Rochester Women's Network

Written for the Democrat and Chronicle's weekly column, "Women at Work" This column is written by members of the Rochester Women's Network. Click the title for the column you'd like to read. If you are a member and would like to submit an article please click here to review the criteria.

Engage work force to make change successful
By: Mimi Bacilek

(October 5, 2008) Ideally, leaders set and communicate their vision for change and engage the work force in the change. But sometimes, the work force doesn't want to engage. So, as a leader, what do you do when creating the change despite the resistance? One answer is to demand staff do it. That may gain you some progress, but you're unlikely to engage the hearts and minds of the work force in creating success.

So how do you secure that engagement?

Create a sense of urgency: Communicate a compelling argument for why the current state will not lead to success, will jeopardize the organization's competitive advantage or will lose key customers.

Create clarity of the vision: Draw a picture of what success looks like. Regularly and routinely speak about it from a perspective everyone can agree on, such as patient safety in a hospital or product quality in a manufacturing environment.

Understand the work force's perspective: In most change initiatives, the mindset of the work force falls into three categories: advocate for the change, adversary of the change and willing to consider the change. The leader must tap the power of the advocates, address the challenges of the adversaries and mobilize the possibilities of those in the middle.

Create a guiding coalition: The coalition is a group of leaders and staffers who align daily processes and actions with the leader's vision. They are advocates either of the change or the leader, and hold formal or informal power in the organization. They meet with a frequency that matches the progress (or lack of progress) of the change implementation and serve as a resource to other staff and leaders.

The efforts of this coalition create a powerful resource for the leaders. They can focus on supporting staff willing to consider the change and provide them opportunities for experimenting with it. Additionally they can put in place a system for learning from those who are trying the change, then modify it according to what is learned.

Intentionally engage adversaries: It is tempting to ignore adversaries or hope they come around. The reality is that adversaries can create tremendous pressure against the change. They often make work life difficult for those considering the change.

A winning technique is to bring small groups of adversaries together to intimately understand their resistance and address it head-on. Resistance usually stems from a very real fear or concern. Correcting a misunderstanding about the change or modifying the change may be required. Successful leaders create partnerships with adversaries by addressing the sources of their resistance.

Celebrate small and big wins: You may consider waiting for success to be achieved before partying. Savvy leaders intentionally create opportunities for small wins all along the way. They reward effort and accomplishment. They broadly communicate wins, link the results to the vision and showcase engaged staff.

Leading significant change is not for the faint of heart. By its very nature, change is messy and chaotic. That creates great pressure to return to the familiar, the status quo.

Management consultant Meg Wheatley says this "desire to return to the familiar is a part of the human condition." Savvy leaders take this into account. They are both empathetic to the difficulty change brings to their staff and true to their vision in patiently and persistently leading the path forward.

Mimi Bacilek is an executive coach and president of SuccessBuilders LLC, a Rochester firm. She can be reached at (585) 227-0308 or by e-mail at mimi @successbuildersllc.com.

Blogs can be another way to draw customers
By: Lara Crigger

(September 28, 2008) Do you think blogs are a passing fad? Think again. One peek on popular blog-tracking site Technorati reveals more than 112.8 million blogs in existence. Experts estimate 175,000 new blogs are created every day.

Especially in the corporate world, a blog is an easy, effective way for a business to stay in touch with current customers and reach out to new ones at the same time. It acts like an ongoing conversation, allowing you to communicate directly to your buyers and build brand loyalty and trust.

Plus, maintaining an active blog raises your company's online visibility, driving traffic to your Web site, meaning increased sales for you.

Blogging is easy to pick up, says Amber Lowe, a software expert in Henrietta. "There are several programs or Web sites that allow users with little (or no) technical expertise to set up a blog," she says.

Among Lowe's favorites are Blogger.com, Wordpress.com and Xanga.com, all of which are free to use or download. But before you blog, you'll need the right approach:

Consistency: Whether you update once a week or once a day, sticking to a regular posting schedule is crucial. Just like any other form of marketing, the success of your blog depends on the relationship you've built with your audience. Developing that relationship requires frequent communication. Regularly updated blogs score higher in search engine rankings, making it easier for potential readers (and customers) to find you online.

Write for your buyers, not yourself: Save your stream-of-consciousness poetry or Grandma's apple pie recipe for your personal blog. Your buyers don't care. Instead, stick to the topics your customers care about. Offer solutions for their problems, or analyze news stories and market trends that impact their lives. That's not to say you can't show personality in your posts. But generally, readers don't visit a company blog to find dessert recipes. They want information and interactivity. That said ...

Don't advertise: Treating your blog like another Yellow Pages ad won't net you new readers. Instead, provide the info your reader really wants to know, like tips and tricks, checklists, DIY guides, interviews, etc. Suppose you've planned an upcoming promotional event. Instead of posting a schedule or price list on your blog, run a Q&A with one of your presenters or a series of posts about a topic explored at the event in more detail. Remember that a blog is a conversation with your buyers, not an advertisement.

