About.com Women in Business

More Gender Stereotyping: Women Write Emotional Emails

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:20:51 +0000

An article on Entertainment Daily reported on a new book by Claire Damken Brown and Audrey Nelson, "Code Switching: How to Talk So Men Will Listen," that makes the following observations:

"Working women are more likely to write long emails that express support and are emotive, while men prefer to stick to the point with precise orders.
"Women are also more likely to stand by while a workmate takes credit for her ideas, get accused of being emotional and allow herself to be interrupted.
"Men like to hold court in the workplace, initiating banter and offering solutions to problems rather than understanding.
"Men will act in a more challenging manner, playing devil's advocate in tense situations, while women will try to help everyone to agree."

Great. Another gender stereotyping book.� I have not read it, so cannot intelligently respond to the author's positions.� However, I am not sure why we need yet another book about why women have to make adjustments to communicate with men.� We need more books for men on how to better communicate with women.

Source: Entertainment Daily. Women Write Emotional Emails While Men Prefer Short, Straight Forward Ones

More Gender Stereotyping: Women Write Emotional Emails originally appeared on About.com Women in Business on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 12:20:51.

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Should Employees be Penalized for Staying Home With the Flu?

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:03:54 +0000

The New York Times has reported, "At Wal-Mart, when employees miss one or more days because of illness or other reasons, they generally get a demerit point. Once employees obtain four points over a six-month period, they begin receiving warnings that can lead to dismissal."

Should employees be required to report to work when they have the H1N1 flu or other contagious illnesses or face being penalized?

Shouldn't a doctor's note let them off the hook?� Should employers be required to pay sick leave?

Share your thoughts about sick leave policies in our Reader's Respond to "Should sick employees be punished for staying home with the flu?"

Related Articles

Paid Sick Leave:� Is it Required by Law?

Should Employees be Penalized for Staying Home With the Flu? originally appeared on About.com Women in Business on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 15:03:54.

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How Grassroots Moms Rising is Making a Difference for Self-Insured Women

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:49:42 +0000

Women entrepreneurs are making a difference.� Our numbers our growing, and so are our collective voices.� A grassroots organization, MomsRising.org, epitomizes the power that women can have in effecting positive change in their lives and in the work place.

Founded in May of 2006, Moms Rising is working to build a family-friendly America to increase the economic security of all women and families. Moms Rising promotes awareness on many issues affecting women - from health care to wage discrimination to disparities in equality for women of color.� And, their membership base is proving to be a powerful and formidable voice.

Among their accomplishments is the key role Moms Rising played in securing paid family leave in New Jersey, Washington, and paid sick days in Milwaukee.

Most recently, MomsRising members sent over 4,500 emails in support of a California bill to stop discrimination against women in healthcare who were being charged as much as 39% more than men, simply based on gender.� But California law is now changing and taking one more step forward in eliminating gender discrimination when it comes to health insurance premiums.

According to MomsRising, "Today, approximately one million women in California buy their own insurance. And a recent study found that women were being charged up to 39% more than men for the same plans.� When the bill takes effect on January 1, [2010] California women will finally have equal access to health coverage!"

Thank you, Moms Rising for pushing this important issue for self-employed and self-insured women, and to those (men and) women who supported this fair insurance coverage bill.

More Women's Organizations Making a Difference

How Grassroots Moms Rising is Making a Difference for Self-Insured Women originally appeared on About.com Women in Business on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 10:49:42.

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Duke U Disease and Diet Marketing Survey

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:40:31 +0000

A budding female entrepreneur from Duke University wrote and asked me to share a survey link for a project she is working on as part of her MBA program.

She is attempting to determine if there is a potential need or consumer group that would want a web service to help them live a healthier lifestyle. This can include people struggling with food allergies, heart disease, Celiacs, diabetes, etc. � The data she is looking for at this stage is very basic:� "Do people that have particular dietary goals actually need additional resources?"

If enough favorable information is gathered, Duke students may pilot�an online web service that brings local food resources to consumers with special needs.

The survey only takes a few minutes and you do not have to create an account or give out email information, etc.� The survey will be open for approximately one week. To take the survey:� Duke University Survey.

Duke U Disease and Diet Marketing Survey originally appeared on About.com Women in Business on Saturday, November 21st, 2009 at 22:40:31.

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How to Start a Business in Maryland

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:06:48 +0000

Thinking of starting a business in Maryland?

