A good leader always wants to motivate their employees. This not only requires creativity and effort on their part, to be successful, it also requires them to be sensitive the their employee's needs and desires. Read my interview with Incentive Magazine and learn 10 ways to motivate your female employees.
January 13, 2011
I never realized how much I liked my peers in corporate America until I became an entrepreneur! I found myself actually missing all of the interruptions! In this article, learn how several other entrepreneurs (self included) beat loneliness when starting their own business.
December 31, 2010
I participated in an interview with these authors a while back. It's finally published! Great read if you're thinking about starting your own business. Entrepreneurship is not for sissies, but it's nothing to fear either. Learn more about the book and authors at www.financewithoutfear.com
October 19, 2010
Read my interview in the cover story from the University of Miami, and learn how you too can manage teams in an economy where all business is global.
September 24, 2010
Besides team building and other "kumbaya" activities, how else can you create loyalty among your employees? Read the link below to find out.
July 15, 2010
Check out these tips from successful entrepreneurs all over the world. I'm number 49.
June 16, 2010
Read my interview with Kathy Murdock. Although these tips are especially great for Moms, they can work for just about anyone.
June 5, 2010
Making Diversity a part of your corporation's mission is key to success. But if you're only interested in making "diversity numbers" you may be doing more harm then good.
June 1, 2010
Market volatility still has investors thinking twice about the stock market. This is a follow up article to my interview in March. Read tips (including mine) about what to do while it seems like the rest of the world is going crazy!!!
May 20, 2010
Read about my experience crying in front of the boss (a definite "no-no")
May 11, 2010
An in depth interview on my life and how I got started in consulting. Enjoy!
May 4, 2010
Listen to several speakers (self included) discuss, why Vision Boards help propel you to the dimensions you desire in life, and why corporations should endorse strong mentor programs for their potential female leaders.
May 3, 2010
Read first hand about some of the stereotypes single women (self included) have to endure and how they can set the record straight!
April 15, 2010
Although this week’s guests come from two different worlds, both of them have followed their passions and either created opportunities or change for thousands of others. Our first guest, Dorothy Cann Hamilton, is the founder and CEO of the world-renowned French Culinary Institure (FCI), responsible for educating thousands of some of the best chefs in the world. Mieko Hester Perez, moved by her son’s autism, is getting attention from the medical community on how the positive effects of marijuana have helped her son live a more productive life. So if you have an idea or a fight you want to advance, be encouraged. If these ladies can do it, so can you!
April 8, 2010
What if Peter, the disgruntled cubicle-dweller in the movie Office Space, had been able to see that his hated TPS reports were read and appreciated by a real live person, someone he had met? New research from Wharton management professor Adam Grant suggests that his motivation and productivity would have soared. So just imagine what some face-to-face contact could do for a more committed member of your team.
April 8, 2010
If you were let go from your job today, would your network be able to support your efforts in finding another job? If not listen to Wendy Terwelp, CEO of Opportunity Knocks (Knocks.com), who has helped thousands of clients get hired faster and be rock stars at work since 1989. A recognized expert on networking, both online and off, Wendy has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, Fast Company, Careerbuilders.com, Monster.com, and more as well as numerous radio shows. She recently wrote the ultimate networking book, "Rock Your Network®"
April 1, 2010
Ever wonder what is behind a great idea or what motivates women to buy certain products? This week I’ll interview Bridget Brennan, CEO of business strategy firm Female Factor and author of acclaimed book “Why She Buys”. We’ll learn more about the female consumer and how to attract her!
March 25, 2010
Like to cook? Think you can turn that passion into a money making idea? Then get ready to listen to my guests from renowned NY restaurant SD26. Co-owner Marisa May and Executive Chef Odette Fada share what it takes to make it in the tough restaurant business and be a success!
