Invest in the Best: You
Experience the art of developing and nurturing your business during the recession

By Sheila K. Dixon

When it comes to investing in yourself and business, what percentage of your professional development budget is dedicated to growing and nurturing your business?

Economic times are definitely causing business owners and entrepreneurs to focus more on ‘writing increased business from 9-5’, ‘ making the error of drastically slashing marketing budgets’ and 'relying on one’s charisma' to maintain or acquire new clients.  The sales pitches are harder and faster.  Social and Business networking is EXPLODING with business groups popping up everywhere.  People are saying they are leveraging others contacts when they are really making a quick sale to get to the number.   Times may be causing people to ‘grapple for the dollar.' STOP!!!!!!!!  Cash is King, the recession is temporary and you cannot afford to lose the essence of your success.

While it is important to develop and implement an aggressive plan to sustain your family and employees, do not be paralyzed by the cost of investing in yourself.  Self-Development is a VERY hard concept for many women to buy into when they are ‘paying for it’ especially when many do not know what kind of return to expect from the investment.  Sheila Dixon hears it all of the time at WBIS: “I have the luncheon on my calendar and this is a GREAT topic, but I have clients booked all day.”  Sheila’s response, “Are you taking TIME for self-care to further increase the quality of your net worth? I’m not mad at you, but if you want to remain competitive and prosperous, get control of your time, invest in your personal success, at least once a month, and you’ll most likely build increased net worth with real people who leverage powerful connections.”  RESULT?

Here are a few tips every woman entrepreneur needs to accelerate and enhance the essence of business success in today's market:

1. Peer-to-Peer “Networthing”- Benefit from peer-to-peer “networthing” that plans participant composition, develops meeting agendas and monitors goal attainment.  A strong peer support group can more than pay for your time and membership within the first six months. Sometimes looking across the table at a peer who struggles with the same growth challenges as you do, allows you to release fears and replace them with measurable action.

2. Adopt a CEO, SHE-EO, DIVA or a WBIS quality self-care system.  Make your health a priority no matter what stage of business you are in.  Bottom-Line: If you do not have health, you will not have wealth.

3. Take time to reflect. In addition to scheduling your vacation, invest in structured time away from the home office or business entity. Take 15 minutes a day for spiritual enrichment. YOU do have the time. Take an additional 15 minutes to remain silent.  The time away allows you to brainstorm and create, which is essential for grappling with pressing business challenges and finding breakthrough solutions. Journal your thoughts.

4. Overcome personal limitations.  A high-powered personal mentor or coach can help you breakthrough barriers that stunt your company’s growth potential. A good coach should be able to quantify how and when your investment will pay for itself during the first 3 months.

5. Grow your credentials.  Depending upon your industry, acquire additional certifications to enhance your ability to attract more clients.

YOU are your company’s greatest asset, so investing in your personal success needs to be RED Flagged in your business schedule and not viewed as ‘this would be something nice to do.’

Sheila K. Dixon is founder of WBIS (Women Building & Investing in Success), a business and personal development organization designed to help female entrepreneurs to nurture and grow their business. Since 2003, WBIS promotes the positive power of highly successful entrepreneurs and helps members to remain accountable for their personal and business success plan. Attend their next luncheon and receive powerful connections to nurture and grow your business. Visit www.wbis.biz for further information or give the office a call at 703.327.7624. Collaborate...Cultivate...Celebrate

Copyright 2008: Sheila K. Dixon. If you would like to distribute this article, please send in it's entirety including reference to Sheila Dixon and WBIS. Thank You.