2008 August

29 08, 2008

Tips for hiring a great team

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:17:52+00:00August 29, 2008|company culture, hiring, Real You Incorporated, Rouda, speaker|Comments Off on Tips for hiring a great team

Begin by articulating your personal and business brand to potential employees. That’s as easy as writing a job description that provides a glimpse of what your company is all about. That will get the ball rolling when it comes to attracting the right individuals to your door. You know the kind of people I’m talking about. They’re the workers who understand that it’s your company, but treat it as if it’s their own. You’ve created a real brand. Now it’s time to hire some real people who think like you about the culture you’ve created. For more tips on hiring a knock-out team and building a creative culture, check out Real Fact Five in Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials For Women Entrepreneurs. What makes your culture great?

28 08, 2008

Finding the right professional organizations for you

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:17:57+00:00August 28, 2008|networking, passions, professional organizations, Real You Incorporated, Rouda, speaker|Comments Off on Finding the right professional organizations for you

Connecting with like-minded individuals is a great way to grow your business and your personal network, but we all seem to be strapped for time with work, family and other activities. That’s why it’s best to only join organizations that have meaning to you. Start by visiting several groups so you can determine which ones are right for you. Then be selective, because attending too many meetings, or joining a long list of organizations, is the opposite of real. Once you find that perfect fit—an organization that turns out to be exactly what you’re looking for—volunteer your time as a leader. Why? Because you’ll get the most out of it that way—and so will the organization. Leaders who give their time this way quickly learn that the benefits far outweigh the input. Check out this website for great professional organizations in your area! Have you [...]

26 08, 2008

Have you seen one of the best blogs for marketing to women?

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:18:01+00:00August 26, 2008|blogs, branding, Glam Media, marketing, Real You, Real You Incorporated, Rouda, women|Comments Off on Have you seen one of the best blogs for marketing to women?

I’m excited to share with you that I have recently become a contributing columnist to eBrandMarketing—the No. 1 blog on marketing to women—published by Glam Media, which reaches 77 million unique visitors. You’ll hear from the foremost authorities on women, like Fara Warner, author of Power of the Purse. My column, called (you guessed it!) Real You, spotlights what women are looking for in a brand experience. I share my thoughts about how companies can do a better job connecting with us through emotional branding, authenticity and understanding women’s purchasing power. Check out one of the most read blogs on eBrandMarketing: Real You: “Ladies” you can ride, look pretty, but you cannot drive, and come back every Friday for a new Real You column!

22 08, 2008

Real You: Learning the lessons of blogging

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:18:14+00:00August 22, 2008|bloggin, blogs, go for it, linking|Comments Off on Real You: Learning the lessons of blogging

Sure, as a writer, blogging comes fairly easy for me. I like sitting in front of the computer, with a white space to fill with words. The problem is, if nobody else reads the words, it's sort of like writing in a diary. Helpful personally, but not likely to help grow my business. So that's what I've been focusing on the last few days. Learning how to link, maximize, post, syndicate the content, and most importantly, find more readers who could benefit and learn from the content I love to share. My message to you: don't be afraid. Jump in. Learn the lessons of blogging and connecting - so you aren't just blogging to yourself! Ok, like this example?? This doesn't look good to you or me? Hopefully, I'll be able to fix it, but at least you know I'm trying. Go ahead. To grow [...]

21 08, 2008

Spouse and Business Partner: Making it Work

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:18:21+00:00August 21, 2008|husband-and-wife, Life Lessons, Real Living, Real You, spouse|Comments Off on Spouse and Business Partner: Making it Work

This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart. At Real Living, my husband is the CEO, and I’m the president. Being a husband-and-wife team has its ups and downs, but for the most part, it’s a great opportunity. You’re sharing your business success with the same person you plan to spend the rest of your life with. But the road can be bumpy if you don’t take the time to define your individual roles. Determine from the get-go who has the final say on decisions and who’s responsible for various functions in the company. That’s a must. Then there’s the issue of financial and emotional risk. When you’re both involved, that obviously increases. But there’s an awesome tradeoff that you simply can’t ignore: When everything is running smoothly, it’s doubly rewarding—and you’ll be able to enjoy that together. Do you have [...]

19 08, 2008

If you make your female customers happy, your male customers will be happy, too. We are the demanding ones.

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:18:29+00:00August 19, 2008|female consumer, real estate, Real Living, Real You Incorporated, Rouda, speaker|Comments Off on If you make your female customers happy, your male customers will be happy, too. We are the demanding ones.