March 18, 2010
This week is devoted to our spiritual side. Listen as I interview Beth Shaw, Founder and President of YogaFit, North America’s largest yoga school, which has certified over 70,000 fitness professionals and still counting. She is not only know for this organization but also her non-profit Visionary Women in Fitness. Beth Shaw has produced books, DVD’s, and a line of eco-friendly fitness clothing. She has been featured on The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch and in Time Magazine. Our second guest, Ali Grace, is the Founder of Guilt Free Goddess, and a new venture called Graceful Living Retreats - “Where Truth Transforms Your Life”. Ali knows all too well how the pace of corporate America can suck the life out of you. She will share with us what we can do to not get caught up in the rat race, and instead be the best women we can be!
March 14, 2010
Requests were made to comment on the subject title. Because the piece was so hard to find, I've cut and pasted my part below.
I received my MBA in international business at the University of Miami. At the time I worked at FedEx, but last year I started my own business (www.thomasinatafur.com). It was an executive MBA program so the classes were “locked and loaded” and there were no elective choices. Although I loved my experience, looking back I would have appreciated a specific course in venture capital or entrepreneurship. The two classes that did prepare me best for my new venture was a finance class and a law class. I am currently finishing a program at Wharton which has been instrumental in my new venture. Specifically I just returned from a class titled: Creating Value Through Financial Management. It was designed for CFO’s to help them make better decisions about funding projects and mergers/acquisitions. I completely agree that more focus should be devoted to the subject of entrepreneurship in B-schools. I have a number of clients who come to me with a “great idea”, but understand little about what it takes to “fund” those great ideas. Specifically, they need to address the importance of share holder value, and creating economic profit AND growth at the same time.
Thomasina Tafur
March 11, 2010
As the recession eases, some people are willing to put their money back in the stock market. Read my interview and stock tips in one of Fidelity's recent articles.
March 11, 2010
Ever wonder what is behind a great idea or what motivates women to buy certain products? This week I’ll interview Bridget Brennan, CEO of business strategy firm Female Factor and author of acclaimed book “Why She Buys”. We’ll learn more about the female consumer. And Amy Nichols, founder and CEO of Dogtopia, a place where pets are valued as family and where dogs enjoy endless playtime and spa treatments in a positive environment. We’ll discuss how she turned her passion into a business and you can too!
March 4, 2010
This week’s guests are Lerszan Aksoy, Associate Professor at Fordham University and research expert in areas of customer satisfaction and customer spending habits. We’ll discuss what it takes to make your customers loyal. Then Carrie Coghill Kuntz, financial advisor regularly quoted in The Wall Street Journal, Money Magazine and Forbes will share with you how to increase your wealth.
February 25, 2010
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to make it in Hollywood? Think no more! Today’s guests will share with you how they made the transition. Mary DeChambres, Emmy Winner with Project Runway, changed careers 10 years ago from public school teacher to Emmy winning reality television editor. Kathy Kinney, best known for her character on the Drew Carey Show, discusses the transition from stand up comedy to the variety of projects she is working now. Both women talk about the importance of believing in self, persistence and doing what you love! If you have a similar dream, hear their stories and be encouraged that you too can make it in Hollywood!
February 18, 2010
Building a solid strategy for your business or life can be challenging. How do you know you’re on the right path? Are your tactics realistic? This week’s guests both know from experience how to create, implement and execute well thought out and realistic strategies. Mona Pearl, founder of BeyondAStrategy, has initiated and executed cost effective and creative opportunities for companies to make money and help them increase global market share, enhance leadership and engage the stakeholders along the value chain. Some of the companies she has worked with are Marriott, Philip Morris, Bacardi, and Accenture. Andrea Belz, founder of Belz Consulting also has an impressive resume. Her broad management experience in both operations and strategic planning has allowed her to enjoy long-term engagements with organizations ranging in size from start-up companies to middle-market companies to NASA. Listen and take notes as both women share how you can develop strategies to get you ahead in life.
