I’ve spoken recently about gender inequality in business. In order to make changes we need to look more deeply into some of the reasons why it happens - and importantly, what we can do to change it. 

Female self doubt is one of these reasons. 

Self doubt can happen to anyone, but across my 25 years of business coaching I’ve seen it more in women than in men. 

Self doubt happens to women in full-time employment and to those branching out into entrepreneurship. 

Self doubt happens at any stage in our careers; it happens to those building a business and to those already running a successful businesses. 

Women have made incredible progress in the world of work. By the end of 2019 the UK female employment rate was up to 72% - a record high. We’re making waves in middle management. We’re a stronger presence than ever before. So why does self doubt still linger?

There’s a confidence gap. 

This matters because a confidence gap leads to a lack of females putting themselves out there. In a study by Hewlett-Packard, it was found that women would only put themselves forward for a promotion if they believed they were 100% suitable. Men would do so with a 60% belief in their suitability. Inevitably, this lead to more men vying for the top spaces - and more men being offered them in return. 

What can we do about this confidence gap? 

There are a few ways we can overcome this. 

Believe in our abilities: 

Firstly, we women need to believe our abilities in the same way that men do. This means, even if we don’t believe ourselves to be 100% ready for that promotion, or 100% ready to make the leap into entrepreneurship - we need to do it anyway. We need to make the leap and give it all we’ve got.  

Build confidence ‘on the go’: 

They say ‘there’s no time like the present’. To us this means not waiting until you feel confident enough to do something, but jumping in and finding your confidence on the way. After all, this is what many of our male counterparts have been doing all along. Do you want to Leap into Consulting™ but are not sure if you’re ready? Our advice is to do it - but do it with a plan. Building businesses is our speciality, and we’d love to help you on your journey. Book a 90 minute call with me now to kick start your journey.

Creating a structure: 

Successful business owners - whether male or female  - are not there by accident. A huge part of reaching the top is knowing how to plan your growth. Here at Leap into Consulting™, this is one of our strengths. We’ve shown countless new businesses how to get from A to B. We’ve also shown established businesses how to get from B to C through Z. Join us on one of our webinars or book a call with me to make the first steps towards successfully structuring your business. 

Women helping women:

There’s a shortcoming of women mentoring other women, in part related to that confidence gap; if you don’t feel confident in your own abilities you may wonder what you have to offer to others. But women mentoring women is successful. We know what makes us tick, we appreciate the realities of being a women in business, we understand the gender inequalities that all too often hinder our progression. Women helping women can build bridges to success. 

As a self-made female entrepreneur, I understand the issues faced by women. The pitfalls, our difficulties and our downfalls. But I also understand where our strengths lie, and how to harness them. Whether you’re just starting to Leap into Consulting™ or you want to take your income up a grade, book a 90 minute call with me to begin your self-confidence journey, and to reach new heights. 

Let’s over come the odds, together.

One of the frustrating things about being a women in business is seeing male counterparts around you - left, right and centre - getting promoted before you, or being offered a higher pay check for the same role you’re doing. 

Corporates try to deny it happens and in today’s world are more accountable than ever before for making sure it doesn’t happen. But the reality is, it does. 

Did you know just 5 of the CEOs in the FTSE 100 are female? 

When we women decide to speak up for ourselves in the workplace, our valid statements, questions and concerns are often batted back at us. 

You’ve all seen this example: 

On asking why pay checks differ, or why men are more likely to be a CEO of a large company, we’re told:

- Men negotiate harder, they ask for more so they get given more.

Firstly, this is not always true. Women can be some of the best negotiators around; it’s just that our requests are often not taken seriously. 

And secondly, is it any surprise that on occasions we decide to back-off from negotiations or from male-dominated spaces when we’re collectively and constantly told ‘no’. ‘No you can’t have the salary increase’, ‘no you didn’t make CEO’. 

It’s really no surprise that we sometimes start to believe it. 

But it doesn’t have to be this way. What we need to do as women, collectively, is to start believing in ourselves. In our ability, in our worth and in our value. 

It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy. Think about it, if we had been consistently told since we were 20 that ‘yes we will give you a pay rise’, and ‘yes you are worthy of that promotion’ - then of course we’d all believe it. 

But - hard as it may be - we need to believe it anyway. And we need to make others believe it about themselves too. 

Women supporting women. That’s what my business is all about. 

I’ve recently been announced as one of the finalists in the Successful Women in Business Awards, founded by Gill Donnell MBE. 

