Women Entrepreneurs Getting Back on Track, Part 3 - Making the Change

Once a female entrepreneur has determined what caused her to stop living her ideal entrepreneurial type, and what she can do about it, she may feel ready to begin the transition to her new ideal type. At first, the transition may seem daunting - but with the right tools, strategies and motivation, a woman business owner can conquer her fears and rediscover the success she deserves.

A recent study reveals there are five distinct types of women in business. Based on professional market research of more than 3,500 women in business, this study shows that each type of business owner has a unique approach to running a business and therefore each one has a unique combination of needs. When a woman is living as her ideal entrepreneurial type, she feels satisfied, personally and professionally. This article outlines four steps a business owner must take when she is ready to make the change.

1. Assess the gaps between the current situation and the ideal situation, for the business owner and for the business. If an entrepreneur has previously lived as her ideal type, then she knows what that feels like, and it will be relatively easy for her to determine the changes she needs to make to become her ideal type again, even if that is a different type than she lived as previously. Assessing the business-related gaps will determine what adaptations the entrepreneur must make within the business so that it functions as she wants it to (whether that means sustaining itself or growing).

Advice: In determining her ideal type, the entrepreneur already should have examined her own behaviors, habits and belief systems and determined which ones she needs to change to become her ideal type. Now it is time for her to begin to change those behaviors, habits and belief systems. That means that in every situation, she must choose to act like her ideal type, even when doing so feels uncomfortable, difficult or challenging. Of course, setbacks will occur as a business owner falls back into familiar habits, but over time, as she continues to act like her ideal type, she will become her ideal type. As for the business itself, the entrepreneur must find ways for it to adapt, just like she is doing. For example, if a business previously offered graphic design services only to high profile clients but is now running short on new clients and/or jobs, maybe the business owner needs to branch out and donate her services to a nonprofit organization as it launches a fundraising event. This particular job may not bring in a paycheck, but providing the service is a great marketing tool and allows the entrepreneur to use her creativity. Also, the business owner could consider calling her contacts and letting them know about promotional prices she's offering, thereby gaining her some new clients.

2. Create a plan for change. Many entrepreneurs find that creating a written plan, or "to-do" list, helps keep them motivated when they're making a change. Writing down each step in the transformation provides an excellent visual reminder of each goal, and allows the entrepreneur to make changes and additions as she needs to. Plus, crossing off each completed item gives a business owner a sense of accomplishment.

Advice: Business owners should write down every single goal they want to accomplish, whether it's creating a new system for office organization or designing a new company web site. Then, they should break each main goal down into smaller steps. For example, the new system for office organization may require the entrepreneur to clear out or destroy her old files, create new file folders, relocate her filing cabinet to a location more convenient to her desk, buy a desktop organizer with designated slots for incoming and outgoing mail, buy a desktop calendar, clear the clutter on her desk and empty her desk drawer. Also, business owners should always closely monitor their progress, so they can celebrate their accomplishments and make adjustments where necessary.

3. Recruit a support system. No one can reach her goals alone, so business owners must not be afraid to ask for help and support in different forms.

Advice: Support systems can include several types of people: those actually doing the work with or for a business owner, those who can provide advice or resources that make doing the work easier, more efficient or less expensive, and those who can support the business owner as an individual with moral support or by holding her accountable.

4. Recognize and reward hard work. As women, we beat ourselves up a lot. Every business owner deserves to recognize and reward herself for confronting her challenges head on, and for making the sometimes-difficult changes necessary to fuel their transformation. The vast majority of people perform much better when they are praised and recognized, than they do when they are afraid of punishment.

Advice: Female entrepreneurs should give themselves loving care whenever they need it, so they can keep moving forward, ever more positively, and arrive at their final destination. Whether times are so tough they need to celebrate every single phone call they made without procrastinating, or they just need to celebrate the major milestones, those celebrations are important.

Taking the actual steps to shift to an ideal situation from one that feels less-than-ideal is gratifying, confidence-building and inspiring to business owners who have experienced setbacks in their businesses. By following these four steps, female entrepreneurs will find success.

Women Entrepreneurs Getting Back on Track, Part 2 - Determining the Future

"When life hands you lemons, make lemonade." But what if a female entrepreneur doesn't want lemonade? When changing circumstances take a woman business owner out of her ideal entrepreneurial type, she may determine that rather than going back to her previous type, she wants to move on to a new ideal. Before she does, though, she must determine what that ideal is, and whether it is truly ideal for her own situation.

Based on professional market research of more than 3,500 women in business, this study shows that each type of business owner has a unique approach to running a business and therefore each one has a unique combination of needs. When a woman is living as her ideal entrepreneurial type, she feels satisfied, personally and professionally. This article outlines three questions a business owner must ask herself when she is on the brink of change.

