Women Mean Business: The New Business Etiquette

By Devon Fleming, Posted 07/23/10 01:05 PM

When casual Fridays were introduced 20 years ago, no one knew the huge ripple effect this new business environment and attitude would cause across the board (and board rooms) of America.

Out went our `best practices' and hard working ethics that our country was built on and in came a laissez-faire, lower professional standard that led to so many questionable corporate decisions helping to ultimately destroy the integrity of our economy, financial markets and ensuing far reaching global implications.

The New Business Etiquette

By Devon Fleming, Posted 02/18/10 07:28 AM

When casual Fridays were introduced 20 years ago, no one knew the huge ripple effect this new business environment and attitude would cause across the board (and board rooms) of America.

Out went our `best practices' and hard working ethics that our country was built on and in came a laissez-faire, lower professional standard that led to so many questionable corporate decisions helping to ultimately destroy the integrity of our economy, financial markets and ensuing far reaching global implications.

Leadership Skills For Everyone

By Devon Fleming, Posted 02/12/10 07:15 AM

When I started my business in 2002, I was both excited and overwhelmed by all details that came with it. It required change – in myself, in my home and in my relationships. To get some guidance over the years, I’ve read a lot of books on management from some of the top experts in the country including Jack Welch, one of the most successful CEOs of all-time and known for his leadership skills, I believed his proven methods and management philosophies could help this Household CEO learn to manage the business and family. After all, for modern women, isn’t running a household similar to running a business and managing the various divisions of life – home, family, health, career, and friendships?

Habits of Highly Successful Managers

By Devon Fleming, Posted 01/02/10 07:12 AM

Stephen Covey is one of my favorite authors and an expert in the habits of highly successful people. He refers to those traits or ways of thinking that can be applied to anyone who wants to become more effective in life—business people, homemakers, athletes, students—anyone! Surely, we women, who are running our households, families, careers and personal lives, can find these habits of particular use!

Reflection and Projection

By Devon Fleming, Posted 01/02/10 07:04 AM

PUBLISHED HEARST MEDIA DECEMBER 2009

CEO's tend to use the month of December to reflect on the past calendar year and see where there is room for improvement. In addition, it is a time to plan for the year ahead and make necessary projections and forecasts. Since household managers (whether we work outside the home or not), are essentially running small businesses, I have found that the same principles can be applied successfully to family organization. While normally I try to “stay in the present” and not dwell on the past or worry about the future, this is the one time of year that I take the time to reflect and project.

Organization is OPTIMAL

By Devon Fleming, Posted 11/25/09 12:08 PM

PUBLISHED HEARST MEDIA NOVEMBER 2009

 How do modern women handle all of the pressures of managing the home, taking care of their families, working, handling the finances and maintain personal friendships and activities?

The 3 P’s Of Planning

By Devon Fleming, Posted 11/25/09 12:11 PM

PUBLISHED HEARST MEDIA SEPTEMBER 2009

September is one of my favorite times of the year. It is a time of new beginnings for my children, beautiful weather, more social time to see friends and get reacquainted and a time for some serious PLANNING! I am always astounded at how quickly the last four months of the year go – in a blink the holidays are upon us.

You Are Your Family’s Greatest Asset

By Devon Fleming, Posted 11/25/09 11:56 AM

PUBLISHED HEARST MEDIA OCTOBER 2009

As the Household CEO, your well-being is essential to the success of the entire family. You can see this demonstrated in the corporate world with the increasing opportunities for flex-time, job-sharing, and even gym membership reimbursement and other wellness perks for employees.

Team Delegation is Key

By Devon Fleming, Posted 11/25/09 12:04 PM

PUBLISHED HEARST MEDIA AUGUST 2009

Whether you are a single stay-at-home mom, an entrepreneur or the head of a major corporation, the key to successful management at home lies in the same tried and true principle businesses use: surround yourself with the best team of resources, then delegate tasks and responsibilities.

Communication is Critical

By Devon Fleming, Posted 11/25/09 12:06 PM

PUBLISHED HEARST MEDIA JULY 2009

Summertime can be a wonderful time of year. It can also be daunting, as so many modern moms are faced with finding activities for the children, and given the economic climate budgets are on the minds of many. With the added summer fun and lack of a regular schedule for the kids, household managers have less time to handle the day-to-day tasks of staying organized and on top of the house, handling the finances and generally keeping everyone happy and healthy.