Comments = Traffic: Keep comments turned on, even the negative ones. Healthy debate indicates a healthy blog, says author David Meerman Scott in his book The New Rules of Marketing and PR (Wiley, $16.95). Comments from those who disagree with you "add credibility to your viewpoint by showing two sides of an issue," he says, "and by highlighting that your readership is passionate enough to want to contribute to a debate on your blog."

Make it easy for your readers to find you: Give your blog prime real estate on your company Web site. Mention it in newsletters and e-mail blasts. Be sure to use tags wisely, including social media tags for aggregators like Technorati, DIGG and del.icio.us. Finally, be sure your blogging software handles RSS (Really Simple Syndication), a feature that delivers blog updates directly to subscribers. That way, it's even easier to keep your readers posted.

Lara Crigger is the president of LC Communications, a marketing and PR copywriting firm in Henrietta, and a member of the RWN Marketing SIG. She can be reached at lara@laracrigger.com.

Take charge, steer life along road to greatness
By: Dale Chanaiwa

(September 21, 2008) Conas Gadson, a great motivational speaker also known as "Mr. Enthusiastic," says, "Since greatness is possible, excellence is not enough. Go for greatness."

Were you motivated to achieve greatness in 2008? Did you start the year with high hopes, believing you had the perfect road map in place to accomplish greatness? But as you move into the final quarter, is nothing going as planned? Do you find yourself on a detour with no idea when you will return to your road to greatness? Why? Is it because so many things have changed that you could have never anticipated or controlled?

We all have felt the staggering impact of unfavorable changes in the economy, including skyrocketing prices at the gas pump, rising food prices and the troubling housing market. Such changes have negatively influenced people's ability to thrive. Many find themselves struggling to survive.

Frankly, I did not become a registered nurse, graduate from law school and start several business ventures merely to survive. I am sure your hopes and dreams for greatness did not include being stuck in survival mode either.

Now is the time to take a chance, take control, take charge of your life and steer it back to the road to greatness. Now is the time to launch a new career, start a business or enhance your existing business. Now is the time to create new ways to generate additional income. For years you have worked for the benefit of your employer. Now is the time to develop yourself and work to your advantage.

Your skills, gifts, talents, strengths and life experiences separate you from your peers and competitors. Think about how you can use your strengths to your own benefit.

More women than ever are starting their own businesses and exploring opportunities that will enhance their lives. A number of solid and reputable companies provide training, support and flexibility to build a profitable business around your schedule and your personal needs.

Before you start your journey, you have to know why you are taking it. Without the why, you will never make lasting needed changes. Do you want to generate additional income to pay off a bill, for a down payment on a new home or for a family vacation? Do you want to build a business that will replace your income so you can be a stay-at-home mom?

Whether you remain in the job market, make a career change or expand an existing business, your road to greatness requires change.

Here are some recommendations for the journey:

Know your destination: Make sure you know where you want to go and how to get there. Choose a business or job that fits your style and personality. Your selection should express your passion and highlight what you do well.

Invest in yourself: Embrace your greatness. Read, listen to CDs and take training to enhance your skills and gain expertise to "better your best."

Develop professional relationships: Network with others who share the same interests. Be willing to share and compare ideas. Take time to personally interact with your clients and know their expectations. This will ensure you not only meet, but exceed, their expectations.

You can't stop change. So use it as a vehicle to fuel and drive you to greatness.

Remember, "Since greatness is possible, excellence is not enough. Go for greatness."

Dale Chanaiwa, consultant, motivational speaker and founder of "Value Increases Profitability for Business Women" can be reached at (585) 732-7518 or by e-mail at chanaiwad@frontiernet.net.

Target your networking to get the best results
By: Allison Pope

(September 14, 2008) Have you ever thought of networking to build your professional circle?

There has been a lot of talk and hype about networking in the past few years. I'm sure almost everyone has heard someone say, "You have to know someone to get something."

What I don't hear much about is how to network, where to go to network and who to network with.

Understanding the definition of networking is step one.

About.com describes networking as "the process of establishing a mutually beneficial relationship with other business people, potential clients and/or customers."

Wonderful. Now I know where to start.

You need to determine why you want to network so you can decide who you would network with.

Networking is personal. The reason we network with others is to build our social circle or our professional circle. You may be networking for social reasons, professional reasons or maybe a combination.

For instance, I remember looking for a new career and realizing my best chance of getting a new job was to network with others. But I did not know where to begin.

A great avenue, which many of us use on a daily basis, is the Internet.

When you have determined your reason for networking, use a search engine to look up terms such as networking, professional networking, social networking or other keywords that indicate networking.

It is helpful if you narrow your search by city. The list of options that comes up is amazing.

Another great way to network with others is through volunteer work.

Yes, you may be building your social circle first, but remember that you do not know with whom each individual is linked.

