Rochester Women's Network Latest News

Women at Work Column: Criteria to author an article - 7/1/2013

Tue, 2 Jan 2013 12:2:30 GMT

The Rochester Women’s Network Woman at Work Column

A Wonderful Opportunity - Be Published in the Democrat & Chronicle!

Have you noticed the Tuesday Business Section feature of the Democrat and Chronicle, Women at Work, authored by Rochester Women's Network members? We invite all RWN members to submit articles about work life and advancement.

The criteria for the articles are as follows:

Educational and informative - cannot be self-promoting or sales focused

300 words in length

Include another "voice" - quote another RWN member or business person

Include your professional portrait photo, hi-res .jpg preferred

Include a one line bio and some indication of your involvement with RWN - member, committees, length of membership, etc. and your e-mail address if you wish.

Column space is open to RWN members only

Submit articles to Mimi Bacilek, Women at Work Column Lead Editor, at WomenAtWork@rwn.org . Articles will be forwarded to a RWN review committee and then on to the Democrat and Chronicle (They will edit as well.)

The column is a wonderful opportunity to showcase your talents and the caliber of RWN members in the business world!

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Women at Work column: Fiercely protect your personal time - 5/21/2013

Mon, 21 May 2013 10:58:51 GMT

By Ann Marie Depoian

As a business owner with a young family, I know firsthand how traveling can cause problems with work and home life. I’m referring to the mental traveling we do when we think about family at work or about work when we’re with our family. This pattern leaves us feeling frustrated, affects our success potential, and causes personal relationships to suffer.

The solution: Make a conscious decision to be present wherever you are. My husband tells me, “Turn off your work brain.” When you’re at home, focus on those relationships with 100 percent of your attention; when at work, give it your all.

To help stop mental traveling, try using an anchor device, a reminder to change gears. Here are two examples: the car and your front door. My car, which serves as a mobile office/classroom, transforms into a family zone, shifting all attention and conversation to them. No phone calls, emails, texts or web surfing. Finish all your calls before entering the house. When you reach your front door, your home becomes a sanctuary where your private life awaits you. Fiercely protecting your personal time will yield life-long value and benefits.

First, you strengthen your character by maintaining integrity and self-respect. Henry Ward Beecher said, “Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody expects of you. Never excuse yourself.” We tend to make, then break, our personal commitments. The excuses we allow ourselves would be unacceptable from others, professionally or personally.

Another benefit of restricting mental travel is respect and appreciation from people around you for a thoughtfully considered schedule. Clearly defined priorities are attractive to others and keep you from burning out.

The people in your life will appreciate the new you. Best of all, living a life of example may rub off on others, and leaves you open for personal growth and new accomplishments! Enjoy the trip!

AnnMarie Depoian is regional vice president of Primerica Financial Services and a youth minister at Irondequoit United Church of Christ. She can be reached at 585-339-9681 or depoianam@gmail.com. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (http://rwn.org/).

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2013 W Award Celebration - 5/17/2013

Sun, 20 May 2013 10:51:22 GMT

The Rochester Women’s Network on Thursday named Marietta Avery, general manager of WDKX-FM, as the recipient of its 2013 “W” Award.

Avery joined WDKX in 1974 and was named the station’s general manager in 2010.

She created the “Women for Women” motivational series and is a frequent speaker at conferences, executive training and special events. She also contributes to the RocNext blog on RochesterNext.com.

“I consider myself a servant leader,” Avery said in accepting the award at a reception at the Woodcliff Hotel & Spa in Fairport. “Even in the position of general manager, it’s still about serving.”

Avery’s community service includes the New York State Broadcasters Association, Action for a Better Community Foundation and Safe Child Foundation. She also is a trustee at Mount Vernon Baptist Church.

Also nominated were:

• Wanda Acevedo, chief operating officer at Wilson Commencement Park.

• Barbara Lucke, co-founder and executive director of the Empowered Girl Alliance.

• Alyce Van Patten, a retired Xerox Corp. executive who is active in many volunteer capacities.

• Miranda Wilcox, founder and chief executive officer of Thrive, which provides leadership services to teen girls and women.

The “W” Award, which is in its 27th year, is presented annually to a woman who works on behalf of other women.

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Women at Work Column: You can improve emotional intelligence - 5/14/2013

Mon, 14 May 2013 14:45:56 GMT

By Sally Ward

Across all industries and job titles, people who are high in emotional intelligence (EQ) perform better. “Emotional intelligence is more than twice as predictive of business performance than purely cognitive intelligence,” asserts workplace leadership expert, Gerald Mount.

Simply defined, EQ is the ability to be aware of our emotions and the emotions and concerns of others, in the moment, and to use that information to manage ourselves and our relationships.

EQ is glaringly apparent when it is absent. A professional woman recounts her experience shopping for a car with her spouse. The salesperson directed all his energies and attention to her husband, plying him with questions about the features he wanted in a new vehicle. At last, he turned to the woman to ask, “What color do you like?” The couple left that car dealership, taking their business elsewhere.

According to the Forum Corporation on Manufacturing and Service Companies, 70 percent of the top reasons for losing customers are related to a lack of EQ skills. Developing those skills leads to improved sales, customer satisfaction and profits. More companies and organizations are discovering the role of EQ in job satisfaction, retention, teamwork and productivity.

People who leave jobs are often really leaving their bosses. Low-EQ bosses who are harshly critical, insensitive and over-demanding create employees who are frustrated, disengaged and demotivated. A Business Wire study in 2012 found that this situation “... is costing American companies $360 billion a year in lost productivity.”

EQ competencies can be improved; the first step is building awareness through assessment. An EQ assessment measures the individual’s EQ competencies. It shows which ones are strong and which need improvement based on the requirements of the role or position. Improvement starts by acting on the results of the assessment. Prioritize the opportunities and intentionally work toward developing those competencies that will enhance performance.

Sally Ward is an executive coach.. Contact her at WardLeadership.com or (585) 533-2415. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org).

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Women at work column: Don't raid your retirement savings - 5/7/2013

Mon, 7 May 2013 10:54:13 GMT

By Mary Spurrier

One in four American workers is invading their retirement savings for non-retirement needs. Data from Vanguard, one of the largest 401(k) managers, shows a 12 percent increase in the number of workers who took loans against or withdrew money from their retirement accounts since 2008.

Many employers embrace 401(k) plans as a way of helping workers prepare for retirement while relieving themselves of the risk of managing a pension plan. In theory, 401(k) plans are better suited for an economy in which workers are changing jobs more frequently because accounts can be rolled over from a previous employer.

Millions of Americans, caught between flat wages and the need to pay current bills, housing costs, and educational expenses, feel they have little choice but to invade these accounts. “Encouraging or enabling people to spend down retirement money in anything other than the most severe circumstances is a terrible mistake,” said David C. John, a senior retirement fellow at the Heritage Foundation.

With Social Security and Medicare benefits being looked at to rein in federal deficits, any drain on retirement benefits may have dire implications for future retirees.

The success of retirement plans is based on making consistent contributions and letting the money stay in place until retirement, allowing investment returns to compound. Many people do that, but others who have no savings tap into these investments as a “rainy day” fund eroding its power in the future. These withdrawals put them at greater risk of descending into poverty and relying on food stamps and subsidized housing in retirement.

Workers would be better served by establishing emergency savings accounts to be used for bills and housing in the event of unemployment or a medical issue. This account should contain the equivalent of six months’ wages.

If you intend to enjoy your retirement years, let your retirement funds grow and compound over the years rather than using them for current expenses.

Mary Spurrier is president of M Spurrier Financial Services LLC and can be reached at (585) 271-5280. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (http://rwn.org/).

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Women at Work Column: 3 misconceptions about marketing - 4/30/2013

Mon, 7 May 2013 10:54:47 GMT

By Vicki James

Marketing comes in many shapes and sizes: websites, advertisements, commercials, networking, presentations, branding, etc. With so many choices, choosing an appropriate marketing tactic may seem a daunting task. However, understanding common marketing misconceptions will help you to market more effectively.

Misconception 1: Your logo is your brand.

Your logo is a visual representation of the brand you’ve created; it is but a piece of the total brand. Your brand consists of your company’s essence and personality, core values and value statements, target market and insight, advertising tagline and unique selling proposition.

Misconception 2: Your marketing budget should be a set formula equally spent on print advertising, website and collateral pieces.

If your target market finds its trusted information on a LinkedIn group and nowhere else, why would you invest in print advertising? If your business is focused on online sales, wouldn’t you spend more money on your website and Google Pay per Click campaigns rather than collateral pieces? Spend your marketing dollars where your clients find valuable information and you can clearly express your core differentiation.

Misconception 3: All marketers are the same, and one person can create strategy across marketing venues.

Would you have your family physician perform your plastic surgery? Of course not! The same holds true for marketing. Given that marketing requires many different forms of communication with prospects and clients, it is inconceivable that one person could perform all the marketing functions vital to a successful marketing plan. A marketing strategist isn’t a graphic artist, a web designer isn’t a PR maven, and a package designer isn’t an SEO guru. Hire experts within each area.

Vicki M. James is a marketing strategist consultant and differentiation diva at http://stand-out-results.com/. She serves on the Executive Board of the Rochester Women’s Network (http://rwn.org/) and is its vice president of marketing. This column is written by RWN members.

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Women at Work Column: Squeezing out profits in tough times - 4/23/2013

Mon, 23 Apr 2013 11:28:26 GMT

By Jerry Elman

In today’s tough economic times, business owners are focused on squeezing out profits anyway they can. Since wages and benefits are usually the biggest expense in a business, a record number of businesses have focused on cutting employee pay and/or benefits. This sounds like a logical place to squeeze out more profits. However, arbitrarily slashing pay and/or benefits can actually harm the bottom line.

Business owners must deliberately decide what kind of business they want to be and what kind of customer they want to serve. Compensation and benefits decisions must then line up accordingly. Does the owner want higher-end customers? Then high quality, skilled, service-oriented, incentivized employees are the only option. Does the owner want a customer base that is mostly price-driven without service? Then lower skilled, lower-paid employees are the only option.

Arbitrarily cutting existing pay and benefits from good employees will ensure that a business is headed toward the bottom end of customer service and job quality. This creates an environment of low performance and a lack of caring. Ken Abosch, of human resource consultancy Hewitt Associates, states, “Pay and benefits cuts create very deep emotional scars and very concerning issues about morale, distraction, and productivity.”

There is only one ethical, successful system of profitability that works. Business owners must have a simple, easy way to see and manage profits. They must install a visual system that helps the owner and all employees:

• Measure the critical contributors of quality, productivity and profitability.

• Compare actual results against set targets.

• Adjust daily job focus to close the gap.

• Train all employees to understand the measures, targets and how to achieve them.

• Repeat it again and again, day in and day out. The most successful and profitable businesses accurately measure and control their numbers daily.

Cutting wages and or/benefits helps the profit line short term. When that no longer works, then what?

Jerry Elman is the owner of Schoen Place Auto, a local and nationally recognized female-friendly business and member of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org), whose members write this column.

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Women at Work Column: Time to Collaborate with Millennials - 4/16/2013

Mon, 16 Apr 2013 11:25:15 GMT

By Donna Rawady

Generation Y refers to individuals who were born anywhere from the late 1970s to the early 2000s. GenY consists of 80 million people (i.e., Millennials) in the U.S. alone — a population that has been tagged with generating the biggest workplace shift in 100 years, as they enter and populate our multigenerational employee teams.

Google “Millennials” and you’ll find close to 3 million links, many of which offer stereotypical profiles that include many of the following attributes:

• Millennials value things like life-balance and flexibility over all else.

• They are thought to be attached to their parents in ways prior generations struggle to understand.

• They’ve been raised to expect immediate gratification, whether it follows a click of the mouse, a text message, a sent email or a job well done.

• They are freedom-, science- and technology-minded, media-saturated, ambitious, confident and passionate.

• Even though they were raised with the fear of at-home terrorism, they remain optimistic.

Although their idea of a work day may not fit the established 8-to-5 culture of their predecessors, Millennials are committed, and they’ve learned to accept and thrive on uncertainty and change. Looking for new skills and new thrills, they are often creative and innovative.

Millennials are often labeled as tough-to-manage as they’re judged by their more seasoned leaders and/or co-workers who may be holding on to traditional ways of doing business. Yet today’s evolving workplace and the workplace of the not-so-distant future share a crucial need for every attribute mentioned here. Perhaps in addition to mentoring young professionals, it’s time for seasoned professionals to collaborate with and learn from Generation Y.

Regardless of the year we were born, or how experienced or inexperienced we may be, we have a great deal to learn from one another.

Donna Rawady is an executive coach. She can be reached at www.donnarawady.com/. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (http://rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Seemingly impossible tasks are doable - 4/9/2013

Mon, 9 Apr 2013 12:57:54 GMT

“Believe and act as if it were impossible to fail.” Charles Kettering

Have you ever had your boss come to you with an urgent request, such as being told on a Thursday that Monday’s speaker has called in sick and it is up to you to find a suitable replacement? For a fleeting moment you think, “No way, that’s crazy, it takes two months to arrange a good speaker!” But to your boss you say, “OK, let me see what I can do.”

When you face a seemingly impossible task, these six tips can help you succeed:

• Have a laser focus on the task at hand. You must be able to clear any distractions that may interfere with getting the job done.

• Work your tasks in parallel, not in series. When time is compressed, do your best to multitask. Working sequentially is not an option.

• Reach out to your network and ask for help. Do not cast a net and just hope you catch something. Rather, pinpoint exactly who may be able to help and be sure you are specific about the help you require.

• Be transparent and acknowledge the time sensitivity. When asking for help, let people know how the situation came about. Let them know that you value their time regardless if they can help this time.

• Show sincere appreciation. Acknowledge any individual or department that assisted in “saving the day.” Express your willingness to reciprocate in the future.

• Do a postmortem. Once the dust settles, figure out how to prevent similar emergencies in the future.

Follow these steps and you will be surprised at your ability to overcome the seemingly insurmountable.

Judy Dobles is president of Dobles Advisory Services, offering general management consulting, business process improvement, global business transformation and strategic planning. Contact her at judy.dobles@rochester.rr.com. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (http://rwn.org/).

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Women at Work Column: Coach can offer feedback & guidance - 4/2/2013

Mon, 2 Apr 2013 10:47:26 GMT

There are times when the tools that we have are not enough to achieve maximum performance. Sometimes, we have to borrow from others. A professional coach can help you find or develop the necessary tools.

If you work independently, you may find that your performance could benefit from greater accountability. A coach can help you define your goals, and hold you accountable to them. Donna Rawady, an executive coach, says, “Clients appreciate the structure that comes with a coaching relationship; it helps them with perspective and their own accountability for action.”

A professional coach’s unbiased feedback and perspective can be critical to your success. Receiving this feedback is essential in order for you to fully understand and address challenges. Your family, friends, and co-workers cannot avoid being biased; they often withhold observations or criticism, fearing potential repercussions. You will be better served getting feedback from someone more objective.

C-level executives, who lead from a position without peers and require strict confidentiality, frequently benefit from coaching. And there are peer-coaching organizations facilitated by professionals that allow for networking between members from similar executive roles.

A coach is not a therapist, but a professional who provides you a structure for accountability to your goals, supplies unbiased feedback, provides confidential support, and may even assist you in making professional connections. Interested in engaging a coach? Many are available, each with their own style. I have utilized several coaches who have delivered a variety of benefits. Do your research, meet with a few, and find one you are comfortable with. Prepare your questions and concerns in advance. When you have found the right coach, you will have a valuable partner you can trust and who will root for your success!

Cherrie Mahon is vice president of investor relations and corporate communications at Arista Power. She is a member of the Rochester Women’s Network and she volunteers on the board of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and for the YWCA. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (http://rwn.org/).

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D&C Guest essay: Looking back at women's progress in Rochester over past decades - 3/30/2013

Mon, 2 Apr 2013 10:45:23 GMT

By BJ Mann

The working world of the early ’70s was a time when downtown restaurants had men-only sections, pay equity was optional and gender dictated your career advancement. It was in that era that I began working at Rochester Telephone and was the first woman hired as an analyst, in a management role.

I quickly discovered that being connected to career-minded women, sharing the experiences and challenges of climbing the corporate ladder was essential. As our networking successes grew, we realized it could become powerful if from casual meetings, the concept emerged to band together in a more formal manner that could create a commitment to networking while promoting career advancement and mentoring for women in the workplace.

In the process, leaders emerged and events were planned to test an idea; the response was overwhelming. Within a year, 15 women launched the Rochester Women’s Network (RWN). Our goal: provide peer support, share knowledge and advance career strategies for working women. Within two years the Network boasted 700 interested women, and I had the privilege of being the first president of the organization. Like all fledgling organizations, there were growing pains, along with a consistent vision that the RWN world be a unique and valuable resource providing professional development, networking and support for working women.

Coincidentally, during my presidency, I was also pregnant with my first child, so it has been easy for me to keep track of the RWN’s infancy, childhood, young adulthood and now maturity … 34 years old.

While over the years I have made some sacrifices in my work life to accommodate my three children, I never stepped away from my role as a professional working mom, nor my commitment to the advancement of women in the workforce.

My “phone company” career spanned 30 years, after which I retired to found my own business as a divorce and family mediator.

To my delight, I discovered the Network served me in a new way as an entrepreneur, providing many forums for meeting new business contacts and sharing my growing business with others. I attended programs and workshops that inspired me to persevere and learn valuable strategies for building my business.

March is National Women’s History Month and RWN is both history and contemporary. RWN was founded because women understand that networking is an essential ingredient to success. Networking offers the opportunity to meet many people, many of whom are a potential client, customer, future boss or friend. In addition to the professional support and career success that I credit to RWN, the richest benefit by far are the dear and close friends I have made and sustained.

Mann retired from Global Crossing after 30 years. She is one of the founders and the first president of the RWN.

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Women at Work Column: Optimism a means to creating success - 3/26/2013

Mon, 26 Mar 2013 11:26:37 GMT

Optimism is an attitude of confidence about the future, an expectation of a successful outcome. Don’t confuse optimism with wearing rose-colored glasses. It is a mindset of creating success versus avoiding failure.

Optimistic leaders magnify the organization’s results by magnifying the best in every circumstance. Here are three straightforward approaches for becoming more optimistic that cost nothing and offer innumerable benefits!

Recognize that you are the source of your result. Every situation presents an opportunity for shifting results. When your relationship with your boss is not productive, remember it takes two to tango. What is your contribution to the relationship? Are you distant? Do you call only when there is a problem? Are you actively managing your boss’ expectations of you and your team?

Assume the best about those around you. Focus on what is going well and on maximizing those opportunities. When an employee’s outcome falls short of the goal, it’s easy to assume that it is due to the person’s lack of effort or concern. Before coming to any conclusion, seek to understand the other’s perspective. At times, employee failure has more to do with inappropriate fit or lack of clarity for accountability than with lack of motivation.

Speak about success in every conversation. Performance reviews are often difficult because we anticipate that they will be. Accordingly, we plan our approach “knowing” in advance that the experience will be awful and that we will most likely be mentally and physically exhausted when it is over. Instead, envision approaching the situation from a more positive angle. Why not prepare for a conversation that facilitates employee growth and development? Help employees understand their opportunities for a beneficial impact on company results and how they might expand their positive imprint in the future.

Optimism is a learned trait, not an inherent behavior. The only force restraining you from being optimistic is you!

Mimi Bacilek is an executive coach and leadership development expert. She can be reached at 585 329-1525 ormimi@successbuildersllc.com. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (http://rwn.org/).

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Women at Work Column: Personality clashes at work best overcome - 3/19/2013

Tue, 20 Mar 2013 10:45:20 GMT

I recently observed a conversation in which a woman was admitting her frustration with a quiet colleague. She vented that she just can’t stand “Mary,” whom she described as non-participative and self-important. As she spoke, I couldn’t help but wonder if her listener was simultaneously interpreting her rant as overly participative and equally self-important.

Our behavioral styles predispose us to instantly bond with certain people and feel distant from others. We may avoid approaching potential friends or mates based on the way they behave. But in a professional setting, we usually can’t avoid others just because they bother us.

So, what do we do? “Grin and bear it” is a popular strategy but it avoids the real issue: a conflict in behavioral style. Understanding our style — behaviors where we naturally thrive and those where we struggle — can be a helpful way to understand why some people drive us crazy. Ideally, it also helps us predict what we do that may bother others.

In one of my first jobs after college, I worked for a very detail-oriented manager. He would point out the tiniest of imperfections. I thought he was anal-retentive and unhelpful. He probably thought I was careless and ineffective. Attention to detail was one of his strengths. I now understand that for me attention to detail is my weakness. I’ve learned that instead of avoiding highly detailed people, I must seek them out as they complement my strengths. In an effort to keep them from getting frustrated with me, I pay special attention to the way I interact with them.

The beautiful thing about different behavioral styles is that we can benefit from each other. We just have to remember that what we don’t like may actually be what we do need.

Leadership coach Miranda Wilcox founded Thrive (www.thrivepotential.com/) to help women and teen girls realize their potential. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (http://rwn.org/), of which Wilcox is a board member.

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Women at Work Column: Make sure your investments are tax efficient - 3/12/2013

Mon, 12 Mar 2013 13:34:47 GMT

By Mary Spurrier

Here are the highlights of the tax law changes:

• Income tax rates increase to 39.6 percent if you earn more than $400,000 (single filers) or $450,000 (joint).

• Payroll tax for Social Security reverts to 6.2 percent.

• Capital gains and dividend tax rates are permanently established at 0 percent and 15 percent for qualified investments for incomes below $400,000 (single filers) and $450,000 (joint).

• A new 3.8 percent Medicare tax rate applies to adjusted gross incomes of $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (joint).

• Unemployment benefits are extended for an additional year.

So, what does this mean for you?

Focus on the long term. Update your retirement plan to focus on the long term. Make sure your asset allocation reflects this, not current issues. Make sure you have an emergency fund so you will not be tempted to make emotion-based decisions during volatile market times.

Reconsider stocks. If you fled the stock market out of fear, revisit your asset allocation. The S&P 500 was up 13.4 percent in 2012. Assets like stocks could do relatively well if growth picks up.

Get tax smart. It will be more important to have tax-efficient savings and investments. Look at dividend-paying stocks for their lower tax rate. Max out your 401(k), IRA and other workplace savings plans. Changes in Social Security and Medicare may be part of the fiscal debate in 2013. Changes in these programs could mean smaller benefits in your retirement — plan for this possibility. Remember, it’s not what you earn that counts, but what you keep.

Taxes are going up for many people this year, but not as much as they might have. The tax deal prevented the expiration of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts for the majority of people and maintained preferential tax treatment for qualified dividends. There may be more tax reforms to come but the long-term investor will make investment choices based on future needs and tax efficiency not on current market events.

Spurrier is president of M Spurrier Financial Services LLC and can be reached at (585) 271-5280. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (http://rwn.org/).

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Women at Work Column: Strive for the elegance of simplicity - 3/5/2013

Mon, 5 Mar 2013 11:12:32 GMT

“Perfection in design has been achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but rather when there is nothing left to take away.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupery

I have always liked that quote. It seems that it is human nature to want to add one more “bell or whistle” to a business process or incorporate one more added detail into a memo. In the competitive marketplace and business environment, it is essential to do the work that is necessary. However, additional effort that does not help in creating the final end product or service is waste.

This premise is valid from the shop floor to the C-suite and everywhere in-between. Here are two common ways in which it can be applied.

Communication: I am certain that each of you get hundreds of emails every week. My guess is that you have to read many of them at least twice to understand the point that is trying to be made. When you need to communicate (email, voicemail or memo) invest time in creating a message that provides only the most relevant information. Amazingly, you can eliminate quite a bit of verbiage and still get the message across. In essence, you will save others the effort of sifting the wheat from the chaff.

Process: On the process side, individuals and teams are responsible for highly complex processes such as manufacturing, logistics, finance, customer service and sales. The algorithms for these processes are typically part of the overall information technology architecture. Creativity is required to design a process that minimizes the number of steps required to process a customer order, apply cash or manage inventory. By significantly streamlining a process, you gain time that is better spent elsewhere and minimize defects in the process.

As you aim for perfection, consider the ways can you apply Saint-Exupery’s quote to your work.

Judy Dobles is president of Dobles Advisory Services, offering general management consulting, business process improvement, business transformation and strategic planning. Contact her at judy.dobles@rochester.rr.com. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Start Development with competency model - 2/26/2013

Sun, 25 Feb 2013 21:22:50 GMT

A recent study by the Institute for Corporate Productivity found that 85 percent of high-performing organizations use a “competency model” as the foundation for their leadership development strategy.

Competencies are skills or abilities, such as decision making, driving results, managing change, developing others, customer service, business acumen, functional expertise, and strategic thinking.

A leadership competency model typically includes seven to 12 competencies that leaders need to demonstrate for success in their role now and in the future. Each competency should include three to six behavioral expectations, or descriptors, of what the competency looks like in action. They are uniquely identified for each level of leadership. Leadership levels include those who manage individual contributors, front-line managers, and senior managers.

When well documented, the behavioral expectations progress in scope and complexity through each leadership level. For example, a manager of individual contributors may be expected to develop others by coaching direct reports whereas an executive may be expected to develop others by mentoring high-potential leaders. Leaders are expected to demonstrate the behavioral expectations for their current position as well as levels of leadership they previously held. Organizations can also have a broader competency model that includes behavioral expectations for individual contributors.

When creating a competency model, define what the competency means in your organization and then specify what it looks like in action for each level of leadership. If you’re not sure which competencies to include in your model, start by interviewing your top performers to understand the competencies that drive their success and include those leaders in a competency card sort process. The competency model must align with the organization’s business strategy and the executive leadership team must support it.

Once you have your model, don’t let it just sit on the shelf! It should be the basis of discussions and decisions regarding talent assessment, succession planning, and leadership development.

Tina Smagala is a leadership developer at Paychex and can be reached at tsmagala@personalityworks.org. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (http://rwn.org/).

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Women at Work Column: Making a solid case for soft skills - 2/19/2013

Mon, 19 Feb 2013 12:14:59 GMT

By Sally Ward

 In groundbreaking research, Daniel Goleman found that virtually 80 percent to 90 percent of the competencies that differentiate top performance are in the domain of emotional intelligence (EQ), often referred to as soft skills. Soft skills include competencies such as self-awareness, communicating effectively, listening, managing conflict and change, building trust and influence, empathy, resilience and behavioral self-management. Appropriate training and technical skills may open doors, but they alone cannot guarantee a good hire or a successful career. As one young MBA lamented, “Deploying my technical expertise is the easy part. Motivating and managing people is a whole lot harder!”



Organizations that put a premium on soft skills produce stronger results in leadership and management 

effectiveness, sales performance and employee engagement and retention. In a notable example, a study of 

Fortune 500 companies including AT&T, IBM, and PepsiCo found that the top 10 percent of their sales forces were very strong in EQ, outperforming average salespersons by more than double.



According to the Center for Creative Leadership, many of the top reasons for careers that stall or derail are directly related to a lack of soft skills: 

                ·         Inability to accept feedback.

·         An aloof, dismissive style.

·         Inability to acknowledge and learn from mistakes.

·         Failure to delegate and build a team.

·         Devaluing others’ contributions.

·         Rigidity or resistance to change.

·         Poor interpersonal relationships.

Leaders and individual contributors alike can become more self-aware by regularly soliciting feedback and accurately assessing personal strengths, needs and limitations. Show sincere interest in others’ ideas, contributions, needs and concerns. Be mindful of your triggers — the situations that cause you to lose it and not handle things in a way that serves you well.

The good news is that, unlike IQ, it is possible to greatly improve EQ/soft skills with coaching and training.

 Sally Ward is president of Ward Leadership, an executive coaching and leadership development company. Contact her at www.WardLeadership.com. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: When to take your entrepreneurial leap - 2/12/2013

Mon, 12 Feb 2013 11:21:49 GMT

By Kathleen Moore

Dreaming of leaving a full-time job and launching your own business? While being an entrepreneur can be very rewarding, it’s sometimes hard to decide when the time is right to take that leap. (Hint: It’s NOT when you’ve had a stressful day and would love to tell your boss to take a hike.) There are a few crucial things you need to have in place before you make a break from your corporate cubicle:

A business plan: A business plan doesn’t have to be daunting. It will assure you’ve done your due diligence: evaluating strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that will face your new venture. There are good online guides for creating a business plan, or you can take a seminar from SCORE.

Health care: Catastrophic medical expenses can ruin everything. Don’t leave your day job until you’ve got this figured out.

Savings: You’ll need a savings cushion of at least one year’s living (not business) expenses. Your entrepreneurial efforts will hopefully be successful, but it will take time. There will be lots of start-up expenses and you will want to re-invest profits in building the business.

Exit strategy: What if things don’t go the way you plan? Create a backup plan by clearly defining when and how you’ll know it’s time to call it quits.

Be sure to carefully think through other important differences that becoming an entrepreneur will entail. No paid holidays. No vacations. No group of colleagues bouncing ideas off or socializing. There’s also the need for ready cash to make estimated tax payments (and meet payroll, if you have employees).

Once you have these pieces in place, make a graceful departure from your current employer (no sense burning bridges — remember Plan B) and enjoy the exhilarating challenges of being your own boss and following your passion.

Kathleen Moore (kathleen.moore@castleview3d.com) is owner and chief artist at CastleView3D.com, the architectural rendering and home visualization company she started in 2007.

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Women at Work Column: Some advice for becoming proactive - 2/5/2013

Mon, 5 Feb 2013 11:5:29 GMT

By Kim Wilborn

 



Make 2013 the year in which you resolve to be proactive instead of reactive. Too many small business owners and employees spend vital business hours attending to unexpected events or resolving problems that could have been avoided. Changing from a reactive to a proactive mindset lowers stress levels, improves customer service, generates a higher return on investment and improves  professionalism. 



Proactive behavior is defined as anticipating and preparing for an event with the ultimate objective of controlling the circumstances or outcome. While you may not be able to anticipate every scenario in the daily course of business, proactive behavior can reduce, rework or prevent costly errors. Proactive professionals 

and businesses routinely analyze their performance and abilities against benchmarks within their industry toestablish achievable results in a timely manner. At the individual level, someone who is proactive gets ahead of the curve and strives to stay there. When your work day is guided more by goals and plans rather than routine, you will accomplish more than just simple tasks; you’ll achieve a larger purpose and be rewarded with the achievement of a longer term goal.

 



 Let these words guide and focus your journey to heightening your proactive perspective – Purposeful, Responsible, and Organized.



 Purposeful – Select a goal. Identify a plan. Be purposeful. Do this daily, not only on an annual or multi-year basis. What is your business objective today? How will you grow professionally this month?

 



 Responsible – You alone are responsible for what happens each day. Say no to distractions and energy draining activities.

 



 Organized – Research has proven that goals documented in writing are more likely to be achieved. Put 

your goals, your to-do list, and your bucket list in a notebook. Check back frequently on your progress.



Let the new you be someone who embraces the proactive approach. Be a PRO each day in your approach to problem prevention.

Kim Wilborn is President of Solution Partners Inc., a firm specializing in business transformation through the offering of services in the areas of executive interim management, business process improvement, financial accountability, and strategic planning. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: To succeed, market yourself like a product - 1/29/2013

Mon, 29 Jan 2013 12:2:20 GMT

By Cherrie Mahon

Launching a successful new product or company requires hard work and luck. The same could be said for

your own career progression.Here is how to use Geoffrey Moore’s famous Crossing the Chasm marketing strategy — a model that brings products to progressively larger markets — as a guide for your own career path. By applying Moore’s strategy to your own evolution, you will have a map to help ground you if you

become lost along your way.

Think of yourself as a product. How can you become valued in the market? Moore’s strategy includes what he calls “shifting the burden of proof.” Early adopters are your family and friends and your first

employers. The next stage of your progression includes early majority adopters, who will want, according to Moore, “well-established references before investing substantially in you" references, emergence of a personal brand and network within your trade, awards and benchmarks. Late majority adopters only come when you’re a person who has earned your stripes or what you offer is the established standard. Succeeding with each adopter group requires differently positioning the evidence of your success. Successfully moving through career stages demands increasing levels of proof of the value you bring.

Begin by positioning yourself; be sure your elevator speech quickly demonstrates your value. Then, work on attaining these levels of proof of your capabilities.

Career stage one: Demonstrations, trials, first employer endorsements.

Career stage two: Reviews and references, emergence of personal brand and network within your trade, awards and benchmarks.

Career stage three: An established personal brand and network within your industry, third-party support, industry endorsements and achieving standards certification.

Career stage four: Recognized as a thought leader within your industry, strategic partners, top-tier customers and supporters, a full product line.

Nothing can fully replace hard work and luck, but creating a map to your success will help establish your foothold and secure your place.

Cherrie Mahon is the VP of IR & Communications at Arista Power. She is a member of the RWN and she volunteers on the Board of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and for the YWCA’s Investment Committee. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org). - RSS Feed Powered by RunMyClub.com

Women at Work Column: Finding your authentic self in the workplace - 1/22/2013

Mon, 29 Jan 2013 12:12:31 GMT

By Dorothy Ferguson





 Is your career in sync with your values? Just as our clothing needs to fit properly in order for us to look and feel our best, our work environment needs to mesh with our values in order for us to perform at our highest level. Authenticity in the workplace means that our presence and work product reflect our values and vision, not those of someone else. As therapist and author Nathaniel Branden observes, “If we attach more importance to what other people believe than what we know to be true — if we value belonging over being — we will not attain authenticity.”



 My journey to authenticity in the workplace began when I left a teaching career to attend law school and then practice law in a large firm. From there I moved to a small firm and finally opened my solo practice. As a business owner I have the opportunity to further my authenticity, creating a culture reflective of my values. With each of these moves, my only regret was that I had not taken action sooner. Consider the following on your journey:



  1.) What are your deepest values? Does your workplace allow you to reflect these values? If not, what is this costing you?



  2.) Have you experienced health issues, depression or other symptoms signaling your discomfort with the status quo?



  3.) Do you feel empowered in your work setting? Are you encouraged to reach your full potential?



If your answers suggest a change is in order for you to be your authentic self, establish a goal for making that change. Identify



one step you can take immediately to move toward your goal. Establish a time frame for the first and subsequent steps and hold  to it. If you truly desire change and are willing to work hard at it, nothing need stand in the way!

Ferguson practices law in Pittsford and is the author of Flying Solo: A Guide for Women Lawyers Wanting to Cut Loose. She can be reached at (585) 586-0450 or dorothy.ferguson@dhfergusonlaw.com. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Involve family in your work goals - 1/15/2013

Tue, 16 Jan 2013 10:3:40 GMT

By Ann Marie Depoian

Working parents have learned that a balanced life is a myth. Demanding situations arise which throw off our best-made plans and schedules. A sick child reroutes us from appointments and closing a deal makes us late for dinner. Life is about quality control, not balance.

Most working parents have dealt with guilt or separation anxiety between leaving their children and earning an income and building a career. When my children were toddlers and my business was just getting started, I found both required a great deal of my time and attention. My family needed my income and my children needed parenting. While my husband and I found ways of partnering on both fronts, it didn’t resolve the guilt and sadness I experienced when leaving my kids. It is not easy but this can be managed creatively. Involve your family in your work goals and be honest about your feelings as well as the needs of the family.

To make children a part of the process, I employed a persuasive technique that successful negotiators use: “What’s in it for you?” I taught my kids to say: “I’ll miss you, but it’s worth it!” In return for their participation, I offered rewards that excited them such as vacations or family Fridays where I finished work early; we did special activities, perhaps going out for dinner.

Provide rewards that are proportional to your business goals; for example, nicer restaurants and go-karts for big goals, pizza and game night for small ones. Your family becomes a part of business success and you gain pint-size taskmasters for a whole new level of accountability! When priorities and goals are established and everyone is on board, you can achieve quality for you and your family.

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Women at Work Column: Making Your 2013 Goals Stick - 1/8/2013

Tue, 9 Jan 2013 12:48:21 GMT

By Mimi Bacilek

New year, new goals? How essential is it that your organization succeed on these goals?

First, clearly define success. We will be wildly successful when … Perhaps success is measured by growth, revenue, new product lines or new customer segments. The secret to creating a compelling goal is to frame it so everyone thoroughly understands it and sees themselves a part of the success. For example, “growth” can be defined as, “Increase our customer base by 5 percent, which will provide the resources to launch a new version of our most profitable product.”

Second, identify approaches, or strategies, that will bring the goal to life. For example, develop a targeted social media campaign that engages customers between 25 and 45. Or, create a customer loyalty and referral program that yields one referral from every customer. With that foundation, engage others in your thinking. Are they energized by your plan? What flaws do they see in the strategy? What role might they see themselves taking on in support of it? What fears does the approach generate in the organization?

Third, recognize reality. What are the two or three most likely obstacles to success? Perhaps you’ve previously struggled with social media campaigns or most of your current customers are outside the target population. Next, deal with that reality! Identify required resources for overcoming obstacles and harness them. Perhaps you require new information, need to reassign key talent or invest in a new technology.

