by Solange Lopes | Oct 20, 2016 | Career
Super Business Cards – Photo credit: moo.com/us
Disclosure: As a career writer, I have partnered with MOO to be an affiliate for their products. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.
In the current professional and business world, the competition is too fierce not to show up prepared. Whether you’re a corporate sister (or dude), or are an entrepreneur, you need the right tools to strive in your career or business. Which also means a plain, basic stock business card isn’t exactly going to help you stand out…
I recently went to a women’s networking event, where this woman’s business card single-handedly created a buzz for her business! The colors were great, the design one-of-a-kind, and the back was adhesive too…Which prompted a whole conversation about her card first, then her business, and before you know it, she had made a bunch of strategic contacts. And it all started with a unique business card…
Which is why award-winning print and design MOO company makes so much sense. It specializes in premium business stationary and promotional materials that stand out in the usual sea of boring, ultra-basic cards and print tools. I absolutely love the originality of their designs, and the freedom and flexibility you have to craft your own brand of business cards, postcards, invitations, and other print accessories right from your computer screen.
Soft floral business cards – Photo credit: moo.com/us/
MOO has three new, exciting deals going on this October:
MOO Notecards – Photo credit: moo.com/us
Here’s to success in your business and career!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 20, 2016 | Working Mom & Woman Tips
Our Coffee Break feature offers brief and to-the-point discussions of everyday issues faced by women professionals and entrepreneurs. You know, the kinda stuff you talk about with your work bestie on your coffee break….
So I was listening to Myleik Teele’s podcast #MyTaughtYou earlier, and one of her listeners asked about dating a nice but not ambitious guy. If you don’t know who Myleik is, she’s like the big sister you never knew you had (check her out here), in more straightforward and to the point.
It got me thinking about the rest of us, ambitious corporate or entrepreneur sisters. When you have ambition the size of a skyscraper and the drive to match, can you really date (or marry) someone who’s kinda lower on the ambition scale?
My $0.05: This is one of those tough questions that make you weigh the pros and cons, and end up giving you a major headache plus some pregnancy cravings. Listen, if ambition is high on your list of qualities that you enjoy in a partner, it’s going to be challenging to deal with someone who doesn’t have much.
But if the other stuff, like the support, kindness, romance, etc, ranks higher, you may be able to compromise and manage. At the end of the day, it’s less about what he wants and how he behaves, than who you ultimately are comfortable and happy being with in the long run. All of you, the ambitious, go-getter part and all!
I’ve seen super-ambitious women marry less ambitious guys because they brought a sense of balance to the relationship. Two go-getters can make a relationship pretty heavy at times! Yet I also have girlfriends who are turned off by anything less than successful, driven men. And it works for them too.
So what’s your take on it? Would you date a guy who has no or limited ambition?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 20, 2016 | Career
We’re about three weeks away from one of the most charged and tense elections we’ve seen in the US. Which also means as neutral as we may want to be, it can be a bit of a challenge to spend over eight hours plus at work day in and day out, without thinking or uttering a single word about politics. I mean, there are only so much office gossip and shoe sales you can discuss during coffee breaks…
I have to admit, while I tried as hard as possible to zip it at the office about anything remotely politics-related, it hasn’t always been effective. Especially when your next cubicle’s co-worker’s political rants have you beating your own typing record. Or when someone says something about last night’s debate that reminds you you haven’t had your daily dose of caffeine (or chocolate, or whatever it takes to balance your blood sugar)…
Yes, experts widely recommend the “zip-it” approach when it comes to talking politics at work. And yes, grating people’s world views and most intimate opinions can seriously create divisiveness in the office. Not to mention generate more work for HR…
If you’re going to talk about politics at work, which unless you’re made of steel or are getting ready to move to Canada (oops), you might as well check a few do’s on your list of “things to do to keep your job“:
DO Check Yourself.
As in: be aware of what sets you off when it comes to discussing politics. Personal topics, such as women’s rights, or immigration, can hit close to home, and evoke strong emotions. Except the workplace is just not that place where you can let those strong emotions loose…
So know what sets you off before even starting, or reacting, to a sensitive conversation at work. Use this to control your own emotions and response. And if you can’t, recognize the emotional signs of upset in you, and be willing to walk away…fast!
DO check in with the other person.
It’s easy to assume that the other person, or the rest of the group, wants to launch into a touchy political subject. Or that we’re close enough to them to lay our personal views bare for all to see and hear. But that could also be a damaging assumption that could wreak havoc on your work relationships…
So if you must crack the political joke of the century, or express your concern over the looming immigration reform, make sure to check in first. As in, asking the other person if they’re open to such a discussion. A simple ” I’m open to discussing this issue, and am not trying to impose my views. Would it be ok if I explained how I view this situation, so I can better understand where you stand as well?” Yes, it’s called “diplomacy”, and it’s good for you too…
Do Check Your Facts.
There’s a lot of information available out there. Every time you scroll Facebook, log into your Instagram, or get ready to tweet something. And a lot of that information is not exactly accurate…
So before you launch into a sensitive conversation about politics at work, please consider checking your facts. If you’re not sure of the supporting figures backing up your argument, it’s ok to ask for a time-out until you can actually do some fact-checking of your own. Just politely stop the conversation, and say something to the effect of: ” I would like the opportunity to research this a bit further. Can we table this for now, and pick it up later when I can bring some more insight into the conversation?”
Are you checking for these three things before talking about politics at work? What has been your experience?
Cheers,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 19, 2016 | Career
Joie Dalton suede booties – Photo credit: shopstyle.com
Our Wear to Work feature presents selected pieces of professional attire for women at work.