A conversation with someone in your volunteer group about your job may lead to a referral for a job opportunity.

Or if you are networking to build your business, your new volunteer friend may be able to refer you to someone.

I can't think of a professional career that could not benefit from networking. In addition, once you join an organization, there may be several spin-off groups with which to network.

From joining one local networking organization, my network has expanded tremendously because of the people I have met and the committees within the organization with which I have become involved. Often, an organization will offer classes to help you build your skills or put you in touch with people of similar interests.

Another great way to network is through blogging, chat groups or Web sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook or MySpace. You can link to groups within those sites to help build your networking group.

LinkedIn offers a way to promote yourself virtually. You can connect with others through connections you already have. There are amazing networking tools at our fingertips, of which many of us aren't aware.

In fact, I have only recently learned of most of these through seminars I have attended.

Also, look at the newspapers and journals. They often promote events that are great networking opportunities.

Think of every situation as a networking opportunity.

You never know who you are going to meet in any setting � maybe your future employer or your next large client.

Allison Pope is the marketing manager for Legacy Financial Planning, an office of MetLife. She chairs the Young Professionals and the Restaurateurs' special interest groups for the Rochester Women's Network.

How you handle your money is the key to financial freedom
By: Michelle de Pinales

(September 7, 2008) Women earn nearly 30 percent less money than men, but wage disparity is no longer the culprit. The primary reason is that women take 11 more years off from work during their careers than men do. As a result, women have less saving and investing power than men and are not as well-prepared for retirement.

Fortunately, statistics show the tide is changing. Increasingly, more professional women are taking control of their financial lives and accumulating wealth. Still, too many women are needlessly behind. Studies show that women can and should be better prepared.

Maximize earnings: In his 2005 book Why Men Earn More: The Startling Truth Behind the Pay Gap � and What Women Can Do About It, author Warren Farrell asserts the best way to maximize earnings is to work more hours. According to his research, people who work 44 hours per week make twice as much as people who work 34 hours per week and that, regardless of gender, men and women who perform the same job for the same number of hours, at the same level of experience, for a similar organization earn the same level of money in most industries.

Are you unwilling to work more hours? Be prepared to make a well-argued case for increased responsibility and ask for larger and more regular raises.

"An employee performing above expectations needs to prepare before her evaluation," says Joan Gaylord of Action Towing and Service. "List specific accomplishments over the last six months and set goals for the next six months. Then I can consider the appropriate recognition."

Don't let other people assume what you will or will not do. For example, many managers think that women with children are unwilling to travel or that a promotion will require too much of their time. Clearly state your values and commitment to work. Or, if your current job offers limited advancement and growth opportunities, Farrell suggests changing fields.

Remember that a new job or better pay is not the direct path to a financially secure future. What you do with your money sets you on the path of financial freedom.

Develop a plan: Begin with eliminating debt and creating a realistic budget.

For most women, eliminating debt means paying off credit cards and parting ways with plastic spending power.

Develop a spending plan for both today and tomorrow. To effectively stretch your earnings, assume more responsibility for your financial well-being.

Use retirement vehicles such as 401(k) plans and IRAs, which have tax advantages.

Make early, regular contributions to savings and investments. For example, a 20-year-old who invests $2,000 a year for eight years will earn more off that investment by the age of 65 than a 30-year-old who invests $2,000 a year for 30 years.

Assess your risk tolerance and define investment objectives that encompass short-, mid- and long-term goals.

Build a balanced, diversified portfolio. Women tend to invest significantly in low-yield, safe investment vehicles as opposed to stocks, which have higher growth potential.

Achieving financial independence: Women must maximize earning potential while protecting their capacity to build wealth. Insurance and estate planning should be a part of every financial plan to achieve this. If we, as women, are going to live longer than men, we may as well do it as comfortably and be as financially secure as we can.

Michelle de Pinales is assistant vice president and manager of KeyBank's Southtown office in Henrietta. She can be reached at (585) 272-5591 or mdepinales@kisinvestments.com.

Have fun, save money on career wardrobe at consignment shops
By: Angella Luyk

(August 31, 2008) With gas prices and just about everything else on the rise, women have to stretch the family budget farther and farther. Because image plays an important role in a first impression, you want to look your best. But suddenly, there is no money for that new suit for next week's meeting with a potential client.

Consignment shopping is becoming the answer for a lot of women. You can buy a new business wardrobe for about $200.

How does consignment shopping work? You bring in your gently used clothes you no longer want, and the stores sell them for you. When the item is sold, you receive a percentage of the price, often adding money to your budget simply by getting rid of what you don't want.

If you wish to purchase clothes, you can do so at a deep discount compared to department stores. A suit could run you about $40, with a pair of pants about $10 to $15. Prices will vary depending on the brand and the store.

The biggest mistake people make is assuming they will not find any name brands. Consignment shops tend to take in only the best clothes. They are looking to grow their business as much as you are looking to grow your wardrobe. Consignment shops tend to be discriminating about what they put on their shelves.

