Halloween is the one day out of the year where ghosts and goblins rule, but there is more to fear about the last day in October than scary apparitions. For many in business, and particularly women in business since they own the majority of small retail stores, the end of October is when income vs. expense go from negative to positive. Yes, you've spent 10 months out of the year paying for rent, utilities, employees, marketing, inventory, health care, and don't forget the government (taxes)....and you have only 2 months left to put money in your pocket.
So, Reason 1 - women business owners have just 2 months left of 2010 to create positive cash flow for their businesses and MUST have the right marketing strategy in place now to succeed.
Reason 2 - women in business working for others must acknowledge that they are still earning only a fraction of what their male counterparts in the same position and field are. Yes, pay equity still escapes women in the workplace in 2010. At $.76 per every dollar a man makes, a woman's pay barely covers her essential needs such as food, housing, education and health care --- oh, and did I mention taxes. Consumer experts report that it cost women more than men just to live as their needs are more expensive.
Reason 3 -women in business continue to lag behind men in business as corporate board directors in both public and private companies. The Boston Club will reveal it's 2010 Census of Women Directors and Executive Officers in Massachusetts Largest Companies report soon and state that the statistics haven't budged in more than 10 years even though women are more than 50% of the workforce and are the more educated in the U.S. Yes, women of all ages and income levels have their money invested in 401Ks, IRAs, mutual funds and more just a men do, but they still are not invited to sit on boards of directors of a majority of public companies. Less than 14% of board directors of the Fortune 500 are female.
All kidding aside, Halloween is just one more day on the calendar that women in business aren't getting their fair share and as our great president FDR once said "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself". Better to take action than to sit in fear of what we believe we have no control.
First, start today with a strategic plan for boosting revenues, partnering with others and gaining more market share if you are a business owner. You can't grow if you don't get more customers.
Second, ask for a raise or performance review at your place of work. Every survey taken reveals that women tend not to get more money because they don't ask for it.
And third, if you are corporate board director qualified contact IONwomen.org and find the regional organization where you can submit your resume to be considered the next time a public company reaches out for a woman director.
Women in business are at the crossroads of change and must recognize that there is nothing to fear but lack of action.