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Category: Leadership

How to Improve Your Leadership Skills in 5 Steps

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Leadership is a skillset that requires constant refinement. Strong leadership skills can make a significant difference in achieving success. But how can you improve your leadership abilities without overcomplicating the process?

Here are five straightforward and effective steps to help you become a more confident and capable leader.

Step 1. Analyze Your Past Leadership Experiences

Your history holds valuable lessons. The key to becoming a better leader lies in understanding where you’ve been. Reflecting on your previous leadership experiences allows you to identify patterns, uncover blind spots, and recognize strengths you can build upon.

Some tips how to do it:

  • Revisit Key Moments: Think about situations where your leadership was tested. What went well, and what didn’t? Were there missed opportunities or decisions you would now approach differently?
  • Gather Feedback: Ask your team, peers, or mentors for honest insights about your leadership. This external perspective often reveals things you might overlook.
  • Track Your Progress: Compare your leadership today with where you started. Have you become better at motivating your team, managing conflicts, or delegating tasks?

Step 2. Change Unproductive Habits

Leadership is often shaped by the small, daily habits that either support or undermine your effectiveness. Unproductive habits, like procrastinating on difficult conversations or micromanaging tasks, can create roadblocks not just for you but for your entire team.

Start by identifying the behaviors that may be holding you back. Maybe you tend to avoid delegating because it feels quicker to do things yourself, or perhaps you struggle with prioritizing tasks when everything feels urgent. Once you’ve pinpointed these habits, focus on replacing them with more constructive practices.

For example, if procrastination is an issue, set smaller, achievable goals for tasks that seem overwhelming. If you find yourself micromanaging, work on trusting your team by clearly outlining expectations and then stepping back to let them own their responsibilities.

Changing habits takes time and effort, but these small shifts can have a profound impact on your leadership style, making you more effective and empowering those you lead.

Step 3. Develop a Vision for Your Leadership Style

Think about the kind of leader you aspire to be. Do you want to be a more empathetic leader? Or perhaps a more strategic thinker?

Take some time to articulate this vision. Think about the qualities you admire in other leaders. Write it down or create a mental image of what success looks like for you as a leader.

Set goals around how you want to develop these traits and begin incorporating them into your everyday leadership practices. By identifying the characteristics that resonate with you, you can also create a leadership blueprint that reflects your values.

When faced with challenges or tough decisions, having a clear leadership philosophy can make it easier to stay focused and intentional.

Step 4. Enhance Your Decision-Making Process

As a leader, your ability to make informed, timely decisions can make or break a project or team dynamic. It’s easy to fall into the trap of reacting impulsively or letting emotions cloud your judgment, especially in high-pressure situations.

Improving your decision-making process involves learning to balance logic with intuition and developing the confidence to make choices that align with your vision and goals.

To do this, start by slowing down in your decision-making. Take the time to gather the relevant information, consider different perspectives, and weigh the potential outcomes. Trust your instincts, but also be open to data and feedback.

With practice, you’ll develop a decision-making process that allows you to act decisively while considering all angles.

Step 5. Build a Resilience Toolkit

Leadership isn’t without its challenges. This field often involves facing setbacks and challenges that can test your mental and emotional limits. Building resilience means developing the ability to recover from these challenges and stay focused on your long-term goals, even in tough times.

To build a resilience toolkit, develop mental and emotional strategies that help you stay composed under pressure. Consider practices like mindfulness, regular exercise, or reflection time. Surround yourself with a supportive network to help you stay grounded and optimistic.

The stronger your resilience, the better you’ll be at maintaining clarity and focus in the face of adversity.

Final Thoughts

Leadership is a constant evolution. The key is to keep learning, adapting, and challenging yourself. It won’t always be easy, but with each step, you’re becoming more effective and more confident.

So don’t wait — start making these changes today and watch your leadership skills transform. The best version of yourself as a leader is waiting to be discovered.

How to Start a Women-Owned Small Business

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By Nionila Ivanova, founder of IT Creative Labs and creator of IT Project Management training.

Starting a small business is tough, especially for women who often face unique barriers and challenges. While the rise of women entrepreneurs has been inspiring, it’s also been hard-fought. Despite the progress, women still encounter obstacles that can make the process even more difficult.