Wendy Pickering, a nail specialist at Jolie Salon in Pittsford, explains that the economy dictates how much business she will get. As a result, her budget is tight these days, and one of the things she loves about consignment shopping is that she gets more value for her money.

"I can go to the mall and purchase a pair of pants for $50 to $60, or I can go consignment shopping and purchase three pairs of pants for the same price," Pickering explains.

There are also stores where you can donate your clothes to and receive a tax break. These are thrift stores. While you can find some great bargains at these places, you do need to look a little harder.

They tend to take in a lot more clothes and their prices are less expensive. A suit may cost you about $20, and shirts about $5 to $10. Again, prices will vary from store to store. When shopping in a thrift store, be sure to examine carefully any garments that you buy. Look for any stains or holes; with the amount of clothes taken in by these stores, they may not have time to look closely at everything.

Here are some tips for making the most of your shopping time and wardrobe dollars

When you set out to shop, make a list of the clothes you are looking fo

Begin with basic colors so you can mix and match. A great list should include pairs of black, brown and perhaps gray pants
Look for sweaters and shirts of complementing colors. You can wear the same pants with different shirts and accessories and no one will be the wiser
Remember to always try on your outfits before you leave the store because sales often are final.

When you have at least two suits, three pairs of pants and six to seven shirts, you have a basic wardrobe. Then starts the fun. Shop for more interesting pieces, perhaps more trendy styles and colors. This will take some time and you may not always find what you are looking for. But you will have all the fun of shopping without breaking the bank.

Think of it as an adventure. You will always find a great bargain and never know what hidden treasure you will find.

Angella Luyk has been a Rochester Women's Network member for two years and can be reached at Angella@midnightjanitorial.com.

Executive coaches aren't only for execs anymore
By: Donna Rawady

(August 17, 2008) You might think that an executive coach works exclusively with executives, but that's not always the case.

She is an honor student at a local community college, holds down a full-time job and is raising the last of four children while helping to raise four grandchildren. She describes herself as a mom-dad, clothes police, breadwinner and counselor.

Cheryl's typical day begins at 6:30 a.m. After readying herself for work, she makes sure the rest of the household is up, dressed and eating breakfast. Work begins at 8:30. She takes the last lunch shift at 2:30 for personal errands and ends her workday at 5. Next, she takes a daughter to supervised recreation and goes to college classes. After class comes supper and putting the grandchildren to bed.

The routine would be daunting for a 20-year-old. Cheryl is 50.

In her family, there are few high school graduates and no college graduates. Social workers and former teachers would not have picked her to succeed; she was categorized as "at risk."

Former teachers and caseworkers who see her now can hardly believe this is the same woman.

Ellis has pieced together her dream from scraps of encouragement that came mostly from outsiders.

So what drives Ellis to succeed?

First, nothing breeds success like success. She learned that, with effort, she could get good grades, and her friends and acquaintances would tutor, baby-sit, celebrate success and help her get financial aid. Ellis says that working at Bags Unlimited is a big part of her success.

Feeling valued at work has bolstered her belief "that life has a lot to offer, that there is value in my life and that I can be a good role model for my own children."

Ultimately, Ellis ascribes her success to absolute faith in God's guidance.

Ellis is not alone in her valiant effort to excel at work; 47 percent of households living in poverty are run by single women. The fact that they hold on to their dreams, work hard and rise above their circumstances is a wonder.

Ellis says her job is rewarding because "I am helping people get their needs met. I talk to people all over the world and have formed relationships with some that I've been dealing with for a long time. Being in sales has taught me to treat people as I want to be treated."

A woman's work is not only to accomplish the task, but to maintain the flexibility necessary to keep her in charge of her job and personal life.

This spring, when the demands of family converged with those at school and on the job, she needed to stop, think and adjust. Ellis left school for a semester. With only six more credits to go to earn an associate's degree and being on the dean's list, she will re-enter school in the fall.

The prospect of working long hours at a meaningless job is tiresome, but the capacity to put meaning into any job is energizing.

Taking pride in getting to work on time, cooperating with others and excelling at whatever tasks are part of the job allow us to move off the treadmill and onto a path that takes us somewhere.

Succeeding and feeling needed are mostly consequences of our own choices. Those choices foster self-worth and personal success.

Germaine Knapp is CEO of Sojourner House, a resource helping women and their families develop stable, independent and productive lives by providing shelter, structure and strength to embrace the future.

Do you know what sexual harassment is?
By: Donna Pritchard

(August 10, 2008) According to Equal Rights Advocates, sexual harassment is "behavior in the workplace which is unwelcome verbal, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature that is severe or pervasive and affects working conditions or creates a hostile work environment."

Here are some examples:

Verbal or written: Making comments about clothing, personal behavior or a person's body; sharing sexual or sex-based jokes; telling rumors about a person's personal or sexual life; threatening a person; making sexual innuendos; requesting sexual favors; or repeatedly asking a person out.