I grew up in Montgomery County, MD and spent summers traveling throughout the state from Hagerstown to the Eastern Shore.� Maryland is a wonderful place to start and grow a business so I have compiled information and links you need to get you started.

Begin with How to Start a Business in Maryland.� If you are planning on starting a business in Maryland, you will need to register your business name, register to pay taxes, and obtain licenses and permits depending on the structure of your business and if you will have employees. This article contains information you need to help you start a business in Maryland.

Many types of business in Maryland require a business license - but not all do.� Read "Business License Requirements in Maryland" to see if you need a business license and how to get one.

You can find free resources for support and training in Small Business Resources for Maryland Women in Business.

How to Start a Business in Maryland originally appeared on About.com Women in Business on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 21:06:48.

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WIB to Watch Update - Sarah Lindholm Appears on Good Morning America

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:02:35 +0000

Sarah Lindholm, one of Women in Business' 2009 Women to Watch, and president of Cooper Martin has just launched two new collections of adaptive apparel.

The Love Collection and�Luxe Collection� are two "highly evolved collections of luxurious, stylish lounge pants for women in four vibrant colors and four sophisticated neutrals. These cotton terry and velour lounge pants seamlessly fuse fashion and function with a progressive design and elements of flair."

Sarah continues to push ahead towards success even during an economy in which clothing sales have slumped.� Her innovative designs, marketing, and passion for business are certainly contributing towards her accomplishments which include a recent appearance on Good Morning America Health (view video clip).

Sarah will also be appearing on Fox Business tomorrow (November 18, 2009 at approximately 2:40 PM) to talk about small business.

More About Sarah Lindholm

WIB to Watch Update - Sarah Lindholm Appears on Good Morning America originally appeared on About.com Women in Business on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 12:02:35.

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How to Create a robots.txt File

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:20:08 +0000

A robots.txt is a plain text file that instructs search engine robots and web crawlers on how to crawl your website.

Key Points About robots.txt files:

Must be created in a plain text editor (do not create them in Word or HTML.)
Should always have a .txt file extension and be named plural, all lowercase like this: "robots.txt."
Are always uploaded to the main root directory of your website.
Contains simple commands that allow or disallow (forbid) robots access to your entire website, or to selected directories, and/or files.
Command most reputable robots and crawlers for major search engines.
Are not fool-proof and some sophisticated malicious robots may ignore robots.txt file commands.
Are an important part of your sites' overall search engine optimization strategy.
All websites should have a robots.txt file.

More Information About robots.txt Files:

How to Create a robots.txt File originally appeared on About.com Women in Business on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 09:20:08.

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Unsolicited Email Campaign Tips

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:41:37 +0000

There are many ways to build a newsletter subscriber list but the best place to start is by adding a "Subscribe" button to your website or blog.

Whenever possible, do not automatically add subscribers without their permission. It is annoying to customers and may even be illegal.� You must also give subscribers a way to "opt out" (unsubscribe) contained in every email you send out to list members.

Do not purchase email lists - they are a waste of good money and no reputable mailing list service will allow you to use their services with purchased email lists.

If you do decide to send out unsolicited emails, be sure to read Unsolicited Email Marketing Campaign Mistakes first. The wrong approach will result in alienating potential customers rather than attracting new ones.

Unsolicited Email Campaign Tips originally appeared on About.com Women in Business on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 15:41:37.

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How to Start a Business in Virginia

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:01:52 +0000

Starting a business in Virginia? Why not? Virginia is a state filled with opportunities and resources. In fact, Virginia ranked an impressive #3 on Site Selection's 2009 list of "Top 25 Places to Start a Business."

Virginia is not just for lovers ... it is also for women in business!

How to Start a Business in Virginia
Virginia Business Resources
Funding Resources for Small Businesses in Virginia
How to Start a Business in Virginia originally appeared on About.com Women in Business on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 14:01:52.
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Sample Press Release and Basic Tips

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:00:19 +0000

Before you start writing press releases, it is important that you understand what a press release is the purpose a press release serves.

What is a Press Release?

A press release is a written communication reporting specific, but brief information about an event, circumstance, or other happening typically tied to a business or organization.� Press releases should always be written in the third person.

Press releases are provided to the media through a variety of means, but are not always picked up by news media. However, if you are lucky, they may still be picked up by bloggers, Twitterers, and others who read it and find it worthy of promoting within their own social networks.

Entire Article

See Sample Press Release

Sample Press Release and Basic Tips originally appeared on About.com Women in Business on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 09:00:19.

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