Above all, broadly engage your people. Develop and communicate a simple, clear, consistent message that compels everyone to action. Conduct team-based workshops enabling the teams to flesh out their role in creating the success. Bring cross-functional work teams together to iron out costly overlaps and assure all the interdependencies are accounted for.

Without the commitment, passion and energy of the workforce, success is ever elusive.

Bacilek is an executive and leadership coach. She can be reached at (585) 329-1525 or mimi@successbuildersllc.com. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Take small steps toward compromise, civility - 1/1/2013

Tue, 2 Jan 2013 12:1:9 GMT

By Arlene Hisiger

Post elections, our political leaders speak of the urgent need for compromise and reconciliation. How nice to imagine this goal within easy reach, but experience has taught us differently.

At times like these, when the fabric of civil society has been seriously frayed by the corrosive effect of coarse reality shows, violent video games, and high regard for the quick put down; when our daily discourse is distinguished by its disengaged, can’t-you-see-I’m-busy-checking-my-emails insensitivity, it may be best to rely on a tried and true method for surmounting the seemingly insurmountable — break the task down to bite-sized manageable pieces.

The main thoroughfare of compromise and greater civility is best reached via access roads of small, yet decidedly not inconsequential acts of kindness and consideration.

In the workplace, all too often, we forget to thank others who aided in making our goals more attainable. Sure, we are quick to send a thank-you to the major players — the CEOs and managers — but what of the unseen and unsung?

Can you recall the last time you dashed off an email or made a quick call to thank an administrative assistant or technical assistant, to name just two of the many possible people crucial to the successful outcome of a presentation, trade show or power lunch?

An equally effective means of showing respect for others is inviting input when assuming a new position. An acquaintance made a point of calling the parents at a school where he recently became headmaster. A parent, on the verge of enrolling her children elsewhere, was so impressed with the principal’s warmth, she elected to keep her children enrolled at the school; proof, as Vincent Van Gogh said, that “great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”

Hisiger is a freelance writer. Contact her at arlene@wordtailor.net. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Improve processes with data oriented approach - 12/25/2012

Tue, 26 Dec 2012 10:6:36 GMT

By Judy Dobles

Every element of business is a process, whether it’s an hourly or daily operation or even an annual strategy process. But no process is perfect. Improving operations requires the elimination of process defects. Individuals and teams who excel at resolving and fixing process defects are those that focus on the data. Data allows us to prioritize the myriad issues that compete for our time.

Here are six guidelines to follow when building a data-oriented approach for eliminating process defects in your workplace:

• Develop a hypothesis about cause and effect. This assists you in identifying data to be collected. It is imperative to understand the process and how all the parts work together.

• Visually map the process making it possible to understand how the various individuals and departments impact and interact with the process.

• Collect and analyze data about the process. Data can be obtained by using a simple tally sheet or it can require hundreds of data points to create a statistical control chart. Let the nature and complexity of the process defect determine what data is required. This is not a one-size-fits-all situation.

• Be objective and do not jump to conclusions. We all have ideas but they are not solutions until they are supported by the data.

• Based upon the conclusions drawn from the data, develop and implement a solution.

• Develop and implement a monitoring system that verifies you have truly fixed the problem.

Data-oriented individuals and teams work better together and develop lasting solutions. A focus on data eliminates “opinions” and steers the discussion to the facts. The result is a team that rallies around continuously finding and implementing solutions to on-going process issues.

Judy Dobles is president of Dobles Advisory Services, offering general management consulting, business process improvement, finance transformation and strategic planning. Contact her at http://bit.ly/Y80JLP or judy.dobles@rochester.rr.com.

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Women at Work Column: Good record keeping is essential to business success - 12/18/2012

Mon, 18 Dec 2012 14:44:35 GMT

By Kim Wilborn

Keeping corporate records that document the business of a company — with attention to detail — is a great benefit.

Why is efficient recordkeeping important? Best practices in record retention are the cornerstone of a solid legal defense, the foundation of a profitable business sale, and critical to financial efficiency.

Poorly maintained records put your business at risk. You may find yourself unable to document a “firing for cause” or to prove that an expense is truly deductible. In addition, insufficient recordkeeping may leave key information, such as passwords, to one person’s memory.

What are the key components of efficient recordkeeping? At a minimum, check to make sure that records required for supporting employment and financial decisions are current and compliant. Review the files for thoroughness. Files should exist on a one-to-one ratio; a file for each employee and financial category.

Empty files are a red flag. Verify that documents related to forming your business, your certificate of incorporation and department of state receipt, and board of director minutes are in a safe site.

How should records be preserved? The best form of document security is what works for you. Server or online-based data storage can be efficient and appropriate. Labeled files sent to a storage facility on a regular basis or housed in cabinets work better in some situations.

Today, most companies use a blended system. Consistency in the system is crucial for easy information retrieval.

Maintaining records for all areas of your business is essential. A record retention audit to measure the quality, effectiveness and security of your organizational system might be a great investment in your business.

Wilborn is president of Solution Partners Inc., a firm providing record retention audit services. She may be reached at (585) 259-1228. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Tare Care in Choosing a Financial Planner - 12/11/2012

Mon, 11 Dec 2012 14:57:13 GMT

By Mary Spurrier

Anyone can claim to be a financial planner, but that doesn’t mean the person is an expert.

A good place to start your selection is to find a Certified Financial Planner. A CFP has passed rigorous tests about the specifics of personal finance and must take ongoing financial continuing education courses.

It is important to interview several planners and, before you select one, go to the regulatory body FINRA.org and look at “broker check.” This will tell you if there have been any disciplinary actions against this person.

Ask the planner in your interview for a résumé, which should show where the person has worked and list any community activities such as seminars given. The résumé should also show what licenses the planner has and when they were received.

Other important questions are: How are you paid? Are you an independent planner or do you work for a large financial firm? The answers to these questions may affect their advice.

Planners may charge in several ways. One way is based on commissions, another is a yearly charge based on the total amount of assets you place with the planner. This is usually 1 percent. A third way is a per-hour charge. You need to choose which is best for you.

What is the philosophy of the planner? Is the person conservative or aggressive? Does the planner understand your risk tolerance and time-horizon needs? A good idea is to ask for three references and ask them if the planner followed their direction.

Probably the most important question is, do you like and trust this planner? Does this person listen to you and understand your unique needs? The relationship will be a long one, just like your doctor and lawyer, so you need to have good communication and honesty.

Selecting a financial planner is not about “beating the market.” It is about meeting your financial goals and protecting you when the economy sags.

Spurrier is president of M Spurrier Financial Services LLC and can be reached at (585) 271-5280. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Be a networking giver, not just a taker - 12/4/2012

Mon, 4 Dec 2012 13:17:42 GMT

By Cherrie Mahon

How often do you leave a networking event feeling burdened by people who were immediately asking you for a favor or for you to do business with them?

The experience can be likened to entering a high-end store where the salesperson, who is paid by commission , follows you while you browse. It becomes nearly impossible to relax and imagine yourself with that product while a stranger is hovering. Immediately asking people for their business can be a big turnoff. Prematurely asking people for their business can be a big turnoff. In most cases, you must earn the right to their business.

Proactively offer assistance and favors without expecting anything in return. Word will get around if you become known for asking for favors or connections without ever giving back and you will find people begin to avoid you. Anticipate a simple need the other person may have and offer them a great connection. Pleasantly surprising someone always leaves a great impression.

Another networking tip is to not discount people whom you think may not be able to offer you anything. You never know if they are cousin to the CEO of the company that’s your biggest customer. Engage with everyone from the waitress to the Armani-wearing exec. Say hello to people who ride in the elevator with you and make jokes with the cashier at lunch time. If you offer tokens in hopes of being remembered, be sure they are neutral tokens — ones that aren’t labeled with your name or your company and that are inoffensively humorous or memorable. Mint candies, thumb drives, or pens with thoughtful quotes will leave enough of an impression that they will remember you.

Most of your kindnesses will likely go unrewarded — but the connections and business will eventually chase you.

Mahon is vice president of investor relations and corporate communications at Arista Power in Rochester. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Take time to proofread emails - 11/27/2012

Mon, 27 Nov 2012 13:3:1 GMT

By Janice Hanson

Looking to make a good impression with a new client? Maybe you just want to send a clear message to a colleague. Good communication skills are a key component in any business correspondence. The last step before hitting the send button on your email should be to review what you just wrote.

Put yourself in the seat of the person who will be reading your message and check the tone. Have you addressed their needs or concerns? Think of the one or two salient points you wish to convey. Are those prominently featured at the top of your message?

Here are few more suggestions for applying that finishing touch:

• Don’t trust the spell checker. Word processing programs are not infallible, and sometimes they can miss a word that is spelled correctly but doesn’t fit in the context of a sentence. If you’re not sure, check the word in a dictionary.

• Know your own stumbling blocks. Are there some words you know you have a hard time spelling or using correctly? Keep an eye out for them.

• Double-check dates on a calendar. Even if you’re just setting up a meeting, pull out your calendar and check that the day of the week matches the date.

Rochester freelance writer Chris Swingle offers these additional suggestions:

• Print it. You will spot mistakes on paper that you don’t see on the screen.

• Read it aloud. Hearing your words is different from seeing them.

• Listen to your gut. Don’t ignore that feeling of hesitation about something. If you think to yourself, “That’s how he spells his name, right?” — imagine alarm bells clanging. Go check the spelling.

Taking a few extra minutes to review what you wrote can improve communication, head off misunderstandings and avoid a costly or embarrassing typo.

Hanson owns JK Hanson Wordcraft. Go to jkhansonwordcraft.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Resist urge to spend all your raise - 11/20/2012

Mon, 20 Nov 2012 11:48:57 GMT

By Mary Spurrier

Remember your most recent raise? The one that would allow you to pay down your credit card debt or increase the amount of money you could save? If you are like many people, the salary increase happened but the improvements to your money management didn’t. The culprit could be rising gas and food prices, but chances are that at least partial blame goes to something called Parkinson’s Law. The law was named for an English economist and states that as the supply of resource increases, so does the demand for that same resource. When it comes to finances, the law’s effect might be summarized as follows: The more we make, the more we spend.

Combating Parkinson’s Law requires a plan. Here are a few steps that can help:

• Track your spending. Earning more makes you think you can spend more. However, we often apply this justification to a host of new or increased expenses that, combined, offset the gain. To know how much you can spend, it is necessary to know how you are spending your money now. Understanding your current expenses with a plan on how you will use your raise will help keep you from negating your raise.

• Crash diets don’t work. Your salary increase is a reward. Not enjoying some of it can be counterproductive. As with overly restrictive diets, it is rarely sustainable. Instead, designate most of your increase for pressing financial needs and use the remainder for something fun.

• Fund your investments and savings first. In advance of receiving your salary increase, consider increasing your contribution to your 401(k) or IRA. If you have credit card debt, set up a program to increase the amount you pay monthly and establish a plan to see how soon you can eliminate it. There is no investment that guarantees to pay as much as the set interest rates charged on credit cards.

A raise is a reward. Use it wisely.

Spurrier is a certified financial planner and president of M Spurrier Financial Services LLC. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Help Employees think for themselves - 11/13/2012

Mon, 13 Nov 2012 14:58:58 GMT

By Donna Rawady

Are your employees consistently coming to you for answers or to help them make decisions? They may not know where to look for information, or they may know where to look but find it easier to ask you. They might lack confidence in their own decision-making abilities or be afraid to make a decision without the validation of others.

As a manager in these situations — especially in the midst of high demands — you may find yourself providing answers or direction to employees instead of coaching them toward independent thinking and decision-making.

Here are a couple of quick and effective ways for you to begin encouraging more independent thinking, which provides long-term benefits and successes:

• When you’re approached for guidance or help, ask for the employee’s input first before offering an answer or direction. Simple questions such as, “What have you thought about trying or doing in this situation?” or “What have you already tried?” or “Where have you looked?” can open up dialogue and provide a coaching opportunity.

This approach will help to set a standard for participation, give the employee an opportunity to contribute, and give you the opportunity to measure his/her efforts and capabilities.

• When you’re managing or coaching employees who repeatedly lack the confidence to make what you hope are independent decisions, create a log and note the times they’ve approached you with uncertainty, yet offered excellent recommendations, ideas or strategies. After gathering a few examples over time, remind them of their successes and reiterate that they have built your trust in their judgment and abilities.

This feedback begins building their confidence in their own judgment and decision-making for the future.

Rawady is an executive coach. She can be reached at www.donnarawady.com/. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org).

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Women At Work Column: Some tips for really listening - 11/6/2012

Mon, 6 Nov 2012 12:12:53 GMT

In a recent survey of more than 200 leaders and managers, more than 70 percent ranked listening well in their top two attributes for effective leadership. Yet studies show that the average person doesn’t listen well and recalls only 50 percent of what is said. That’s because most people listen at the first and most basic of three levels, internally focused listening. Level one listeners are preoccupied. While the other person is speaking, they’re busy mentally rehearsing a reply or rebuttal, judging what’s being said, and interpreting according to their own experience.

Level two listeners are actively engaged, listening closely with the intent to understand. They tune out distractions, concentrate on what is being said without worrying how they’ll reply, and try not to let their thoughts wander. Upgrading your listening to level two is as easy as these practices:

• Maintain eye contact.

• Offer acknowledgement with non-verbal gestures such as head nodding or smiling.

• Use subtle encouragements such as “Oh?” “Uh-huh” or “Say more.”

• Acknowledge feelings. For instance, if the person you’re speaking with is about to explode, say, “You seem very angry.”

• Reflect back what you’ve heard, paraphrasing the other person’s words. “You’re saying that ... ”

• Don’t interrupt.

• Ask open-ended questions, starting with “what” or “how” for clarification. For example, “What is your main concern?”

• While gathering information, withhold your opinions.

Finally, to step into your full power as an effective listener, tap into Level three, global listening. Pay close attention to what lies beneath the words. Notice body language, tone of voice, emotions and mood.

Do you sense confusion? Hostility? Enthusiasm? Uncertainty? Name it. Don’t be attached to your intuition. If it’s wrong, you will still have opened the door to a meaningful discussion.

Ward is president of Ward Leadership, an executive coaching and leadership development company. Contact her at www.wardleadership.com/. This column is written by members ofthe Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org).

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Angella Luyk's Blog - recapping RWN's 2012 Up&Coming Honorees - 10/30/2012

Sun, 5 Nov 2012 12:15:13 GMT

Recently, I attended the 2012 Summit Business Conference presented by the Rochester Women’s Network, an event that recognized five local women with business awards.

The honoree’s this year were:

• Paychex Inc. manager Melissa Hill, who is sought after for her expertise and leadership. She often mentors aspiring leaders at Paychex and throughout the community.

• Serenity House founder Annika Evans, who launched the home with family members to provide temporary housing for women recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.

• Rose Feor of Martino Flynn, who mentors women entering the professional world.

• Cati Pulver of Junior Achievement for growing the reach of the organization and forming partnerships with School of Holy Childhood, the Rochester School of the Deaf, Boys and Girls Club of Rochester, and Hillside Work Scholarship Connection.

• AnneMarie Depoian of Primerica Financial Services, who become the company’s first female vice president in upstate New York. She’s also active in the community having co-founded the Irondequoit Community Wellness Fair, worked with the Breast Cancer Walk and services as a young minister at the Irondequoit United Church of Christ.

They are all amazing to be sure. For more on the Rochester Women’s Network, visit rwn.org.

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Women at Work Column: Six steps to capitalize on an opportunity - 10/30/2012

Sun, 5 Nov 2012 20:35:19 GMT

Six Steps to Capitalize on an Opportunity

Identifying an opportunity for change is the first step in process improvement. If you don’t have a clear strategy to successfully capitalize on a perceived opportunity, you may lose momentum and a potential benefit.

Here are six simple steps to help you:

• Define the opportunity: Take time to define the opportunity clearly — and concisely document it. Test the definition with others to ensure that they perceive the same opportunity or challenge.

• Create the team: Determine which people or what actions are needed. When you are putting a jigsaw puzzle together, you need all the pieces. Teams are similar. All the right players need to be involved to create a sustainable solution.

• Analyze the flow of materials and information, creating a value stream map of the process. This visual picture — essentially a diagram that identifies vital and wasteful steps — ensures that everyone has a common understanding of the process flow and opportunities to improve it.

• Collect and analyze the data: Data may or may not be easily accessible. Regardless, you must obtain the data required to analyze the situation. People may have hypotheses about what is going on, but it is imperative for the team to “listen” to the data. Solutions built on ideas that are not supported by data will fail.

• Create and evaluate potential solutions: Now that you fully understand the root cause, brainstorm potential solutions, select the best one and be sure to get any necessary approvals.

• Communicate and implement the solution: Communicate broadly to anyone who will be affected by the solution and ensure everyone has advance notice of the changes.

Congratulations. Your improvement is up and running. Monitor the results for continued success.

Dobles is president of Dobles Advisory Services, which offers business process improvement, strategic planning and other services. Contact her at www.business-process-consulting.com/ or judy.dobles@rochester.rr.com.

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Women at Work Column: Time management the key to production - 10/23/2012

Sun, 5 Nov 2012 11:5:40 GMT

Do you have an endless to-do list at work? How about endless interruptions with email, phone calls, social media and colleagues? Is your availability endless during the day, night and weekends? Has Google tempted you to investigate an endless amount of information?

The dictionary defines endless as “having or seeming to have no end, limit, or conclusion; boundless; infinite; interminable; incessant.” Author and award-winning professional organizer, Judith Kolberg, has aptly named how we live and work today as the “Era of Endless.”

Time may seem endless but unfortunately it is not. The truth is time is limited and finite.So how can you stand up to this daunting Era of Endless to use your time wisely and efficiently?

• Prepare tomorrow’s to-do list at the end of today. Listing your three to five top priorities for the next day helps you be better organized and more productive. Plus, when you complete those tasks, you can cross them off your list and gain a sense of accomplishment.

• Manage your interruptions. Respond to emails and return phone calls three times a day. Hang a “do not disturb” sign on your closed door at a specific time three or four times a week to tackle top priority items.

• Limit your availability and honor your personal time. As much as possible, differentiate office time from personal time. Turn off your work phone during family time.

• Gather adequate information but not an excessive amount. It is easy to lose track of time when researching ad infinitum. Be watchful of your evaporating time. Acquire only necessary information.

In this Era of Endless, pay attention to how you manage your time. Heed Michael Althsuler’s words, “The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.”

Madden is a professional organizer and owner of Organize It! Learn more at www.organizeit.biz/ or contact her at (585) 381-5511.This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work - A three-pronged approach for success in business - 10/16/2012

Tue, 17 Oct 2012 11:24:53 GMT

Is your business primed for success as you prepare for 2013? Success doesn’t just happen — it must be intentionally crafted by leaders.

Improving the likelihood of delivering on business goals requires that leaders employ a three-pronged approach. First, clearly articulate what is to be achieved and the associated strategies. Second, determine how to implement the strategies and, finally, define who is accountable for delivering which results.

• What: At the executive level, determine the results required in order to generate success. For example, the goal might be to increase profitability by 5 percent by growing revenue, or to implement a new product line that connects the firm to international customers by innovating your approach to social media.

• How: At the executive level, determine key factors that make it possible to achieve the “what.” Through that lens, engage leaders and staff throughout the organization in conversations that invite their ideas and commit their energies to success. This ensures the “what” is clearly understood, prepares the workforce to successfully implement it and gets project ideas percolating throughout the organization.

This leadership approach produces a series of broadly understood projects in which people are fully engaged.

• Who: Defining who is accountable for the success of each project is essential. Project teams charged with creating your organization’s success require a project champion — a senior leader who is accountable for the team’s work, serves as a resource and addresses obstacles that arise.

The team’s leader is responsible for the work plan, team meetings and documentation of progress. The team’s members each have accountability for a discrete aspect of the work plan.

Was that you I heard scoffing? No time for this kind of rigor? Before you walk away, ask yourself how important success is and what the cost is of not having your workforce on board in creating that success.

Bacilek is an executive and leadership coach. She can be reached at (585) 329-1525 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (585) 329-1525 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or mimi@successbuildersllc.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Quiet is time vital in a connected world - 10/9/2012

Mon, 9 Oct 2012 15:15:57 GMT

Shhh! Turn the distraction off and listen. Your brain is talking to you.

We live in a connected, wired world listening to the radio in the car as we drive, falling asleep with the TV on and carrying our mobile phones like an additional appendage. Some of us never disconnect long enough to listen to what our subconscious is trying to tell us.

Do you have the best ideas in the shower? That occurs because it’s often the only time we aren’t distracted with so many other things. It’s the only time that we are quiet enough to hear our own inner wisdom.

So, how do you create that quiet time to listen?

• Schedule time to be quiet and let your mind wander. Use the time of day that works best for you. Do you function best in the morning, at night, before bed or do you peak at midday? The point is to schedule the time that works best for you.

• Use time in the car. We all travel somewhere and usually have at least one trip when no one is with us. Take this time to turn off the radio and — while paying close attention to your driving — work through an issue.

• Take time for yourself when everyone else is busy. Do co-workers distract you? Use the lunch hour while they’re away to create that quiet space for yourself. Are your kids competing for your attention? Give them a task to distract them from you such as playing a game, bath time, taking a walk.

Once in your quiet space, have paper ready so that you can write your questions and the answers that arrive. Don’t shut yourself down by judging your thoughts, just let them come. As you listen more, you’ll better understand and trust your inner voice. Then, take action.

James is a growth and accountability partner with You Are Your Own Brand. She is vice president and marketing chair of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org), whose members write this column.

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Women at Work Column: Take a vacation the other 50 weeks a year - 10/2/2012

Mon, 2 Oct 2012 13:24:28 GMT

Like most working professionals, you probably spent part of summer not working. Often the season’s highlight, summer vacation offers a break from impending deadlines, urgent emails and relentless to-do lists. We turn off work, go away, come back, and turn it back on. We then count down the days until we can do it again.

There’s a better way: incorporate a vacation mindset into daily life.

A 2008 McKinsey study of defining traits for successful women leaders culminated in a leadership model based on “physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual strength that drives personal achievement and, in turn, inspires others to follow.”

One component of this centered leadership model stresses the importance of “knowing where your energy comes from, where it goes, and what you can do to manage it.” The point: maintaining our energy helps make us effective leaders.

McKinsey asserts that “work-life balance is a myth — so the only hope women have is to balance their energy flows.” When we feel depleted, we must take action to manage our activities “to avoid dipping into reserves.” This requires more than a few weeks away from the office.

To stay energized year-round, identify some of the things that make vacation enjoyable and integrate them into your daily life. Rather than divert us from work, such impromptu “getaways” can help us do our jobs better. They can also be flexibly timed, making them easier to do and enjoy.

How can you integrate regular mini-vacations into your work life? A lunchtime walk? An afternoon spent working remotely? A coffee and book break?

Summer is gone. Be sure it’s not forgotten. Our ability to let go and take care of ourselves is one of the traits that makes us great leaders.

Wilcox, a certified leadership coach, founded Thrive (www.thrivepotential.com/) to help women and teen girls realize their potential. She replenishes her energy by exercising, reading, traveling, cooking, volunteering and laughing.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: For retirement you're on your own - 9/25/2012

Tue, 26 Sep 2012 9:56:14 GMT

According to Teresa Ghilarducci, professor of economics at the New School for Social Research, 75 percent of Americans nearing retirement age in 2010 had less than $30,000 saved. Small-business owners who have counted on selling their business to provide for their retirement have discovered that they have no buyers or that the price offered is substantially less than they expected. In many cases they have no other retirement assets.

More than 50 percent of your retirement income has to come from savings. People rarely have enough saved. Lately the solution to this problem is to work longer. Isn’t it true that 70 is the new 50?

A Boston College report states that if you work until you are 70, you will most likely have enough money on which to retire because your life expectancy is shorter.

This, however, ignores the reality that unemployment rates for those over 50 are increasing faster than any other group. Displaced older workers face a higher risk of long-term unemployment than those who are younger. If workers do get rehired, pay cuts of up to 25 percent are common.

Old retirement models relied on pensions, savings and Social Security to pay for retirement. Today, few companies provide pensions. The 401(k) has replaced the pension, but many workers do not contribute since it’s voluntary.

This year the Employee Benefit Research Institute reported that only 52 percent of Americans expressed confidence that they will be comfortable in retirement. Twenty years ago, that number was 75 percent.

So what do you do to prevent this? (Moving in with your kids is not an option.) The answer is save. Contribute to your 401(k) to the maximum, start early, and never take the money out. If your plan has funds that pay dividends, that is even better. Also, invest outside your retirement account.

Remember, the only person who will provide for your future retirement years is you.

Spurrier is president and principal of M Spurrier Financial Services LLC. Reach her at (585) 271-5280.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Workplace bullies hurt productivity - 9/18/2012

Mon, 18 Sep 2012 14:56:32 GMT

Remember the playground tormentor from your childhood? Unfortunately, bullying is a behavior not likely to be outgrown. Someone in your work environment may well be an adult version of the neighborhood bully. Recognizing and addressing bullying in the workplace should be a priority business concern.

Bullying is the misuse of power. On-the-job behavior with the intent to cause psychological, verbal and emotional harm is far more common than physically aggressive actions. Workplace bullying is repeated acts or verbal comments that mentally hurt or isolate a person. Karen Klein, the Greece bus monitor whose story gained national attention, provides a recent example of bullying in action.

Here are several common workplace examples of bullying:

The Yo-Yo: Yesterday, your boss commended you for bringing a project in under budget. Today, you were openly berated for wasteful spending.

The Whip: This player routinely uses language to demean others, often to maintain control of the issue or conversation.

The Gossip: Spreading half-truths at the proverbial water cooler, the gossip manipulates tone of voice or utilizes humor as a subversive form of control. For example, you routinely work long hours but on arrival in the morning you are greeted with “Nice of you to show up!”

When should you take action? Consider the impact of the work environment on all areas of your life. When your conversation about work includes descriptive words such as alienated, belittled and powerless, it’s a sign that action is required. Quality of life and physical changes should not be ignored. Take note of sleep loss, inability to engage with family or friends, lack of appetite or weight gain and listlessness.

Employers are well-served to establish policies for addressing workplace bullying. Bullies not only impact the individual bullied, the strain they create reduces productivity and increases employee turnover.

Wilborn is president of Solution Partners Inc., a small-business advisory firm. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network.

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Women at Work column: Follow the 5 C's - 9/11/2012

Wed, 13 Sep 2012 12:35:6 GMT

Studies show that several interrelated functions contribute to the consistent high performance and success of work teams. To develop a high-performing team, leaders should assess and develop these five behavioral functions with their team members: confidence, communication, coordination, cooperation and collaboration.

• Confidence and trust: This is the foundation. Behaviors that drive confidence and trust among team members are being competent in your job, keeping your word, doing what you say you will do, and not sharing proprietary information.

• Communication: Team members demonstrate open, timely, candid and respectful communication. Optimal communication occurs when team members are comfortable expressing feelings and ideas and are open to different perspectives. Meetings incorporating these elements ensure a productive use of everyone’s time.

• Coordination: Team members can clearly explain the company’s values, mission, vision and goals. Each member is fully aware of their individual responsibility as well as what other team members are working on. Action plans are used to track progress and outcomes and accelerate accountability.

• Cooperation: Team members leave discussions fully committed to decisions agreed upon, even if there was initial disagreement. Disagreements or conflict are viewed as healthy and are used to improve how the team works together. Team members avoid complaining, procrastination and blaming each other when something goes wrong. They take personal responsibility for what can be better.

• Collaboration: Team members solve problems, learn and develop new initiatives in a structured, open and collaborative way and they willingly make sacrifices to achieve the overall team goal. They invest time in improving how they work together and in celebrating successes.

Assessing your team’s current success in the five C’s is the starting point for maximizing them in the future.

Smagala is a leadership development consultant and regional director for RV Rhodes LLC. She can be reached at tsmagala@rvrhodes.com or (585) 721-6538 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (585) 721-6538 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

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Women at Work column: Channel your emotions into a new career - 9/3/2012

Tue, 12 Sep 2012 10:54:39 GMT

When is the last time you got really mad?

Some of us have no trouble expressing displeasure, while others have been taught to suppress it. Unfortunately, suppressed emotions easily resurface in unproductive ways. Imagine the career paths that might open to you if you productively channel those passions. They might even be ones you’d never otherwise have considered.

Intrigued? Try this exercise:

1. Make a list of the things you really care about.

2. Describe how you would change and improve them.

3. Review your list with a career coach or a trusted colleague, someone who is a successful working professional.

4. Think big and broad. Identify career options where you may have transferable skills.

5. Take action. Either begin to work in that more suitable career or start training for it. Perhaps you could start a business or make changes to an industry from the inside out.

Not sure you’re sold? Consider how appreciative you are toward professionals who make the call, write the letter, fight the fight, or stand up for the little guy. We’re all grateful to the lawyer or police officer who champions our cause. Each of these people empathizes with us, as they help us solve problems. We want a passionate crusader on our side, with whatever issue we face.

Could you be the one to do something to help? Have you had enough of complaining about things? Are you ready to do something? If you are, the workplace and marketplace is ready for you.

By channeling your emotions and matching them with a career where you can professionally express them, you may well find your life more emotionally balanced and financially fulfilling.

Depoian is regional vice president for Primerica Financial Services. She can be reached at (585) 339-9681 or depoianam@gmail.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work column: How to get everyone involved at work - 8/28/2012

Wed, 30 Aug 2012 16:42:28 GMT

While the famed refrain in Woody Guthrie’s song, “This Land is Your Land,” has inspired many feelings of national pride, when the same sentiment is applied to the workplace — this work is your work, this work is my work — a less desirable outcome may result.

Combined effort is the operational model for most business endeavors. Yet an undercurrent of morale-eroding discontent may be festering beneath the surface when employees subordinate their individual talents for the sake of company objectives or when there is perceived inequity regarding time and effort invested in completing a project.

Yes, teamwork goes a long way toward building a cohesive work entity, but is it always imperative to sacrifice individual recognition for the sake of the greater good? A cursory glance at political systems that have insisted on this ethos more than hint at the soul-numbing effect this modus operandi can have.

Perhaps a combined approach is best. Offering employees opportunities for individual recognition can help to balance the less desirable consequences of a committee-think business routine. Or, in the words of Bob Dylan in “Mr. Tambourine Man,” it affords them the opportunity to “dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free.”

Certainly, rotating managerial responsibilities may not always be the best way to fulfill company obligations and not every employee is ready to oversee a critical project. However, providing employees the opportunity to showcase their unique talents can be a significant morale booster.

Tapping into “soft” activities such as a company-sponsored talent show or a farewell roast for a departing employee are two suggested ways employees can display seldom-used talents. And it’s a quick and easy recipe for increased employee satisfaction.

Hisiger is a freelance writer whose passion is writing about people and the arts. To contact her: Wordtailor@aol.com; www.wordtailor.net/www.wordtailor.net/.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (http://rwn.org/).

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Women at Work Column: Managers should try these 7 disciplines - 8/21/2012

Mon, 21 Aug 2012 11:33:28 GMT

Given the same objective, managers often get widely differing results from their employees. Why is there such a difference and how can managers guide employees to be more consistently productive? Here are seven guiding principles:

• Are we asking the right question? When an issue is brought to you, employ the “5 Whys” technique. Continue asking why until you are satisfied that the real issue is identified.

• Assess against the “red face” test. To prevent unintended consequences, ask, “How much do the key variables have to change in order for the answer to change?” If the answer is “not much,” delve into these variables to better understand the given dynamics and make appropriate adjustments.

• Remain calm — be like a duck. Above the surface of the water a duck always looks serene and in control. Underneath the water the duck is paddling intensely.

• Exhibit energy and urgency. Demonstrate that by taking concepts and ideas seriously. Respond to them quickly, moving them to action whenever appropriate.

• Follow the best practices of CEOs and CFOs. Actively think about the big picture and the end result to be achieved. Ask yourself if your solutions effectively and efficiently meet the objective.

• Proactively assess every opportunity. It is better to actively decide not to do something than not to have considered it at all.

• Reduce cycle time and eliminate defects. Acknowledge the fact that no business process is perfect. Always be on the lookout for ways to proactively improve your business process.

Today’s business environment is constantly changing. What was great a year ago is likely only average today. Providing clear expectations to your team increases the likelihood of achieving superlative results. Holding yourself and others accountable to these expectations goes a long way toward consistently achieving exceptional results.

Dobles is president of Dobles Advisory Services, offering executive interim management, business process improvement, finance transformation and strategic planning. Contact her at www.business-process-consulting.com/ or judy.dobles@rochester.rr.com.

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Women at Work Column: Don't let attire undermine credibility - 8/14/2012

Tue, 15 Aug 2012 14:29:43 GMT

Women are making great strides in the workplace, yet deciding what to wear to the office or to a business function remains a challenge.

According to Mary Lou Andre, owner of Organization by Design, “in a world where first impressions count for everything and people are sizing you up and down, appearance and clothing are so important. As women, we really need to make sure that what we wear in the workplace doesn’t undermine how we are perceived in our organization.”

Here are a few tips to consider when selecting a wardrobe for work.

• Good fit: No matter your organization’s dress code (business professional, business casual, etc.), everything should fit impeccably. Your clothing should not over-reveal any part of your body. Making a mistake here could really undermine your credibility, something you have undoubtedly worked very hard to build. However, baggy clothes can be just as detrimental. If your clothing is shapeless, you will end up looking sloppy.

• Up-to-date: Although you need not fill your closet with clothes straight off this season’s runways, looking outdated could give the impression that you lack fresh ideas.

• Be smart: Think of your wardrobe as an investment. You can build a nice wardrobe slowly over time, accumulating quality separates that can be worn in different ways on different days.

• Dress for success: Ever hear the old adage “Dress for who you want to be”? This sentiment can be applied to your work wardrobe as well. Successful people look the part.

Watch and learn from the most respected individuals in your workplace on what is appropriate attire. These individuals earned their status for being good at their jobs while looking the part at the same time. You can do this, too.

Deutchki owns TresChic Fashions, a boutique business featuring Etcetera label women’s clothing and specializing in wardrobe consulting. She may be contacted at jenniferdeutchki@yahoo.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work: 8 tips for managing at the Top - 8/7/2012

Wed, 9 Aug 2012 12:46:39 GMT

Leaders have a lot on their plates: the success of the business, the marketplace, suppliers and customers, taxes, investments and legal concerns. The list can quickly become overwhelming.

Try these eight tips for managing it all. Look for the common theme: leaders actively tapping the full capacity and capability of the workforce.

1. Communicate effectively. Most disappointing business conversations begin with: “But I thought you meant … ” or “I didn’t know that … ”

2. Assume everyone wants success. It’s easy to assume people are more worried about themselves than the success of the organization. However, most people, given the whole story, are eager to create success.

3. Embrace mistakes, reward experimentation. No one is successful every time, but with prudent risk-taking you and your team can learn a great deal from falling short of success. Listen for great new ideas and charge a group with piloting them. Remember, Edison failed 1,000 times before inventing the light bulb.

4. Know and grow your star players. Every organization has diamonds in the rough. Learn to spot exemplary people and help them expand their capacity. Give your best people the most exciting work and empower them to achieve great things.

5. Stretch yourself and others out of their comfort zone. Most of us need a push to move into new territory. What compelling goal could serve to push your organization to new heights?

6. Tap the power of teams. Project teams focused on the success of key organization-wide projects can be a leader’s silver bullet. With guidance and support, they can accomplish a great deal.

7. Avoid the Miss Congeniality award. When you agree, agree. When you disagree, seek to understand the differences. Make the best decision in support of the organization’s long-term goals.

8. Refuse the popularity contest. Wise leaders are unencumbered by the need to be popular.

Bacilek is president of Success Builders LLC and can be reached at (585) 329-1525 or mimi@successbuildersllc.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: The whole truth and nothing but - 7/31/2012

Mon, 31 Jul 2012 11:22:40 GMT

In this era of re-imagining, rebranding and revisionist history, what should you consider when positioning yourself or your business?

This conversation began when a colleague used LinkedIn to rewrite 21 years of not-for-profit experience as 21 years of for-profit CEO leadership. Can you obliterate the past to meet a vision of the future? When does “puffing up” or “inflating” real life experience cross the veracity line?

Straying from the facts can present difficulties for a business and an individual. Consider a short list of essential components to maintain your integrity when choosing your descriptive words.

• Be able to offer specific support. If you have transformed your years as the Little League’s bookkeeper into the role of chief financial officer, you’d better be able to document and substantiate. For example, if you led a million-dollar capital campaign and subsequently oversaw the field renovation project, that could count.

• Take the credibility test. Credibility is defined as the quality of being believable or worthy of trust. If your first run at being an entrepreneur failed, focus on the positive points learned. Claiming you sold a profitable business when the asset sale was forced by bankruptcy court will most likely be a fact that a good researcher will uncover quickly.

• Measure the validity: To validate means to confirm. If you recast your time as a church youth worker as an executive director of the ministry, will it stand up to the reference check? Will your former employer or current reference support your framework?

In strategic HR surveys, business leaders routinely identify integrity or character-based values in the top five of desired traits in employees.

