We are pleased to announce the launch of ConnXus Certified®, a Small Business Enterprise Certification Program offered by ConnXus through the myConnXion® Business Center (myCBC). Read more →
A powerful and instantly recognizable brand makes the job of a marketing department almost too easy. Positive branding greatly encourages customer trust in a company, breaking down barriers to conversion and giving marketing campaigns a head start in developing engagement. Read more →
Building strong buyer-supplier relationships is key for any successful business. No relationship can function if both sides aren’t satisfied. That’s why companies like ConnXus and Onyx make it part of our mission to help businesses form strong buyer-supplier relationships that last, and ensure success in your industry for years to come. Read more →
What can you do to make sure your business is a success? Most people would think this involves, among other things, careful planning, a well-designed and well-executed strategy and putting the right team in place for each task, and they’d be right. What some people may not think of, though, is doing everything possible to minimize and eliminate threats. Even if a business does everything else right, outside threats can still cause it to come crashing down. Some of the largest and most rapidly growing threats, especially in today’s technology-driven world, are threats to cyber security. Read more →
If you’re buying a house or starting a business, chances are you’re going to take out a loan sooner or later. No one likes the idea of being in debt, but money doesn’t grow on trees, and most people don’t have enough of it to pay for these expenses out of pocket. Taking out a loan is rarely a process anyone enjoys, but there are a few tips and tricks you can use to make it a bit easier.
Hopefully you found these tips helpful, and are able to find the loan that works best for you. Good luck!
What does ‘time waits for no one’ mean to you? Until recently, it was just another wise saying my mother shared. While I felt the need to move forward, I did not realize the importance of keeping my actions purposeful and directed, and I slowly drifted off course. By not taking full ownership and accountability, I allowed relationships to lapse while I concentrated on my career. In the process I lost my sense-of-self and drifted from my passion. Now, I am beginning again…focused on creating a brighter future, sharing my journey and the knowledge I gained along the way.
Become the change you want to make
The road less traveled is filled with unexpected curves and hurdles, but the path forward is always just one step ahead. Don’t give up. If you go off course, readjust and continue forward. Set approach goals. Approach goals motivate you to achieve positive outcomes, rather than to avoid risk. Reframing your view increases your chance of success and reduces stress.
Women and men are different
Women strive for perfection more often than men. They idealize the ‘perfect-normal life’ (which does not exist). But like any insecurity, conquering these views requires re-wiring your view of the world. It’s normal to be nervous (especially if you are the only women in the room) but interpreting the jitters as excitement can propel you forward. Change the narrative to change your perspective.
This internal dialogue is often the thing holding women back. The associated self-doubt is limiting. To avoid rejection, women do not apply for jobs unless they are 100% qualified as compared to men who apply with only 60% of the qualifications. Hillary Clinton offered advice: “Too many young women are harder on themselves than circumstances warrant. They are too often selling themselves short. They too often take criticism personally instead of seriously.” Learn to trust yourself, to laugh at your yourself and to gracefully recover from mistakes.
View mistakes as learning opportunities, some of the greatest discoveries were accidental, for example the maker of Coca-Cola was intending to create a pain killer, and penicillin was found when a petri dish was left out. The key is to keep an open mind, discover their potential and move forward. And never blame yourself, mistakes will happen, learn from them.
Get on your feet
It’s time to make things happen. While this does not mean throwing caution to the wind and acting impetuously, it does require taking risks and following your passion. Women take calculated risks, and operate better under pressure than men. Apply this to charting your road forward. Weigh the options and act. The hesitation to act can hold some women back. To overcome your inhibitions, once you make up your mind, don’t delay, count backwards from three and act.
Are you in the right place? This requires sole searching, reconnecting with yourself and freeing yourself to act. A recent survey found that 59% of working adults and 73% of professionals in their thirties were unhappy with their careers. When my work and my passion were aligned, I was energized. I felt a sense of purpose and value.
Is it time?
There is no right time to act. Every chapter presents a different set of challenges. If you know what you want, (you are ahead of the game) establish a plan of action. Deciding not to make a plan is a choice that lets destiny and circumstance take control. I navigated my early career without a guiding star and it left me unfulfilled. It’s like taking a trip without a destination. You will arrive somewhere, but this may not be the optimal path. Learn from me and have a plan! Making a plan allows you to make informed decisions, weigh options and measure progress. Track your progress, make mid-course adjustments and ask for guidance along the way.
If not now, then when?
I waited too long to make a change. Was it easier to do nothing? Probably. But there was a price to pay too. I sacrificed my happiness due to inaction. Why wonder what could have been when you can begin to live your dreams today? Life is precious, and you have only one opportunity (there is no re-do button) and you never know what the future holds, or what is hiding around the corner until you get there. It’s time to make things happen!
Managing Your Unconscious Bias From guest writer Suzanne Weston from IW Consulting Group The expression ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’ reminds us to avoid making decisions based on outward appearance, what you see is not always what you get. If you met an older gentleman with long disheveled hair would you think Einstein or […]
As a small business owner you may wonder how to win business by doing business with big companies. You have heard of competitive bidding, but the process seems overwhelming and confusing. You wonder whether or not a business your size can possibly win a bid. The good news is that small businesses do win bids […]
As a small business owner, becoming a supplier to a large company or multinational corporation can lead to dramatic, sustainable growth in your revenue stream. A recent survey of 180 small businesses by the Center for an Urban Future, NYC, revealed that “breaking into the corporate supply chain is a huge challenge for many small […]
If you’re a minority business owner but aren’t certified as such, you may be missing out on opportunities to contract with governments and leading corporate buyers who are seeking business relationships with diverse suppliers. This blog post is meant to help you explore the benefits of minority business certification and provide concrete tips on how […]
