eonetwork

Are you considering a leap into entrepreneurship? Many professionals quit their jobs to launch new businesses during the Great Resignation. However, giving up a reliable paycheck to start a business is a risky choice, even with convenient access to expert business counsel and other tools that the internet affords.

Leaving a job to start a business can be overwhelming. In 2022, 50.5 million people changed or quit their jobs—more than the 47.8 million who did so in 2021. Some jobs are easy to leave, but breaking away can be difficult.

Have you reached the tipping point where it’s time to let your spouse or life partner know that you’re leaving your job–but find it difficult to start the conversation? Or have you tried talking about your dreams of something more fulfilling and ended up fighting instead?

It can be tempting to either avoid “the talk” or resign yourself to the miserable job until you can’t take it anymore. Or, you can turn the conversation into a healthier and more productive one, even if your partner has concerns. The goal is to reach a point where you both feel good about the outcome.

Tips for communicating entrepreneurial intentions to your life partner

As you’re preparing to venture into entrepreneurship, focus on what you can do to facilitate understanding from your spouse or life partner. Here are some steps to help you build bridges rather than destroy them:

1. Be honest.

Be honest with yourself and your partner about your reasons for quitting your job. Writing out your reasons is an excellent way to show your partner that it’s not just a spur-of-the-moment choice. A written list can also boost your confidence during the discussion.

Sometimes our partners don’t genuinely see how unhappy we are at work, especially if it looks like a perfect job on paper. Explain why starting a business is so important to you. Furthermore, when you have a clearer idea of your next step, you can show and explain why that next career or business is essential as opposed to the old one. That comparison alone can make a huge difference both for you and your partner.

2. Listen to your partner.

As with everything else in a relationship, it’s important to make sure your partner feels heard and understood on the topic of a career change. Simply taking the time to listen and give your partner room to ask questions or voice concerns can ease tensions tremendously. When your spouse feels heard, they will be more likely to offer support and guidance as you navigate this career change.

3. Make a solid plan.

It’s possible that your spouse will be more concerned with the how of your decision, which can trigger your fears that your business plans won’t succeed. Setting aside the “hows” early on is essential, but don’t ignore them altogether—that can create conflicts later on and stop you from pursuing your dreams. This may be tricky because the “how” is often precisely what your partner wants to talk about. Ensuring that your partner knows you have a business plan and are committed to it will go a long way toward gaining their support.

It’s a smart move to make a plan that addresses how you would handle some of their concerns. For example, would you commit to saving a specific amount of money before leaving your job?

4. Protect your emotions.

Your career change is a huge transition that can come with many ups and downs. Whether you feel sure about your next move or have no idea what to do next, you may experience times when you feel down about the whole process. Figure out ways to relax and take care of yourself that enable you to think clearly, such as listening to music, exercising, or getting out in nature — maybe even with a Yellowstone river rafting adventure!

5. Practice gratitude.

The whole process can cause stress and strain for your partner, so express gratitude for any support they have given you along the way. It’s important to determine the best ways to show your partner gratitude as well. Is it enough to just say thank you, or do actions speak louder than words? Try to find specific, actionable ways that show your spouse how much you appreciate them in a way that resonates with them.

As an entrepreneur, making that leap doesn’t scare you; it excites you. The thought of creating something from nothing or joining a team to build something from the ground up has driven you from fantasy to determined action. All you need to do is convince your partner. Do so by clearly stating your plans and motives upfront, then reiterating how going into business together may even benefit you both.

Contributed to EO by Patrick Sipp of Flying Pig Adventures, who gets his clients back into the outdoors, where the spray of the river, the warmth of the sunshine, and the immensity of the world around are clear and present. The company’s most recent trip includes horseback riding and river rafting by Yellowstone National Park. Patrick is a family man who has turned his passion for the outdoors into a gateway for his guests to experience adventures unlike anything else.

The way you speak and express yourself provides vital context to internal communications (IC), making it easier for your team to understand the message. Therefore, no matter what your organization is up to, video content can enhance your communications strategy.

