Training small business owners can conduct

Author: Dr. Cheryl Cottle

In the article entitled: The acquisition of knowledge in business gives one a competitive edge, I wrote about the methods of training and development that larger companies and organizations use to train their employees and management staff. While these methods have been traditionally used by large companies and organizations, smaller companies and small business owners can also take example and integrate an education plan into their overall business vision. Similar to larger companies and organizations, small business owners can also develop an educational philosophy as a means to educate and develop themselves and their employee; and also create a culture of learning. Like your eco-friendly plan that shows your appreciation and dedication to the preservation of the planet; let your educational philosophy also reflect how you value your employees' development. Show your appreciation for the human side or the socio-business aspect of your business goals and vision. 

Larger organization focus on conducting several types of training to meet their organization's goals and small businesses, can too. Some of the training programs conducted include, product-based training, technical training, employee-task-based process-oriented training, psychosocial preparedness and customer-based training. 

Product-oriented training is designed to educate the employees who work in this area with the product that the organization or business focus on. For example a small business that focuses upon manufacturing bags and jewellery will need to teach their sales staff on how the product is made. Another business that deals with the production of cakes will also need to educate their staff on the type of products that goes into making each type of cakes — and similarly, if your business specializes in candle or soap making. These are just some examples that a small business may be engaged in. 

Process-oriented training is also critical to the growth of your business. Employees must be trained in the various processes that facilitate the operation of your company. Whether it is customer-services, marketing, production, shipping and handling, handling customer order; regardless of the process, employees must be taught how to, to ensure effectiveness. 

Technical training should also form part of your training and development program. Your employees require training on the technical processes of your business; and you too. If you are using computer based technologies to facilitate your business process, train your employees. When you purchase a new piece of technology make sure that you have a contract that covers repairs, parts, upgrades, online and direct management support and continuous training and development, from the provider. Make sure that you receive the product operational manual, and at the time of sale, make sure that your employees are a part of the adoption, and that training is a part of the implementation. 

Psychosocial preparedness training is also important to small businesses to ensure that your employees are able to make the transition, for example with the implementation of a change process. For example, the way that you manage your inventory might change from a non-computerized method to a computerized approach. Another change that may occur is that you might decide to incorporate a — point-of sale system for cashing and inventory management. With the advent of change, not all our employees easily embrace it. Some can be resistant, and if our employees are resisting it could have a devastating impact on our return of investment. What do you do if this happens? Or rather what do you do to prevent it and to make the transition smoothly? You might suggest firing that employee and hiring others. Remember though that the recruitment process could be very time consuming and costly. Your change management team, often recommend that you should include your employees as part of your decision making for the change, so that they will be familiar with the change when it is implemented. What this does, is that when it is implemented, the employee or employees will be prepared to accept it and run with it — so to speak. 

Psychological Preparedness Training is conducted to prepare your employees with the change, particularly those who might be or are resistant to the change to see the importance and value of the change process. You can also conduct psychological preparedness training with your customers, particularly if you introduced a new way of doing business. For example, you might have introduced a new way of shopping and payment — like online shopping. 

Customer-service training is also a key training type that you should engage in for the sustainability of your business, regardless of its size. Great customer service skills help you to establish a good customer-relationship with your clientele — and it is very crucial to the management of your business. Your clients are who keep your business growing and developing. It is that part of our business that is people-focused and is the heart beat of your business entity. You therefore must learn how to communicate and interact with them. It is important to know how you form relationships with them and keep and maintain them. 

Customer’s services training can focus on how you communicate. How you talk to your customers. What you might say. How you respond to inquiries face-to-face, over the telephone or through email. There are other ways that we can interact with our customers’ particular in this day of social media and blogging. Integrating social media and having a business blog are two great ways to reach your clients and build a relationship with them. For some small business owner, these technologies are quite daunting, and many are resisting integrating it into their business; and for those who have, there is a learning curve. Enhance your knowledge in this area by taking a course or you can recruit someone to specifically perform this task within your business. Customer service is also about respect and how you value the "other". In addition, it is also about having and showing love and compassion to them. I will like to recommend that you introduce an element of spirituality into you business so that it becomes a part of your business philosophy and business culture. 

A small business owner may ask why I need to conduct so many different types of training; I am not a large corporation. Yes, I agree that you are not a large corporation, but as a small company you also engage in the same business activities as larger ones; only at a smaller scale. You are also involved in the production of your goods and or services. You also engage in marketing and promoting your product or services to your customer base. You are also involved in building your personal brand and your business brand, as well as conducting research and development. You may also think about expanding your market either locally or internationally. Regardless of the size of your entrepreneurial venture you will need to conduct some level of training and or some type of training. Training is generally conducted on-site and off -site using other facilities, including higher educational facilities like private consultants and trainers, colleges and universities. In addition, how the training is approached is also significant to the adoption strategy. Training can either be employee-focused but organization – supported, or it can be organization-initiated. As a small business owner you can decide which approach best meet your budget's needs.

The Acquisition of Knowledge in Business gives one a Competitive Edge

Author: Dr. Cheryl Cottle

Customer training and education is a great business strategy for business owners to get customers and to keep them coming back. Do you think that it is important that as business people, training and education is also important to the sustainability of your business? Do you engage in on-going learning about business development, and what methods do you use to develop best business practice?

As an educator, entrepreneur trainer, an expert in the implementation of computer technology in the workplace, as well as an entrepreneur, I strongly believe that the acquisition of knowledge gives a business owner a competitive edge in the market place. 

The market place is an ever evolving place with new and emerging ways to do business, and if one has to sustain his or her business he or she must overcome the challenges by keeping abreast of best practices to circumvent any pitfalls. Having that piece of new information over your competitor, will give you your advantage. Like large organizations, training and development is an ongoing activity for employees, managers as well as people in upper management. Large organizations generally have a budget allocated to the development of their employees and often offer many incentives to facilitate education and training. Similarly, small businesses should also engage in education and development. The budget that they allocate may not be as much as larger companies and organization, but it is imperative that they do so. 

