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I can’t think of too many professions where you can succeed without some sort of interpersonal skills.  But, as I’m sure you’re aware, interpersonal skills don’t come naturally to some people.  There are people out there—perfectly kind, warm-hearted people—who like to keep to themselves.  Unfortunately, though, people in the workplace can’t read minds.  So, the person who might be content eating alone and reading the paper might come off as anti-social and, worse yet, rude.  But, if you’re an introvert, or you’ve broken the through the shell of an introvert, you know they mean no such thing and that they’d probably be the nicest people in the workplace if they opened their mouths.  Well, believe it or not, an introverted personality doesn’t necessarily hurt your interpersonal skills.  In fact, you can greatly enhance your people skills through reading and meditation.

Reading

From the first time you cracked the spine of Dr. Suess, everyone has told you reading is good.  And, for the most part, you probably placed it in the same useful category as fruits and vegetables.  However, reading has proven to be useful for your mental health as well as your social skills.  Reading arms you with knowledge for just about any conversation.  By reading, you become an expert in a variety of fields, and you’ll be able to carry engaging conversations without faltering.  It’s similar to when you study hard for a test, and you breeze through it without a worry.  This can be quite the confidence boaster.  And anyone involved with interpersonal skill training knows that confidence is perhaps one of the most important traits to possess.

Meditation

Mediation is about as introverted as it comes.  Who would think that sitting alone in silence for 20 minutes could enhance your people skills?   Well, like reading, meditation is good for your physical health as well as your interpersonal skills training.  Naturally, meditation helps you control your thoughts, but it also increases creativity and confidence.  Whether you’re a painter or a financial advisor, creativity is crucial to the work environment.  Those who can think outside the box and convey those thoughts to others are those who move up the corporate ladder.  Meditation helps harness your thoughts and arrange them in a productive fashion.  So, again, similar to reading, this practice typically associated with introverts is one of the best ways to improve your social and communication skills.

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Thursday, July 15, 2010

Should Apple recall the iPhone? Share your thoughts.

Friday, July 16, 2010
Jobs Takes the Stage to Take on ‘Antennagate’

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Original Story

The small business marketplace changes rapidly. The information included on this page represents the most current information. When discussing a “small business,” this site uses the definitions provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy. Read their FAQ sheet.

Small Business Impact on the Economy

The estimated 29.6 million small businesses in the United States:

* Employ just over half of the country’s private sector workforce
* Hire 40 percent of high tech workers, such as scientists, engineers and computer workers
* Include 52 percent home-based businesses and two percent franchises
* Represent 97.3 percent of all the exporters of goods
* Represent 99.7 percent of all employer firms
* Generate a majority of the innovations that come from United States companies

Source: U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, September 2009

Small Business Survival Rates

Small Business Openings & Closings in 2008:

* There were 627,200 new businesses, 595,600 business closures and 43,546 bankruptcies.
* Seven out of 10 new employer firms survive at least two years, and about half survive five years.
* Findings do not differ greatly across industry sectors.

Sources: U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, September 2009

Survival and Longevity in the Business Employment Dynamics Database, Monthly Labor Review, May 2005. Redefining Business Success: Distinguishing Between Closure and Failure, Small Business Economics, August 2003.

Trends in the Small Biz Marketplace

General Trends

* The number of self-employed workers in June 2005 fell 3.1 percent or 303,000 from the month before, Labor Department data showed. Self employment tends to fall as the economy grows. That’s especially true among laid-off workers who start tiny companies after failing to find work in slow times. (Source: USA Today, July 17, 2005)

* During 1979-2003, self-employment increased: 33 percent for women; 37 percent for African Americans, 15 percent for Latinos, 10 for White Americans and 2.5 percent for men. (Source: SBA, Office of Advocacy)

* Where do small business owners go for advice? 52 percent from individual mentors; 51 percent from social networks; 44 percent from trade associations; 36 percent from business advisors; 31 percent from the Internet and 27 percent from Chambers of Commerce (Source: American Express)

Women in Business

* Women represent more than 1/3 of all people involved in entrepreneurial activity. (Source: Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2005 Report on Women and Entrepreneurship)

* Between 1997 and 2002, women-owned firms grew by 19.8 percent while all U.S. firms grew by seven percent (Source: SBA, Office of Advocacy)

* Women-owned firms accounted for 6.5 percent of total employment in U.S. firms in 2002 and 4.2 percent of total receipts. (Source: SBA, Office of Advocacy)

* The number of women-owned firms continues to grow at twice the rate of all U.S. firms (23 percent vs. 9 percent). There are an estimated 10 million women-owned, privately-held U.S. businesses. The greatest challenge for women-owned firms is access to capital, credit and equity. Women start businesses on both lifestyle and financial reasons. Many run businesses from home to keep overhead low. (Source: SBA, Office of Advocacy and Business Times, April 2005)

* Women are more likely to seek business advice—69 percent women vs. 47 percent men. (Source: American Express)

Minority-Owned Businesses

* Black-owned businesses are the fastest growing segment, up 45 percent between 1997-2002. Revenues generated by the nation’s 1.2 million black-owned businesses rose 25 percent between 1997 and 2002 to $88.8 billion in 2002. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau)

* The number of U.S. businesses with Hispanic owners grew at three times the national average from 1997 to 2002 to 1.6 million businesses in 2002, a 31 percent increase from five years earlier. (Source: MSNBC)

Seniors in Business

* Entrepreneurship among seniors is growing. In 2002, the rate of self-employment for the workforce was 10.2 percent (13.8 million workers), but the rate for workers aged 50 was 16.4 percent (5.6 million workers). Although those age 50 made up 25 percent of the workforce, they comprised 40 of the self-employed. Solo business formation in the future will be driven by people who take early retirement or whose jobs just disappear. (Source: AARP/Rand Corp. “Self-employment and the 50 Population”)

Veterans in Business

* In 2004, about 22 percent of veterans in the US household population were either purchasing or starting a new business or considering purchasing or starting a business and nearly 72 percent of veteran entrepreneurs planned to employ at least one person at the start of their venture (Source: US Census Bureau)

Hot markets for small businesses:

* eBay drop-off sites
* Search engine optimization and Internet marketing
* Performance apparel
* Niche health and fitness
* Technology security consulting
* Services/products for Hispanic-market

(Source: Entrepreneur magazine, “Newest Trends & Hottest Markets,” January 2005)

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