What do you do once you’ve broken the glass ceiling? There is some work yet to be done, but in the business arena, women are making names for themselves as serious power-players.
Once you achieve success, you can better help others do the same. As a woman in the industry, I know how hard it is to defy the odds and surge beyond expectations. Here are some lessons I learned along the way that can help you achieve your goals:
• Broker connections. In business, once you’ve been around the block a few times, you notice patterns. Keep your eyes peeled for those who could benefit from your insights and access to your network. If you’ve jumped through hoops, you’re uniquely positioned to give others a boost through theirs, and you never know what mutual benefits might come out of it.
• Attend marketing events and share your knowledge. Continue making connections in the industry, because networking is endlessly helpful. That next random event might be the big ticket.
• Continue growing. Whatever business venture made you successful is probably not over, unless you sold. If you would like to continue growing your income and your ideas, use your success to plant seeds for other projects.
• Maintain the momentum. There is a confidence boost once you achieve your goals. Seeing constant expansion and growth taking place in business is a reason to continue aspiring for more. Momentum creates motivation, which in turn creates opportunity.
• Hang around people who are successful. Their energy is contagious. Feed off their inspiration, and try to provide that for others.
• Be open and adapt to change. Get committed to a new idea or re-evaluate a previous idea and recommit. Refinement is necessary in business to make sure you are in tune with the best circumstances. The only way to succeed in business is to hang on for the ride and not get too attached to specific ideas or concepts. Ride it out and figure out the best strategies for each situation. Being adaptable is one of the best qualities in a person, in business or otherwise.
• Give back. This can be through volunteering to help children develop business skills in the community, or reaching out to those in your network to assist them in their business ventures. Book speaking gigs and get your information out there. If you developed methods that worked well for you, there is no reason not to share them with others. After all, we’re living in the collaboration age. Writing a book is another surefire way to share your tips to success and simultaneously expand your brand.
Success is not a finite concept and can best be enjoyed when it is spread among many with a good purpose.
Samantha DeBianchi is founder of DeBianchi Real Estate in Miami.