Physical: Assault; impeding or blocking movement; inappropriate touching of a person or a person's clothing; kissing, hugging, patting or stroking.

Nonverbal: Looking up and down a person's body; derogatory gestures or facial expressions of a sexual nature; following a person.

Visual: Posters, drawings, pictures, screen savers or e-mails of a sexual nature.

What becomes difficult is the implementation and acceptance of a policy and procedure that are understood and consistently practiced by management and employees. Rights of employees and company morale are high priorities and very basic to success.

Supervisors are often shocked by allegations and caught off-guard by how to respond appropriately. They may have a totally different view of the situation and try to ignore a complaint, especially if it is verbally expressed. In addition, what may be seen as joking around or company culture may have gone on for years without a complaint. It takes just one person to feel offended and uncomfortable to generate a complaint.

There is an assumption that sexual harassment almost always happens when men act inappropriately in the workplace. A telephone poll conducted by Louis Harris and Associates on workers revealed:

If employees are fired, refused a promotion, demoted, given a poor performance review or reassigned to a less desirable position because they rejected a sexual advance, that is sexual harassment. Employees cannot perform to their potential if their environment is intimidating and hostile.

Work relationships can be quite intimate and intense, especially when those involved share common interests. Such closeness can blur professional boundaries. To sustain a healthy work environment for all employees, routinely review your company's harassment policies and procedures with your employees by conducting periodic training.

Donna Pritchard is director of development at the Center for Youth in Rochester. Contact her at dpritchard@centerforyouth.net.

Volunteering can provide experience, opportunities

By: Laurie A. Baker

(August 3, 2008) Women competing in today's business world must constantly seek out opportunities to sharpen their skills and stay competitive.

Although the business advantages of volunteering are often overlooked, serving on a board of directors or committee at a nonprofit organization provides a unique opportunity to gain valuable business and career experience, learn about the unique challenges faced by nonprofit organizations and to give back to the Rochester community.

Volunteer board members frequently have occasion to lead high-profile initiatives, discover opportunities for growth and gain exposure they might not get at their "day job." These include: strategic planning, financial management and budgeting and fundraising.

Even if you already have experience in these areas, applying it in a nonprofit environment will require you to expand your thinking and will result in personal development. If you have not had experience in these areas, it's a valuable way to gain new skills and be an important resource for a community agency.

The needs in our community are great and will continue to grow as rising costs and the uncertain economy prove challenging to families and the nonprofit agencies they turn to for support.

Volunteers fulfill a crucial role, says Mary Ellen McArdle, director of community relations at St. Joseph's Villa.

"Women bring a diversity of gifts to our volunteer ranks at the Villa. As board members or committee members, they bring a sense of purpose, energy and follow-through that is very valued," McArdle said. "As volunteers in various agency support areas, they bring a consistency and dependability, such that they become part of the fabric of our organization."

Since many nonprofit organizations are vulnerable to budgetary constraints, fluctuations and cutbacks, community support in the form of board leadership and volunteerism is vitally necessary for agencies to thrive and accomplish their mission.

If you are established in your profession, the right volunteer position could help re-energize your career, cultivate networking relationships, and hone your negotiation and communication skills.

If you are just starting out, volunteering can expand your professional network and help build important business contacts. Well-rounded candidates with many skills and varied backgrounds are the most attractive to business recruiters.

In her role as manager of recruitment in human resources at Unity Health System, Radiah Drayton-Scott is constantly seeking new talent for open positions. "I've found that many of our best candidates come to our organization with the unique blend of career knowledge and volunteer experience within the community," she says.

Find an agency or organization whose mission you feel passionate about � whether it's helping families, improving education or the environment � and get involved. There are countless opportunities to meet new people and gain different perspectives.

By becoming a volunteer, the community and countless people in need will benefit from your experience, enthusiasm and talent.

You will also benefit by acquiring skills that can help you in your job today and throughout your professional career.

Laurie A. Baker is chief operating officer of The Summit Federal Credit Union, where she oversees human resources, training, marketing, business relationships and member services.

Clear vision helps make succession planning work
By: Donna Pritchard

(July 27, 2008) What a curious thought � that succession planning should be simple and logical if a successful organization has carefully managed to develop and nurture all employees.

Studies of succession planning estimate that 42 percent of managers have thought about it, but only 12 percent have an actual plan. No matter what the position in a company, "what makes a star a star may be different than what makes a successor a star."

It is very important to have a clear vision of what attributes and skills are necessary to fill any key position. Profit, nonprofit, government, health fields and education are all affected by the realization that we can't remain complacent.

The reality that most of us change jobs at least eight times in our careers has required businesses to think differently about many aspects of human resource management.

We used to talk about the days when people spent most of their adult lives with one company. Then we spent time discussing the effects of devastating mergers and acquisitions. Today, it seems people are becoming the CEOs of their own lives, making bolder moves on their own regardless of geographic movement or allegiance to employers.

