by Solange Lopes | Nov 26, 2014 | Career
Happy Thanksgiving Eve!
The holiday season is officially in full swing, and so are fourth quarter and year-end deadlines! While we look forward to celebrating the holidays, unwinding and relaxing a bit, projects still need to be completed and delivered, deadlines met, basically, stuff needs to get done…
Not to mention many of our colleagues and reports are taking time off, and getting the job done without overtaking team members and stressing ourselves out right before we have to go spend time with our dreadful great-uncle: not so much! Especially when 85% of businesses do not bring in extra staff to help with mounting business demands, and workloads tend to be delegated to the employees who are here (and already drowning under their own pile of work). So how do we manage our workloads, be merry and remain sane all at the same time:
1. Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize! I usually have a spreadsheet built listing all my projects by deadline and importance. The more urgent goes first, and the rest gets re-arranged as effectively as possible. Ain’t nobody trying to be Superwoman…
2. Set clear expectations! Before any major holiday or busy time at work, have a talk with your manager and team, so as to set clear expectations! Do not overstretch yourself when you know it’s unlikely you’ll be able to deliver! Give yourself some extra padding room and plan accordingly!
3. Take time for yourself! In the midst of the holiday shuffle at work and at home, plan some time for yourself. Request time off in advance, block off some time away even from family (lengthy showers and bathroom breaks do count), and take a breather! The better you are, the better your life and work is (and the safer everyone around too…)
How do you manage your workload during the holidays?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Nov 25, 2014 | Career |
Photo: http://blackmenconfrontingthelies.blogspot.com
Yesterday’s events in Ferguson, MO, and the controversial conversation ensuing on and offline for many of us, made me think about how much impact recent news events can have on our career. Is it ever OK to discuss controversial events in the news at work? Some topics such as politics, religion, or even your own health, can land you in pretty hot water at work. How about hop topics in the news, possibly with racial and/or social ramifications?
While some may argue that discussing controversial issues and topics at work ay help in resolving them, others may think it’s best to avoid them for fear of others being too sensitive or offended by it.
My $0.05: If you can’t discuss it with your boss, don’t discuss it at work! If there’s a slight chance it may make someone uncomfortable, save the talk for your friends and family. Keep it professional.
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Nov 25, 2014 | Career
Lafayette 148 Liv jacket – $203.31 – Photo: bloomingdales.com
I like this vibrant Lafayette 148 Liv jacket from Bloomingdale’s. It’s design is as unexpected as it is fresh, yet still professional enough for the office. The round neck, long sleeves, and concealed hook closure make it great for work, while the zebra print adds a jazzy edge to it. It’s on sale for $203.31 at Bloomingdale’s!
I’m not sure about pairing this jacket with the coordinated dress, too match-matchy for me. However, a nice pair of fitted slacks like this one, or this one, would nicely complement this jacket while still letting it shine.
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Nov 25, 2014 | Career
If you open any news media outlet this morning, you won’t be able to escape news and images about Ferguson, MO. And neither would you want to. We all have something to learn about this tragedy, regardless of race, gender or opinion for that matter.
One of the recurring words I keep reading and hearing on the radio is “fairness”. What happened to African-American teenager Mike Brown, shot and killed by a Caucasian police officer back in August, many will tell you, was not fair. And the fact that no indictment came out of the Grand Jury’s decision threw things even more for a loop, with protests all over the country calling for justice.
Yet, as many complain about unfairness, can we also ask ourselves, what’s really fair nowadays? Should we even expect fairness when we all are trying to heal from the remnants of a traumatic past? Many of the laws and institutions that created the chaos in Ferguson, and many other places, were the doing of older generations and differing mentalities. So how can we speak fairness towards a world we still have to work at changing?
Yesterday, as I watched the protests in Ferguson, my heart ached. I went to hug my son, as I mourned for another Black woman’s child. Yet deep inside, I knew for as long as we’ve come, we still have some ways to go. And for as much fairness as we hope for, truth is, fairness is overrated; it has been for some time now.
What matters is the stand we each individually take, regardless of race, gender and opinion, to bring about positive change. Before blaming the system, we must take responsibility for our part in it. We must strive to educate ourselves to stand at the polls and make informed choices. We must work to reach the levels of influence that will allow us to stop wishing and start acting. We must, in peace, be the fair change we keep hoping for.
No life is ever in vain, and no deed ever lost in meaning. If anything, Mike Brown taught us all a lesson, he did leave a legacy. Not a legacy of fear, violence or retribution, but one of positive, educated change.
Today, as you work at your craft, work harder to make a difference. As you read the news, think about how you can best vote to bring about better results. As you head to class, dedicate yourself to learning about making a better life for yourself and others.
When you speak, write or however you choose to express yourself, do it out of a place of resolve, determination and faith, not out of anger or fear. Sit at the front of the class, stand up in the meeting, make your voice heard. Be excellent, stay hungry.
Do what you can, the best you can, right where you are.
RIP Mike Brown.
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Nov 24, 2014 | Career
Thanksgiving gift – Photo: freeinternetpictures.com
Thanksgiving is here, literally, and while we’re running around trying to fix last minute menus and meet work deadlines,a minority of employers may be offering late November gifts, also known as Thanksgiving gifts ! While one-third of employers will require their employees to work this holiday season (which will not exactly be more conducive to an attitude of gratitude), they may also be distributing turkeys, gift certificates, and luncheons to thank their employees for their commitment…
However, very few employers and offices altogether do this for employees. Similarly, the practice of giving each other Thanksgiving gifts at work hardly happens any more.
So what do you think? Is the Thanksgiving gift-giving practice dead?
My $0.05:While I’ve had managers who were keen on giving small gifts to their teams at Thanksgiving and Christmas, this was more of a personal incentive from these managers than a company-wide practice. Times have definitely changed, and while gift-giving at Thanksgiving and during the holidays can make a dent in the annual budget, it can also be a great source of motivation (and even loyalty) for employees…hint, hint!
The Corporate Sis.
