The Woman CEO: Leadership Insights by Juliet Anammah

Introduction

Running a business is not easy. More so for women. Understanding your target consumer, planning for growth, convincing retailers to carry your products or going direct-to-consumer, funding, etc. These and more are the many decisions a small business CEO deals with. As the CEO, the buck stops at your table. And that for women who are naturally risk averse, can be particularly scary.

In this series I will take different topics, women CEOs launching or running businesses have asked me about over the years and will provide simple ideas or insights. You decide how to use them. I have selected topics which are relevant to Consumer Goods and Services (CGS) but which are applicable to other Business segments. I have chosen to keep it simple because Simple is harder to do. To get to Simple you have to cut fluff, fat and triumph over your cognitive biases. I Love that!

In this series, I focus on one topic at a time, providing simple, actionable ideas and insights.

There are no buzz words, no consulting speak and no BS. Just common sense backed by experience.

Nothing is prescriptive, so if you don’t find these ideas useful, feel free to move on.

I will tap into over 35 years of my own professional and entrepreneurial experience in creating these series. Some insights come from 16 years serving CGS clients in a Global consulting company. Others come from growing an eCommerce company from start-up to its IPO, reading 1000s of books and articles and learning from peers.

But First, check your “What”

Before we dive in...

What problem(s) is your business solving ( or wants to solve) and for whom?

Try writing the problem (s) again in simple words which a five-year old child can understand.

I say again because even for a mature company, it is very easy to get so far along that you forget where you started from.

Now ask yourself, is this problem big and important enough to deserve my time and the resources it will take to solve it?

In simple terms, are you solving for an “itch” or a “tooth ache”? I’d rather spend my time on the “tooth ache” problems but you decide.

Then check your “Why”

Why does solving the problem (s) matter to you?

Is your Why strong and compelling enough to sustain you through the rough times?

Your Why must be deep and personal. If you are a woman like me juggling family and business responsibilities, it must be compelling enough ( aka bigger than you) to keep you from quitting when the road gets bumpy.

Let’s dig further beneath the surface. What is driving your Why? A deep compassion for people experiencing the problem (s) you want to solve? Envy of a friend running a successful business? Getting even with someone who said you would never make it? An opportunity to make money?

No judging - just be aware of what lies beneath the surface. It is the fuel for your Why and needs to be enduring. You do not want to run out of gas midway.

Have questions, comments or want to suggest a topic for the series?

Send Juliet Anammah a short email at info@cgandrstrategy.com

Juliet Anammah Founder CG&R Strategy LLC https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliet-anammah