Internal videos can make a positive impact in most areas of operations—from helping coworkers figure out complex new software via charming animated explainer content to kindly reminding them to adhere to new policies and processes with a funny, informational video guide.

But creating compelling video content to use internally can be tricky. You need to generate practical pieces to get results, but you also need to understand what the medium is (and isn’t!) suitable for.

Let’s examine the ins and outs of using video to enhance internal communications, and how to make the most out of your video communications.

Waving hello: Do we really need better internal communications channels?

By delivering crucial announcements on behalf of management, creating a transparent recruitment and onboarding process, and allowing two-way communication between a corporation and employees, IC is one of the most critical factors that most successful companies share.

With one clear goal in mind—ensuring adequate information circulation—companies have tried every communication format available, from telegrams to online meetings. Adapting video content to help fulfill and enhance this process is the next logical step.

How video can overhaul internal communications

Whether you’re preparing new employees for their first day at work, training them for a possible medical crisis, or sharing company values to nurture brand loyalty, video content is the most effective medium to deliver your message in memorable ways. 

When it comes to internal exchanges, staff need to know what you’re trying to convey, how that message relates to them, and what steps they should follow based on the information presented in the video. 

That’s the premise behind an effective internal communications pipeline. But what makes video content the smart choice?

The fact is, we’ve grown used to never-ending email chains and online meetings as a part of everyday business. But a high-quality, 60-second corporate training video can engage your workforce and get results like no Slack thread ever could.

To video, or not to video: That is the question

If you’re wondering whether your message is worth a video, consider its relevance and potential impact. 

Companies turn to video content for a handful of reasons which all benefit from the quirks and perks of a clean-cut production. Internal video content shares similarities with online courses that are readily accessible to all team members. Not only will they learn something new or get updates on relevant topics, but also they’ll always be able to go back and view said videos if they forget something. 

By creating an engaging video that brings essential topics to life, you avoid the drawbacks of text-based comms and ensure crucial information is heard and acted upon more consistently.

Bridging physical distance with video

Video content accomplishes a lot toward building a cohesive brand voice able to spread worldwide. By creating a clear way to distribute company-wide announcements, even across different branches, your content will reach those working from home and in different time zones as effectively as if they were right next to you.

Great videos go a long way toward nurturing interest despite the absence of in-person interaction. Moreover, if you want to make your message the talk of the town, videos can make announcements memorable. Most employees will remember a nicely produced, short-form video designed to speak to them on a personal level long after they are done watching.

Lastly, getting accurate feedback from your team shouldn’t be taken for granted. Videos can help generate opportunities for a two-way, individualized conversation, even in remote work settings, offering emotional context that might translate constructive criticism better than a long, heavy-worded email.

Get your point across: Tips on making the perfect internal communications video

While it can be easier to ignore a few emails, a good internal communication video is designed to nurture a certain degree of engagement. So, let’s review a few tips that make internal videos pop and generate the attention and reaction your company needs for this type of content. 

• Determine what you want to achieve with your video. Are employees in need of a soft skill boost? Are you looking to expand your team and onboard the latest draftees? From FAQs and announcement videos to corporate recruiting and training, the medium acts as a flexible tool you can customize to your needs. 
• Remember who your target audience is, and that crafting a perfect video for internal communications equals adding a dash of humanity to otherwise dull content. Consider adding emotional touchpoints that resonate with viewers. A bit of humor can spruce up monotonous content, and a heartfelt conversation gets people paying attention.  
• Leverage the power of clips of leaders and team members, even selfie-styled, recorded with a cell phone or webcam. Something as simple as brief clips of employees answering questions or delivering information where it’s needed can go a long way. 

It’s time to start leveraging video content to keep information circulating within your company and overhaul the way your staff communicates. 

Rely on personalized, simple and straight-to-the-point video messages to enhance your internal conversations—you won’t regret it.

Contributed to EO by Victor Blasco, an audiovisual designer, video marketing expert, and founder/CEO of the explainer video production company Yum Yum Videos. Besides running the business, he’s a lifelong student of Chinese philosophy and a passionate geek for all things sci-fi.

