| As a female entrepreneur and retired United States | | | | time. Adopt a business mindset even if you work |
| Marine, I know what is needed to succeed in a man's | | | | from home. Family and friends would not call you if |
| world. Women business owners must stop thinking | | | | you worked for someone else just to chitchat. They |
| like a girl. Women are raised to be kind, giving, and | | | | would not ask you to stay home and watch a sick |
| modest. Women are pulled in a million directions and | | | | child or run an errand. Establish boundaries so your |
| often put themselves last. These traits work well | | | | family and friends stop abusing your time and energy. |
| when you are a mother and you are attempting to | | | | 6. Think Billable Hours. When attending networking |
| raise children that will become model citizens. | | | | events or attending business meetings learn to |
| However, in the business world women must stop | | | | balance the conversation between business, current |
| thinking like a girl and adopt a man's mindset. | | | | events, and personal. Think billable hours. You are |
| My ten tips will help you begin thinking like a man and | | | | attending the event to promote your business or |
| start running a profitable business. | | | | close a business deal. Use the time wisely. |
| 1. Make decisions based on facts not emotion. Stop | | | | 7. Ask for the sale or business. Stop procrastinating |
| feeling guilty. If a business you associate with or | | | | or being afraid of appearing pushy just ask for the |
| supplier is not fulfilling their contract or providing | | | | sale or business. Stop wasting the other person's |
| quality services stop allowing them to give you | | | | time. If you want to work with him or her state that |
| excuses. If friends or family want you to do | | | | and close the deal or let the person say "no" and you |
| something that is not a revenue producing activity | | | | will then know to move on. |
| and you know you need to be focused on revenue | | | | 8. Speak with Authority. Drop the whiney voice. Drop |
| producing activities don't feel guilty saying "no". Make | | | | the apologetic voice. State what you want or need |
| your decision based on facts and not emotion. | | | | clearly and with confidence. |
| 2. Negotiate. Do not be afraid to negotiate for a | | | | 9. Learn to say "No". Say "no" to things that you do |
| better deal. You know your budget and your | | | | not want to do or that you think are unjust. Do not |
| business. If you want something but cannot afford it | | | | apologize for saying "no". |
| - negotiate. If you think the price is unfair or unjust - | | | | 10. Be decisive and take action. Make decisions quickly |
| say so. | | | | and with authority. Stop sitting on the fence or being |
| 3. Lead your employees. Stop coddling your | | | | wishy washy because you do not want to hurt |
| employees and allowing them to walk all over you. | | | | feelings or you are scared of making a mistake. Make |
| Time is money. Lead your employees and expect | | | | your decision and follow through. Do not apologize |
| nothing but stellar work from them. Be seen as the | | | | for your decision. Make your decision and take action. |
| leader. Do not let them lead you. | | | | Women business owners do not run a profitable |
| 4. Demand Fair Compensation. Stop giving away your | | | | business when they do not run their business like a |
| services for free. Stop allowing clients to guilt you | | | | true business. It is time to stop thinking like a mother |
| into lowering your fees. Men would not do this. Men | | | | or best friend and time to adopt a man's mindset in |
| state their fees and expect to be paid. Do not be | | | | order to succeed in the business world. My ten tips |
| embarrassed by your fees. Do your homework and | | | | to stop thinking like a girl will aid you in growing your |
| know what similar professionals in your industry are | | | | business. When you speak with authority and adopt a |
| charging and expect to be compensated the same if | | | | man's mindset, you will close the sale on your terms. |
| not more depending upon your experience and skills. | | | | Remember, stop giving away your services for |
| 5. Boundaries. Establish boundaries for your time and | | | | free...no more free. |
| fees. Do not allow friends and family to abuse your | | | | |