Fit for God
Women entrepreneurs share lessons for success
Voice of America News July 9, 2005
When Deborah Naybor opened her business 27 years ago, she was one of just a few women in the construction field. "I started my own business in 1988 as a land surveyor," says Ms.Naybor. "I started with $1000 and an old pick up truck that I literally had to push onto the job sites."
Today, her company has 16 employees and does work on some of the largest projects in New York City.
More and more women are following Ms. Naylor's footsteps. According to Beverly Inman-Ebel, President of the National Association of Women Business Owners, or NAWBO, they're starting small businesses in construction and other non-traditional fields. To succeed in their projects, Ms. Inman-Ebel says women should learn from other women's experiences in setting up and running a business… and, they should network. Women-owned businesses in the United States now employ 19 million people and generate $2.3 trillion in sales.
Analysts Say Technology Offers Businesses an Edge in the Global Market
VOA News July 25, 2005
Analysts say changing global markets require a new approach to business that makes innovative use of technology.
Global trade and instant communications are changing the nature of business, says Mohan Sawhney, who teaches technology at Northwestern University's Kellogg business school. He says the companies that are thriving are those that are agile enough to respond to changing markets. He says today's businesses are linked in complex webs to suppliers and customers, and must sense and respond to markets by instantly altering products to meet the demand.
He says companies that are doing this include the U.S. retail giant Wal-Mart, which tracks inventory and adjusts orders from suppliers every few hours, and the Spanish retailer Zara, which changes its clothing designs every other week to produce more of the styles that customers are buying.
Athena Foundation Gets More and More Women into Leadership Roles
VOA News June 9, 2005
Getting ahead in business often requires help from someone who's 'been there,' a voice of experience. That voice is usually male. To promote the involvement of more women in business and in leadership positions, the Athena Foundation has partnered with organizations in more than 100 cities across the United States and around the world (Canada, China, Russia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom) to recognize community leaders who mentor young women. Over more than 2 decades, the Athena Foundation - an organization dedicated to getting more women into leadership roles - has honored 5000 men and women with Athena Awards, for their contributions in community service and volunteerism. More...
US Students Get Tips on Starting a Business
VOA News May 16, 2005
The field of entrepreneurial studies is becoming ever-more important in U.S. business education. At the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Anderson School of Management, successful entrepreneurs shared their advice on starting a business with students. For students of entrepreneurship, this is an exciting time. The business world is changing with the opening of new markets and creation of products based on new technology. UCLA business student Jeremy Milo helped direct the conference. He says the advice the students heard from entrepreneurs had some common themes. "Don't give up, be perseverent, be adaptable. You don't know how things are going to turn out, so have a plan, but be ready to change things at the drop of a hat because you can never plan perfectly for the future," he said. More...