While I’m always honoured to be nominated and become a finalist for business awards, this one means more to me than many. 

Why? 

Because the award I’m up for via the Successful Women in Business is the ‘Reinvention Award’. 

This means a lot to me as I’ve worked hard to be where I am today, and it hasn’t always been a linear journey. I’ve seen my fair share of crisis times; the current Coronavirus crisis and subsequent financial crisis is just the latest. 

Indeed, over the last few months I’ve had to pivot my business from face-to-face bootcamps and coaching sessions to bootcamps that are run entirely via a virtual platform. Getting an entire course up online in a matter of days is no easy feat, believe me. 

More than this though is the reinvention of the way in which I run my sessions today. Until a few months ago I was working with people who actively wanted to make the Leap into Consulting™, But now with furloughs, job losses and general insecurity in the workplace, many of the people I work with are not considering making the leap out of pure choice. Many have no other choice. 

Of course, when the circumstances of my clients are changing, the way I deliver coaching must too. 

As I’ve been through similar crisis myself a few times in my 25 year consulting career, I know how to work with my new set of clients and how to deliver what they need, in order to help them leap back into success. 

You could say my entire business model for the last few months has been about reinvention; for both myself and my clients. 

I’m proud I’ve been able to do so, and I’m proud of my clients who are doing the same. 

So to be a finalist in the ‘Reinvention Award’ means more to me than many may realise. 

Thank you for the nominations, for recognising me as a finalist, and for the many opportunities I’ve been presented with that have allowed me to be where I am today. 

Women of the working world. I have some questions: 

• Do you work full time for another CEO, or are you the boss? 
• Can you take unscheduled time off when you need it, or do you have to ask for permission? 
• Are you paid the same as your male counterparts or do you earn less as a female employee? 

 My last question for you today: 

•  What would your preferred answer to these questions be? 

 
Let’s look at the facts: 

 In 2020 there are more self employed women than ever before. According to The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed (IPSE), self-employment amongst women has risen by a huge 63% since 2008. 

But why? 

ISPE’s Andy Chamberlain, Deputy Director of Policy highlighted my viewpoint perfectly when he said:

“Our research shows that the freedom and flexibility of being their own boss really works for highly-skilled women who want to take control of their working lives”. 

 Freedom and flexibility. Two of my core beliefs and values I hold highly. 

 
Why are more and more women turning to self employment? And how does it benefit them? 

 Let’s start by looking at some answers to my opening questions: 

 
Question no. 1: Do you work full time for another CEO, or are you the boss? 

In 2020 there are just 5 female CEOs across the FTSE 100 companies.

A male employee is significantly more likely to make CEO of a large company than a female. The sad reality is that if you’re a women in the corporate world, the odds of making CEO are against you.  

But there is another way. By taking the Leap Into Consulting™ you’ll automatically become your own boss. 

Which leads to my next question…. 

 
Question no. 2: Can you take unscheduled time off when you need it, or do you have to ask for permission?

Globally women perform a huge 75% unpaid care and domestic duties but women in the UK bear the brunt of it too. In the last UK-based study, women in the UK were responsible for 60% of unpaid duties. 

While 5 years have passed since the latest UK-focussed study, the percentage has seen little change since the year 2000, suggesting that even if such a change has happened, the figures will still not be equal. 

What does this mean for professional women in the workplace who need to take time off to care for sick children or elderly relatives? 

It means that needing to take unplanned time off is likely. A feat more difficult when you have to ask for someone else’s permission. 

As a self employed consultant this burden gets easier. Of course, you’ll still have work to complete - but you’re far more flexible to do so in your own time and on your own terms. 

Suddenly that ‘emergency pick-up call’ from your child’s school becomes far easier to navigate.  

 
Question no. 3: Are you paid the same as your male counterparts? 

The sad news is, if you’re a woman in the corporate workplace the answer is most likely: no. 

According to the Trades Union Congress (TUC), women earn, on average, 17.3% less than men in the UK workforce. This means women effectively work for free for just over 2 months of the year. 

The gender pay gap differs industry to industry; some of the worst culprits include ‘financial, insurance, education, professional scientific and technical’. (TUC). 

But there is another way. By making the Leap Into Consulting™ you’re free to calculate your fees as you deem appropriate. And we’re on hand to help you find your fair price.   

Now, let me ask again; 

Question no. 4: What would your preferred answer to these questions be?

I’m fairly sure I know your answers. After all, who wouldn’t want more authority, flexibility and profit from the workplace? 

