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Holly Murdoch Articles

Guest post by: Holly Murdoch

The Quick Connection - Click To Read Article
Maybe you’re a veteran of the networking arena and agree you could be more effective. Or, perhaps, you’re just getting started and would like to better understand how to network productively. “The Quick Connection” is a reference tool to help you effectively impact others and increase your success.

Are You A Technology Addict? - Click To Read Article
Take a look at your life. Is technology taking over? Check out this article for more information

Mommies Need to Network Too! - Click To Read Article
Being a mom is one of the most amazing, life-changing and overwhelming experiences a woman can have. As you maneuver your way through the various stages of motherhood, networking may be the last thing on your mind. But networking is really just another way to talk about relationships. And strong relationships are even more critical during the thrilling and stressful days (and nights) of motherhood. These relationships most definitely include both professional associates and personal friends.

Maximizing Differentiation Opportunities - Click To Read Article
Self Assessment for Women in Business Is my business’s good or service being presented to maximize the value of our offering in a cost effective and profitable way? Answer these eight key questions below to find out and improve results:

Peer Groups: A Networking Goldmine - Click To Read Article
Methods to Transition and Grow Many people tend to think of networking in terms of attending events with a large number of people or building relationships on an individual basis. In fact, some of the most powerful networking happens while participating in small gatherings such as peer groups.

Love at the Office and Other Mistakes - Click To Read Article
Despite some corporations’ ban on dating your colleagues or supervisees or boss, work is still one of the top places to meet your future partner. In fact, many people spend far more time at the office than at home. These office mates and supervisors have seen you stressed out, anxious, deflated and elated – in other words, at your best and worst.

It Pays To Be Happy At Work - Click To Read Article
Productivity can be affected by numerous factors - but happiness? Read on in this article from Forbes Women on how your happiness can affect all aspects of your career.

Small Choices Can Make a Big Difference - Click To Read Article
Many people may not realize it but small choices can make a difference. Want to know how? Check out this article!

Use the Power of Assurance and Make Your Point - Click To Read Article
In real estate the three most important assets are location, location, location. In the final analysis the three most important assets to transform a professional woman's relationships in the workplace are assurance, assurance, and assurance.

3 Questions to Determine Your Authenticity - Click To Read Article
Being less than authentic is rarely intentional - it is just our feeble attempt at trying to speak to issues in a way that meets the need of the moment. Unfortunately, it often results in a reversal the next day, causing you to spout something very different. This is called "being a chameleon!"

Working With A Value Focus - Click To Read Article
We've all been there. It's the end of the day. Your schedule was jam-packed. You crossed 27 things off your to-do list. And still, you have that nagging feeling that the whole day slipped by before you got the chance to really accomplish anything at all. Being busy is one thing. Being productive is something else.

A Me As Priority Self Care Plan - Click To Read Article
3 Stress Defense Strategies for Women in Business It seems as though the new year was just yesterday, but here we are almost half way into it! How are you doing with stress management? Maybe it's time to take a deep breath and review these 3 easy pointers that will keep you moving ahead with energy and enthusiasm for the rest of the year.

Set a Standard of High Expectations - Click To Read Article
Advice for Women in Leadership Professional ball teams with a chance of getting to the championship set high performance standards for their team members. It is imperative that professional women in leadership positions do the same in business.

Diversity Leads to Stability - Click To Read Article
Why are so many businesses having problems? The “R” word – recession – keeps popping up, but my local Mastermind Members’ businesses are thriving! Why is that? The answer is no secret but many business owners forget it. You cannot just do one thing. As The Beatles said, “One is the loneliest number.” “Why?” you ask.

What Does It Mean to Work Smart? - Quiz - Click To Read Article
Have you ever known someone who just seems to "have it all together?" Maybe that someone is you and maybe you could do even better. "Having it all together," is what many perceive as "working smart." But what does it really mean to "work smart?" Is it a mysterious quality that some of us are born with, and the rest without? Or is it a skill set that can be learned and mastered? Most business and relationship experts support that "working smart" is a skill set that enables one to achieve balance in life and be fruitful.