But don’t worry — this article is here to help. Whether you’re just thinking about starting a business or are ready to take the next steps, I’ll share some practical tips that have proven to work for women. You don’t need a business degree or years of experience to get started. By the end of this guide, you’ll have the confidence and know-how to become a successful business owner.

Table of Contents

Step 1: Identifying Your Business Idea

The first step to starting any successful business is a solid idea. But how do you find that idea? Speaking from years of experience as a tech entrepreneur, I’ve learned that the best business ideas often come from the intersection of your skills, passions, and market needs.

Start by assessing what you’re good at — whether it’s a skill you’ve honed professionally or a hobby you’re passionate about. Then, look at where those strengths overlap with a real market demand. What problems can you solve? What value can you bring that others can’t?

For example, when I founded IT Creative Labs, the idea came from two things: recognizing a gap in the market for customized IT solutions that didn’t just meet technical needs but also aligned with clients’ short and long-term business goals; recognizing a huge gender gap in the tech field, so the mission of the company was to even the field, providing more opportunities for women to enter and grow within the technology industry.

Remember, your idea needs to solve a problem, meet a need, or offer something in a better way or different than what’s currently available. Keep it simple, authentic, and ensure there’s a market for it.

Step 2: Creating a Business Plan

Once you’ve decided on your business idea, the next step is creating a solid business plan. Your business plan should outline your goals, target market, competition, and financial projections.

Start with your business goals, both short-term and long-term. What do you want to achieve in the next year? In five years? Be specific, measurable, and realistic.

Next, you have to analyze a market. Understand who your customers are, what they need, and how you can meet those needs better than your competitors. Also research your competitors and find out their strengths and weaknesses.

Financial planning is another critical element. Outline your startup costs, revenue projections, and funding needs.

Finally, decide on your legal structure, which best fits your business goals.

Step 3: Funding Your Business

Securing funding is often one of the biggest hurdles for new entrepreneurs, especially women. There are several options available, and with the right approach, you can find the funding you need to bring your business to life.

Start by exploring funding options specifically tailored for women-owned businesses. Many organizations and government programs offer grants, loans, and resources specifically aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs. For example, the Small Business Administration (SBA) provides loans with favorable terms for women-owned businesses, and there are numerous grants available if you know where to look.

Crowdfunding is also a powerful tool, especially if your business idea has broad appeal. Platforms like Kickstarter or Indiegogo allow you to raise small amounts of money from a large number of people, which can add up quickly. Plus, it’s a great way to build a community around your brand even before you launch.

I also suggest you pay attention to bootstrapping — using your savings or reinvesting early profits to grow your business. While this approach requires more financial discipline, it gives you complete control over your business without the pressure of external investors.

Step 4: Navigating Legal and Regulatory Requirements

This step might seem daunting, but getting this right from the start can save you headaches down the road.

Register your business with the appropriate authorities, which usually involves choosing a business name and filing the necessary paperwork. Depending on your location and business type, you may also need to obtain specific permits and licenses.

For women-owned businesses, consider applying for certifications like the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) certification. This can open doors to government contracts and other opportunities.

Don’t forget to familiarize yourself with local, state, and federal tax requirements. Consulting with a legal or financial expert at this stage is often worth the investment, ensuring that you’re fully compliant and protected as you move forward.

Step 5: Building Your Brand

At this stage focus on creating a unique brand identity (a business name, logo, colors, and messaging). Your brand should reflect your values and appeal to your target audience.

A professional website is also what every business must have. Your website is often the first interaction customers will have with your business, so it needs to be mobile and user-friendly. Include essential information like your products or services, contact details, quality photos, and a clear call to action.

In the digital era having social media is a key to success. At the beginning I recommend analyzing and choosing platforms where your target audience is most active (for instance, Instagram, Tik Tok, or LinkedIn), and then regularly create content that engages and informs followers on these social platforms.

Step 6: Celebrate Small Wins

After all the paperwork, don’t forget about yourself.

Recognize and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Celebrating small wins keeps you motivated and reminds you that progress is happening, even if it feels slow at times. When you hit a milestone, like landing a new client or finishing a big project, take a moment to recognize it.