Training and development should be a part of your business plan. They should be integrated into your overall design plan and must not be regarded as an afterthought. A proactive approach to training and development will keep you updated on new knowledge that comes out in the market place, and help you to adapt more easily and quickly to any changes. 

Training is inherently the acquisition of knowledge and skills needed to perform present tasks that are vital to the operation of the various processes of your company. Training is a tool to help you to employees and managers contribute to the company and be successful in their current positions by meeting the required expectations, contribute to the company's growth and development, experience a high degree of success and attain a degree of job satisfaction (Cottle, 2003). It is a retooling and or retraining strategy that facilitates the successful implementation of the integrated systems designed to facilitate the operation of the business. 

Development on the other hand is the acquisition of knowledge and skills used in the present and in the future. It is the prerequisite to help employees meet new challenges and ensure the long-term health and vitality of a business. It is the core of which helps a business to achieve its short-term as well as its long-term vision and growth. It facilitates an organization's or business sustainability. It is what gives you a competitive edge in this era of global economies, global competition, and advance technology. 

Training and development are very important for the successful development of a company or business. It is the energy that sustains it; and it is crucial tool for meeting the economic changes taking place globally. Businesses and organization must put in place a policy for education; training and development to build its knowledge-base. Managing the intellectual capacity of your company is one sure way of being in readiness to exploit and absorbs when new market changes emerge. It enable you to maintain the proverbial saying — a competitive edge in the market place. In addition, it also facilitates the advancement of employee’s marketability. What that means is that within your sector and industry, your employees would be known to be proficient and effective. In other words they will be regarded as "high caliber" employee, thus increasing your employees’ marketability and your business visibility as a competitor to be reckoned with. 

Business owners as well as their employees should engage in education and training. Developing the intellectual capacity of your business so that you can be better positioned to exploit new ways of doing business. It would also enable you to have a greater impact on the absorptive capacity of your company. You will therefore be better able to take on new challenges, exploit new markets, exploit new products, as well as expand your client base and attract new employees and investors. 

In regards to methods of learning, there are many approaches to knowledge acquisition. You can use both formal and informal learning methodologies. Training can also be conducted in-house or at a private institution. You can also utilize your own in- house trainers; the guru among you, as well as source external trainers who will come in and design and deliver a training program specifically to your needs. In addition, you can also access knowledge from books, journals, magazine, and various online forums. I will like to share a quote by Brian Tracy, who says:

Those people who develop the ability to continuously acquire new and better forms of knowledge that they can apply to their work and to their lives will be the movers and shakers in our society for the indefinite future.

I must end by saying that I can identify with Tracy’s quote; I do believe that the business owner with knowledge; new and emerging knowledge can indeed be a great exemplar as an entrepreneur. 

Reference:
A Case Study of Three Organizations' Plans to Facilitate the Adoption, Diffusion and Infusion of Computer Technology in the Workplace, 2003 ( A Doctoral Dissertation, Dr. Cheryl Cottle, Robarts Library, University of Toronto

What is passion? How important is it to business success?

Author: Dr. Cheryl Cottle

Passion is the fire that ignites us and inspires us to achieve our goals, is my belief. It is what causes us to create and to be productive. It is an emotion when ignited absorbs us and causes us to lead from the perspective of belief and love. Love, enthusiasm, commitment, and dedication are the energies that manifest the emotion of passion within us. You believe in it and therefore you can do it. Passion is what gives us the confidence to transcend all obstacles and gain triumph and success in what ever venture we undertake. 

Passion is an emotion that encompasses every venture a person takes on — and it is evident in every facet of our lives. I have experienced passion  in the academe, in my pursuit of a hobby, in art, in my love for reading; and other things that I like. Passion is also associated to other activities that a person pursues including, boating, fishing, medicine, mountain climbing, cycling, fashion designer, real estate, writing, journaling, gardening, walking, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, or any interest that you may have and is dedicated and committed to. Dedication and commitment are two values that drive us to see a project to completion or to keep it alive.

While passion is an integral force behind our success in whatever endeavor we take on, the focus of this paper is how passion facilitates entrepreneurship. Passion is commonly linked to entrepreneurship. It is generally linked to the individual who works for himself or herself. It is generally applied to what makes an individual a successful entrepreneur. For example the solo entrepreneur who is the entrepreneur, manager and creator of the product or services; the individual who holds three hats, is generally asked how do you do it? Or how have you done it? It is a question that one asks a person who performs a great feat— how did you do it? What is the thread that binds him or her to work steadfastly in spite of challenges that confronts your path? Passion is often tied into such an individual, but passion can also be associated to organizations. Do large organizations encourage their employees to be passionate? Are employees expected to be passionate? Does an employee with passion for the organization provide added-value to the company? Is he or she more productive?

Organizations will find that if their employees have a passion for the organization’s philosophy and goals, their growth potential will increase. How employees are perceived by management is important to the organization’s productivity and bottom line at the end of the year. It is important to the overall management and operation of the organization. How employees feel when they belong to an organization is of paramount importance to the success of a company.

Organizations should take a look at their organization’s culture. They should examine the type of organization’s culture that is fostered by the management style and the structure of the organization. Organization’s strategies to facilitate growth and development must not only focus on productivity and operations, but also on the human factor – the employees. How employees’ feel about the workplace helps to facilitate passion within an employee. Workplace strategies that therefore facilitate employee feeling of belongings, and employee’s commitment will foster employee’s passion to belong. (Cottle, 2003). 

