Queercents

So are there really more men experts in the computing field or does it just seem that way? That question is part of an ongoing and raging debate about women in technology. From women missing as top speakers at technology conferences to little girls shunning computers for something less boring is male dominance in the field a reality or an illusion?

When computers were big boxes in an air conditioned basement of only the largest companies perhaps this disparity wasn’t all that important. Today, however as computers and technology are ubiquitous and getting moreso every year, this gap becomes a big deal.

Smart Girls Know wrote a good article on “Girls and Computer Careers” in which some telling statistics illustrate this gap:

A new study from the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) found that only 10% of girls thought majoring in computer science was a good idea versus 45% of boys. The study also found boys were more comfortable than girls doing things like learning a new software program, setting up a wireless network or even editing music or video on a computer.

These statistics sound oh so 1980’s yet here we are in 2009 scratching our heads wondering why young women are turning away from technology even as more careers are becoming technology focused.  The teens want the latest cell phone but don’t like technology?  Am I the only one confused by the contradiction?
Read the rest of this entry »

Whether you have a job, own a business, or are looking for a job, chances are you are networking now more than ever. Networking is placed on a pedestal like no other and you can barely go through 24 hours without someone telling you “it’s all about networking” and “you have to be out there networking”. I agree networking is immensely powerful but if you don’t do it consciously, strategically, and authentically, you are probably just wasting your time. Anyone who has been in business longer than a few months knows the power of building relationships with other people. Networking (online and off) is an excellent way to do that. Job seekers who only look at ads or attempt to find a new position the passive route are missing the boat because according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 70 percent of all jobs are found through networking.

So we all intuitively know that networking is important but are you clear on what you’re doing, why you’re doing it, and what results you are seeing? It is very easy to just hop from event to event or from one social networking site to another and find that all you accomplished was passing time, money, and miles.I like Elisa Camahort’s definition of networking from her personal blog:

My definition of the purpose of networking: to connect two or more parties for their mutual benefit, with the understanding that you may not be one of the parties, and the benefit may not occur now.

Networking is like planting a garden. Read the rest of this entry »

This month I am thrilled to share with you my interview with Elisa Camahort Page, Co-Founder and COO of BlogHer. About two years ago I was invited to write for BlogHer as a contributing editor in business, career, and personal finance. At the time I didn’t have a clue about just how much BlogHer and the fabulous women involved with it were up to. I may have been clueless but I certainly was and am grateful to be a part of it!

I approached Elisa for an interview and she graciously said yes.  Queercents readers will really enjoy this one because we spent a lot of time talking about career success, social media, and the money word.  Our interview is candid and Elisa is extremely forthcoming with what it is really like to start an online business and media company.  Sometimes success is less about figuring out a hundred ways to be more frugal (thought frugality is important when you are bootstrapping) and more about latching onto an idea, taking a risk, and building relationships.

I was first introduced to BlogHer by our very own Nina who spent some time as a contributing editor there as well.  To her I remain grateful for the introduction!

A bit of background … In 2005, Elisa along with Jory Des Jardins and Lisa Stone co-founded BlogHer and they took their idea from a seed to a powerful online business venture. In 2008, FastCompany named them one of the Most Influential Women in Web 2.0.

So if you want to get the inside scoop and learn a great deal head on over to Listen to or download the podcast.

In news from late yesterday, Chastity Bono has announced that she is changing her gender from female to male and the process began just after her 40th birthday.  He will now go by the name of Chaz. Very little details are being provided on the announcement and Chaz is not currently available for media comment other than to share (through publicist):

“He is proud of his decision and grateful for the support and respect that has already been shown by his loved ones,” Bragman said. “It is Chaz’s hope that his choice to transition will open the hearts and minds of the public regarding this issue, just as his ‘coming out’ did nearly 20 years ago.”

Here’s a smattering of news clips on the announcement:

• Associated Press
• Fox News
• Huffington Post
• NY Daily News
• CNN

Here at Queercents we have lots of great information on transgender finances, transgender financial discrimination, and how to pay for sexual reassigment surgery from the very people living this experience every day.  It’ll be interesting to see how celebrity status does or does not impact Chaz’s experience.  Stay tuned as I’m sure our writers will be all over it.

Photo: Amazon.com Cover of Bono’s book.

Are you a perfectionist? Are you slaving away trying to get things just perfect before you move ahead? Well if you’re planning to create a plan so you can plan or are tweaking till all hours, your perfectionism could be costing you time and money.

I’m all about a quality product and service. My standards are high and mastery is important to me. I’m sure many of you high-achieving folks out there feel the same. One of my favorite sayings of all time came from a movie in the 80’s whose title eludes me. That saying is “Performance is a Reflection of Attitude”. I had this quote emblazoned on my high school locker, passed it out to all the sports teams I managed, and I probably still have a laminated copy of it in my closet. I still believe that is true to this day. What I’ve since learned though is that it is far more important to be in action and bring things to completion than it is to try and get them perfect.

I first heard the term “completion not perfection” as a strategy from the multiple streams of income guru herself, Andrea J. Lee. Read the rest of this entry »

As  of May 30, 2009, Advanta is closing all its small business credit card accounts. I first learned of this on Tuesday of this week when I got an email from Advanta telling me that my account would be closed this week.  It was such a shock that I literally thought it was a Phishing scam. So, I headed right over to their website to find the notice there.  A day later I received a snail mail letter informing me of the same.