Small businesses are especially vulnerable. With 90 percent of the 18 million-plus businesses in America being family-owned and managed, it is obvious that a plan should be in place if the owner should die, become disabled or retire. However, recent surveys report that 30 percent of all family-owned businesses have not considered a successor; 63 percent have done so when the owner reached age 65. Ironically, more than 58 percent of small-business owners list inadequate succession planning as their business's biggest threat.

Information seems key in terms of an emergency plan.

According to Nancy R. Axelrod, author of Chief Executive Succession Planning: The Board's Role in Securing Your Organization's Future, "When the foundation is not in place to pass the baton with competence and grace (even under normal circumstances with ample notice), the result can undermine the entire transition process and create lingering casualties."

There are many resources available to start the succession-planning process for your company or organization. With a bit of research you can find valuable insights and tools for every aspect: disaster and emergency succession planning; diversity succession planning; transferring a business; how to keep vendors neutral; a CEO check-list; and even a template of how to leave your business "in style," including a newsletter and media plan.

The important point is succession planning and preparation for the unforeseen are crucial in today's economy for any business or organization. Just get started.

Donna Pritchard is director of development at the Center for Youth in Rochester. Contact her at dpritchard@centerforyouth.net.

Men, women who work together improve each others' performance

By: Jackie DiBella

(July 20, 2008) Did you ever communicate with someone of the opposite gender in the workplace and walk away with the belief that you were listening to a foreign language?

This should not be surprising. John Gray wrote an entire book about this phenomenon, Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus. The reality is that each gender communicates differently, so differently that the disparity can both be aggravating and strike one's funny bone.

It is tempting to judge those differences, but that misses the point. Each style of communication is valid and valuable. The goal in understanding these differences is not to change the style of each communicator, but to understand why they occur and develop personal skills for adapting to the difference.

Men and women tend to display certain patterns of behavior. While it is important to not generalize or stereotype, recognizing these patterns is the beginning of success in effectively communicating across genders.

Gender differences start early in life. Through conversation, little girls seek to be liked and accepted. Little boys speak in competitive terms. Little girls make requests. Little boys make demands. Little girls speak to create harmony, while little boys prolong conflict. These differences are stressed in Teri and Michael Gamble's book, Contacts: Interpersonal Communication in Theory, Practice, and Context.

Rochesterian Sandra Beckwith's book Why Can't A Man Be More Like A Woman? states that "women gather information by asking questions, but men view question-asking as a sign of weakness." Not surprisingly, these behavior and communication patterns are seen in the workplace as well.

Consider the way each gender leads a meeting, makes a decision or delegates work. Several well-respected studies, such as the one conducted by Laurie Arliss in her book Gender Communication, explain and prove that women tend to soften their demands and statements, whereas men tend to be more direct.

Women, for example, use phrases like "don't you think" following the presentation of an idea; "if you don't mind" following a demand; or "this may be a crazy idea, but" preceding a question. Men may interpret these statements as lacking confidence or authority. By the same token, men often say "we must" or "you need to" and women may interpret these statements as dictatorial.

There is a misconception that "we work best with our own kind." Mixed-gender groups enhance the quality of decision making. Individuals who support others and build team cohesion are complemented by people who focus on the task and ensure efficiency.

When each gender is aware of the differences and works to minimize the inherent challenges of the gender communication gap, the benefits can be reaped.

Mixed-gender work teams tend to be more productive, produce better quality decisions and result in greater member satisfaction than do single-gender work groups. Men and women who work together complement and enhance each others' performance.

Acknowledging these style differences allows us to focus on content versus delivery.

We must be sensitive to each gender's needs and aware of mutual expectations while we learn to understand our manner of encoding messages, how interacting with each other influences business relations, and how to overcome perceptual barriers.

Jackie DiBella teaches interpersonal communications at Genesee Community College and also coaches businesses on workplace relationships. Reach her at jedibella@genesee.edu.

Women advised to take control of their finances

By: Mary Spurrier

(July 13, 2008) A friend recently said to me, "I am going to learn about investing as soon as I have money."

That's like saying you are waiting to jog until you can run 10 miles.

Procrastination is the most common reason why people fail to invest and why they lack money in retirement.

The most common excuses women use for not saving and investing are: Someone will take care of me; the children need to come first; I will never live alone. All of these assumptions may be proven false.

You will need to take care of yourself. The fact is that 47 percent of marriages end in divorce. The children will need you only for a while. You have a 90 percent chance of living alone at least once in your life.

You will be retired for 20 to 30 years after you stop receiving a paycheck and will have only savings, Social Security and maybe a pension to pay the bills. If your spouse dies, your Social Security will be cut by as much as half.

According to noted financial writer Suze Orman, "Controlling your financial destiny comes down to knowing what to do and what not to do, and having the conviction and confidence to go out and do it. Not just think about it. Or intend to do it next week or next month. To actually do it. Right now."

