We've all been there. You're stuck in a never-ending meeting that could have been a quick email. Yet here you are, wasting valuable minutes, itching to get back to your desk and tackle he 50 other things on your plate for today. So why do meetings suck so much? The simple answer is most managers don't know how to run them. Here's my advice on how to make your meetings pain-free and run smoothly.

1. Could This Be an Email?
Before you schedule a meeting, ask yourself if it's truly necessary. Could this be a quick email or phone call instead? When you bring everyone into a room, inevitably it is less efficient than if they are in their own space with their resources to answer questions. Make sure a meeting is truly necessary before you schedule it.

2. Send the Agenda Early
Your meeting will be far more productive if key team members can gather the material they need ahead of time. For others, like most of us introvert, we need time to think before answering questions or solving problems. Send out a detailed agenda ahead of time with exactly what will be discussed and notes on any preparation attendees need to come prepared with.

3. Set a Timer
There's nothing that can make a meeting drag on more than a lack of urgency. Set a time limit, ideally on the agenda. This will encourage concise communication and ensure you don't end up talking in circles around the same issue. Designate a timekeeper for the meeting to make sure you stay on track. I always present this as me trying to respect everyone's time, not cut them off, and it tends to go over well! 

We all know meetings can sometimes be a train wreck. But by following these three easy tips, yo can ensure those you lead run smoothly and are efficient use of time! 

This week we talked with the inspiring Claudia Mangeac. Claudia is a multi-passionate entrepreneur who chose early on that she will live an inspired and extraordinary life, no matter the circumstances. You can find her online at www.claudiamangeac.com.

Tell me about yourself!
I was born & raised in Romania. However, at age 18, I got on a plane for the first time and left Romania with £800 in my pocket and the goal of moving to the UK to study film. Since then, I've been through several career changes, moves, hit rock bottom and went through a divorce. Despite all this, I've persevered. I'm a huge believer in female entrepreneurship & generally I have very high energy & love motivating others. 

I've often been described as "too young" for things. I left Romania at 18, I got married at 21 and divorced at 25, started my first company at 23, got my first leadership role at 26. I went from terrible debt in my early 20's to now running a profitable business and helping others discover how they can run a business & not let it run their life.

What made you decide to start your own business?
The reality is that until about the age of 25, I struggled with imposter syndrome, comparison, feeling inspired often but never taking action, being overwhelmed by too many choices, starting projects and not finishing them. Oh, and so much self-doubt. I felt that if I wasn't good at something already, there was no point even trying.

That was until 2016 when I discovered self-development. I've always been curious about how our mind works but in typical me fashion, I never took any further. That same year, I shut down my e-commerce business and I started working for a startup that aligned with my values. In 2017, I took 17 trips and visited 13 countries. I soon discovered I was great at brainstorming with people, I felt my best when I was motivating others and slowly started building a vision for my life where I could help other entrepreneurs. I started taking online courses, reading everything I could find, surrounding myself with inspiring people and doing a lot of self-discovery work.
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Today I'm on a mission to empower entrepreneurs to build authentic & profitable businesses alongside an inspired and joyful life. I did for years I did HR in tech startups, so I spent a large part of my career helping others and understanding what motivates them. I always believed that us women have to deal with a lot of crap, so I wanted to do my bit and help women build businesses and help them feel less overwhelmed.

What's the hardest part about being an entrepreneur?
Juggling everything, doing it all alone, the doubts, and the comparison. Generally the mindset challenges!

What's your favorite part?
The freedom I have and the impact I get to have.

What advice would you give to women either working in business or starting their own?
Soooo much! If I had to choose one, it would be never do work for free. Know your value & don't be afraid to add tax to it.

With the current COVID-19 crisis, many employees are unexpectedly working from home. This can be a really tough transition! With no need to drag yourself into the office and no coworkers peering over your shoulder, it can be tempting to let productivity slide and abandon your normal routine. However, as a kick-ass career woman, you must forge on! Here's my top three tips for working from home:

1. Create a Schedule
When working from home, you need to create some structure for your workday. Sit down and write out a schedule for yourself. Block out a start time, a lunch hour, and an end time. Don't be tempted to let your work creep into the rest of your life and work constantly. On the opposite side, make sure you're putting in the hours you need to to get your job done well. 

