Green Businesswomen - Grow your Mastermind Circle
Mon, 08/16/2010 - 4:25pm | by monicadear
When you're starting your green business, it's so important to have a core group of people to help you grow and thrive. Creating a mastermind group means developing this core group of individuals who help you achieve your objectives. For women in green businesses, this means reaching out to one another to create real connections. This isn't a competition -- this is world-changing work that we're doing, together.
Developing and growing your green business requires some level of thought about what you personally bring to the table, and what skills that the company or organization needs that you don't have.
For example: maybe you're a numbers person but don't have a creative on board.
Maybe you're more of a social butterfly or marketing guru, but you need help with product development, engineering, or packaging.
Maybe you are the graphic designer and are looking to parter with the printer and web developer.
It's all about connections -- making connections, fostering collaboration, and doing more as a group than we can do as single individuals.
Many teachers and coaches suggest you create a organizational "roles and responsibilities" chart in the very beginning of your planning process, so you identify who is needed to make your green business a success.
Who will hold you to keeping green as a part of your business practices?
Do you have an accountant or tax advisor on hand?
How about an attorney if intellectual property is involved?
Who's your in-house mediator or ombudsman?
Who will project manage?
In the very beginning, you may be fulfilling all these roles yourself, or a few partners are getting organized -- as time passes you'll lock down roles and create a "staff flowchart" of how a project gets managed, from customer's experience to fulfillment.
As you get more and more specialized, you will either hire staff to fulfill these roles or find associates to take on this part of the work. Then it's time for you to develop the entrepreneurial mindset and work "on the business" as much as you work "in the business."
Many startups are so focused on this month's cash flow issue or impending deadlines that they do not take the time to do long-term planning. If you're a green business, your planning process is even more important because many external factors are in play such as government policies, legislation specific to green business, trends in consumer habits, and what your competitors are doing.
If you're in a position of leadership in your company (or if the company is just you at this moment) then now is the time to consider how you will expand your abilities by creating a mastermind group with others who will help you.
Find some other green business women in your area -- the listed women in the http://www.GreenBusinessWomen.com directory are a great start -- and do some networking to identify who will help you grow your green business.
We all deserve "a little help from our friends" and as you become more and more successful, you'll appreciate having a group of people who celebrate, support, and challenge you to reach your goals. Ask around for referrals, or do a search. Here's a sample script:
"Hello, my name is Jane Doe and I'm in the _____ business. We are a green company because of X, Y, and Z. As a green businesswoman, I'm looking to connect with other women for mutual support and your name came up as someone who offers ______. I invite you to join my circle. We're an informal group who help each other mastermind and improve each other's businesses through regular check-ins. My contact info is A, B, and C and I am so grateful for any connections, resources, or ideas you offer."
List your green business for free in the national directory at http://www.greenbusinesswomen.com. Send a quick tweet to @monicadear about your green business or connect on LinkedIn.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Send to friendVisionboard #10: Trust the Universe
Mon, 02/06/2012 - 2:26am | by monicadearOne of my favorite meditations is the idea that each of us are simply manifestations of the Universe, and so every experience that we go through, no matter how difficult and terrifying, is still a way for us to learn, expand, grow, and increase our self-knowledge.
This visionboard item is one of my ways to remind myself to place my trust that everything is part of a greater plan, or at least, I can put everything into place and know that there is unity and harmony within all the different chaotic strings and threads of experience and activity.
Tags:
7 Tips to Prevent Bullying
Mon, 02/06/2012 - 1:30am | by monicadear
If you're a mom, mentor, or involved in the classroom, you know the importance of maintaining a decent, respectful, positive, safe, and supportive environment for all students. Bullying can happen to children, teens, and young adults who do not get along well with others, who are "less popular", or who have few to no friends in the school. Also at risk for being bullied are youths with depression or anxiety, and those who have low self esteem. Those especially at risk are LGBT and questioning youth: in one study by Laura Sessions Stepp, "four out of five gay and lesbian students say they don't know one supportive adult at school."
Don't Just Settle - Make it Meaningful, Happy, and Deeply Satisfying
Wed, 01/18/2012 - 2:18pm | by monicadear
I am always a proponent of upgrading your lifestyle in as many ways as possible. I believe that for the sake of mental health, sanity, and security, we each deserve to follow our intuition, treat ourselves well, and look after our own best interests. If we focus on continuous improvement and do this naturally every day, with the mindset of being grateful and expressing deep respect for the gift of life, we can incrementally change our living situation.
7 Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for the Woman Business Owner in your Life
Sun, 01/15/2012 - 2:48pm | by monicadear
1) Pay for her website domain and hosting
Most small business owners don't think of this precious detail, and if your special lady is in business, this is one of a myriad of other details. Do her a favor and prepay for the next 2-3 years of domain and hosting. You'll get a chance to reassess her existing website details (username and password) and inventory the current situation.
2) Get her Quickbooks Online
Evaluating your Savings Needs
Thu, 01/12/2012 - 7:17pm | by monicadear
With the low interest rates available and the challenge of many women to manage their family finances, their business finances, and the changing needs of family - from children going to college to elderly parents needing care, we're finding a great need for education and self-awareness about personal finance options.
A great place to get started learning about finances is Investopedia. You can also learn about personal journeys through blogs like I Will Teach You to Be Rich, Millionaire Mommy Next Door, or Get Rich Slowly.
The beginning of the year is a great time to get organized and review (or start) your savings plan.
Four Totally "Out-of-the-Box" Predictions
Tue, 01/03/2012 - 4:44pm | by monicadear
I pride myself on being fairly well-educated and tolerant of diversity.
Here are four completely out-of-the-ordinary ideas I've recently been exposed to. I've had a hard time wrapping my head around each of these, but I think that each is a very early indication of different trends in our modern world, and in terms of a business approach, it would be wise to consider ways to integrate these ideas into your existing business model or your marketable job skills: natural remedies, open source mentality, overall collaboration, and green extreme.
Beyond Natural Remedies
Wedding Day Planning: Four Steps to Make it Fabulous
Thu, 12/29/2011 - 8:00pm | by monicadear
The wedding service and vows, your attire, the location of the service and reception, and decorations: if your big day is coming up, start planning for these four items at the very beginning. This will help reduce the stress because, like most brides, you're probably planning a wedding on top of dealing with a full-time job, interacting with family and in-laws, organizing travel arrangements, anticipating special needs for seniors or children, finding ethical rings, deciding on vendors, and fitting everything into your budget.
