Expanding Business Horizons

As I drove in earlier than usual to my office this morning,I saw the sun brimming over the horizon.It was beautiful to see the glorious sun appearing in the distance,turning the typically white clouds pink and orange. As I looked at the horizon it reminded me of the horizons women entrepreneurs have in front of them. Vast, glorious and endless.

How long has it been since you looked at the horizon? Have you looked far beyond your typical business horizon and found opportunities outside of your geographic area? Have you taken the time to meet other women entrepreneurs living in your region? Have you taken advantage of business possibilities that lie in close proximity to where you operate? Today we provide you with advice on glancing towards a new business horizon where unlimited potential and revenue lie.

Attend Regional Events: Women TIES mission is to create a regional marketplace for women entrepreneurs.
We are spreading the news,connecting with more women from all over CNY every day, so we can do more business together.Have you expanded your horizons lately and meet anyone new? If not, commit to attending a regional business event this Fall. Sign up for one. Meet and network with other women. Promote yourself and your business. Decide to do business with a regional women entrepreneur this month.

Bigger Market in Smaller Locales: Have you researched doing business in a neighboring city lately? Maybe your research would uncover a need for your particular service or product in another location. Challenge yourself this week to research two regional cities
where your business could benefit. Attend a chamber event there. Join one of their local organizations.
Do a trade show in the area. Reach out and revenue might follow.

The Importance of Documentation When Dealing With Staff

At this week's Women TIES Success Seminar, a local female attorney provided valuable insight on how a business can protect itself from potential legal pitfalls in hiring, firing and maintaining employees. It was an insightful seminar which stressed the importance of documentation when dealing with staff. Today we'll share some tips we learned at this week's presentation.

Create and Maintain Employee Files: No matter the size of your business, or the number of employees you have, create and maintain a personnel file for each staff member. The file should hold their official, signed employment letter, performance reviews, and documentation on tardiness, unexcused absences or disciplinary issues. The file should also track compensation and benefits. Maintain these files for at least three years after an employee leaves.

Have a Written Nondiscrimination Policy: To minimize the potential for being sued on discrimination issues, every company should have a written nondiscrimination policy. The top four discrimination areas are: health, age, sex, and pregnancy. The first day of employment review the policy with the new staff member and have them read and sign the policy. Keep a copy of the signed paperwork in their employee folder.

Consider Having an Employee Handbook: An employee handbook can be helpful if you stick to the policies outlined in it. If you aren't going to follow the procedures and policies in your corporate handbook - don't have one. If you want an employee handbook but don't know how to write it, consider hiring a Human Resource company to write it for you. Once it is completed, it is typically sent to an attorney for review before giving it to you to implement.

Push Past Fear

Five years ago on 9/11 fear infiltrated our lives.
Our security was shaken,our world was altered,our perspective changed. We understood what we lost,how our lives were effected and how life goes on even when the worst of times are upon us. As women entrepreneurs we've felt fear before. We felt scared to start our businesses - afraid we might fail. We were nervous about financial challenges, uncertain on how we would grow our companies, and worried about really making it. But we survived. We conquered fear. We moved in it, through it, beyond it. Today’s advice focuses on taking new risks to grow our business.

Do Something You Have Been Afraid To Do:
What have you been afraid to do recently that might make a big difference in your business? Have you wanted to schedule an appointment with a business woman you’ve admired from afar? Have you avoided calling a CEO of a company you want to do business with? Are you afraid to seek financing from new sources? You know what you’ve been afraid to do. Consider today's message the catalyst you need to pick up the phone and do it. It might be the best thing you’ve done for your business this year.

Step Into A New Market:
Most established businesses have conquered a portion of the market. But what about the other parts of the marketing ‘pie’ you haven’t targeted yet? Is it time to take some risks to see if you can reap financial rewards by marketing to a different audience?

Network with People You’ve Never Met Before:
Most of us are comfortable in organizations and networks of people we know well. It’s much harder to meet new people and start all over. But you never know who you’ll meet, what you’ll learn, or how the encounter could change the course of your business.
Pick one organization you’ve always wanted to learn more about and go to one meeting or event this month.

Quality Is Essential

Last week as I vacationed at one of New York's most beautiful resorts, the Mirror Lake Inn in Lake Placid, I couldn't help but notice how wonderfully they ran their business by paying attention to small details, making their guests feel extremely comfortable,and offering superb customer service.

Every where you looked, every service you enjoyed, every staff person you spoke with exhuberated quality. High class, elegant and yet down to earth and heart warming atmosphere and service. I wanted to share with you a few lessons I brought back from the Mirror Lake Inn which can be implemented in your business today.

Create A Welcoming Environment: Most people love and appreciate beautiful things. People notice well decorated and inviting offices with attractive and soothing surroundings, accompanied by well dressed staff who match the image of your company.If it's been a while since you've looked at your corporate surroundings,take time this week to see if there are ways to revise, improve, or update your look to fit your corporate image and make an inviting place for you, your employees and your clients.

Warm, Friendly, and Helpful Communication: Every single staff member I met at Mirror Lake Inn, no matter what time of day or where I was said,"Hello, how are you? Can I help you with anything? I hope you are enjoying your stay." Every employee was polite, helpful, warm, and friendly. You knew they wanted to make your stay extra special. Do you and your employees make your clients feel the same way? Create a list of five ways to improve customer service today.

Price Doesn't Matter If You Offer The Best:The statement "You pay for what you get" is very true. The Mirror Lake Inn was worth the rate because they offered fantastic services and attractions. Not only did they have alot to offer, they made sure each service they provided was exceptional. Women entrepreneurs still underestimate and undervalue what they offer. If you feel you need to or want to increase your fees, make sure you are offering top quality services and products and institute a better customer service policy to reinforce your price increases.