MAKE IT HAPPEN: Schedule a regular time (monthly or quarterly) when you and the members of your team can discuss how to touch base with your customers. During this time, talk about what’s working and what’s not. Consider what you might do differently—or better. Remember, your goal should be to stay one step ahead of her. Now, get moving! You have no time to waste. TIP IN ACTION: Women are world-class consumers, making or influencing 85 percent of all purchases and 91 percent of home purchases. Given these statistics, don’t women deserve a little attention? In the 1970s, women were purchasing with his money. Today she is purchasing with her money. Knowing that, it’s no surprise that women are dramatically changing how products and services are designed and marketed. Call it what it is: the unstoppable trend of women’s buying power. At Real Living, we [...]

15 08, 2008

The Almighty Power of Networking

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:18:35+00:00August 15, 2008|networking, Real You Incorporated, Rouda, share, speaker, women in business|Comments Off on The Almighty Power of Networking

Networking is not just important, it’s absolutely necessary. In whatever stage of the game you are—whether you own a company or you’re working for someone else—networking with other individuals is essential because you never know who can help you move up or help you move on. Here are my suggestions: Get over being intimidated. Leaving your comfort zone is never easy, but you can practice at home by role-playing what you’ll say when you meet people. Get your elevator pitch down. Go with a friend. If you know someone who’s really involved in a group or organization, tag along. She’ll be sure to introduce you to her circle. Always be on the lookout for networking opportunities. It might happen the next time you’re in the cafeteria. Introduce yourself to that person from another department—the one you see occasionally—but neither of you ever speak. And don’t [...]

12 08, 2008

Women in business have clout-lots of it. And we’re gaining more every day.

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:18:42+00:00August 12, 2008|career, entrepreneuership, Real You Incorporated, Rouda, speaker, women in business|Comments Off on Women in business have clout-lots of it. And we’re gaining more every day.

MAKE IT HAPPEN: What about you? Do you dream about a career that affords you more clout? Do you think about how your life might be different as an entrepreneur? If so, trust your gut instinct and decide that now is the time to make a change. Next, take care of yourself. Remember, if you’re not happy, and if you can’t be there for yourself, you can’t be there for anyone else. In addition to that, don’t go it alone. Reach out to others and tell your story. Don’t be an island; that is too isolating. Finally, separate yourself from negative influencers, or snarks. Put simply, don’t worry about society’s expectations for you. Instead, do what feels right. TIP IN ACTION: The statistics prove it. Women are starting businesses at twice the rate of men. In fact, every 60 seconds a woman starts a business. [...]

8 08, 2008

Women Gather in Austin for Balance Expo

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:18:47+00:00August 8, 2008|Austin, Balance Expo, Brad Womack, Center for Women's Leadership, Jackie Warner, Texas, work-life balance|Comments Off on Women Gather in Austin for Balance Expo

If you are in Austin, Texas, this Saturday Aug. 9, stop by the Balance Expo for Women at the Palmer Events Center. Join me and 7,000 other women finding new ways to balance careers, children, charitable passions and social lives. There’s a 5K Run in the morning to benefit the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, and the expo runs from 8:30-4 p.m. I’ll be presenting Putting Your Passions Into Action. Other speakers include Jackie Warner, fitness expert and entrepreneur from Bravo’s Work Out, actress Elizabeth Keener from the The L Word, Brad Womack, of The Bachelor, and many other experts on business, health, fashion, wellness and children. Stop by the Real You booth. I’d love to meet you!

8 08, 2008

Is a Culture Vulture bringing down your team?

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:19:00+00:00August 8, 2008|business, business consultant, culture vultures, employees, Real You Incorporated, Rouda, speaker, staff|Comments Off on Is a Culture Vulture bringing down your team?

You’ve probably met this person at one time or another. They’re the employee that isn’t on board. The one causing friction among your staff and bringing down team morale. I have a name for people who sabotage businesses—culture vultures! And my best advice is to get rid of this person as soon as you can. If that’s not possible, then pay close attention to what’s going on, and trust your instincts. In other words, your perceptions of this person are probably right. In the meantime, take comfort in the fact that culture vultures usually destroy themselves. Truth prevails, but it doesn’t typically happen as fast you’d like. Get help in the form of a business consultant, a person who will work with you to plan a strategy that ensures that every member of your team is on the same page. Is your team being brought [...]

Monthly Archives: August 2008