- Apply sophisticated management practices, especially the use of financial reports, to manage cash flow and expenses
- Use lawyers, accountants, consultants, advisory boards and boards of directors
- Align their company with complementary businesses through strategic alliances
- Take advantage of multiple funding sources including vendor credit, credit card loans, venture capital and angel investing, bank loans, and other financial strategies
- Secure contracts with large corporations and government as primary clients
- Innovate continuously, and expand both domestically and internationally
- Have a professional, regularly updated website
- Engage in e-commerce and electronic marketing
- Become certified as a woman-owned business
- Own businesses in the industries of: wholesale trade, construction, manufacturing, transportation, communications, or public utilities
Characteristics of Fast-Growth Women Leaders
As the president and founder of the Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO), which serves million-dollar business owners, I have encountered many women using these aforementioned strategies. I even contacted the WPO Platinum Group — members with revenues of $10 million and above — and asked each woman what business strategies accounted for the success of her company. Invariably, they responded with the same strategies described above.
Peer advisory groups are unique because they provide unrestricted insight and unbiased perspectives on a participant’s business. Such a group should contain members from non-competing industries, and everyone must be open and willing to share information about finances and other sensitive issues. Confidentiality is essential. Peers must feel safe about sharing trade secrets. The most effective learning experiences come about as a result of bonding within the peer advisory group.
Owners of high-growth companies have a greater intensity of commitment to their company than women-owned businesses with low growth. They put in long hours, are self-confident, and take risks. In a recent WPO survey, we found that many of our members are considering both domestic and international expansion. Half of our members plan to add offices domestically and 66% plan to add international locations.
These women “dream big” — they see themselves succeeding financially, managing large staffs, and running businesses that have multiple branches and locations or that are international in scope. They are women with 100 ideas a minute who do not hesitate to implement the best of the ideas they dream up. If these characteristics describe you, you may be a natural leader, destined to join the ranks of the world’s most powerful business women.
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WPO’s 2008 International Conference The Women Presidents’ Organization’s (WPO’s) 2008 International Conference, will be held on April 24-26, 2008, in Boston, Massachusetts. The conference encourages WPO members to share business strategies and experience with other successful women from all over North America, as well as to learn from interactive seminars and speakers. Potential members who qualify to attend will receive a unique opportunity to experience the impact the WPO has on Women Business Owners professionally and personally. Workshops will be substantive educational seminars targeted at accomplished business women on a variety of topics including employee management, business development, globalization, financial planning, tax strategies, and high workplace performance. |
