by Solange Lopes | Apr 26, 2015 | Career
Happy happy Sunday everyone! It’s Sunday morning, and I can actually for the first time in a long time apply this one adjective to my household: QUIET! Everyone is sleeping, or pretending to, and it feels like Christmas morning, except my gift is being able to sip on my cup of coffee and actually swallow uninterrupted, without any little person tapping me on my upper thigh asking for animal crackers, juice or Nick Jr…And before this all reverts back to Chaos Land, here is my weekly news update in a zen, calm and cool kinda way…Now Universe, work with me, here we go…
- In “Woo-hoo” news this week, history was made, as the Senate (finally) confirmed Loretta Lynch as Attorney General, making her the first African-American woman to hold the position (virtual hugs and high-fives). The New York Times tells us all about it;
- In other happy and historical news, Buzzfeed buzzed about the new Ava Du Vernay Barbie doll, making the uber-talented Director of the Selma movie and first Black female Director to have a film nominated for a Best Picture Academy Award, an inspirational image for little girls everywhere. The doll is not available to the public, but we’re still doing the happy dance;
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Photo credit: buzzfeed.com
- Speaking of the movie Selma, Forbes reveals every high school in the US will be sent a copy, and that just makes us all warm and fuzzy inside;
- Last Thursday was “Take our daughters and sons to work” Day, and Talent had a great piece on why the whole thing really started with daughters and why we need to get schools involved too;
- Are you a woman executive and considering an international move? Japan is the place, as the demand for outside women executives is currently through the roof;
- Inc. reveals the real reason why millenials start companies (and we agree things are not what they used to be);
- In other sobering news (literally), the New York Times reveals workers seemings productivity are abusing ADHD drugs (and we’re getting very concerned):
- Business Insider lists 8 questions you should ask yourself before accepting a job offer;
- Speaking of job offers, NPR reveals some companies are eliminating salary negotiations altogether in an effort to eliminate the pay gap (and we support them);
- Meanwhile, while we’re still talking about getting hired, the Harvard Business Review rightfully asks if your voice should be used to evaluate you as a candidate (and women tend to be evaluated pretty harshly);
- In pretty awesome tech news, Fast Company introduces us to a new work ID that collects data about employees (hmmm, we’re still debating as to whether it’s borderline intrusive);
- Fast Company also brings us our important health fact of the week, revealing that a new cancer gene test that cuts costs for women;
- Speaking of health, the Huff Post Business confirms combining it with business has its advantages, as “sweat working” is becoming the new business lunch (think closing a deal with your clients are you’re literally dying in the middle of spinning class).
Happy Sunday everyone! Make it count!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Apr 26, 2015 | Career |
Photo credit: www.fashionmagazine.com
“I’m gonna have to charge you a little more rent than Vivian…because I’ve got this beauty course I’m looking into and I’m not gonna be there that much, you know? ‘Cause you just can’t turn tricks forever. You gotta have a goal. Do you have a goal?” Pretty Woman, 1990.
Remember these lines from Pretty Woman, when Kit DeLuca/Laura San Giacomo tells her new roommate, after Vivian/Julia Roberts finally gets her Prince Charming Edward/Richard Gere? I remember (and I should, I only watched the movie about 1,000 times) nodding every time, in between two bites of sweet bread, thinking: “Yeah, she’s right, you gotta have a goal, you know!” And while I could have said a thing or two to Kit about her way too short mini skirts (ok, that was part of the business), or given her virtual high-fives on licking the glass display in the hotel lobby (remember that?), the one thing I’ll always remember her for is that “goal-digger” phrase…
I’m a proud goal-digger. I love setting goals, plans, checklists, to-do lists, not-done lists, how-the-heck-am-I-gonna-get-this-done lists, all kinds of lists of things to do, explore, visit, say, not say, not do…And while it all looks great on paper, the reality can be quite different: half of the stuff doesn’t get done, the other half requires much sweat, tears and sweet bread (available at your local Portuguese bakery, great with butter).
It’s a demanding process, this whole goal thing!
It requires you to take a good, hard look at yourself, hold yourself accountable, and keep striving despite obvious obstacles and carb-loaded temptations (remember, carbs are not the enemy). Yet at the end of the day, really, even the most spontaneous, fly-by-the-seam-of-my-pants gal out there, has some kind of goals, like being happy, or owning as many vintage shoes as possible (don’t judge)….