The bottom line in business is that relationships sell. Relationships are built on trust. A reinvented profile or résumé may land you in the untrustworthy category. Ask the former CEO of Yahoo, Scott Thompson, whose tenure lasted all of 130 days after he was accused of embellishing his college record.

Wilborn is president of Solution Partners Inc., which offers services in the areas of executive interim management, business process improvement, financial accountability.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Marketing plan is vital for small business - 7/24/2012

Mon, 24 Jul 2012 11:12:59 GMT

Developing a sound marketing plan is essential to the successful operation of any small business. Marketing plans may seem daunting, but you can create a very workable one by following these simple guidelines.

• Know your market, customer and competition. Don’t latch on to a cool product or service without first understanding who will buy that product and knowing your competitors. If you try to sell something no one wants or you’re in a saturated marketplace, your chances of success are limited. Determine who your customers are, what they want, and what motivates them to buy. Knowing your customer intimately is the first step to your creating your plan and making the sale.

• Pick a niche. When your target customer is “everybody,” nobody is your customer. The marketplace is packed with competition; a specific niche and plan enable you to dominate that niche.

• Develop your marketing message. Your marketing message is a clear statement of who you are, what you do and how you differ from similar providers. It persuades people to become your customer. Be sure it contains a clear call to action.

• Determine your marketing medium(s) and budget. Once you have identified your niche and your marketing message, choose a marketing venue such as direct mail, networking, radio advertising, etc., that best suits your company’s needs. Know how much money you can invest in marketing and how you plan to allocate it. Begin by assigning 20 percent of your sales revenue to your marketing budget, and be sure to set time frames that keep your plan on track.

• Set sales and marketing goals. Goals are critical to your success and best established on the SMART formula. Create goals that are sensible, measurable, achievable, realistic and time specific.

Servis owns Maid 4 Time and can be reached at (585) 359-4834. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work: Don't let emotions sway investments - 7/17/2012

Mon, 17 Jul 2012 13:34:3 GMT

Negative investment stories are an easy way to scare you and affect your decisions. It is only natural to become nervous if your investments are losing value. But paying too much attention to headlines and not enough to staying the course may prove damaging to your portfolio.

How do you position yourself for monetary success in an uncertain economy? The most important action to take is to save a specific amount of money each and every month, despite the condition of the economy or stock market.

How would your investments be affected if you stop contributions? Here is an example. A 40-year-old woman invests $500 at the beginning of each month in a 401(k) account. The funds grow at an average of 6 percent a year. At the age of 60 she will accumulate $228,880.

But if she suspends her monthly contribution for five years from ages 45 through 49, the account will be worth $166,050 at age 60. That is a significant difference.

It is hard to stay the course when short-term market volatility is making you nervous. You need to remember that your investments are long-term, and reacting to market corrections can hinder your ability to reach your long-term goals.

To be successful, you must think rationally rather than emotionally before acting. Apply discipline to financial decisions. Take a sensible “allocate, diversify, rebalance” route to investing.

Don’t let your investment decisions be based on fear. Take advantage of the many economic changes that will occur during your lifetime. Stocks will give you the growth you need to keep pace with inflation and bonds will give stability in volatile times.

When stocks are declining, a short-term view of investing may lead to rash or even panicked decisions. It is important to take emotion out of your decisions and apply a disciplined, diversified investment approach for long-term success.

Spurrier is president of M Spurrier Financial Services LLC and may be reached at (585) 271-5280 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (585) 271-5280 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. This column is

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Women at Work Column: Relax your mind and get creative - 7/10/2012

Mon, 10 Jul 2012 13:47:10 GMT

The other day while making dinner, I realized that my favorite kitchen knife wasn’t the one that was the sharpest. It was the one sharp enough to peel an apple, but not sharp enough to injure myself.

This got me thinking that there are times when being less sharp, less focused, can actually be of value. For instance, when I’m stuck on something, I’m better off taking away the focus, thinking of something else, and then it will come to me later.

As I develop my own business, I sometimes get frustrated if things aren’t moving quickly enough and I’m not crossing items off my to-do list. So instead I change my focus for a while, exercising at the gym or working the crossword puzzle. Sometimes while I’m diverted, I think of a new idea or a new way to approach my business needs.

A recent Wall Street Journal article by Jonah Lehrer, author of Imagine: How Creativity Works, provides some additional insight:

“What explains the creative benefits of relaxation? The answer involves the surprising advantage of not paying attention. … It isn’t until we’re soothed in the shower or distracted by the stand-up comic that we’re able to turn the spotlight of attention inward, eavesdropping on all those random associations unfolding in the far reaches of the brain’s right hemisphere. When we need an insight, those associations are often the source of the answer.”

So the next time you’re stuck on something, get away and relax, maybe cut up an apple to munch on, listen to some music, soften your focus. You might be surprised by the results.

Hanson owns JK Hanson Wordcraft, helping people communicate effectively. Go to jkhansonwordcraft.com. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org).

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Dee Alexander pursues new goals - 7/8/2012

Mon, 10 Jul 2012 12:47:42 GMT

Dee Alexander grew up with a deep respect for opportunity.

And now, four years after being suddenly dismissed from her position as half of the “Tony and Dee” show on WARM 101.3 FM, she’s venturing into her latest — by pursuing a master’s degree in creativity at SUNY’s Buffalo State.

“Like anybody who leaves a job involuntarily, I spent a great deal of time in self-examination,” says Alexander, 58, who started classes earlier this month. “You need to reorder what sets your hair on fire, so to speak, then marry that with your experience and skills and try to figure out what’s next. After a while, it became clear to me that I’m into a lot of different things, but they’re all joined together by creativity and leadership.

“It’s important to create new things in the world, to look for new possibilities to move mankind forward.”

As the parent of a 17-year-old daughter and 16-year-old son, she committed herself long ago to to helping students learn 21st-century skills, and is currently president of Parents Advocating for Challenge in Education in Penfield, where she lives. It is just one of many volunteer positions — Alexander is currently involved in more than 10 community service activities — that speak to her desire to serve others, an inclination fostered by her parents and recognized recently by the Rochester Women’s Network. The networking organization last month presented Alexander with its 26th-annual W Award, which acknowledges a local woman for a variety of attributes, including empowering women through integrity, courage, initiative and creative energy.

Her volunteer work assists the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester, the YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County, and the Monroe 2-Orleans Education Foundation, among other charities and community organizations.

“She really is an extraordinary woman,” says Lin Czop, an RWN board member who nominated Alexander for the award two years in a row, her latest entry detailing Alexander’s extensive leadership prowess and passion for helping others. “Quiet, unassuming and humble. Everybody gets to vote as a member of the network, and she didn’t even vote for herself. That showed a lot of character.”

Tony Infantino, who was Alexander’s morning show sidekick for 21 years, calls her “the Mother Theresa of radio.”

“She’s just the most caring human you’ll ever meet,” he says, referring to her idea, while at an elementary pep rally together about 12 years ago, to start the Tony and Dee Spirit Fund, a charity that helps Rochester-area children raise self esteem and meet goals. “And she’s always learning and moving ahead.”

Alexander, back in school after 34 years, feels fortunate to live so close to Buffalo State’s International Center for Studies in Creativity, which draws people from around the world and is “the epicenter of very exciting thought.” While she’s still open to what opportunities her degree will bring, she plans to incorporate a scholarly study of play — citing the close relationship between play, playfulness and creativity — in expanding the various ways parents can get involved in their children’s education.

“Creativity is all about divergent thinking, and then at some point applying convergent thinking and making some choices,” says Alexander, applying the concepts she will be studying to her own life. “The possibilities are so wide open.”

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Women at Work Column: Get control of your day with 5 tips - 7/3/2012

Wed, 5 Jul 2012 11:41:38 GMT

Time — we do so many things with it. We find, lose, manage, waste, make, save, kill, cherish, pass, juggle and spend time.

Mostly, we just never have enough of it. So it’s best if we utilize it in the smartest, most efficient ways we can.

Having enough time for work, family, friends and yourself is a challenge. However, for your health and well-being, it is worth finding ways to make it happen. Here are a few techniques.

• Get organized. Assign places for everything. When your space is organized, you find what you need when you need it and it is pleasant and functional.

• Schedule your day. There are a variety of electronic and paper calendars available. Find a calendar that works for you and write down your top three to five priorities to accomplish each day.

• Set a timer. Time evaporates and the best way to contain it is to use a timer. Set it throughout your day to start, stop, and stay on task.

• Delegate. It may seem smarter, better, faster for you to do it all. However, if you can delegate to others, your time spent training them will be well worth it.

• Be accountable. Promise yourself to be watchful of your time at work so you have time for family, friends and yourself. Then share that promise with others. Let them know you want their help with balancing your life. Give them permission to kindly remind you of your promise.

Utilize time wisely and carefully, acknowledging that it ticks by quickly. As Charles Buxton said, “You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it.”

Madden is a professional organizer and is the founder and owner of Organize It! Learn more at www.OrganizeIt.biz or contact her at (585) 381-5511.

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Women at Work Column: Six tips for dealing with adversity - 6/26/2012

Mon, 26 Jun 2012 11:4:44 GMT

The ability to adapt and recover from setbacks is more essential than ever for leaders in today’s challenging business environment. It’s one thing to be at the top of your game when things are going well, but the road to success rarely unfolds in a straight line.

In the face of adversity, top performers will survive and thrive with six strategies that build resilience:

• Cultivate and strengthen relationships. Reach out to your network for support. Be accessible, ask for help as needed, and reciprocate in return.

• Develop constructive inner dialogue. Notice defeating, irrational thoughts and turn them off as soon as they appear. Concentrate on what you can control; don't waste time worrying about the rest.

• Look ahead. Articulate a positive vision for the future. Seek out colleagues who have a track record of tackling challenges creatively and steer clear of naysayers who drain energy.

• Use difficulties as learning opportunities. View challenges as opportunities for you and your team to develop new insights and strengths. As Napoleon Hill said, “The strongest oak of the forest is not the one that is protected from the storm and hidden from the sun. It’s the one that stands in the open where it is compelled to struggle for its existence against the winds and rains and the scorching sun.”

• Don’t wait for better conditions to take action. Those who delay often find that their more ambitious, resourceful competitors have been busy finding ways to manage, add value and be more competitive.

• Identify a relaxation technique that works and commit to it. Choose something you enjoy such as sports, reading, yoga, or meditation and always work it into your schedule. Regular personal renewal is a necessity, not an option.

Ward is president of Ward Leadership, offering executive and leadership development coaching, facilitation and strategic planning. Contact her at www.wardleadership.com/. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: You must give feedback (no excuses) - 6/19/2012

Mon, 19 Jun 2012 11:28:25 GMT

Many otherwise top-notch executives and leaders avoid providing timely feedback. It impacts their results and restrains the capacity of their workforce.

Excuse No. 1:

She will be demoralized. The excuse is based on an assumption, perhaps factual, but you can’t know that. It assumes Mary can’t handle knowing she falls short of expectations. Withholding feedback sets her up for future failure and puts the leader in position to share responsibility for the poor performance and its business impacts.

Excuse No. 2: She always gets defensive. While Karen may have a history of defensiveness, withholding constructive criticism will serve only to ensure future subpar performance. Pointing out her pattern of defensiveness is the beginning of helping her become more effective on behalf of the business. And she may grow personally as well because it is unlikely this pattern is limited to the workplace.

Excuse No. 3:

I don’t have time. Really? No business has the resources required to ignore ineffective performance. It generates rework, costs time, affects customer satisfaction and decreases profit margins. When this excuse runs through your mind, remind yourself of the return you will receive on the investment.

Excuse No. 4: I hate conflict. Leadership is fraught with conflict-generating situations: unhappy customers, dissatisfied board members and outstanding receivables. Wise leaders count the cost of avoiding it and choose to become productive in conflict.

Honing skills for feedback isn’t difficult. Begin by increasing self-awareness: Are you making a conscious decision to delay the feedback or are you avoiding it? Next, begin conversation with the employee by observing where results are falling short and the behavior you believe is causing it. Express your sincere desire for them to improve their results. Third, seek their willingness to consider changing their approach. If you hear “yes,” you’re halfway home. If you hear “no,” a very different challenge stands before you.

Bacilek is an executive and leadership development expert providing individual and team coaching, as well as executive team facilitation. She can be reached (585) 329-1525 ormimi@successbuildersllc.com.

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Women at Work Column: Don't assume - have a conversation - 6/12/2012

Tue, 13 Jun 2012 10:36:16 GMT

Assumptions are frequently made in lieu of communicating directly with another person and asking for accurate information. This is particularly true in the workplace, where — for so many interesting reasons — we’re conditioned to be careful about being too honest or open. Go figure.

I have a bird’s eye view of this dynamic in my work, as employees share candidly with me what they’ve yet to share with a manager, colleague or employee. I still find myself surprised, when I hear several sides of a situation, at how often people witness a behavior and then misunderstand its meaning, based on their own assumptions about where the behavior and/or the intent is coming from.

When experiencing frustrations, conflict or a lack of clear communication, it’s not uncommon for us to make assumptions and judge others based on how we believe we would feel in a similar situation simply based on how we uniquely see the world.

Here’s the good news. In my experience, most people are decent human beings, who may be communicating poorly, or even selfishly, in a tough situation. They’re not intentionally trying to make it difficult for others.

So how do we avoid making inaccurate assumptions that may negatively affect our relationships at work? We can be honest, respectful and have a conversation.

Reaching out to others for clarification and probing to understand someone else’s reality are powerful methods for breaking down barriers, building relationships and minimizing conflict at work. If we continue to remind ourselves that our world view may not be the same as our neighbor’s or coworker’s, perhaps we’ll continue to see the benefit of sharing our reality and learning more about theirs.

Rawady is an executive coach. She can be reached at www.donnarawady.com. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Entrepreneurship help is available - 6/5/2012

Mon, 5 Jun 2012 14:29:59 GMT

There are few who haven’t been touched by the economy and job situation during the last few years. If you are having difficulty finding employment, consider becoming an entrepreneur.

You may have been plugging along focusing on everyone but yourself. Rely on your strengths, take control of your destiny and forge forward.

I was very inspired by women I met at the Pathways to Entrepreneurial Success Conference. Angella Luyk, CEO of Midnight Janitorial Inc., spoke of her journey to build her company. Listening to her speak was uplifting and provided the incentive for me to realize that I, too, could successfully become an entrepreneur.

You can control your own destiny. Take time and think about the things that you love to do and what you could develop into a business. There are many avenues of guidance available. Take advantage of networking, entrepreneurial groups, join professional organizations and meet with a SCORE adviser. There are weekly workshops and classes providing training in areas including writing a business plan, starting your own business, marketing and social media.

Each of us will take our own path toward becoming an entrepreneur. I was fortunate to be a participant in the Self-Employment Assistance program through the state Department of Labor. The program provides training and tools to transition participants from collecting unemployment wages to owning a business. I relied on my education to provide a strong foundation and read everything I could find about professional organizing, marketing and starting a business.

Success takes hard work, perseverance, a great support system and your own fortitude. Take that first step to controlling your destiny: Become an entrepreneur.

Kendrot is a professional organizer and owner of Cut Clutter Now. She can be reached atwww.cutclutternow.com by email at Info@cutclutternow.com, or phone at (585) 458-6983. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Wisdom of your parents still works - 5/29/2012

Mon, 29 May 2012 16:54:51 GMT

The first teachers in life are your parents. The lessons they teach are some of the most important in the workplace. Here are five lessons my parents taught me which helped me become a successful leader and supervisor.

• “You catch more flies with honey rather than vinegar.” There will be days where you find things not going your way. You may even get upset or angry. But passing the anger on or venting may make you feel better, but it doesn’t help in the long term. If you must deliver a less than positive message, do it with respect and kindness. That is the only way the other person will hear what you have to say. If they do not hear you, then there is no possibility of change.

• Rely on data rather than opinions. In the workplace, decisions and actions must be grounded in data. Using data allows you to draw conclusions to ensure you are taking the right actions. Opinions without facts can take you in the wrong direction.

• If it is worth doing, do it well. You will always enjoy some parts of your job better than others. Put your best into everything that you do.

• Everyone has something important to contribute. Create an environment that welcomes input from everyone. Help everyone contribute at their highest potential.

• Make your boss look good. This means understanding the issues facing your boss and the department. Then be sure you contribute to the solution in a positive way. Supervisors need staff they can depend on to solve problems in a lasting way.

Think back on lessons taught by your parents and incorporate them into your leadership style.

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Dee Alexander is the 2012"W" Award Recipient! - 5/24/2012

Thu, 25 May 2012 12:1:2 GMT

The Rochester Women’s Network presented the 2012 “W” Award, Women Inspiring Women, to Dee Alexander, local broadcast personality and community volunteer, at a celebration at Mario's Restaurant Wednesday night.

She was one of five nominees from the greater Rochester community who embody the RWN’s mission of helping other women succeed in their professional and personal lives.

In accepting the award, Alexander acknowledged the lessons her parents imparted growing up. "One of the biggest gifts my parents gave me was to teach me to be a drip and be proud of it," she said, explaining that a drip can contribute to an ocean of good, but can also stand apart from the ocean to do the thing that is right.

Alexander pointed to her more than 20 years as morning radio host on WARM-101.3 as an example of standing apart. She and co-host Tony Infantino sought to create an uplifting show that was also entertaining at a time when "bad boys" were the darlings of the industry. "This award belongs to everyone who chose uplifting entertainment," Alexander said.

Since losing her job at WARM-101.3 in 2008 when the station was sold, Alexander has continued uplifting work in the community, as a member of the Advisory Council for the YWCA, a Girls Scout leader, a coach and mentor with the Odyssey of the Mind team in Penfield and as a mentor at Aquinas Institute.

More than 100 people attended the event, and Dresden Engle, Public Relations Manager at the George Eastman House, served as emcee. Four other "W" Awards finalists were also recognized. They are Angella Luyk, CEO of Midnight Janitorial; Cherrie Mahon, VP of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications at Arista Power; Gail Riggs, Ph.D., M.S.W., Owner & CEO, Abigail Riggs Collection; and Mary Worboys-Turner, philanthropist.

This is the 26th year of the "W" Award. The 2011 winner was Kathryn Thomas, honored for service to the Women's Foundation of Genesee Valley, the Wilmot Cancer Center and the YWCA.

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Women at Work column: Make good use of a business' Facebook page - 5/15/2012

Mon, 15 May 2012 12:12:7 GMT

Congratulations. You have created your business Facebook page. You have succeeded in getting people to like your page.

Now how do you keep your fans engaged? What do you post?

Here are 10 tips to help you keep your Facebook business page fresh and interesting.

• Include an image or video. Posts with only text often are ignored.

• Search Twitter for topics to write about.

• Make 80 percent of your posts helpful or fun for your readers. The other 20 percent can be marketing messages.

• Be yourself. People want to communicate with a person, not a business. Don’t be afraid to reveal a little about yourself now and then.

• Get people interacting on your page by occasionally asking questions that require little effort to answer. They should be fun questions, for example, “What would be the best filling for a hamburger-flavored cupcake?” or “If the calendar was to include a 13th month, what would it be called?”

• Feature content from your fans. Ask them to submit a photo of themselves using a product you sell, for instance.

• Include a call to action and tell your fans how this action helps them. Examples: “Take this short survey and learn the secrets of perfect lawn mowing,” or “Download our ebook and find out how you can streamline your cluttered inbox.”

• Take two hours each week to write and schedule your posts for the week. Remember to include weekends and evenings in your schedule.

• Be authentic and transparent. If you make a mistake, admit it.

• Pay attention to your fans. Reply and comment on their posts.

Moore owns Net Results LLC. She can be reached at (585) 748-1850 or bmoore@NetResultsUSA.com.

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Women at Work column: Tips for when business partner is life partner - 5/8/2012

Mon, 8 May 2012 12:49:27 GMT

Someone on the business social media site LinkedIn posed the following question: What was the most important thing you have done for your career this year?

I responded: “My husband and I reassessed our myriad skills and went into business together.” The poser’s comment of “Brave, very brave!” led me to thinking. Perhaps this route may not be the road traveled by many, but for my husband and me, this decision was a no-brainer.

Here are some basic tips for building your business while keeping your relationship intact.

• Consider the strengths and learning preferences of both individuals. As life partners, most likely these preferences are already apparent, understood and practiced. This assessment will aid you in matching the person best suited to execute a particular aspect of the business.

• Define a budget. The first business year will reveal the true cost of doing business. Analyze what you learn and discuss it. Revise your budget accordingly and discuss how future resources will be invested.

• Create a dream board of mutually agreed on rewards that the work and the income from your business will provide. The dream board is a wonderful motivator and reminder of what teamwork can accomplish.

• Invest in technology. Create a shared electronic calendar. Include appointments, trainings and personal dates. This calendar should be accessible to each smartphone with sufficient lead time to identify potential conflicts.

Learn from challenges. Keep the commitment to succeed in business pursuits as strong as the commitment that keeps you together as life partners. Enjoy the journey.

Smith and her husband, Gerald, have been married for 34 years and are the owners of Facilitating Innovation. They can be reached at buyyourstuffonline@gmail.com.

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Women at Work Column: Avoid being the Office Dinosaur - 5/1/2012

Mon, 1 May 2012 13:4:6 GMT

In today’s fast-paced business world, you must take responsibility for your learning and continuously upgrading your education.

Change and learning new skills to succeed can be hard. Learning occurs outside your comfort zone but is essential for improving what you have to offer.

Start by browsing online for credible sources, such as colleges that offer programs or certificates in your field. It is not necessary to commit to a full degree. Start by signing up for a course or two that will quickly update your skills.

Many options are available, such as online courses and executive programs that cater to working managers’ lifestyles.

Peggy Tirrell, senior associate director for graduate programs at RIT’s Saunders College of Business, says, “For my master’s degree, I took just one course at a time, and eventually I finished the degree. I did not need to get my master’s, but doing so opened doors to opportunities that were not otherwise possible before.”

Continuing education does not need to be pursued through a formal institution. Consider what you might learn from a younger co-worker that will make your life easier with just a flick of a smartphone screen. Invite someone who has been at the company for a while out for lunch and collect their insights and work tips.

No matter how you approach your continuing education plan, stretching your comfort zone will keep you from being “the dinosaur in the office.”

Mahon is vice president of investor relations and corporate communications at Arista Power in Rochester.

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Women at Work Column: Don't waste energy on workplace what-ifs - 4/24/2012

Thu, 27 Apr 2012 12:59:54 GMT

“Don’t believe everything you think” read the bumper sticker on the car in front of me — sage advice for life and particularly sage advice for the workplace.

The bumper sticker’s message brought to mind the old tale about a driver who finds himself stranded on a lonesome road. Confident of his ability to repair his car if only he could borrow someone’s flashlight, he sets out in search of someone to ask. Since he had broken down in a fairly desolate area he had a ways to walk before finding a house.

On the way there, he chided himself for not being sufficiently organized to have kept a flashlight in his car. His anger soon turned to embarrassment. “Whoever answers the door will probably be contemptuous of me and think that I’m a fool for being so poorly equipped.”

“Still,” his inner debate continued, “I must have a flashlight in order to attempt any repairs to my car.” With great trepidation he approached the house he had seen from the road. An elderly gentleman opened the door and was startled to hear a perfect stranger blurt out: “Never mind, I don’t need your flashlight anyway!”

How often do we find ourselves caught up in scenarios of our own making?

How much energy have we expended on imagined conversations, scenarios, showdowns, conspiracies, etc.?

To avoid unnecessary drain on yourself and your co-workers’ physical and mental health, take a moment to reflect and explore these alternative approaches to difficult workplace situations.

• Attempt to dilute the impact of your emotions by jotting down a facts-only summation of the situation.

• Review the situation with a trusted colleague or supervisor.

• Ask for objective feedback.

• Consider the long-term impact of negative interaction with your co-workers.

Hisiger is a freelance writer. Contact her at Wordtailor@aol.com or go to www.wwww.wordtailor.net/.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Relationship marketing key to lasting success - 4/17/2012

Thu, 27 Apr 2012 12:45:34 GMT

Your marketing should be viewed as an investment of both time and money. Great marketing gets the right message to the right audience, delivered in the right context at the right price. With that, you hit the jackpot.

With reactive marketing, you wait for customers to find you (or never find you). Reactive marketers watch the competition and try to do the same or better. They lack a marketing strategy.

Proactive marketers rely on research and keen observation to determine which buyers to target. Next, they determine their marketing budget and sales strategy. They figure out how to be unique in their marketplace. They act rather than react.

Relationship marketing, a key component of proactive marketing, is all about developing and strengthening relationships with prospective and established clients. This requires creating, maintaining, nurturing and enhancing the services you provide to your customers.

People like to do business with people they know and are comfortable with. As a business owner it’s your job create that relationship, to make customers feel at ease.

Don’t shoot for the one-time sale, rather aim to build life-long relationships. You want your customers to re-use your services over and over again. Building relationships with your clients can be as easy as calling them, sending thank-you notes, birthday cards, or hosting customer appreciation events.

Clients may not need your services right now, but when you utilize a proactive marketing strategy, they will know who to call when they do need your service or product.

Servis owns Maid 4 Time and can be reached at (585) 359-4834. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: 5 steps to help manage turbulence - 4/3/2012

Mon, 3 Apr 2012 15:24:25 GMT

With rapid change and uncertainty a given in today’s workplace, engagement and morale often suffer. To help their organizations successfully navigate turbulence, leaders must:

• Increase communication. Ambiguity and silence breed feelings of anger and vulnerability. Find out from employees what they need to know, bearing in mind that a good communication plan includes listening. Provide as much information as possible. Step up email or other written updates and be sure to schedule time for live state-of-the-business meetings.

• Be present. Get out of the office; walk around and talk with employees. Empathize with the stress they are feeling. Provide encouragement. When asked how he dealt with setbacks, Henry Ford shared the thought that sustained him: “When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.”

• Direct attention to the mission: what is being done for whom and why it matters. Help people keep the benefits and results of the organization’s services or products front and center. Let them know how they are making a difference. Share stories that inspire pride and purpose.

• Focus on several short-term, attainable goals or objectives. This will allow leaders and staff alike to feel like winners at a time when wins are essential to keep morale up.

• Celebrate small steps and victories. When threats loom large, everyday efforts and results often go un-remarked. Create an internal culture of acknowledgment and appreciation for the things that are going right. Find vehicles to make successes of every size highly visible. Make it a practice to count the number of times a day that you say thank-you.

To maintain personal resilience through turbulent times, be sure to schedule exercise and take 10 to 15 minutes for quiet time or fresh air each day.

Sally Ward is president of Ward Leadership, offering executive and leadership development coaching,facilitation and strategic planning. Contact her at www.WardLeadership.com.

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Women at Work Column: Clear mind of clutter to be more productive - 3/27/2012

Mon, 27 Mar 2012 11:44:42 GMT

Albert Einstein once said, “If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?”

It is a humorous question that leads to asking, what is the state of your desk? Is it cluttered? Is it empty or bare? Is it something in between? Is it organized?

And what is the state of your mind? Is there too much swirling around? Mental clutter is often more difficult to process than physical clutter. Our minds are crammed with things to do, people to call, places to go, both professionally and personally. This adds up to considerable clutter in our minds.

What are some specific steps to clear the mental clutter so you can become as productive and efficient as possible?

Write it down. Take it off your mind and write it on paper or in an electronic document. The physical task of removing it from memory and jotting it down is constructive and the words become a visual reference and reminder. You also gain the therapeutic benefit of crossing it off your list when it’s done.

Organize your space. An organized office has a place for everything and each item has its own place. Time is not wasted looking for things and you can be productive as soon as you sit down. Take time at the end of today to put things away and create your To Do list for tomorrow.

Take a break. Taking a physical break usually provides a mental break. Get some fresh air and exercise by taking a 10-minute walk outside or close your eyes and visualize a peaceful place while taking 10 deep breaths. Silence relieves the chatter in your mind. Find a way to escape momentarily.

As your mind is cleared of clutter you naturally become more productive.

Dorothy Madden is the founder and owner of Organize It! Learn more at www.organizeit.biz/ or contact her at (585) 381-5511.

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Women at Work Column: Financial 'musts' for business startups - 3/13/2012

Mon, 13 Mar 2012 13:54:36 GMT

When you start a business, you are optimistic that you will succeed. The reality of owning a small business is that money is usually scarce and costs are high. The customers you want are probably being served by others and you need to convince them to do business with you.

These are three powerful money actions for business success.

Start without debt. It is difficult enough starting a business with all of its costs, but adding principal and interest payments can severely reduce your chance of success. Putting away cash for the costs of the first year increases your chance of success. This is the most important money action you do.

You need to know the numbers. You must know your cash flow numbers, your gross profit numbers, your expense numbers and the price you need to charge to cover these numbers and give you the profit. You can’t make good decisions in business if you can’t make good decisions about numbers, and you can’t do this unless you understand them.

It is hard to get a small business loan. They are hard to get because of all the preparation that is required. There is a list of qualifications to meet, such as equity requirements, collateral, business plans, profit and cash flow projections. Many people don’t even bother to try because they can’t meet the requirements and don’t want to go through the effort. Those who succeed are the select few who receive the benefit.

Those who have failed in small business will tell you that their failure was caused by not enough cash, not being able to borrow more money, customers wouldn’t buy, the IRS was unreasonable.

The underlying reason is deficiency of knowledge and not being prepared for these events.

Cash reserves and knowledge go a long way in preventing business failure.

Spurrier is president of M Spurrier Financial Planning LLC and can be reached at (585) 271-5280. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: How you treat customers is key to your brand - 3/6/2012

Mon, 6 Mar 2012 13:38:5 GMT

Fundamentally, branding is defining what you and your business stand for and deliver. Brands can be created by deliberate design, or by default; the choices you make determine whether that brand is positive or negative

Admired brands bring a deliberate focus to how they will exceed both needs and expectations of customers. It’s a promise made with customers that is treated as sacred within the entire organization.

According to Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon.com, “A brand for a company is like a reputation for a person. You earn reputation by trying to do hard things well.”

Here are the key steps in developing your admired brand:

• Identify your personal competitive advantage. What strengths, skills, beliefs, values, etc., do you, as a business owner, bring to the work that differentiates you from others?

• Define the competitive advantage your business brings to the table. What positive difference will you make as compared with others? What can you offer that customers will recognize and appreciate?

• Identify game changers that totally change the playing field to your advantage. Game changers catch the attention of customers and surprise your competition. Apple changed the game by introducing the iPod and iPad. They reinvented how we access, purchase, read, view, and listen to music and information.

• Hire employees who are committed to deliver what you promise. How employees act and behave in every situation becomes your true brand in the eyes and ears of customers.

The ultimate test of a brand is how the business acts and responds when a customer has a problem. Going above and beyond to make the situation right for a customer creates the ultimate trust and belief in a brand.

In the end, branding is all about the relationship and covenant developed with customers. The most important elements? Trust of, caring for and credibility with customers.

Elman owns Schoen Place Auto, the only formally trained and certified “female friendly” auto repair shop in New York state.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work column: You may be culable in that 'difficult relationship - 2/28/2012

Mon, 28 Feb 2012 12:34:50 GMT

It may be surprising to know that most people who are perceived as difficult are the last to realize it. In my work, I often have the opportunity to hear all sides of a problem or conflict. Based on this experience, I’m confident that nine times out of 10, even in the center of a conflict, people are not calculating, malicious, or untrustworthy. They’re simply focused on their perspective of the problem and how it affects their experience. Combine that with less-than-savvy communication skills, and the “difficult” label may easily be applied to an individual.

If you’re on what you perceive as the receiving end of the “difficult person” label, you may feel misunderstood, mistreated or ignored, and if so, it’s natural to become defensive. This defense mechanism becomes a contributing factor to failing working relationships.

With that in mind, when you’re either approaching or avoiding someone you deem as difficult, begin by asking yourself a key question: “What contribution might I personally be making to the very dynamics that are upsetting me?”

Consider the following:

In the best of circumstances, and more importantly in the middle of either overt or covert conflict, assume all parties to the conflict have the best of intentions. Although it may be tough, it’s one thing you can do to begin to move the relationship in a better direction.

Offer your perspective honestly and tactfully. Be respectful and make a genuine effort to guard the self-esteem of all involved in the conflict.

Check your motive for the conversation. Be sure your motive includes your desire to create a stronger working relationship and a positive business impact.

Donna Rawady is an executive coach. She can be reached at donnarawady.com

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Women at Work Column: Fifty percent rarely, if ever, receive praise - 2/21/2012

Mon, 21 Feb 2012 11:47:57 GMT

What leadership practice promotes a high-performance environment with virtually no outlay of funds?

A recent survey in a global company asked employees, “What could your manager do to make this a better place to work?” More than 89 percent responded, “Recognize me for my work.”

Yet my anecdotal evidence shows that leaders and managers are so busy that they all too often overlook the universal need of others to feel valued. Numerous studies confirm that more than 50 percent of employees say they rarely or never receive praise.

This is not only sad, it’s bad for business. The major factor in whether an employee thrives or quits is the immediate supervisor. Managers will increase their leadership effectiveness as much as 60 percent when they build their competencies in communicating and developing people.

To improve retention and productivity, notice and reinforce what is going well. As Charles Schwab said, “I have yet to find the man who did not do better work or put forth a greater effort under a spirit of approval than under a spirit of criticism.”

Managers, here are the top five things you can do to recognize your direct reports and create a high-performance environment:

1. Give sincere praise on a regular basis.

2. Acknowledge and utilize their strengths.

3. Meet with them every six months to let them know how they’re doing overall.

4. Show that you value their opinions.

5. Provide opportunities for learning and growth.

Ward is president of Ward Leadership. She may be reached online at WardLeadership.com.

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Women at Work: Organizations energized by what animates leaders - 2/14/2012

Tue, 15 Feb 2012 11:2:18 GMT

Leaders often bemoan their organization’s unsuccessful execution of strategy. Certainly, lack of success can be attributed to the skill or willingness of staff, but more likely it is symptomatic of a missed leadership opportunity. Success in the realm of execution demands attention to three related factors: clarity, alignment and focus.

Clarity: Consider the most powerful actions that will advance your business objectives. Perhaps you need to reduce facility-related expenses and so intend to merge two locations. Resist the temptation to focus on cost savings. Merger failures frequently occur because of cultural differences. If your strategy is based on the tactical question — “How can we save the most money?” — focus is placed on the outcome as opposed to identifying the most successful approach to achieving the outcome.

Instead, ask a strategic, culture-oriented question: “How can we bring together the very best from each location to better serve all our customers?” This latter approach generates team conversation about what works — a much more energizing conversation than one focused on cutting expenses.

Alignment: Align priorities, resources and rewards. Success will elude you unless what you say you want lines up with what you show the organization you want. For example, new people are often recruited to the organization for their track record of innovation. Will they continue to innovate in their new home? It all depends on how leaders respond to predictable resistance within the organization. If ideas are assessed and accepted on merit despite the changes they bring, more ideas will follow. And if great ideas are brought to fruition, innovation becomes a cultural imperative.

Focus: Organizations reap what their leaders pay attention to. Wise leaders identify two, or at most three, strategies to advance the organization. They talk about them, build meeting agendas around them and perhaps even Tweet about them. Ultimately, organizations are energized by what animates their leaders.

Bacilek is an executive and leadership development expert based in Rochester. She can be reached at (585) 329-1525 or mimi@successbuildersllc.com

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Women at Work Column: Make volunteer work a fun part of your routine - 2/7/2012

Mon, 7 Feb 2012 15:27:20 GMT

If you’re like most professionals, you’re busy with your family, friends, and working hard at the office. For most, that means we don’t believe we have time left over to volunteer for important causes.

If you’re feeling at all guilty for not volunteering, let that guilt go now. How? By changing the way you participate in these causes. Take on the challenge and it will benefit you, your family and your career.

The key to success is to not make volunteering one more thing for your to-do list but to incorporate such opportunities into your life. Next time a 5K walk or run invitation in support of a great cause crosses your desk, rally family and friends to the event. Head out together for some fun pre-event “training” runs. Offer some friendly jabs at friends and co-workers to sponsor you and then jog along at the event conversing with your new running partners and waving at people on the sidelines.

When the next benefit auction or a charitable ball invitation comes your way, buy a table or tickets several months in advance and use that time to brag to friends and family about how you are getting all dressed up, going to a wonderful venue and doing it all for a great cause. Engage them in joining you and on the night of the event you can impress everyone with your great new dress. All along the way you will meet new people; gaining new friends and making important business contacts. Be sure to trade business cards with those new contacts.

In the course of doing a great service to your community you’ll teach your kids about volunteering, create excitement with your friends and colleagues and all the while, have a great time.

Did I happen to mention how great you’ll feel supporting a good cause?

Mahon is vice president of investor relations and corporate communications at Arista Power in Rochester. She is a member of Rochester Women’s Network (rwn.org) and volunteers for the YWCA and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

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Women at Work Column: Is Leadership training vital? Read on - 1/31/2012

Mon, 31 Jan 2012 12:26:1 GMT

Effective leaders are one of the most significant drivers of business success. Intuitively, we know that strategic leadership development should be a business imperative. Yet studies suggest that only 40 percent to 50 percent of leaders are satisfied with their development opportunities.