Getting on the Same Page - Click To Read Article
As a professional women in leadership, it is especially important to be able to communicate effectively with your assistant. Being able to avoid and to manage the event of a communication break down is critical.

Seven Tips for an Outstanding Resume - Click To Read Article
A resume is very important and essential to your career. It is the first impression that an employer will get before officially meeting you. Check out this article and learn Seven Tips for an Outstanding Resume.

Business Travel Made Easy - Click To Read Article
Cancelled flights … lost luggage … presentation programs that won't run … the list of potential business trip challenges is virtually endless. In fact, when it comes to business travel, it seems that problems and delays are the norm, not the exception. The key is to be prepared for anything that comes your way. Only then will arriving at your destination be as simple as your morning drive into the office.

Why You Need More Visibility - and How to Get It! - Click To Read Article
Smart women navigating the current challenging marketplace know that moving forward in their careers, in their own businesses or inside their organizations is about creating strong visibility. But it doesn’t happen all on its own. In fact, there is a three-prong strategic plan to help raise your visibility, especially around those who matter.

How to be a "Super Mom" - Click To Read Article
"Super mom" can be a daunting phrase, but it is possible with a little organization and delegation! Read on for tips on achieving the "super mom" status, in this article reprinted from Womenetics.

Remove Mindreading from the Equation - Click To Read Article
As a high performer working in a fast-paced environment, you might fall into the trap of "moving too fast." Because you have already thought through an issue and how to address it, you might leave out some important information in what you communicate to your audience because YOU KNOW what you mean and how you got there. However, the person on the receiving end may need clarification about your conclusion, assumptions and supporting data. They can't read your mind.

Female Entrepreneurs Won't Have Success Without a Fight - Click To Read Article
Recap of the Women's Forum 2011 It is impossible to achieve success without a fighting spirit, creative thinking and persistence. That was the message that came across from the opening morning at the Women’s Forum Global Meeting 2011 in Deauville, France.

Conquering Conflict Management - Click To Read Article
As women, we are often taught from the time we are children that conflict is bad and something to be avoided. At the minimum, conflict makes many of us uncomfortable and unsure of ourselves. This unease can put us at a professional disadvantage because conflict in the workplace is an inevitable part of doing business and isn’t necessarily a bad thing. On the contrary, appropriately expressed and properly managed conflict can actually be productive and can build relationships in the long run. Check out this article to learn some conflict management strategies.

4 Ways to Rejuvenate Your Life - Click To Read Article
It’s a New Year and time to reflect on your life’s choices. Are you living the life you want? Do you feel stressed or out of balance? Check out this article and learn 4 ways to rejuvenate your life.

Taking Charge by Setting the Tone - Click To Read Article
How many people confide in a friend that they have butterflies in their stomach before an interview? Almost everyone you know? You probably understand just what they’re feeling because you’ve had the same experience.

Are You Sitting Yourself to Death? - Click To Read Article
What are you doing right now? Aside from reading this post, you are most likely sitting somewhere. On your couch? At your desk? In a chair? Wherever you find yourself sitting, I'm sure that it won't come as a surprise to you that sitting isn't good for your health. But did you know that it is so bad for your health that it could be taking years off of your life? Read on for tips and tricks, reprinted from Blog Her.

Your Gratitude Affects Attitude - Click To Read Article
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” - William Arthur Ward What a great time of the year to think about what we CAN be grateful for! But alas, how much of our time do we spend thinking of “what’s missing” in our lives?

Lessons from 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' - Click To Read Article
The best-selling book "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" and its sequels were made into films in Sweden in 2009. Now, the U.S. movie version of the first book, starring Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara, opens in theaters this December.

Alternative to Win/Lose Negotiation - Click To Read Article
Many people believe that negotiation means coming to the table like a tough guy, ready to squash the other side. True that it has happened many a time. Necessary however? No. Is there an alternative to win/ lose negotiating?

