D for ASK

During my entrepreneurial journey, I asked little, at least not enough. Why? Because I had misplaced pride. Because I didn't want to bother (here's another D-word!). Because I believed that asking was the preserve of the weak.

Over the years, I have noticed that women tend to ask for little. This often results in a multitude of missed opportunities. When I started to put this rule into practice, wonderful things happened. One morning, I decided to take action: “Hello Manon, I just launched my communications agency and I am calling you because I am not on the list of suppliers and I want to collaborate with you this year on the Activia product.”

Pause. She replied: "Your call is timely, I am in a call for tenders for a project that requires expertise like that of your team." A few days later, she announced to me that we had won! Danone was a client of my agency Sixdegrés for seven years.

There is a lot of research that shows that when you ask for help, it is given 90% of the time*. Why not? So ask and you will enjoy it!

This week, dare to ask :

• a meeting to present your products or services;

• a salary increase for your boss;

• help at home, with the children or for your travels;

D for GIVE

Giving has served me throughout my entrepreneurial journey. I agree that it takes time and energy, but the impact on my career has been significant.

Giving is also helping. Helping your network, your friends, your partners, your community. I give for personal and professional causes. For example, a young entrepreneur who was starting out didn't have an office. Since our premises were large enough, I offered to let her move in and use our conference rooms free of charge to help her during her start-up period. I also put her in touch with potential clients. Small gestures that count. The people who form our network sometimes become our future clients. In due time, they will be more inclined to think of us.

This week, dare to give your time . Take five minutes to introduce two people who could benefit from each other; help a friend find a job by referring them to a client who has an open position. Encourage a new Quebec business by recommending their products.

D for SAY

Dare to say what I do in life and what I aspire to. This rule changed my life. I would NEVER have sold my business if I had not applied this rule. Before the acquisition, I informed everyone I met of my desire to buy a business. My accountant then put me in contact with several businesses for sale. The opposite happened when I sold in turn. My agency was acquired because I talked about it extensively around me.

Six months ago, I had a catalyzing business meeting. My interlocutor spoke to me passionately about the book he was working on. For the first time, I mentioned a project I had never spoken to anyone about: writing a novel. He said: this is what you have to do. Six months later, I found my publishing house and I have a semblance of the beginnings of a book!

This week, dare to share with someone you trust a project that is really close to your heart, even if it seems impossible to achieve. Who knows, your interlocutor might be the one who gives you the impetus to get started?

Because talking about your project means helping to make it happen.

Happy 3D week!

(and for the 400 words, let's say that I "donated" you a little extra!)

*Source: Wonder Women, say Yes to your powers by Valérie Lorentz-Poinsot, Éditions du Cherche Midi, 2015.