Canadian Small Business Women

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16 Inspiring Quotes for 2016!

Praveeni

Happy New Year! It’s time for a fresh start once again and what better way to kick off 2016 than with a little positivity and inspiration. Every new year is a chance to hit the re-set button, clear our the clutter and negativity in our lives and look at the world, ourselves and our businesses with a fresh set of eyes. Here’s my list of 16 inspiring quotes for 2016 :

  1. “For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his fingers through it once a day.For poise, walk with the knowledge that you will never walk alone” – Sam Levenson
  2. “ Be yourself everyone else is already taken “ – Oscar Wilde
  3. “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible !” – Audrey Hepburn
  4. “ Be kind to those who are cruel to you, for they know not what kindness is ” – Praveeni Perera
  5. “Don’t follow the crowd, let the crowd follow you” – Margaret Thatcher
  6. “ Let no man pull you low enough to hate him “ – Martin Luther King
  7. “Always be a first rate version of yourself instead of a second rate version of someone else” – Judy Garland
  8. “Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t ” – Margaret Thatcher
  9. “Success isn’t about how much money you make, it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives” – Michelle Obama
  10. “Don’t waste time putting others down when you could be building yourself up “ – Praveeni Perera
  11. “ A girl should be two things : classy and fabulous” – Coco Chanel
  1. “The attributes of a great lady may still be found in the rule of the four S’s: Sincerity, Simplicity, Sympathy, and Serenity” – Emily Post
  2. “Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness” – Oprah Winfrey
  3. “Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman” – Coco Chanel
  4. “Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much” – Oscar Wilde
  5. “What other people think of you is none of your business “ – Amy Hatvany

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.

15 Inspirational Quotes for 2015

Praveeni

Happy New Year! A new year is a chance for all of us to wipe the slate clean and get a fresh start! A time to get rid of everything and everyone that was a bad or negative influence in our lives and move forward. It’s also a chance for us to have new experiences and make new friends. 2015 gives us all an opportunity to be better people; people who lift others up instead of bringing them down. Here are 15 inspirational quotes to help you have a prosperous and positive 2015 :

  1. “For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his fingers through it once a day.For poise, walk with the knowledge that you will never walk alone” – Sam Levenson
  2. “ Be yourself everyone else is already taken “ – Oscar Wilde
  3. “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible !” – Audrey Hepburn
  4. “ A lady’s worth is not measured by wealth or social status, but in the way she treats others” – Praveeni Perera
  5. “Don’t follow the crowd, let the crowd follow you” – Margaret Thatcher
  6. “ Let no man pull you low enough to hate him “ – Martin Luther King
  7. “Always be a first rate version of yourself instead of a second rate version of someone else” – Judy Garland
  8. “Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t ” – Margaret Thatcher
  9. “Success isn’t about how much money you make, it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives” – Michelle Obama
  10. “Don’t waste time putting others down when you could be building yourself up “ – Praveeni Perera
  11. “ A girl should be two things : classy and fabulous” – Coco Chanel
  1. “The attributes of a great lady may still be found in the rule of the four S’s: Sincerity, Simplicity, Sympathy, and Serenity” – Emily Post
  2. “Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness” – Oprah Winfrey
  3. “Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman” – Coco Chanel
  4. “Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much” – Oscar Wilde

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.

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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