Taking a Baby Break - Is It For You? - Click To Read Article
Should you put aside your career to be a stay at home mom for a while? Check out this article for more information.

Top 10 Office Energy Drains - Click To Read Article
The great sag usually hits around 3 p.m. You feel drowsy, cranky, lethargic--or all of the above. But before you make that dash to the coffee maker or candy machine, take the time to examine the factors that deplete your energy. A few simple adjustments can help keep you humming all day long--even without the caffeine or sugar hit.

Being Seen, Heard & Valued at Work - Click To Read Article
If you want to be seen, heard and valued at work, read about these four common traps that prevent you from gaining visibility, and the strategies that will overcome them.

The Cost of Busy - Click To Read Article
As the old saying goes, “Rome was not built in a day”. Today I ask you, what is one small thing you could do that would help you to immediately begin to build a healthy YOU? Check out this story for more details.

Powerful Negotiation: The 'Daily Negotiator' Mindset - Click To Read Article
You've already heard of the 'classic' negotiation strategies, like having a BATNA (best-alternative to a negotiated agreement), or using the good cop/bad cop tactic, so now what?

Networking Is A Contact Sport. Are You Playing It Right? - Click To Read Article
Are you one of those people who hears the words ‘networking event’ and cringes?

10 Ideas for Less Holiday Stress - Click To Read Article
The holidays are a time filled with great expectations of joy and community along with fears of potential chaos and stress. Visiting family members are one of the highest ranked sources of holiday stress. Other stresses on the list include finding time for yourself and handling diet and food intake over the celebratory period. The key to surviving the possibilities of holiday mayhem is having a great plan. Check out these 10 great ideas on how to have less stress for the holidays.

Tips on Building Customer Loyalty - Click To Read Article
Customer loyalty is an area about which professional women have a special understanding. Women being generally relationship oriented and social in nature have an inclination toward maintaining and building good relations. Check out this article for more information.

Make Yourself More Employable - Click To Read Article
You are in total control of how much you make and where you work. Don't believe it? Check ut the rest of this article.

Networking Your Way to the Boardroom - Click To Read Article
Do you know how to network within your business? Do you know how to make your way to a higher position in your company? Check out this article details on how to network your way to the boardroom.

How to Get Back into the Workforce After Time Off - Click To Read Article
Prepare for Transition to Your Next Career You did it. You committed yourself to staying home with your kids for a few years. Now you want to get back into the career you left behind. It's impossible - that's what a lot of other mothers, employers and even your husband might tell you. It's not. It's hard. But what in life isn't? Handling a baby and a two-year-old on three hours of sleep is hard but it's do-able.

Self-Quiz – Should my business hire a consultant? - Click To Read Article
New markets vary in similarity to the one in which your business currently exists. Market research may be the best way to find the current climate. Or perhaps you should hire a consultant. Or both. To see if your business has considered the main factors to make its best decision, take the following six-question quiz.

Tips for Effective Mentoring - Click To Read Article
It’s tough climbing the corporate ladder, so being guided by someone who has already climbed a few more rungs is certainly an advantage. But often, mentoring programs – despite being well intended – are loosely structured, informally administered and lack the kind of curriculum, matching, training and engagement necessary to deliver bottom-line results. Running mentoring programs can be difficult, time consuming, and often frustrating.

Making Your Career Relaunch Easier for Your Kids - Click To Read Article
Do you have kids? Are you trying to relaunch your career? Do your kids know how to deal with the transition? Do you? Check out this article for advice.

Seven Essential Principles for Managing Power and Politics - Click To Read Article
There are seven essential principles for managing power and politics in organizations. They are based on the philosophy of Niccolo Machiavelli, the classic theorist in the field. Not even skilled and relatively sophisticated people can succeed in management -- and be seen as leaders -- without internalizing these principles, although they may have minor short-term successes. In the long run, they will be undermined because they can't build and keep alliances, protect themselves from the grapevine or influence top management.

