Well my entrepreneurial friends, there is a new Entrepreneurs Club  that will be of interest to people everywhere. Why? Well all the speakers are videoed and each month they are put on line for all the members to view and membership is really cheap. There are also plans to build a Virtual Incubator online so you can access a range of necessary services at a reduced rate. Any members that join now will get discounted rates as the service gets going so if you are interested in getting some great information at low cost then go to www.aelc.edu.au and click on Entrepreneurs club. I highly recommend it!

Managing a family and a business is challenging enough but managing a family working in a business together is even more difficult. The professional relationships we have with our co-workers is so important to the business dynamic. When we add that deep personal element a situation can quickly perceived as a personal attack.

My family all work in our business - husband, 2 sons and a daughter and soon my daughter in law. We all have complimentary skills which is really fantastic but sometimes the recognition of that skill is diminished as the one-up-man-ship of the family dynamic comes into play. Take for example the situation we had this week where 2 of my family members were working on a particular outcome without consultation with the workers/family members who were using the system. This happened because of a lack of recognition of the value the others could bring to the situation and was directly linked to a personal attitude and not a professional one.

When I realised what was happening, I talked to each of the individuals involved until a common understanding was reached. That old chestnut "communication" really does work.

I don't believe this will be the last time something like this happens however we can control the way we approach it. My advice is:

• arrange a time to talk when you aren't too tired
• do not point the finger in an accusatory manner
• really listen to each person's point of view
• allow them to talk until they are finished
• speak quietly
• do not be derogatory in your comments
• link the behaviour to the outcome and make sure they understand how the behaviour affects the business outcomes
• always make sure they understand how much you value their contribution

Follow these suggestions and most problems can be worked through in a professional manner.

Having a business at home seems like a wonderful dream for many people. A lifestyle to aspire to and luxury most don't have. The reality can be somewhat different. Motivation, isolation, lack of space and the distraction of people dropping in, kids and family are just a few of the challenges that must be faced.

The biggest issue especially for women is the fact that most  don't have a network to support them. I don't mean just family or friends but a network of like-minded people who have the same challenges. This peer network is one that tells you that you aren't insane, that there are other people out there who face the same things as you and can offer you a friendly ear when you need it. That network that makes you feel that you are not alone in the world.

Finding a network like this is a task that is necessary and one that could help your business enormously. I was in rural WA last week running a workshop and although this town had 6000 people, the people in that room did not know each other. The comment that has come back most often from these events is that they did not know that other business people could be so supportive. The relief was evident and they are now a part of our growing support network.

Join U-net today and, as well as free information, we will help to connect you to others like you.

A friend of mine is in trouble. There was a man and  a business involved. We all know it..... STD - Sexually Transmitted Debt! She fell in love, bought a business with her love and then the man runs off with someone else. My friend was left with a pile of debt including lawyers' bills  and a business slowly going to the wall.

The most troubling thing though was that she had never done a budget and hadn't so much as looked at her business finances. This meant that she was not able to make informed decisions about her true financial state. She had made investments such as a shop refit, floors and window upgrades and had lifted stock levels and tried new things to sell. The only problem with this was a lack of profit to support it. There was no research and certainly no financial plan. Now she wants to sell the shop but anyone looking through the books will know it.

This unfortunately is a true story and one I see played out time and time again. Many women stick their heads in the sand when it comes to finance. I too have been guilty of this. It is boring and doesn't necessarily support what we want to do. Out come the rose coloured glasses again and we just see what we want to see.

Well girls it is time to get serious about finance. Don't stick your head in the sand. Do a personal budget, see a financial planner, do a course and if in business a financial plan. Take control and nobody will be able to give you STD!

Starting a business is daunting in the extreme for most people but when you are a woman the barriers seem so much greater. Time management with children, husbands whose careers often take precedence and our own lack of confidence are all real challenges we need to overcome.

Project-u is committed to supporting and developing women entrepreneurs. To do that we have developed a new program called 'Launchpad for Ladies'. This program will be a major project for 2007.

Launchpad for Ladies will focus on support, resourcing, finance and the myriad of challenges faced by Women Entrepreneurs. As well as seminars and coaching we will offer bootcamps, networking events and a marketplace to enable women to buy services and products from other women. Initially the service will be physical but over time there will be a virtual program available for those unable to attend seminars in their region. Currently the program is only available in Western Australia but will be available nationally and internationally later in the year.

The current seminar outline includes a business start-up program called 'Lady to Launch' and a business improver program called 'Million Dollar Lady'. 

 Click here if you are interested in joining the program for 2007.