I set out to find recent evidence that supports the financial and organizational benefits for leadership development. I hope these findings inspire more organizations to focus on the issue in 2012.

According to the Seattle-based Institute for Corporate Productivity, organizations whose leaders participated in a leadership development program achieved a 3 percent to 4 percent improvement in customer satisfaction scores and a corresponding 1.5 percent increase in revenue growth. They also reduced turnover from 7 percent to 4.5 percent.

The institute's 2011 research found that 84 percent of high-performing organizations invested in leadership development programs.

Meanwhile, The Ken Blanchard Cos., run by the business leadership guru of the same name, reported that many organizations are operating with a 5 percent to 10 percent productivity drag that better leadership capabilities could eliminate.

A quote from the 2011 Global Leadership Study by Aon Hewitt and Fortune magazine sums it up: "While some organizations will fail with effective leaders, all organizations will fail with ineffective leaders."

The message is clear: If you want to increase profits and customer satisfaction/loyalty, continually invest in the development of your current and future leaders.

A best-practice model from the Center for Creative Leadership is the 70/20/10 ratio, meaning that 70 percent of development should come from on-the-job experience, 20 percent from coaching and mentoring and 10 percent from formal learning that includes classroom training.

If you're still questioning your investment in leadership development, ask yourself: How much more profitable would your company be if all your leaders performed at the level of your very best leader?

Smagala is a leadership development consultant and regional director for RV Rhodes LLC. She can be reached at tsmagala@rv rhodes.com or (585) 721-6538

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Women at Work Column: Take time to set financial resolutions - 1/24/2012

Mon, 24 Jan 2012 12:53:16 GMT

Whether you want to ramp up your earning power, start a retirement savings account or stop feeling you are wasting money, now is the time to develop your 2012 financial resolutions.

Decide on your big goals first, such as more money in the bank, reducing debt, or saving for a child's education. Take small steps toward your big goals every day. Start by signing up for your company's 401(k) or automatic withdrawals into an IRA.

Take time to reflect on 2011. Track your money's highs and lows? What mistakes did you make; what challenges did you face? What financial decisions are you most proud of? Analyze how you spend money. What are your fixed costs? What are occasional costs? How do you spend your discretionary money? You may be surprised to learn how much money you spend on lunches, entertainment or clothes. Could you reduce these expenses to help you reach your financial goals?

Give yourself a stress test. How vulnerable are you to sudden job loss or unexpected expenses? Do you have an emergency fund? You should have three months' worth of living expenses in your bank account.Develop a written plan to reduce and eliminate debt. Increase monthly credit card payments. The most expensive debt is from credit cards and it is a form of saving if you reduce the debt and the interest charges.

Work with family members in developing your financial plan. Having all members agree to a common goal will make success easier. Perhaps meal preparation could be shared so that costly takeout or restaurant meals could be reduced or avoided.

It is difficult to make changes, but if you develop a written plan and agree on common goals you will be successful. Remember, lasting change is best accomplished in small increments.

Spurrier is president of M. Spurrier Financial Services LLC and can be reached at (585) 271-5280.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Make your business card a winner - 1/17/2012

Tue, 18 Jan 2012 9:48:54 GMT

Think of your business card as your passport into the world of new business. It is the tool people take away to remember you by.

What goes into a good business card?

You want to make it easy for people to contact you. On the front, you want to have your company name and logo as well as your name and contact information. You may also want to have your picture. People feel this makes the card more personal. It also makes it easier for people to remember you or recognize you. Adding your website or email address is a good idea.

Be sure to reinforce your brand by using your company's color in your cards. When people have a stack of white cards on their desk and yours is a different color, whose do you think is going to stand out?

The biggest mistake people make in designing their cards is forgetting to use the back. This is a blank canvas where you can do anything. Would you waste a prime real estate location? Of course you wouldn't. You want to maximize your space. A powerful way to maximize it is to list the services you offer.

You have only 30 to 60 seconds to get your message across when you meet people. You can't possibly tell them everything you offer, and the potential client won't remember all that you said. When you list your services, you don't have to worry about it. Other options include offering a discount or coupon, or listing awards you have won. You could even put a tip calculator on the back to give people a reason to keep your card handy.

Your business card is an extension of you and the only thing people usually have to remember you by. What does your card say about you?

Luyk is CEO of Midnight Janitorial and author of Wisdom in a Traffic Jam. She can be reached at www.wisdominatrafficjam.com.

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Group helps keep local women connected - 1/15/2012

Tue, 18 Jan 2012 9:51:16 GMT

Now that the holidays are over, Rochester women are looking for a fresh start.

That's Cynthia Smith's feedback about why Rochester Women's Network had a packed house at its first event of the year on Thursday at the Cooperative Extension Building on Highland Avenue.

"I think more and more women are looking at networking as a form of community," said Smith, co-chair of the Free Networking Committee. January and September generally are the times when women are "back and engaged," added Sandy Richardson, RWN's director of operations.

Founded in 1978, RWN has been known as the largest women's network of its kind in the country. With about 350 members (formerly more than 500), it is a diverse network with goals that help women support each other, advance their careers, grow businesses, increase customers (or donor bases) and make friends.

Heather Smith, a five-year member, is RWN's new president since Jan. 1. She follows Leanne Reed, who completed her term on Dec. 31. "I think the overall theme for this year for us is going to be a year of brand visibility of RWN in the community," said Smith. "We used to have a large membership and we were out in the community. The primary thing is let's get back out there."

Another objective is mentoring women in transition, said Richardson. About 15 percent of members are in flux, searching for jobs. The network offers a Women in Career Transition program to help.

Laurie Flagg, a sales professional, and her sister, Sarah Christopher, of Snow Ski and Board at Pittsford Plaza, recently joined the network. "I joined last month after an orientation," said Christopher, who also has her own custom embroidery business. "I thought it was terrific." Flagg, who has been unemployed for a few weeks, tapped into the network within days of being without work. "I went to a meeting, heard what was going on and joined," Flagg said. "I had a lot of positive energy with the people I met, encouragement, as well as places to look and ways to develop and which direction to go."

Smith says RWN is exploring ways to better connect its mission with causes in the community. Coming events include a free new member orientation and recruitment event at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Cornell Cooperative Extension. A financial panel discussion will be at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 24. Cost for the program is $10 for members, $15 for non-members. Each year, the network also sponsors the "W Award," Women inspiring women. For more information, go to rwn.org or email rwn@rwn.org.

Follow Cynthia Benjamin on Twitter at twitter.com/cynthiabenjamn

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Women at Work Column: Know what they're saying about you - 1/10/2012

Mon, 10 Jan 2012 14:38:58 GMT

People are using social media, email or other electronic tools to talk about your business. Are they saying good or bad things? Either way, you need to know in order to thank people for compliments or quickly fix problems.

Two powerful tools are available to stay on top of what people are saying in cyberspace: Google Alerts and Twitter.com/search.Google Alerts allows you to search your name, business name, competitors' names, and industry trends. To take advantage of this opportunity, create a search query called an alert. With that, Google automatically searches new Web pages, newspaper articles and blogs for the alert, emailing you whenever it finds a result.

To begin, create a Google account and then navigate to google.com/alerts. Type in your first search query and preview the results. Refine your query until you get the results you want. Use the Help section for tips that will make this a powerful tool for you.

As you complete the form for the alert, tell Google how often to search for what content. After creating this first alert, you can add additional ones via new queries.

Tweets, especially negative, travel lightning fast on Twitter. Search Twitter as well for your name and business name and respond to any tweets. Go to twitter.com/search to review tweets that are just minutes old. Use the Advanced Search to get better results. Simply click "refine results" on the search page results to get to Advanced Search. This lets you search an exact phrase and add a location to the search criteria.

You can search Twitter without an account. However, with an account you can save the search and use it again. What's the key to success on cyberspace? Know who is saying what about you and use that to improve your service and your online image.

Moore owns Net Results LLC and teaches a wide range of computing skills. She can be reached at (585) 748-1850 or bmoore@netresultsusa.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Sometimes barrier to success is fear - 1/3/2012

Mon, 3 Jan 2012 12:28:32 GMT

Do you keep getting passed over for promotions?

Do you seem unable to thrive in your own business?

Could your difficulties be caused by a fear of marketing yourself or your business?

The Law of Attraction says that like begets like. You can achieve success by shifting where you focus your energy. Think of a time when you achieved a goal or were close to it. Then what happened? Who didn't like it? Did something uncomfortable happen around that time? Do you feel fear, sadness or anger when you recall the situation?

If yes, those feelings are telling you that you are stuck energetically. The problem is likely subconscious and energetic, not logical or intellectual. You are in protection mode and don't even know it.

Your subconscious mind runs 95 percent of what you do: breathing, digestion, thinking. When you feel that doing something is risky and unsafe, or that you'd never have time to do what you'd like, or that people will be jealous and reject you, you are subconsciously afraid. Perhaps at some level, you perceive success as painful, hard and unsafe. You can do all the right things and still not achieve your desires because of deeper concerns about success.

This should come as a relief to those who have labeled themselves as a loser, stupid or lazy. Your reactions are about safety and protection, not logic.

But how can you change? Meridian tapping, a form of acupressure with verbal coaching, stirs up and clears out the old energy. It brings relief easily and sometimes very quickly. When you tap and talk, you release beliefs and emotions that created a pattern that causes pain.

If you have never experienced tapping, you will be amazed at what is in your way. It's not about logic. It's about your energy.

Jaworski is a success and energy coach. Contact her at joanne@trueauthenticpower.com or (585) 621-7571.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: New executives must lead - 12/20/2011

Mon, 20 Dec 2011 14:26:31 GMT

Newly promoted executives quickly face complex challenges and opportunities. Expectations of them are high and, unfortunately, often unknown to the new executive.

They will be called on to make critical decisions, often in the absence of complete information. For better or worse, their decisions have reverberations throughout the organization.

Hence, leading change quickly becomes an essential focus. Decisions must be translated into strategies that likely will demand new ways of working for many in the organization. And as it is said, wet babies are the only people eager for change.

Savvy executives engage leaders and staff across the organization, gaining their wisdom, insight, energy and the resources required for success. This process affords the executive opportunities for establishing credibility and trust with new colleagues, former peers, direct reports and staff from a wide range of functions.

Defining new policies or procedures is easy, but sustainable change requires shifting the culture. It is essential that leaders define, communicate, model and reward the culture they want to lead. This single strategy will reap greater rewards than nearly any other process.

Compounding all the challenges, executives have limited access to honest, truthful and timely feedback. For a variety of reasons, staffs protect their leaders from unwelcome information and too often polish the information they provide.

Long-term leader success requires they find a reliable, unbiased source for feedback on their actions, approaches, ideas and concerns. Without feedback, success potential is rapidly capped.

Bacilek is an executive coach and leadership development expert based in Rochester. She can be reached at mimi@successbuildersllc.com or (585) 329-1525. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Be Proactive to Avoid being passed over - 12/13/2011

Mon, 13 Dec 2011 14:36:19 GMT

A famous comedy routine from the 1970s began with two brothers in conversation because "Mother always liked you best!" The TV show was the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. This routine garnered the brothers a lot of laughs.

But when that same dynamic shows up in the workplace, it isn't so funny. Situations that leave employees feeling they are less favored than other employees can be downright painful.

Consider the following workplace scenario: Two employees sharing the same hire date and identical job title have each received positive reviews from their supervisor. After a year on the job, one of them is unexpectedly catapulted from obscurity and asked to lunch with an executive. The employee left behind is demoralized and at a loss to explain her co-worker's sudden "15 minutes of fame."

Politics often dictates workplace policies and transactions. It was at the heart of the above scenario as well. The favored employee's uncle had made a sizable donation to the organization where his niece worked. This form of favoritism is difficult to eradicate. However, a more common form of perceived favoritism has its roots in not being personally proactive to make the right connections or impression in the workplace.

It is easy to fall into the groove of your work routine and carry out your responsibilities to the tee, but not quite to the glee of your supervisor. Then, when a co-worker is recognized for innovative contributions, you are suddenly stirred to action: "Why didn't I think of that?" The familiar no longer seems as comfortable.

Head this off abrupt awakening at the pass. If your supervisor has not scheduled a face-to-face review in a while, take the initiative and request a meeting to get performance feedback.

And in the conversation showcase your ideas.

Hisiger is a freelance writer. She may be contacted at Wordtailor@aol.com. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Tips for an effective presentation - 12/6/2011

Mon, 6 Dec 2011 11:50:53 GMT

Top-notch communications skills are vital to professional success. Communications that are timely, direct and succinct will hit the mark with teams and customers alike. When presenting, stick to a maximum of five main points. Begin with a conclusion and back it up with metrics and facts. Don't simply report. Offer a recommendation or suggest next steps.

Avoid using fillers such as "uh." Counteract speaker nerves by pausing and taking a deep breath before moving on to the next point.

Use gestures to emphasize, clarify or direct. Gesturing, smiling, inclining your head forward all foster involvement with your audience. Nervous habits such as rocking and shifting are major distractions.

Make eye contact. Think of having a live conversation with several people. Focus on a few faces for five seconds, and then make eye contact with another group. Continue to move your eyes around the room to include each member of the audience.

Speak clearly and audibly at a moderate pace. This is an important matter of consideration for your audience. Check at the outset to be sure everyone can hear, even in the back of the room.

Use PowerPoint as a tool, not a crutch. Never put all of your presentation on PowerPoint and read from it. Each screen should offer one point on which you can elaborate. Add graphics and pictures for interest.

Rehearse. Deliver your presentation several times to an empty room. Then give it in front of a mirror and study the effect of your hand gestures and body language. Do a dry run for someone who will give you honest feedback.

Practice until you can present confidently without reading word for word from a script.

Remember Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Three Be's of presenting: Be sincere. Be brief. Be seated.

Sally Ward is president of Ward Leadership, offering executive and leadership development coaching, facilitation and strategic planning. Email her at WardLeadership.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Prioritize to relieve stressed workers - 11/29/2011

Mon, 29 Nov 2011 12:41:53 GMT

Overtired employees may be an understandable sign of the times. Yet prolonged exhaustion among employees could reflect a lack of strategy and/or a dysfunctional organizational culture that may threaten sustainable success.

When organizations downsized to meet economic challenges in recent years, many were left with a streamlined structure. As businesses experience a minimal or robust increase in sales, they may be finding themselves less than equipped to meet demands.

Other factors also increase stress on a workforce. Globalization generates new and threatening competitive challenges, and working across many time zones requires late hours and middle-of-the-night meetings. Telecommunications in the new millennium allows (and often requires) 24-hour accessibility.

As long as everyone understands the clear short-term and long-term vision, and sound business strategies are in place, most loyal employees will do whatever it takes — temporarily — to bridge the organization into better times. That is successful only as a short-term strategy. Long-term, it can lead to a decrease in morale.

Values that leaders strive to integrate into their organizations are contradicted when longer hours leave little time for family, community or spiritual activities that offer life balance.

I offer three simple strategies to these complex challenges. Stop, assess and re-prioritize your current initiatives. Establish your most immediate goals, and set future targets for remaining initiatives.

Set and communicate a course that's manageable. It is tempting to dismiss these recommendations based on short-term productivity challenges.Yet these strategies will increase odds for sustainable profitability.

Reintroduce and demonstrate the values that help people thrive. Thriving employees build thriving businesses.

Rawady is an executive coach. She can be reached at donnarawady.com. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Having in-house coaches is essential - 11/22/2011

Mon, 22 Nov 2011 11:29:18 GMT

Using leaders as internal coaches is an extension of the popularity and value of hiring external coaches for executive leaders. The purpose of a leader-coach is to strengthen employee engagement and performance by facilitating one-on-one coaching conversations on a routine schedule with direct reports.

A study documented in Becoming a Coaching Leader, by Daniel Harkavy, found that top performers who received coaching outperformed their uncoached peers by 22 percent. Low performers who received coaching improved as much as 60 percent compared with peers who received no coaching.

Coached team members also said that both their loyalty to the company and overall morale improved. A best practice utilized by many companies attaining a ranking on the "Great Place to Work" list is a 360-degree feedback program supported by coaching conversations.

Hiring external coaches for all employees is cost-prohibitive, so developing leaders as internal coaches is a cost-effective alternative. During a coaching conversation, the leader-coach can focus on the associate's performance, development and/or career plan. The "COACH Approach" is a practical step-by-step conversational roadmap I created that guides leaders in their coaching conversations from beginning to end.

The COACH Approach is also an acronym so it is easy to follow and remember. Here is an overview of each step:

Create rapport and bridge to business.

Offer positive and/or constructive feedback with an I-statement.

Assess by probing and listening.

Collaborate on ideas and solutions.

Have an action plan.

Coaching and collaboration have replaced command and control as the most effective way for managers to lead. If managers do not become skilled at coaching their employees, it is unlikely that they will be able to achieve sustainable positive results for themselves or their organizations.

Since coaching does not come naturally to most, it is imperative that organizations invest in developing their leaders' coaching skills.

Smagala is a leadership development consultant and regional director for RV Rhodes LLC. She can be reached at tsmagala@rvrhodes.com or (585) 721-6538.

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Women at Work Column: Don't just wait for things to happen - 11/15/2011

Mon, 15 Nov 2011 14:51:20 GMT

Live your life by choice, not by chance. Those eight words, the theme of a national conference, captured my attention. It made me realize how simple the words are and yet how meaningful if accomplished.

When this theme is applied to your work life, you are invited to thoughtfully consider the choices you make vs. letting things just happen as they may. Being intentional about what, when, how and why you do things makes a

significant difference in your productivity, effectiveness and professional future.

Here are some workplace choices you may encounter. Only you can make choices that are right for you. With your list of tasks in mind, ask, "Which ones add value to the company? Which tasks are the best use of my time? Which are the

highest priority?" When should you do them? Schedule time on your calendar for today, tomorrow or a specific time in the future. Set a deadline for each task and place a reminder on your calendar one or two days prior. This is a

great stress reliever and it allows for flexibility should a higher priority arise.

Do you need to do the task yourself or can it be delegated? If others are involved, build consensus and delegate with specific criteria and deadlines. How can social media play a role? Think creatively and use the best tools

at your disposal. Are you dressed professionally? Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.

Leaving things to chance is often easy but lower priority tasks naturally get completed and more challenging, important tasks remain undone. Deadlines are missed and
time is wasted. The choices you make in your professional life reflect the person you are. Don't leave your choices to happenstance. Take control and make the right choices for your future.

Madden owns Organize It! Learn more at organizeit.biz

or contact her at (585) 381-5511. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: New student loan plan is worth a look - 11/8/2011

Mon, 15 Nov 2011 14:58:39 GMT

If you're one of many businesspeople with a student loan, President Barack Obama's recent announcement has likely captured your interest.This new program is designed to lower monthly loan payments for some students graduating next year and thereafter and to let borrowers who have a mix of direct federal loans and loans under the old Federal Family Education Loan Program consolidate them at a slightly lower interest rate.

The plan, which Obama said he will enact by executive order, is a boon to many students who face high college debt but who have relatively low incomes. The plan is based on income and would cap annual repayments at 10 percent of discretionary income, down from the current standard of 15 percent.

Obama intends to speed up a law Congress had passed in 2010. Congress had intended the measure to take effect July 1, 2014. The president's plan takes effect in 2012. It also changes the cut-off point at which any outstanding loan balances will be forgiven, or wiped away. Obama accelerates the loan forgiveness to 20 years from 25 years.

The loan consolidation provision enables a borrower to get an interest rate reduction of half a percentage point.The plan does not cover all student loans. Private loans are not covered. These are usually from banks and have higher interest rates. They have no government protection.

Borrowers with loans from 2007 and earlier will not be covered nor will those who don't have at least one loan from 2012 or later. Borrowers who are in default will not be eligible.

To help students avoid over-borrowing, a "know before you owe" campaign will include a standardized financial aid form. This form helps students understand how much a college will cost, including how much debt they will have accumulated by the time they have graduated.

To learn more, go to studentaid.ed.gov.

Spurrier is president of M Spurrier Financial Services LLC.

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Women at Work Column: Power of declaration can aid success - 10/25/2011

Tue, 26 Oct 2011 15:36:55 GMT

The most powerful tool a business has is the spoken word. In her book The Last Word on Power, author Tracy Goss states, "A declaration is an act of speaking that brings forth a future the moment it is spoken."

In 1961, John F. Kennedy declared that the U.S. would have a man travel to the moon and back before the decade was over. By making this declaration, Kennedy committed himself and the country to space travel.

When looking at a business's growth, it is clear whether the organization is choosing to declare its future or whether it is reacting to circumstances that arise. The most successful businesses use the power of declaration to propel themselves forward.

As leaders, we have opportunities every day to make declarations and determine whether those declarations are worthy of our commitment. Then, we design actions to fulfill the promise of those declarations.

It's not up to us to single-handedly follow through on these declarations. Kennedy did not have the personal knowledge to actually build and run the space program. He knew that he would need to develop a framework and obtain the support of many people to achieve his goal.

As bosses, managers and business owners, it's also important to listen to the declarations of our employees. What do they visualize for the company's future? Where do they see themselves in their own future? Listen for the commitment embedded in an employee's declaration. Is it aligned with the company's vision?

If so, management and employee can form a strong partnership, generating actions to move forward. By fostering cooperation and developing a common goal, they not only create a mutual benefit for each other but ultimately the business as well.

Heeler is a professional life coach and can be reached at (585) 704-9398 or Linda.Heeler@AccomplishmentCoaching.com.

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Women at Work Column: Farmers Markets are worth a look - 10/18/2011

Tue, 19 Oct 2011 13:30:0 GMT

As a businesswoman with a family, I understand how hard it is to
maintain good health. During these difficult economic times, with upward
pressure on many prices at the grocery store, it becomes a real challenge to
prepare nutritional meals that your family can enjoy. As business owners, we tend to lose sight of how important good
health is to successfully meet the challenges of day-to-day stress.

A trip to your farmers market is one way to combat prices. This
might sound like just another thing to do, but this adventure could prove to be
a stress-reliever and an alternative to your mundane weekly shopping trip. Not
only will you save money on your food bill, bring home fresh produce and support local
growers, you are likely to be pleasantly surprised by the variety, rich colors
and overall ambience of open-air markets.

With the arrival of autumn, the markets are abundant with
produce such as apples, pears and winter squash, just to name a few. You are
truly missing out if you haven't visited a market in the fall. There is
something about buying produce at the market that inspires one to make hearty beef vegetable soups, butternut
squash stews, beet salads with goat cheese and warm apple pie. With so much to
choose from, there are endless goods to help you maintain excellent health so
that you can remain ready for business.

While
you are enjoying a break from your busy workweek, you may find that you not
only purchase fruits and vegetables to keep you strong, but also receive a lift
to your spirit, giving you fuel to meet the next week's obligations.

So grab
a buddy, get some fresh air and turn your shopping chore into a delight.

Rogala is a financial adviser with Waddell and Reed
and can be reached at (585) 436-4510 or progala@wradvisors.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester
Women's Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work: Here's a system to help bring about change - 10/11/2011

Mon, 11 Oct 2011 13:40:52 GMT

Although we all have the ability to change our behavior, the odds are 9-to-1 against us that we actually will, writes Alan Deutschman in his book Change or Die.

The author shares three keys that have helped organizations that are experiencing change initiatives to beat those odds:

Relate. Help people feel hopeful versus hopeless.

Repeat. Practice new skills and patterns of behavior repeatedly to move from awkward to automatic.

Reframe. Embrace a positive mindset.

With those insights in mind, I created the TARGET system to help leaders facilitate coaching conversations that drive behavior and performance changes with associates. TARGET is an acronym for Trackable, Actionable, Realistic, Goal-driven, Encouraging and Time-bound. Trackable means writing down an action plan of who will do what by when so progress can be tracked and reviewed. Actionable ideas must be done or practiced repeatedly in ways that can be seen or heard. They can't be just a thought. Realistic plans are doable and reasonable. I recommend that you deal with no more than three action items at a time. It also is beneficial to discuss and plan for potential obstacles.

Goal-driven plans that are measurable make it easier for leaders to inspect what is expected and track progress. Encouraging messages from leaders inspire associates to move from feeling discouraged to encouraged so they don't give up.

Time-bound goals are the last step. The date and time of the follow-up conversation should be scheduled on the calendar to activate accountability. People will focus their efforts on items that get measured and receive attention, so the follow-up meeting is essential.

Leaders, coaches, parents and teachers who use the TARGET system on a consistent basis will be more successful at driving behavior and performance changes.

Smagala is a leadership development consultant and regional director for RV Rhodes LLC. She can be reached at tsmagala@rvrhodes.com or (585) 721-6538.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (rwn.org).

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Downward spiral can happen to anyone - 10/6/2011

Mon, 11 Oct 2011 14:16:12 GMT

Posted by Jane Sutter -

“There but for the grace of God go I.” I remember thinking that a few years ago, leaving the

Rochester YWCA after spending a Saturday afternoon with women who live there

and are getting back on their feet, learning job training and skills to become

independent again.

I write “again” because the women I met weren’t very different from me — middle aged, had

worked, mostly white — but had experienced unfortunate circumstances like

divorce or death of a spouse and found themselves in a downward spiral. I was

at the Y as a member of Rochester Women’s Network Community Service Committee.

We were putting on a “spa” afternoon for a dozen or so residents, giving them

manicures, facials. One member taught yoga. I remember talking to the women and

being moved by their circumstances but admiring their determination to get

their lives together. One told me about job training she was doing, another

about how she was on the verge of getting her own apartment.

I thought about that day today as I attended the YWCA’s annual Empowering Women luncheon, where we

heard two young women talk about how the YWCA had turned their lives around.

One, a teenage mother, was connected to a YWCA mentor at her high school, who taught

her how to be a responsible parent and graduate from high school. Another woman

could barely hold back the tears as she told her story of becoming homeless

with her kids after losing her two jobs and having to drop out of RIT (after

graduating from MCC) because she couldn’t afford it. She’s now back on her

feet, too, thanks to the YWCA.

I don’t know if the YWCA is a member of this Strive Partnership that MCC President Anne Kress is

putting together, modeled after one in Cincinnati. The idea is to bring groups

together to really tackle the issues the city school district faces. If Jean Carroll,

head of the YWCA, hasn’t been invited yet, she should be. She and her staff

know how to turn lives around, and that’s what needs to happen for way too many

kids (and their parents) now

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Women at Work Column: Don't wait until tomorrow to read this - 10/4/2011

Mon, 4 Oct 2011 14:11:38 GMT

Thomas Jefferson once said, "Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today."

Mark Twain offered another version: "Never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow."

So who is right? Which philosophy do you follow? Do you know anyone who procrastinates? Do you know anyone who does not procrastinate? Procrastination in the workplace steals productivity, creates unnecessary stress and projects a poor self-image.

Here are some suggestions for overcoming procrastination:

Determine why you are procrastinating. There are many reasons people procrastinate. Are your reasons due to distraction, perfectionism, self-doubt, resistance,rebellion, fear of failure, feeling overwhelmed or something else? Recognize and accept that you are doing it. Procrastination does not happen accidentally. It is real and intentional. Once you know the reason it is happening, recognize it and move forward.

Pause. Take action. Take a few moments to think about and focus on the project, its scope and the desired outcome. Determine what action steps are necessary to bring it to completion. They might include making a list, making phone calls, delegating, doing some research, or asking for

help.

Write it down. The simple exercise of writing things down is therapeutic and takes the
burden off your mind. Break your project into small, manageable steps and mark your calendar with a date and time to do the first three steps. Continue doing so after they are complete.

Avoid perfectionism. Ask yourself how good is good enough? At what point should you stop trying to do thing perfectly? Is there a simpler way to do it?

Change your ways. Once you are aware of your procrastination tendencies, be watchful and proactive to keep them from returning.

Just do it! You will be glad you did.

Madden is founder and owner of Organize It. Learn more at organizeit.biz or contact her at (585) 381-5511.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (rwn.org).

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Women at work column: Be careful with 401(K) distributions - 9/27/2011

Mon, 27 Sep 2011 13:29:51 GMT

Making the wrong decision about how to use your 401(k) can result in substantial taxes, penalties and an unnecessary reduction of your retirement assets.

If you take the money in a check paid to you, the employer automatically withholds 20 percent of the money for taxes. If you are younger than 55, the IRS adds a 10 percent penalty. If you decide you made a mistake, you have 60 days to replace the money plus the amount your employer withheld.

But if you do a direct rollover into an Individual Retirement Account, no taxes will be taken out. The 401(k) plan will make a check payable to the new trustee for your benefit. In most cases, this will be a traditional IRA. This money will grow, tax-deferred, until you take it out. At that time, it will be taxed as ordinary income. You are required to take a portion out every year once you reach the age of 70 ½ .

You have an additional choice. You could select a Roth IRA which will allow tax-free distributions if certain requirements are met. You will be required to pay the income taxes upfront, but not the penalty. There is no required distribution. This is best for people who do not need the money immediately.

You may be able to receive a stream of periodic payments either from your employer's plan or your IRA. This is called a 72(t). By receiving the money this way, you will be taxed only on the payments you receive. The remainder of your account can continue to potentially grow tax-deferred. The distribution must be taken for the greater of five years or attainment of age 59½. Once you make this choice, it can't be changed.

Regardless of which option you choose, you need to think it through and make the decision that is best for you.

Spurrier is president of M. Spurrier Financial Services LLC. She can be reached at (585) 271-5280.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Alternatives to the vending machine - 9/20/2011

Mon, 20 Sep 2011 13:8:56 GMT

Do you start to lose focus in the afternoons? Does it seem like you just need a nap around 2 o'clock? I have noticed that during the first hour after lunch I am productive, then things begin to go downhill fast and I start thinking I am going to just put my head down for only a moment.

Does this sound familiar?

Gina Andrecolich Montesano of Game Training says, "The priority is fueling your body and mind to complete the tasks at hand. Be prepared for your day by having healthy snack options on hand when you feel run down and need a boost. Grab celery with natural peanut butter or low-fat cream cheese, a handful of almonds, walnuts or cashews. Low-fat, low-sugar Greek yogurt, fruits with fiber-rich skin like an apple, pear, peach make great snacks."

We need to resist the vending machine options loaded with high caffeine, sugar and fat that give only a temporary high, leaving us to crash later. Drinking hot or iced green tea or water with fresh lemons, oranges or strawberries in it will serve a double purpose. It will help keep us hydrated but also makes us walk to the bathroom more. By walking to the bathroom more often, you give your mind a mental rest and your body gets a workout from the walk. You will feel more energized to tackle that next project. Try walking around your office while on the phone. This gets the blood flowing and allows you to breathe deep from your diaphragm.

Sitting on a medicine ball instead of a chair will help work your inner core and perfect your posture. Be prepared with healthy alternatives and you can beat the end of the midday slump.

Angella Luyk is CEO of Midnight Janitorial and author of "Wisdom in a Traffic Jam." She can be reached at wisdominatrafficjam.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work: A confident and composed leader can achieve success - 9/13/2011

Tue, 14 Sep 2011 14:25:52 GMT

By Donna Rawady

As leaders, when we possess and demonstrate confidence and composure, others are more likely to trust, engage and follow. Though there are physical aspects (posture and body language, strength of voice and presentation, effective written communications) that demonstrate confidence, the most significant factor is our own belief in the direction we're providing.

It's not uncommon to have our confidence shaken. We may become overwhelmed with the responsibilities associated with making crucial decisions and creating strategies that carry risk, even when the risk is well-measured. However, as leaders, we have a responsibility to navigate through uncertainties in order to confidently and promptly come to a decision, communicate the goal and guide others toward it. We can do this through our own resources, knowledge and experience and/or collaboratively through the resources, knowledge and experience of others.

Also crucial is our ability to maintain composure in tough situations. A cool and confident demeanor helps to minimize anxiety in others. There are special circumstances that may call for a genuine and appropriate level of emotion. But in general, our ability to remain calm and focus on the business impact maximizes the influence we have on morale and employee effectiveness.

Being self-aware is especially important in difficult circumstances. When we're aware of ourselves becoming emotional, we may be able to shift our vantage point to calmly consider all available data and parties. Ultimately, our ability to calmly respond versus emotionally react will generate more opportunities to engage others instead of alienating them.

Though maintaining confidence and composure isn't always easy, the ability to demonstrate both, in any situation, creates invaluable opportunities to have a significant and positive impact as a leader, coach, facilitator and role model.

Rawady, an executive coach, can be reached at donnarawady.com.

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Women at Work: 3 Tips for a knock-'em dead speech - 9/6/2011

Thu, 9 Sep 2011 13:24:54 GMT

Leaders have many opportunities to speak with groups large and small and, with that, to build their leadership brand and credibility. Too often leaders improperly prepare or fail to prepare at all, losing the opportunity. Here are three areas of focus that enable public speaking to serve you well.

Assure clarity of the message: This is simple but frequently overlooked. Before you prepare or speak, answer this powerful question: "What is the single most important thing for my audience to believe, know and/or be prepared to act on because of my talk?" Open with a well-planned, concise statement of purpose and be sure your content supports and fleshes out that purpose. Close with a memorable call for the action you want your audience to take.

Address audience expectations: Pay careful attention to the fears, hopes and dreams of the audience. Whatever the subject, you likely have gathered more data and have a deeper understanding of the subject than your audience has. Never assume they know what you know or understand it from your vantage point. Always assume some of what they know is based on rumor, conjecture, or outdated or incomplete information.

Engage and entertain: Even if it's a small group, stand when you speak. It allows you to project your voice, positions you to be seen, not just heard, and enables you to use your body to reinforce your message. Don't plan gestures. Let them be a natural extension of your words. Tell a story, call on people by name, ask open questions and create a dialogue.

If you use visuals, be sure slides are clear, readable and free of errors or extraneous information. Present data pictorially — rows and columns of numbers demonstrate depth of data, but pie charts and bar graphs tell a story.

Prepare a few bullet points to keep you on track rather than scripting your talk. You will hold your audience better if you're speaking, not reading.

Bacilek is an executive and leadership development coach in Rochester. Contact her at (585) 227-0308 or mimi@successbuildersllc.com.

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Women at Work Column: Steer clear of workplace doomsday sharks - 8/30/2011

Mon, 30 Aug 2011 21:13:12 GMT

When you're lost in the rain, in Juarez, and it's Easter time too,When your gravity fails, and negativity don't pull you through ...— "Just Like Tom Thumb Blues," Bob Dylan

Tsunami, earthquakes, drug wars, drought, disease, homelessness, financial sector scandals, foreclosure crisis, skyrocketing unemployment, privacy-invading hackers ...

If you seek it, bad news is not hard to find.

Bad news is everywhere internationally, nationally and locally. Some of us have the good fortune to be spared direct consequences of the above, but morale can suffer nonetheless.

The trick is, "when your gravity fails," not to give in to negativity because, to spin Bob Dylan's lyrics a bit, negativity won't ever pull you through.

Unfortunately, your resolve to maintain emotional equilibrium may be severely tested by workplace "doomsday sharks" — purveyors of doom and gloom who inevitably surface at the slightest whiff of trouble. Cloaked in conspiratorial tones, they invade your space to share rumors of your company's latest downsizing casualties.

If they are truly practiced in the art of destabilization, they will surely offer their considered opinion, nothing concrete, regarding your own job security. Then with single-minded focus they will forge ahead to carry out their self-appointed mission: infect as many co-workers as possible with toxic anxiety.

But there are antidotes to these types. And it all boils down to strategy.

The most effective way to extricate yourself from an unwanted helping of negativity is to surround yourself with positive people. This might sound a bit obvious, but getting sucked in to the negative vortex of doomsday sharks can be insidious and incremental. Before you know it, you find yourself in the maelstrom without any rope to pull you out.

So, steer clear of these types. Don't accept their offers to go out for lunch. If they invade your space, have something urgent to do wherever they are not.

Hisiger is a freelance writer. She may be contacted at Wordtailor@aol.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Tips for working successfully at home - 8/23/2011

Mon, 23 Aug 2011 14:10:12 GMT

By Angella Luyk

When I first thought about a home office, I was excited. I was certain I was going to be very productive. I wouldn't have to get dressed every day unless I wanted to. I could come and go as I pleased. No one would look over my shoulder asking for pesky reports. Does this sound familiar?

In fact, in the beginning, my home office was less productive. I seemed distracted by everything, including my well-intentioned husband. He would come into my office and ask, "Where is my purple shirt?" I would jump at the chance to leave.

Since then, I've learned a few things that can help anyone working at home to be more productive.

First, you really do need to get up and get dressed in the morning. When you stay in your comfy pajamas, your mind thinks "vacation." You need to get in the mindset that you are going to work.

Second, set some rules. Have regular office hours and make sure you post them to let your family know that, during certain times, you are not to be disturbed. Even better, go a step further and close the door.

Cynthia Smith, an expert on time management, says, "Schedule yourself for three to four hours of work, then a half hour of play." During playtime, you can catch up with your husband or the laundry. You can even go outside and garden. Just remove yourself from the office. Give your mind a break.

