2008 July

31 07, 2008

If you lose your job, don’t look at it as a setback

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T13:29:02+00:00July 31, 2008|business, personal branding, Real You Incorporated, Rouda, speaker|Comments Off on If you lose your job, don’t look at it as a setback

When women are fired, they feel ashamed. Men, on the other hand, take it as part of life. Let’s learn a lesson from the other sex just this once. First, don’t take being fired personally. It’s all about business, and your personal brand can handle it. Get out of your personal funk and move on—to bigger and better things. Start gathering references; take samples of your work; and keep your head up high. This is the beginning of great things for you—and your personal brand. Have you had experiences that have helped shape your personal brand? Tell us about them! To learn more about developing and communicating your personal brand, check out Real You Incorporated.

29 07, 2008

Make time for yourself, because your future starts now.

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T13:29:07+00:00July 29, 2008|alone time, kids, Real You Incorporated, time management, vacation, work-life balance|Comments Off on Make time for yourself, because your future starts now.

Wow! This may be a tough one for those of you with kids. And even if you don’t have a family, it’s a challenge in today’s world to get away for a while. But taking a break is necessary for your well being. So, if you can, head to the hills, the ocean—or even a hotel for a night or a weekend. This guilt-free time alone is essential, and what better time to plan your getaway than during the dog days of summer. Do it now—before school starts and before the holiday rush kicks in. This will give you some time to think, plan and dream. Chances are good that you’ll return recharged and ready to take on the world. Women everywhere, and in all stages of life, are planning time for themselves. For some, it’s as simple as the solitude they experience while driving [...]

25 07, 2008

Should you join the family biz right out of college?

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T13:29:15+00:00July 25, 2008|business, college, dreams, family business, passions, Real You Incorporated, Rouda, speaker, women in business|Comments Off on Should you join the family biz right out of college?

Joining the family business might seem like the easy route after college, but there are several things to consider. You must first decide, simply and emphatically, if this business is your passion. Sure, you’ve grown up with the business, but is working in the family business part of your dream? Be absolutely honest about your answer because it’s your life—and you can’t live that life pursuing someone else’s dreams. If you make the decision to join the fam, do so only after obtaining the necessary training and know-how. Make sure you’re qualified and prepared for the task. This is important so that others have a positive perception of your role in the business—and they take you seriously. For other tips on finding your passion see Real Fact Two in Real You Incorporated.

23 07, 2008

Reflect on your past, and write your life story.

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T13:29:21+00:00July 23, 2008|past, Real You Incorporated, Rosa Parks, Rouda, story|Comments Off on Reflect on your past, and write your life story.

Write your life story, but try to limit it to a page or two. Simply focus on the highlights. That will give you enough material to reflect on what you’ve learned from past experiences. It’s important to realize that with every experience, you grow. You may never be forced to make a decision quite like the one Rosa Parks made when she refused to give up her bus seat to a white man. But, like Rosa Parks, you will have experiences that alter the course of your life. Her actions sparked the Montgomery bus boycott, which set a precedent for future non-violent civil rights protests. Unfortunately, Parks was fired from her job, and eventually she had to move to Detroit to find work. In spite of it all, she remained active in the civil rights movement for many years and eventually worked as an aide [...]

18 07, 2008

Stop Taking Credit for My Work!

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T13:29:27+00:00July 18, 2008|employees, Real You Incorporated, Rouda, snarks, speaker, staff|4 Comments

I’ve been in too many businesses to name where a certain employee will continually take credit for others employees’ work. If your organization has one of these people on your hands, you’re dealing with an ego snark—someone who wants what you have and will go to any length to get it. These individuals are crafty, and they’re dangerous. They’ll also destroy your culture if you let them. Ego snarks often do their worst damage before you realize they’re a problem, causing animosity within your team and bringing them down. But you’ve at least spotted this person—hopefully before too much damage occurs. Here are some quick tips for dealing with an ego snark: Single them out. Ask them their thoughts and opinions on a new topic. Hold them accountable for specific responsibilities that the team would conquer together. If the problem persists, confront them. In any [...]