2. Brush Your Hair
It can be tempting to wear your pajamas all day and skip your normal morning routine. However, you'll feel more productive when you make them time to pull yourself together. Take a shower, brush your hair, and pull some clothes on. I won't judge you if every now and then that just means a clean pair of pajamas, but make sure you're in a routine to start your workday. Pull that hair up into a bun, brush your teeth, and get to work!

3. Create a Work Space
One of the easiest ways to get distracted is by not having a dedicated work space. Ideally this would be a desk in a low-traffic area, but it could be an end of your dining room table, a folding table in your bedroom- wherever you have space. This will also help you mentally leave work at the end of the day. By separating your work space from your home space, you can maintain your focus, then disconnect at the end of the day.

As always, I'm here to support you during this time of transition! Feel free to comment or drop us an email and I'd be more than happy to offer my advice and support during this uncertain time! 

This week we talked with Chelsie Tamms of Lettering Works, a branding studio that connects businesses to their audience through creativity and strategy. Founder and owner Chelsie is an award-winning lettering artist and designer based out of Chicago. With over 10 years of practice of lettering and design, Chelsie is passionate about craft and intention. When she’s not designing, she can be found eating ice cream, traveling internationally, or starting a new passion project. You can visit Chelsie online at www.letteringworks.com.
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Tell me about yourself!
I am a lettering artist and designer who is passionate about helping others bring their ideas to life visually through compelling custom artwork. I love working on a mix of passion projects, product design, and freelance design work. I personally love to travel and connect with other creative people.

Tell me about your business!
I started Lettering Works after winning $10,000 in startup funding from Bradley University in Peoria, IL when I was a senior there. I spent the first three years in business in Peoria, Illinois where I worked with countless small businesses, independent creatives, and causes. I relocated to Chicago in summer 2019 and began to expand my product line and services for the Chicago market. Most of the work I do is in the advertising and marketing spaces, but has a focus on art and creativity.

Previous to starting a business, I held several internships at creative advertising agencies and worked at personalized product company. I studied graphic design, Spanish, and marketing and got involved with the entrepreneurship department at Bradley my senior year. After winning the $10,000 in startup funding, I started my business in Peoria in 2016.

What's the hardest part about being an entrepreneur?
The hardest part about being an entrepreneur is having to educate others on the value of your services. This is especially challenging being a solo-preneur because it can be easy to feel isolated or alone and unsure of what you should be charging or offering to clients. Knowing and understanding your value is an ever-evolving component of being an entrepreneur. 

What's your favorite part?
My favorite part of being an entrepreneur is being in control of the work that I want to do. I am always making time for personal projects, which help me proactively secure the type of projects I want to work on. Being able to choose what I work on ensures that I am truly passionate about the work that I am doing, which often leads to better results for everyone involved.

What advice would you give to women either working in business or starting their own?
Invest in yourself. Don't allow others to dictate your career, but instead work proactively to attract the exact work you'd like to get. If you have an idea that you are truly passionate about, find a way to make it happen.

What's your favorite quote?
Do more of what makes you happy.

In exciting news, the female leader's book club was featured on Crate Joy as an inspiring gift for the girl boss in your life!

"Whether you're a boss lady blogger or you need to find the perfect Christmas gift for your fave girlboss, Managerine is sure to be a hit. Each monthly delivery includes a book focused on leadership, personal development or business. Packed along with the book are 3-5 products like candles, coffee mugs, stationery, and tea -- all from women-owned businesses. "We try to create an experience," says Julia, "and select products that complement the book choice."

The holiday season is still months away, but a subscription to Managerine is at the top of our list for girlboss gift ideas. And, maybe after hearing Julia's story, you've added it to your wishlist too? Julia hopes to inspire the next generation of female leaders. "Whether you're still climbing the ladder or have already smashed the glass ceiling, Managerine is here to help you keep on hustling!"

You can read the full interview here. And if you haven't already, make sure to join the book club!

The current health crisis in America has many employees on edge with uncertainty. With the CDC's recommendations to encourage social distancing, it's important that you take the time to reassure your employees and encourage proper precautions. Here's my top 3 recommendations for supporting your employees during this time. 

1. Encourage Working From Home
If at all possible, consider allowing remote work for the time being. This will help to keep your employees healthy, prevent the spread of disease, and also to protect loved ones who may be elderly or immunocompromised. This will also allow parents of young children who are out of school due to the virus to be there for their children and get their work done. 