Each morning, make a list of a few things you need to accomplish. You can tackle the easiest items first to build your confidence or the hardest ones to get them out of the way.

This list will give you direction and satisfaction when you start crossing off completed items.

Success in a home office does require discipline. But isn't success worth it?

Luyk is CEO of Midnight Janitorial Inc. She may be contacted through her company's website, midnightjanitorial.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Tips for Juggling College, Work & Home - 8/16/2011

Mon, 16 Aug 2011 12:35:32 GMT

By Cynthia Smith, PhD

Nowadays, returning to college is not limited to September and classes are not limited to traditional business hours. Women often manage numerous responsibilities beyond the job, including school.

Several key issues to consider might help ensure success:

Time cannot be managed, but how we choose to use our time can. The rigors of coursework in addition to the demands of work, family, recreation and other activities require a deliberate adjustment in how we choose to spend our time. An academic rule of thumb is to multiply the credit hours per class by three. Therefore, one standard, three-credit hour class will require an average of nine hours of study activity per week. Assess your routine activities with a calendar, such as drive time, household tasks, children's activities and job requirements. Where does coursework fit? Solicit assistance and cooperation from family members to juggle responsibilities.

What time of day are you at your best? Does reading at night before bed lull you into dreamland? If so, consider taking your textbook everywhere. Read a paragraph when you have a break in the action, while waiting in line, in a traffic jam, or in the bathroom. Be creative but be prepared. Divide reading into manageable chunks to increase retention.

"Completing assignments with excellence ensures high academic achievement," says Colleen Carmody-Payne of Keuka College. Make a weekly to-do list of assignments. Ask a classmate to become your accountability partner and ask another colleague to proofread your work.

Create a pleasant work environment in your home, but avoid distracting decorations. Keep it simple. Use one color to organize each of your subjects. Color coordination will help you grab the correct materials as you head out the door toward greater opportunity through educational pursuits and that next degree.

With the right strategies, you can successfully go back to school.

Smith is president of Facilitating Innovation. She heads the Rochester Women's Network's W Award committee and may be reached at csmithedd@gmail.com.

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How to bypass business roadblocks - 8/9/2011

Mon, 9 Aug 2011 10:54:50 GMT

By Sally Ward

When you find yourself stuck or stalled, it's likely that you, your organization or your business is subscribing to a roadblock story. Roadblock stories take several familiar forms:

The Hapless Victim: This story is an airtight explanation about how circumstances have done you in. "I'm/we're a victim of_______ (fill in the blank)."

I/We Need to Play it Safe: This story is about fear of risk. The status quo is not as productive or rewarding as you would like, but you tell yourself it's better to play it close to the vest. "If we change course now, the alternative may be worse."

The Good Excuse: Blaming provides a convenient rationale for disappointing results and covers up a host of problems that may include poor planning, mistakes and lack of initiative. "We fell short of our sales goal because the quotas were set too high."

Why Bother? The plot is always the same in this story. Whatever the goal, don't get too worked up about it because it won't matter in the long run. "Why do my best work? I'm probably the next one to get laid off."

I/We Must Look Good: Here, the need for approval gets in the way of effectiveness. "I need to ask for help, but I'm afraid if I do, it will be seen as a weakness." Or "I'm just going to fly under the radar and keep my nose clean."

To remove a story that is impeding progress and growth, first identify it. Then assess its impact. How does it affect your ability to perform? What is the cost of holding on to it?

Next, reframe. What are some new ways to look at this? Choose a perspective that offers greater possibility. Select the first action that will take you in a more productive direction.

Ward is president of Ward Leadership, offering executive and leadership development coaching, facilitation and strategic planning. Email her at www.WardLeadership.com. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Think very carefully before taking a 401(k) loan - 8/2/2011

Mon, 2 Aug 2011 9:59:45 GMT

By Mary Spurrier

Approximately 75 percent of all 401(k) plans have loan provisions. In an ideal world, we'd leave our retirement plans alone. Let's face it, life happens and, in an emergency, you may need the money. But taking a loan against your 401(k) may have devastating consequences if you are not careful.

Each plan has its own specific loan features and restrictions. Make sure you check with your plan provider to see what those are. Most plans have a minimum loan and may prevent you from borrowing from the company match. Plans usually have a maximum repayment term of five years. In most cases, your loan payments will be taken directly from your paycheck. Once the loan is issued, you usually can't change the payment terms. The interest rate is often the prime rate plus 1 percent.

There are often charges attached to the loan such as origination and annual maintenance fees. That $1,000 loan could actually cost you $150 in fees, or 15 percent.

If you default on your loan, the amount due is treated as a distribution and taxable as ordinary income. If you are younger than 59½, you will have to pay an additional 10 percent penalty. If you have already spent the money and weren't planning on those taxes, it could lead to big problems on April 15.

There is also opportunity cost. If the stock market goes up, you will miss out on that additional tax-deferred growth. If you leave your job, in most cases, you will have only 60 days to pay the loan back. If you default, your employer will report it to the IRS and it will become a taxable event subject to the 59½ penalty.

There are some strong disadvantages to 401(k) borrowing. The opportunity cost and early withdrawal penalties are arguably the worst. Think very carefully about this loan and use it only as your last resort.

Spurrier is the president of M. Spurrier Financial Services LLC. She can be reached at (585) 271-5280.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (rwn.org).

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How do you know if you fit as a leader - 7/26/2011

Sun, 14 May 2012 12:53:39 GMT

By Tina Smagala

Answering three key questions will help you determine if you are fit for a leadership role in your organization.

Do your values and beliefs fit with the organization's culture? If you want to drive change and your organization's culture is not agile, you may not experience results as quickly as you would like and become frustrated.

Does your personality fit with your organization's personality profile of an ideal leader? In other words, are you internally wired to thrive as a leader? Leadership expert Marshall Goldsmith, who spoke recently at a Rochester Institute of Technology symposium, recommends that individuals begin their leadership development process with a personality self-assessment.

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or the WorkPlace Big Five Profile will give you insight into your personality. You can be effective even if you don't align perfectly with your organization's ideal leadership profile, but you may feel drained at the end of your workday or experience job burnout faster.

The Center for Applied Cognitive Studies has done more than 20 years of research on personality traits of the ideal leader. The research defines the ideal leader as someone who is calm and resilient in stressful situations, extroverted, visionary, appropriately challenging and focused. There can be exceptions to this profile, such as a customer service organization that prefers front-line leaders to be more reactive than resilient so they have a strong internal urge to quickly respond to customers.

Do your skills and abilities fit with your organization's leadership competency model? Completing a 360-degree feedback survey and receiving feedback will help you answer that question. If you have skill gaps, meeting weekly with a coach, studying leadership books and receiving training can help.

Ensuring that you are fit for leadership in your organization will increase your potential for success and satisfaction.

Smagala is a leadership development consultant and Rochester regional director for RV Rhodes LLC. She can be reached at tsmagala@rvrhodes.com or (585) 721-6538.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Tips for improving decision making - 7/19/2011

Mon, 19 Jul 2011 11:26:26 GMT

By Mimi Bacilek

Despite the best of intentions, poor decisions are made in organizations every day. Leaders make decisions based on information that inherently arrives through a hierarchical chain. Each time information passes from one person to another, or one workgroup to another, the potential for miscommunication, misinterpretation, conflict avoidance and decision bias increases. People consciously and unconsciously sanitize the information and position it to represent their own best interests.

The problem is not that these information filters exist. The real problem occurs when leaders fail to recognize them and how they disable great decisions. The solution lies in embedding decision rigor in the organization's culture. Wise leaders systematize decision making and model the application of that system.

Use real-time business issues to engage teams in strategic thinking and model respectful, but thorough, debate.

Disable multitasking during information evaluation and decision-making conversations; check smartphones at the door and turn off WiFi on the laptops.

Insist that decision assessment conversations occur separately from decision-making ones.

Require that decision debates include exploration of potential biases such as political correctness or entrenched historical approaches.

Require teams to debate multiple solutions during evaluative conversations.

Expect decision recommendations to be presented in contrasting ways. For example, the value of making decision X and problems associated with making that very same decision.

As decisions move up the organizational approval ladder, expect reports to include a summary of decision processes, including disagreements and how they were managed.

When projects meet particular thresholds, for example financial, insist that recommendations and decisions are accompanied by timelines and accountabilities in advance of any action.

Require decision approvers to identify, chronicle and champion best practices and learning opportunities as they occur.

Publicly reward both efforts and successes in applying decision rigor.

Bacilek is an executive and leadership development coach in Rochester. Contact her at (585) 227-0308 or mimi@successbuildersllc.com. This column is written by Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: It's time to evaluate your accounting - 7/12/2011

Tue, 13 Jul 2011 10:57:8 GMT

By Betty Andelman

Many business managers are gearing up for some well-deserved time off. Midyear also provides the opportunity to take stock of accomplishments and think about actions that can be taken to ensure a prosperous second half.

This can be a great time to review your accounting systems and make any necessary improvements. Are you getting the information you need to run your business effectively? Are you tired of scrambling to get your books and records ready for your tax accountant?

Here are three things to think about that can help the rest of your financial year run more smoothly:

Record your revenue and expenses into meaningful categories. Consider how you might combine certain accounts for your financial statements to make helpful summaries. You should be able to generate reports at any point in time so that you know how your business is doing.

Make sure you have the best software system for the size of your business and that you capture the information you need to be an effective manager. Several off-the-shelf software packages can track your financial situation quite effectively. Ensure that you have set up your system correctly and know how to use software to its full capabilities.

Keep your financial records current and record all entries as they occur. Reconcile bank and credit card statements promptly. If your financial information is not current, you cannot generate meaningful and time-sensitive reports to determine whether you need to take action to meet your goals.

These are just a few ideas to get to the best information to run your business effectively.

There is no time like the present to make positive moves toward a fiscally sound future.

Andelman is an independent consultant who provides accounting services to companies that need financial help on an interim basis. Contact her at info@bettyandelman.com. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Teamwork key to stronger workplace - 7/5/2011

Mon, 5 Jul 2011 12:20:19 GMT

By Denise Lamoreaux

A Harvard study found that 61 percent of top executives said they wanted to collaborate with others and be part of a team. The economic downturn changed the landscape of the working world and many employees find themselves doing the jobs of several people as a result of downsizing. This creates a sense of distrust and weakened employee engagement.

Why, then, would people want to work in a group? Helen Keller provides the answer: "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."

Divide and conquer: Working as a team divides assignments into manageable chunks. A project manager keeps everyone on track. A spirit of "co-opetition" emerges and team members learn from others. When a team receives accolades for its efforts, the bond deepens and helps grow relationships even after the project is complete. These moments help diminish some of the survivor guilt employees may feel.

Stand and deliver: Once rapport is established, people recommend each other for future projects, leading to opportunities and dispelling that sense of distrust. Teams sometimes have the luxury of moving intact from project to project, which further enhances their level of success, resulting in mutual benefit for the people and the business.

Birds of a feather: Teamwork produces more than an end product; it also grows relationships and trust. Keller also said, "The world is moved not only by the mighty shoves of the heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker." This sense of being in it together helps rebuild the workplace community.

Combining efforts, dividing and conquering, referring and sharing — all of this proves that workplace collaboration is critical to a company's overall success and to the spirit of the workers involved.

Lamoreaux has 26 years of experience in career development and leadership training.

The column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Strive for excellence not perfection - 6/28/2011

Mon, 28 Jun 2011 11:42:32 GMT

By Dorothy Madden

"They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds."

Winston Churchill's light-hearted quote describes a dilemma in the workplace. Should we strive to be perfect? If we practice, practice, practice, can we make things perfect?

The answer to both is no. Perfection does not exist in our offices, homes or lives. Striving for perfection is unrealistic, unattainable, self-defeating and slows us down.

In trying to be perfect or make things perfect, we waste time poring over every last tiny detail, lose sleep due to the stress, perhaps even cause ourselves serious health issues. An excessive amount of time can be devoted to making something perfect while another, more pressing project gets neglected.

If perfectionism is an issue for you, what are some ways to overcome it?

Replace "perfect" with "excellent." Accept that perfection is undesirable and strive for excellence. Excellence is doing your best possible work. In almost everything in life, excellence will be good enough.

Accept mistakes. We learn from our mistakes, even though they may be unpleasant. We learn how not to make them again and how to do things differently next time.

Set a time limit. If you estimate a project takes one hour to complete, double it to two hours. Doubling is a good rule of thumb because, most times, it is more realistic. We often underestimate how long a project will take. However, take a hard look after two hours and decide if your project's status is excellent. Is it good enough? What is gained if you spend another hour? Trying to be perfect is time-consuming.

If one of your goals in the past was to be perfect, reconsider and have your new goal to be efficient, effective and excellent.

Madden owns Organize It. Learn more at OrganizeIt.biz or contact her at (585) 381-5511.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Integrity matters in all aspects of life - 6/21/2011

Mon, 21 Jun 2011 9:32:49 GMT

By Donna Rawady

Integrity — honesty, an adherence to moral or ethical principles — is a core and crucial component to one's success and influence.

Before writing this article, I posted a message within one of my LinkedIn leadership groups and asked for additional perspectives or experiences as they relate to integrity. Within a couple of days I received 15 thoughtful submissions from around the world.

The mix of definitions, personal experiences and multicultural perspectives on the subject of integrity was fascinating. I've paraphrased what I identified as the common threads, regardless of the industry or country the feedback came from:

If we have integrity, it's something we practice when we're being observed by others and when we're alone or behind the scenes with an intent, decision or strategy.

Integrity is part of one's character. So if we act against it, or even consider acting against it, we can easily experience discomfort, a great barometer to help measure our intentions or behavior before taking action.

One's integrity is closely tied to an individual's non-negotiable personal values and work ethic and therefore tends to generate consistent behaviors.

Our commitment or lack of commitment to integrity generates our professional trustworthiness and reputation.

Even though we may possess and value integrity, it is not always easy to be consistent and maintain that integrity when making decisions or communicating with others in a complex and political environment.

When we demonstrate integrity, we may also be serving as a role model.

It's never too late to set new standards for how we conduct ourselves.

All of the above is just as significant in our personal lives as it is in our professional lives.

Integrity matters ... a lot.

Rawady is an executive coach and can be reached at www.donnarawady.com. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Succession plans are vital not easy - 6/14/2011

Mon, 14 Jun 2011 15:3:47 GMT

By Mimi Balicek

Robust succession plans are essential to the success of a business. Whether the leader's exit is planned or results from a crisis, it always affects productivity and, therefore, profitability. Entrepreneur-owned and family-owned business leaders are no exception. In fact, they may benefit most.

Great succession plans are developed proactively and have three critical elements: legal, financial and leader transition. Most businesses invest in the first two and pay little attention to the preparedness of the successor. The harsh reality: If the successors are not fully prepared for their role, the business will stumble.

Successful leader transition requires attention to three success pillars: fit to the role, preparation for the role and passing the baton.

Successors are selected based on industry and technical knowledge, role-related skills and, perhaps most importantly, fit to the culture. Knowledge can be acquired and skills can be learned, but fit is often about how the individual is hard-wired. Great coaching can assist in closing gaps, but great fit out of the gate is always best.

Too often an heir apparent is identified without an analytical assessment of capacity and capability. Considerations include industry knowledge or experience as well as adeptness in key areas such as strategy design, sales and marketing, decision-making and leadership.

The selection process should address intensity of desire for the success of the business. This is particularly true in entrepreneurial enterprises where the role is often 24/7 and integral to the successor's personal wealth.

The passing of the baton can make or break the transition. Staff are always fearful of the inevitable changes a new leader brings. Changes might be as small as "do we still have summer hours on Fridays?" or as large as "how will our approach to customer service and pricing change?"

Wise business owners assure their company is readied for transition and potential successors readied well in advance of the transition.

Bacilek is a Rochester-based executive leadership coach and can be reached at (585) 329-1525 or mimi@successbuildersll.com.

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Women at work column: Gauging when to take Social Security - 6/7/2011

Mon, 14 Jun 2011 15:4:46 GMT

By Mary Spurrier

Social Security is an earned benefit. To collect this benefit, you must pay into the system for at least 10 years. Nonworking family members may be eligible based on the worker's record. The current work environment has increased the number of people who are taking early benefits. In 2009, some 42 percent of 62-year-olds claimed benefits, up from 38 percent in 2007, according to the Brookings Institution.

Your birth year and your age when you start taking benefits directly affect the amount you receive. If you choose to receive benefits before your full retirement age, your benefits will be reduced permanently. For example, if your full retirement age is 66 and you start receiving benefits at 62, you would receive 75 percent of your benefit. If you wait until your full retirement age, you will receive 100 percent, and if you wait until you're 70, you will get 132 percent of your benefit.

If you take benefits early and continue to work, you can experience an additional reduction of $1 of Social Security benefit for every $2 earned over $14,160. When you reach full retirement age, the earning limits no longer apply.

In specific situations, taking benefits make sense, such as poor health or unemployment. Otherwise, it's best to delay payments in order to boost retirement savings. The Employee Benefit Research Institute found that nearly half of people between 56 and 62 are at risk of not having enough retirement income to pay for basic costs such as food, transportation and housing. Taking Social Security early won't help as much as it seems.

For additional information, go to the Social Security retirement estimator at ssa.gov and click on "create scenarios" or go to AnalyzeNow.com. Both sites offer calculators to help you determine what is best for you.

Spurrier is the president of M. Spurrier Financial Services LLC. She can be reached at (585) 271-5280.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Empower your employees, don't overpower them - 5/31/2011

Mon, 31 May 2011 14:19:11 GMT

By Sally Ward

Perhaps you've had this challenge as a leader: finding that team members or co-workers are relying too heavily on you to solve problems. Knowing when and under what circumstances to give advice can be tricky.

Let's say a direct report approaches you with difficulty regarding an assignment. You may be tempted to step in and suggest a solution based on your experience. However, doing so erodes that person's power to address the challenge and grow from it. It also creates an unhealthy over-reliance on you.

In many cases, when people ask for advice, leaders aren't hearing what they really want. What they really want is the gift of presence: to be heard and understood. Leaders give the gift of presence by listening and asking questions.

People don't need leaders to solve every problem. What they need are leaders who encourage them to access their own ability to do it. Help them by refusing to accept their "Stuck Stories." You can get to more fertile ground by asking open-ended questions such as: "What's at stake here?" "What are some options?" "What do you think?"

The more you adopt the stance that people are inherently creative and capable, the more they gain confidence, generate ideas and uncover their own solutions. As they try on new thoughts, be sure to validate. Throw in acknowledgements such as, "That's interesting. Say more." Get them to go deeper. Open the door to their wisdom.

Now that you've listened, questioned and validated, it's perfectly OK to ask, "Are you open to a suggestion?" If the answer is yes, go ahead, give your advice and rest assured that you've empowered, not overpowered. As Peter Drucker, the father of modern management famously counseled, "Listen first, speak last."

Ward is a certified coach and president of Ward Leadership, offering executive and leadership development coaching, facilitation and strategic planning. Email her at www.WardLeadership.com. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network, www.rwn.org.

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Kathryn Thomas wins the "W" Award - 5/19/2011

Wed, 19 May 2011 19:31:9 GMT

By Driadonna Roland

It didn't matter where she was from, what her job title was, or even
if she was a member of the Rochester Women's Network. The honorees for
the 25th Annual "W" Awards, Women Inspiring Women, had one common
thread: superlative dedication to the cause of empowering other women.

In
a ceremony Wednesday night at Nazareth College, the organization
honored local women nominated by the greater Rochester community who
exemplify the non-profit's mission of helping other women succeed in
their professional and personal lives.

The networking organization consists of about 450 professional women in all stages of their careers.

There's
even one male member, Jerry Elman, owner of Schoen Place Auto in East
Rochester. His business is certified as woman-friendly, and he credits
members of the Rochester Women's Network for helping it grow. He said he
was honored to serve as a judge to select this year's five honorees.

"It was a difficult decision because there's some very incredible women leaders in Rochester," Elman said. "It kind of felt like we were splitting hairs."

Ultimately,
Kathryn Thomas was named winner of the 2011 "W" Award. In addition to
being past president of the Women's Foundation of Genesee Valley, she
served on boards of the Wilmot Cancer Center and YWCA. She noted that
while she is no longer employed, it was her volunteer career that
brought her recognition. It's the kind of work that could not be done
alone, she said, and she counts the friends she has made along the way
as people who inspire her.

"Most of them are still here and most of them are still empowering other women," said Thomas, of Brighton.

"For that I am grateful because we need lots of women inspiring other women."

Social
change is another motivator for Thomas. When she learned that the
Women's Foundation's mission was to create economic self-sufficiency for
women and girls, it spoke to her.

"I felt very strongly that there's no one else that's going to help women and girls but us — other women."

Leanne Reed, president of the Rochester Women's Network, donned comfortable
walking shoes along with her formal lavender gown to enjoy herself in
the company of friends. "It has been an evening of laughter and
celebration," she said.

The 2010 "W" Award winner, Sally Ward, helped judge this year's awards. "I think women today don't have as many opportunities outside of the workplace to form close, personal relationships with other women," she said.

This
year's other honorees were Angella Luyk, president of Midnight
Janitorial Inc; Peggy Tirrell, senior associate director for graduate
business programs at the Saunders College of Business at Rochester
Institute of Technology;
Bernie Todd Smith, health information consultant at Unity Health,
Rochester General Hospital and Rochester Regional Library Council; and
Bridgette Wiefling, president and CEO of the Anthony J. Jordan Health
Center.

DROLAND2@DemocratandChronicle.com
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Women at Work Column: Virtial Assistant can help get the work done! - 5/17/2011

Mon, 17 May 2011 11:9:54 GMT

By Ann Michael Henry

Whether you are a "solopreneur" or a micro-business owner, one thing is for sure: You have administrative work that needs to be done. Chances are all of this "administrivia" is taking you away from the core of your business. You know that you need help, yet you aren't ready to hire someone full time.

Let's look at the advantages of hiring a Virtual Assistant, a person who provides professional administrative or technical assistance to clients such as small business-people.

You pay the VA only for time worked, either hourly or project. You don't incur payroll taxes, medical insurance expenses or holiday/vacation pay costs. Since the assistant is a contract employee, you get the help you need without the responsibilities of having a full-time employee.

There is no capital expenditure on your part. A Virtual Assistant will provide all of the necessary office space and equipment required to support your needs: computer, phone, Internet service, copier, scanner, fax.

A VA will have extensive experience on a variety of software and cloud-based programs and will learn new software or skills on her own time, if necessary. Instead of investing your time training a support person, you will simply need to acquaint a VA with how your process works and then let the VA take it from there.

A good VA will get to know your business and offer advice and counsel on how to use technology and software. You will learn from your assistant.

Virtual Assistants are professionals. They respect your privacy, the confidentiality of your company information, and they will use your company resources with the same reverence that you use them.

VAs will wear your company's hat and work as if they are employees. They consider themselves to be members of your team. Bottom line, they want you to succeed.

Ann Michael Henry is the founder of Mise En Place, an effectiveness and productivity firm. She can be reached at annmichael@m-e-p.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work: Tips to improve in-person networking - 5/10/2011

Mon, 10 May 2011 12:12:22 GMT

By Tina Smagala While social networking is hot, networking with people at meetings, conferences and events will never go out of style.

Thirteen years ago, I created a workshop, People Power, to teach sales and business professionals how to work a room and make profitable connections. Here are some tools that are still useful today:

Arrive: Rehearse your self-introduction. Don't sit down because it gives the impression that you aren't approachable; keep your business cards in your pocket; and wear your name tag just below your right shoulder.

Approach: Move toward people who are standing alone, talking to someone you know, or who are in the refreshments line.

Assert: Greet people with a smile and a firm handshake, and deliver your self-introduction with enthusiasm. In 25 words or less, your self-introduction should answer three questions: who are you, what do you do and how do you help? How you help is why people do business with you and it is where you add your "wow" factor that makes you distinguishable. Tailor your introduction to the audience by using relevant terminology.

Attend: Ask open-ended questions to engage the person in conversation such as, "What do you enjoy most about your work?" The more you learn about others, the more likely you can help them or someone they know.

Appreciate: End the conversation on a positive note by shaking hands, exchanging business cards and expressing your appreciation such as, "I appreciate your interest and I'll follow-up with an email to schedule a time for us to meet and discuss your situation further."

After the conversation, jot down a few notes about the person on the back of her business card to help you remember the key points of your profitable connection.

Tina Smagala is a leadership development consultant and regional director for RV Rhodes LLC. She can be reached at tsmagala@rvrhodes.com or (585) 721-6538.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work: Steps you can take to overcome rejection - 5/3/2011

Mon, 3 May 2011 11:1:17 GMT

By Arlene Hisiger

Ah yes ... rejection, the uncomfortable yet undeniable relative to the better known three R's of our school days. Most teachers, even seasoned professionals, skirt the subject or deny its existence for fear of its paralyzing effect.

What results can cadres of unsuspecting graduates expect when they are left to learn defensive measures against rejection in the school of hard knocks? Those who aren't prepared to cope with rejection are likely doomed to succumb to it.

Overstating my case, you say? Well, consider this: What good are straight A's if you aren't called in for an interview, considered for a project or can't land the job?

I have put together some antidotes to rejection.

Have a game plan. Keep a notebook or online file containing all correspondence. Organize it in a manner that is most effective for you. Do not use this file as a means to berate yourself for not previously getting the result you desired. Mine it for its possibilities. Use it as a teaser file for when you are trying to decide who to pitch an idea to even if you were rejected before.

Be creative. Sometimes you may want to be a bit daring. Use preemptive tactics such as presenting a potential employer with a spiffed-up version of the company's existing marketing.

Talk therapy. Don't let your inner conversation dominate. Meet with colleagues, mentors or friends and mull things over with them. Most times they will bring an unexpected perspective that could be the game changer.

There's always tomorrow. Continue to network and brainstorm, but take time to relax. My best ideas seem to surface once they've had a chance to simmer a while.

With just these few tools, you can overcome rejection and build toward success.

Hisiger is a freelance writer. She may be contacted at Wordtailor@aol.com. Website: www.wordtailor.net. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Decide which relics to display at new job - 4/26/2011

Mon, 26 Apr 2011 14:14:42 GMT

By Cynthia Smith, EdD

Many stops and starts define our life's journey. Job transitions happen. One day, we wake up to discover that our once beloved position no longer serves us or that our job has been eliminated. What happens to those emotions and tangible relics of both realized and dashed dreams?

Artifacts that once decorated our office or cubicle now create a logjam in our basement, attic or trunk of our car. Often, we tend to hold on to stuff way too long without appropriately honoring these vital elements that help define us. We tell ourselves we'll get around to reorganizing or tossing these items someday.

Set aside time to examine every item. Revisit the memories and the stories that these items bring to mind. Ask yourself how they may affect your next working environment. What do these collectibles tell your employees or colleagues about you? Is their story still relevant? Do these things still resonate with who you have become? If not, consider donating, re-gifting or throwing away these tchotchkes.

It's not just physical junk that produces paralysis during job transitions. We stuff our minds with sometimes inaccurate interpretations of past experiences.

Joanne Jaworski, a success coach, says, "What most people don't realize is that we hold emotions and beliefs in our body and energy." She encourages everyone to revisit past events. Our secret storage places, whether in the basement, in our mind or in our body, can be reorganized and repurposed. Love, honor and accept every issue and every item. Appropriately display those that are meaningful. Delight in personal and professional achievements.

Discarding debris which no longer has value will create clarity, from which new purpose will emerge. Take a deep breath, then move forward with freedom.

Smith is president of Facilitating Innovation. She can be reached at csmithedd@gmail.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Treat your clients well & earn referrals - 4/19/2011

Tue, 20 Apr 2011 11:9:57 GMT

By Angella Luyk

What business owner doesn't want a referral? A referral means your client or friend is telling others what a great business you have. This person feels confident informing others about you and your service or product. If you are doing a good job, you should be getting a lot of referrals. If your business isn't receiving them, there might be a few reasons.

Christina Velez, owner of Skintopia in Brighton, says, "You need to be careful how you treat your clients. There is a fine line to walk between being friendly towards your client and being too friendly. You should never feel like the client is your friend so you can go ahead and be 20 minutes late because they won't mind. Oh yes, they will.

"The best thing to do is treat the client how you would want to be treated. Don't be late and don't ignore them when they are in front of you while you talk to the person behind them."

Do your friends or clients know the right people? Perhaps they are talking to people who are unable to use your services. There is no point giving a referral to someone who would not be your ideal client. You will end up wasting both their time and yours. Are you making referrals yourself? The "pay it forward" concept suggests that when you give referrals, referrals will come back to you.

Lastly, are you asking for referrals? You could encourage them by posting a sign at your business that says, "A referral is the highest compliment you can pay us; then we will know we are doing a good job." Whatever you choose to do, remember your clients are your most important asset. Without them, you would have no business, so treat them well.

Luyk is CEO of Midnight Janitorial Inc. She may be contacted through her company's website, www.midnightjanitorial.com. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work Column: Tips on Leading through conflict - 4/12/2011

Mon, 12 Apr 2011 12:8:48 GMT

By Mimi Bacilek

Few of us like conflict. But savvy leaders know it is an unavoidable reality of business life and that effectively navigating stormy waters is essential to success.

Conflict-laden conversations follow a predictable course. That predictability is a great foundation for effectively guiding such conversations. The leader's role is to encourage all parties to learn something new and, based on that, to move toward the best resolution. Six steps enable success.

Prepare for differences of opinion that are likely to generate conflict, such as priorities, resource allocations and policies. Keep an eye out for personality differences, contrary belief systems and judgments about another's intentions
Acknowledge the differing opinions and seek everyone's willingness to explore alternate perspectives. Name each of the opinions you hear and verify that you have restated the opinion correctly.
Request that the parties engage in a process to better understand the range of opinions.
Facilitate conversation to allow participants to share their beliefs and express why they hold their perspective. Curiosity is a powerful tool for moving beyond conflict; strive to keep the parties working to understand other opinions. The alternative is for each person to advocate their own position. That inevitably leads to emotional arguments about which people become intent on winning.
Withhold your opinion. Once the leader's opinion enters the conversation, many people will stop working to achieve understanding. They perceive the "winning" position is on the table and sense no point in continuing.
Anticipate resistance. Most people's experience in conflict is to either compete and fight or fear the fight and flee. Helping them work to a collaborative, shared solution can gain you more than the best business solution to this challenge. It may enable your team members to work more effectively on all the challenges they face.

Bacilek is an executive and leadership development coach in Rochester. Contact her at (585) 227-0308 or mimi@successbuildersllc.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work: Save, diversify to combat inflation - 4/5/2011

Tue, 6 Apr 2011 23:8:14 GMT

By Mary Spurrier

Are we headed into an inflationary period? That depends on who you
talk to. If you spend a lot of time on the road, have kids or pay for
most of your health insurance, the reply is likely a resounding yes. If
you're an economist, the answer is probably not so clear.

What
is inflation? Simply put, it is the overall rate at which the cost of
goods and services is increasing. When inflation is rampant, your
purchasing power goes down as each dollar buys less. Recent spikes in
the price of oil and other commodities have rekindled fears of
inflation.

Even in
times of small price increases, inflation takes its toll over time. If
prices grow by just 3 percent a year, in 20 years you'll need an
additional 80 percent to buy the same items. If your income and your investments over that time aren't keeping pace with prices, inflation can put your financial life in real jeopardy.

Using
an annual inflation rate of 3 percent, an individual who retires with a
fixed pension or annuity of $40,000 per year would see her purchasing
power cut by more than half in 25 years. That $40,000 pension or annuity
would be worth about $19,000 in future dollars.

How can you protect yourself? As simple as it sounds, save money for the future. Fund your 401(k) or other retirement vehicles. Protect yourself with a well-diversified portfolio. This will provide a hedge against the risks of inflation.

Your
investments should provide growth, from both American and international
sources. Plus you should include some that pay dividends. Bonds could
be another addition to your portfolio.

The most important part is having a clear investment goal and understanding your investment time horizon as well as your risk tolerance.

Inflation
is a fact of life. You need to protect yourself if you want a
comfortable retirement. Remember, you first need a savings plan and then
diversified investments.

Spurrier
is the president of M Spurrier Financial Services LLC. She can be
reached at (585) 271-5280. This column is written by members of the
Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).
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Women at Work: A Facebook page can help market your business - 3/29/2011

Mon, 29 Mar 2011 10:4:7 GMT

Do you have a Facebook page for your business? With more than 500 million active Facebook users, some of your current and potential customers are no doubt on the social networking site.

The website provides an easy way to connect with these customers and, at the same time, gives you a platform for viral marketing.

How does viral marketing work?

You post something of interest on your business page, which then appears on the news feed for everyone who "likes" your page. If these people interact with your post, then your post appears on their friends' news feeds. With interesting and engaging content, you can quickly reach hundreds or thousands of people.

You need either a business or personal Facebook account to create a business page. I recommend using your personal account, which allows you to add more applications and invite your friends to like your business page. Nowhere on your business page are you listed as the page's administrator, thus keeping your personal page separate.

Start building your business page at facebook.com/pages/create.php. Facebook will walk you through the steps. Two tips to keep in mind: You cannot change the name of the page at a later date; and keep the page "unpublished" as you work on it (go to Edit Page, then Manage Permissions and check "Only Admins can see this page").

To get people to your page, consider offering a reward for liking your page, such as a coupon, an article to download or a chance to enter a contest.

Update your page with timely, useful and relevant information. Give people something of value, and they will share this information with their friends. Before you know it, your business will go viral.

Moore owns Net Results LLC and teaches a wide range of computing skills. She can be reached at (585) 748-1850 or bmoore@netresultsusa.com. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work: If employees succeed, you will too! - 3/22/2011

Mon, 22 Mar 2011 12:13:0 GMT

Women at Work: If employees succeed, you will, too

Written by Donna Rawady

In addition to communicating clear organizational goals and performance expectations, effective leaders need to assess whether their management team and/or their employees know how to do what's asked of them.

Employees may be very willing to embrace a change and help make it happen. A manager may be eager to lead his or her team toward a stated goal. However, if these individuals don't have the knowledge and/or acumen to contribute to the implementation of the new or shifted strategy, they will not be equipped to perform.

In addition, if your employees are not made accountable through measurable outcomes, and well-coached through the process, the risk for failure increases.

If you find yourself frustrated because you've repeatedly stated a goal to an individual, or a team, yet they're not delivering, perhaps they want to deliver, but they don't know how to go about it. And, unfortunately, employees are not always forthright about what they fear may be perceived as something they should already know.

Effective questioning, listening, support, training and/or coaching may transform struggling employees into engaged and action-oriented contributors.

If you're an executive-level professional and you've found yourself stumped about how to execute a current or future business initiative, remember that effective leaders don't necessarily have all the answers. A leader's primary responsibility is to engage others and orchestrate success.

You may want to consider looking within your team, or externally, if necessary, for others who may be innately equipped to collaborate with you to carry out the initiatives you struggle with.

Set up mutual accountability and commitment, support your team in any way that you can, and lead the charge.

If your employees and your business partners succeed, so will you.

Rawady is an executive coach and can be reached at www.donnarawady.com. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work: Focus on your strengths to achieve success - 3/15/2011

Mon, 15 Mar 2011 13:5:17 GMT

Women at Work: Focus on your strengths to achieve success

Written by Tina Smagala

Many people believe success is driven by overcoming their weaknesses. Research shows you will be more successful and happier at work when you focus on your strengths instead.

When you hear the word "strength," you probably think of physical power. In the world of work, a strength is anything you enjoy doing that consistently generates outstanding results, such as managing projects, analyzing data or coaching others. Your talents, the natural abilities you are born with, added to your knowledge and skills create your strengths.

When you leverage your distinguishable strengths, things that set you apart from others, you are more likely to achieve career goals.

Workplaces that provide opportunities for employees to refine and optimize their strengths experience higher levels of profitability, employee engagement and customer satisfaction.

Workplaces that focus only on fixing employees' weaknesses may prevent failure, but will achieve only mediocre results.

You can identify your strengths by asking five key questions: What do I enjoy doing? What do others say I do well? What energizes me? What things do I learn quickly? What is easy for me? You can also use formal assessments to identify your strengths.

Once you've identified your strengths, discuss the following questions with your manager: How are my strengths adding value and impact to our organization? How can I use my strengths more at work? What new skills or knowledge can I acquire to improve my strengths? What roles should I consider in the future that play to my strengths? By identifying strengths, it will also be easier to determine how to compensate for your challenges and weaknesses.

Working from your strengths will help you get better results, enjoy your work more, achieve your career goals, and experience greater fulfillment and happiness.

Smagala is a leadership development consultant and regional director for RV Rhodes LLC. She can be reached at tsmagala@rvrhodes.com or (585) 721-6538.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work: Tips to help cope with that fancy luncheon - 3/8/2011

Tue, 9 Mar 2011 9:53:38 GMT

Women at Work: Tips to help cope with that fancy luncheon by Angella Luyk

All of you have attended business luncheons — stomach in knots, nerves frayed, and you're not even the speaker.

