Follow Your Heart on Innovation

Here's an article I wrote for Thrive Global, "Creating a Culture of Innovation:  Learning From the Best."  It's about following your heart and intuition on matters of innovation.  When you run a business, you must think about innovation!

In the article I focus on three people:  Walt Disney, Samuel Palmisano and Steve Jobs.  A snippet from Walt Disney:

Lesson: To create a culture of innovation, be straightforward. Listen. Simplify. Do things. Build things. Get something going.

Sound familiar?  Read the article here.

Photo by Taylor Rogers on Unsplash.

Grit is a Mindset for Women Entrepreneurs

Natalie James is a wife, mom of three, entrepreneur, owner and CEO of Toronto’s exclusive blow dry bar — Vent Blow Dry Bar. She believes grit – courage and resolve; strength of character – is a learned behavior.

“To develop grit, look to others who have demonstrated their ability to persevere through hardship and learn from them”

She goes on to say, "Ask them how to stay positive when faced with hardship or how to maintain focus when faced with distractions?"

Life is all about learning and growing.  Find out for yourself what else Natalie has to say. 

Photo by Sammie Vasquez on Unsplash.

Women Entrepreneurs Shape Our Economy Yet Face Challenges As they Persist

Traditionally entrepreneurs have been viewed as innovators who come up with new ideas for the markets, products and various techniques. They have the capability to shape the economy by creating new wealth and jobs and inventing new products and services.

In the case of women entrepreneurs, they are no longer viewed as traditional resources confined to the household, however, despite being educated, knowledgeable and capable of contributing towards transforming economies, women face fundamental challenges trying to enter the entrepreneurial sector.  This is particularly true in India.

Read more about the fundamental challenges women entrepreneurs face and how to overcome them.

Photo courtesy CoWomen on Unsplash

Women Entrepreneurs Whose Smarts Are Rattling Industries Worldwide

The Female Founders 100 are the entrepreneurs Inc. has been most intrigued by in the past year, whose smarts are rattling industries far and wide.  They are scientists, creatives, MBAs, data-nerds, and visionaries. For some, it's the first time they've ever started a company. Others have been at this for decades.

Explore when time permits.  How about now?

Have a Meaningful Memorial Day

Pay Yourself What You are Worth

As more and more women take the leap from Corporate America to starting their own businesses, one of the key factors to ensure the leap goes well is to focus on having confidence.  Many women doubt themselves and their abilities.  Sometimes it just takes a couple of good pals around you to say "you can do it!" The next thing you know, you you can!

Another challenge for women who start businesses is determining what you should be paid.  Don't skimp.  If the money is there, take it, do good work, and be proud.  Here's what a SCORE volunteer mentor says:  

Simply put, women need to be paid what they are worth. A lot of times women feel like that they can’t charge enough. However, in order to be successful in business and remain profitable, a shift in thinking — and a boost in confidence — is necessary.

Read more about what is available to women-owned businesses and what is necessary to succeed in business ownership.

Photo courtesy:  Hust Wilson on Unsplash

Women Leaders Tend to Collaborate Better than Men

Thanks to a new study conducted by Richard Devine, Gonzalo Molina-Sieiro, Michael Holmes and Siri Terjesen, we now have data that shows women-led businesses, in certain scenarios, do indeed perform better than those run by men.

In the research, the authors started by comparing how female-led companies performed in terms of employee growth versus those helmed by men.

The point of the study is not to show that female-led companies – high growth or not – perform better than men.

Rather, our [the author's] research suggests that women do bring valuable and unique skills and experience to the table that can make a significant difference to business success. Yet, given so few companies are run by women, their skills and experiences are not fully utilized.

Learn more about how women leaders tend to collaborate better than men.

Read the study:  Female-Led High-Growth:  Examining the Role of Human and Financial Resource Management

Photo courtesy:  CoWomen on Unsplash