Posted by Lady Samurai on October 17, 2011 at 02:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
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As a business coach and author of a business book for women, Discovering Your Inner Samurai, I am frequently asked this question in interviews, "How are women entrepreneurs who excel different from men entrepreneurs who excel?"
What I've discovered about women entrepreneurs who excel is that they do so in some ways that are similar to their male counterparts and in other ways that are distinctly different.
Here's how I answer that question:
Both women and men entrepreneurs who excel:
Women entrepreneurs do all that and then some. More often then men, women also:
What would you add to this list? Are their things you do that are specific to being a woman entrepreneur that our male counterparts don't do as often? If so, let us know!
Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert
Posted by Lady Samurai on June 06, 2011 at 01:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Technorati Tags: business book for women, women entrepreneurs, women entrepreneurs excel, women entrepreneurs success
Posted by Lady Samurai on May 16, 2011 at 04:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Technorati Tags: business success., discovering your inner samurai, woman entrepreneur
Being that this is Women's History Month, I asked Susan Bulkeley Butler, CEO of the Susan Bulkeley Butler Institute for the Development of Women Leaders to write a guest blog.
I first became familiar with Susan when I was asked to read her new book, Women Count: A Guide to Changing the World, and write a review of it.
In Woman Count, Butler brings the richness of her business and personal background to bear when she contends, "Today's world, with its wars, corporate ethics violations, economic meltdowns and societal strife—needs the unique strengths and attributes of women more than ever."
I found Butler's book to be both thought-provoking and uplifting. And recommend it for all women entrepreneurs wanting, no needing, to make the world a better place.
The Power of Women
by Susan Bulkeley Butler
Women’s History Month is a time to reflect on women who have helped us to get where we are, and a time to reflect on how we will impact future generations.
As I sit here, I am thankful for Susan B. Anthony and the suffragists, Amelia Earhart, and many more.
Speaking of Susan B. Anthony, can you believe it has only been 90 years since we have achieved our right to vote?
What will we be celebrating on the 100th anniversary (August 26, 2020)?
Since the launch of my recent book, Women Count: A Guide to Changing the World, and it being “the decade for women,” my focus has been on equality in sight for women.
In 2020, the headlines will read: “Women Crack 30%.”
What will this mean? My end in mind is: an increase in women as directors, CEOs, and senior leaders; pay equity for women; a significant increase in women’s health research; and much more.
Can we do it?
Of course we can. If we all ban together “to make great things happen” for us rather than let things happen to us.
How?
We all need to do our part to make this a better world for our daughters and granddaughters. If we do that, it will be a better world for everyone.
We must move from counting women to women count.
What are you going to do to change the world for future generations?
Happy Women’s History Month to all!
Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert
Posted by Lady Samurai on March 28, 2011 at 06:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Technorati Tags: susan bulkeley butler, women count, women entrepreneurs, women's history month
As a woman entrepreneur, I've made my share of mistakes in business. And, as a business coach and author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai, a book about women's business success, I've thought a lot about the common mistakes that women make in business.
Here are my top five.
1. Letting them see you sweat.
Too many times I've seen women, when they aren't feeling confident about themselves or their abilities, disclose their lack of confidence. They do this by peppering their clients and colleagues with lots of questions before they delve into a project, hedging when it comes to making a commitment, as well as breaking eye contact and fidgeting.
Showing lack of confidence, either by word or action, is a self-defeating behavior. Never let them see you sweat! Say yes. Then figure out how to deliver.
2. Displaying negative emotions.
Displaying anger, bitterness, or spite is never attractive. Turning into the victim or martyr when things don't go your way by whining, complaining, or blaming is counterproductive. Don't defend yourself, argue, or yell at your clients or colleagues. And, for heaven's sake, don't cry!
You can deal with every challenge in business without being negative. Instead, take action. Offer a solution.
3. Making excuses.
Women seem to think that, if they explain why they didn't return a call, answer an email, show up on time, or meet a deadline, everyone will understand and it will be okay. Not so.
Excuses say that what you were doing was more important than what someone else wanted you to do. An explanation means you are asking permission to be excused for what you did not do.
Instead, be impeccable with your word. Do as you say.
4. Being bitchy.
Take your cue from Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer: Stay calm and assertive. You do not have to be tough or come across aggressively in business. Instead, stay calm, be assertive, and develop a cooperative model when dealing with others.
5. Making decisions from a “lack mentality.”
Too many women have a mindset of scarcity when it comes to their businesses. They believe they lack time, money is scarce, and there aren’t enough customers. They don’t understand that near-term lack infects long-term prosperity. Therefore, make decisions for your business based on the far-term vision of expansion and growth.
What's the biggest mistake that you see women entrepreneurs make?
Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert
Posted by Lady Samurai on March 07, 2011 at 02:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Technorati Tags: discovering your inner samurai, women entrepreneurs, women in business
Posted by Lady Samurai on October 29, 2010 at 04:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Technorati Tags: business from the inside out, discovering your inner samurai, women's business book
Posted by Lady Samurai on October 07, 2010 at 05:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Technorati Tags: business from the inside out, discovering your inner samurai, woman entrepreneur, women's business book
And for the entrepreneur, this isn't just a story about a dog. There's a story inside this story about what it means to be devoted to someone, dedicated to something, and singularly focused on an outcome, no matter what. Read the book first. Then see Hachi: A Dog's Story (starring Richard Gere). You'll be glad you did.
Lush historical novels, wise contemporary stories, swash-buckling beach reads: Go ahead, indulge yourself in this guilt-free summer reading list for busy entrepreneurial women. After what we've all gone through this past winter, it's time to relax and unwind. Doing so this summer will help you reap big business rewards throughout the year ahead.
Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert
Posted by Lady Samurai on June 30, 2010 at 02:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Technorati Tags: busy entrepreneurial women, summer reading for women entrepreneurs
Posted by Lady Samurai on June 03, 2010 at 05:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Technorati Tags: business success business made easy, discovering your inner samurai, woman entrepreneur
Posted by Lady Samurai on May 10, 2010 at 09:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Technorati Tags: business success., discovering your inner samurai, woman entrepreneur
As a woman entrepreneur, I've made my share of mistakes in business. And, as a business coach and author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai, a book about women's business success, I've thought a lot about the common mistakes that women make in business.
Here are my top five.
1. Letting them see you sweat.
Too many times I've seen women, when they aren't feeling confident about themselves or their abilities, disclose their lack of confidence. They do this by peppering their clients and colleagues with lots of questions before they delve into a project, hedging when it comes to making a commitment, as well as breaking eye contact and fidgeting.
Showing lack of confidence, either by word or action, is a self-defeating behavior. Never let them see you sweat! Say yes. Then figure out how to deliver.
2. Displaying negative emotions.
Displaying anger, bitterness, or spite is never attractive. Turning into the victim or martyr when things don't go your way by whining, complaining, or blaming is counterproductive. Don't defend yourself, argue, or yell at your clients or colleagues. And, for heaven's sake, don't cry!
You can deal with every challenge in business without being negative. Instead, take action. Offer a solution.
3. Making excuses.
Women seem to think that, if they explain why they didn't return a call, answer an email, show up on time, or meet a deadline, everyone will understand and it will be okay. Not so.
Excuses say that what you were doing was more important than what someone else wanted you to do. An explanation means you are asking permission to be excused for what you did not do.
Instead, be impeccable with your word. Do as you say.
4. Being bitchy.
Take your cue from Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer: Stay calm and assertive. You do not have to be tough or come across aggressively in business. Instead, stay calm, be assertive, and develop a cooperative model when dealing with others.
5. Making decisions from a “lack mentality.”
Too many women have a mindset of scarcity when it comes to their businesses. They believe they lack time, money is scarce, and there aren’t enough customers. They don’t understand that near-term lack infects long-term prosperity. Therefore, make decisions for your business based on the far-term vision of expansion and growth.
What's the biggest mistake that you see women entrepreneurs make?
Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert
Posted by Lady Samurai on April 19, 2010 at 08:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Technorati Tags: discovering your inner samurai, women entrepreneurs, women in business

Today . . . I am thinking about this question that came in from one of our readers. It's tax time, and she wanted to know what small business tax books I'd recommend for her to read.
If you have a small business question that you'd like for me to answer, let me know.
Q: "I need help with my taxes. Do you have any books you'd recommend to help me figure out my home-office deductions?
A: This is a great question and very important consideration at tax time.
Here is a short list of books I've read and currently have on my bookshelf. They are very helpful to me, both in the daily operation of my business and for future planning. The last book is the one I take with me when I go visit my CPA:
Do
you have any other suggestions? If so, leave a
comment and let us know. And, if you have a small business question
that you'd like for me to answer, let me know.
Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert
Posted by Lady Samurai on April 15, 2010 at 05:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Technorati Tags: business made easy, small business Q&A, small business tax books
As a business coach and author of a business book for women, Discovering Your Inner Samurai, I am frequently asked in interviews this question, "How are women entrepreneurs who excel different from men entrepreneurs who excel?"
What I've discovered about women entrepreneurs who excel is that they do so in some ways that are similar to their male counterparts and in other ways that are distinctly different.
Here's how I answer that question:
Both women and men entrepreneurs who excel:
Women entrepreneurs do all that and then some. More often then men, women also:
What would you add to this list? Are their things you do that are
specific to being a woman entrepreneur that our male counterparts don't
do as often? If so, let us know!
Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert
Posted by Lady Samurai on February 08, 2010 at 03:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Technorati Tags: business book for women, discovering your inner samurai, women entrepreneurs

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