February 11, 2010
In honor of Black History Month, I selected two magnificent African American female role models. Mildred Antenor, the Founder of Communicating Women.com, is a commentator and journalist, who calls upon her life experiences to inspire women and young girls to confront life’s challenges. She has appeared on numerous talk shows including “The O’Reilly Factor”. Janice Bryant Howroyd, CEO of Act-1, the largest privately owned staffing company in the U.S. She built this company from the ground up and has been instrumental in placing over two million people in permanent and temporary jobs. She is world renown, and her talents are in demand all over the world. She’s won numerous awards and recognition from organizations such as Ford, Essence Magazine, Black Enterprise, AT&T, and the list goes on! Learn from their life’s lessons, and emulate their success.
February 4, 2010
Women struggle with many things: our finances, making something successful, and just life in general! Today’s guest can help you grapple with your own personal challenges. Linda Descano is the President and COO of Women and Company, a vehicle for insightful women to discuss their financial realities, build their financial knowledge, and create financial strategies. On our show she will discuss a report, published the same day, with updates on women and money. My second guest is the author of “The Art of Bouncing Back”, Zelda Greenberg. Listen and learn as she shares how you can “bounce back” from anything in life! This show offers so much to help you with life’s challenges, it a shame we only have an hour!
January 28, 2010
Roughly less than 5% of the Fortune 500 CEO’s are women. We’ve progressed in numbers as employees, college students, breadwinners, etc... but we really haven’t made a dent in this statistic! So what are women doing? Creating their own opportunities! Listen to how Linda Kaplan Thaler, CEO of The Kaplan Thaler Group, one of the fastest growing ad agencies in the United States and Roni Deutch, Legal Tax Expert, and author of “The Tax Lady’s Guide to Beating the IRS and Saving Big Money on Your Taxes” made it on their own! Both ladies are hard working, creative, and extremely talented. Stop bumping your head on that glass ceiling and listen to some of their ideas. Do you have what it takes to make it on your own and make it big?!
January 26, 2010
Many things can help you land your dream job, but these 9 things are essential! See my comments on confidence.
January 21, 2010
Will there ever be a time when women in politics will be asked about their ideas first and their wardrobe second? Will there ever come a day when women running for office will be asked about global warming instead of Gucci? Nuclear proliferation instead of Nannette Lepore? Coal rather than Cole Haan? One day and hopefully sooner than later says three women who have been there. University of Miami President and former Seretary of HHS in the Clinton Administration, Donna Shalala, Conservative commentator and former Reagan administration appointee, Bay Buchanan, and Marie Wilson, the Co-Founder of Bring Your Daughter to Work Day and Founder of The White House Project which encourages more women to run for office and become leaders in government. Don’t miss this great line-up of women leaders who have been in the arena!
January 5, 2010
Ladies, you're not alone if you're starting up your own business. Check out these resources to help you make sound decisions.
December 7, 2009
Advise on how to ask for a raise in a troubling economy.
December 6, 2009
Many times we focus on what to do, and that's great. But what about those activities we shouldn't do? Check out this list to help you in your job search efforts.
November 30, 2009
Is a women's mentoring program worth your company's time and resources? Thomasina Tafur, president of Thomasina Tafur Consulting and a former senior manager at FedEx, says it most definitely is a good investment. To hear the thoughts she shared on the subject with Training magazine Senior Writer Margery Weinstein. Listen to the Women's Mentoring Program podcast
November 20, 2009
I heard a sad joke about American entrepreneurs during my travels in Europe a few months back. A speaker asked the audience “How do you hide a secret from an American?” Then she took a dramatic pause and said “You write it in a book.” People laughed. I didn’t.
To say the least, that comment pissed me off. Instead of making a scene (I was scheduled to speak to the same audience of female entrepreneurs only hours later), I decided it was better to take a stance. And that is what this post is all about… believe it or not, ALL the secrets to success, happiness, you name it, reside in books. No single book will ever have it all, but as you read more and more you will find a common thread that resonates with you. And that thread IS the secret.
As always, I reached out to the TPE community to get their suggestions, and they compiled this amazing list. And YES, some books are mentioned multiple times — since they have varying thoughts backing them. Enjoy the list, pick some up, and get reading!!!