2. Be Flexible
For many, kids are out of school indefinitely, loved ones may be at high risk, and some may have to put important events on hold. Be understanding and flexible to the best of your ability during this time. Regular remote polices, such as needing childcare or working strict core hours, may need to be reexamined for the time being. If your employees must come into work (and I emphasize MUST), offer hand sanitizer and encourage social distancing. 

3. Offer Support
Make sure that your employees know that you're there to support them through this crisis. Whether it's navigating the bumps of transitioning to remote work, helping them look into their health benefits, or just being a source of comedic relief during this serious time, try to make sure your employees feel supported. 

Want more info? Here are some resources for businesses during COVID-19:
CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and You
CDC Resources for Businesses and Employers
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources

This week we talked with The Pricing Lady, aka Janene Liston of Janene Liston Coaching & Consulting. Janene helps small businesses owners gain confidence and using pricing as a tool to grow their business. You can visit her online at janeneliston.com. 

Tell me about yourself!
I'm born and raised in California and studied Architectural Engineering in University. I worked in that area for a few years then switched to product management for a high voltage test and measurement company. I also moved to Connecticut during that time. It's with this company that I had the opportunity in 2001 to move to Switzerland where I've been living for the past 19 years,  and am currently a Swiss citizen. 

My career switched again when I was hired by Siemens to be their Global Pricing Manager for the Building Automation division. It was during this time I became a certified pricing professional and pricing has been my thing ever since. In 2017, I started my own business as the Pricing Lady. My clients are typically small businesses who are struggling with pricing and/or seeking to improve the bottom line with pricing. I show them how to set, get, and manage prices so they can close more details, at the right price, confidently.

On the personal side I enjoy traveling, public speaking (especially Toastmasters), mountain biking, cross country skiing and I crafting my own greeting cards. 

What made you decide to start your own business?
The biggest catalyst was a burn out. I had been thinking about starting my own business for years, but was always afraid of the financial struggle. As I was recovering from the burn out of the corporate world, I realized I truly love pricing and what I can bring companies with that expertise, but that I wanted to help out smaller companies. I also wanted to build a business that gave me flexibility and the ability to also spend a couple of months a year doing volunteer and social work abroad. In the end, my own business offered me the opportunity to achieve these things.

What's the hardest part about being an entrepreneur?
Riding the roller coaster- the highs and lows are the hardest part.

What's your favorite part?
Helping people achieving their dreams and seeing their confidence as they improve pricing in their businesses.

What advice would you give to women either working in business or starting their own?
Trust yourself and use your network. As women, too often we turn to others to confirm our own ideas. We should have the gumption to take decisions, not because others say it's right, but because we trust ourselves and the fact that even if it doesn't go as planned, we can handle the situation anyhow.

What's your favorite quote?
Julia Roberts in Steel Magnolias said: "I'd rather have 30 minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special."

We've all been there. It's the first day of a new job or new project or just another day at work and you're terrified. You have no idea what you're doing and just know that someday someone is going to find out and expose you eventually. Well, guess what? You're not alone. As I've grown in my career, the one thing I've learned is that everyone feels this way, most of us have no idea what we're doing half the time, and that when you overcome this mindset, you'll feel like a weight was lifted off your shoulders. 

According to the International Journal of Behavioral Science, 70% of people experience imposter syndrome at some point during their life. It's not just women or young people either- imposter syndrome affects every gender, age, and stage of your career. However, there are some key tools you can use to overcome it. 

The best way? Talk it out! Find a mentor, trusted coworker, or counselor and tell them how you're feeling. Chances are they feel the same way some days. Even just getting it off your chest can be an instant relief (hence how talk therapy can be so effective!). It also helps to know that you're not alone and everyone feels this way sometimes.

Can't find someone to chat with? Remind yourself of how capable you are! Get out a journal and write out everything that you;re good at and that you've accomplished. Really think about it. If you can, keep a list of your professional accomplishments to review when you feel insecure. Reminding yourself of how amazing and capable you are is a great way to re-gain your confidence! 

Finally, try and be objective. Write down what you're feeling, then write down what's actually true. Just because you feel lost or like a failure does not mean you are. Then, write down what success will look like, then write down what steps you need to take to achieve it. Breaking this down can be a great way to cut through the overwhelm and make you feel more capable! By following this and the other techniques mentioned above, you'll be able to overcome imposter syndrome and get back to feeling like the bad ass boss that you are.