How much of what you do is driven by passion? How important is passion in the success of women businesses? How do these two questions apply to you and the growth and success of your business? Passion is what is needed to stay competitive in the market place. It is the ingredient that enables you to stand out from the other businesses in your business sector, and what creates your business success. Passion is the human element that binds the small business owner with his or her employees and invites the customers to engage in a transaction that is of benefit to all. 

As a business person, the overall burden of the management generally rest upon you, the owner. You are several things to the company; the entrepreneur, mangers, and the creative force behind the business. It is easy to become burn-out just weeks after embarking upon a new business venture and the business can collapse. Having deep passion for your business idea is what keeps you going when things get difficult. It is what makes a difference in you closing your business prematurely or keeping your doors open.

Passion also impacts how your customers respond to your product or service. If people perceive that you are passionate about what you do, they too will become passionate about it. You must love what you do, so that others will trust you. They will also appreciate and value what you do. According to a business woman that I spoke with about how important is passion to the success of her business, said that passion makes you unstoppable. She added that loving what you do, makes it effortless. 

Passion therefore gives you the determination to work at what you set out to do in an easy enjoyable way. It also gives you the drive to overcome all things that may look insurmountable. Success is therefore the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Passion enables you to build your customer base. When you speak with passion about your product or services, you convince and capture your target audience. You can make them believe in what you do and so gain their support for your business. Passion enables you to sell your brand. If you did not believe in it, you cannot sell it. Belief facilitates conviction, and that leads to credibility, authenticity and trust – thus leading to greater client-base.

Passion drives belief and gets rid of self-doubt: Generally women entrepreneurs work alone due to diverse reason; either she does not have the resources to employ others and in some cases if she has employees, she is also the manager of her business and therefore has to provide leadership to her team of employees. To do it alone or working with others, requires that an owner/manager must have passion in order to grow her business. As a sole business person, you are the engine required to facilitate the overall operation of your company. You are the sole intellectual resource available to drive your company. 

Passion is very important when you do not have a team of experts within your company to carry out the many processes and operations, but you are the all encompassing intellectual wheel to manage and grow your company. Having passion goes a long way in time of doubts and during challenging moments like slow times, strategic planning, problem solving, and overall decision making. These are the times when a sole entrepreneur needs to have something greater than entrepreneurial skills, management skills and creativity. Passion is the seed that binds them all and facilitates success in business. It is what makes you “unstoppable." Passion also powers ones efficiency and effectiveness. It also engenders perfection and completeness. With passion an individual is able to achieve maximum performance regardless of the area. Passion generally fuels creativity and achievements.

One business women with whom I spoke to regarding having passion in business, said that, "I think it’s incredibly important that women are passionate about what they do. The world notices someone on fire for a cause, regardless of whatever the cause might be."Another business woman, with whom I spoke too on the topic of passion and its significance to entrepreneurship, has confirmed that passion is the core ingredient to success as an entrepreneur and in the pursuit of whatever venture. She noted that someone who is passionate about what they do (as an entrepreneur), not only furthers their business, but also encourages anyone who joins their team to be the same. She also added that "passion motivates us to move forward, to share our thoughts hopes and dreams with everyone around us, no matter whom we are or where we are from. Passion breeds excitement and joy which turns into zeal; and we all know what a zealous person can do". She adds that “we must learn to bridle the passion so as to keep us focused on the result and not overwhelm those around us: We want them to grasp the concept of our business and experience it for themselves.” 

Passion also has the ability to transcend you and ignite others in your environment. It is energy that is osmotic, and infuses others; not deliberately but through gradual absorption. Another business woman says that “when you are passionate about what you do, the people with whom you speak to about what you do, also feel it.” "They can identify with what you are saying. The connection that you create is what enables your business success." While another adds, “having passion is what enables your love for your work. It is what makes you the best worker in the world. When you love what you do, you will do all your best to succeed and move forward. I believe that when a business person can say; with passion, I can be successful in any business; and I am passionate in what I can offer my clients. I love what I do. That is powerful.” 

I will therefore end with these two quotations by Ralph Waldo Emerson: 

One of the biggest challenges in life is not to let yourself or anyone stand in your way of what matters, and bring passion to your life.

Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. 

I will like to end with this question to my readers? How much of what you do is driven by passion? How important is passion in the success of your business? How do these two questions apply to you and the growth and success of your business? 

This article was first written on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 Was modified on: Thursday, December-18-14 

Meaningful Living: What is it and how can we achieve it?

Many individuals strive to attain meaningful living, but have not been able to fully achieve it or to actually achieve it. It seems as if it evades most people and only a selected few can truly say that they are living a life that is meaningful. What is meaningful living has to be defined as a place in one's life, where one arrives at — that is no longer mundane, but it has meaning. It is a state of being where the individual fully enjoys each day that is gifted to them, and find gratitude and contentment in living each day to the fullest. 

Last year I explored this topic of "meaningful living" by introducing a segment on my online radio show Women in Business Radio and I interviewed three women who were willing to share their perception of what meaningful living means to them, and how she has achieved it. In order to gain a full understanding of the phenomenon, I generated a series of questions to couch this modern day concept.

These are the questions that were generated: 

1. What exactly is meaningful living? What does it look like — what are some things that we see and feel? 
2. You are an entrepreneur, living a life that is meaningful — how does that make you feel given that you are doing what you love? 
3. How important is support to arrive at that place where you can live a life of meaning? Or is it something that you can do it alone? 
4. Do we always need to always experience an adversity in order to get to that stage of development whereby our lives become meaningful? What are some of the benefit you gained? What were some things that we learn about ourselves? 
5. Is it an easy road to transition from? Or may I say, from meaninglessness to meaningfulness? 
6. If your life seems useless, with every day the same mundane happens, do you give up or do you look for alternative solution? Will that help you find a path that is meaningful? 
7. Does looking inwardly and reflecting help us to find that life path? Or is it some thing deeper, like being spiritually gifted or it just simply is innate for some?
8. Do you think that to achieve meaningful living, one has to be mature and experienced or can it come much younger? 
9. How important is the role of society or community in facilitating one's search for meaning and the acquisition of meaningful living?
10. Do you think that one must have love for something, passion and commitment to achieve success? 
11. You had a love for self and passion for living and doing what you love? What are some things you have done to achieve it? 
12. Do you think that self-confidence, high self-worth and self-love have anything to do with achieving this state of being? 
13. Do you meet a lot of people who have experienced meaningful living? 
14. What recommendation (s) will you give to someone who will like to achieve that life path?

