Chic Tips for Business Success

For years, women were told that when it came to business they should try to be more like men in order to advance in their career. Thankfully, times have changed. Today women are succeeding as themselves and getting ahead. A Chic Businesswoman embraces her female strengths and uses them to her advantage. She is proud to be 'a skirt' and succeeds with smarts, sass and style. Work on yourself and increase your effectiveness with these Chic Tips:

1. Short Emails Save Everyone Time: We are all pressed for time. And even though we are living in an increasingly digital world, the White House's Office of Management & Budget estimates that paperwork handled by corporations, the government and the general public consumes more than 9 billion hours a year. Sheesh! Before you send out another long-winded email message, edit it down, add bullet points and be concise.

2. Ask for Recommendations: Whether you're social networking or building up recommendations for your website, you have to ask for what you want. Send an email through a social networking site like Naymz, ask for a recommendation and say that you would be glad to give one in return. Then, you can add the recommendations anywhere you want people to read about your amazing skills (i.e. website, blogs, business marketing materials, etc.).

3. Play Socrates: It's easy to talk about what you know, but growth is about exploring what you don't know, which means asking questions. Stimulating rational thinking through inquiry will allow you to gain insight into your clients' needs, networking associates' thoughts and potential partners' ideas. You will become more knowledgeable, and highly regarded in your field. Double the amount of questions that you normally ask to illuminate new ideas and debunk false assumptions.

4. Bring in the Sunshine: When you arrive at your office in the morning, let the first thing you say brighten everyone's day. Human beings tend to mirror each other, so if you put out positive, happy vibes, others will reflect them right back to you.

5. Make a Do-Not-Do List: Sometimes what you choose not-to-do is just as important as what you do choose to-do. For every necessary task that you put on the to-do list, put a corresponding low priority activity on the do-not-do list. This will balance your life and give you greater perspective.

6. Schedule Time to Just Think: Even highly effective people like Stephen Covey and David Allen don't just spend all their time 'do-ing'. You can be a more effective do-er by also building time into your schedule for thinking. Set an appointment-free day for yourself. Put it on your schedule in advance and let your employees know that this day must be kept clear. Use this time for big picture thinking and decision-making. Turn off your phone and your computer and just think.

Use these tips and you'll be on your way to becoming a successful Chic Businesswoman. It's a lifetime pursuit and oftentimes not easy, but take it from me, it's worth the hard work.

Elizabeth Gordon is the author of "The Chic Entrepreneur: Put Your Business in Higher Heels".