by Solange Lopes | Aug 15, 2014 | Career
Scuba layered crop top – $54.95 – Photo credit: lanebryant.com
So I’m not exactly a crop top kind of girl (blame a couple of adorable kids and an undying allegiance to bread and pasta)…Yet I was pleasantly surprised to find this flattering Scuba layered crop top at Lane Bryant. Loving the streamlined cut of this trendy, yet almost timeless top.
The sleek scuba crop is nicely paired with an attached crepe tank, for a sophisticated approach to this modern trend. Great for the office, or after hours. I’d pair it with easy slacks, a long necklace as in the picture, and one of those stylish envelope clutches. Couldn’t have thought of a better way to sport a crop top…
It’s $54.95 at Lane Bryant, and is available from size 14 through 26/28.
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Aug 15, 2014 | Career |
Dealing with machismo abroad – Photo credit: madamenoire.com
Happy Friday! TGIF!
One of my mentors once told me over lunch about some of her disastrous (albeit funny) experiences abroad as a business manager. I almost swallowed sideways as she mentioned how she would be referred to as “the girl” in company meetings. And if you know my mentor, the last thing you’d want to refer to her as is a “girl”…
Having traveled and worked abroad for brief periods of time, I knew exactly what she meant. In many other global regions outside of the U.S, machismo towards working women is not only acceptable, it’s actually considered a pretty good idea. Islamic, Latin, African and many Asian cultures do not allow for females in business, unless it is in limited, non-challenging ways. And when U.S. women work overseas, the limitations in these male-dominated cultures can seem really daunting.
Yet, faced with an ever-expanding economy and a heated debate about gender parity and women leaning in to better opportunities at work, it is hard for today’s professional women to avoid working abroad. Actually, it is recommended to complete overseas work assignments to bring one’s career to the next level.
1. Research the culture of the country! Whether you’ve been assigned to work in Saudi Arabia, or beautiful Rio de Janeiro, your first step should be to research the customs of the place. In some conservative Muslim countries, men do not make eye contact with women, while the latter should have their heads covered in public. Be aware of the settings you’re going into!
2. Show respect! While some of us may find some of the local customs to be at polar opposites from what we’re accustomed to, it is still important to show respect. Establishing a good business connection starts with respecting each other’s differences. And this is all the more prevalent as you may be representing an entire company.
3. Speak softly and carry a big stick! I’ve always found Theodore Roosevelt’s quote to be fitting to conducting business abroad, especially as a woman. Aggressiveness on the part of women is often negatively perceived in male-dominated cultures and are likely to impair productive business. A non-aggressive, yet assertive personality, will get the job done more effectively.
4. Expect blocks in the road! There will be blocks in the road, and probably some flared tempers along the way. It’s all part of the process, and will have to be managed effectively. Whether you have to use your own authority or resort to having higher management intervene, expect there to be challenges and obstacles. And thankfully so, how else would we grow?
What is your experience as a woman working overseas in male-dominated cultures?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Aug 14, 2014 | Career |
Polka Dot Pleated Skirt – $89 – Photo credit: anntaylor.com
Happy lunch break fashion time! I’m happy to introduce a somewhat modified version of our Work Fashion feature, the “Under $100 Work Fashion”! I’m a busy mom of 2, and I like to stretch a dollar and be frugal. And while a great work fashion piece definitely makes me smile, I’d smile even more if it is under $100, so there…
I’m on the roll this week with polka dots (check yesterday’s pick), hence today’s polka dot pleated skirt feature from Ann Taylor. Loving the sophisticated freshness of this skirt, which combines two of my favorite trends, pleats and polka dots. I would definitely add this classic yet modern piece to my “must-haves” list.
I’d pair it with a crisp white button-down shirt for work, and take it for a spin at night with a nice black sleeveless shirt during a summer week-end. It’s $89 at Ann Taylor, and Ann Taylor is currently offering $30 off on full-price skirts (no code needed) which brings it down to $59! Definitely a winner!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Aug 14, 2014 | Career |
Writing concisely at work – Photo credit: http://www.christianbookbuzzonline.com
I love words, and writing, and long, flowy sentences with lots of commas and dancing punctuation. I can thank my classical French and English literature high school teachers for that. And while I may be poised to write the next big novel, I’ve had to hear over and over how much I needed to write more concisely at work…
Considering how words, after all, are supposed to help us communicate and understand each other, it became obvious mine were militating against my success at work. So after a few reports sprinkled with insisting question marks and crossed out lines, something had to give…
1. Less is more! When it comes to communicating your message across at work, whether in email or formal report format, less is more! Just as Coco Chanel advised to remove one accessory before leaving the house, keep an eye on the wordiness of your professional write-ups. Reduce the words in your sentences, delete extraneous phrases or words (“that” has become one of my pet peeves), and keep it clear and to the point!
2. Appearance matters! Check the alignment of your paragraphs and sentences. Should your paragraphs be aligned to the left or justified? When using bullet point lists, keep in mind when you should put a period at the end of each item. Did you leave a space between each paragraph? Are the dates on your reports correct, and individuals’ names correctly spelled? Appearances matter…
3. Spell check please! Last but not least, there’s a reason why the spell check feature was invented. NEVER submit a report or send an email again without checking your spelling. The devil may be in the details, but your success may just be a grammatical error away…
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Aug 13, 2014 | Career
Contrast Cuff Button back blouse – $49.95 – the limited.com
Loving this contrast cuff button back blouse from The Limited. This elegant crepe top combines two of my favorite fashion accents, polka dots and back buttons. The 3/4 sleeves make it versatile enough for warmer weather or more formal days at the office. I’d pair it with a sleek pencil skirt or straight slacks for a streamlined silhouette.
It’s available in pink and navy. I personally prefer the navy color, which I find ups the elegance factor a bit and showcases the polka dots more. This blouse is $49.95 at The Limited.
The Corporate Sis.