Some of the lessons learned were:

1. We learned that there is consistency in the meaning of meaningful living — in that when we are living a meaningful life we live a life where we see our world through the lenses of love and compassion. Where we are connected to the world and the people in it; and where "me-ism" does not exist. The individual also lives a life of love, and passion and compassion, doing what she or he loves and that which is not driven by wealth or money, but the foci is in creating and empowering others
2. Meaningful living can be attained by anyone, but it is also identified as a state of being that one may arrive at after experiencing a spiritual transformation after going through experience that has been very traumatic — through a discovery passage, but one can also achieve it because it is innate. 
3. We also learned that to live meaningfully, we must find something that we love, and that it should also be an endeavor that will help to build or empower others to grow and to strive.
4. We also learned that whatever you choose to do, you should also have passion and commitment towards it, so that it will continue to absorb you and ignite your creativity and love within you.
5. We also learned that age is not a factor in one's achievement of living a life that is meaningful. Some might experience it at a more mature stage in their lives while others may achieve it in their youth. A lot depend on ones awareness. 
6. We also learn the role that self-love, self-worth, high self-confidence and high self-esteem have to do with one achieving meaningful living.
7. And we also learned the importance of having the love and support from others in your environment; and how that love nurtures your transition..
8. And lastly the importance of forgiveness — the forgiveness of self and others.

These are some of the lessons learned about meaningful living. You can listen to the pod casts provided here to follow the interview between myself and guests on Women in Business Radio on the segment that looks at " meaningful living: What it is and can we achieve it? 
 

From the Editor
 
Check Out Business Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with Dr Cheryl Cottle on BlogTalkRadio

Check Out Business Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with Dr Cheryl Cottle on BlogTalkRadio

Creating a workspace for your home-based business

Author: Dr. Cheryl Cottle

While most entrepreneurs will agree that creating a space dedicated to your home-based business is critical, some still continue to function in an informal way rather than create a formal environment with office equipment, furniture, and the overall feel and layout of a professional space. Separating your home life from your work life provides you with the mental separateness and acquity required to run and manage a home-based business. 

Regardless of the type of business you are in, if you work from home you will need a space for your business operation. You can use a small nook or a room that you dedicate to your work. Some common spaces used by my clients include working from their kitchen table, converting a closet into an office, working from their attic, garage, basement, or converting a bedroom. One of my client created a sewing studio that doubles as her DIY video production set. Another client is a yoga instructor and uses her living room area as a studio, while yet another client has converted his basement into a top-of-the-line recording studio. 

Here are a few reminders why creating a dedicated space for your business is beneficial: 

1.  A home office puts you in the right mindset for working and creating, by making you feel grounded and provides the right climate for you to focus It is easier to block out distractions, therefore increasing your productivity 
2. It is a place where you can organize and easily access your work material and resources 
3. It enables you to threat your entrepreneurial venture as a business instead of a hobby
4. It enables your children and family members to see what you are doing as a serious undertaking, therefore creating greater respect and acknowledgement for your job 

 These reminders have worked for me and my clients, perhaps they can work for you. They just might make working from home a more rewarding and profitable experience. 

This article was first written by Dr. Cheryl Cottle and copyrighted © 2011 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle ● Cottle’s Professional Consulting.

Expanding your Marketplace: Taking your Business Global

Author: Dr. Cheryl Cottle 

Entrepreneurs regardless of gender need to be thinking about taking their business global regardless of geography. Canadian business women for example should think of taking her business from her tiny enclave within the province she lives in to neighboring communities and to other provinces overall. In addition to this level of expansion, she can also take her business global to other countries across the globe. The same applies to women in business in the USA. You can exploit the marketplace by going outward from your small community to others and extending to other States; as well as expanding into other parts of the world. Similarly, women business owners from other parts of the globe including the Caribbean, for example can also expand their market to other parts of the Caribbean, into Europe, North America, Latin and South America, Africa, India, and China to name a few of the world's market.
 
In today’s global economies with the advent of computer technology, the internet and social media, you must change, or you will be forever left behind; and this is not a cliche: It is a fact. Businesses regardless of size must get onto the bandwagon of technology. You no longer need a mobile phone and a fax machine; you also need a website, e-mail, access to the internet over all, and high speed internet connection. Technology is here and it is here to stay. With the advent of computer based technology business has become more competitive, but it has also provided people with greater opportunity to leverage what they can do ― their services and products. If you are also into selling your product and you will like to take your product and services to a wider market, then you will have to think about integrating e-commerce into your business strategy. This allows your customers, regardless of their geographical location, time, and currency exchange, to access your product and make a purchase. 

What technology, the internet and social media have done for the entrepreneur?

1. It has opened up connections and removed the barriers between individuals in different countries and continents who want to trade with each other. 
2. You can easily conduct a detailed search of a company so that you know with whom you are doing business.
3.  If you are looking for that special product or services, a search of the internet can put you in direct contact with the best in the market. 
4. The internet and computer-based technologies enable you to do business twenty four hours a day from where ever you are in the world and with whom you want to. 
5. It also enables you to make contact with people with whom you might never have met. 
6. The internet also puts you in direct contact with your supplier, or buyer thus reducing cost and time as in traditional business transaction.
7. Essentially the internet removes national boundaries thus opening a global gate-way to commerce. 

