The numbers of female entrepreneurs are on the rise. It is interesting to note that a lot of big companies now have CEOs who are women–think Mary Barra of General Motors, Michelle Buck of Hershey’s Company, and Geisha Williams of Procter & Gamble. These famous personalities have lofty positions that only some women dream of.
You may not necessarily be a high-profile CEO, but you can leverage your skills and talent as a woman to succeed in your business. What are some ways that women can succeed in business? In this article business expert Julie Queler elaborates on some of the strategies that could help women out.
4 Ways Women In Business Can Become More Successful
Focus on niches that women can identify with
As a woman, you have the capability to influence other women who may be able to identify with you. If you are still at the planning stage in your business, it may be helpful to think of the business categories where you can speak your voice and influence other women. For example, you are a mother who wants to reach out to those who are having problems with their fertility. You cannot simply assign a man to promote products for fertility in women, but you as a business owner and a woman can do so.
Niches that women can identify with are easy to spot–what are the things that you are also personally dealing with? Perhaps a problem with fitness, fashion, beauty, lifestyle or housekeeping? Additionally, you can also use message boards and find trends online that interest women. As you focus on popular niches, you will realize that you can use yourself as a promoter and a testimony of your own services or products.
Network with other like-minded women in business
Women are known to be social creatures–they know how to easily connect with others, and bonding together is simpler when you get together with those who have the same goals and aspirations as you.
To succeed in business, you need to find mentors who will be able to teach you the ropes. When Julie Queler was just starting out, she had no idea how to run her own consulting business. With the help of mentors who were already ahead of her, she eventually stood on their shoulders and understood how the process works. Now, Julie Queler is able to mentor others from the things she had previously learned.
Do not think that all business owners are your competition. That’s the least that could happen, but the possibilities of acquiring knowledge and building networks may be needed for your business’ growth.
Be authentic in your branding
Nowadays, many businesses may be trying hard to find ways to appeal to the newer audience. They want to see why some people prefer a certain brand over the others, and why a certain company loses its clients over the competition.
A recent study showed that the younger generation of consumers prefers authenticity with their brands of choice. They want real people, real results, and it should be brands that they can relate to. To develop a culture of authenticity with your business, you should start with simplicity. Understand the purpose of why you started the business, and never veer off from there. Be honest when you commit mistakes, but promise to appease them in the best way you could.
Make use of technology wisely
A part of business growth is adapting to trends. Technology moves faster than any other industry, and it is affecting how business owners run their companies. As a female entrepreneur, it is important to take note of the ways you can use technology to improve your business.
This isn’t just for the sake of being “trendy”–the purpose of having technology is to always get that competitive edge that other companies may not have yet. The more that your company is dynamic and flexible to technological trends, the more it is likely to thrive.
As a woman, you may feel intimidated running your business that’s dominated by men. Remember that this isn’t a battle of the genders–it’s all about using who you are–your skills, talent, knowledge, and persona to ultimately succeed in entrepreneurship.