10 Tips In 2 Minutes - Women Making A Difference - June 6, 2010 - Segment Five

Betsy and Renee recap the five clichés associated with success that they want to not simply dispel, but create new and dynamic meanings more relevant with the modern era of business. First is the idea of promoting yourself, a task that many people find embarrassing and awkward. A better approach is changing the concept to “developing your own personal brand,” realizing that you will continually need to update and reinforce your brand, thinking about issues such as “What am I going to stand for?” and “How am I going to create that impression?” Next is the concept of networking, which some think is a tacky term since they’re not going to receptions and networking events just to meet people. However, networking should really be redefined as “relationship building,” so think of your time that you spend networking as building relationships and consider that meeting someone is only the beginning of that process. The third cliché is the notion of looking for mentors, which is not just about identifying some “wise old person” who’s going to advise and direct you. Instead, it should be redefined as “mentor moments,” which might be a phrase someone uses, a story they tell, an observation about how they lead, and they can happen any day, at any time. Fourth is the cliché of making a profit. Certainly, making a profit is always the bottom line in business, but there are actually three bottom lines that need to be considered: One, being impactful in your community by giving back and making a difference; Two, being sustainable as a green business; and Three, making money as a profit. The final cliché needing to be redefined is never using the concept of thinking ‘outside the box’. It makes strategic thinking seem frivolous, and in reality, you have to get past that comfort zone, as it’s a normal part of leading in business and making your business successful.

2Minutes&More with Betsy Berkhemer and Renee Fraser airs every Sunday at 1pm on KFWB NEWS TALK 980. Tune in for a full hour of tips for business success.