Build Your Network of Allies and Advocates

Whatever stage you are at in your career it is really important to build and nurture your network of allies and advocates. Consider your current network and see if anyone fits these definitions. Then review to what extent you do the same for them or others.

Allies: go out of their way for you by giving you names, resources, feedback or other help. They give advice that you respect. You do the same for them.

Advocates: are confident in your abilities and will speak up on your behalf. They are able to deliver on your requests and make sure the right people hear about you. You are equally supportive of them.

Managing Key Relationships at Work

How you manage your relationships at work is very important in achieving your goals and progressing your career. It is easy to not pay sufficient attention to key relationships due to a number of reasons such as location, availability and time. As a result things might start to go wrong. When a relationship is not going well you may need to review

• Expectations and deliverables
• Structural or organizational factors
• Style of communication and behaviours
• Re-negotiating relationships and agreeing changes

Are you Underearning?

Although the wage gap may favour men, both sexes worry about the future and share dissatisfaction with earnings. If you want to take a quick quiz to check your approach to money then go to http://www.sheconomics.com/. Sheconomics is all about women’s relationship with money; it was founded by financial coach, Simonne Gnessen, and psychologist, Professor Karen Pine. It acknowledges the emotions that women attach to money and helps women unravel the mysteries of the money world and their own psychological approach to it. Barbara Stanny has written a number of books on strategies for Overcoming Underearning and Secrets of Six-Figure Women which are worth reading.

Success Secrets for Small Business Owners Teleclass

If you truly want to turn things around and build a sustainable and rewarding business with more time and more money, then join us for our Success Secrets for Small Business Owners and Solo Entrepreneurs Teleclass, where we will show you

• How to stop chasing and start attracting clients
• The latest media and marketing tools and techniques both on-line and off line
• Systems to help you work smarter, not harder
• How to manage your mindset and avoid self sabotage

Our teleclass series will guide you through the process of attracting clients, making more money whilst working smarter and not harder. All you need is a telephone land line to participate and you will be instantly connected to a group of like minded individuals who want to ask questions, support each other and turbo charge their lives.

When: Thursdays 6, 13, 20 November and 4 December 2008
Time: 7.30 pm UK time for 55 minutes
Cost: £75 for 4 classes

Contact: info@realcoachingsolutions.co.uk

Tips to Survive Redundancy

Finding work after redundancy is a full time job but there is light at the end of the tunnel and many go on to dream lives. Try these 10 tips to success

1. Keep office hours and establish a routine

2. Research different options

3. Work as an interim

4. Tell everyone what work you want to do

5. Take on short term projects or assignments

6. Set targets for numbers of job applications per week

7. Buff up your CV and have others give you feedback

8. Post your details on internet job boards like www.monster.com

9. Register for networking sites like LinkedIn www.linkedin.com

10. Join a local business networking group

Women in Technology

womenintechnology is a leading on-line job board and networking group for women working in the IT profession. Their job board is helping major firms to raise their profile amongst female technologists in the UK – highlighting why they are an ideal place for a woman to have a successful technology career. In turn the job board enables female IT jobseekers to apply directly to organisations which are actively seeking more female staff.

They organise regular networking events that play a vital part in attracting (and retaining) women in the IT profession - www.womenintechnology.co.uk

What do Women Want?

It may be the most ancient question known to man causing consternation and chaos in countless great minds from Confucius to Freud. But the simple proposition "what do women want?" is often less complex than we might imagine.

So we conducted research into the key issues faced by female managers, directors and business owners, which revealed some enlightening factors. We asked:

What are the key challenges facing women in business?
It was no surprise to discover that the age old "juggling act" of balancing work and family responsibilities weighed heavy on the broadest and strongest of shoulders. Despite supportive partners at home the bulk of family commitments still fell to the woman so consequently stress, fatigue and burn out were real issues.

Others confessed that adopting a "macho" stance was often a coping mechanism when working in a male dominated environment where saying "no" to extra work was not an option and any kind of vulnerability was seen a weakness.

What specific skills do women bring to work?
Women excel at multi-tasking and communicating. They can type a report, deal with a crisis and negotiate deals on the side; whilst planning dinner for the family as well as remembering to wash the football kits. Women can be supportive team players and naturally intelligent leaders using empathy and compassion to get results too.

What do you think companies need to do to recruit and retain female talent?
Recruiting more women into senior and board positions would certainly enhance the profile of many organizations; whilst encouraging others to join or stay with the company. Flexibility was the common need for women in key positions. This would allow women to work around their home life without diminishing productivity.

Who or what has contributed to your success?
All the women in our report referred to great male and female managers and role models, who listened to them, inspired them and gave them the confidence to succeed. Others found a trusted team that supported them provided great strength and using a coach or a mentor as a sounding board was good for bouncing off risky new ideas.

What support, learning or development do you think women need in business today?
Promoting and providing job opportunities for women in senior positions needs to be supported with appropriate learning and development interventions. Confidence coaching would also help raise their visibility.

Other areas identified, where women would like increased help included managing stress, work/life balance, keeping up to date with information whilst taking maternity leave and support when returning after a career break.