Women's Leadership Styles - Click To Read Article
Everyone needs guidance in their profession, even leaders. No one is perfect. Check out this article on "Women's Leadership Styles"

7 Motivators for Relaunching Your Career - Click To Read Article
Although each woman may phrase her reasons for wanting to return to work slightly differently, we’ve identified seven major motivators for relaunching, with many women experiencing a combination of these.

Are You a Push Leader, Pull Leader, or Both? - Click To Read Article
What type of leader are you? Are you a "just-get-it-done" leader or do you take "the get-them-to-want-to-do-it" approach. Each leadership style is effective, but it depends on what results you want. Check out this article and let us hear your opinion.

Style Tips for Young Professional Women - Click To Read Article
As you transition from your teens to adulthood, there are changes that should be made. A more "professional" look is what you want when going for jobs in your field. Don't know where to start. This article gives great details on style for the young professional woman.

Finding Opportunities When Times are Tough - Click To Read Article
What is important to accomplishing your goals during an economic slump is to stay in the game of being successful. Resignation can easily take over. During challenging times, if you reject failure as an option and stay in motion, you'll be prepared, as well as energized, to attract opportunities as they become available. Assume there will always be new opportunities.

10 Lessons From Starting a Business - Click To Read Article
Everyone needs a little guidance sometimes. In this article, Elizabeth Hodgson shares her experiences while starting a business and gives readers a few key lessons she learned on her entrepreneurial journey.

Last Kiss: Divorce and Split-Ups with Business Partners - Click To Read Article
Have you ever been in a relationship with a colleague? Are you still in one now? Don't let a break-up between you and a business partner ruin you financially. Don't know what to do? Check out this story for advice

A Guide To Screenings For Every Decade Of Your Life - Click To Read Article
Everyone should keep a close eye on their health especially women, but a lot of people are not sure what to look for. Here is a guide to screenings for every decade of your life.

Every Professional Woman Needs An Exit Strategy - Click To Read Article
Do you have control over what happens in your career? Are you prepared for the next stage in your career if it is necessary to move that way? \"Every professional woman needs and exit strategy\" and if you don\'t have one, what are you waiting for? Read this story for advice.

5 Reasons Why Mentors are Vital - Click To Read Article
Don\'t have a mentor? Well, you should! They can give you guidance throughout your career and they can be someone that you look up to. Here are 5 important reasons why you should have a mentor.

The New Rules of Success - Click To Read Article
How do you define success? Material possessions are not the only evidence of a successful life journey. Take a deeper look and make 'new rules of success'

Turn Your Passion into a Bankable, Sustainable Vision - Click To Read Article
Financial issues is something people do not like to talk about. But it is something that we must face. Turn you passion into profit by reading this article for tips and advice.

Being Seen, Heard & Valued - Click To Read Article
At work, sometimes it is easy to take a step back and allow someone else into the spotlight. Well take back that position and allow yourself to be \'seen, heard, and valued\' in your work place.

How to Ace the Interview - Click To Read Article
Having good interview skills is extremely important because this is the employers first impression of you. 'Ace your interview' with these helpful tips from this article.

Hearing "No" Needn't Be a Sales Killer - Click To Read Article
The word 'no' isn't always a bad thing. It can be used to your advantage. It can help increase sales and can teach you how to improve your business.

Set a Standard of High Expectations With Accountability - Click To Read Article
In everyday life a person should always set high goals for themselves to accomplish. The same thing should happen in business too. When in leadership, set high expectations for your employees so your results are higher as well.

The Art of Good Conversation - Click To Read Article
Do you struggle with conversation? Do you get nervous or do you have a loss for words? Read this article for great tips on how to carry a good conversation.

The Risk of Heart Disease in Professional Women - Click To Read Article
Health problems are often overlooked until something serious happens. Take precautions now and be aware of what could happen in your life.

The Global Economy Recovery Will Be Driven By Women: Part 2 - Click To Read Article
The economy needs a 'facelift' and women are going to be the ones to do it. Check out this story as a 'part 2' to a series of stories on our website.