The advice that I will give to small and micro business owners, particularly those with a special commodity, is to extend your market globally, regardless of where you are located geographically. You will no longer be stuck in your small village in a remote part of a third world country relying only upon some of the local people to buy from you. Or perhaps a foreign visitor, who by chance has come face to face with your work, or that foreign agent who promises to take your work internationally claiming to give you international acclaim; and often times never seeing them again after entrusting them with some of your best pieces of creations. Accessing the internet and the technology available will provide you with the tools to take your business global.

I will also like to advice small business owners and micro business owners, the time has come to adopt some structure and formality to your business, if you are expected to achieve maximum benefit from the technologies available to the twenty first century entrepreneur. I will like to recommend that you do the following:

• Register your business
• Give your business a name. 
• See your entrepreneurial venture as a business and not a hobby
• If possible trade mark your product. Create a signature emblem of your work
• Create some marketing material for your work including business cards, flyers or brochures is a great place to start
• Get a telephone number associated to your business
• Open a business account
• Get a social media account 
• Build an online presence
• Let people know you and your work. Brand your work and you
• Get exposure through your local radio programs, television and newspaper
• Attend local craft shows and community events
• Join your local Chambers of Commerce

These are some things that you can do to gain visibility and be known for your product.

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This article was first written and published by Dr. Cheryl Cottle in 2010. It has been revised for this publication.

WIB - - International Women’s Day Event: Successfully Forging a Livelihood through Entrepreneurship

Dr. Cheryl Cottle, the founder and administrator of Women in Business decided to host an International Women's Day broadcast in 2014 to celebrate the accomplishment of this auspicious occasion and to show solidarity to the women who has been in the forefront in making it possible for women today to be a part of the arts, sports, politics, the workplace, in upper management positions, science, engineering and technology and entrepreneurship.

To celebrate International Women's Day Dr. Cheryl Cottle, the host of Women Business, the online aspect of her consulting company that consisted of over 10, 500+ women entrepreneurs with some members who have not yet created their own business and with others who are passionately interested in entrepreneurship, either as an academic study, research, or as a plausible option as a vocation in the future. Today, the group’s membership has grown to 15, 000 and continues to grow. The event was called "Successfully Forging a Livelihood through Entrepreneurship" to celebrate the members of Women in Business (an online group) who have been successful business women in their own right.

The group consist of women from every business sector and industry and women from across the globe. It is multicultural in its composition, transcending, race, class, culture, socio-economic background, age, religion, sexual orientation, education and crossing many geographical boundaries and borders. Women in Business, is truly a group about women entrepreneurship and women empowerment. It is a reflection of what represents and what we can be. It reflects that we can all reach the glass ceiling and be the CEO of our own enterprise. The group also has men a part of its membership. Dr. Cottle felt that the group should also include men, because they often form part of the body involved in policy making and forming legislation. They are also our family members; our husbands, sons, brothers, and friends. In addition, many men provide services or products that women use.

The celebration of International Women's Day was designed as a "marathon broadcast" to run from Monday to Friday and celebrating members of Women in Business who form part of a panel. Each panellist responded to questions that were asked by the host and their responses ideally speak to her entrepreneurial journey, experience, the vision of herself, and vision of entrepreneurship. Through this format Dr. Cottle celebrates the achievement of women in finding social and economic independence — a struggle that took several decades to achieve.

In keeping with the theme for last year's International Women's Day "Equality for women is progress for all" Dr. Cottle felt that this was a great way to honour the successes of the women who lead and achieved the equality of women, and the economic and social development of women globally. Dr. Cottle's initial International Women's Day idea for celebrating International Women's Day was that each of the members of her group should write about their role and involvement as an entrepreneur and state how they can contribute to motivating and inspiring other women who are entrepreneurs, but is having problems negotiating their way successfully to stay focused on their goals.

Below are some of the guidelines the participants were expected to follow:

1. 1. Why we choose to get into business and how it has helped us to gain financial independence?
2. Has it brought joy and happiness to your lives?
3. What is the name of our business, how long we have been in business, and who our target audience is (just some background).
4. Where you will like to see your business in the next 5 years?
5. What are the challenges that you faced?
6. If you had to do it all over again, would you do it again?
7. How has your business empowered you?
8. What are your thoughts on how women entrepreneurs can help each other at a local level and as a global level?

These questions basically addressed eight issues, but 4 to 8 were intended to probe deeper to capture the thoughts and ideas and generate a more in depth understanding of the processes involved. How can women entrepreneurs have a positive impact on women entrepreneurship at the local or community and at a global level? After much thinking about what International Women's Day is, and what it means to her and what the significance of it is, in today's contemporary society? Dr. Cottle felt that “it serves as a catalyst for change and an inspiration to continue the legacy of our forerunner for us to maintain, support and foster women's liberation; both economical and social.” Dr. Cottle felt that these questions were great, and if shared by all of our members would be very effective and it would indeed be informative, educational and empowering.

In spite of its effect, Dr. Cottle came up with the idea of implementing a "marathon radio broadcast", through which she formed a panel of speakers to participate in. It was hoped that the medium would be more effective than text. She felt that audio sounds, access to listening, and the whole conversational approach to sharing about how as entrepreneurs, we can contribute to the development of women all over the globe, would be more impacting. One of the deeper questions that were addressed was similar to that in the group — how as women entrepreneurs can we continue the legacy that those who have come before, achieved?

On the Saturday, one week after the first activity was implemented, with only a few days before the International Women’s Day on the 8 March, 2013, Dr. Cottle formalized the event and identified the logistics of its design. She put a call out for participants/women to join me on the panel, and had made a direct request to others whom she had worked with previously, and felt that they would like to be a part of her project. The support she received was overwhelming. She was successful in getting the support from many of the women she had already worked with in different capacity, and at the same time was able to recruit women from her group with whom she had never worked with before. International Women’s Day was going to be celebrated through a “marathon radio broadcast” entitled “Successfully Forging a Livelihood through Entrepreneurship". 

