Everything I needed to know to do business I learned from my mother!
My mother, teasingly dubbed ‘Fran of Marietta’, was an award-winning artist and writer, an accomplished designer, and a career Realtor. But most of all, she was my greatest teacher. While I may have chafed under her tutelage in my teens, I have to admit that the lessons she taught me are still largely those I live by.
Back then, I may have argued that ‘nobody else will care’, but darn it all, now I have to admit (hear this up in Heaven, Mom!) she was RIGHT about almost everything. Now I have learned a few more things through the years to add to my education, but to be honest, I often find myself wishing some of the women I meet in business had received their education at the ‘University of Fran.’
That’s led me – unasked but unashamedly – to create my Top 5 Deal Killers when it comes to women in business. Well, okay, make that life in general. Take them for what they’re worth, but know that as open-minded as I am, I believe these are pretty much non-negotiable if you’re going to be taken seriously as a credible woman in business.
- Unless you are auditioning as a model for lingerie, please don’t let me see yours! Slipping bra straps, see-through blouses, too short/too tight ANYTHING…even VPL* (visible panty line) all have easy, quick solutions. Know what fits and how to dress YOUR body RIGHT NOW– not when you lose that pesky five pounds. AND while showing too much cleavage may work for Lady Gaga, it IS distracting in the real world and has no place in a business setting. Keep the girls appropriately covered, please.
- If you have issues with grammar, go back to school! There’s nothing more credibility-blowing than a wrong tense or misused word. And on the subject of language, DO NOT ever send me a note, letter, email, tweet or even a FB post that says ‘its’ when it should be ‘it’s’, ‘weather’ when you mean ‘whether’, or ‘want’ for ‘will not’ – which would be ‘won’t’. There are easy ways to brush up, so please do!
- When I meet you and introduce myself, please return the favor and tell me your name. This sounds so obvious but you can’t imagine how many times I’ve been only heard ‘Nice to meet you’’ leaving me with absolutely no idea whom I’ve just met! And on that subject, please do as my first grade teacher taught and ‘listen twice as much as YOU talk.’ That’s why we have two ears and only one mouth! And believe me on this. If you listen and listen well, you’ll learn just what the connection can lead to next!
- Now I know I may sound like your mother, but nothing speaks more eloquently than a well-put together image. Please don’t interpret this as ‘designer required’. You can look fab with a wardrobe from TARGET or T.J.Maxx (I know these things!) but don’t meet me carrying an old beat-up handbag, a drooping hem, scuffed and worn shoes, a ‘pilling’ sweater (you know what I mean) or, heaven forbid, anything safety-pinned (at least not where I can see it!) Look in the mirror – full length – before you walk out the door… yes, every single time!
- And maybe most basic of all. Didn’t your dear old granny ever tell you that ‘cleanliness is next to godliness’? Well, when you’re meeting, greeting and doing business, it’s at the top of the list. Is your hair clean? Are your teeth brushed? And (I can’t believe I’m even saying this!) do you smell good? Underarms? Check! Breath. Check. Clothes clean and odor free? Check. Everything else? Check and double check. Since science confirms that we retain the memory of scents longer than any other sense, you don’t let your calling card be that garlic-licious chicken Caesar you had for lunch or clothes smelling of – god forbid – smoke! Your handbag’s big enough for a toothbrush and/or some really good breath mints, and maybe a mini Febreeze. I know it is. Or if it’s not, there’s always your briefcase, tote or glove compartment.
Learn anything new? I doubt it. You were probably taught these things on your own personal campus of Mom U. But if it’s time for a refresher course, I hope you pass with flying colors.
Now, let’s do business, girls!
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