While women are equipped with the necessary skills to perform well as leaders, they are not exercising the ability to self-promote. The issue lies, in part, with a woman's confidence or lack thereof. Women tend to "self-select out."

The best mentoring relationships happen organically, where you click and connect with someone else. There has to be some chemistry. You need to like and respect each other. You need to enjoy spending time together. When you are "matched" by someone else that element is not always there.

It's not all about you. Yes, you can promote your own programs, services and products, but if that is all you do, you won't attract the following you want. Just as in face-to-face networking, givers gain. Try to make it 80 per cent about your industry and 20 per cent about your business.

Much has been written about the Yahoo CEO's decision to end telecommuting at the company. What if we are all missing something? Keeping in mind that Mayer is a Stanford educated engineer twice over, employee number 20 at Google, and ran one of their most important divisions, I decided to give the situation more than a passing thought.

Recently I was asked for advice from a couple of women -- a small business owner and a would-be entrepreneur and in each instance, the answer was the same -- they needed to do the math. In fact, it really was all about the bottom line.

TORONTO - Women who sit on corporate boards are more likely to "rock the boat" and be more open to new ideas than their male counterparts — skills t...

As I've grown in my career and in myself, along with so many women around me, my appreciation for the sisterhood has grown. Where women were my rivals they are now my supporters; where they competed in a win/lose environment they now look for mutual success. When and how did this shift happen in my life?

It was while working in brand marketing for packaged goods companies that Sandler, a single mother of four young children, felt there was a lack of the kind of market intelligence she desired, so she opened her own company...

There is no one way to grow and build a business successfully. We all bring our unique strengths and styles to the process. But I guess at some time we do have to grow up and learn to do stuff we don't like.

For the same reasons women should be invited to the decision-making table, visible minorities and immigrants can offer perspectives which elude multi-generational Canadians with respect to common issues and situations they may face.

I had been following Erica Douglass (via her blog) for a while before I asked her for an interview. Her story of selling her company at age 26 for over one million dollars is mind blowing, but that's not the most amazing thing about Erica...

It is hard to believe that Company of Women is celebrating its 10th birthday. Where did the time go? As I reflect on the past, I share some lessons I have learned -- some the hard way. I guess I bought into the myth that women can do it all and I sure would try. Looking back I realize this was a big mistake

Our first trade show was a bit of a bust -- bottom line, we spent a lot of money and staff time on something that really did not generate much business, nor much awareness of our business. I've since participated in several trade shows, and here's some practical tips and questions to ask yourself before you embark on what can be an expensive -- and sometimes worthwhile -- venture.

The customer experience becomes more important now than ever in a down economy. Especially when shoppers are now open to the idea of visiting your competition, unless you provided them with a shopping experience previously, that they don't want to trade. The more loyal your customers are, the better positioned you are to survive a downturn.

BlogHer.com started out as a forum where women could feel involved and included in the world of technology which was predominantly dominated by men. Today, BlogHer.com has grown into the most important community of mostly female bloggers on the Internet. The accomplishments these women have achieved in the last few years is nothing short of mind-blowing. Check out my interview with one of BlogHer.com's co-founders.

I often see articles that I know would be of interest to someone else that I've met, or come across a lead that will be helpful, so I pass it on. It is an easy way to stay connected and it makes you memorable as someone who is genuinely interested in helping others.

So how do you find that first customer? I've often written about finding the perfect customer but at this stage in your business, the cynic in me says any warm body will do as long as they pay their bills. You will quickly learn who you like to work with and later you can afford to be more discerning.

Women are more patient and are prepared to wait before finalizing the sale, which men would likely argue is not time efficient. But if in the long term it nets the same result, who is to quibble over the strategy to getting there?