For more insights and inspiration from today’s leading entrepreneurs, check out EO on Inc. and more articles from the EO blog.

In March, EO recognizes and celebrates women entrepreneurs with its second annual EmpowHER virtual conference, which focuses on the specific challenges women in business experience. Women entrepreneurs will learn from experts how to navigate the three pillars of every woman entrepreneurs’ life: business, family and self.

Miranda Naiman, a 7-year EO Tanzania member and an unstoppable force for good, is the founder of Empower, a disruptive consulting firm that passionately provides talent, advisory and insight services to clients across the African continent. Miranda is Board Director of CRDB Bank Plc and Board Chair of the African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative that empowers hundreds of women from across the continent. She is Board Vice Chair of CCBRT Hospital and an active member-leader of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization where she serves as Chair of Global Learning. We asked Miranda to share the importance of mindset for women entrepreneurs:

Antifragility has become the beacon of entrepreneurship in recent times. As business owners, we are not only expected to bounce back from adversity but have now increased our capacity to thrive as a result of stressors, shocks, volatility, rejection, mistakes, faults, attacks, or failures.

A quiet moment of instimacy with any entrepreneur will confirm the obvious: It’s extraordinarily hard work. That, juxtaposed with the adrenaline rush we get from closing deals, nurturing teams, building brands and scaling to new markets. Thank God for EO Forum, where we get to share our 5% life highs and lows with fellow entrepreneurs in a confidential environment of zero judgement and no advice. Experience-shares enlighten and shine guiding light in the recesses of our minds when we may feel trapped and alone.

Overcoming negative thoughts is part of what makes us human; we are imperfect, after all. Controlling—and eventually eradicating them altogether—is a crucial piece of work we need to do; in my humble opinion, it is the highest form of self-care to have a healthy, balanced mindset.

Here are seven common—and unhealthy—questions we may ask ourselves on those dark days, and in the spirit of experience-sharing, my way of dealing with them to mark seven years as an EO member:

1. Do I deserve to be here?

The short and simple answer is: Of course you do! However, it’s important to recognise that Imposter Syndrome is a legitimate mental state where an individual doubts their skills, talents, or accomplishments and has a persistent, internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud. I stay focused on my why and remind myself that I am qualified, valuable, and contributing positively. My core values of Stay in the Light, Feed the Family, and Service Before Self are my true North. Everything else falls into place from there.

2. How did she get there?

Comparison can inevitably lead to jealousy. When you waste energy looking left and right instead of staying focused on the path in front of you, you will lose ground. I learnt early on in my entrepreneurial journey to “run my own race” and never succumb to comparison. We are all uniquely brilliant irrespective of what the next person is doing. I relish celebrating others’ wins—it gives me joy and motivates me to keep forging forward.

3. Is there something wrong with me?

Self-deprecation only works if you are a stand-up comedian entertaining a crowd. All other attempts to attack, unpick or unravel yourself merely cause self-harm. STOP crippling yourself; catch yourself when it happens and reverse the narrative: I accept myself wholly and unconditionally.

4. It’s lonely at the top

A cliche realisation but an honest one. The more hats you don, the more thinly spread you become, thus making it harder to connect and forge deep connections with people. Where awareness goes, energy flows; it is your choice where to invest your time, energy and attention—growth will mean fewer, deep relationships and limitless acquaintances. Know the difference and cultivate deep connections that matter to alleviate loneliness.

5. I can’t juggle all the balls

Societal pressure—on women in particular—can be unforgiving. Being an entrepreneur juxtaposed with being a wife, mother, sister, daughter, auntie (my fave!), board director to multiple organisations, coach, mentor and volunteer can weigh us down. All these glass balls are important, yet we shouldn’t be afraid to intentionally put one of the balls down (even temporarily) for our own sanity. Juggling should be enjoyable and mutually beneficial; if not, you might be holding a lead ball.

