Canadian Small Business Women

Connection, Synergy, Community

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.

Networks, Peers, and Mentorship

Martina New

As small business owners and solopreneurs, most of us seek out some form of business network. Whether for the purpose of marketing our business or to practice our elevator pitch, it is important to be part of a group that is external to our business.

Such connection may be downright essential for some. Being the one in charge of our business and handling all aspects of it can, at times, be overwhelming and isolating. Where is that sounding-board when you need one? Who provides the voice of reason when you are stuck in some way?

I recently learned more about some of the differences between a network and a peer group and their distinct advantages.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary says:

  • A Network is a usually informally interconnected group or association of persons
  • A Peer is one that is of equal standing with another: especially one belonging to the same societal group
  • A Mentor (or business coach) is someone who teaches or gives help and advice to a less experienced [and often younger] person

Here in Toronto, business networking groups abound and can be found, often bleary eyed, over early morning breakfasts or occasionally later in the day in cafés and restaurants. Typically meeting weekly or biweekly, their main goal is to provide one another with referrals for potential or actual business. Casual conversation before or after the formal meeting part allows little time to get to know each other’s businesses in much depth.

A peer group, on the other hand, usually meets less often, maybe only monthly. Here, business referrals take place more incidentally with the main focus being discussing business challenges. The group will brainstorm ideas on how to solve someone’s particular business issue. Peer groups can hence provide that missing sounding-board for solo business owners, where challenges can be reviewed, dissected, and step-by-step solutions be offered without having to hire a personal business coach. Like the latter though, it provides a platform for accountability.

A specific structure for peer groups is described in a book and method by Elizabeth Verwey, called The Mentors Circle. In a recent Lunch & Learn seminar, she shared how her background as business coach and desire to enable others to coach and mentor one another lead to her formulating this method and book.

A Mentors Circle is a peer group who meets once a month for two to three hours. A facilitator or leader guides the group through the steps and exercises laid out in the book. The group may review one or more case studies from attending business owners, and brainstorm together.

The difference to a networking or other peer group is that the group’s existence is, or at least can be finite, meaning they commit to just six months’ of meetings. This provides a start, middle, and end so that after completion of this time period members can choose either to stop or restart a new circle of meetings.

Finding an accountability buddy is also important. As Elizabeth says, the probability of completing a goal you set yourself is only 50% if you only plan how you are going to do it, and 95% if you commit to reporting back and make an appointment (or set a deadline by when you will do it). Fittingly, the “M” in Mentors Circle stands for motivation, “T” for testing new ideas, and “S” for support and success.

Your peers then, as well as the book and accompanying workbook, provide the mentorship aspects. While I enjoy and benefit from networking groups – bleary-eyed early mornings or not – I really like the sound of a guided and structured peer group. Now who will be my accountability buddy?

 

Sources:

Merriam-Webster online dictionary, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary

The Mentors Circle, www.officementors.com

 

Martina Rowley is the founder and operator of Beach Business Hub – THE co-working space east of the Don Valley. She combined her passion and experience in the environmental sector with her community engagement side to create a local work environment where space and resources are shared. She fosters and facilitates collaboration, networking, and learning for and with small business owners and new start-ups.  Contact her at:http://www.beachbusinesshub.ca, on Facebook and on Twitter

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