You might be intimidated by the business meal itself. For instance, you would like some bread and a sip of water, but do you know where you place your bread? Or, which glass do you drink from? If you're unsure, you can be overwhelmed with worry about embarrassing yourself. However, a few tips can get you through business meals smoothly.

If you take your index finger and pinch your thumb with it, you form the letter b on your left hand; your right hand forms the letter d. Heather Smith of Mass Mutual Financial Architects uses this to remind herself that b stands for bread and d for drink. You can easily do this undetected under the table and end your confusion about which plate or glass is yours.

If you have food allergies, call ahead to see what will be served. If you cannot eat the listed meal, ask for a substitution. For those of us who intend to call but don't quite make it, find a server as soon as you arrive and ask to make the switch. This way your meal will come out with everyone else's and you will not wait for an alternative while everyone else eats.

Once you are finished with your meal, place the knife and fork across the plate to make the waitstaff aware that you are finished.

If coffee is being served and you do not wish to have any, simply turn your cup upside down.

A final piece of event etiquette is to turn your cell phone to vibrate or off as soon as you arrive to the event. Nothing is more embarrassing than your phone ringing in the middle of the presentation.

Using these few, easy tips can make your next business meal — or perhaps your first such event — less stressful and more enjoyable.

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Women at Work: There's a right way to set achievable goals - 3/1/2011

Mon, 1 Mar 2011 10:59:33 GMT

Women at Work: There's a right way to set achievable goals

Written by Denise Reed Lamoreaux

Let's apply that formula to this example: "Obtain my Project Management Professional certification." This goal, while admirable, lacks direction and relevance. When are you going to do this? How will you accomplish the work needed to prepare for the exam? Will this help you get a promotion or a pay raise?

Saying you're going to obtain your certification is sort of like saying you'll achieve world peace. It's a great concept, but it's not SMART enough to act upon. Putting some deliverables and dates against your goals will suddenly make them real and force you to face them head-on.

Goals that aren't so SMART will be much more difficult to achieve because there's nothing to live up to, no deadlines or mentors or networking throughout the year to make you stand and deliver. Un-SMART goals will always be pushed to the back burner, crowded out by "real" responsibilities.

So let's polish up that goal and get to work. Here it is, ready for prime time:

"Obtain my Project Management Professional certification by Dec. 20, 2011, after preparing for the exam by completing 20 hours of coursework offered by XYZ Training Co., mentoring with Joe Smith, PMP, for 30 hours and completing the PMBOK workbook so that I can apply project management concepts to my daily work as a quality inspector."

SMARTening up your career goals helps you realize just how important they are to your growth and success, and leaves you feeling pretty intelligent to boot.

Lamoreaux has 25 years of training and coaching experience, works locally for Hewlett-Packard Co. and can be reached at denise.reed-lamoreaux@hp.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work: How to turn negative feedback into positive - 2/22/2011

Mon, 22 Feb 2011 10:4:17 GMT

How to turn negative feedback into positive

Written by Sally Ward

How do you respond to negative feedback regarding your performance? Do you shut down, become defensive or angry?

Naturally, we'd all prefer to receive unanimous acknowledgement and accolades, but the real opportunity for learning and growth comes when we're willing to dig in and explore the areas where we could improve.

When hit with disappointing feedback, it helps to take some time to step back from your emotions. Cool down before responding. Get curious. Is there a kernel of validity in the criticism that rings true for you? Is there a pattern that has shown up in other roles or job assignments? If you don't understand what's behind the criticism, ask for clarification.

Now, put the negative feedback into a manageable context. Take an objective look at your overall performance picture. Start by listing your strengths, accomplishments and areas in which you've improved over the past six to 12 months.

Next, demonstrate your commitment to excellence by listing goals for areas where you want and intend to improve. Use this as a springboard for discussion with management. Ask your supervisor for suggestions as to how you can demonstrate concrete evidence of progress.

Part of your reflection should include considering your impact on others. What elements of your leadership or behavioral style add value to the organization and help others perform at their best? What aspects of your style, if you changed them, would enrich your interactions with others and enhance the organization's performance? What would be the impact if you changed those aspects for the better?

Psychologist Abraham Maslow said, "You will either step forward into growth or you will step backward into safety."

So be courageous. Choose and experiment with one change in your behavior that would make a major positive difference.

Ward is president of Ward Leadership, offering executive and leadership development coaching, facilitation and strategic planning. Contact her at www.WardLeadership.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work: Three core Skills drive team leader - 2/15/2011

Mon, 22 Feb 2011 10:15:25 GMT

Three core skills drive team leader success

Written by Mimi Bacilek

Skills necessary for leading teams and leading individuals are quite similar, but when with teams, successful leaders apply the skills differently.

Three core skills drive team leader success. First, leaders create a shared understanding of the mission and vision. Second, they leverage unique skill sets across a diverse group of individuals. Third, they assure the team's work is orchestrated to create a collective accomplishment.

In creating a shared mission and vision, leaders assemble the team to answer two key questions: We exist in order to accomplish what? (mission); We will know we've become successful when what is true? (vision). The process requires that team members massage the answers until they agree that the statements clearly articulate both purpose and success.

People naturally gravitate to work they enjoy and in which they have had previous success. Leveraging their unique skill sets requires the leader be aware of each team member's strengths relative to the project mission. The reality: Even when the same group of people is assembled around two projects, individuals rarely hold the same role in both projects. The wise leader taps into the passions and interests of each individual, shaping roles and processes to leverage those for success.

Now the hard work of overseeing success begins. The leader's role is keeping the team's work, resources and conversations synchronized to the plan. This is especially important when team members report to disparate departments or are in a variety of locations. Fostering an environment where team members collaborate demands that the leader maintain a bird's eye view of the work, processes, communications and results. From that vantage point, the leader guides team huddles and facilitates course corrections.

What critical project in your organization would benefit from applying these three leadership strategies?

Bacilek is an executive and leadership development coach in Rochester. Contact her at (585) 227-0308 or mimi@successbuildersllc.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work: Certain habits improve office efficiency - 2/8/2011

Sun, 14 Feb 2011 12:6:6 GMT

Certain habits can improve office efficiency

Written by Dorothy Madden

Habits happen. Some we just have. Some we don't want to have. Some we would like to have to help us be our best.

One of my habits is reading the Democrat and Chronicle at breakfast, and, because I have a home office, sometimes also at lunch. One snowy morning in January, the plow "ate" my paper and left me without my usual reading material. How odd the entire day seemed: empty, uninformed, disconnected. It was then I acknowledged that reading the paper was a daily habit I unconsciously took for granted.

Whether you work at home or away from home, are you aware of your workplace habits? Are there some you would like to change or eliminate? Are there new ones you would like to create? Are you motivated to make it happen?

Here are some habits that can help you become more efficient, effective and productive:

Organize your day the night before. Clear off your desk at the end of every day. Jot down a list of items you want to accomplish the next day and number your top three priorities. Tackle those three priorities before doing other items.

Work in blocks of time. Designate two to four blocks each day to read and reply to e-mails and to make and return phone calls. Return e-mails and phone calls within 24 hours. Schedule an uninterrupted block of time to focus on your top priority.

Streamline your process with paper and e-mail. Ideally, handle each document once. Designate a home for each document you need to keep. Make decisions about what needs to be handled immediately versus what can wait. Schedule time for those projects that can wait.

Lastly, consider this quote from the great distance runner Jim Ryun: "Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going." Keep on going with your great workplace habits.

Madden owns Organize It. Learn more at www.OrganizeIt.biz or contact her at (585) 381-5511. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work: Five Steps to whip finances into shape - 2/1/2011

Sun, 7 Feb 2011 14:11:40 GMT

Women at Work: Five steps to whip finances into shape

Mary Spurrier • February 1, 2011

The early weeks of a new year are a good time to implement the following financial strategies to help achieve your financial goals over the next 10 years.

Understand where your money is going. Just like a well-run company, you need to re-examine your expenditures to find opportunities to lower costs. Start with a budget based on data you collect over a few months. Aim to reduce expenses by 5 percent to 10 percent. This cost-cutting approach can really pay off. Revisit your expenses annually.

Get rid of debt. According to one financial adviser, "The after-effects of accumulating significant revolving debt can set one's finances back 10 years." Pay off all credit card debt and consider limiting yourself to a single credit card. Pay off the balance each month.

Make room for investing. Paying yourself first should be part of an overall budgeting strategy. Make it a "cost" on your budgeting worksheet.

Avoid lifestyle inflation. To ensure that saving and investing keep pace with income, switch dollar amounts to percentages. For example, saving 8 percent of your income rather than a fixed amount ensures your savings will rise in step with your income. Automating increases is the best way to be sure you save more as you earn more.

Be proactive about your retirement. Tally up your retirement assets. Make sure you are on track to meet your long-term needs. You may be tempted to select investments with above-average recent returns, but it's important to look at results over a longer time. Be sure your investments match your risk profile and objectives.

To meet your retirement goals, do what a well-run company does. Develop your financial leadership skills. Set concrete objectives. Repeat what works and stop what does not.

Spurrier is the president of M Spurrier Financial Services LLC. She can be reached at (585) 271-5280. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at work: Focus on ethics generates repeat business - 1/25/2011

Sun, 7 Feb 2011 14:15:16 GMT

Women at work: Focus on ethics generates repeat business

Jerry Elman • January 25, 2011

Making money and gaining prestige too often drive business decisions and are the enemy of "doing the right thing."

Why should businesses be interested in doing the right thing? Small businesses can develop a strong competitive advantage by deliberately focusing on ethics. They can earn repeat business and a good reputation. In addition, business ethics are important because, without them, three behaviors result:

People follow their own preferences without concern for others.

Individuals lose their sense of purpose and fall victim to the motives of others.

Most importantly, people cannot set the right priorities for dealing with daily demands and stresses.

How can you cultivate an ethical business culture? Leaders and business owners must create an "ethical compass" that provides direction for both strategic and day-to-day decision making. Setting ethical priorities requires methodical thinking with open debate about choices and outcomes. This intentional process is essential to encouraging decisions based on doing the right thing.

Business owners focused on ethics will have passionate stories to tell about the difference they are trying to make through their product or service. That passion and meeting a customer's need is what drives every decision in an ethical organization.

On the other hand, a business focused on hard selling or managing exclusively by the numbers will tend to de-emphasize ethics. The result, a self-centered passion, becomes very obvious. This business may close a sale, but is unlikely to generate repeat business or lasting customer relationships. As a result, the business will often rely on constant advertising to attract one-time customers.

In the long term, ethics do matter. They are what drives repeat business, customer loyalty and a good night's sleep.

Jerry Elman owns Schoen Place Auto, which has been certified as a female-friendly business. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women At Work: Feedback should be tinged with kindness - 1/18/2011

Sun, 24 Jan 2011 12:38:40 GMT

Women at Work: Feedback should be tinged with kindness

Denise Reed Lamoreaux • January 18, 2011

As leaders, we find ourselves in the position of providing feedback to our employees. The responsibility associated with this task cannot be underestimated, as we have the power to hurt another person if our message is misunderstood.

David Rock's model, "Speaking With Intent," is key to providing feedback that is detailed, crisp and, most of all, kindly stated. The model stresses three words: succinct, specific and generous, or SSG. The intent is to ensure that leaders tailor their feedback to those three words and cut down on the superfluous.

First, when you are framing your feedback, think of being succinct so that you capture the attention of your employee. Remember that the average adult's attention span is 22 seconds, so think and speak in "bullets" to help the employee stay focused on what you're saying.

Second, be specific in what you suggest and have the employee repeat what you've said. This activity will ensure that there are no gray areas with how your directions were interpreted.

Third, be generous with your feedback. That does not mean that you need to gush all over your employee. But it does mean that you need to avoid saying things like, "Where on earth did you come up with that idea?" Remember, you're providing insights, not insults.

Trust and intimacy are at the core of good employee relations, and this model will assist in establishing rapport and mutual understanding.

We all respond favorably to favorable information. Incorporating the "Speaking With Intent" model into your leadership toolkit helps you provide feedback that is brief, to the point and constructive instead of destructive.

Regardless of the audience, you'll find this model will ensure a clear line of communication.

Lamoreaux is a training delivery specialist with Hewlett-Packard Co. in Rochester. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work: Well-written profile helps your company - 1/11/2011

Tue, 12 Jan 2011 12:29:40 GMT

Well-written profile helps your company by Arlene Hisiger

In an age when all that twitters is tweet, one might easily buy into Shakespeare's notion in Hamlet: "Brevity is the soul of wit." But the reality is that in the corporate world, people who can get to the point quickly and effectively are an endangered species. Being an effective communicator, however, is not predicated on one's talent for truncated communication.

Or, to put it another way, bikini-sized briefs hold just so much water.

So let's examine what long-hand communication offers. Consider using it to advertise your uniqueness by creating a company or personal profile. A truly engaging, well-executed profile is a mix of salient data and lively narrative.

Great profiles include:

Brief history: Engage your reader with an interesting story about how you or your company evolved to be what you currently are. Did you or your company begin with a different mission? Why did that mission change and how did you or your company uniquely respond to those new circumstances?

Breaking news: Broadcast promotions, expansions, awards, grants and value-added contributions to your respective field of endeavor. But do so in a way that will draw the reader's attention.

Your distinctive role: This section is, frankly, what the reader cares about most. Make it count. You're here. Why should we care? Your goal is to convince the reader that you or your company is the undisputed marketplace maven. And don't forget to put your bragging rights to work. Point to some "bright lights" clients who have chosen to work with you. There's nothing wrong with name dropping; top-shelf clients enhance credibility.

A great profile is a powerful way to magnify your presence. So give it a go — all you've got to lose is the opportunity to communicate who you and your company really are.

Hisiger is a freelance writer in Rochester (www.wordtailor.net). Contact her at Wordtailor@aol.com. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work: Straight talk is an essential leadership skill - 1/4/2011

Mon, 4 Jan 2011 21:57:38 GMT

Straight talk involves communicating honest feedback using direct
words in a supportive manner. It is an essential skill for leaders and
individuals when helping others at work or at home to change a behavior
or situation that is not achieving desired results.

New
and inexperienced leaders often avoid straight talk or do it poorly,
causing confrontations instead of conversations. By using these 10 tips,
you can learn to facilitate an effective straight-talk conversation:

1. Start with positive intent by conveying your willingness to help and support.

2.
Communicate the specific, observable behavior or situation that needs
to change and why. Use supportive vocal tones and body language.

3.
Use "I" language instead of "you" language that can cause
defensiveness, such as "when I heard ..." instead of "when you said ..."

4.
Avoid softening your message by minimizing the issue with words such as
"it's really not a big deal," or masking the issue by disguising the
primary problem.

5. Discuss positive outcomes and potential consequences the employee may experience.

6. Ask the employee for his or her ideas to improve the situation in order to create buy-in.

7.
Document an action plan that specifies who will do what by when. Goals
and actions should be measurable and time-bound so you can inspect what
you expect.

8. Schedule a follow-up meeting to generate accountability.

9. Have the employee restate the action plan to strengthen his or her commitment.

10. End on a positive note of encouragement so the employee feels valued and supported.

Conducting
effective straight-talk conversations will help you as a leader to
activate accountability for change, achieve and sustain better results,
and maintain positive and collaborative working relationships.

Tina Smagala is a leadership development consultant. She can be reached at tsmagala@rvrhodes.com or 585-721-6538. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).
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Women at Work: Use two powerful little words: 'Thank You" - 12/28/2010

Mon, 4 Jan 2011 22:13:38 GMT

Use two powerful little words: 'Thank you'

Angella Luyk
• December 28, 2010

Have you ever been in a store and received excellent customer service? Did you take a moment to say thank you?

Those
simple words can really make someone's day. Try going a step further to
let a manager know how happy you are. Often we take time only to
complain about bad service, yet we hardly take time to say thanks for
great service.

Recently
I bought a pair of shoes from a very helpful saleswoman. I made sure to
say thank you to her and to let the owner know what a great job she was
doing. It turns out it was her second day on the job. Afterward, she
couldn't stop smiling.

When
I first started my business, I didn't realize the power of thank you.
Tracy Stevens of TLC Associates taught me that when someone pays you a
compliment, simply say thank you. Don't justify the compliment; to do so
almost takes away the value. By accepting gracefully, your thanks
reinforce the good opinion of the person complimenting you.

You
can also show your appreciation by sending a small gift to someone who
helps you. Perhaps a current client or business associate refers you to
another client. You don't have to buy them something extravagant. Just a
small token of your gratitude with a handwritten note will express your
thanks and enhance that relationship.

As
a business owner, say thank you to your employees when they go above
and beyond for you. A lot of companies use the concept of "employee of
the month" to reward their employees. Take a moment to actually say
thank you for a job well done and you just may see employee morale rise.

Saying thank you has many benefits. Try it and see the great results you get.

Luyk is CEO of Midnight Janitorial Inc. She may be contacted through her company's website, www.midnightjanitorial.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Woman at work: If you're the boss, be a visionary - 12/21/2010

Mon, 4 Jan 2011 22:2:20 GMT

Women at work: If you're the boss, be a visionary

Vicki M. James
• December 21, 2010

Experience
has shown that businesses with too many leaders can fail because of
their inability to manage and implement day-to-day business issues.

Likewise,
companies with good managers are not fail-safe, either. They can be
vulnerable because they don't innovate, motivate change or watch for
strategic threats.

What's the difference?

Think
of it like this: You want to manage things and lead people. For
example, businesses manage costs, inventory, cash flow, processes,
information systems, facilities and operations. When it comes to
leadership, great businesses lead their people, drive the company
vision, guide their employee and customer perceptions and ultimately
generate a positive and productive corporate mindset and culture.

As
the business owner, you are responsible for leading your business to
success and getting your people excited about your vision.

Too
often leadership is seen as defining a business strategy and expecting
people to follow or suffer the consequences. This model fails you, your
employees and your business.

Imagine if Bill Gates worked like this. He would arrive at 8 a.m., walk into Microsoft and answer the lobby phone,
interview every candidate for every position available, write copy for
the website, answer all customer calls, develop code for Windows, design
product packaging, write product documentation and empty the trashcans.
By noon, he would be exhausted and, in six months, there would be no
Microsoft.

Many times small business owners take it upon themselves to do all of this, and their businesses suffer as a result.

Your
role as the business owner is to focus constantly in the direction you
want your business to go. Frequently, small businesses suffer from
leaders who are overly tied up in day-to-day operations.

It's
important to seek out qualified and competent people who can manage
daily tasks so that you can look up, set your sights on what you want
and move your organization in that direction.

James is a business development specialist with Thaney & Associates CPAs. E-mail her at vjames@thaneycpa.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).
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Women at Work: Wise leaders tap workers' passion - 12/15/2010

Tue, 15 Dec 2010 17:33:10 GMT

Women at Work: Wise leaders tap workers' passion by Mimi Bacilek

Leaders are in their positions for one reason — to enable the organization to achieve great things. Their most powerful resources are the passions and energies of the work force. Tapping into those passions and energies requires leaders to invest time communicating with (versus talking to) the workers. Wise leaders engage in three powerful ways.

First, leaders seek to understand business realities from the employees' perspective: What's working well? What is making it difficult for employees to deliver on behalf of the internal or external customer? What's driving customers or clients crazy?

Second, leaders engage the work force in the organization's future. They speak about the potential they see for the organization and the role employees can play. They paint a compelling picture of what that might mean for employees as well as for the customer or client. They look for opportunities where that future aligns with what employees envision for themselves.

Third, they are out of their office, walking about the organization on a regular basis, perhaps not daily but more often than weekly. They are looking for opportunities to compliment, assist, develop and engage. They are cautious not to usurp the authority of other leaders in the organization and to remain mindful of the powerful model they are setting for those leaders.

How do they find the time for this level of engagement with the work force? These leaders are results junkies, not action junkies. They accomplish through others more often than on their own.

They use technology wisely but never as a substitute for human contact. They delegate liberally, developing people in the process and providing timely feedback. They look for every opportunity to reward successes large or small. They hold people accountable, provide needed resources and remove obstacles.

How might you magnify your results by engaging your work force?

Bacilek is an executive and leadership development coach in Rochester. Contact her at (585) 227-0308 or mimi@successbuildersllc.com. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work: Feedback is key to being effective leader - 12/7/2010

Mon, 4 Jan 2011 22:4:38 GMT

Women at Work: Feedback is key to being effective leader

Sally Ward
• December 7, 2010

Leadership,
at its heart, is a relationship with followers. If you want to fully
engage, connect with and inspire followers, you must be wide awake to
your impact on others.

This
sounds simple enough, but is, in fact, a challenge somewhat akin to
trying to drive a car without the benefit of rear- and side-view
mirrors. That is because there are two perceptions of you. The first is
how you see yourself, while the second is how others see you. Together,
they affect your ability to influence, so it's crucial to uncover any
disparities or blind spots between the first and second perceptions.

For
example, leaders who see themselves as thoughtful and deliberative may
be perceived as indecisive or lacking vision if they take too long to
make a decision. Supervisors who pride themselves on attention to detail
may be experienced by their direct reports as micro-managers. In both
cases, qualities that are strengths are being overused and have become
weaknesses.

The most effective leaders and aspiring leaders cultivate extreme self-awareness by regularly seeking feedback through:

Straightforward
conversations. Seek opportunities with colleagues to improve your
performance. Try asking the boss, "What one thing would most improve my
effectiveness?" Ask team members or direct reports, "What do you need
from me to work at your best?"

Assessments.
Take advantage of the variety of assessment tools available that
provide rich insights on your behaviors, strengths, leadership qualities
and personal brand.

360
interviews. Arrange to have interviews with those who work with you and
for you conducted by a coach or other trusted outside party.

Use
the feedback you've gathered to create a personal development plan that
enables you to shape a vital third perception: how you want to be seen.

Ward is a certified coach and president of Ward Leadership, in Rush. Contact her at www.WardLeadership.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work: Think twice before giving up your business - 11/23/2010

Mon, 23 Nov 2010 9:36:50 GMT

Think twice before giving up your business by Angella Luyk

Are you at a point in your life where you feel you are at a crossroads? You have spent a few years building up your business, and bam! The economy throws you a curve ball. Your business isn't as profitable as you want it to be. So, do you give it up and get the dreaded job? Or do you try to stick it out for another year?

Before you make this life-changing decision, it would be helpful to make a list of the pros and cons. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself.

Can you work for someone else? You have been your own boss for some time now. Can you go back?

Would a steady paycheck help ease stresses or burdens at home?

Would it be nice to leave work at 5 o'clock on Friday and have no worries until Monday morning?

Lisa Riggi of LHR Administrative Services felt that she needed to be able to have flexibility for her family, so a 9-to-5 job was out of the question for her.

At some point in each of our careers, we have had doubts. Are you doing the right thing? Is this really what you are supposed to do?

After you have made your list, think about the answers you have written down. If you have close friends you can confide in, talk with them about your fears.

If you are still undecided after you make your list, you can always get a part-time job. This will show you what it would be like to work for someone else. You could still keep your company to fall back on if you decide that is what you want. Or, perhaps a few years from now, you could restart your company.

Angella Luyk is CEO of Midnight Janitorial Inc. She may be contacted through her company's website, www.midnightjanitorial.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work: Financial statements send signals - 11/16/2010

Tue, 17 Nov 2010 12:57:54 GMT

Financial statements send signals by Vicki M. James

When it comes to financial information, many small businesses keep to the basic quarterly or annual statements from their accountants.

To truly understand the current state of your business and plan for the future, you need to understand your financial statements and how they assist you in:

Identifying pitfalls and negative trends (too much or too little inventory, costly distribution or a backlog of unpaid accounts receivable) early on so that you can avoid a disaster later.

Keeping an eye on your cash flow requirements and determining any financing needs early.

Monitoring your business's financial health on a regular basis.

Observing periodic fluctuations in wealth.

Checking your actual performance against your financial plan.

To fully comprehend the current financial state of your business, you need to understand four basic types of financial statements and the information each one gives you.

The income statement. This can also be referred to as the profit-and-loss statement. This statement tells you what income was earned, costs and expenses incurred and net profit during the defined accounting period.

The balance sheet. Here you will find a company's assets, liabilities and owner's equity. The balance sheet can be used as a statement of a company's relative wealth or financial position.

Statement of cash flows. This explains how a company spent and earned money. This statement may also be referred to as "sources and uses of cash statement" or the "statement of changes in financial position."

Statement of retained earnings. This is used to clarify any discrepancies or changes in the amount of owner's equity from the beginning to the end of a designated period.

When used properly, financial statements can become detectors that will set off early warnings of impending dangers.

James is a business development specialist with Thaney & Associates CPAs. E-mail her at vjames@thaneycpa.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Summit Keynote: Leaders benefit from a lifetime of Lessons Learned - 11/14/2010

Tue, 17 Nov 2010 12:59:29 GMT

Leaders benefit from a lifetime of lessons learned

Enid Arbelo • November 14, 2010

Leadership lessons are everywhere, we just have to look around and listen.

These lessons can't be taught by books and they certainly can't be faked. Being a leader can be learned, but if you want to succeed you must commit to becoming a life-long student. And, most importantly, you can't be a great leader on your own.

These were some of the messages shared during the Rochester Women's Network annual Summit held recently at the Rochester Plaza Hotel. The daylong event, titled Leadership as a Lifestyle, also included a luncheon that recognized 10 Up & Coming Businesswomen, who according to the judges "have successfully demonstrated their professional influence in that field through accomplishments, career growth, advancement, innovative and creative thinking and initiative at work and in the community."

Although I was recognized among the honorees, I secretly asked myself if I belonged in their company because it was such an impressive group of entrepreneurs. Among those recognized, included Whitney Baniewicz, Amy Cote, Madirakshi Das, Donna DeClemente, Theresa Downham, Lorisa LaRocca, Laurie Sagona, Nia Stefany and Rosalind Walker.

Also, hundreds of women participated in various events throughout the day, as many took the opportunity to network, knowing that each conversation would yield a new leadership lesson.

Another lesson on leadership came from the keynote speaker, Anne Kress, president of Monroe Community College, who turned to E.B. White's Charlotte's Web.

Kress talked about how Charlotte, the lady spider, and Fern, the farmer's daughter, transformed themselves into leaders because of their relationships and the promises they made throughout their tale.

Kress added that the book teaches four lessons about being good leaders:

It reminds us to be determined, courageous and responsible;

We must listen, think, reflect and then act;

Also, we shouldn't forget to bring others along in the process;

And lastly, relationships are the key to success.

"We have to stop pretending we are individuals who can go it alone," Kress said.

If it wasn't for Charlotte's leadership, Wilbur might have ended up on the dining room table.

Instead, he becomes a leader, too.

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Women at Work: Too much input can stall decision making - 11/2/2010

Mon, 2 Nov 2010 12:7:3 GMT

Too much input can stall decision making by Donna Rawady

Strong leaders make tough and effective decisions promptly. For others, the fear and risk of making the wrong decisions may slow their ability to decide and chip away at their confidence to offer direction, often when decisions and directions are needed most.

Soliciting feedback from colleagues and advisers, or employees who may be significantly affected by a decision, can be a good and strong practice. However, the practice of soliciting an overabundance of perspectives before making a decision can stall progress and sabotage successful outcomes.

Here are a few key points that may help move the decision-making process along and strike the crucial balance between asking and telling:

Note the areas within your decision where you are confident in your direction. If you can isolate the area(s) of indecision, you're less likely to be crowding your thinking or decision-making process with needless information.

Where you are less confident, ask yourself these questions. If you answer yes to all of them, chances are you've done your due diligence, and it's time to step up and make your decision.

Have you carefully reviewed the related data and/or feedback that you've already solicited?

Will the decision you're leaning toward generate a strong business impact if successful? If so, are you prepared to explain the value?

Are you prepared to manage the outcome if it's less than successful?

Are you prepared to build in target dates for evaluating interim outcomes in the event there may be a need for a shift in direction?

The balance between soliciting the opinions or perspectives of others, and arriving at a timely decision based on your business experience, confidence and leadership, is crucial to you, your organization and the people you lead.

Rawady is an executive coach and can be reached at www.donnarawady.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work: An organized work space helps you work better - 10/26/2010

Mon, 2 Nov 2010 12:3:30 GMT

An organized work space helps you work better by Dorothy Madden

An organized office simply makes you feel good. No doubt about it.

When you enter an organized space, whether it is your office or your home, you experience a sense of calm, peace, order, and you can breathe. This visual and emotional sensation is a terrific way to begin the day.

Walking into an orderly office implies you see a minimal amount of clutter. Things are not scattered, shuffled or haphazardly piled. There is an empty chair at your desk for you and perhaps an empty chair or two for others. The floor is void of papers, piles, files and there is uninterrupted passage to your desk. Walls are attractive with art and objects meaningful to you.

To achieve this takes some effort. First you have to decide if the effort is worth it. Is getting organized a goal you wish to achieve? If so, here are three steps toward creating an organized office:

Be decisive. In order to enjoy your office and be productive, decisions need to be made about what to keep, what not to keep, and where to keep it until you need it. Decisions need to be made about what to do, what not to do, and how to do it most efficiently and effectively.

Be disciplined. We all have the same 24 hours in a day. We need to figure out how best to utilize them. How is your time best spent? Professionals spend 5 percent to 15 percent of their time reading information, but up to 50 percent looking for it. If you are disciplined about being organized, time won't be wasted looking for things.

Be determined. As Henry Ford said, "If you think you can do it, or you think you can't do it, you are right."

With commitment and determination to create and maintain an organized office, you will succeed.

Madden is the founder and owner of Organize It! Learn more at www.OrganizeIt.biz or contact her at (585) 381-5511.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work: Be organized, productive with social media - 10/19/2010

Mon, 19 Oct 2010 11:21:51 GMT

Be Organized, Productive with Social Media by Barbara Moore

Social media is not only a great way to stay connected, it can help you become more organized and productive.

Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn all enable you to group your contacts into lists. These lists can be used to send updates to specific groups and to filter news feeds.

In Facebook, grouping your friends into lists is helpful if they include a variety of people. For example, I have lists for work friends, non-work friends, relatives and classmates. Friends can be placed in multiple lists and you can send updates to specific lists. This is great for separating your personal and work life. Facebook lists also work when setting privacy controls, sending events notices and filtering news feeds.

Getting started is as simple as creating Facebook friends lists by selecting Edit Friends. Then click Lists on the left and Create New List at the top of the page. Now you're ready to network.

A Twitter feature lets you group people you follow into lists. Categories I use include: Rochester news, national news, computer training experts, Rochester businesspeople and politicians. With that done, it is easy to use lists and quickly scan tweets from people in that category.

To take advantage of this feature, create a Twitter list. Begin in your home page and click on New List in the right side column.

LinkedIn lets you tag your connections to make lists. Trust me, as your LinkedIn connections grow, you will be glad you have assigned tags to quickly access subsets of your business network. To tag your connections, on your home page select Contacts, My Connections and click Manage next to the Tags tab on the left side of the page. Assign one or more tags to each of your connections.

Now you're ready to get connected and keep up with the messages that are important to you. Happy networking!

Moore teaches a wide range of computing skills. She can be reached at (585) 748-1850 or bmoore@netresultsusa.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work: Workdays leave little time for actual work - 10/12/2010

Mon, 12 Oct 2010 14:50:13 GMT

Workdays leave little time for actual work by Ann Michael Henry

The eight-hour day is a myth. I know that you're thinking, "No kidding,
I could have told you that years ago." After all, when was the last
time that you arrived at 9 and left at 5? But that's not what I'm
talking about.

We are under the illusion when we head to the office
that we have eight hours to get our work done. That simply isn't true.
Think about how your typical day unfolds. With time being spent on
other work-related activities — meetings, conference calls,
interruptions and more — we are left with little time to get our work
done.

In fact, you might be left with only an hour or two a day to accomplish your to-dos. So how do you make the best of it?

Evaluate your priorities:

Value/impact of activity: Is this a high value/high impact task? Will it support a major goal?

Time required: How long will it take to complete the task? Remember to break large tasks into smaller subtasks.

Difficulty: How easy or complex is the task?

Cost: What will it cost to complete the task?

If completing a task will have high impact, require little time and be easy to do with minimal cost, it is a high priority.

But
be certain you attend to all tasks that have high value or impact.
These are the ones that will make a difference in the long run. And
remember: If it isn't urgent today, it will become so soon.

Henry, founder of Mise En Place, an effectiveness and productivity firm, may be reached at annmichael@m-e-p.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org), which seeks to help women connect, grow and succeed.

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Women at Work: Business plan is a vital element to success - 10/5/2010

Business plan is a vital element to success by Vicki James

Running a business without a business plan
is like rock climbing blindfolded. Contrary to popular practice, a
business plan isn't a means to securing financing. Instead, it is a
step-by-step guide to running your business and creating a product or
service that will succeed in the marketplace.

And like any other road map, your plan will have to be adjusted
according to your vision for the company, conditions and opportunities
in the marketplace, and your business' current condition.

Whether
it's formal or informal, every business has a plan. For instance, the
local hair salon may not have a formal plan in writing, but before
setting up shop a smart owner will have assessed the need for a shop in
that area of town, the ability to attract clients, the appropriate
amount of chairs, whether to hire someone to do the shampooing and
sweeping, the cost of utilities, and available parking for clients. A business plan minimizes pitfalls.

Business plans should address:

What is a reasonable expectation of profitability and when?

How will the business pay you and any team members?

What are the estimated expenses?

If
you ever need to approach a bank or investors, you will need to bring
the plan. Committing your plan to writing also helps you determine and
coordinate all aspects of business operations; assists you in
determining risks
and benefits associated with any changes; decreases your chances of
making a mistake or not considering important factors; and increases
your chances of success.

Business plans are not only for those just setting out on their journey in the marketplace. They are useful when acquiring a new business,
forecasting growth, introducing a new product or service, entering a
new market, responding to changes in the market, or changing a
significant aspect of your business.

James is a business development specialist with Thaney & Associates CPAs. E-mail her at vjames@thaneycpa.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.twn.org).

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Women at Work: Quality advice drives successful businesses - 9/28/2010

Tue, 29 Sep 2010 10:44:18 GMT

Quality advice drives successful businesses by Angella Luyk

You have decided to start a business. But where should you begin?

First, determine what services to offer. Remember that you want to stand out from the crowd. Focus on what will make your business different from others.

Next, have you picked a name? If you are going to operate as a DBA (Doing Business As), go to the county building to verify that your name isn't already in use. If you are going to organize as a corporation, your attorney can review state records to see if the name is taken. After a search shows that your potential company name is available, you can apply to make it official.

You will want to find a business attorney to explain the difference between a DBA and corporation to help decide how you organize. Depending on which structure best fits your needs, the attorney can guide you in the right direction.

You will also want to find a certified public accountant experienced at working with businesses. A personal accountant may not be able to advise you about business taxes. When you meet with the CPA, ask how much information he or she can give you. The CPA should meet with you at least quarterly to review your books and keep you on track.

To find qualified advisers, ask other business leaders who they use. Are they happy with the service they receive? Are their accountant, attorney and other professionals helping their business grow?

Cristina Simpson of Fancy and Affordable Designer Gift Baskets says, "Meeting the right people has helped my business grow. I know the right people to turn to for advice."

With a great product, strong identity and knowledgeable advisers, your new business should be off to a good start.

Angella Luyk, chief executive of Midnight Janitorial, may be reached at www.midnightjanitorial.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work: Protect retirement savings for future needs - 9/21/2010

Wed, 23 Sep 2010 3:32:20 GMT

Protect retirement savings for future needs by Mary Spurrier

There's much more to retirement planning than accumulating money. You need to protect your retirement savings to pay for future needs. Decisions you make now could derail your retirement plans later.

You might underestimate how long you will live. The Social Security
Administration says that a woman can expect to live until she is 95 and
has a 1 in 10 chance she will live to be 100. A cautious strategy would
be to plan as if you will live until age 100.

The biggest decision you have to make is when to retire.
This is often not your choice, but your employer's. Retiring young
means you will have to finance even more years. If you take Social
Security at age 62, you will receive 25 percent less in benefits than
if you wait until your eligible age of 66. That means your monthly
check will be $750 instead of $1,000 at 66 years.

You also have credit card and other debts that will still have to be paid out of your retirement savings. This means you will be paying for past expenditures, plus interest, as well as your current spending.

You
can't rely on a single source of income as you did before retirement.
You will need between four and six sources of income, such as Social
Security, proceeds from your 401(k), IRAs and your personal savings.

If you haven't saved enough, you can grow your savings now by increasing your 401(k) contribution and setting up direct deposit
to a savings account or an IRA. Yes, this can be difficult with
competition from college costs, a new home purchase and everyday
expenses, but if you don't save now how will you pay for your 30 years
of unemployment? How long will you have to work because you didn't save
for retirement?

Spurrier is the president/principal of M Spurrier Financial Services LLC. She can be reached at (585) 271-5280

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work: Focus on problem, not emotional outcomes - 9/15/2010

Tue, 15 Sep 2010 15:15:14 GMT

Focus on problem, not emotional outcomes by Denise Lamoreaux

Leaders
often let themselves become stuck in the drama of a situation rather
than dispassionately looking at what is really occurring. When they are
drawn into the details of a dilemma, they become unable to accomplish
the work required to resolve it.