6. I’m a terrible Mum

I won’t be the first or last woman to say that mum-guilt is real! Those of us raising children while scaling businesses will face numerous situations where we are wracked with guilt. Work-travel; getting home late; missing school appointments, you name it—these things will happen. Quality over quantity is how I navigate Motherhood. Love deeply, be truly present in your child’s company, and communicate intentionally.

7. I’m in the way

Founder’s block will begin to lurk after a number of years—what got you here won’t necessarily take you there. Having founded Empower 14 years ago and working passionately with my partners and team to diversify and scale the business to market-leader, it will soon be time for me to step aside. Recognising the need to allow “fresh blood” to lead the business to higher heights presents a unique opportunity to reinvent yourself. Watch this space.

Don’t miss the third installment of EO’s 2023 EmpowHER virtual series on 21 March. EmpowHER invites women entrepreneurs to hear inspiring stories from fellow founders—including Randi Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Zuckerberg Media and former head of marketing at Facebook; Aanchal Bhatia, founder of Sydenham Clinic; Hannah Vasicek, founder of Francesca; and Helle Thorning-Schmidt, former prime minister of Denmark—during a series of virtual events that are free and open to EO members, EO Accelerators, their companies, and prospective EO members. Register today!

On 21 March, former Prime Minister of Denmark, HE Helle Thorning Schmidt, will share her unique perspective on how women face certain professional barriers others don’t. She will speak to the imperative need to learn to recognize biases in ourselves so that we can overcome them and become truly inclusive leaders. This seminar is free and open to anyone, upon registration. Sign up here to EmpowHER today.

For more insights and inspiration from today’s leading entrepreneurs, check out EO on Inc. and more articles from the EO blog. 

Contributed to EO by Eden Gillott, an EO Los Angeles member and president of Gillott Communications, a strategic communications and Crisis PR firm. She’s the author of A Business Owner’s Guide to Crisis PR: Protecting You & Your Business’ Reputation, and serves as the EO Los Angeles chapter’s Accelerator co-chair. We asked Eden how AI-powered language models such as ChatGPT can help entrepreneurs manage Crisis PR. Here’s what she shared:

As entrepreneurs, we all know that crisis is a part of life. Whether it’s a product recall, lawsuit, disgruntled employee, or social media scandal, how your company handles a crisis can make or break your reputation. That’s why it’s essential to have a solid Crisis PR plan in place. But how can you stay ahead of the game?

One way is by leveraging the power of technology, specifically AI-powered language models like ChatGPT. These tools can help you navigate a crisis, communicate with your stakeholders, and ultimately protect your reputation.

EO members have already shown great interest in ChatGPT—from Zoom presentations with Sagar Pandya (EO Chicago) to WhatsApp groups launched by various members, including Quan Gan (EO Los Angeles North) and social media posts by so many more members.

As a friendly reminder, the benefits and considerations covered in this post are not a comprehensive list by any means! Think of them as a jumping-off point—like the first pancake in a stack that’s always a little wonky but still delicious. Use them to spark your creativity and develop even more ways to leverage technology in your Crisis PR plan. Happy brainstorming!

Benefits of Machine Learning in Crisis PR

Here are three benefits of leveraging tools such as ChatGPT as part of your Crisis PR strategy:

1. Reduce communication packet turnaround time. When a crisis hits, every second counts. That’s why it’s essential to communicate with your stakeholders as quickly and efficiently as possible. With ChatGPT, you can draft statements and responses that can be reviewed and enhanced by your Crisis Team (legal, marketing and communications, crisis PR professionals, etc.) This can help you craft messaging consistent with your brand’s voice and values. Think of it as Mario (as in Super Mario Bros.) using his power-ups to navigate through the different challenges while staying true to his mission.
2. Predictive modeling. ChatGPT can analyze a vast amount of data to predict how your stakeholders might react to a crisis. By using machine learning, ChatGPT can forecast how a situation might affect your brand’s reputation and provide you with data-driven insights. It can help you make informed decisions about responding to a crisis and minimizing its impact on your business. 
3. Crisis simulation. One of the best ways to prepare for a crisis is to simulate one. ChatGPT can help you create a list of likely crisis scenarios so you can practice your response. It can help you identify gaps in your Crisis PR plan, improve your messaging, and build your team’s confidence. With enough practice and preparation, you can become as skilled at your Crisis PR response as Mario and Luigi are at jumping and fighting their way through the Mushroom Kingdom.