Celebrate in ways that resonate with you. This could be as simple as treating yourself to a favorite coffee, taking a well-deserved break, or sharing your success with your team.

Step 6: Joining Women Entrepreneur Networks

Building a strong women support system is vital for any entrepreneur. These networks provide a space to connect with like-minded women who understand the unique challenges you face and can offer valuable advice and support.

When you start a small business, you will quickly realize the power of these communities. This is a place where you can build relationships, find mentors, and even collaborate on projects. Many women entrepreneur networks offer workshops, webinars, and events where you can learn new skills, stay updated on industry trends, and gain insights from experienced business owners.

Step 7: Maintaining Work-Life Balance

As an entrepreneur, it’s easy to let work consume all your time, but maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for long-term success and well-being.

From my experience leading a company and training project managers who especially often face burnout, here are some key strategies to achieve this balance:

  1. Define specific work hours and stick to them. Avoid checking emails or taking calls outside of these hours.
  2. Create a dedicated workspace to physically and mentally separate work from personal life. 
  3. Focus on high-impact tasks and delegate routine or administrative work when possible. 
  4. Just as you schedule meetings and deadlines, schedule regular breaks and personal time.
  5. Practice self-care (exercise, meditation, and hobbies).
  6. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from family, friends, or mentors.

Final Thoughts

Being a woman in entrepreneurship is both challenging and exhilarating. The way is filled with obstacles, barriers, and setbacks, but each of these is also an opportunity for growth and learning. Rather than viewing these challenges as roadblocks, see them as new stages in your business’s evolution.

With the practical tips I’ve shared, you’re now armed to handle obstacles and turn them into triumphs. I hope these insights help you feel more prepared to handle obstacles and guide your small business toward achieving great things.

Top 10 Essential Skills for Project Managers

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Being a project manager means you’re at the helm, skillfully directing tasks and navigating through data to achieve overall success. As a project manager, you’re responsible for managing a project from start to finish — launch, planning, control, risk management, and closure. To excel in this role, it’s crucial to master both hard and soft skills, ensuring you become a true professional in this field.

In this article, we’ll highlight the 10 most important skills that both beginner and experienced project managers need to achieve outstanding results in launching and managing projects.

Table of Contents

1. Communication

Effective communication is essential for productive teamwork on any project. Poorly structured communication within the team, unwillingness to engage with each other, inability to convey viewpoints, lack of leadership skills, and poor negotiation abilities (which we’ve discussed in detail above) can all significantly increase the risk of project failure.

To develop communication skills as a project manager, be open and honest with colleagues, management, and clients. For example, during discussions with colleagues, encourage team members to participate in the conversation by asking simple questions and actively responding to their inputs.

A skilled project manager also knows how to maintain open communication not only during online or offline meetings but also through various channels such as email, Slack, or messaging apps. Additionally, knowing when to use each communication method appropriately enhances information exchange efficiency and builds trust within the team.

2. Process Management

Any project is a complex of work tasks and processes, so the project manager must put everything into one system. Design, implementation, and optimization are a set of processes that the project manager needs to constantly monitor. The success of the project will depend on how involved the project manager is in the work.

As a project manager, being good at process management means you can:

  • Set Clear Steps: Define clear procedures for every phase of the project so every team member knows what to do and when.
  • Smooth Out Workflows: Identify and fix any parts of the process that slow things down. This helps the team work faster and with less stress.
  • Use Best Practices: Apply proven methods and industry standards to guide your project. This improves both efficiency and quality.
  • Keep an Eye on Progress: Continuously monitor how things are going and be ready to tweak processes as needed. Flexibility helps you handle unexpected challenges.

3. Team Management

Without strong team management skills, it’s tough for a project manager to keep everything on track and get the project across the finish line successfully. So, it’s really important for a project manager to bring the team together, steer them in the same direction, distribute tasks effectively, and review the results.

But managing a team isn’t just about handing out tasks and giving orders. So the next important skill we’ll look at is conflict resolution.

4. Conflict Management

For instance, during meetings, team members might have differing opinions on how to tackle a problem, especially a critical task, which can lead to conflicts. One believes the project should follow a strict timeline, while the other used to apply a more flexible approach.

Additionally, triggers like a shortage of staff and financial resources, lack of crucial information, tight deadlines, and unclear roles can create stress and tension among team members.

As the project manager, your task is to step in and sort things out.

Consequently, a successful and effective project manager needs to prevent internal conflicts within the team. If interpersonal issues do arise, they should be able to address them by identifying the source of the conflict, listening actively to everyone’s concerns, fostering a positive team environment, and finding optimal solutions that work for everyone.

5. Risk Management

Risks are present not only in our personal lives but also at work. When working on a project, the team always faces the chance of making a serious mistake that could disrupt the project and affect previously agreed deadlines, budgets, and resources. Deviations from the plan often lead to extra costs and complications.

The key task of a skilled project manager with risk management expertise is the ability to foresee potential risks in advance. For example, if you’re aware that a key team member might leave, you can prepare by cross-training other team members or planning for a replacement.

It’s also important to minimize the impact of any risks that do materialize. This involves quickly adjusting your plans, reallocating resources if needed, and keeping communication open with stakeholders to manage any changes effectively.

When risks do arise, a good project manager takes responsibility for addressing them. If an unexpected issue impacts the project, owning up to it and working to find a solution demonstrates a strong leadership skill.

6. Leadership

Without strong leadership, any team is bound to struggle. A project manager with effective leadership skills guides the team, motivates members, and makes well-considered decisions. They are willing to take risks, own up to mistakes, and have the ability to persuade and negotiate.

Essentially, they’re a figure of authority and inspiration for the entire team. Inspiring and encouraging team members, even during challenging times, keeps morale high and helps everyone stay focused on the project’s goals.

Leadership is one of the most crucial soft skills for a project manager. It’s what drives the team forward and helps overcome obstacles, making it a key factor in achieving project success.

7. Negotiation

Negotiation is at the core of successful collaboration. For a project manager, it’s a skill that goes hand in hand with leadership, effective communication, persuasion, and conflict resolution.

A project manager’s job involves constant communication with team members, clients, and stakeholders, making negotiation a significant part of their daily routine.

In the process of negotiation, a good project manager should:

  • Be Charismatic: Charisma helps build rapport and trust with others, making it easier to reach agreements.
  • Observe Reactions: Pay attention to how other participants are responding during discussions. This helps in adjusting your approach to maintain a positive and productive atmosphere at the meeting.
  • Maintain Positivity: Keep the mood of the meeting upbeat and constructive. A positive attitude helps in easing tensions and facilitating smoother negotiations.
  • Be Tactful: Handle sensitive topics with care. Being diplomatic ensures that conversations remain respectful and effective.
  • Find Solutions: Be resourceful in resolving issues. Whether dealing with budget constraints or timeline adjustments, finding creative solutions is key to moving forward.

8. Time Management

A good project manager knows how to manage time effectively because it’s a crucial resource in any project. Proper time control boosts both the project manager’s efficiency and the overall performance of the team.

Effective time management also means planning meetings in advance and adjusting task allocation based on project specifics. For instance, if your team is in a different time zone than your client, you may need to adjust your usual work schedule to accommodate their preferred meeting times.

To manage your personal time effectively, consider using time-tracking tools or methodologies like the Pomodoro Technique or time-blocking. For example, time-tracking tools like Toggl or Clockify help you monitor how much time is spent on various tasks. The Pomodoro Technique involves working in focused intervals, typically 25 minutes, followed by a short break. Time-blocking helps by scheduling specific blocks of time for different tasks, ensuring you stay on track.

By mastering time management, you ensure that both you and your team work efficiently and meet project deadlines, making the best use of your time and resources.

9. Technical Expertise

A good project manager basically understands IT products and services and how  websites or mobile applications are developed. They also have a basic knowledge of marketing, SEO, ASO, UI/UX design, business analysis, and project management consulting.

Having technical expertise means understanding IT terminology and core technologies, which helps in estimating and planning any upcoming project accurately. This background allows project managers to communicate smoothly with developers, designers, marketers, and testers without needing to delve into technical jargon.

