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Unique Challenges for Women in Business
But, as most self-employed people, I'm a hard boss, and as a
female small business owner, I have much more to do than just
'work'. As I type this, I am also making lasagna so my husband
has something he enjoys eating while I'm out of town for the
next few days, working. I also need to fold the laundry that is
in the dryer so I can take care of some last minute clothes I
want to pack for my trip. Tomorrow I will get up a little
earlier than necessary so I can get a quick workout in, then be
sure I have my suitcase packed and in the car before I see my
first client in the morning, because when I'm out of school, I
will leave directly for the airport for my trip. During the
trip, if I have all my studying for classes done, I can then
start working on my articles and newsletter that will be due
soon. I should have all my charting done for my clients before I
leave tomorrow, too.
If you are in business for yourself, this probably sounds pretty
familiar. If you are just starting out, yes, it sounds scary,
and there definitely are days that you will wonder what the heck
you are doing, but I am still here to tell you it's all worth it.
Businesses owned by women are the fastest growing segment of
small business owners in the country. Between 1997 and 2004, the
estimated growth rate in the number of women-owned businesses
was nearly twice that of all businesses. According to the Small
Business Association, there are currently 9.1 million
women-owned businesses, which employ 27.5 million people and
contribute $3.6 trillion to the economy. If you are female and
have considered starting up your own business, the time couldn't
be better!
Women are diversifying into all industries, too. Construction,
manufacturing and transportation have been the largest recent
increases in women-owned firms, although services and retail
still make the largest share. Women are more prepared today for
running business. The amount of managerial experience,
education, business revenue and employment profiles these women
have after 10 years of experience equals what took 20 years in
the past. Women in business now equal men in these respects.
As mentioned above, although more women are now successfully in
business, we do have much more on our plate than just running
the business. For women with families, the challenge is to
successfully juggle all those responsibilities that go along
with running a household that men have traditionally be able to
remove themselves while running a business, themselves. So,
while doing it all, here are some tips on how to keep your
business up and running and thriving and keep your sanity at the
same time.
Handling interruptions
Some women run their business out of their home. This is what I
do, because much of my practice is email-based. One big
interruption that can be quite disruptive is the telephone. When
customers call, you want to present a professional face to your
business. There are several advantages to getting a separate
business line installed in your home. First of all, if you are
unable to answer the phone, personally, you will not have family
members answering. Just imagine your 7 year old answering the
phone... Or your husband takes a message and then loses the
number or wrote it down wrong. These two examples send a shudder
down my spine. Another advantage is then you can actually have
'private' time and know that when you answer your personal phone
in the evening that it's not a potential customer calling for
attention.
For people who have an office and still struggle with phone
interruptions, set up time for yourself that is only for
projects. Two options to handle the phone calls is to either get
the call display feature on your phone so you can determine who
is calling before answering the phone, or shut the ringer off
during that pre-determined time you have set aside for projects.
Another common interruption if your business is based out of
your home is from family members. Your daughter just got a paper
cut, your husband wants to share the news on the TV. If you are
in the middle of something that needs your full attention, you
can let them know that you are unavailable at the moment but
will be with them shortly. Just be sure to then keep your word.
This way they will all respect your requests when you make them.
Another helpful tip is to not have your workspace in the middle
of all the household activity. If you have a separate room you
can set your office in, then you can also remove yourself from
the noises of the family at necessary times.
For people with an office, this is less likely to happen often
with family. However, you may be subject to sales reps, etc.
Often just a sign on the door saying no solicitations can be
enough to discourage drop-in sales people.
When your list is overwhelming
When you own your own business, there are always things you
really want to get done. Now. With a family as well, your
attention can be torn in multiple directions, which can increase
stress. As your list of goals for the day or week continues to
grow, so does the stress level, however. It is critical that we
all set up some type of system to organize ourselves.
First of all, something I cannot do without is a daily list of
goals. I keep my list small, so I'm able to feel a sense of
accomplishment by the end of each day. Because I have a master
list in my marketing calendar, I can always add new things to my
day, but it's better to add than feel overwhelmed by not
accomplishing too many things. Make sure you prioritize your
list, too. At least this way, if you do not accomplish
everything, the most important things did get done.
Next, where can you delegate to others? It may be either in your
business or your home. Perhaps your spouse can pick up the dry
cleaning or the kids. Maybe a parent can help out here and
there. Could you use help in your business? Consider an
assistant. I have a Virtual Assistant who is like a third arm to
me, now. I am able to accomplish twice as much, now, since I've
hired my VA.
Third, how organized you and your office are will make a big
difference in how you feel from day to day. For those with an
office, if you don't have a back room, you may need to always
appear orderly and organized. Just make sure you're not creating
piles in places people cannot see. For people with a home-based
business, it may either be harder or easier to let things pile
up and get out of control. Here are a few tips: Get boxes like
the in-box and out-box and use them. For items that need filing,
put them in one box and before the end of your day, file them
accordingly, with the goal that you always have an empty 'file'
box. You may also need a box for 'projects'. Put dates of
completion on the projects, and then keep yourself on track with
your marketing calendar.
Next, really take a look at how you are using your time. For a
day or two, write down every single thing you do, then sit back
and analyze it to see how you can become more productive. E-mail
can suck the time right out of a day. I have found that
prioritizing my email makes a huge difference in how much time I
have each day. I have created files for many of my professional
listservs, and only when I am done with my daily list, if I have
time left, then I can read through some of them.
Something that self-employed people can easily forget about is
taking care of themselves. Schedule in time, every day, for some
'down time'. Maybe that is when you will exercise, just take a
walk, take a short afternoon nap, play with the kids outside.
Something to break up the day so that your productive and
creative juices continue to flow through the day. The advantage
of being the boss is you can schedule in these times. Everything
we do is a choice, so when someone says they have no time for
something, like self-care, this is a choice we make. To be
successful in business and life means being successful in health
and considering life as a full package, rather than one segment
is healthy and another is not. Balance.
Certainly some of these tips apply to men in business as well,
however, women in business do truly have more 'hats' to wear,
and women must make that conscious effort to maintain that
balance to be successful in business and in life.
About the author:
Marjorie Geiser is a nutritionist, registered dietitian,
certified personal trainer and life coach. Marjorie has been the
owner of a successful small business, MEG Fitness, since 1996,
and now helps other nutrition professionals start up their own
private practice. To learn more about the services Margie
offers, go to her website at www.marjoriegeiser.com or email her
at margie@megfit.com.