The typical business world has always been portrayed in a specific light, with a sharp-looking, white, suited male as the main act. This stereotypical image has always been backed and promoted by mainstream media, pop culture, and of course, politics.
And where do women fit in this all? Well, they have the prestigious position as the trophy wife of the successful businessman or are serving as the pretty assistant responsible for everything from setting up appointments to picking out the perfect tie for their snobby boss.
But thankfully, today’s reality is far from this bizarre and outdated portrayal. Some phenomenal women are taking great strides in the business world, and there’s a lot you can learn from their success simply by picking up a women entrepreneurs’ magazine.
Here are some tips we’ve gathered for you to create an impact as a woman in business.
Derive Your Energy from Your Passion
The truth is that despite the increased female representation in the business world, the space is largely built around patriarchal foundations, which essentially make it a land mine for women.
Moreover, in general, it takes a fair bit of legwork to survive in the business world, and frequent setbacks are a depressing norm. In such times, when you feel like you have no energy to go on, think about why you first started. As cliché as it sounds, your passion really is your fuel, so keep it alive.
Outline Your Goals
Having a vision for your business venture is important, but it’s not enough. You have to turn the vision into actionable goals, both short and long-term ones that you can work on, on a daily basis to achieve the bigger dream.
This will help you stay focused and on track. Moreover, a solid plan will make it easier for you to convince those around you that this isn’t just a passing hobby for you but serious business—and while most opinions and judgments don’t matter, you’ll have to convince your investors.
Always Speak Your Mind
There will always be people ready to shut you down, but that shouldn’t stop you from speaking up. As a woman in a noisy business world, you have to find your voice and speak for yourself; nobody else will promote you or your ideas better than you.
Step into the spotlight when you get the chance and be loud and clear about who you are and what you’re capable of. Also, if you like you deserve something, don’t be afraid to ask for it. Worked hard for that promotion? Demand it!
Don’t Be Afraid to Set Limits
We, women, tend to stretch ourselves thin, almost to an unreasonable extent. Hustle is important, but it’s also crucial to recognize and respect your limits. You can’t say yes to everything—sometimes, you have to draw some boundaries.
If you know that the tasks being asked of you are not part of the job description you signed up for and you know you won’t be compensated for them either—there’s no need to go out of your way—simply say no.
Learn to Manage Your Own Money
Your business is about your passion, sure, but all businesses revolve around money at their very core. This is why we highly recommend that every woman planning to enter the business world learn to manage her own money.
From managing investments to creating monthly budgets and tracking losses and profits, there are tons of money-related tasks when it comes to businesses. And if you really want to be the one to call all the shots, you can’t just rely on other’s people’s understanding of your finances.
Always Embrace Growth
While you shouldn’t say yes to unnecessary and extra work, you should always say yes to learning and growth opportunities. The world is evolving very fast, and the business world is becoming increasingly competitive; the only way to survive is to evolve constantly to keep up with the industry trends, innovations, and so on.
So, don’t be afraid to try new things; take calculated risks when you need to. Stepping out of your comfort zone is the only way to step upward and onward.
Don’t Underestimate Power Dressing
While, of course, how you dress should never be a measure of your intelligence or capabilities, it’s important to keep in mind that first impressions matter, and a lot of times, people form perceptions about you before they even speak to you. This is why it’s a good idea to exude a sense of power through your dressing.
Ever heard the phrase, “Dress for the job you want, not for the job you have”? You need to make it your mantra every morning while getting dressed. Invest in clothes that make you feel confident and comfortable.
Make Good Connections
This is a tip we can’t emphasize enough. The business world runs on a web of networks crucial for success. You need access to tons of resources to get your business up and running, and the greater your network, the better your access to these crucial resources.
And we agree that it’s not easy to make good connections, which is why we’ve done the homework and dug up the first female entrepreneurs’ community you should be joining—The Hustle Mama Tribe. It’s run by one of the best education magazines online for women, i.e., The Hustle Mama Magazine.
They offer everything from tips for women entrepreneurs to lifestyle, fashion, and relationship-related advice. Check it out.