The event was designed as a week's broadcast where the focus was on — how as entrepreneurs her members could contribute to the furthering of the social and economic achievement of the women who were a part of the movement of change over 10 decades ago. The event was broadcast from Monday to Friday, and on each day, a panel of women formed a part of the forum to address International Women's Day and to celebrate the members of her group through the programme "Successfully Forging a Livelihood through Entrepreneurship". 

The design approach used for this event was very relaxed and conversational. Several questions were addressed as we went along each day, Dr. Cottle points out. She also points out that “the participants were not asked the same questions; but very conversationally, we moved on to the next question the panel before had stopped at.” “There were some questions that were repeated each day to situate the discussion, and to provide context for it so that a person listening in could follow quite easily. The first question asked was: What does International Women's Day means to you? How does it resonates with you? As an entrepreneur, how can we support and promote it?"

Radio Description: Join us as Dr. Cheryl Cottle celebrates International Women's Day. Dr. Cheryl Cottle is the host of Women in Business Radio and the founder and administrator of Women in Business; she is hosting an International Women's Day broadcast to celebrate the accomplishment of this auspicious occasion and to show solidarity to the women who has been in the forefront in making it possible for women today to be a part of the arts, sports, the workplace, politics, upper management and entrepreneurs.

The event was called "Successfully Forging a Livelihood through Entrepreneurship" to celebrate the members of Women in Business who have been successful business women in their own way. By using this format I hope to celebrate the achievement of women in finding social and economic independence — a struggle that took several decades to achieve. In keeping with the theme for this year's International Women's Day "Equality for women is progress for all" I feel that this is a great way in honouring their success. The group consist of over 10, 500+ women from every business sectors and industries from across the globe.

The Daily Broadcast: From Monday to Friday, our broadcast will celebrate women entrepreneurship. Each panellist will share her point-of-views to the questions that are posed to the panel.

On the first day other issues that were addressed included:

1. What can women entrepreneurs do to foster greater collaboration from a local or community level and from an international perspective?
2. How has entrepreneurship benefited your life?
3. What is its role in alleviating the lives of women overall?
4. What are some suggestions you can provide to women now thinking about getting into entrepreneurship?

The panel consisted of: Inez Bracy and V Lynn Hawkins were on the panel. Member calling in to the programming was Titilayomi Khadijah Shonubi from London England, but is a native of Nigeria. 

On the second day of the broadcast, Dr. Cottle opened with the first question again, and addressed the issues of:

1. Do you think it is a vocation that some one coming out of college or university should pursues?
2. Why do you have such a passion for entrepreneurship?
3. What are some challenges and pitfalls one can experience as she embarks on a journey of entrepreneurship?
4. What does entrepreneurship has to do with empowerment?

The panel consisted of: V Lynn Hawkins and Yvette-Michelle Cottle Darby sat on the panel and shared their point-of-views. 

On the third day, Dr. Cottle continued the conversation by repeating the first question to situate the discussion. To establish it was a discussion around, International Women's Day and how women who have successfully forged a livelihood through entrepreneurship contribute in maintaining, supporting and fostering the legacy left to us by women — women who have fought throughout the decades to achieve economic and political changes — women who were responsible for seeing more women entering the field of the arts, sports, politics, holding upper management positions, science, engineering and technology, and entrepreneurship. 

Dr. Cottle started off with the first question again, followed by questions that addressed:

1. Who should be responsible for educating the next generation of entrepreneurs?
2. Do you think that entrepreneurship has the capability to maintain the independence that women have gained through the decades?
3. The potential of entrepreneurship as a possible solution to some of the problems that women currently faced globally?

The panel consisted of: Reverend Valeria Pearson and Amanda Willett

The fourth day also saw the discussion opening up with the first issue, followed by who should be responsible for educating the future women entrepreneurs. After these issues were address, we progressed to:

1. How has entrepreneurship changed your life?
2. How do you think it can change other women's life?
3. What types of initiatives will change the lives of women entrepreneurs at the local and community level and at the global level, and last but not least.

The panel consisted of: Ginny Presley Robertson, Christine Catoggio, and Dr. Sylvia LeFair composed of the panel.

The fifth day saw six women on the call. The panel consisted of 4 women, and we were joined by two other women. “It was wonderful to have the level of participation and the quality of sharing: Dr. Cottle reflectively stated. She started again with the first issue, followed by the issue of, who should be responsible for educating the next generation of entrepreneurs? Followed by:

1.  What type of initiative should be implemented to help women entrepreneurs at the local and community level as well as at an international level? 
2. How can women entrepreneurs at a global level find ways to support each other businesses?
3. How can a business network help to facilitate greater collaboration and greater profitability, through knowledge sharing and market expansion?

The panel consisted of: Judy Hoberman, Carol Koffinke, Laura Madden, Rosalie Moscoe, and Robin from Canada called in after the conversation started. 

Methodology: Fifteen questions were generated to situate the topic discussed and formed the schedule of questions. They were designed to “informs the way we look at the role of entrepreneurs in furthering the legacy that the women who fought for women's freedom from discrimination, inequality, the rights to vote, education, child support, health care, occupation health and safety conditions in the workplace, and other social concerns”, Dr. Cottle reminded me. This schedule of questions guided the discussion and kept it focused, she noted. These are the questions that comprised the schedule of questions:

These are some of the background questions that all of the participants were expected to respond to. 

1. What is the name of your business?
2. How long have you been in business?
3. Who are your clients?
4. What are your services or product?
5. Why did you choose to create a business?
6. If you had to do it again, will you and why?

Here are the questions that scaffold the topic addressed, in order to identify the issues that couched the discussion. These questions were generated by Dr. Cottle during the course of designing the event. They were designed in order to deconstruct; how women can utilize entrepreneurship to forge a livelihood; as well as to generate and ignite pride in entrepreneurship, and be seen as a vehicle for a woman's economic transformation, as well as a way to achieve her social and psychological well-being. 

1. What does International Women’s Day means to you? How does it resonate with you? As entrepreneurs, how can we support and promote it?
2. What will you like to see happen among women entrepreneurs to facilitate greater collaboration from a community, local and international level?
3. Do you think that entrepreneurship has benefited your life and how will it help women globally to be entrepreneurs — particularly women who are living in abuse, violence and poverty? What recommendations will you give to them?
4. Do you have any suggestions for any woman thinking about getting into business?
5. We have women who have graduated from college and universities at different levels of education and are having problems finding employment, as we know it traditionally — would you suggest entrepreneurship? What are some pitfalls they may experience and how can they circumvent them?
6. What do you love about entrepreneurship, that if you had to do it over again, you will? 
7. How has entrepreneurship brought you empowerment? Can you speak to that a little?
8. Do you believe that as entrepreneurs we are carrying the mantel of change of those who has been our forerunners in the advocacy for social justice and equality; and as a result we are ensuring that our human rights are respected and valued? 
9. Do you think that entrepreneurship should be taught to the next generation of women and young girls? Do you think it should be a government initiative or should women entrepreneurs take the lead to educate the next generation of entrepreneurs?
10. Do you think that entrepreneurship will help women to maintain the independence that they (women) have gained thus far; as reflected in the achievement of women towards equality and social justice? Do you think that entrepreneurship helps to alleviate or can be a possible solution to some of the problems that women currently face globally?
11. In what ways has entrepreneurship changed your life? In what ways do you think it can change other women’s life?
12. What types of initiatives do you think that as an entrepreneur will help women-owned businesses at the community, local and international level?
13. How can women on a global level find ways to support each other businesses?
14. Do you think that a Business Network will help in assisting each other to grow our businesses and each other?
15. What do you think of a business cooperative or engaging in collaborative activities that will help us?

The objective of the event: .

1. To provide an opportunity for women entrepreneurs to think at a deeper level, how they see themselves as carrying the mantel of change from those who has been our forerunners in the advocacy for social justice and equality; ensuring that our human rights are respected and valued.
2. To develop in others a sense of ownership for women's liberalizing achievement.
3. To spread a sense of awareness of what International Women's Day is, and what it means?
4. It was also intended for women to think deeper as to how they can maintain and further the achievement of women's struggle for independence, and that it is a battle that still has to be fought and be mindful that it will not repeat itself.
5. To bring about an awareness that International Women's Day is an achievement of all women, although when it first began it was led by women in the United States and Europe, but by the year 2000 other women from other parts of the world were included, including women from China, India, Mongolia, Uganda, Laos, Vietnam, Zambia, Cuba, to list some of the other parts of the world were included, in the achievement.
6. For women entrepreneurs to see themselves in a valuable and important role in maintaining the social and economic development and that we are a part of that struggle to eradicate; inequalities, injustices, gender inequalities, better health conditions, education, employment, pay equity, to list some of the social conditions we would love to maintain.
7. To provide a forum for women entrepreneurs to think deep and brain storm, how we can make a difference in the lives of women locally and at the community level and at the international level.
8. To identify that any change we would like to see enacted at an international level is possible with the advent of technology; the internet and social media.

There were many lessons that were learned: Namely that the women who participated realized that as women entrepreneurs:

1.  It was important that women took the message from International Women's Day as a "formal reminder to women that we have a lot to offer to the world, and therefore it is our responsibility to deliver what we can offer. It is understood that we can make this world a better place by offering wonderful things that we can do. . . . and that we should be mindful that in our stance for advocating change, we "must step out of the path and present ourselves from an "empowered standpoint" and not as "victims".
2. Identify that we are "trial-blazers and is therefore responsible for helping the women entrepreneurs coming up, to be role models.
3. They are "unstoppable" and that they had the power to facilitate change.
4. They also saw that the role and responsibility of educating the next generation of women entrepreneurs were theirs to do, although they realized that they would need the funding support of the government to do so.
5. They also realized that both the government and they can work collaboratively to ensure that the next generation of women entrepreneurs are trained and developed.
6. They also believe that girls should be exposed early to entrepreneurship in schools, suggesting that it should be taught from kindergarten through grade 12 into college and university.
7. They believe that girls can be taught that there is an option in the choices that they have to choose a vocation.
8. They also believe that the responsibilities lies with them to carry on the mantel of change to ensure what the women before has achieved through their advocacy, struggles and campaign.
9. They also believe that if certain initiatives are implemented at both the local and international level, change can take place at community level, international level or intercontinental level. It was suggested that local chapters be made of organizations to encourage networking not from a business-oriented perspective in terms of how to get more business but in terms of business leadership and self-development. 
10. It has been accepted that the women entrepreneurs from the more developed countries or national of the world can work with women entrepreneurs from the less developing and developing countries of the world; and that technology has made it very possible and in real-time.
11. It was suggested that a group coaching networking forum that involves master-minding, brain-storming, and networking and consisting of like-minded women will serve to encourage and support entrepreneurship at an international level; and that technology has made it possible to reach out across borders.

The event also provided an opportunity for the women to get to know each other. Thus friendship was born and greater opportunity for networking was forged.• Overall the panel was relaxed. Many of the women would laugh and as they participated they also got familiar with each others name. Turn-Taking started with some hiccups, but with time each participant knew when to take cues from the host and each other, and it went along fine without much problems.