16 07, 2008

Mentors: Paving the way to success

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T13:29:33+00:00July 16, 2008|Carrie Runnals, mentors, podcasting, Workds to Mouth|Comments Off on Mentors: Paving the way to success

When you discover your passion in life, find someone who’s been successful at it—and make that person your mentor. Are you connecting with individuals in your industry? Do you routinely meet with one or two mentors who can answer questions, provide encouragement and nurture your dreams? Make a list of possible mentors, and put them on your calendar. Then, remember to be there when someone new to the industry needs your guidance. Freelance writer and Internet talk show host/producer Carrie Runnals lives by this tip from her father. Here’s what it means: Find someone who shares your passion, has experienced success and is willing to share what he or she knows with you. Learn all you can from that person, and when you’re successful, become a mentor to someone else. Carrie had many careers before her present one as host of the Words to Mouth [...]

15 07, 2008

Women in Real Estate gathered in Boston

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T13:29:40+00:00July 15, 2008|Boston, conference, empowered, women's council of realtors|Comments Off on Women in Real Estate gathered in Boston

At the Women's Council of Realtor's Women of Influence conference this weekend. The best thing about the meeting: women helping each other feel empowered and confident, even in the face of the worst real estate market most folks can remember. I was privileged to be asked to speak on a panel to the full conference. The audience was smiling, and receptive, and positive. I'm not kidding. A room full of entrepreneurial real estate professionals who are positive. It's true. That's because contrary to the media bombardment, real estate professionals know home is where the heart is. These women know that people live in houses, and eventually, many of them, you perhaps, will see that it is a great time to buy. And, since the housing industry led us into this national recession/close to recession/whatever you want to call it, perhaps these women from across the [...]

9 07, 2008

Pursue Your Charitable Passion

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T13:29:47+00:00July 9, 2008|charity, giving, passions, Real You Incorporated, volunteer, Wexner Center for the Arts, women business owners|Comments Off on Pursue Your Charitable Passion

If you’re not engaged in a charitable pursuit, follow your heart to get there. Pay attention to the needs in your community, and when it feels right, respond. Pick three areas where your gifts could shine. Then, seek out organizations in your community that serve at least one of your chosen areas. Write them down, and check out their Web sites. Better yet, refer to http://www.volunteermatch.org/ for more ideas. I’m a huge believer in giving back, and I make sure it’s part of my business and personal life. One of my many loves is the arts, and that’s why I’m a founding donor of the Wexner Center for the Arts. I will be hosting a panel discussion with five other notable women from the Columbus business community, including four from the book, at the Wexner Center at a date TBA. We’ll be discussing how women [...]

8 07, 2008

On being real, even if you’re famous like Heather Locklear, who I spent the weekend with (sort of)

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T13:30:00+00:00July 8, 2008|aha, fame, heather locklear, miraval, real|2 Comments

Last weekend, I had a fabulous experience.An “aha moment”, as they call it at the incredible Miraval Resort and Spa where we were staying in Tucson, Arizona. (More about the resort in another post.) An “aha moment” is when you have sudden clarity of a thought, an idea, a spark of a dream. Typically, in this blog, I’d relate an “aha moment” to you and your dreams of re-thinking your personal brand, or the clarity to finally go for it and start your business. And that fits. But in this case, my “aha moment” was about celebrity in today’s culture. Authenticity – being real – is an over-hyped term. But at its core, sincerity is still a quality you can feel in others and you know it in yourself. That brings me back to Heather Locklear. It got me thinking about how hard it must [...]

2 07, 2008

If you and your brand aren’t in sync, customers know you’re faking it.

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T13:30:10+00:00July 2, 2008|American Wine School, customers, fake, Marianne Frantz, Real You Incorporated|Comments Off on If you and your brand aren’t in sync, customers know you’re faking it.

To ensure that the business you’ve implemented is real—and not fake or disingenuous—take some time to reflect. Just because someone tells you to run your business a certain way, you don’t have to listen. It must feel right to you. And if it doesn’t, change it. Start by choosing three words that describe your business and its essence. These words might be part of your mission statement, and in the end, they should describe the kind of experience you want for each and every one of your customers. As president of the American Wine School, Marianne Frantz uses the following words to describe her customers’ experiences: sip, learn and savor. She measures success in terms of a flawless event or a well-attended wine tasting. Making attendees happy is the most rewarding element of what she does as a wine educator. Best of all, she’s in [...]

Monthly Archives: July 2008