WISE Women

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Comment by Shelly Hunt on July 23, 2011 at 4:04pm

Five takeaways from the Mentor Me Too Go-To meeting.
1. List five priorities of your day. And work towards getting them done.
2. Have a business plan and vision, in writing, for your business
3. Being organized saves time. Do as much stuff electronically as possible.
4. Networking - what's your purpose for going? Once you have accomplished your objective, leave graciously.
5. Nancy homework assignment to us:
Make your lists:
- what all needs to be done
- what only you can do
- what can be delegated
- choose which one first you want to delegate
- write a job description, so the person knows what you expect. This written process/procedure is repeatable. Saves time! Include this in your manual.

Comment by Nancy Stoll on July 22, 2011 at 5:21pm

The WISE Women's Mentor Me Too Go-To session last night was so interactive and jam-packed with great information and insight I just don't know where to begin sharing. Our guest experts and mentors for the evening, Iris Cooper and Jo Kirk, "fed" us well with their own best practices, input on operational systems and directives on how to develop them - Here are some of my own "take aways" from the evening:

1.  "Systems operate your business - People operate your systems. Even if it's only you - write your systems/process down - follow the process - it will lead to consistancy in all you do and that written document will be a training tool for those you hire to take over that responsibility in the future.

2.  If you're looking for a guide and step-by-step process to help you get your own business systems and processes in place - You need to read How to Make Your  Business Run Without You by Susan Carter. Get your own copy - I'm sure you'll want to take notes in it.  USE IT!! It works!.....Just ask Jo!

3.  Another recommended book was If You Want It Done Right, You DON’T Have to Do It Yourself - The Power of Effective Delegation by Donna M Genett, Ph.D. It's all about the "how-to's" of delegating effectively...and if you're growing your business, you know or you'll soon know the "art" of delegating is a primary factor in freeing you up so you can do those things "only YOU can do!"

4.  Here's the big one that I took away from the evening...Make a list of all the "time thieves" in your life. Both personal and business. Anything or anybody who robs you of that gift of time - that, if wasted, you can never get it back...i.e.: e-mails, phone, people...

Then, set forth a plan of action (a process/system...go figure!) to implement and follow in taking control of that "time waster" and illiminating (or at least controlling) that time theif in your business and/or personal life.

Ok, WISE  Mentor Me Too women - It's your turn to share your "take aways".  

We learn best by sharing!

Njs 

 

Comment by Jen M. Middleton on June 28, 2011 at 12:00pm

I feel like this whole process is one of those Choose Your Own Adventure books. You have to hit most of the major points to get to an 'ending' of the story, but the order is a little flexible. So you hit an impasse and are just staring. "Which way do I go?" Well, whatever you do, just don't stop!

 

Now to follow my own advice...

Comment by Nancy Stoll on June 28, 2011 at 12:46am

Jen -

Did you know that "waiting" is an action word!?! Glad to hear you're acting upon your desire while you "wait" on the classes. Call me, I'm here for you! Consider me your business partner only better...the only vested interest I hold is that you and your business succeed and I come with great resources to help you attain it! I know you'll find our classes quite beneficial. Which ones have you signed up for? Hopefully the B.A.S.E. Start-Up, the three class series of BizStart Now, and the IRS Taxpayer's Workshop. These are the three (really 5) business basic classes that will truly benefit anyone working on starting their own business.  BTW - Barbara is telling you the truth...the Library staff is WONDERFUL and all you have to do is ask for help and they'll deliver! Looking forward to hearing from you soon!    :0)

Comment by Barbara Beardsley on June 27, 2011 at 8:16pm

Jen, please feel free to stop by the Science, Business & News reference desk (the desk with the big pink "ASK IT!" sign) at Main Library to ask for help with your business research.    You can also call the Columbus Metropolitan Library Info Line 645-2ASK, and ask to speak with a librarian in Science, Business & News.

Comment by Jen M. Middleton on June 27, 2011 at 7:11pm

Thanks Nancy and Barbara! I've already signed up for a lot of SBDC's sessions throughout July and August, and checked out a look of books from the library as my first step.

 

All the same Nancy, I'll give you a call just because being able to touch base with you would be extremely helpful. I keep trying to remind myself that a series of small milestones will get me to my goal - this isn't a sprinting race. It's so hard waiting around for those sessions to start that I'm just trying to get some other 'work' accomplished before then, maybe even have a more detailed list of questions for the presenters than if I'd waited around twiddling my thumbs.

Comment by Nancy Stoll on June 27, 2011 at 12:46am

Hey Jen -

You've got some good input so far from Barbara (who is simply awesome in my book) and from Connie who is a wealth of knowledge based experience!  I know the task seems overwhelming but that's why WISE Women and the OSBDC is here...We're here for YOU! Give me a call at 287-5530 and I'll fill you in on all the great assistance just waiting for you to take advantage of...and it's FREE! 

Comment by Barbara Beardsley on June 25, 2011 at 10:25pm

I would like Jen Middleton and Connie Spruill (and ALL of you WISE Women) to know about the tremendous resources at the Columbus Metropolitan Library.  Just use our REFERENCE page http://columbuslibrary.org/reference if you want to research your industry, find full text trade journals online, and target your market.  

 

We have created 3 online tutorials that anyone can use, but only Columbus Metropolitan Library cardholders can use the 50+ Premium Resources for free from your home or office.  Just use the link below to access one of our online tutorials.

 

Questions?  Call our library Info Line 614-645-2ASK, or visit the Main Library Science, Business & News department and ask for a demonstration of  some of our favorite business databases.

 

Using Demographics to Target Your Market

Comment by Jen M. Middleton on June 24, 2011 at 3:25pm

Thanks so much for your advice, Connie! I started to work on all that today, but hopefully I can really get going on Monday.

Comment by Connie Spruill on June 24, 2011 at 1:11pm

Hi Jennifer,  just confirming our phone conversation answering your questions.  Start with the Hilliard Economic Development office to obtain traffic numbers and population information for the age group in your target audience.  Conduct a competitor analysis not just of other Juice Bars but of other businesses that would draw your target audience away from your business location.  Schedule a meeting with the Hilliard Chamber of Commerce President/Executive Director and let her know what you plan to do and ask for her help in guiding your business decision for locations, etc.  A lot of the numbers you are seeking to help you do your projections can be derived from research they already have in house.  The Mid Ohio Regional Planning Office can also help you with the information  you seek.   I know that there are other data bases of information you can link up to and perhaps Nancy Stoll can provide you links to those resources.  I am not in front of my main computer to access that for you.   Good luck and don't hesitate to ask questions as you move forward.

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