David
Rock of Result Coaching Systems has created the Choose Your Focus model
to assist leaders in overcoming this temptation. When leaders share it
with their employees, they become a very capable problem-solving team.

This model is an easy way to explain a concept that pays
huge dividends. The model focuses the leader on the problem itself
rather than the emotional outcomes of the problem. Wallowing in misery
may feel good for a time, but it never solves a thing. The model moves
users to plan actions that will create the desired goal. This mental
shift lifts leaders and employees out of the mire.

The
model forms an acronym: CREATE. It begins with an objective look at the
Current Reality; what is really occurring here versus what story
we are telling about it. It then shifts the focus into Exploring
Alternatives, generating options that will address the reality, not the
story. Finally, it engages the leader in Targeting the Energy and other
resources required to bring resolution.

This
model is equally useful when introducing change where statements such
as "there's no need to change anything" are the common response.

When
leaders center the conversation on the model, they can assist staff in
seeing the difficulties of the current state and the benefits
of change. They can direct energy toward planning for the future and
drive curiosity into the conversation with questions such as "when will
we have the time to add this new step into our process?"

Leaders who employ the model CREATE the future versus reacting to the current situation.

Lamoreaux
is a training specialist working with information technology companies.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work: Market research doesn't have to cost a lot - 8/31/2010

Sun, 13 Sep 2010 14:20:56 GMT

Market research doesn't have to cost a lot by Vicki M. James

Market research
may seem like a tool available only to those with large budgets, but
anyone can conduct market research at little to no expense.

Keeping your ears and eyes open costs nothing. The best companies observe, listen and ask questions of their customers on a routine basis.

Knowing when you need it is the first step to conducting low-cost
market research effectively. You will need to gather information if you
are considering launching a new product, expanding market share for an existing product or seeking a new market for a product that has declined in share.

A lot of market information
already exists. You just have to find it. Go online to look for any
research you haven't already conducted. Investigate association
websites aligned with your industry. Additionally, check government
websites, especially if you're in the consumer industry. The government
hosts a great deal of information about consumers, their spending
habits and trends.

For
more specific information, consider an informal research method. Put
together a questionnaire for your employees to use with customers,
prospects, vendors and suppliers. Do not assume all is well. Be sure to
ask whether they are pleased with your product or service, what they
feel you do right, and where they feel you can improve.

If you attend trade
shows, listen to people's conversations and ask questions. Use industry
meetings and exhibitions to get a sense of what's going on.

At these meetings, look for businesses
in a comparable industry or market that could partner with you and
share the expense of a more specific study. For example, if you provide
landscape architecture services, you might want to partner with a
nursery or a garden supplier that isn't in direct competition with you.

You'll be surprised how much information you can gather by using resources already at your disposal.

James is a business development specialist with Thaney & Associates CPAs. E-mail James at vjames@thaneycpa.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).
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Women at Work: Everyday words inspire business owners - 8/24/2010

Mon, 24 Aug 2010 16:26:22 GMT

Everyday words inspire business owners by Susan Katsan

Our days are filled with words. They describe and inspire. They set a tone. Business owners have some favorites that help them get to where they want to be.

Persistence. In business,
persistence is a valuable asset. We must be persistent and keep
striving to reach our goals. Sometimes it means practicing the same
activity until we perfect it. Other times, it means following up
repeatedly with customers and vendors to achieve the desired result.

Patience.
Patience is a hard word. It is hard to be patient with others when they
do not do the things we want. It may be harder still to be patient with
ourselves as we grow and learn and make mistakes. Patience may be one
of the best gifts that we can give and receive.

Politeness.
Is being polite becoming a lost art? How often do we hear a heartfelt
please or thank you? Do we send a quick e-mail saying, "I'll get back
to you in a few days," or do we just let the note go unanswered for
weeks? These small acts distinguish us from others and improve the
quality of our days.

Quality.
We all know the expression "you get what you pay for." When it matters,
it is worth paying a little extra to get a better quality product. For
those businesses
that care about quality, delivering a product that does not meet our
standards is a cause for distress. We strive to give you the best that
we can because we cannot do otherwise.

Question.
The best way to meet the needs of our customers is to ask questions.
What do they want? Angella Luyk, CEO of Midnight Janitorial, often asks
her clients, "How can I better serve your needs?" Question and listen
more. Talk less.

What words will you use today?

Kastan heads Kastan Consulting LLC and can be contacted at (585) 734-0804 or by e-mailing susan.kastan@kastanconsulting.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work: Networking contacts list has many uses - 8/17/2010

Thu, 20 Aug 2010 12:5:59 GMT

Networking contacts list has many uses

Angella Luyk • August 17, 2010

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Women at Work Column: Accountability can be set up in three steps - 8/10/2010

Tue, 11 Aug 2010 10:42:4 GMT

Accountability can be set up in three steps

Mimi Bacilek • August 10, 2010

Accountability is a two-sided agreement. The leader establishes the accountability and the delegate accepts it. Acceptance affirms ownership for decisions, actions and results. Success requires the leader delegate effectively and the staff member demonstrate progress.

Exceptional leaders set accountability in three steps:

They define the required result, delegated scope of authority and decision making, required resources and process for monitoring success.

They engage the delegate in a conversation assuring both parties understand what is required, what is being agreed to and how success will be measured.

They require the delegate account for progress, resource utilization and results generated.

Wise delegates take on work they believe they can successfully accomplish, ask great questions to assure they are on the same page with the leader and are fully aware of the impact this new accountability may have on projects already under way.
An old adage says "what gets monitored and measured gets done." Monitoring requires the leader remain connected to the delegate and the project without micro-managing the work. That balance is challenging — too distant and you can't provide adequate support and feedback; too close and you impede the delegate's ability to succeed.
The best leaders create a partnership with the delegate. Initially, they agree on how much support and direction is required and how progress will be monitored. Regular conversations occur about the success of the partnership and the modifications required as the work evolves. The leader recognizes incremental success with rewards that reinforce progress. Rewards aren't limited to dollars; they include public and private praise, increased responsibility, access to more senior leaders and ever more important work.

The bottom line: Ultimate success is the result of clarity, partnership and accountability.

Bacilek specializes in executive and leadership development. She can be reached at (585) 227-0308 or mimi@successbuildersllc.com. This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work: Negotiating is a key skill for small businesses - 8/3/2010

Wed, 5 Aug 2010 10:36:15 GMT

Negotiating is a key skill for small businesses by Vicki James

Small business
owners negotiate on a daily basis. Whether they're haggling with a
supplier, bartering with a business partner or motivating an employee,
negotiating is a fundamental reality of running a small business. To
negotiate well is to improve your chances of success.

Strong negotiators gather information beforehand to gain an
advantage. Price comparisons on supplies are a good example — being
informed strengthens the negotiator's position. It also results in
fewer mistakes and helps to negotiate more competitive deals.

The
business owner who goes into a meeting with a supplier knowing that the
average cost of the item is $6 is not likely to agree to buy it for $8.
Furthermore, the supplier knows the average cost and is less likely to
try to gouge the informed buyer.

Being informed is only one aspect of strong negotiation.

Carefully
positioning your opening offer and considering the other party's
expectations are critical components of this delicate skill. Remember
that negotiation is a part of relationship-building and should not be
seen as a win-lose situation. Being able to justify a bid strengthens a
proposal and softens the other person's ability to counter. Informal
offers and off-the-cuff remarks can set expectations, so treat each
meeting seriously — as serious as a contract.

Above
all else, remain cooperative and positive by maintaining a level of
optimism, friendliness and enthusiasm for the process. This not only
helps to disarm your counterpart, but it helps the whole process feel
more comfortable for all parties. Furthermore, it gives the other party
a sense that you are confident, assured, well-informed and ready to get
down to business.

Women at Work: Effective leaders need a bird's-eye view - 7/27/2010

Tue, 28 Jul 2010 14:33:18 GMT

Effective leaders need a bird's-eye view by Donna Rawady

Whether you're a CEO, president, general manager or managing executive, your ability to consistently maintain a comprehensive view of the organization you're leading is crucial. It's this bird's-eye view that will enable you to effectively direct, guide and facilitate what's needed to successfully strengthen and grow the business.

When leaders find themselves overly engaged in a particular aspect of the business, they may lose sight of the bigger picture. Although there are times when focused attention may be necessary, a leader's prolonged short-sightedness can weaken the momentum of a thriving organization, or worse, generate dysfunctional communications and operations. Individual contributors, as well as managers, are required to focus on a particular project or department within an organization. It's the leader of the organization who is responsible for setting expectations and standards for interdepartmental communications that will minimize noncooperation and maximize collaboration.

Healthy organizations have leaders who understand the connect-the-dots approach. Maintaining a full-page view allows a leader to promptly identify and understand the strong and weak links within an organization, and offer strategic direction. Your ability as a leader to dive in when you identify weak links, engage employees in recommending solutions, delegate effectively and promptly return to the helm and your bigger-picture view will allow you to continue to serve your employees and organization well.

In today's work environment, like their employees, leaders find themselves stretched to the limit with multiple and immediate demands. Search the Internet for "behaviors leaders need to demonstrate" and the search generates more than 16 million links. In the midst of incredible pressures to perform, making it a priority to maintain your view will catapult your ability to lead effectively.

Rawady is an executive coach and can be reached at www.donnarawady.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org), which seeks to help women connect, grow and succeed.

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Women at Work: Traditional financial basics are often the best course to follow - 7/20/2010

Mon, 20 Jul 2010 11:1:1 GMT

Women at Work: Traditional financial basics are often the best course to follow by Mary Spurrier

As important as it is to monitor your investments, sometimes the best thing an investor can do is take a break from checking. Regardless of short-term market volatility, staying the course almost always makes sense, especially if the investments are long term, such as a 401(k). Reacting to daily, weekly or even monthly market corrections can potentially hinder your long-term financial goals.

Traditional finance is a basic finance principle that can play a valuable role in helping you keep your retirement investing on track by following its four main components.

Pay yourself first. This is simple but difficult. Always put some money into savings and investments first, before paying any other expenses or creditors. Decide what the best investment vehicles are for you and set up a regular savings schedule. The process of doing this is more important than the actual amount you put away.

Diversify your investments. This does not guarantee a profit or protect against a loss, but if done correctly it will help cushion the ups and downs.

Markets tend to revert to the mean. In other words, conditions are not likely to remain as good or as bad as they currently are.

Balance risk and reward. Work to develop a comprehensive risk tolerance profile to determine appropriate investments. If you are too conservative you will not reach your goals, but if you are too risky you may lose too much money.

Additional strategies to keep in mind: Think rationally before acting. It is easy to let sensational headlines scare you and affect investment decisions. Instead, stay the course and remember your long-term goals. Take a sensible "allocate, diversify, rebalance" route to investing.

Remember that paying attention to headlines instead of staying your investment course will only hinder your long-term financial well being.

Spurrier CFP is the president/principal of M Spurrier Financial Services LLC. She can be reached at (585) 271-5280.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org), which seeks to help women connect, grow and succeed.

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Women at Work: Craft your own paper management system - 7/13/2010

Mon, 13 Jul 2010 13:1:44 GMT

Craft your own paper management system by Dorothy Madden

Are you inundated with paper and thinking of going paperless? Is it even possible? Managing piles of paper is a major challenge for nearly everyone in the workplace.

Did you know that since the Internet began, printing and paper usage has increased 40 percent? E-mails, documents and information from the Web all present a printing temptation. Today it is common to see a message at the end of e-mails asking you to consider the environment and think before printing. It is a reminder that often goes unheeded. And there are times you really do need to print.

Printing can lead to piling. Piling can lead to clutter. There are some who say a cluttered desk represents a cluttered mind. Others disagree because they can find exactly what they're looking for in their piles. It may take some time and frenzy, but they find it.

Clutter is nothing but postponed decisions. When you print a document, a decision needs to be made about what to do with it. Does it need to be kept temporarily or forever? Does it need to be acted upon or filed? Where should it be placed so it can be easily retrieved?

To prevent becoming overwhelmed and buried with paper clutter, creating a paper management system is essential. There are many products for managing paper: folders, files, vertical racks, stacking trays and more.

And there are many methods for organizing paper: by category, alphabetically, color-coding and more. Whatever system you choose, it is important that it works for you. And if others share documents, it needs to work for them as well.

Being organized is finding what you need, when you need it, and liking your space. You can achieve this by making decisions and creating a good paper management system that works for you.

Dorothy Madden is the founder and owner of Organize It. Learn more at www.OrganizeIt.biz or contact her at (585) 381-5511.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org), which seeks to help women connect, grow and succeed.

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Women at Work: Teach Financial Responsibility - 7/6/2010

Tue, 7 Jul 2010 14:17:40 GMT

Women at Work: Teach financial responsibility

Elisa M. Martin • July 6, 2010

One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the skill and mind-set required to become financially savvy. The world of credit cards, debit cards and online bill paying has led many youths to believe in "virtual" money they don't know how to use.

You can employ a variety of approaches with your children to successfully help them develop that savvy. As the parent, you are the chief financial officer of your family. What you do and say about money drives your family's financial performance.

Allow children to participate in some financial decisions. Give the option to choose either a free or paid activity every week. Be sure they understand that if they save by going to the free activity now, they can bank the family savings to go to something special later, such as an amusement park. Teach them the skill of bucketing to achieve goals. Write "spend," "save" and "share" on three piggy banks. When you provide them with an allowance, have them spread it across all three banks.

Look for teachable moments. When you shop with plastic, explain that the credit or debit card will later take money out of your limited bank account. If your children want to buy something with your credit card, have them repay you from their "spend" bank immediately when you go home. When paying bills online or in the mail, have your kids participate.

Allow your children to be independent. If they decide to use all their savings on an item they will later regret, let it happen. Help them learn in a safe environment, under your roof, rather than when they are independent and going into debt. Experience will teach them the consequences of going broke and having to sacrifice needs and wants.

They will also learn to be financially responsible.

Martin is a financial adviser at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. She may be reached at (585) 389-2292. For more, go to www.fa.smithbarney.com/elisamartin.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org), which seeks to help women connect, grow and succeed.

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Women at Work: Avoid 'win-lose' thinking while negotiating - 6/29/2010

Thu, 2 Jul 2010 13:10:19 GMT

Women at Work: Avoid 'win-lose' thinking while negotiating

B.J. Mann • June 29, 2010

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Women at Work: Your visual brand must be memorable, on target - 6/22/2010

Mon, 22 Jun 2010 12:36:18 GMT

Women at Work: Your visual brand must be memorable, on target

Amanda Altman • June 22, 2010

Your brand may have equity in the community and your clients may know the logo you have always had. But when you started your company, you had no need for a Web presence and your audience was as local as the Yellow Pages. Your brand was created to talk to a different market through different media. If you have not addressed your visual communications in more than a couple of years, your company would benefit from evaluating your current presence within the new business landscape and planning for better visual communication of your brand. The best brands are designed for versatility.

With millions of websites to browse, you have less than four seconds to capture a viewer's attention. If you and your brand don't look reputable and professional, you'll be taking a big step backward. The quality of communication has never been so critical. You should not accept designs from templates. Expect and accept nothing but creative work that makes your stakeholders proud, motivates your employees and excites your market.

Would you go to a business meeting naked? Why wouldn't you pay that same attention to the way you dress your business? Take the time to do it right the first time and shape up your logo before you publish it online.

Altman is a native Rochesterian and creative principal of A3 Design.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org), which seeks to help women connect, grow and succeed.

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Women at work: Corporations, nonprofits need each other - 6/15/2010

Mon, 15 Jun 2010 11:16:45 GMT

Women at work: Corporations, nonprofits need each other by Christie Kelly

Today's most creative strategic partnerships exist between for-profit corporations and non-profit agencies. Both kinds of organizations need each other to successfully position their respective brand and cause in the marketplace.

The search for corporate sponsors is the full-time work of many non-profit development officers. Corporate dollars help agencies meet their commitment to client programs and provide new opportunities to meet the needs of their evolving client base. Corporations are constantly looking for new ways to position their brand and improve their reputation in the marketplace. This combination of needs provides excellent motivation to create a causal marketing strategic partnership.

Perhaps the engine behind these mutual interests is enlightened self-interest. Armed with the following data developed by Cone Roper Research, a high quality not-for-profit agency can provide competitive differentiation to a highly regarded corporate partner, while the corporation supports the mission and good work of the agency. The research reveals:

92 percent of companies that support a cause are associated with a positive image

84 percent of customers are more likely to switch to their brands

70 percent of customers are more likely to buy their products or services

54 percent of customers are willing to pay more for their products and services

When corporations add a causal marketing strategy to their overall marketing and brand positioning mix, they improve their chances to successfully acquire and keep loyal customers. Agencies also benefit from doing important community service.

Christie Kelly, owner of Kelly Consulting, a company specializing in marketing and event planning, can be reached at (585) 489-9051 or kellyconsulting@rochester.rr.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org), which seeks to help women connect, grow and succeed.

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Women at Work: Watch for opportunities to engage staff in strategic planning - 6/9/2010

Tue, 9 Jun 2010 11:41:15 GMT

Watch for opportunities to engage staff in strategic planning by Mimi Bacilek

Resource-based conversations usually focus on what is spent, by whom and where. They are filled with comparison-speak: who has more, how they got it and how to get more. They focus on the budget, reviewing variance reports and juggling cost-center allocations.

It all keeps the leader focused on the past. Savvy leaders take a future focus by seeing resources as investment commodities: time, information, relationships, talents and passions. Growth of staff capabilities and perspectives is a natural result.

Consider meetings that are the bane of your existence, perhaps where last week's numbers are rehashed and day-to-day problems are solved. Imagine the value staff members gain by attending in your place. They learn meeting processes and etiquette from different types of conversations. With advance coaching, they learn to speak out and up, provoke new thinking and constructively challenge other business units.

Watch for opportunities to engage staff in strategic planning. Send them to meetings where they learn from outsiders and participate in cross-functional teams accountable to different business units. These activities broaden employees' exposure, perspective and experience while the leader exercises coaching skills in the process.

Relationships are investment opportunities, too. Create active partnerships with peers, building robust and dynamic relationships. Connect people to enable improved information sharing and problem solving. Create conversations about how resources are spent or invested. Use meeting time to identify and report on outcomes.

Resources are often wasted when conversation focuses on action plans and task lists rather than results. Require proactive conversations on predictable problems versus applying energy, time and materials to fix them later. Limit "rearview mirror" conversations and focus on future outcomes. Be sure every meeting has clear purpose and that leaders skillfully facilitate to promote valuable use of time and agenda space.

Choose to be a resource investor and enable an amazing future.

Mimi Bacilek is an executive and leadership development consultant and can be reached at (585) 227-0308 or mimi@successbuildersllc.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org), which seeks to help women connect, grow and succeed.

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Women at Work: Business owner's behavior sets ethical tone - 6/1/2010

Mon, 1 Jun 2010 10:26:39 GMT

Business owner's behavior sets ethical tone by Angella Luyk

All one has to do is open a newspaper to see scandal. Is it any wonder the American public has lost faith in its leaders?

As business owners, we need to regain that trust. We need to show the public that most companies are good. We can take a few easy steps to maintain ethical behavior throughout our businesses.

Ask how your company's behavior supports your ethical vision. Are you behaving in a fair way? Are you setting a good example in your day-to-day running of the business? Survey your employees and clients to see how they feel your company is doing. What are they saying about you? What do you want them to say?

Implement change if necessary. Make sure your company has a code of ethics. This is similar to a set of rules that you follow. Think of it as a guideline to use when you have to make a decision. Make this available to all of your employees. Go back to your survey to see if you find any discrepancies between what you believe you are doing and what others see you as doing. Pinpoint any gaps and make necessary changes.

Establish consistency in your operations. You need to communicate and pass along your belief system to your employees. Being ethical starts at the top. Your job is to set the example of how you are going to operate. It is something you will do every day. Every decision or action you take will be affected. You will notice your employees following your example.

"We need to live the expression: Treat others the way you want to be treated," said Sue Kastan of Kastan Consulting.

Luyk is CEO of Midnight Janitorial (www.midnightjanitorial.com).

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org), which seeks to help women connect, grow and succeed.

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Women at Work: How to create, maintain a company brand - 5/25/2010

Mon, 25 May 2010 10:24:56 GMT

How to create, maintain a company brand by Linda Loomis

In any company, it's likely that employees know their product line and can cite the company's tag line. The critical question is, do they understand and internalize the brand?

A company's brand strategy is not just a logo. It is a set of values that guides decisions. Your brand is what you stand for, how you differentiate yourself from competitors and what your customers can consistently expect from you. It is the personality of your company and serves as the basis from which you build, or destroy, a relationship with your customers.

There are many ways to build a brand. One is basic and controllable. After the expenditure of money on research and strategy development, invest in your employees because they are the brand. Train employees from every level as to what your company stands for. Help employees articulate how their specific job supports the company's brand, or how it could detract from it. Incorporate company values into employee evaluations. Integrate your brand values in every forum and in every message.

The integrity of many well-respected brands has been challenged, the most recent example being Toyota, which has strived to build the highest-quality, safest and most reliable automobiles in the world. As another example, Nestlé Toll House refrigerated cookie dough products were recalled voluntarily out of concern for the safety of its raw-cookie-dough-eating customers.

When a crisis occurs, consumers assess whether or not the brand promise has been compromised or irrevocably broken. Companies that have a well-developed and consistently executed brand promise, and that act quickly, honestly and responsibly, have a much better chance of retaining their customers.

Loomis is owner of The Marketing Strategists and president of Your Best Life Coaching LLC. Contact her at www.yourbestlifecoaching.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org), which seeks to help women connect, grow and succeed.

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Women at Work: Women in Business: Right strategies and pace win the race - 5/18/2010

Sun, 24 May 2010 11:27:8 GMT

Women in Business: Right strategies and pace win the race by Ann Michael Henry

Years ago I took a tour of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the Indy 500. The straight-aways were impressive; they seemed to go on forever, calling you to go faster and faster.

Doesn't work feel like that some days, beckoning you to go faster and faster? You decided this morning that you will get that project done today even while you juggle incoming e-mails, phone calls and interruptions. The only way to accomplish that objective is to increase your speed.

Part of my tour included a drive down pit row. As I sat there listening to the tour guide, I imagined what it must be like on race day. The sounds of the engines as the cars fly by at speeds in excess of 175 mph contrasting with pit row, where the cars stop. How counterintuitive that must feel for the drivers. Yet no car is designed to finish without stopping to refuel and get new tires and equipment that it needs to win the race. Not stopping could actually be dangerous.

So, is faster and faster working for you? Are you getting more done or are you spinning out of control? Does it seem like no matter how fast you go you aren't getting anywhere?

Maybe it's time to take a lesson from race car drivers and stop. Just stop. Take a moment to catch your breath, assess where you are and where you want to be. Reprioritize your work, gather the tools you need and then pace yourself.

Come to think of it, many drivers who qualify for the Indy 500 do so by exceeding speeds of 220 mph. But at race time their speed drops by 40 mph. A combination of skill, tools, strategy and the right pace wins the race. The same strategy would work at work.

Henry, founder of Mise En Place, an effectiveness and productivity firm, is a member of Rochester Women's Network. She can be reached at annmichael@m-e-p.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org), which seeks to help women connect, grow and succeed.

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Women at Work: Engage staff to help form, execute the plan - 5/11/2010

Mon, 25 May 2010 10:29:41 GMT

Engage staff to help form, execute the plan by Donna Rawady

In the current business environment, we've become familiar with downsizing and reorganizations, which have generated more work and responsibilities — not only for the individual contributor but for those who lead. These challenges are difficult enough, and when you add the absence of a solid, communicated plan to move forward, it can be paralyzing to a work team.

Strong leaders are able to distance themselves just enough from the immediate, day-to-day challenges and demands to focus on the bigger picture and create a plan to lead a team to an end goal.

They have the ability to relay the details of their vision, whether it is short- or long-term, and then to engage, organize and collaborate to create or restore the bigger picture to its healthiest state.

Not all people in leadership positions are strong planners. Some may be challenged, either in the midst of immediate demands, or in general, with being strategic.

If you find yourself stuck, here are a few approaches that may help you jump-start a plan:

Revisit your end goal and be sure you're communicating the goal clearly to your team members.

Engage your staff in providing creative ideas that may contribute to a plan to reach the goal. Use their ideas to launch your own creative thinking, and begin translating those ideas into actions.

Assign components of the plan among your team members and then document the plan, including assignments and target dates to generate accountability and measure progress.

In today's lean business environment, it's natural to find yourself bogged down with day-to-day operations. But if it has been a while since you looked through it, you may want to pick up your strategic lens and take a look.

Your team is depending on you.

Donna Rawady is an executive coach. She can be reached at www.donnarawady.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org), which seeks to help women connect, grow and succeed.

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Women at Work: Planning essential to running a business - 5/4/2010

Mon, 4 May 2010 11:3:26 GMT

Planning essential to running a business by Susan Kastan

As business owners, we get to wake up every morning as the masters of our own destinies (mostly). Some days we jump out of bed ready to attack the day. Other days we need to summon every bit of courage just to open our eyes and face the morning.

We come in all shapes and sizes. Some are planners and some are not. The planners have all kinds of plans — marketing plans, business plans, and if we are really together, plans to help us survive disruptions. They give us a sense of direction when things start to get overwhelming.

Some business owners are not the planning type. They have no plans. For the non-planners, coming up with a plan can seem like an overwhelming task. They have to stop and think. Thinking can be scary.

Having a plan makes business owners face the unknown and "get serious." We have to sort through the gray areas and turn them into the black and white words of truth, hope and faith for our business.

Planning takes a little effort, but what a feeling of accomplishment when the plan is complete. It's like a paper we had to write in school that is now done. If we get really lucky, in the course of the planning process we reach out to trusted friends and colleagues. In that process we learn and grow and become better businesspeople. We have a better sense of where we want our business to go and how we are going to get there.

Lisa Riggi of LHR Administrative Services, a one-person operation, acknowledged that she can become "paralyzed with thinking." Having a developed plan is like having "a co-worker in the next cubicle who focuses me to stay on task."

So be brave business owners. Write the plans you need for your business to be the success that you want it to be.

Susan Kastan of Kastan Consulting can be reached at (585) 734-0804 or susan.kastan@kastanconsulting.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org), which seeks to help women connect, grow and succeed.

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Women at Work: Easiest way to save is through your 401(k) - 4/27/2010

Mon, 27 Apr 2010 12:9:2 GMT

Women at Work: Easiest way to save is through your 401(k) by Mary Spurrier

The current economic downturn has created an interesting event: People are saving more. The current saving rate is now 6 to 8 percent, which is up from 0 percent. People are realizing that they need to save for retirement, the possibility of losing their job or any other financial emergency.

How can you save more and not feel the pinch? The easiest way to start is with a 401(k). Contributing more gives you the potential to earn more on your investment over time. Why? Because as your account balance grows, you're able to make money on what you've invested as well as on the earnings from those investments. This is known as compounding and it makes contributing to a retirement plan extremely effective.

Say you contribute $10 a week at an 8 percent rate of return. It will grow to $7,969 in 10 years. However, if you increase your contribution to $20 a week, it will grow to $15,939 in 10 years. The results are even more impressive at 20 years.

With so many financial responsibilities, you may feel that you can't find any extra money to set aside. If, however, you make it a priority, you probably can.

When you pay your bills, is there an extra $20 or more that you could contribute to your retirement? Look at a list of your monthly expenditures. Are there surprises? What could be reduced or eliminated? The next time you get a pay increase, put the extra money in your retirement plan account.

Remember that in retirement or a financial emergency, the only person who can help is you. Deciding to save tomorrow is too late. Let time work for you by starting to save today. How much would you miss $3 a day?

Just a little more invested each week could make a big difference at retirement.

Mary Spurrier is the president of M Spurrier Financial Services LLC. She can be reached at (585) 271-5280.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org), which seeks to help women connect, grow and succeed.

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Women at Work: Women at Work: Five easy steps to help you reach your goals - 4/20/2010

Mon, 27 Apr 2010 12:2:40 GMT

Women at Work: Five easy steps to help you reach your goals by Angella Luyk

Every year, we make the same promise: This will be the year we are going to achieve our goals.

Lisa Riggi of LHR Administrative Services said she often starts out strong but quickly fades.

It doesn't matter if you start your goals at the beginning of the year or three to six months into the year. Either way, you need a plan. Here are a few easy steps you can take to help you get started.

First, define your goals and be as specific as possible. What do you want to achieve? Make sure you write these goals on paper. Put this list in your office, car or purse. Seeing them helps keep you accountable. Make sure you are being realistic. You cannot lose 50 pounds in a week. If your goal seems too large, you can divide it into smaller goals.

Second, create a plan. What steps do you need to take to reach the finish line? You need to write each step down. The fun part of this is that after each step is done, you get to cross it off. You may want to create a timeline to keep you on task.

Third, visualize yourself achieving your goals. In your mind, create a picture of you finishing your list. Visualize the good feeling you will have when you are all done.

Fourth, take action. Don't just sit there and wish your goals to happen. You need to use the plan you created.

Fifth, reap your rewards. This is the key to achieving your goals. Pick out a reward you would like to have. It doesn't need to be expensive. Cut out pictures of your rewards and put them on your goals list. These pictures will keep you motivated.

Angella Luyk, CEO of Midnight Janitorial Inc., has been a member of the Rochester Women's Network for five years and can be reached at www.midnightjanitorial.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org), which seeks to help women connect, grow and succeed.

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Women at Work: Use unique passwords to protect accounts - 4/13/2010

Mon, 13 Apr 2010 11:37:40 GMT

Use unique passwords to protect accounts by Sandy Zohari

In today's online world, having a strong password has become essential to protect yourself and your company from hackers.

A password that is an actual word, even a foreign word, can be hacked by brute force in less than 90 minutes. One that includes personal information, such as your pet's name or your children's birthdays, can be guessed by someone who knows you or does some research. The best passwords include both upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters such as !@#$%*.

These long involved passwords can be hard to remember, so here are some tips to help you out:

Use a phrase or a passage from your favorite song instead of a word: obladioblada.

Alter your word with symbols or numbers that replace letters. Some examples: @ for A, $ for S, (for C, 0 for O, 1 for I).

Create an acronym from a phrase: "I love my white poodle" becomes ILmwp.

Misspell common words: Gr@dyooashun (graduation).

Spell letters phonetically: SGZ becomes EsGeeZee.

Select a number that no one else would know, perhaps a childhood phone number no longer in use. Never use birthdays or anniversaries.

Create a number using numerology: Jane becomes 101145.

It also is critical to have different passwords for different accounts and applications, so if one is breached, they're not all at risk. For example, never use your financial password for your free e-mail account.

Put the password together with a logical system that you can remember. Combine the altered words with numbers, and perhaps something unique about each site:

For your banking: e$G33Zee101145h (h for HSBC).

For your e-mail account: g1Lmwp7892 (g for Gmail; use y for Yahoo).

Have fun creating your passwords. Stay safe.

Sandra Zohari owns AzoTek Database Solutions.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org), which seeks to help women connect, grow and succeed.

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Women at Work: Maximize your marketing efforts, dollars - 4/6/2010

Mon, 6 Apr 2010 10:57:55 GMT

Maximize your marketing efforts, dollars

Vicki M. James • April 6, 2010

An important part of your plan should be professional and association memberships. Participate in special events or join a committee. Personal contact, even in this high-tech age, is still one of the best ways to market your business.

Your marketing plan should also include reviewing your promotional materials, from business cards, letterhead and envelopes to ads and anything with your logo.

Remember, your brand is the cornerstone of all your marketing. Work with a graphic designer to develop a strong logo. Then be sure to include it on all your promotional pieces, including advertisements, Web pages and direct mail.

A frequently overlooked part of a marketing plan is charitable and community giving. Consider adopting a charity or offering pro bono services. You may want to donate merchandise, contribute to fundraising auctions or sponsor an event for a local non-profit. Most charities make a point to thank sponsors publicly in newsletters, programs and ads.

Staying in touch with current customers should be a central component of a well-diversified marketing plan. This includes letters, tip sheets, postcards, newsletters, thank you notes, holiday cards or other soft-sell mailers.

Make sure you include an online component to your marketing campaign. Register your company domain name. Today's marketplace demands businesses have at least an e-mail address and one-page Web site.

Don't forget the importance of public relations. Identify your company's newsworthy topics and write a press release for the most interesting and timely item.

Remember, marketing is an ongoing effort. Your plan should be revised at least annually.

Vicki M James is a business development specialist with Thaney & Associates CPAs and can be reached at vjames@thaneycpa.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work: Blogging is a superb way to raise your profile - 3/30/2010

Wed, 8 Apr 2010 11:34:52 GMT

Women at Work: Blogging is a superb way to raise your profile by Cynthia Barton

The amount of information on the Web is mind-boggling. To make more sense of it, I attended a seminar to improve overall knowledge of working with social media. The knowledge is invaluable to me on my journey to promote my personal brand in a unique way.

At a workshop called Bloggin Noggins, Paul Wlodarczyk discussed getting people to find and read business blogs. First and foremost, Paul says a blogger needs to produce great content targeted to a specific audience.

"To achieve success, you should integrate your blog into other social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and more. And, you should incorporate a (search engine optimization) trick; search for the needs and wants of your audience and once you have identified popular keywords associated with those needs and wants, make sure you use them in your blog content." He teaches that this step will surely send targeted traffic to your blog. His own blog is online at thecontentguy.net/blog/.

Rochester is fortunate to have a number of truly knowledgeable practitioners. They not only encourage people to experiment but offer "how to" wisdom from their experiences. This allows us to benefit from mistakes made by others who are now blogging about it! I have found informative and useful sites you will want to return to again and again. The authors are prolific, while providing insight, great content and guidance as you learn how to become part of the New Networking Community. Some of the bloggers include Rob Ewanow (robewanow.wordpress.com), Deborah Mourey (www.hellinthehallway.net) and Donna DeClemente (www.donnadeclemente.typepad.com).

Want to become a respected blogger? Each of the workshops I've attended has a similar theme. Write well and write often; blogging at its most fundamental, is a conversation. Becoming a respected online author will stretch your creative muscles as well as enhance your online credibility, visibility and long-term viability as a professional in your field.

Cynthia Barton is the owner of eConcepts Marketing, a Rochester-based marketing and public relations consultancy focused on the needs of small business owners.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org), which seeks to help women connect, grow and succeed.

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Women at Work: Conflict is opportunity, danger co-existing - 3/23/2010

Mon, 23 Mar 2010 10:57:19 GMT

Women at Work: Conflict is opportunity, danger co-existing

Do you hate conflict? Do you want to avoid it? All you have to do is put your head in the sand. But beware. That posture exposes your backside to the world!

The Chinese symbol for conflict describes opportunity and danger co-existing. Spotting danger is easy. But your subconscious convinces you that addressing the conflict will only make it worse. The reality is that your subconscious is the enemy here; it sets a trap that limits your success. The opportunity lies in addressing the conflict.

Skillful leaders start by clarifying what you want to accomplish — how you'll know you're successful. Let's assume your goal is to have your colleague hold her people accountable. With that clarity, initiate a conversation to accomplish three things: describe the issue, understand why it exists and create a shared plan that achieves your goal.

Begin by naming the difficulty. "Sandy, I'm concerned. For the third week, Joe's information is late. The pattern is preventing us from meeting the customer's deadline. We risk losing the contract."

Next, be curious: Why is this occurring? Resist the temptation to assume Joe has a malicious intent or Sandy doesn't care. Ask a straightforward, non-judgmental question: "What's causing Joe to be late?" Be ready to address a defensive response. If it occurs, refocus on what the customer needs: "I'm sorry if I sounded accusative. That was not my intent. I want us to get the product to the customer on time. What's creating the delay?"

The third step: Based on what you learn, create agreement on a go-forward approach that addresses your concern and meets the customer's need. Then employ a Reagan strategy: trust but verify. Monitor that the agreement is followed. If it is not, re-start the process by acknowledging the gap between the agreement and reality and charting a new course forward.

With vigilance and courage, most workplace conflicts are manageable. Don't let fear restrain you — your success hangs in the balance.

Mimi Bacilek is an executive and leadership development consultant and can be reached at 585.227.0308 or mimi@successbuildersllc.com

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org), which seeks to help women connect, grow and succeed.

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Women at Work: How to keep women from walking out of shop - 3/16/2010

Mon, 16 Mar 2010 13:7:33 GMT

Women at Work: How to keep women from walking out of shop

According to AskPatty.com, women make 85 percent of spending decisions in today's consumer economy. Businesses that have historically catered to men are having a tough time understanding why women are walking out rather than buying.

Enticing women into your marketplace requires you to understand the fundamental differences between men and women as consumers. You can learn how from organizations that train and certify businesses to be "female friendly," such as AskPatty.com and WomenCertified.

Men are transaction-focused. They want to buy at a cheap price and leave right away with their purchase. Men place less value on the competence of the service provider and the quality of service they receive. Bottom line: for men, price and speed are the drivers of their decision-making.