The steps to establishing economic security and wealth are simple. Determine your goals, both short- and long-term. Learn, in language that you understand, how money and investments work. Ask for help from a guide, either a professional or a knowledgeable friend.

Most importantly, establish a structured savings plan. This should consist of a regular savings program and investments that allocate your funds to suit your risk-and-reward tolerance.

A simple first step is to participate in your workplace 401(k). This is even more important if your employer matches your contributions. Not contributing, at least to the extent of the match, is like throwing away money. Because 401(k) deductions are taken before taxes, the contribution out of your paycheck is barely noticed. Because gains on your account are tax-deferred, your 401(k) investment should grow more quickly than taxable options.

A key aspect of investing is staying focused. The simple truth is that the market will suffer unexpected dips and your account balance may go down from time to time, as has been the case for much of 2008. Your ability to ride out the bumps depends on what you do in times like these.

Remind yourself now and then of what you want out of both your investments and your retirement plan. Stay diverse by investing in U.S and international companies of different sizes and with varying levels of risk.

Keep a long-term perspective. Short-term fluctuations may make you nervous, but in the long term, defined as five years or more, the stock market tends to outperform other investments.

Having money does not mean that you have to be a millionaire. It means that you can take a special trip, buy a vacation or retirement home, provide for children and grandchildren or give back to the community in the form of philanthropy. It is the use of money in these ways that enriches life and gives you joy.

Do not procrastinate. Now is the time to take control of your financial future, no matter how old you are. Once you have learned the simple steps of investing and begin a savings and investment plan, you will realize how simple it is. The hard part is getting started.

Mary Spurrier is a certified financial planner. She may be reached at (585) 271-5280.

Despite stereotypes, older workers have valuable skills, insights
By: Lynette M. Loomis

(July 6, 2008) With more than half of Americans wanting or needing to continue working past age 65, employers may need to confront their stereotypes of both older and younger workers.

An AARP study showed that 25 percent of people expect to work into their 70s. Why? Money. Social contacts. A desire to learn and grow. A need to contribute or the opportunity to do something they always wanted to do.

Intellectual capital is a competitive asset that cannot be taken for granted. Workers older than 50 have technical skills, industry experience and a deep understanding of a company's philosophy and culture.

The people "who've been there forever" hold in their heads the history of how a product was developed, including valuable insight into what didn't work so that failures are not replicated. Also included within this intellectual capital are the relationships and networks developed over many years that serve as the foundation for repeat sales, good relationships with suppliers and an understanding of a competitor's strengths and vulnerabilities.

There are many ill-conceived conceptions of older workers. However, in the September 2006 issue of Entrepreneur.com, Stephen Bastien lists 12 ways in which older workers meet the needs of employers: They are dedicated, punctual, honest, detail-oriented, good listeners, organized, efficient, confident and mature, and they take pride in a job well done, set an example for other employees, communicate well and, in some cases, reduce labor costs since many already have insurance and pension plans from prior employers.

According to HRMguide.com, workers between the ages of 18 and 34 are twice as likely to prefer flexible working conditions as older employees and seek control of their own schedules, while respondents ages 35 to 44 indicated that they would value more time with family.

Many older workers are willing to work a more flexible schedule as their days of driving kids to soccer and karate are behind them. A mature worker also may be willing to work later in the day so that younger workers can participate in the after-school activities of their children. Some companies have benefited from the fact that young families like to take time off in the summer when kids are out of school and older workers like to vacation in the winter months. By working with these differences, both the employer and the employees benefit.

Many mature workers have a wealth of knowledge and experience they are willing to pass on to their less-experienced colleagues. Similarly, they welcome learning new techniques and approaches from their younger co-workers.

Younger workers bring with them an innate sense of technology and how to use it. They have been trained in the latest theories and business practices, have greater cross-cultural awareness than any generation and expect to function in a global economy. They also bring an open-mindedness about problem solving that can help a work team view a problem or opportunity from a new angle. Younger workers also bring an energy and vitality to the workplace that can be "contagious."

Pair the attitude, skills and current knowledge of the younger worker with the life experience and business savvy of the mature worker and you have a formidable combination.

There is a need to acknowledge and respect what motivates different generations and the talents of each individual in support of a company's business goals and objectives.

Lynette M. Loomis is president of Your Best Life Coaching LLC. Contact her at www.yourbestlifecoaching.com or (585) 624-1300.

In any partnership, the issues to consider are power, money and planning for the future
By: Amy Varel

(June 29, 2008) The U.S. Small Business Administration reports that one-third of new businesses do not survive more than two years and 56 percent won't last more than four.

Of course, no one starts a business planning to fail. Everyone enters into a partnership with good intentions and good feelings about his or her partner.

The problem is that those good feelings may turn sour when things do not work out exactly as planned.

A serious dispute between partners can be catastrophic for the business and for the partners. Establishing a clear written agreement between the partners as early as possible can help the business succeed.

