by Daria Steigman on May 7, 2009
My new column is out. The Small Business Edge: Why Solopreneurs and Small Businesses Will Weather the Downturn, looks at why I believe that small business has a big edge in this economy. Five quick reasons:
- Innovation
- Networks
- Competition
- Nimbleness
- Flexibility
You can read the full column here. Then please come back and let’s talk in the comments about what you think. Do solopreneurs, entrepreneurs, and small businesses have an edge? And what have you done to weather the downturn?
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Tagged as:
Business,
CW Bulletin,
Entrepreneurship,
IABC,
Independent Thinking,
Solopreneur
by Daria Steigman on May 6, 2009
It’s never a good idea to get too caught up in our great ideas, inventions, and innovations. Ask Tropicana, the most recent brand to get wrapped up in its righteousness without stopping to take the pulse of its community.
Businesses need fresh voices and outside perspectives. And not just from outside, but from the inside out. Including the membership of their boards.
As I talked about here, there are some really good reasons why solopreneurs and small business owners should consider serving on boards. But there’s also a reason why corporate boards should be looking at entrepreneurs and small business people. We’ve typically done it all, from strategic direction to sales to marketing to finance and so on.
I’ve always wanted to serve on a corporate board. But how to get noticed? I haven’t cracked that code yet, but here’s a great post on the Washington Post Leadership Blog that talks about financial fluency and other skills you need to bring to the table.
Any suggestions?
Have you signed up to receive the Independent Thinking newsletter? Now’s the time! Once a month I’ll send you exclusive, subscriber-only content highlighting interesting articles I’ve found, as well as tips on marketing, social media, and how to grow your business. Sign up today!
Tagged as:
Business,
Entrepreneurship,
Leadership,
Tropicana,
Washington Post
by Daria Steigman on May 4, 2009
I love boards. Not sawed lumber, though I imagine that comes in handy if you need to build shelter from the rain. But those management structures that are designed to provide guidance, oversight, and strategic direction to an organization.
I believe that all solopreneurs and small business owners should get some kind of board experience. I’ve served on (and ran) both my 270-unit condominium association board and that of the rather-large IABC chapter in the Baltimore-Washington region. I’m now serving on a business advisory board for a student-run group that initiates and implements micro-development projects in Washington, D.C.
The best boards are run like businesses; and, like any business, they offer an opportunity to gain valuable skills. Boards also challenge us to test our limits and reach beyond our comfort zones.
So here are six big benefits I gained from serving on boards:
- Financial management skills, including building and managing million-dollar-plus annual budgets.
- Contracting, including bidding out large projects.
- Personnel management, including hiring and firing, and dealing with a sexual harassment claim.
- Project management (large-scale construction and renovation projects).
- Teamwork, including learning how to build consensus.
- Leadership.
Next post I’ll talk about my secret board desires. But now I’d like to ask you: What have I left out? What skills and insights have you gained from serving on a board?
Have you signed up to receive the Independent Thinking newsletter? Now’s the time! Once a month I’ll send you exclusive, subscriber-only content highlighting interesting articles I’ve found, as well as tips on marketing, social media, and how to grow your business. Sign up today!
Tagged as:
Entrepreneurship,
IABC,
IABC/Washington,
Leadership