Women shop as consumers, not purchasers. They value the buying experience. Women are more likely to become acquainted with the salesperson, trying to discern competence and honesty. Women ask lots of questions before they make a decision to buy. If the experience of the conversation is not positive, they will leave and go elsewhere.

"Buying" is the equivalent of fast food. "Shopping" is akin to eating at a great restaurant. The bottom line for winning women's business is to worry less about price and focus on total value.

Do you want to be more successful with your female customers? Begin your next customer interaction with a conversation. Demonstrate your competence and answer her questions honestly and directly. Show her that you care. Remember you're offering fine dining, not fast food. Come to think of it, isn't that how business should be all the time?

Jerry Elman owns Schoen Place Auto, certified as a female friendly business by both AskPatty.com and WomenCertified.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work: Lower stress, be productive … get organized - 3/9/2010

Wed, 8 Apr 2010 11:31:11 GMT

Lower stress, be productive … get organized by Dorothy J. Madden

Have you seen your desk lately? Are you drowning in paper? Do the piles on your floor create a safety hazard? Do you have hundreds of e-mails waiting to be processed? If you’re buried in piles of files, stray papers, and endless e-mails, you’re not alone.

According to Boston Globe’s Jane Von Bergen, 30 percent of employees’ time is spent trying to find lost documents. Searching for lost documents wastes valuable time, energy and money. Productivity plummets. So what motivates people to get organized?

The desire to become better organized mostly comes from within. You may realize your information or time management systems are just not working and you’re tired of being unproductive. You feel overwhelmed starting each day with piles surrounding you. You would like to project your best professional image with clients and potential clients. You want to lower your stress level and work on your highest priorities. You are ready to change!

Occasionally the motivation to get organized comes from external sources.

Perhaps your annual review indicates a need for better organization, believing it will help the company’s bottom line. You may be more organized at work because your paycheck depends on your productivity, and increased productivity might lead to a promotion.

Some companies host an annual De-Accessioning Day when employees come dressed to sort and make decisions about what to keep, archive or recycle. Snacks and beverages are provided and music can be heard all around. It’s a lively time, with a shredding truck or recycling dumpster on site.

Whatever your motivation is for getting organized, this new decade presents a new opportunity for change as well as an opportunity to find what you need when you need it and to stop wasting time looking for lost things.

Dorothy J. Madden is the founder and owner of ORGANIZE IT! Learn more at www.OrganizeIt.biz or contact her at (585) 381-5511.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (www.rwn.org), which seeks to help women connect, grow and succeed.

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Women at Work Column: Giving anonymously feeds human spirit - 3/2/2010

Sun, 8 Mar 2010 11:59:3 GMT

Dale Houston Chanaiwa: Giving anonymously feeds human spirit

Dale Houston Chanaiwa • March 2, 2010

Let me share with you a story about "a certain woman." A certain woman wearily stood in line in a hospital cafeteria waiting to get her food. A little boy approached her and asked, "Lady, can you give me a quarter to buy a candy bar? My mother is a patient in the emergency department and I am hungry." The woman concluded that if the little boy really was hungry he needed more than a candy bar.

She handed a five-dollar bill to the little boy. The woman paid for her food and found somewhere to sit and eat. She watched the little boy as he sat near her eating his food. When he finished eating, he once again approached the woman. He said, "Thank you lady," as he placed the change from the five-dollar bill in her hand. Thankful that she had made the right decision the woman responded with a tear in her eye, "You are welcome."

I am the woman in this story. Deeply touched by the experience, I have never forgotten this little boy. I have often wondered what happened to him. I have three children. And I pray that if they ever needed help that a certain woman would be kind enough to help them.

The holiday seasons call attention to the needy, but there are needy year-round. There are many who are hungry, homeless and hopeless no matter the season.

So I challenge you. Regardless of the season, become "a certain woman." A certain woman remains nameless. There is no public acknowledgement or fanfare for her kindness. Her only reward is knowing that she has helped someone who will never know her name. Although nameless, someone will know that "a certain woman" cared. Choose to give. Choose to become "a certain woman"!

Dale Houston Chanaiwa is president of Diamond Dale Discoveries. She can be reached at coaching4Christ@rochester.rr.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org), which seeks to help women connect, grow and succeed.

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Women at Work: Businesses should take steps to resolve conflicts - 2/23/2010

Mon, 23 Feb 2010 12:10:1 GMT

Businesses should take steps to resolve conflicts

A recent study estimates the cost of workplace conflict at $360 billion for U.S. businesses. To reduce the inefficiencies, lost work time and poor morale caused by conflict, employers and employees need to understand how to resolve conflict when it arises

To harness conflict and move toward resolution:

Notice hot buttons. Conflict occurs when people perceive their values, needs or identities have been undermined or challenged.

Schedule a time to talk. Rather than attempt to resolve differences in the heat of anger, give the parties a chance to cool.

Set ground rules. Begin by asking the parties to design guidelines for discussion. The chances for successful conflict resolution increase dramatically when there is agreement on conditions such as addressing only one issue at a time, keeping voices at a conversational level and allowing each party to speak without interruption.

Acknowledge what's at stake. Affirm the importance of the relationship, project or organizational outcome that is being undermined by conflict. Identify the common interest and ask how conflict is blocking it.

Consider all perspectives. Listen respectfully to each viewpoint. Then consider a variety of possible solutions.

Agree on a course of action. To avoid impasse, get a commitment to try one solution. Decide how each person will contribute to making it work.

Schedule a progress check. Follow-up is crucial to keep lines of communication open, check on accountabilities and make any necessary adjustments to the solution.

Remember the words of author Max Lucado: "Conflict is inevitable, but combat is optional."

Sally Ward is founder and president of Ward Leadership, an executive coaching and leadership development company. Contact her at www.WardLeadership.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org).

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Women at Work: Decide what's important, remain flexible - 2/16/2010

Mon, 16 Feb 2010 11:49:45 GMT

Decide what's important, remain flexible

Maintaining balance is challenging in our busy lives. I have had moments where I believed I had a grip on it. Then suddenly it was gone.

Along the way I've learned a few secrets for keeping balance, which Webster's defines as a means of judging or deciding; equality between the totals of the two sides of an account; weight or force of one side in excess of another; mental and emotional steadiness.

Define your priorities.

For me, my church, family and business are very important. So I prioritize in that order. For others, the list will be different. The important thing is figuring out what's most important in your life.

Make your choices based on these priorities.

If I'm out of sync emotionally based on a choice I've made, then I know I'm not in balance.

For example, do I catch up on work or watch my son's hockey game? Unless I'm facing a deadline, I'm at the game. What choices are you making in your life?

Remain flexible.

The best-laid plans can often go out the window when life shows up. Don't get upset when this happens. Look at your day and see if you can reorganize things. Can you move that client meeting back or to another day?

Resolve now to balance your life. Define your priorities, make the best possible choices based on your priorities, and above all remember that flexibility rules.

Lisa Riggi, owner of LHR Administrative Services, provides secretarial services to small business owners. She can be reached at (585) 671-0730 or www.LHRAdmin.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org), which seeks to help women connect, grow and succeed.

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Women at Work: Active listening serves clients best - 2/2/2010

Mon, 9 Feb 2010 11:12:35 GMT

Women at work: Active listening serves clients best

Denise Reed Lamoreaux • February 2, 2010

Hearing is a physical ability, listening is a skill.

Say what? The distinction between merely hearing the words and really listening for the message is that when we listen effectively, we understand what the other person thinks and feels. For successful interaction, both parties must be actively involved in the communication process, not just listening passively.

Typically, Americans do not listen effectively. We multi-task, second guess and jump in with our answer before we even hear the question. Although we expect to be heard and understood, fewer than 5 percent of us have had listening skills training, according to the American Society for Training and Development.

Have you heard? While competitive listening may sound like a new sport, it's really pretending to pay attention while waiting for the chance to show just how smart you are.

As an active listener, you should seek to comprehend meaning and confirm understanding before you respond. This verification process distinguishes active listening from competitive listening and ensures common understanding.

If you don't actively listen to your customer, you may misdiagnose the situation, wasting time, effort and money in the process. Active listening provides information and perspective and ensures that you do not come off as condescending.

Repeat after me. Listening includes restating what you heard to ensure that you and your customer understand each other. Use phrases to clarify: "I hear you saying that ...," or "So, it sounds like the problem is ..."

Customers will feel valued because you restated their situation, and you can now resolve the issue to their satisfaction.

When you hear your customers' words and listen to their message, you are positioned to provide quality service and a positive outcome for the customer.

Denise Reed Lamoreaux of Chili is a learning and development specialist with Hewlett-Packard Co.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org), which seeks to help women connect, grow and succeed.

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Women at Work: Domain Names - 1/26/2010

Mon, 9 Feb 2010 11:13:22 GMT

Rochester-area businesswoman Sandra Zohari of AzoTek talks about domain names

How often have you received the advice: "Stop using your Yahoo, AOL, Gmail, rochester.rr or frontiernet e-mail address for business?"

Do you then ask yourself: "What the heck's the matter with MyBusiness@frontiernet.net?" You know better than to use your personal e-mail address, cutechick@yahoo.com, for your business. But what's wrong with advertising your Frontier or Road Runner address if it uses your business name?

Well, here's the scoop: In today's business world, you need to have your business name as your domain name (www.mybusiness.com) in order to fully legitimize your business.

"An e-mail address with a domain name gives you more credibility," says Susan Kastan of Kastan Consulting in Rochester. "People take you more seriously." Mine, for example: sandy@zohariconsulting.com. You could also use your first initial and last name, as in szohari@azotekdatabases.com.

Free and low-cost solutions for setting up all of this are easily available to you. Here's how:

Do you already have a Web site that uses your own domain name? Find out if your Internet service provider also offers e-mail, as most do, and then just set up the accounts you need.

If your Web designer hosts your account, however, e-mail may not be available.

With Google Apps, you will be able to obtain free e-mail addresses using your existing domain name. You also have the option of purchasing one through Google for only $10 a year.

The standard app is free and comes with additional features for organizing your schedule and sharing events, creating Web sites and group wikis, plus sharing online documents.

It's a big help as well to maintain additional addresses, such as info and sales@mybusiness.com. You can have these addresses forwarded to your main business address, or monitor each one separately in an e-mail client such as Microsoft Outlook.

Sandra Zohari owns AzoTek Database Solutions.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network (www.rwn.org), which seeks to help women connect, grow and succeed

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Women at Work: Check the vital signs of your business - 1/17/2010

Tue, 20 Jan 2010 9:21:57 GMT

Check the vital signs of your business

A healthy body demands routine checks and examinations. So does a healthy, thriving business. No matter what stage your business is in, you must check its systems, pay attention to any ailments and prevent early death.

For the newborn business, the goals and system checks are relatively simple. Merely staying alive and maintaining your sanity is a measure of success at this point in development. Systems are very limited in the start-up stage because there are usually a handful of people (if that) trying to get capital, find more customers and deliver a quality product. Three common causes of mortality at this stage are: Atrophy — all capital and funds are dried up; Neglect — the marketplace does not take to the product or service as well as predicted; Stress — the business owner cannot take the pressures of running a business anymore and sells the business or closes.

Failure to thrive can be attributed to owner burnout, lack of vision, insufficient funds and marketplace factors. Every business should strive for optimum health and try to perform like an Olympic athlete.

If you are reaching for the gold, then you're going to have to: train your business; assess the weaknesses and attack them rigorously; optimize your strengths; consider growing and expanding your business; and reinvest in its success.

Not every athlete captures the gold. However, constant monitoring and exercising increases your business' success and potential for optimum health.

Vicki M. James, business development specialist at Thaney & Associates, can be reached at (888) 252-8769 ext. 114 or vjames@thaneycpa.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network, whose focus is to help women connect, grow and succeed. For more information, go to www.rwn.org.

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Women at Work: Delegating can begin with small steps - 1/3/2010

Mon, 5 Jan 2010 10:53:5 GMT

Delegating can begin with small steps

Some of us naturally approach our work with an eye for opportunities to delegate. Others may struggle with doling out significant tasks and/or projects. To delegate effectively:

Become fully aware of all your direct reports' activities and capacities. Schedule one-on-one sessions with them to explore opportunities to delegate and accept help. Ask about their current work volume and pace, perception of their capacity for more, and/or where they might like to take on more responsibility.

Activate accountability through non-arguable outcomes and specific target dates. Follow up soon after the deadline if the assignment is not received. With this level of prompt follow-up, individuals will realize that you're serious about target dates.

Offer interim coaching or status meetings, as needed.

If you're hesitating to delegate a project, ask yourself if you might be able to delegate a component of a project. This approach may keep it more manageable for you and the person you're delegating to.

Ask for creative input. To kick-start a creative project you've been putting off, ask one of your direct reports to come up with the first draft of a project plan or an informal set of ideas from his or her perspective. Use it as a springboard to further your own strategic thinking about the project.

Still struggling to delegate? Take a small step today. Open a possibilities log on your desktop. While you're working during the next couple of weeks, jot down those items, tasks or projects you think you may be able to delegate at some point.

Donna Rawady, www.donnarawady.com, is an executive coach.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network, whose focus is to help women connect, grow and succeed. For more information, go to www.rwn.org. - RSS Feed Powered by RunMyClub.com

Women at Work: Policies & Procedures serve a real purpose - 12/27/2009

Mon, 5 Jan 2010 10:53:49 GMT

Policies and procedures serve a real purpose

Ben Franklin once said, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Prevention for business can take the form of policies and procedures. Policies are the rules the business abides by; procedures serve to inform employees how to implement rules.

As a former auditor and commercial lender, Anne Wakeman of MultiCultural Writers Inc. notes that, "Particularly for small- to medium-sized businesses, policies and procedures are absolutely critical in ensuring success and avoiding disaster."

Let's take a look at how implemented policies can help prevent problems.

Several laptops were stolen from an office by a group of people pretending to be part of the cleaning company. Every laptop stolen contained sensitive client data. After the theft, all clients had to be notified that their personal information may have been compromised. The breach of security prompted 25 percent of the company's clients to close their accounts.

One laptop had the company's computer identifications and passwords taped to the bottom, which the thieves used to gain access to the plans for an upcoming product. The information was then sold to a competitor.

If the company had policies on how computer ID and passwords should be stored; on how sensitive data must be encrypted; and how all laptops and desktops must be secured, some of these problems may have been avoided.

Policies and procedures are frequently viewed as boring and bothersome, but they do serve a valuable purpose. They protect company assets and provide a guide for employee actions.

Susan Kastan, Kastan Consulting, can be reached at (585) 734-0804 or susankastan@rochester.rr.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network, whose focus is to help women connect, grow and succeed. For more information, go to www.rwn.org.

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Women at Work: Focus seasonal energy and ride the wave of momentum - 12/20/2009

Sun, 21 Dec 2009 14:33:51 GMT

Focus seasonal energy and ride the wave of momentum

While most of you have worked hard and smart over the year, something
at year-end seems different. The holidays are in full force just when
the business world intensifies focus on end-of-year numbers and the
bottom line. Nothing rivals the feel of your pulse when you are
focused, sharp and full of creative energy and riding a wave of productivity. Take this opportunity to ensure that those around you are also riding the wave and keep the momentum going.

The season is an opportunity to maximize your time and receive optimal results regardless of your business.
Revitalize work processes and methods to minimize holiday distractions.
Identify and seize meaningful ways to sharpen your skills.

Going
above and beyond your normal, day-to-day performance inspires others.
Take time to mentor a younger or newer co-worker. Congratulate a
co-worker on an innovative solution to a problem. Keep the momentum going by finishing a project ahead of time.

You
never know when a teammate simply needs a little encouragement to get a
project going. Take the time to let co-workers know they are doing a
good job and that their contributions are noticed. Those around you will feel the energy and pass it along.

With
a bright team attitude, you will not only strive to get the work done,
but also will get it done well. As an added bonus, such an attitude
will do wonders for morale.

Cynthia Barton is the owner of
eConcepts Marketing, a Rochester-based marketing and public relations
consultancy focused on the needs of small-business owners. She can be
reached at (585) 704-2825 or cbarton61@rochester.rr.com

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network,
whose focus is to help women connect, grow and succeed. For more
information, go to www.rwn.org.

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Women at Work Column: Young women on brink of starting career advised to build around their passions - 12/13/2009

Wed, 17 Dec 2009 9:32:48 GMT

Young women on brink of starting career advised to build around their passions

"If only I knew then what I know now." How often have you chastised yourself with that lament as you reviewed your career choices? Be honest. You'd have changed some things.

With this in mind, I asked a small group of my peers what advice they would offer to young women about to enter today's job market. What follows is a brief summary of what they said.

"Set goals to become financially independent so that you do not have to rely on anyone else," wrote Paula Rogala, a financial adviser with Waddell & Reed.

Consider jobs that incorporate residual income into your salary. The more traditional entry-level jobs in insurance, finance and real estate all have that very attractive, residual piece built into their career paths.

If none of these jobs excites you, develop a career around what you feel passionate about. Then get involved in direct sale network marketing part time for the long-term, residual income benefits. Choose a company that fits your lifestyle and stick with it.

Make deliberate choices, but don't be afraid to change direction. Network. Network. Network. Be patient. Take care of your physical health and your emotional well-being.

Never stop learning. Be a student of your profession and of self-development. Ultimately, you are your best investment.

What never changes are the practical considerations of becoming financially self-supporting. If you're not afraid to reach out to those who have been there before you, you'll get by with a little help from your friends.

Kathy Porter is the creator and owner of www.MrsBizWhiz.com and can be reached at Kathy@mrsbizwhiz.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network, whose focus is to help women connect, grow and succeed. For more information, go to www.rwn.org.

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Women at Work Column: Keep vital documents in protected safe - 12/6/2009

Mon, 8 Dec 2009 11:43:29 GMT

Keep vital documents in protected safe

Given the weather patterns in our area, most Rochesterians are prepared for an emergency such as an ice storm or power outage, but what about your legal and financial documents? Do you know what documents you should have on file? Are they updated and organized? Do you and your loved ones know where they are kept? If you are like most people, you answered "no" to one or more of these questions.

Get your house in order by updating and organizing these vital documents in a fireproof and waterproof safe:

Personal: Birth certificates, adoption papers, copy of driver's license, passports, marriage license, military papers, death certificates.

Legal: Wills, powers of attorney, health care proxies, trust documents, employment contracts.

Medical: Current lists of prescription drugs, organ donor cards, doctor and insurance information.

Property: Deeds, titles and insurance policies for home, autos, recreational vehicles, inventory of house, appraisals, back-up of computer files, lists of important passwords.

Financial: Life insurance, disability, long-term care, stock/bond certificates, investment accounts, tax records, cost basis information, copies of credit cards and toll-free phone numbers.

True peace of mind is hard to quantify, but just think how great it would feel knowing you have taken necessary measures to protect yourself and your loved ones. Alternatively, think about how devastated you would be if you chose to ignore such a simple chore.

Susan C. Schneider is a representative of Colgan Capital, a private wealth management firm in Pittsford. She can be reached at (585) 419-2272 or www.colgancapital.com

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network, whose focus is to help women connect, grow and succeed. For more information, go to www.rwn.org.

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Women at Work: Take advantage of technology to organize your business contacts - 11/29/2009

Wed, 3 Dec 2009 14:39:5 GMT

Take advantage of technology to organize your business contacts

Does your contact management system work for you? Do you rewrite your entire address book every year? Can you find someone's business card when you need it? Do you have difficulty remembering business prospects' first or last names?

Consider adding or updating your contact management software.

The key to managing your contacts is to organize them in a system that will allow for easy search and retrieval.

Your old paper address book has outlived its usefulness because it allows only one way to organize and search for entries. For example, do you enter Angella Luyk under A or L or maybe M for Midnight Janitorial?

Don't rely on that contact list in your cell phone either. Your search in there is limited to how you entered the name.

You may already have contact management software. E-mail programs such as Outlook Express and Windows Live Mail use address books to store contacts. With these systems, you can search by name, e-mail address, phone or organization. Some even search through all fields at once.

If you are often on the go, you can synchronize contacts between your computer and a PDA or smart phone, or retrieve contacts from an address book stored on the Internet. If that pile of business cards is growing faster than you can handle, buy a card scanner for easy transfer of all of the information from the cards.

Do you need more functionality? Check out the Outlook Business Contact Manager or ACT! by Sage. Or consider a relational database program, such as Microsoft Access, to design a custom application.

Sandy Zohari is the owner of AzoTek Database Solutions.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network, whose focus is to help women connect, grow and succeed. For more information, go to www.rwn.org.

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Women at Work Column: Avoid costly mistake if leaving your job - 11/15/2009

Mon, 17 Nov 2009 10:26:32 GMT

Avoid costly mistake if leaving your job

In today's weakened economy, even wealthy investors are not immune to the financial impact of losing a job. What you need to know to protect your retirement funds when leaving your employer:

Do an IRA rollover with your employer's retirement plan. If you take the money, you could be taxed up to 40 percent if you are younger than 59 1/2. And you will be even further behind in building a nest egg.

Take a direct rollover to avoid the 20 percent withholding rules. If you forget, you have only 60 days to replace the money with personal funds. You can then roll over the entire amount, avoiding taxes and possible penalties.

"Make sure you talk to your HR or employee benefit department about your rollover before transferring any money," said Beverly DeVeny, the IRA technical consultant at Ed Slott and Co.

Take into account plan loans. If you borrowed money from your 401(k) and there is an outstanding balance, pay it off and roll the entire balance. If you don't, the IRS will view the amount of the loan as a taxable distribution and you will owe taxes and possible penalties on that amount.

Get all the money to which you are entitled. Be sure any profit-sharing and matching has been credited to your account.

Open all your mail. I have clients who didn't and missed the rollover check. It is a real nuisance to have the check replaced. If you are not doing a trustee-to-trustee transfer, you only have 60 days to roll the money once it is sent. You don't want to have the money taxable because you didn't open up the envelope.

Mary Spurrier is president/principal of M Spurrier Financial Services LLC. Contact her at (585) 271-5280.

Women at Work Column: Look for breaks from service providers - 11/8/2009

Mon, 10 Nov 2009 11:3:33 GMT

Look for breaks from service providers

During these difficult times, the old adage "every penny counts" has become more relevant than ever.

Before you slash your budget and take on a second job, make 10 phone calls to find ways to reduce your costs:

Credit cards: Ask for a lower interest rate and for the annual fee to be waived.

Utilities: Have an energy audit to determine what updates or fixes will ultimately save money.

Cable TV: See what new programs they are offering and make sure you are on the right plan for your needs.

Phone: Whether it is a land line or cell phone, compare providers and plans for the best price.

Internet service provider: Ask for deals or whether bundling several services such as cable TV, Internet and phone makes sense.

Property and casualty insurance: Ask your agent to review your vehicle, homeowners and umbrella insurance policies. A defensive driver's course usually knocks 10 percent off a portion of your auto insurance.

Mortgage lender: Interest rates are at an all-time low. Compare your rate with those available.

Bank: Give your bank a call to make sure you are situated with the best accounts and lowest fees.

Gym: Be aware of alternatives provided in your town and seek information about their membership costs.

Human resources department: Learn about all the benefits provided by your employer. Some employers provide discounts to local companies.

Susan C. Schneider is a representative of Colgan Capital, a private wealth management firm in Pittsford. She can be reached at (585) 419-2272 or www.colgancapital.com.

Women at Work Column: Take time to plan, prioritize, organize - 10/25/2009

Tue, 28 Oct 2009 10:21:16 GMT

Take time to plan, prioritize, organize

Happy New Year! The leaves are turning and it's not snowing, so why are we celebrating a new year now? Autumn launches a new year for children returning to school as well as for business people who have taken a bit of vacation to enjoy summer.

You may look at the beginning of a new year as an opportunity for a fresh start and a time to evaluate your goals. Consider what you want to accomplish, then generate specific strategies and actions to execute your goals. If getting yourself and your business better organized is one of your goals, here are some techniques that might work for you:

Identify your greatest organizing challenge. Are you inundated with paper? Is your space crowded and inefficient? Are you wasting time? By identifying your greatest organizing challenge, you'll know where to begin.

Set aside the time. Once you schedule the time to work on an organizing task, it will get done.

Plan and prioritize. Planning enables you to spend time on the things you perceive to be most important to the success of your business. Set daily priorities, as well as long-term priorities.

Avoid procrastination and perfectionism. Break down your project into small pieces and schedule time to do each one. Do the hardest or most unpleasant tasks first, knowing they're necessary for accomplishing your goals. Perfectionism forces you to spend more time on a task than it may deserve. Determine ahead of time your standard of "good enough."

Dorothy Madden is the founder and owner of Organize It! Learn more at www.OrganizeIt.biz or contact her at (585) 381-5511.

Women at Work Column: Good leaders clear paths for dialogue - 10/11/2009

Thu, 16 Oct 2009 14:39:9 GMT

Good leaders clear paths for dialogue

Issues that inspire great passion also inspire great divides. In the
business world, they drain resources and distract staff from generating business and satisfying customers.

Divisive issues rarely arise unexpectedly. In fact, leaders are
often the people who bring them into the organizational conversation.
Examples include reorganizations, changes to benefit packages, and changes in strategic direction.

Skillful
leaders recognize their role in predicting divisive issues and
pre-emptively dealing with the inevitable passions that accompany them.
They create an environment for healthy dialogue about a pathway forward.

People
who feel passionately about an issue present their perspective through
the lens of emotion — tears, loud voices, defensive posturing. Most
leaders dismiss the emotion and focus on the issue that prompted it.
But unacknowledged emotions can deepen divisions.

The
secret to leader success is to deal directly with the emotion,
recognizing and validating it. This empathetic approach to listening
models great respect for divergent beliefs. It generates an
understanding of and tolerance for the positions others hold.

As people share
their passionate beliefs, the leader's role is to identify areas of
agreement, no matter how small. The leader's efforts naturally shift
the conversation from why someone else is wrong to what becomes
possible by working in concert. And that is the mark of a great leader:
someone who creates the pathway everyone can walk together.

Mimi Bacilek is an executive coach and president of SuccessBuilders LLC in Rochester. She can be reached at mimi@successbuildersllc.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network,
whose focus is to help women connect, grow and succeed. For more
information, go to www.rwn.org.

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Women at Work Column: Online networking builds your brand - 10/4/2009

Mon, 6 Oct 2009 11:49:43 GMT

Online networking builds your brand

Social media can be defined as online human interaction with a touch of technology. Participating in social networks is a cost-effective way to build your personal brand and to grow your business. As with offline networking, you get back what you put into it.

Steve Patrizi, head of ad sales for LinkedIn, described the big three social networks this way: "MySpace is the bar, Facebook is the backyard barbecue, where you have friends and family and may invite some close business colleagues, and LinkedIn is the office."

Facebook and LinkedIn are among the 10 fastest-growing sites on the Internet. Facebook has more than 70 million active users. LinkedIn is the world's largest professional network with more than 41 million members. Both networks help people exchange knowledge, ideas and opportunities with trusted contacts and friends.

The profile you create on a social network becomes your online brand. An online profile can bring your resume to life and allow you to tell a story. Your profile is now searchable to the millions of people who search on social networks and on the Internet.

Enhance your search engine results by including links to your blog and Web site and informing your network when you have new content. Include frequent updates and share interesting projects that you're working on.

Online networking is a terrific way to build your online brand. Begin by joining communities and experimenting. Each platform has its own feel, culture, tools and its own opportunity.

Donna DeClemente is president and founder of DDC Marketing Group. Connect with her on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter or e-mail at ddeclemente@ddcmarketingl.com

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network, whose focus is to help women connect, grow and succeed. For more information, go to www.rwn.org.

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Women at Work: Study: Women don't always help female colleagues in workplace - 9/27/2009

Wed, 3 Dec 2009 14:42:9 GMT

Study: Women don't always help female colleagues in workplace

Women have benefited in countless ways from the advice and support of female business colleagues. However, a study conducted by the Workplace Bullying Institute and Zogby International in 2007 revealed that not all women help female colleagues. The results show that women may even sabotage their female competition through intimidation or by limiting access to important meetings and committees; withholding information, assignments and promotions; or blocking the way to mentors and higher-ups.

The Workplace Bullying Institute studied more than 7,000 adults and found that 40 percent of bullies are women and that women choose other women as targets more than 70 percent of the time.

According to the WBI, women may choose other women as targets because they are less likely to react to the bullying. Another dynamic that may be at play is a belief system that says women have to pull themselves up on their own to get ahead and so should not have to help others.

This belief system may actually limit women's ability to see the need to step in and help.

Being aware of workplace bullying is the first step to preventing it. The WBI offers a three-step approach for responding to bullying: Declare what occurred; assess the impact on you and address that impact; finally, tell someone in authority what occurred.

When you tell the story, be sure to tell it as a survivor instead of a victim.

Jackie DiBella teaches public speaking and interpersonal communications at Genesee Community College and coaches individuals on developing communications skills. She can be reached at jedibella@genesee.edu

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network, whose focus is to help women connect, grow and succeed. For more information, go to www.rwn.org.

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Women at Work Column: Get people talking about your expertise - 9/20/2009

Get people talking about your expertise

In business, you want to be continually in front of potential clients. But how can you be everywhere all the time? Some people make it look easy. You see or hear about them everywhere. Do they clone themselves? No, they just know the secret. They get people to talk about them.

One way to make this happen is to be known as an expert. Learn as much as you can about the topic you're most passionate about. Talk to other experts. Learn what they know, attend seminars and read books about your area of expertise. Then take that knowledge and expand on it.

Become a speaker on your chosen topic. Many organizations offer speaking opportunities. A few local ones are Rochester Women's Network, National Association of Women Business Owners and chambers of commerce. When you present your first seminar, include information about how you can be reached to schedule a similar talk for other groups. Let people know you would like to talk to their organization.

If you're nervous about speaking in public, start slowly. Ease into it by speaking about a book written on your area of expertise and add your own thoughts or beliefs. When you are more confident, expand your content to a seminar based on your opinions.

Another way to get your name out there is to write articles for different publications. Those who read your article may send it to others, ultimately leading thousands of people to know about you.

It does take time for these secrets to work. Be patient, keep booking talks, and continue writing articles. Your effort will pay off in time.

Angella Luyk is CEO of Midnight Janitorial. She can be reached at www.midnightjanitorial.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network, whose focus is to help women connect, grow and succeed. For more information, go to www.rwn.org. - RSS Feed Powered by RunMyClub.com

Women at Work Column: All businesses need backup plan in place - 9/13/2009

Sun, 14 Sep 2009 16:9:33 GMT

All businesses need backup plan in place

Every business
needs to plan how it will continue in the event of a disruption. Having
a plan may be the difference between a fast, full recovery and a slow,
painful death.

Whether your company is home-based with one employee or has
thousands of employees across multiple locations, the concepts are the
same. It's the practice that's different.

While larger businesses
are often required by law or stockholders to have plans in place,
home-based business owners often assume they have everything under
control. But taking a few additional steps can significantly improve
the likelihood that their businesses will survive a disruption.

For
example, larger businesses are in the habit of thinking about building
issues — entrances, guards, etc. Home-based business owners may not
think of their homes
in that manner because there are no separate entrances and exits to
worry about. But a robbery could impact critical business equipment as
well as personal possessions.

Consider
backing up critical information offsite. Frequently, home-based
businesses back up their information on a flash drive or separate hard
drive. But the backups may reside on the desk next to the computer
or in a nearby drawer. A fire in the home would not only ruin a
lifetime of precious personal memories, but would destroy the backup of
critical information.

So,
remember, although a business may enjoy the benefits of residing in a
home, it still has similar concerns to an outside business. Everyone
needs to have a plan.

Susan Kastan of Kastan Consulting joined RWN in 2009. She can be reached at (585) 734-0804 or susankastan@rochester.rr.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network,
whose focus is to help women connect, grow and succeed. For more
information, go to www.rwn.org.

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Women at Work Column: Ask questions before accepting volunteer leadership role - 9/6/2009

Mon, 8 Sep 2009 9:15:58 GMT

Ask questions before accepting volunteer leadership role

Charitable organizations are not only a place to make a difference but also an excellent training ground for building leadership skills. If you're considering a volunteer leadership role, you need to ask:

What is the organization's mission? You should be able to easily understand how the organization is making a difference and for whom.

What attracts you to this opportunity? "Be sure the mission is consistent with your values and that you feel passionate about it," says Lois Norman, a senior executive with Cannon Industries. Also consider what you hope to gain by serving in a leadership role.

What is the job description? Many organizations have a written job description for their board of directors and other roles. If not, talk with someone who previously performed the role.

How much time is required? Ask about meeting schedules and how many hours per week or month you should expect to devote.

What financial commitment is expected? Most boards of directors ask their members to make a personal donation to the organization in addition to their contribution of time.

Will you receive training? Most boards of directors offer new members an orientation. If you are assuming another type of leadership post, ask to meet the prior leader for an overview.

How does the organization monitor outcomes? Request an annual report and inquire about the measures for success and how effectively the organization is meeting its stated goals.

Sally Ward is founder and president of Ward Leadership, an executive coaching and leadership development company. Contact her at www.WardLeadership.com.

This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network, whose focus is to help women connect, grow and succeed. For more information, go to www.rwn.org.

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Women at Work Column: Get a signature, not a simple handshake - 8/30/2009

Thu, 4 Sep 2009 12:31:16 GMT

Get a signature, not simply a handshake

There used to be a time when a handshake sealed the deal. All you needed was your word. Business is not conducted like this anymore. In today's economy, every business arrangement needs to be in writing to protect you and the other parties involved.

A few items you should always get in writing include:

Building or service contracts: Any time you work with a contractor, make sure you are getting what you are paying for, to your satisfaction. Before the contractor does any work, clearly spell out the specifications. Include a start and finish date. All service contracts should have renewal and termination provisions.

Employment agreements: Clearly define the roles new employees are expected to fill. Describe any special projects or tasks they will be required to complete. Tell them what their hours will be and which days they will work. Make sure you include salaries, potential bonuses or stock options.

Sales contracts: If you are buying a product, ensure you are protected. What recourse will you have if the product is damaged when it comes to you? Will the vendor guarantee the date of delivery? What will happen if your shipment arrives late?

Make sure both parties are satisfied with the terms and conditions before they provide a signature. Once an agreement is signed, remember that both parties have only three business days to cancel a contract. If at any point you are having doubts or concerns, renegotiate your contract or cancel it altogether. By getting your agreement in writing, you can avoid a lot of unnecessary problems.

Angella Luyk is CEO of Midnight Janitorial. Contact her at (585) 414-6960 or www.midnightjanitorial.com.

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Women at Work Column: Personal brands are critical for success - 8/25/2009

Mon, 25 Aug 2009 10:8:17 GMT

Personal brands are critical for success

Kerry Stich • August 23, 2009

The next time you see a mirror, stop and look. The image staring back is part of your personal brand. It makes a statement about who you are and distinguishes you from your colleagues and competitors. Personal brands are critical to successfully impact your professional relationships.

Marge McGee, president of Career Architect Consulting Services, a career and talent management firm in Rochester, strongly agrees: "Positive impressions encourage others to remember and comfortably promote your abilities."

Build your personal brand with these three basics:

Appearance: First impressions are based on appearance. Make a positive one and people will be naturally inclined to listen and focus on your words. Achieve this by ignoring preconceived images of how you should look. Select colors and styles that complement you (your personality, natural coloring, shape, profession, etc.).

Attitude: The way you feel about yourself affects your self-carriage and how others react to you. If you understand your own unique characteristics and make the most of them, the assured confidence that follows will allow you to appear prepared, competent and convincing.

Authenticity: When you accept the role of a personal brand in the professional world, you free other people to judge you on your merits and free yourself to focus on the content of the situation. After all, professional gains based on authenticity are the best and most sustainable kind.

Kerry Stich is co-owner of Bella Bleu Color, a personal color and image consulting company located in Pittsford and Penfield.

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Women at Work Column: Network during unemployment - 8/16/2009

Mon, 25 Aug 2009 10:9:8 GMT

Network during unemployment

When the "rug of employment" is pulled out from under your feet, create positive thoughts and actions to encourage your peers and yourself to be successful. You might be surprised how even the smallest effort can bring major rewards. This list includes some productive tasks that may help you and colleagues who may be in the same situation:

Inspire a sense of community spirit, possibly through business and women's groups, that can point you in the right direction. Focus on your profession or take advantage of your circumstances to find an opportunity to change your career and pursue a hidden passion.

Share resources to reap surprising benefits. For example, the Department of Labor has partnered up with agencies that give out $25 a month for job seekers to put gas in their cars.

Use the referral system, now called viral marketing. Giving or receiving a personal, enthusiastic approval of another's work is often the best endorsement a person can get.

Remember the Golden Rule. All networking should be positive. Do not undermine one another. Even if nobody knows who you are now, if you let an unconstructive comment about you leak out, it will spread and be remembered, whether it is true or not.

Be resourceful for each other. At a recent poetry reading, one of the poets explained how the word "share" comes from the word "shear." She then explained that when you share something you give up something of yourself for that other person. My thoughts and wishes for you now are that you will be able to share without getting sheared.

Risa Ruse is an author, poet and artist whose work is displayed at www.RisaRuse.com.