‘Tis the season to get your booties out (ahem…the shoes that is)! Fall is perfect for sporting your favorite bootie styles to work! They’re easy to throw on to any work outfit, pairing them with your favorite work slacks, a pencil skirt, or even a dress!
Here are some of my favorite picks, roundup style:
Suede booties
Joie Dalton suede booties – Photo credit: shopstyle.com
There’s something about suede booties that just speaks elegance and refinement, and says “Ah! Fall is here!” Loving the easy, chic vibe of these elegant Joie Dalton suede booties from Shopbop, classic booties you can pretty much wear anywhere. They’re perfect paired with work slacks, or even a sleek pencil skirt and tights for a modern look.
I also like these Sam Edelman Taye booties in a luxe suede, in a nude hue that will complement any work outfit.
Stacked heel booties
I love the comfortable versatility of this stacked heel number that can go from the office to the week-end.The luggage color is perfect and can also match any color you’re wearing.
If the weather permits, this edgy, double-zipper Via Spiga pair from Bloomingdale’s is also a great option.
Flat Booties
Flat booties can be challenging to pull (especially for petites like myself), but there are a few options you can sport to work into the week-end. I like this polished Tory Burch Gemini pair, perfect with a pencil skirt or trousers.
These Hayes flat booties are also a great alternative. I like the short faux wood block heel and almond-shaped toe box on this easy pair you can slip on and off for work, after-hours or the week-end.
Wedge booties.
Wedge booties are great options to get height and comfort all in the same bootie. I like this Fendi number from The Real Real for its flattering tonal stitching and covered heels. On a more classic tone, this Rebecca Minkoff Bianca pair from Bloomingdale’s is sophisticated enough for the Boardroom, but will look great with your favorite boyfriend jeans.
Which ones are you favorites?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 19, 2016 | Career
Back in the days, the word hustle may have had a bit of a bad rap. You know, hustling may have invoked in our minds the pictures of questionable businesses being conducted on street corners…Or the idea of “something” being obtained from almost nothing…
Fast forward a few years, and the reality today is that we actually live in a true “hustle economy”. Yes it’s a more glamorous reality where street corners are replaced with social media pages, somewhere between Snapchat and Instagram. Where millenials are more obsessed with making meaning through their side hustles than having a regular, steady job. And where renowned car companies like Chevy urge you to #fuelyourhustle. Hustling has not only become socially acceptable, it’s become cool, innovative, avant-garde…
Just listen to Jay-Z recount how he literally “graduated” from hustling on the streets to being one of the highest-paid, most influential rappers in the music industry…Or watch the new wave of entrepreneurs online pushing you to hustle your way to the dream. As you eat lunch at your cubicle desk, dreaming of yachts in Monte Carlo and hanging out with Beyonce.
But for the rest of the semi-regular people who still swipe in every day, and clock in to get a steady paycheck, is there room for any hustle? Does it even make sense to do the “hustle” thing in your crisp white shirt and medium-length heels, across cold offices and stuffy meeting rooms?
The question is: Can you hustle at work, and if so, where do you even start? Is there a “hustling code” embedded somewhere under the thick veil of corporate policies and procedures that we somehow must uncover? And what’s the right way to do it, high heels and all?
If you ask me, the answer is a definite, resounding yes! Especially in today’s professional world, where it seems credit is more given to those who speak loudest and appear to display the most confidence. Just sit in a meeting room in any office, and observe the dynamics. You’ll notice those who take every opportunity to highlight their accomplishments and stand out in the crowd, and those who well…don’t.
While that’s not necessarily what I believe to be the most viable indicator of professional success and ability, it still shows that those who take decisive and swift action often enjoy massive success. And in my book, it’s right in line with what I would call the “hustle mindset”.
On this note, here are 4 principles taken from the books of successful corporate “hustlers” that you can apply in your own careers:
Treat Your Career Like a Business.
If you had a business in which you were making and selling your own products, how would you go about growing it? Would you just sit on the sidelines hoping and wishing someone would magically appear and buy your stuff? Or would you go out there and promote it to attract people? The answer’s quite obvious.
Now picture yourself, your abilities, your credentials and your personality as THE product. Not that you should engage in shameless self-promotion, but being able to step out and display what you know and are capable of doing in as many capacities as possible, that’s hustling!
Seek Out Opportunities.
Hustling in your business and career also means not only making yourself available for great opportunities, but actually seeking them out. You can’t just wait for the right opportunity to fall into your lap, with a nice red bow and your name engraved in golden letters.
It may mean asking for that raise or promotion during your performance review, instead of quietly listening to your manager. Or going for that international assignment. Or even volunteering for that challenging team rotation everyone else is avoiding. Or just saying “I want more”…
Put In the Extra Work.
Entrepreneur and media success Gary Vaynerchuk is the ultimate hustler in my book. According to him, “hustling is putting every minute and all your effort into achieving the goal at hand”. If your goal is be successful in your career, then are you really putting your time and effort into making sure you can achieve it? Or are you coasting along hoping the winds of corporate favor will blow in your direction some day?
That may mean showing up early and/or leaving the office late. Or handling extra projects to learn more about a particular topic. Or finally buckling down and going for that certification. Whatever the “extra” effort and time mean for you (and it can be totally different from individual to individual), consider investing it into your career to reap the results you want.
Be A Resource
The best way to build a sustainable career and business is to become a resource people can go to. Not just someone who can talk their way out of anything, manipulate and coerce others, but someone who actually has something tangible to offer.
What do you have to offer at work that others can come to you for? Do you have skills that need honing and that you could actually turn into a valuable resource for your team or department?
What are other suggestions you would make to develop a hustle mindset at work?
The Corporate Sis.