A quick scan over these figures goes some way to understanding why more and more women are joining the freelance workforce.

At Leap Into Consulting™ we specialise in guiding people from corporate to consultant.

Will you be one of them? 

I come back to ‘freedom and flexibility’. 

Are you ready to make the change? Find out more. 

Are you a full time employee dreaming of something more? Perhaps you long for more quality time with your family? Perhaps a bigger income? Perhaps a better work/life balance? The opportunity to choose which jobs to say yes to, and when you want to say no.

If you’re nodding your head in agreement and thinking ‘yes please!' - read on. Consulting could be right for you. 

First things first; while we here at Leap into Consulting™ are fully aware of the benefits that becoming a consultant offers (flexibility, potential income, more time with loved ones, the opportunity to work on projects you’re passionate about - amongst many others), it would be amiss to claim it’s for everyone. 

So let’s discuss the tougher side of consulting first: 

To become a consultant means running your own business. To put it simply; you’ll need to do your own taxes (or hire an accountant), fix your own IT issues, and rely on solely on your self-motivation to complete projects. There will be no boss (aside from yourself!) checking that you’re in the office. As a consultant, all of this is down to you. 

If you're still with us and consider this a small pay off for the freedom to choose your own working hours - fantastic. You’ve passed the toughest hurdle. 

Now let’s talk about the practical side of setting up your business: 

You’ll need to ask yourself a few questions to discover what works for you. What type of work do you enjoy? What do you not enjoy? Where are your strengths and weaknesses? How many hours a week do you wish to work? 

While we can’t answer these questions for you, we can guide you through them alongside others. In fact, we run a mini ‘Is Consulting Right For You’ course to guide people through this process. Join us to explore your options. 

Now - we say as we rub our hands with glee - onto the best part of consulting. The reason we've loved what we do for 25 years.

Let's explore the benefits of consulting.

The freedom: 

• The freedom to grow a career and business that you love. 
• The freedom to work from almost anywhere in the world. 
• The freedom to spend more time with loved ones. 
• The freedom to spend time on personal development as well as professional. 
• The freedom to increase your income in the way you choose. 
• The freedom to adjust your work/life balance. 
• The freedom to look after your physical and mental health. 

- The list really does go on, but we think you get the idea. 

Interested? Contact us to find out more about joining our ‘Is Consulting Right For You’ course. The course costs just £85 and is so much more than just business training. 

We join all the dots in your professional and personal desires, to guide you towards a better way of working. 

We look forward to hearing from you and to helping you start your journey. 

It might not seem like the right time to be telling stories about my life but bear with me. 

When I was just 29 I decided to leave my full time job, in order to become an Associate for a new Consulting business based hundreds of miles away in Manchester. Needless to say, my mum and dad weren’t happy with my decision.

All was going well until in 2004, after celebrating 10 years in business, I unexpectedly spent 3 months off work following an operation. When I was finally ready to go full-speed ahead with my business, I returned to find the pipeline had completely dried up and the business was insolvent. Last week when I was running a webinar over 85% of consultants said their pipelines were the reason they faced challenges now.

By 2009 I was well and truly back on my feet, when the recession happened. I saw businesses crumble around me left, right and centre, but thanks to my hard grit through previous troubles, I was prepared to weather the storm.

Why am I telling you my life story?

To show you that I’ve been through crisis times like this before, and I’ve come out better practised and prepared - not only to continue my business, but to boost my profile and income at the same time.

I’ve also coached countless people though times like this, and most of them have come out better too.

I continue to run my coaching business and, I’ll be honest, I had a few days recently where I wondered if now was the right time to be marketing.

But then I realised, now is the perfect time to do so.

Now is the time that many of you will need the help and guidance to get through the tough spot that we’re currently in.

And I say ‘currently’ because no, it won’t last forever.

In times of uncertainty there are a few key things to get us through, the first is the right mindset, closely followed by self-improvement, learning, guidance and understanding. Combine these and we’re all onto a winner.

So, while businesses around us strap in for a period of downtime, let’s come together to strap in for a period of change.

Of growth. Of evolution.

These are the best things you can do in time like this. I know, because I’ve been here before, and come out stronger.

I know you can come out stronger, too.

Join me for a 20-minute chat, a 90-minute Pivot your Business coaching session, or for my 6-week fast-track Virtual HR Consultant Bootcamp, starting on April 14th 2020, to accelerate your transition.

This is not the time to procrastinate.

We're in this together.