How to Think Like a Business Woman

Use technology to stay up to date on news that pertains to your business idea or nonprofit dream. For instance, create a Twitter account and follow companies and influential persons.

In what way have you been discouraged? Can it be that others are afraid what you can accomplish if you are successful? Perhaps. Here are three ways to gain some credibility with banks who will review your application for a business loan, venture capitalists and key opinion leaders at networking events.

If this seems overwhelming, break down your continuing education by doing the following:
1. Set up a Twitter account and select 10 opinion leaders to follow. These can be people you want to emulate or companies that are supplying a substitute to the product or service you plan to provide consumers. For instance, this month I'm following Fast Company and Forbeswoman.

2. Sign up for Stumbleupon through your Facebook account to draw from the expertise of your friends. Your friends may have expertise in areas of business that you didn't expect.

3. Read the "tomes" either two bestsellers on your Kindle or business school "bibles" such as case studies on mega companies such as General Electric (GE) and relevant reports in the Wall Street Journal.

Use Twitter as your personalized newsfeed even if you don't Tweet. You can also look up keywords, on Google, relevant to your business plan or grant proposal by using closed quotes around search terms such as: conference pdf, trade show vendor list, and exhibitors pdf. This way you'll see who are the neighborhood, regional and national players.

Make use of Stumbleupon for tutorials and expert blogs on topics from how to create a video sales pitch to how to write a press release. Don't neglect eHow, About.com and expertvillage as humble but useful resources to acclimate yourself with the audience you want to reach, the shop talk, and common pitfalls.

Kat Williams's stand up is featured for a few minutes of Lil' Kim's song "Magic Stick". Though I don't agree with calling women the b-word, the shrewdest business women know when to exert self-control and listen actively rather than speak. This can save embarrassment such as epic verbal battles that can be video taped like celebrities behaving badly. Don't let yourself take the bait when someone is clearly trying to make you lose your temper.

I observed this coolness when I worked with the Founder and then-CEO of Zuca luggage. She is so savvy that she marketed her story and her company by appearing in Time Magazine, Good Morning America and The Big Idea before social media marketing served as a catapault for businesses. If someone said something inflammatory to try to rile her, she merely said, "Hmm."

1. Go Shakespearean when you are out of hearing range. Nothing captures high drama and emotion than the Bard. Have your girlfriends applaud you when you are away from your critics. This works for a personal friend and actress.

2. Imagine coals being heaped. Some of my female heroes are from the South. This means they are Steel Magnolias. They know how to appear sweet but they are tough inside. Watch Jane Horrocks performance in BBC's "The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard" and remember the advice of the fictional campaign officer:smile, it confuses the enemy.

3. Meditate. Borrow from the Edward Norton character in the movie Fight Club and imagine sliding penguins if you must. Recall your victory in a recent sporting event, think of the k.o. that you achieved in your Krav Maga class, or a naughty joke you heard from your best friends. Scare the other by showing you are centered. You can also look into Yoga and other mind-body disciplines.

Don't mistake me. Sometimes comments deserve a rebuttal right then and there but usually a few beats of silence can leave the other red-faced and ashamed that you are so imperturbable. In other words, too smart to be tricked or upset. Example phrases you might encounter include: Didn't that idea fail when a man tried to execute that idea? In response to that barb, just let the scene from Lord of the Rings come to mind when Eowyn removes her helm to reveal that she is a woman warrior.

If you are not a fan of Game of Thrones, consider becoming one. Political intrigue is as common as a Kardashian in the news. Even if you are a straight-shooter the business playing field is full of opponents who play dirty.

Seven years after business school and work experience in publishing, online retail and social media marketing has taught me the following:

1. When smoozing at a networking event, never introduce yourself first. This means comment on a topic you overhead, blend into the group and let the other ask your name. Extending your hand first, makes you appear needy to make friends or like a desperate salesperson. Be yourself if the opportunity to discuss DJ Skrillex comes up. Dive in even if the conference is about microloans. Your personality will be sear itself into those who meet you.

2. When cold calling, intone your pitch with confidence and suppress any giddiness that nervousness may exacerbate. How? Say things matter-of-factly: I'm business women X. I'm looking to speak with Jane X about Y because I want do discuss an educational campaign that I'm doing this month on Z. If you need help with this, use a digital tape recorder. Convert the recording into a wav file and re-listen to your voice on your computer. You can also use tools such as Moviemaker to videotape yourself and rid yourself of nervous tics.

3. Remember that you are a Big Deal. Don't approach something as if you are asking a favor. Remember that every move you make has a business purpose. You have something of great value that no one can execute better than you. Think of yourself as a brand. Represent! For instance, when you land cooperation from someone hide your elation. Otherwise the other will wonder why you seem grateful. Did she receive something undeserved? Manage perception.