Avoid Potential AI-Powered Pitfalls

While ChatGPT is a helpful tool for Crisis PR, there are a few things to watch out for:

1. Confidential information. Beware of inputting confidential, proprietary, or privileged information that could harm your company if it becomes public. Just as you would exercise discretion and carefully consider what you put into an email or text, consider the potential consequences of sharing your company’s sensitive information online.
2. Lack of personalization. While ChatGPT can help you craft messaging quickly and efficiently, it’s essential to remember that Crisis PR requires a personal touch. Stakeholders want to know that you care about their concerns and take their feedback seriously. That’s why it’s crucial to balance the speed and efficiency of ChatGPT with the personalization that comes from working with a (human) PR professional.
3. Overreliance on technology. While ChatGPT can provide you with data-driven insights, it’s essential to remember that it’s just one tool in your Crisis PR toolbox. When navigating a crisis, human judgment, intuition, and experience are valuable assets. ChatGPT can help you make informed decisions, but it’s crucial to remember that it’s only one part of the puzzle. Just like Mario needs to collect at least eight red coins to get the Vanish Cap (aka temporary invisibility), you need to consider all aspects of your Crisis PR plan to ensure your brand’s reputation stays strong and, with luck, your crisis appears invisible (at least temporarily).

Crisis PR is not just about putting out fires. It’s about being prepared, being present, and being proactive. By using AI-powered tools such as ChatGPT, you can stay ahead of the game and protect your brand’s reputation. Just remember to balance the efficiency of ChatGPT with the personalization, human judgment, and ethical considerations essential to successful Crisis PR. It’s like playing a video game: Sometimes you need a power-up, but you still need to be the one holding the controller.

Don’t miss EO’s 2023 EmpowHER virtual series on 7, 14 and 21 March (the first three Tuesdays of the month). EmpowHER invites women entrepreneurs to hear inspiring stories from fellow founders—including Aanchal Bhatia, founder of Sydenham Clinic; Hannah Vasicek, founder of Francesca; and Helle Thorning-Schmidt, former prime minister of Denmark—during a series of virtual events that are free and open to EO members, EO Accelerators, their companies, and prospective EO members. Register today!

For more insights and inspiration from today’s leading entrepreneurs, check out EO on Inc. and more articles from the EO blog. 

In March, EO recognizes and celebrates women entrepreneurs with its second annual EmpowHER virtual conference, which focuses on the specific challenges women in business experience. In each one-hour session, women entrepreneurs will learn from experts how to navigate the three pillars of every woman entrepreneurs’ life: business, family and self.

We asked EO members how the workplace could and should change to improve women’s lives and empower better balance in regard to family. Here’s what they shared.

End the bias toward working moms

There’s a common belief that mothers can’t handle the amount of work it takes to succeed in upper management positions. This impacts current mothers as well as young female professionals who fear that choosing to have a child could limit their professional opportunities. I appreciate that moms are being more transparent about choosing help with their “second shift” as we see women taking a higher number of the top seats in corporations. The more we hear about the experiences of successful women, the less shame others will feel for following in their footsteps.

Removing the biases around working mothers would have a lasting impact on the workplace.

— Megan Milar, EO Cincinnati, CEO, The Garage Group

Shift toward more inclusive and diverse workplaces

As a woman CEO, I believe that we need to eradicate the culture of sexism and discrimination from businesses. We must ensure that all individuals, regardless of gender or any other aspect of identity, are given equal opportunities to succeed and thrive in the workplace and in business.