My question to you, yes you, today is: What are your goals? Where do you want to be in 5 years (and don’t just think of it as an answer to your next interview question), tomorrow, tonight? What are you doing here, beyond taking space and eating sweet bread (this one is a self-inflicted shot). Are you working on those dreams you had as a little person singing to the tunes of Whitney Houston’s “I wanna dance with somebody” (and did you dance with him?), or did you carefully park them in some back alleyway in a corner of your busy mind? Or are you following someone else’s dream, someone else’s idea of who you should be?
What Are You Doing These Days?
Kit De Luca was right when she said “you can’t turn tricks forever”. While some of our tricks don’t involve standing at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard, somewhere, somehow, if we’re not digging hard enough for the goals that really make us who we are, we still run the risk of standing at the corner of “Could’ve” and “Should’ve” Boulevard, a few feet away from “Hell yeah, I did it” Avenue. And while I may not know much, I know that’s not the stop I want to be standing on when it’s all done and over with…How about you?
What are your goals? Share with us some of the goals that kept you going over the years in the comments, or send us an email at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
PS: To all my goal-diggers out there, keep digging….
And yes, Pretty Woman turned 25 this year, and I just dated myself, darn….
Happy Sunday!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Apr 24, 2015 | Career, Make More Money
Photo credit: http://drvenusopalreese.com
A friend of ours once took his paycheck out in front of us while at a gathering, to show us he really makes as much money he says he does. Now this friend had never exactly been the tactful type (I mean, he once told me I was too close to my hubby’s age to sustain his interest over time, well), so we weren’t exactly shocked. Yet for someone, anyone to talk about money and how much they make, is always a bit of stretch for most people (not our friend obviously).
Fast forward to today, in the era of Equal Pay and wage transparency, is it still taboo (or at least the tacky equivalent of removing your weave tracks in public), to tell how much you make? Or is it actually an incentive to keep the records straight for everyone?
My $0.05: Especially for women, talking about money, salaries and paychecks often crosses the line of what’s considered “lady-like”. Yet, with all the controversy around Equal Pay (although we still have some ways to go before we can even talk about it at work), an increasing number of women are now asking demanding to get the raises they deserve, enrolling in salary negotiation courses, and rightfully asking why their male counterparts are getting paid more money for the same work! Actually, more women are now asking the question: “What’s your number?”
I personally think if you’re comfortable sharing your salary with a friend, family member, or even colleague, why not? Think about how much a genuine talk about salaries could help in new fields where pay information is not readily available. Or how much easier it would be asking for a raise when having enough information to at least target a reasonable range. How would you know your salary is not up to par if you don’t have anyone else’s to compare it to?
Do you think it’s OK to tell how much you make?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Apr 24, 2015 | Career
Printed culottes – Photo credit: asos.com
Culottes are definitely in for Spring, and while many of us are wondering what the heck a culotte is, for starters, all we could see on the latest runways were these short pants that apparently were all the rage in the Victorian era (and who wouldn’t bring Victorian back, but I digress)…Hence my week-end pick, these River Island printed culottes ! It’s $63 at ASOS!
Other alternatives I like include this wide-cut, calf-length pair from H&M, or even this jumpsuit culotte style from Nordstrom.
Although I’m not quite yet ready to sport this style to work, I love it for the week-ends, with an easy top and flats for day, or high-heeled sandals and a dressier shirt for evenings. Speaking of sandals, these HOLD IT mules, also from ASOS, have me blushing (on the inside).
Have a great week-end!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Apr 24, 2015 | Career |
Photo credit: www.insidewomanmag.com
Today’s post is a contribution from our dear guest contributor Stephanie Samuel. In this piece, Stephanie is providing us with some sisterly tips to negotiate the raise you deserve…Go ‘head Stephanie :)
When was the last time you sat down and talked to a girlfriend about how much you make? Scary as it sounds, trading experiences with a bosom buddy may give you the boost you need to meet with your employer and ask for a fair wage.
If you’re like me, you are probably too embarrassed to admit you are not receiving the salary you should be making. But if you put yourself out on a limb, you might discover some things:
First, you’re not alone.