At Queercents, we’ve talked about the chaos that ensues when a bank or credit card company fails and when a bank suddenly cuts the limits on a home equity line of credit (HELOC), and with some lively discussion I might add.  Yet, as a small business owner I can’t begin to say what a hassle this notice is.

Most small businesses use credit cards to manage cash flow, pay vendors, and sometimes simply cover the bills when times are tough.  Having a large chunk of your credit shut off on short notice is a royal pain.  At a time when small businesses are seeing their credit crunched from all sides, it is especially troubling. Read the rest of this entry »

I am a big time Pam Slim and Escape from Cubicle Nation fan. That is why I was overjoyed with the chance to have her as a guest on my most recent Comfortable in Your Own Skin Podcast. Pam’s new book Escape from Cubicle Nation: From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur hit the shelves on April 30th to rave reviews across the blogosphere.

Her blog is like a candle in the dark for many talented professionals who find themselves stuck in a cubicle with dreams of being an entrepreneur.  With encouragement, inspiration, and practical advice Pam gives you the tools and insights you need to really assess the journey and set yourself up for success.  Her wit is sharp and her humor is oh so welcome along this often scary, always interesting path of becoming an entrepreneur.  Even if you are already in business for yourself the information in this book is well worth your time.

I recently wrote at length about the book and highlighted some other voices from across the web with what they had to say about it in my Escape from Cubicle Nation Book Review on BlogHer.

I can also say that if you’re worried the least bit about feeling like the queer voice is heard throughout the pages, I can tell you that Pam’s background is as diverse as any.  Her professional career has taken her all over Europe, South America, and the United States.  She spent ten years literally walking the streets working with gang members when she was executive director of a martial arts organization.  She is married to a Navajo medicine man and is a Mom.  From everything I have ever read of hers and all the conversations I’ve had with her over the year, this woman really “gets it”.

So treat yourself to an inspiring, informative, and fun interview and Listen or download the full podcast.

Oh that elusive work/life balance. Just when you think no one is talking about it (yet alone achieving it) it comes around again. Perhaps the reason that is so is because balance is a natural human state and one that we all crave. Without balance, bodies, minds, and even machines break down. The secret is finding that right balance for you so you can perform at your peak and enjoy life along the way.

I personally have decided that balance is elusive and there is a better way - aligning your life with your values. That being said, a measure of balance is still required but when you’re clear on what is most important to you it becomes far more natural instead of a forced state.

As hard as it is to achieve balance in a corporate career sometimes it can be even more challenging when you own your own business. It can feel as if there is no way to take that break. Yet it is just as crucial if not even more crucial and that is why you need to build it into the plan. Recent article “Growing Your Business with Marketing, Week 18:Full stop” by the communicatrix hits the nail on the head:

Your marketing plan is missing Saturday and Sunday for a reason You heard it here first: I’m officially human; I can’t work seven days per week. At least, not pushing 50 with a chronic illness. Nor, have I discovered this week, do I particularly want to. I’m sure that it’s not going to be completely smooth, this transition to a more balanced lifestyle, but it’s imperative, if for no other reason than I cannot work at all when I become ill or exhausted.

That is why you need to build your business and career to support your life versus having it run you. Read the rest of this entry »

You can tell by the title of this post that the story isn’t going to have a happy ending, right?  Well, as you probably already know the major personal finance software packages (Quicken, Microsoft Money) tend to release new versions of their software each year.  For so many people this software is the heart and soul of their personal finance management.  When the technology goes awry so goes the best laid plans of managing, planning, and tracking your finances.

Now, as a general rule I don’t upgrade software unless there is a compelling reason to (in terms of features I need) or I am forced to (compatibility, support of the product).  That is why earlier this year when my Quicken 2006 started to give me notices that investment downloads would no longer be supported after April 30th I started to get that cold pit in my stomach. The ever popular

After April 30, 2009, online services will no longer work unless you upgrade. When you upgrade, your services will be fully reinstated. While you can upgrade after the discontinuation date, in order to get the most benefit from Quicken products we would like to help you upgrade to the latest release right now.

Being the proactive girl I am, I purchased Quicken 2009 at Costco in March figuring that would give me time to install and setup before the support went away.  Add to this the fact that I had recently made some sweeping change in my investments and fund families to save on expenses I knew I had a few hours ahead of me to get things all working to my satisfaction.

That was March, this is May and STILL I find myself totally screwed by Quicken.  Read the rest of this entry »

Have you been downsized, right-sized, experienced a layoff, or simply seen your employment vanish over the last year of the recession? You’re certainly not alone. While many business owners are moaning and groaning about the economy, the effect it is having on the economy, and touting that now is a terrible time to start/be in business, the truth of the matter is that a recession can be an ideal time to start a business.

Whether you own your own business or work for someone else you must first recession proof your mind if you want to be successful. Hanging out your own shingle doesn’t make you immune to your mindset and beliefs about what is and is not possible in this (or any) economy.

That being said, if you have always wanted to go into business for yourself, have a great idea, or simply want to take back control of your earning power, becoming a recession inspired entrepreneur can be just the ticket. As my accountant often says to me “If you can succeed in this business climate, you have a great foundation to succeed over the long haul.” That’s because in these times you need to be mindful of expenses, price your services right (in a sustainable way), and be exceptionally creative to generate income. This is a good test of your your moxy and mindset because difficult times become an even more intense mirror back unto our own self. Read the rest of this entry »