Learn what motivates women in the workplace (discover where companies go wrong and why many women leave Corporate America for entrepreneurship) and find out how companies that learn to adapt to women will be better able to respond to the challenge of an aging workforce and the demands of the next generation of knowledge workers.

“Why Women Mean Businesss” by Avivah Wittenberg-Cox (related post involving Avivah here) and Alison Maitland

Posted by Laurel Delaney at 7/10/2010 06:35:00 PM

http://escapefromcorporateamerica.blogspot.com/2010/07/wave-of-future-more-women-at-business.html

The numbers have been coming in steadily over the past few years, and there is no way to deny anymore that women are taking greater control of the U.S. economy (and much of the global economy) and doing it quietly and quickly.

For example, back in 2008, U.S. News and World Report released data telling us that women controlled 60% of the wealth in the United States.  That figure was estimated to be approximately $10-$12 trillion.  At the same time, U.S. News and World Report projected that women will control $22 trillion of all wealth in the United states by 2020.  That’s just a decade away!

Considering data released in 2009 by The Nielsen Company revealed almost all income growth in the United States over the past 15-20 years came from women, that U.S. News and World Report projection shouldn’t be very shocking.  The Small Business Administration has reported in recent years that women-owned businesses are far outpacing all other businesses in terms of growth.  The bottom-line is that women are making their presence in the economy better known.

I’m a marketer by profession, and as a marketer, I’ve seen statistics and research reports for years telling us that women control the vast majority of all purchase decisions.  Combine that decision-making power with the growing influence of women on the business side of the economy, and the stage is set for an interesting 10-20 years in front of us.

Already, we’re seeing advertisements shift tones to speak directly to women (albeit with a long path ahead of them before they actually speak to women in the right ways), and financial institutions are creating more and more products targeted directly to the female population.  With President Obama’s recent signing of legislation related to fair and equal pay for women, the focus is pointed squarely at women who appear to be holding the future in their hands.

It’s an exciting time to be a woman, and an even more interesting time to be a woman in business!  Let’s hope the changing landscape continues in a positive manner for all.

See also: Women Are the Market, Not Just a Niche

Tags: equality, fair pay, women economy, women in business, women wealth, womenomics

Susan GuneliusBio | Email
Susan Gunelius is President & CEO of KeySplash Creative, Inc., a marketing communications company. She also owns Women on Business, a leading blog for business women.

http://blogs.forbes.com/work-in-progress/2010/07/28/women-making-economic-strides-and-not-slowing-down/

At one point or another, we have all worked for a jerk. Trending analysis, client feedback and underground communication clearly indicate that mismanaged employees and boundary violations are on the rise.  Managing through tough times and poor leaders is often time more difficult than the work itself.  Poor leadership can range from an immediate supervisor to poor HR leadership.  Noone is exempt.

Taking charge of your career and disengaging from negative forces, including a jerk of a boss is within your reach.  As a Career Strategist with an organic and practiced track record of problem solving, I am focusing this weeks blog on the employee relations aspect of managing poor leadership, self preservation and maintaining your sanity.

5 Strategies to Activate NOW

#1  Document…Document…Document

Venting is short lived whereas documenting is soothing, has long range positive effects and will set you up for a chronicle of events if you need to take legal action..  Hand write your discontent in a strategy journal.  This is a journal specifically dedicated to you, your work, your accomplishments and your discontent.  Keep it is a safe place and use it daily. Date, time stamp and openly journal details of what is occurring.  Always be sure to credit yourself for one  or two accomplishments per writing.  When leadership is lacking, you need to start truly leading yourself.  This means crediting your daily accomplishments and cheering for yourself!

#2  Keep the Personal Out of Professional

Remind yourself that you accepted your position to offer professional skills in lieu of pay.  That is it!  Nothing more!  While it is a bonus if you make a friend or two in the workplace, your primary focus must be on your skills and honing them.   If you have a jerk as a boss or a leader who leads you to feel uncomfortable, steer clear.  You are under no obligation to take part.  If you think you can out maneuver the person…perhaps you can but you will be far better served if you develop a strategy focusing on your accomplishments and becoming successful than trying to “play the game”.

#3  Remove Fear from your Vocabulary

There is a reason the famous quote “there is nothing to fear but fear itself” has stood the test of time.  Use it.  Get out from behind your fears and exercise your courage.  This does not mean randomly acting out, but rather, put a plan in place on making your move to either sustain the existing workplace dysfunction OR exit the company.  Planning your work and working your plan is powerful.   Have dedicated hobbies outside of work.  This will give you something positive and productive to look forward to and feed your focus on you.

#4 Stop living above your means NOW

If you cannot quit your job due to financial restraints, start cutting back on your luxury spending and live beneath your means.  Start paying yourself first by banking as much as you can.  Make a game out of stashing away extra money.  You will gain power over yourself which will bring a heightened sense of confidence into the workplace.  Your boss may be curious about seeing a change in your however, never needs to know why the change.  Remember Rule #2???  Keep personal to yourself.

#5  Take Action.

If you have been spoken to inappropriately, asked to divulge personal information, felt emotionally violated to the point of crying or coerced to conform in what may be perceived as a borderline “touchy feely, cultish” environment, stand your ground and exercise your voice.  The EEOC is always available to file charges especially if on the job allegations are not being dealt with.  Environmental harassment is NEVER ok.   Once you speak up, you are protected by the law from any further wrongdoing.  Get Moving!

For more information:  www.eeoc.gov.

Related posts:

• 8 Tips to Prepare for Your Performance Review A performance review is a great opportunity to showcase your…
• Do You Have What It Takes to be an Amazing Boss in 2009? Post by Allison O’Neill, contributing Women On Business writer Being…
• Employees hate it when a boss… Keeps secrets I know of a business that listed itself…
• Walking the Line at Work. Choosing Appropriate Attire I was on the fast track. It was just a…
• Delegating Work Successfully Through Assertive Communication Hello there! Firstly i just wanted to say i’m very…

http://www.womenonbusiness.com/work-for-a-jerk/