Business is often described as a jungle, but the closest most people who work in this urban wilderness have come to a real jungle is seeing one in the movies.
That's not the case for financial advisor Dale Anderson. In fact, with a trek into the Himalayas, a canoeing trip down the Amazon River and a Kenyan safari under her belt, this Eugene, Oregon, resident uses her adventure experience to develop strategies that can help female entrepreneurs navigate the wilds of Wall Street, Main Street . . . or the Amazon. Here are her tips:
Be prepared. "The
better-equipped you are, the [greater] your odds of survival,"
says Anderson, author of True Life Can Be Hard To Find (1st Books).
"When I went to the Amazon and Nepal, I couldn't believe
the number of immunizations I needed. When you apply all this to
business, it means get the best training possible, keep your skills
sharp and have a map of where you're going."
Get guidance. On many of
her adventures, Anderson relied on an experienced guide. When you
don't know the territory, she says, having a mentor who does
can make a huge difference between learning the ropes and plunging
over a cliff.
Beware of the snake in the
grass. In the jungle, says Anderson, "snakes can be
very well-camouflaged." Likewise, in the business world,
sometimes you can't tell who is and isn't a snake, and
snakes always strike when least expected. Use caution when dealing
with snakes. Know their strengths and weaknesses, and, as Anderson
advises, "always have a contingency plan, or a 'venom
kit.' "
Remember, position is
everything. Another lesson Anderson learned on her
journeys was where to sit. "Sit above and in front of the poop
deck. In business, this translates to avoiding the dirt, the
complaining, the gossip. Lay low until you're sure of your
surroundings."
Embrace change. The
final trait the adventurer learned is flexibility. "It's
crucial," says Anderson. "Life isn't a contest with
clear-cut successes and failures. Consequently, you must use every
experience, learn from it and let it take you forward."
This story appears in the March 2001 issue of Entrepreneur. Subscribe »