This means implementing policies and practices that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. A shift toward more inclusive and diverse workplaces and suppliers where individuals from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and genders can thrive and succeed. This would benefit not only employees but also the business, as it would bring different perspectives, ideas, and ways of thinking to the table.

Finally, let’s end the notion that there is only one way to succeed in business. We need to embrace and celebrate different leadership styles, perspectives, and approaches. This will not only make businesses more inclusive and innovative but also create a more just and equitable society overall. Finally, we need more women on boards and in leadership.

— Amanda Ma, EO Los Angeles, CEO,  Innovate Marketing Group

Offer flexibility and work-from-home options

Many of our employees are working mothers, and we’ve found the most significant way we can support their needs is by offering flexibility.

If kids need to be dropped off at school, come in after that, and work a couple hours later. If kids need to be picked up from school, it’s ok to start early and leave work early. As long as the work is done and we can all schedule meetings at dependable times, that’s what’s important.

We encourage people who don’t need to be in the production or fulfillment department to work from home, so that affords even more flexibility in caring for children (especially helpful during the pandemic). Ultimately, we’re a start-up, so we have the freedom to define how we want things to work, and we want to support flexibility.

— Danielle Vincent, EO Reno Tahoe, co-founder and CEO, Outlaw

No more Mom Guilt

As a woman CEO, I am too familiar with the pressure and guilt that comes with balancing motherhood and a career. The expectations placed on us as mothers and leaders are often unrealistic and unattainable, leading to feelings of inadequacy and guilt. It’s time for businesses to recognize the toll that mom guilt takes on women and their ability to thrive in their careers.

We need to shift the narrative from the idea that women must choose between being a “good mom” or a “good leader”. It is possible to be both, and businesses need to recognize and support this reality. This means providing flexible work arrangements, parental leave policies, and resources for working parents.

Additionally, we need to address the stigma that still exists around working mothers. Women should not be made to feel guilty for pursuing their career goals while also raising a family. We need to create a culture that celebrates and supports working mothers and recognizes the unique skills and perspectives that they bring to the table.

By eradicating mom guilt from the workplace, we can empower women to excel both as mothers and leaders. It’s time for businesses to step up and create a more inclusive and supportive environment for working parents.  

— Becky Feinberg-Galvez, EO Chicago, CEO, Candor Threads

Stop making assumptions

Let’s eradicate gender biases about roles and responsibilities from the workplace. This means we should stop making assumptions and ask more questions. Let’s stop assuming that a woman should make the coffee or that a man should assemble new furniture. Let’s stop assuming that fathers are not responsible for childcare. And let’s stop assuming that only women should be taking parental leave.

We can help make the workplace more equitable by providing paid family leave for all employees, regardless of gender or parental status. And when leave is taken for parenting, we can encourage both mothers and fathers to take advantage of it and share in the responsibilities of raising children. These policies and practices recognize that every employee is an individual who brings their own talents and unique challenges to the workplace, neither constrained nor fully defined by their gender. And when we are finally able to do this, we will make work better for everyone.

— Kristen Prinz, EO Chicago, Founder and Managing Partner, The Prinz Law Firm

Don’t miss EO’s 2023 EmpowHER virtual series on 7, 14 and 21 March (the first three Tuesdays of the month). EmpowHER invites women entrepreneurs to hear inspiring stories from fellow founders—including Randi Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Zuckerberg Media and former head of marketing at Facebook; Aanchal Bhatia, founder of Sydenham Clinic; Hannah Vasicek, founder of Francesca; and Helle Thorning-Schmidt, former prime minister of Denmark—during a series of virtual events that are free and open to EO members, EO Accelerators, their companies, and prospective EO members. Register today!

On 14 March, entrepreneur Aanchal Bhatia, founder of the Sydenham Clinic, will share insights on How to be the CEO of your family, and Hannah Vasicek, founder of the jewelry brand Francesca, will speak on How to live a time-rich life. This seminar is free and open to anyone, upon registration. Sign up here to EmpowHER today.

For more insights and inspiration from today’s leading entrepreneurs, check out EO on Inc. and more articles from the EO blog.