November 11, 2009
How Women-to-Women Mentoring Programs Help Promote Advancement, Retention - and Your Company Culture
This is the complete article. Parts of it were used in an October interview.
November 2, 2009
I’m excited to be participating in Quintessential Career’s annual Job Action Day – for its second year. To quote Katherine Hansen, PhD, Quintessential Careers, “While the economy is showing signs of recovery, indications that the recovery will continue to be ‘jobless’ casts a pall over hopes for a full bounce-back. Job Action Day … addresses the jobless recovery by spotlighting promising areas in which the unemployed and other job-seekers may find opportunities.”
As entrepreneur and daredevil pilot Amelia Earhart once said, “The woman who can create her own job is the woman who will win fame and fortune.” Think about the time period when this was said: the 1920’s. In fact, Earhart took her first flying lesson on January 3, 1921, and in six months managed to save enough money to buy her first plane. In 1929, the stock market crashed, which led the Great Depression. In 1932, three years into the depression, Earhart became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic and in 1935 she became the first person to fly solo across the Pacific from Honolulu to Oakland, California. more...
October 20, 2009
Business owners across North America shared their tips and tricks on Scheduling Daily Tasks, Balancing Time between Business and Family and what Gadgets and Software they use throughout their day! So grab a cup of Joe, a pen and a pad of paper and get ready to manage your time
October 14, 2009
Many times, people who need job-search help enlist a professional. Career coaches and counselors are usually certified professionals who focus on career exploration or choice, changing career paths or even helping you beef up your résumé and perfect your interview skills. more...
October 12, 2009
“I don't think it's deliberate or malicious,” says Tafur, president of Thomasina Tafur Consulting. Women are often so focused on the climb themselves that they don't have time to look back down and give their female colleagues a hand, she says. “We have strived so hard just to get to the top.” more...
September 8, 2009
One aspect that Tafur, now a consultant, helps protégés overcome is women’s reluctance to tout their own accomplishments out of fear that they will be perceived as bragging. Instead of viewing it as conceit, she teaches protégés to call it “sharing.” Women managers should be eager to pass along a compliment they or a staff member receives from a client. more...
August 24, 2009
Thomasina Tafur, who runs a consulting firm in Memphis, Tenn., experienced a similar phenomenon when she rose up the corporate ranks at a major transportation company. One colleague would make over-the-top comments in a room full of managers about how good she looked.
“The higher you were, the more of a power trip it became for men, and sometimes I thought they were not even aware of what they said,” she says.
August 20, 2009
Thomasina shares her experience of climbing the corporate ladder to become a successful female executive during her 20 years at FedEx Corporation and how she is now translating the do's & don'ts to help others in search of serious success.
July 30, 2009
While men still far outnumber women as executive managers, according to Tafur, there’s about an equal number of male middle managers and female middle managers.
So how can a woman increase her chances of becoming a boss? “Have confidence in yourself,” says Tafur. “Believe in yourself and convey that in your manner. Look for opportunities to promote yourself by asking for upcoming projects and going above and beyond your current role so you’ll get noticed. And don’t be afraid to showcase your success. It’s not bragging, it’s just sharing.”
July 22, 2009
When Thomasina Tafur was laid off from a big corporate job in April, she was excited about the prospect of starting a business from her Memphis, Tenn., home. But, she said, "there were a few things that did catch me off guard."
May 21, 2009
Thomasina Tafur was laid off after 19 years of loyal service at a Fortune 200 company. She is part of a growing pink-slip club of entry-level, mid-management and top-level execs. No matter how secure you might think your job may be – any shift internally or externally could cause a swift change in your job status. In addition to being prepared financially for a sudden paycheck loss, Thomasina Tafur, who is now a consultant to women starting new businesses, says everyone should keep their resume updated and have ongoing activities outside of your career to keep your connections alive and active. Her outlook for future employment (and entrepreneurship) is positive and offers the following best ways for others to bounce back too. more...