1. Is this a time for business growth, or a time to sustain? Business growth often requires more time and energy on the part of a business owner. Also, it increases the ratio of time spent strategizing to time spent creating. Therefore, an "ideal" type depends on the level of resources an entrepreneur is able to or wants to invest in her business.

Advice: If an entrepreneur doesn't feel like she is living her ideal type, and wants to grow her business and transform into a new type, she's probably considering becoming either a Jane Dough or a Go Jane Go type, since they generally run larger businesses. She must keep in mind that each entrepreneurial type comes with its own set of strengths and challenges, and "benefits" and "drawbacks," which may actually be different from how the business owner perceives them. For example, Jane Dough business owners often run large businesses, run teams of people, and bring home a high income. They also work long hours and spend more time strategizing than they do creating. Go Jane Go business owners often bring in a high income and love running their businesses and giving back to their communities, sometimes feeling overwhelmed in the process.

2. During this difficult time, has the business owner developed any habits or behaviors she must change or stop so she can become her ideal type? In the process of adapting to what has probably become a difficult situation, it is possible that a business owner may have developed previously uncharacteristic habits or behaviors. Maybe she has begun procrastinating because she is unhappy at work and finds it draining to deal with the problems. Perhaps she feels so overwhelmed with the day-to-day operations of the business that she has stopped communicating with her team members and/or clients. Or maybe she has completely stopped making time for herself and/or her loved ones as she struggles to keep her company afloat.

Advice: In evaluating her own behaviors (especially recently developed behaviors), a female entrepreneur can determine specific adjustments she needs to make in order to power herself into her type change. For example, if cash flow has lessened and she is feeling stressed about it, she may have started avoiding paying the bills. Not only is this behavior unproductive, but it also can put the company in danger and weaken relationships with vendors. When it's time to shift from one entrepreneurial type to another, it is essential that a business owner be cognizant of her own behaviors and how they affect her business, so that every time a decision arises, she can act like her ideal type - that is a powerful way to create change.

3. Is the business owner's current environment conducive to productivity, in work and in personal life? Every business owner lives in two different environments - Her physical space and the people around her. Environment dramatically impacts performance, and it is a great place for an entrepreneur to start when she is making a change.

Advice: Women business owners should consider the people around them and the physical spaces where they work and live, and then ask themselves what needs to be "cleaned up" for optimal performance. Living in clutter - physical or emotional - drains her energy. Female entrepreneurs should consider these actions when wishing to modify their environments:
• Organize and clean up messy desks or office space.
• Hang inspiring artwork in the office.
• Ensure that all office furniture is comfortable and that tools are in easy reach.
• Use color to create the right mood.
• De-clutter everywhere, even the house and the car.
• Eat healthy foods that boost energy.
• Limit or eliminate time spent with negative people and naysayers.
• If eliminating time with negative people is impossible, set clear boundaries, such as making "worrisome" topics off-limits for discussion.
• Meet and become surrounded by positive, inspirational people.
• Create or join a mastermind group (people interested in supporting each others' success).

When life hands a female entrepreneur lemons, she doesn't have to make lemonade - she can make anything she wants. By asking herself the right questions, and answering with her heart, she will be able to follow the recipe for her ideal type - and new success.

A Business Plan for Women Entrepreneurs

As a woman, the thought of leaving your current position to pursue your dream of starting a company can be daunting. But with the right planning and preparation, you'll be your own boss in no time. The first step to entrepreneurial success is writing a business plan. A business plan is a way to discuss your company, explore your finances, and set goals. Any entrepreneur coach will tell you that it's imperative to have a quality business plan to obtain investors who will fund your company.Here are the main categories you should include in your business plan:

Executive Summary: The executive summary should highlight the main points of your business plan. Although it's usually the first section of the plan, it's easiest to write this part last.

Company Description: Here you will describe your company's concept and goals. What is your philosophy? Foreseeable obstacles? What are your resources and where will you allocate them? If you have too many ideas floating around that it becomes difficult to hone in on one theme or philosophy, hiring a woman business coach can help. As a professional entrepreneur coach, they will help you sift through your ideas and pare them down to establish one cohesive plan.

Competitive Analysis: Researching your competitors will help you determine how your company should operate. Who is your competition? How are they successful? In what ways can they improve their operations? By answering these questions you'll be able to determine the best ways to get your company a step ahead of the competition.

Financial Plan: The goal of every business is to make a profit. How are you going to keep your costs low while still producing a quality service or product? Be specific! Investors want concrete ways that your business will make money because when you turn a profit, so will they.

Strategy and Implementation: This section should include how you're going to produce your product/service and who your staff will be. You'll want to include the amount of time and money it'll take you to prepare for your grand opening, how your management structure will work and what your hours of operation will be. Just like the financial plan, your investors are looking for specifics so don't hesitate to elaborate on budgets, dates and staff details.

A business plan can be long or short, but remember that in order to ensure future success, you should have distinct goals, a budget and a lot of perseverance. So get writing and create a successful future for yourself!