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I believe that women can be more independent and that education plays a pivotal role in women’s independence. She believes that this education needs to be grounded in the basics and should include applied skills training, in order to facilitate positive changes in attitudes. An educational structure that helps build self-confidence, self-esteem and positive self-concept will serve as catalysts to transform women and help them to reach their full potential. She believes that global educational approaches that include these tenets can have a positive impact on social, economic and political change. ~ Dr. Cheryl Cottle

Women in Business Meet and Greet

2014 marked the first time that Women in Business has held its first face-to-face meeting after its initial implementation as an online group in 2008. Our first Meet and Greet was hosted in Toronto, Canada and our second event was hosted in Barrie, in Ontario Canada.

I just thought that I will share a little about the event. It was intended to:

• Be a great event where women can meet to talk in a non-threatening environment and non-competitive way on how to take her business forward
• She could share her challenges and before she leaves would have sound solutions that she could take to change it
• It also provide her with the opportunity to network with a group of women who believes that entrepreneurship is empowering, as well as form long-lasting friendships and be a part of a support network that is dedicated to uplifting each other and building each other entrepreneurial vision
• It was a great opportunity to meet other business women for a few hours dedicated to our education and empowerment. We do need some "girls' time-out" — it is invaluable time for our personal and professional development as well as our business growth and development. Let's make it a day where you can ask questions that have  been challenging you and leave at the end of the day feeling resolved that you have found some workable solutions to take your business to a sustainable position.
• It would be an opportunity to connect with each other, share about our businesses and form long-lasting friendship
• It promised to be an afternoon of sharing and the opportunity to be inspired by other women who have taken on entrepreneurship as a vocation. It could be a lonely journey or it can be filled with support
• You could become each other referral or become a client or join in collaborative ventures. Who knows where it can take you? It has great potential to see your business grow. I know . . .

In keeping with Eleanor Roosevelt quote: Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people" at our Meet and Greet, we met to discuss "ideas" and it was a wonderful four hours spent with women with liked-minds, creative and with the belief that if we help each other, we can go a very long way in taking our businesses from its initial stage through its development into sustainability.

It is my belief that networking help us to see our vision with greater clarity and helps us to redefine and focus our business in a direction that can bring us growth and development. I found this quote to be very fitting:

Networking brings us together in the sisterhood of entrepreneurship. Men has been networking for years and it has given them the connections, knowledge and partnership that they need to be successful entrepreneurs. Women can also do it and take our businesses from the closet in the wall in our kitchen to the local and global market. It is only a few hours to sacrifice to achieve such success.~ Dr. Cheryl Cottle

Where we looked at some of the following issues:

1. What are some challenges that you are facing right now in your business that you will like solutions for?
2. Maintaining your health and physical well-being
3. Engendering spirituality into your business
4. Maintaining creativity in your business
5. The role that self-love plays in attracting wealth into your business

Women entrepreneurs and members of Women in Business was invited. We were also fortunate to reach other women entrepreneurs who weren't members. Attendance was free but members were expected to contribute to the refreshments that was served.

Below are some photographs taken at the Toronto Meet and Greet in August, 2014 and our Meet and Greet in Barrie, respectively. Photography is by Yvette-Michelle Cottle Darby

  

Announcement: Women in Business

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

WOMEN IN BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN' DAY CELEBRATION

For last year's celebration of International Women' Day, Women in Business under the leadership of Dr. Cheryl Cottle hosted a week long radio broadcast summit on Women in Business Radio. Our theme was: Successfully Forging a Livelihood through Entrepreneurship in keeping with the theme for International Women' Day. We reflected on what is International Women's Day and what it means to us. We also looked back on the historic journey taken by the women in the early part of the 1900s to strive for social, political, and economic empowerment, and the overall success we have achieved as women.

We also reflected on the journey that we have ahead as women to make sure that we continue to maintain our accomplishments, and strive towards forward movements to ensure our political stance is sustainable — never going back to where it was. We also looked at issues of entrepreneurship as an educational choice at college or universities, the role of women entrepreneurs in the education of the younger generation of women to be entrepreneurs, and the importance of making a global connection, plus more. It was a celebration of women entrepreneurs that showcased entrepreneurship as a viable vocation for women. It is an area that we can be leaders and a space where we can reach glass ceilings.

Over 20 women participated in this "marathon radio program". The women who participated were involved in business from diverse sectors and industries and with varying sizes in business, and they came from the USA, Canada, Africa and the Caribbean. To read more about last year's International Women' Day celebration by Women in Business, see this link.

This year's International Women' Day will also be celebrated by the leadership of Women in Business; Dr. Cheryl Cottle. It will be a Women in Business Summit entitled "The Mental Health and Physical Health and Well-being of Women Entrepreneurs" and it will be in keeping with the International Women's Day theme for this year — "Make it Happen." The format is similar to last year's. It will be a week long marathon broadcast on Women in Business Radio. It will consist of 4 panels. One will include, women with expert knowledge and experience who will be invited to talk about; what it is means when we talk about mental and physical well-ness? What factors are responsible for its cause? What are some illnesses we experience. Two, we will also require women experts to talk about traditional care and whether they recommend any alternative care modalities; and to talk about those. Thirdly, we will also have another panel with women who will share their personal experiences, and fourthly, a panel consisting of women who recommend alternative care in the different modalities.

Our listening audience can call in to ask a question and share their experiences. If you are interested in participating in this event, please inquire at: drccottle@gmail.com for more details.

Date of event: February, 2015 (first week of February and ending on the 8th)

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CALL FOR GUEST ON WOMEN IN BUSINESS RADIO

If you are interested in being a guest on Women in Business Radio, please inquire at: drccottle@gmail.com. For more details about us, you can see us at our radio station.

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WOMEN IN BUSINESS LEARNING ACADEMY

Women in Business Learning Academy is our latest initiative of Dr. Cottle and an add on to Women in Business. This year Dr. Cottle will be including some professional educational courses for women entrepreneurs. They will be offered online and off-line. To facilitate this initiative Dr. Cottle will be in search of instructors to facilitate some of her courses. For details, please inquire at drccottle@gmail.com