Gosh hasn’t the summer gone quickly, well it wasn’t really a summer was it, unless you were one of the ones who managed to jump on a plane for some sunshine. Most of us decided to sit it out at home and pray for some sun on our ‘staycation’.
Well first I must apologise to my regular readers for the lack of newsletters recently. Life became hectic with a house move and many changes in our family. At last we are all settled with our eldest off at University and her brother now settling into a new school. We continue to live out of packing boxes for now but at last I feel I can give my concentration to some work. As I always advocate not taking on too much, I also delayed my book launch a few months until I could give it my full attention.
So what’s been happening in the mean time? Well the world still goes around and businesses, estate agents and bankers keep changing their mind about green shoots and a lift from the recession. It seems that for someof us, our businesses and lives are continuing to be affected by the recession in many ways, for others they have noticed nothing but wonder if it is still heading their way.
Throughout the last year of doom and gloom I have continued to report that I am still having good numbers of new followers to my blog and newsletter and have regular contact with women starting up in business. Banks are still reporting high numbers of business start ups and previous evidence has suggested that higher numbers of women are likely to start a business during or following a recession.
If you’re one of them then welcome and good luck in business.
Best wishes all
Rebecca
Top tip of the month from Rebecca
Worry less. Yes this month’s top tip is to worry less. Many of the women I work with tell me how much they worry about so many different things, from the health of their family members, to the increasing problems of running a successful business, to how they come across in a presentation. You name it, someone somewhere is likely to worry about it.
So what does worry give us, other than more grey hairs and headaches, not a lot really. However, it is likely to use up energy which is better spent on solving the problems that are worrying you; additionally it can have detrimental effects on your health. Most things we worry about, such as the sky falling in, are never really likely to happen, other things like worrying about the value of our homes we have little or no control over.
Studies show that those who worry more are less productive at work and in their personal lives and it is said worriers are slower in replying or responding as the mental capacity used up in worrying affects their mental energy in some way.
Obviously a sensible level of worry is fine,e.g. ‘Is this a good business decision to buy this stock or recruit this person. This is highlighting to ourselves that we need to spend some time thinking about this. The problem is we don’t have an ‘off’ button for worry and so, for many of us, we spend far too much time worrying about a situation without resolving it or moving on.
By the way the word ‘worry’ comes from a Middle English word “wyrgan”, which means to strangle. Often that’s exactly what worries do to us: seize us by the throat and stop us from thinking about, or achieving, anything else.
So what to do? First of all, don’t worry that you worry. It is something we all do, its just some do it more than others. You could try writing down the things you are worrying about or share them with others. Find solutions to your worries, or strategies, cope with them and stick to them. Start to realise that many of the things you worry about you have little or no control over and no matter how much you worry it is not likely to change anything.
‘Worry, it has been said, is often like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do, but it doesn't necessarily get you anywhere.'
Main Article from Rebecca
Business start up can be a big worry. Having already discussed above how worrying is a waste of time and energy, I thought it would be worthwhile exploring with you what it is that new business owners often worry about. These are some of the questions they regularly ask me and my usual responses to them.
1)WILL MY BUSINESS BE A SUCCESS?
I wish I could answer you all directly on this one, the truth is that even experienced entrepreneurs get it wrong sometimes. It’s often hard to predict if a business will be a success or not.
The thing to remember here is to decide what success will look like to you, will your business be a million pound turnover business in year one or will it mean you can give up your part time job at the library. You need to set your targets for success and then work consistently towards them ensuring all you do is focused on these targets and avoid being distracted by other things.
In short it is up to you and the effort you put in, to reflect the likely success of your business. Research your business idea well in the first place to make sure you stand a chance of success in your chosen business area.
2)WHAT IF I FAIL?
It is possible that you like many other business owners before, you may have a failed business attempt. This does not mean that you have failed; more that your business idea has failed. Many people go on to have subsequent business success having learnt from their first failed business.
Think about the worst thing that can happen if your business fails, minimise the risks (especially risks to your family and your home) and concentrate on success. Have confidence in your ability to succeed - if you dwell on failure then it’s unlikely that you will do well in business.
3)AM I THE RIGHT TYPE OF PERSON TO START A BUSINESS?
Only you can really answer this question, however successful business owners usually possess good people skills, are willing to make sacrifices (such as their own time) and have the necessary optimism and drive.
4)HOW WILL MY CUSTOMERS FIND ME?
Let’s get this straight; it’s more about you finding customers, I always advocate finding out what it is people want or need and providing them with the solution. Developing a product or service and then waiting for customers to find you will be a very hard way of establishing a business. Look for opportunities to meet potential customers and tell them about your business,
Get the message out, through others, that you and your business are ready for customers.
If you have any more questions or worries about starting in business please send them to rebecca@rebecca-jones.co.uk and I will answer you directly and add them into the next newsletter.
See Rebecca speak
During October I am speaking at various events in North Wales. For more information visit my web site www.rebecca-jones.co.uk
Rebecca's last thoughts
Prowess the UK association of organisations and individuals who support the growth of women's business ownership has reported a sharp rise in demand for business support by women. If your considering starting a business make sure you get the advice you need and set up support networks to help you and your business be a success.
If you want to use this or other articles by Rebecca in your Newsletter or web site you can; but please also include the following statement with any of my material:-
Taken from 'The Have it all Business Woman' Newsletter by Rebecca Jones. Published monthly, the newsletter for women in, or starting in, business.
For more information visit www.rebecca-jones.co.uk
You are receiving this newsletter because you signed up on my web site, or a mutual contact has forwarded it to you.
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Fact of the month
4 out of 10 workers check their e-mail before going to work.
America Online/Opinion Research Corporation
Rebecca opened her first business at 19 and has since been a successful entrepreneur, wife and mum. Her years of experience as a woman in business and also working as a business consultant, has enabled Rebecca to develop her own coaching and business consultancy. Aimed at women starting or already running a business, who need a bit of help and support to see them flourish.
Rebecca personally coaches clients at various stages of business: start up, growth and development. She also runs workshops for women in business and women in leadership roles.