Are You Afraid of Speaking Your Mind? - Click To Read Article
Being able to speak your mind is one of the hardest tasks to achieve in your career. This article gives great tips on how to speak your mind 'correctly' in the business world.

Career Resolution Tip - Click To Read Article
Making a resolution one time a year may not be enough when it comes to your career goals. Refresh your resolutions and read this article explaining how to maintain your goals all year.

The Right Way to Network - Click To Read Article
Do you know the right way to network? Do you need tips on how to network your way into a new position? Read the following article about "The Right Way to Network." What's your input?

10 Ways You Can Honor Your Greatness - Click To Read Article
Live with integrity.

Reexamine Your Productivity Habits - Click To Read Article
Can you improve? Make this a productive day!

When is a Short Request Not Rude? - Click To Read Article
Short requests are not uncommon in the workplace. Frequently, a short request that would seem rude in a social situation, is actually appropriate and necessary in the workplace. William Swanson, well-known for being the CEO of Raytheon Company, and author of Swanson's Unwritten Rules of Management, stated a goal in rule number 14, to strive for brevity and clarity in all oral and written reports.

What Color is Your Entrepreneurial Style? - Click To Read Article
Matching who you are with what you do may seem like common sense, but the sad truth is that most people don’t have jobs that truly complement their personalities. In their newest book, Career Match, coauthors Shoya Zichy and Ann Bidou take readers through a simple, but revealing, ten-minute self-assessment quiz to help identify specific personality types.

When Should You NOT Start a Business - Click To Read Article
There are many entrepreneurs out there. Sometimes, a person can get too excited and plan to start a business when they shouldn’t. If you want to start a business to get rich quick, looking to work only a few hours per week or someone said you should, then here are five reasons why you should not give up your day job yet.

Increase Your Business Visibility - Click To Read Article
Tips on how to increase your marketing 'virally'.

Top Traits of Women Entrepreneurs - Click To Read Article
The growth of women's entrepreneurship in the last few decades has been extraordinary. According to the Small Business Administration, women-owned businesses accounted for a mere 4.5 percent of all businesses in 1977. In 2008, more than 40 percent of all businesses are 51 percent women-owned. However, only 3 percent of these companies gross more than a million in annual revenue. The Center for Women's Business Research studied this elite group (those businesses grossing over a million in annual revenue) and determined some key characteristics that were common in all of the companies.

Achieving Visibility in the News - Click To Read Article
Entrepreneurs recognize the potential benefits of a press release announcement - visbility for your product or service that could reach a very large audience. The challenge is often how to identify a newsworthy announcement that will catch the attention of the media to broaden its reach.

Networking: A Way of Life - Click To Read Article
In this economy in which large companies are growing at a slower pace than in the past and given the highly transactional marketplace, workers are changing jobs more frequently either by choice or by necessity. People who previously have targeted only large corporations are looking elsewhere, often to smaller companies. This job climate makes networking even more important. Now, more than ever, it is a necessity, not an option. But because time is truly a precious commodity for many professional women, networking, unfortunately, has often been put on the back burner. The busier the woman, the more networking has lagged behind in priorities. Professional women have missed tremendous opportunities to grow their careers exponentially, and can no longer afford to neglect this critical, strategic career builder.

Avoid The Three Most Common Time Savings Mistakes - Click To Read Article
Many people run in circles with their to-do list and cannot make any progress checking things off their list. They feel frustrated and like they cannot get off the to-do list treadmill. What if some of the things you were doing were actually contributing to your never ending to-do list cycle? What if you were actually sabotaging yourself? You may be thinking "that's impossible, I work hard everyday and do everything I can to get things checked off my to-do list, there's just not enough time". Each minute that ticks by is another minute you absolutely cannot get back. This is it and we can choose to use our minutes wisely and with our best interests at heart or we can choose to stay on the time treadmill and continue a cycle of running without getting anywhere.