In any partnership, the issues to consider are power, money and planning for the future. These considerations are the same whether you plan to form a partnership, a corporation or a limited liability company.

How will power be divided among the partners? How will decisions be made? For example, it is common in the case of a closely held business for the partners to share the power equally. But is this always the right answer? If there are only two partners, there is the potential for deadlock. If both partners cannot agree on a particular issue, the company cannot operate. This could be disastrous, or even fatal, for a closely held business.

Money is always a consideration when planning for a closely held business. The partners need to determine how the profits and losses of the business will be divided.

For example, a common scenario in a closely held business is that one partner will be the investor and the other partner will provide services to the partnership. There are several potential pitfalls in this scenario. The partners need to agree as to exactly what services will be provided to the partnership and what that partner will receive in return. Will some of the services be provided in exchange for an ownership interest in the company? Will some of the services be provided in exchange for other compensation, such as a salary? What form will the other compensation take? How will investors ensure that the partner who is supposed to provide services is actually providing the services promised in exchange for his/her ownership interest?
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New partners also must plan for the future. What happens if one partner wants to retire or just leave the partnership? What happens if one partner were to die? In businesses with three or more partners, what happens if two of the partners decide that they no longer want the third partner in the business?

It is important for the partners to establish a clear road map at the time of formation of the entity that the partners will follow in all situations. This includes determining the purchase price, or a formula to determine the purchase price, that will be used to buy a departing partner's interest by either the business or the other partners.

Of course, as the business changes, this valuation should be revisited and revised.

As important as determining the price for a buyout is determining how the buyout will be funded, said Eileen C. Semmler, a certified public accountant and partner of The Bonadio Group. Semmler suggests providing for a payout over time or funding the buyout with insurance to avoid putting the entity or the other owners in an untenable financial situation.

A little planning in the beginning of a partnership relationship will go a long way to help ensure future success.

Amy Varel is an attorney in the law firm of McConville, Considine, Cooman & Morin in Rochester. She can be reached at avarel@mccmlaw.com

The art of conversation is golden in a virtual world
By: Amy White

(June 22, 2008) In a world of laptops, Blackberries, cell phones and instant messaging (to name of few of my personal nemeses), the art of conversation is becoming lost.

It sounds much like a comment our parents might have made over the years, generally accompanied by "That loud music, television or telephone is causing the downfall of an entire generation." That was long before our day-to-day interactions with each other became electronic.

Yet the ability to effectively communicate, personally interact with others and maneuver through life and business is vital to our survival and forms the basis on which others perceive us.

This is especially critical for those who are in leadership roles. In the business world, many rely on a quick e-mail, voicemail or text message to request an action or get the status of a work in process. This leaves the recipient in a position where he or she must assume critical items or read between the lines to determine what is being requested.

Electronic communication also leaves much open for interpretation and can create or break down teams and team members depending on how it is read.

Warren Bennis, one of the nation's foremost authorities on organizational development, leadership and change, and author of numerous books, makes this point when he says, "What distinguishes leaders ... is that they find a voice that allows them to articulate the common dream." With a clearly communicated "common dream," we are able to do more in less time with better, faster results.

We are all under intense pressure from our corporate leaders, shareholders and clients, as well as our own set of unrealistic timelines, right? Yes, but effective personal communication does not have to take much more time than writing and sending the e-mail, text message or leaving a voicemail.

Have you ever wondered how much time is wasted or how many projects are delayed because the expectations and deliverables weren't spelled out at the beginning?

So what is the first step to good communication?

Listening. Yes, it is that simple. Good conversation is a gift and a skill and one that you can develop if it doesn't come easily for you. Good conversation is impossible without good listening skills. The bottom line is that good conversationalists are good listeners. Here are a few suggestions for listening more effectively:

·Position you body toward the speaker; be an open receiver.

·Maintain eye contact.

·Repeat in your mind what the other person is saying.

·Wait for him or her to finish before speaking.

·Summarize what was said.

·Be physically and mentally engaged; effective listening is an active activity.

By effectively listening, you will find yourself much more prepared to communicate in a way that will be easily understood and will ensure that your words build up the morale of your employees and your teams.

According to Carice Welch, CEO of a Dallas-based management company, "face-to-face communication allows us each presence; our greatest energy exchange and opportunity for listening and being truly being heard."

As you master the art of conversation and communication, you will find that deadlines are being met more consistently, team morale and teamwork will thrive and doing work twice all but disappears.

Amy White is a director for Pitney Bowes Management Services, an executive coach and a member of the Rochester Womens Network. Reach her at Amy.White@pb.com.

Influence results by listening, communicating
By: Mimi Bacilek

(June 15, 2008) The leader's most important role in the organization is to improve sales and profits. Unless you're a one-person show, the reality is these results occur as a result of your influence, not your hands-on efforts. So how can you most successfully influence these results? Members of your staff are looking to you: