Ask The Men-Update!

The Black Women In Business Brainstorm had an amazing event this past weekend.

Our Panel consisted of:

Hajj E. Flemings, Tech MBA Online/Founder of Brand Camp University/Personal Branding Strategist And Author of The Brand Yu Life;

David R. McGhee, Board of Trustees, Secretary at Flint Public Library
Program Coordinator at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Flint, Creator & Founder of The 16th Letter Consulting.

Hubert Sawyers III, Digital Communications Consultant / Principal at SorSaw Enterprises, LLC , Co-Founder at iDetroit and Creator of #Tweetea

We were able to be inspired by the challenges, personal stories and creativity of these thought leaders to help us to navigate our own journey as professionals. The men were both gracious and motivational. The consistent theme was was that obstacles can become opportunities and that your next level in leadership could be right in front of you. What opportunity are you looking to gain? Do you need a shot of inspiration? Our next event is our awards dinner tonight at 6 p.m. at Bonefish Grill. We will be honoring our winners, connecting and having a wonderful meal. If you are free we would love to break bread with you! Register at http://www.blackwomeninbiz.net/ using the paypal buttons.

If you are interested in joining us for our next meeting we will be in Northville on December 11th from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Please save your spot today.

The Black Women in Business is open to any and all people who are interested in positive networking and connecting.

Promote.Connect.Enhance

And the winners are...

Tiffani Stokley is the Winner of the Promote award for the 1st Annual Black Women In Business Brainstorm awards. Ms. Stokley brings a fresh energy to our group! She is eager to tell others about us and has been a major help in contributing on our blog and our ambassador Board. Congrats to Tiffani! Erica Howell of Mia Verde is our Connect Winner this year. Erica has a knack for networking and engages members new and veterans to meetings and opportunities. She has a talent to share pertinent info with others and help them to grow. It is not a shock that she is our Connect recipient this year! Criss Tannyhill of Flourish Florals is our Enhance winner! She came to BWBB last October with a great heart and a good idea. This October she gave a great presentation on the progress of her business. Flourish offers not only beautiful bouquets and custom arrangements but they have expanded to edible gifts and tasty treats. Criss has been an example of the beauty of using the promote, connect, enhance model. She shares her passion with the group and allows them to be inspired by the success that she has.
If you would like to join us for our next meeting it is on November 13th at the Hampton Inn.
It will feature a panel of inspirational men who have made a difference in the lives of those they serve and Michigan as a whole. This is a great time to bring your questions and get feedback from some of the best in business. David McGhee of Big Brothers, Big Sisters; Hubert Sawyers III of Tweetea and iDetroit and Hajj Flemings Author and Creator of Brandcamp will be on our all-star panel.
Please be sure to save your spot-space is limited.
The Black Women in Business Brainstorm does not discriminate on any basis and is open to all who are equipped with a positive spirit and willingness to learn and share.

Guest blog By Tiffani Stokley of Trilogy Life Solutions, LLC

It's all a Process

I recently had to stop and think about whose timeline I was on. I’d grown increasingly worried and frustrated. I had become fearful that I was being “left behind.” I see my colleagues business ventures taking off or their careers moving ahead…and then I look at myself.
Why didn’t I have this degree or that certification?
Why haven’t I started making money
? Why am I not as eloquent?
Traveling down that road was a big mistake!
I’m reading a book called “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz.
The forth agreement is "Always Do Your Best". The principle teaches that your best will change depending upon your life circumstances. I’m realizing the futility of comparing my life to someone else’s. In order to make a fair comparison, our situations would have to be the same from childhood forward. When I adopt a more positive and appreciative mindset, the fear and tension subside. I’m still eager to accomplish my dreams and goals, but my colleagues’ successes don’t discourage me. I look at them as a reason to keep forging ahead as opposed to giving up. There is enough success out there for everyone! With all the plans and projects swirling through my head, some may succeed and others may fail.
I created an acronym when I was younger called LeRG – Learn, Retain, Grow. LeRG is still applicable now. It’s all a process and I too will find my niche. Success doesn’t come overnight and I define what success means to me.

Do you consider your giving as a business practice?

Giving back is the best way to embrace success and fulfillment as a business. The joy that one gets from sharing talents, resources and materials with others is irreplaceable. This past Saturday the BWBB met up in Novi and made a difference together. We decided to put our regular meeting on hold to help out those in need. We volunteered for the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America's 1st Run, Walk, Wheel. Bonefish Grill supplied great food and support for the participants and many of the volunteers from BWBB also gave door prizes to help out. What can you give back to? Has a non-profit or mission touched you personally? Share the wealth and help them out. Our next meeting is October 30th. Criss Tannyhill of Flourish Florals will be our featured presenter. She started a volunteer project that turned into her passion and career. Register on this page if you are interested in joining us!

Avoiding Energy Leaks

Have you ever evaluated your thoughts? No really I mean pay close attention to the things that you think about? When you wake up do you think about the possibilities that the day holds or do you think that the snooze button is more appealing than meeting up with clients? I ask these questions because our thoughts are a well spring to opportunity or demise.Every idea, movement, book and business comes from a single thought. Taking your thoughts captive is a practice that will help you to grow as a person and as a professional. Strive to hold on to the things that make you better.

Reach for the ideas that challenge your thinking in a positive way. Do not spend your time judging others instead think of creative ways to help and assist others. Energy is a necessary ingredient in growth. Let's stay fueled so that we can meet our goals with precision. If you are interested in joining the Black Women In Business Brainstorm let us know. Our core goals are to promote, connect and enhance the professional lives of those in our group.

Attitude of Gratitude

Do you have a gratitude policy in your business? If not...it's never too late to get started. Think strongly and critically about the things that motivate you to work harder for your clients. What makes you refer a contact? Why do you continue to give business to your suppliers? Now that you have listed obvious reasons-ask yourself if you would be satisfied with your service.

It is important that everyday we thank our clients for our business in the way that we handle their tasks. Having a spirit of gratitude is unmistakably clear. Our contacts and clients know if we appreciate them or not whether they say it or not. Take some time to write out why you value those that you do business with and share it with them in a note. Acknowledge them on allowing you to serve them and never pass up an opportunity to make them feel special.

If you would like more info on the Black Women In Business Brainstorm or a private coaching session please email us at Blackwomeninbiz@gmail.com

The Art of Delegation....

When you hear the word delegate do you shudder? If so this post is for you. Do you feel as though delegating is great but you wish that you could do it more effectively and with better results? This post is for you. Are you reading these words on the screen right now? Well guess what? This post is also for you.

Delegation is one of the most important skills in business. How are you using it to your advantage? What can you do to make sure that when you delegate a task that it doe snot make you nervous or uncomfortable? I've got some tips to make you see how the art of delegation can take your life to the next level and prevent you from having it become a obstacle that is not worth the trouble. How often have you thought...I can just do this myself?!

Many of us have felt like this at one time or another. The beauty of delegation is that the reward is two-fold. We get to have assistance in finishing tasks as we train a person to help we are actually becoming teachers. Delegation is not selfish-it is selfless and necessary to move to the next level.

-Before delegation decide how to define your task.Is it suitable to be delegated?

-Find the right person that matches the objective that you want to be achieved.

-Does this person match the skill level needed to complete the task?

-clearly communicate what you need to the person doing the task for you

-Ask questions to make sure they understand

-Be open to their questions to make sure they understand

-do they have everything they need? offer critical feedback and info

-Agree on a deadline

-Monitor the person and check in with them to see how it is going

Delegation is a awesome tool if used correctly. For more info on delegation and training or on the Black Women In Business Brainstorm please feel free to email blackwomeninbiz@gmail.com