For example, knowing the stages of mobile app development helps a project manager set clear tasks for developers and designers, monitor their progress effectively, and assess the final results. This technical understanding simplifies communication, saving time and avoiding the need for constant clarification of technical terms and processes.

10. Team Collaboration

The final skill, though no less important, is the ability of a project manager to work well within a team. Managing a team and being an active team player are not the same thing. A project manager needs to balance being both the leader and a team member.

In a team setting, a successful project manager:

  • Always looks for ways to boost the team’s productivity and efficiency.
  • Understands that both successes and challenges are collective.
  • Acts as a dependable source of support for team members, offering help, resources, and encouragement when needed.
  • Works in the best interest of the entire team, not just individual goals.

Conclusion

All the skills of an ideal project manager mentioned above are interconnected. To become a high-level PM, it’s not enough to have just well-developed soft skills; you also need to strengthen your technical skills.

Equally important is self-improvement, the desire and drive to learn new things in the field of project management, and to put them into practice. Even if you are an experienced project manager with many years of experience and a successful track record of launching numerous projects, don’t be afraid to continually enhance your professionalism.

Read also: How to Get Into Project Management Without Experience

Attend training sessions and seminars, expand your network, meet new people, and share your experiences. Striving for continuous growth and being open to learning will ensure that you stay at the top of your game and lead your projects to success.

The Importance of Women-Owned Businesses

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Ever wondered about the powerhouse driving a significant wave of change in the business world? These businesses – dynamic entities owned and operated by women, significantly are shaping the market.

According to the NWBC 2023 Annual Report, 14 million women-owned businesses make up 39.1 percent of all U.S. businesses — a 13.6 percent increase from 2019 to 2023. That’s not just numbers. It’s a testament to the growing influence and impact of women entrepreneurs.

Table of Contents

Challenges Faced by Women-Owned Businesses

Running a business by women entrepreneurs often comes with its unique set of struggles.

Access to Capital

Women-owned businesses frequently encounter challenges in securing funding compared to their male counterparts. Whether seeking loans or venture capital, the financing landscape can be less accessible, limiting growth opportunities.

Gender Bias and Stereotypes

The persistence of gender biases and stereotypes can cast a shadow over women entrepreneurs. Preconceived notions about leadership capabilities and industry suitability may hinder their ability to be taken seriously in certain sectors.

Work-Life Balance Struggles

Balancing the demands of entrepreneurship with family responsibilities can be particularly challenging for women. The expectation to fulfill traditional roles at home while navigating the demands of a business can lead to burnout.

Networking Challenges

Networking plays a crucial role in business success, but women may face challenges in establishing the same level of connections as their male counterparts. This limitation can impact access to mentors, partnerships, and business opportunities.

Limited Representation in Leadership Roles

The scarcity of women in leadership positions within established companies or industries can limit visibility for aspiring women entrepreneurs. A lack of role models may affect confidence and discourage potential business leaders.

Access to Education and Training

Disparities in educational and training opportunities can hinder women entrepreneurs in acquiring the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in competitive markets.

Social Expectations

Social expectations and cultural norms may impose additional pressures on women entrepreneurs. Navigating these expectations while pursuing ambitious business goals requires resilience and determination.

Systemic Barrier

Institutional and systemic barriers, such as discriminatory policies and practices, can impede the progress of women-owned businesses. Addressing these structural issues is crucial for fostering an inclusive business environment.

Importance of Supporting Women-Owned Businesses

Actively supporting women-owned enterprises is a strategic move that reverberates through the fabric of our global economy.

Economic Impact and Job Creation

By actively supporting women-owned businesses, we catalyze economic growth. The statistics speak volumes – increasing the number of women-owned businesses can inject trillions into the global economy.

It’s not just about revenue; it’s about job creation. These businesses often serve as engines for employment, fostering stronger and more vibrant communities.

Diversity and Innovation in the Business Landscape

Women bring a unique perspective to the table, spurring creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. By actively supporting women entrepreneurs, we inject diversity into the business ecosystem.

This diversity becomes a driving force, leading to fresh ideas, new approaches, and ultimately, a more resilient and adaptive business landscape. The businesses thrive, and so does the ecosystem.

