her specific business needs are addressed and asks him to respond via email. Instead, Fred texts again. This time the words include “sweetie” and “hun” again, along with “thanks luv” and an invitation to “Call me so we can chat some more. Call anytime….” Mary chooses to end the conversation by not responding to Fred at all and rather than create any friction in the networking community in which they are both members, she does not confront him but simply discontinues any attempt at doing business with him.

If you’re thinking to yourself “been there done that” I am not surprised at all. If you’re also thinking, “I wish I had handled it differently” that too would not surprise me. I believe it’s a problem specific to female entrepreneurs and it’s something we need to talk about more often. I also think we need to warn other women when it does happen to us. There’s no need to “out” Fred as a sexual predator because clearly he is not. Perhaps he just has no filter. Perhaps he doesn’t really understand the potential negative effect of his tone and choice of language. If Fred were an older English gentleman for example, using words like “Luv” would have been a long ingrained cultural norm that meant nothing. However, he was not. He’s young, in an industry heavily populated by women and needs to learn appropriate communication skills – not just in his use of language but his tool of choice as well. If you are sent an email, respond via email. Texts are not generally considered a business communications tool.

I’m genuinely curious. I’ve tried to keep this description brief but from what I have said – what would you do? I’d love to hear from both men and women. I firmly believe that business language and etiquette should always be the norm. Mary should probably have informed her networking group about Fred’s language choices or at least asked if anyone else had experienced a similar issue. She could also have approached Fred directly to discuss her concerns and this might have turned into a learning opportunity for Fred. But she was uncomfortable doing so, and I get it. I bet you do too. Over to you…..

 

As Owner and Principal partner of “Writing Right For You” Sheralyn is a Communications Strategist – working together with entrepreneurs to maximize profit through effective use of the written word. Looking for web content that works, blog articles that engage or communications strategies that help you get noticed?  Contact Sheralyn today. Sheralyn is also the mother of two children now entering the “terrible and terrific teens” and spends her free time volunteering for several non-profit organizations.

Sheralyn Roman B.A., B.Ed.

Writing Right For You

Communications Strategies that help you GET TO THE POINT!

416-420-9415 Cell/Business

writingrightforyou@gmail.com

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Written by Dwania Peele · Categorized: Sheralyn Roman · Tagged: Female Entrepreneur, MeToo, touchy subject, women

Jun 04 2014

Being a Lady in the Corporate World

 

Praveeni

Business. It’s a man’s world so to speak. Being an entrepreneur is challenging enough but being a female entrepreneur is even tougher. Women in business are constantly subjected to stereotypes and double standards; this makes focusing on growing your business and watching your bottom line even more challenging.

 

Although being a female entrepreneur has its challenges it is not without its perks as well.  It’s always nice to have doors opened for you or to get to sit first at business lunches. However the biggest obstacle women in business face is not earning respect and acceptance of their male counterparts and peers, but learning to be a lady and maintain their femininity in the corporate world.

 

Here are a few words of advice I have with regards to being a lady in the corporate world :

 

1. Dress appropriately

Never dress in a provocative or revealing manner. Marilyn Monroe said it best

“your clothes should be tight enough to show you’re a woman but loose enough to show you’re a lady”

 

Avoid any skintight clothing or plunging necklines that might garner you the wrong kind of attention.  Stick to business attire such a business suit or dress for formal meetings and conservative casual attire for weekend meetings. A lady should be well put together so don’t be afraid to add in accessories such as a necklace or bracelet.  If in doubt always opt for a more conservative look.

 

2. Mind your language
No matter how tempting it may be resist the urge to curse, swear or hurl insults.  Using coarse language will ruin a polished image and make you seem unprofessional and crass. If you are subjected to profanity or insults do not retaliate or engage in a altercation simply walk away.

Remember:

“Profanity is the effort of a feeble brain to express itself forcibly.” – Spencer W. Kimball

 

3. Don’t take things personally

In business and in life not everyone will like you or agree with you or the way you do things. You will be faced with negativity. The key is not to get offended. Getting offended and angry never solves anything; in fact it just causes you more aggravation and frustration. If someone doesn’t like you or what you do don’t try to change their mind. It’s just their opinion and it doesn’t determine your success or self worth.

 

4. Show your appreciation

When someone goes out of their way for you, say thank you. Show your appreciation by calling them (yes I said actually calling them and speaking to them) on the phone or sending them a hand written (not typed) thank you note. You can also go one step further and treat them to coffee or lunch. Sometimes sending a text or email just isn’t personal enough.

 

5. Learn to be gracious
Being gracious is one of the key components of being a lady. Whether in business or in your personal life treating others with respect and dignity will never make you seem weak or small. Although the business world is competitive and sometimes ruthless, a little kindness and courtesy goes a long way.

 

“I think sometimes it’s more important to be gracious than to win “ – Dorothy Kilgallen

 

6. Know your table manners
 Table manners are extremely important in the corporate world as you will be attending business lunches and dinners. Knowing which fork to use and how to behave at the table is as crucial to your success as knowing your product.  If you are unsure about your table manners or etiquette in general investing in etiquette and protocol training is strongly recommended. When it comes to etiquette never assume, always ask an expert.

 

“The world was my oyster but I used the wrong fork” – Oscar Wilde

 

7. Expect respect but don’t demand it

As a woman in business you should expect respect from your peers and counterparts, but to expect it you have to earn it not demand it. You can earn respect in the way you act and how you run your business. Know your product, who you’re selling to and why you’re in your chosen field of business. Never demand or force others to respect you and worship you.

 

“Being powerful is like being a lady, if you have to tell people you are, you aren’t” – Margaret Thatcher
Praveeni Perera is the CEO and co-founder of Professional Edge Consulting a corporate training company based in Ottawa offering training and coaching services to clients around the world.  She can be reached via Website, Twitter, Facebook or her Blog.

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Written by Dwania Peele · Categorized: Praveeni Perera · Tagged: acceptance, Appreciation, business, business attire, business development, business lunches, calling, Canadian Small Business Women, corporate, corporate world, Dorothy Kilgallen, Dress appropriately, entrepreneur, etiquette, Female Entrepreneur, Fempreneur, Gracious, insults, male counterparts, Margaret Thatcher, Marilyn Monroe, Mind Your Language, note, offended, Oscar Wilde, Peers, Praveeni Perera, profanity, Professional Edge Consulting, protocol training, respect, skin tight clothing, Spencer W. Kimball, table manners, Women in Business

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