Do You Need a Business Partner? - Click To Read Article
Starting your own business is an enormous undertaking. One of the most critical, strategic decisions you will make is whether to take a partner. Horror stories abound about the partner from hell and about partnerships gone wrong. Deciding whether to take a partner and choosing the right one is a strategic imperative, and if given proper focus and consideration, you can make the right choice, one that can have a profoundly beneficial impact on your business.

Boosting Your Profits in This Recession - Part 1 - Click To Read Article
There are two types of responses a business owner may have to this recession. One is to panic, which fills your mind with fear, doubt, worry, anxiety and bitterness. The second is to get better. If you are serious about surviving and thriving past this recession, you need to get serious about getting better in all aspects of your business. But, first things first - you need to start by knowing where exactly your business is strong and precisely where it needs reinforcement. Whether your goal is to increase your total net profits by $10,000 or by $10 Million, you need to isolate individual values that collectively contribute to that goal. Remember that performance measured is performance gained.

Why You Need a Mentor - Click To Read Article
Successful women entrepreneurs understand the importance of having a mentor. In fact, developing a portfolio of mentors to meet different aspects of your life, both personally and professionally, is critical! Choosing a mentor is one of the most important decisions you can make as a professional. Mentors should be those whose work you admire, possess strong leadership abilities, and are an inspiration to you and others. Mentors are experts within a particular field and offer a wealth of experience. They help you through the good and the bad! So do you need a mentor? Yes, and here's why...

Brand Strategy Self-Quiz - Are You Reaping the Rewards of a Strong Brand? - Click To Read Article
You work hard to earn your business a good reputation. Good will and a respected name take dedication and hard work. Are you fully reaping the rewards? Take the w2wlink Brand Assets Quiz and find out if you monetize the full value of your brand.

The "Daily Negotiator" Mindset - Click To Read Article
Now is the time to rethink your attitude to negotiation in general. When I ask most executives about negotiating, most come back with stories of triumphant salary discussions and closing big deals. Not Dawn M. Pagano, Vice President, and Chief Operating Officer of the Employer Account Group, at Medco Health Solutions, Inc. She believes that negotiation occurs anytime we are influencing others, whether sharing ideas or in a meeting.

Keeping Your Work and Life in Balance - Click To Read Article
Do you remember when hotel rooms didn't have coffee makers? I recall vividly the first time I walked into a hotel room and discovered a coffee maker. I didn't even drink coffee back then, but I made it, simply because having the coffee pot was so cool. Then people got used to it. Customers got spoiled. They wanted more. The bad news is that it doesn't stop. People will always get used to things the way they are, become more demanding, and wanting more. Such it is with technology and speed. Everyone asks me when things will "return to normal" and "slow down." It won't. The speed at which you're operating is now what's expected. Welcome to the new normal!

Is Something Weighing You Down? - Click To Read Article
In any professional relationship, issues inevitably arise from time to time that have the potential to create tension and conflict. It’s not the issues themselves that are the main cause for relationship breakdown but how you go about resolving them. Many of us struggle to effectively speak up about the issues that cause feelings of resent, frustration or downright anger, with the end result that what isn’t talked out gets acted out … in cheap shots, innuendos, moodiness or the “silent treatment," but these things often worsen the problem.

To Share or Not to Share? What a Question! - Click To Read Article
As successful business owners and corporate executives, many of us struggle with finding a good balance between being fierce leaders and taking the glory and profit of our hard work versus sharing the profit and the responsibility of the risk. This is one of the hardest of dilemmas for business owners and for top executives, often restricting the potential for growth. Here are some suggestions that will hopefully assist you as you are making the big decision on whether to expand on your own project or to seek for cross-collaborative opportunities or business associations...

Four Steps to Help Improve and Spotlight Your Value - Click To Read Article
One of the biggest mistakes many women leaders make is avoiding the spotlight. Time after time, our women clients tell us stories of being "lost in the shuffle" when it comes time for promotions and opportunities. Most of the time, it's not because they lack the skills or the ambition to rise up in the ranks, but because they're not visible within their organizations...





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