Empowerment and Breaking Gender Stereotypes

Supporting women-owned businesses is a tangible way to dismantle age-old gender stereotypes. It sends a powerful message that gender should never be a barrier to success.

When women see other women thriving in business, it becomes a source of inspiration. It challenges preconceived notions and sets the stage for a more inclusive and equitable future. Empowered women empower others, creating a ripple effect of positive change.

A Woman-Owned Success Story of IT Creative Labs

IT Creative Labs was founded because of two main factors:

  1. Lack of support for working mothers in the corporate world.
  2. Lack of support for women in the technology space, which was (and still is) heavily male-dominated.

Thus, IT Creative Labs is founded on the principles of human-first approach and diversity & inclusion.

Being a woman-owned business we face the challenges we spoke of above first-hand, bias being the biggest one. But because IT Creative Labs was formed to tackle those biases, we have not only shown resilience in the face of challenges but also aim at improving the situation overall, investing in bringing more women into the tech space and supporting fellow small diverse businesses.

Despite constantly being doubted and given very little opportunities, IT Creative Labs manages to persevere through hard work, dedication to driving change and delivering high quality innovative solutions to our clients.

So to all our readers who are looking to go into tech space – be brave, be strong and don’t let anyone stop you from fulfilling your goals and dreams; and to all our clients and partners who supported us throughout the years – THANK YOU!

Strategies for Supporting Women-Owned Businesses

Supporting women-owned businesses is an active commitment to fostering diversity and empowering a demographic that has historically faced unique challenges. Whether you’re an individual or a business, here are some strategies to actively contribute to the success of women entrepreneurs:

Tips for Individuals:

  1. Choose Women-Owned Products and Services: Opt for products from women-owned businesses to direct your spending power towards supporting their growth.
  2. Spread the Word: Amplify the voices of women entrepreneurs by sharing their stories and promoting their businesses within your social circles.
  3. Participate in Events: Attend and support events, conferences, and marketplaces that showcase and promote women-owned businesses. Your presence fosters a supportive community.
  4. Offer Mentorship: If you have experience in business or a related field, consider offering mentorship to aspiring women entrepreneurs. Share your knowledge, provide guidance, and help navigate the challenges they may face.
  5. Invest in Women-Led Ventures: If feasible, explore opportunities for investment in women-led startups. By becoming an investor, you play a direct role in providing the capital needed for growth and expansion.

Tips for Businesses:

  1. Supplier Diversity Programs: Implement supplier diversity programs within your business. Actively seek out and engage with women-owned businesses as potential suppliers or partners.
  2. Equal Opportunity Employment Practices: Ensure that your company practices equal opportunity employment. Create a workplace culture that values diversity and provides opportunities for women to thrive in leadership positions.
  3. Sponsorship and Networking Opportunities: Create sponsorship and networking programs that specifically support women entrepreneurs. This could involve providing access to industry networks, mentorship programs, or sponsorship for relevant events.
  4. Flexible Work Policies: Implement flexible work policies that accommodate the diverse needs of employees, including women entrepreneurs. This fosters an inclusive workplace and supports those managing businesses alongside professional responsibilities.

Collaborative Initiatives and Mentorship Programs:

  1. Industry Collaborations: Collaborations between established businesses and women-owned startups can include joint ventures, shared projects, or mentorship programs that facilitate knowledge transfer and growth.
  2. Government and NGO Partnerships: Advocate for and participate in government initiatives and programs that support women-owned businesses. Collaborate with non-governmental organizations working towards the empowerment of women entrepreneurs.
  3. Establish Mentorship Networks: Create formal mentorship networks within industries. Encourage successful business leaders, both men and women, to actively mentor and guide women entrepreneurs in navigating challenges and seizing opportunities.
  4. Educational Workshops and Seminars: Organize and participate in educational workshops and seminars that focus on the unique challenges faced by women-owned businesses. Share insights, best practices, and success stories to inspire and educate.

By adopting these strategies, both individuals and businesses can play an active role in leveling the playing field for women entrepreneurs, contributing to a more inclusive and thriving business ecosystem.

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