A Spring 2015 report from the American Association of University Women(AAUW) reveals women in every state and occupation have experienced the gender pay gap – even in female-dominated fields such as education.
The gender pay gap is even worse among minority women. Hispanic female workers’ salaries show the largest gap according to this AAUW’s report. They tend to receive 54 percent of what their white male counterparts earn!
Secondly, you will also get to learn there are women around you who are beefing up their negotiation skills and getting what they deserve!
They’re not the Sheryl Sandbergs or Patricia Arquettes of this world though; they are friends, pew mates and sorority sisters – every day women who, like you, are working to climb the professional ladder and provide for their families.
Nearly a year ago, I gathered up all my courage and told my friend Dana I wanted to ask my boss for a raise, but was unsure of myself. Truth is, the resulting conversation helped me feel so much more empowered and less alone.
Dana, an office manager and administrative assistant to the CEO of her company, mentioned she had recently gone through the same thing and gotten through with the help of a male colleague and the book Knowing Your Value by Morning Joe’s Mika Brzezinski. This experience, she shared with me, taught her a lot of about negotiating before and after landing a job.
I’ll revisit our conversation for you, The Corporate Sister’s readers. It went a little bit like this:
Dana: This past Christmas, as I was sifting through some materials that came across my desk, I realized the company was giving out a Christmas bonus. If you were part of management, you got a different percentage than if you were non-management. When the bonuses came out, I realized I got the percentage allocated to non-management employees, yet I am a manager!
I called Human Resources to ask if I should I have gotten a different bonus, and was told, well no because [although] “your job title technically qualifies you for the management bonus, not every one who has “manager” in their title gets it”. Huh? Well I kind of thought it was unfair because I looked at the people who did get it and realized my job was just as challenging. I knew right away I had to have a conversation with my boss, since I had already spoken to Human Resources and he was the only one who could overrule them.
It took me a long two weeks to finally send an email over the weekend. I wrote to him that this was a touchy and difficult subject to talk about– I was careful to start with that — yet I was not sure I understood (or agreed with) why I wasn’t included in the management bonus. As a result, within the hour literally, I did end up getting my management bonus!
My manager immediately sent an email to Human Resources – this is was on a Saturday afternoon— and responded to me saying they would contact me on Monday; in case they didn’t, I was to let him know immediately.
Me: It sounds exactly like what happened with Morning Joe’s Mika [Brzezinski] and her co-host Joe [Scarborough]: when Joe found out she wasn’t making as much as he was, he really fought for her and was like no, you’re getting this!
Dana: Yep, he really did! Yet even in my email where I started with “OK this is a touchy subject.”, I was almost apologizing as I was writing it for having to ask for what I deserved!
Me: Were you friends with your manager at that point?
Dana: Yes, I was also friends with the Human Resources Director at that point too … Of course, my boss, who was the CEO, outranked Human Resources… I have a close relationship with him because we work together day by day, and was also close to the head of HR due to the nature of our work. Yet I found it easier to address the Director of HR because she was a woman.
I found I was picking and choosing my words with my own boss, and ended up waiting two weeks for something he actually thought should have been done earlier. And had I never asked the question, I wouldn’t have gotten the compensation I deserved!
Me: What was holding you back from asking for the raise?
Dana: I didn’t want to come across as too greedy. That was one of the things I remember thinking to myself. I remember even assessing whether I even needed the money, which was totally irrelevant. It was [about] the salary that went with the job, and I was doing the job that warranted that salary.
Me: That thought you had, do I really need the money, do you think male co-workers would have that same thought process?
Dana: No. I feel they would ask for what they feel they deserve. I’ll never forget when my boss, the CEO, came on board and how firmly he negotiated his salary coming in the door. I remember him going back and forth with HR. I even remember noting to him how much vacation time he got, and him proudly acknowledging it was a result of his tough negotiations.
My friend Dana was right. As you look for the job and compensation we deserve as women and employees in general, let’s keep in mind research and documentation are an important part of asking for a raise. And the confidence to do so is crucial…
The AAUW recommends women start by establishing a target income based on research on the position, the job sector in which they’re employed, as well as the marketplace. It also states women should also be able to articulate how they contribute to the company’s mission and why they are valuable assets on the job.
And while you’re at it, my best advice would be to start practicing with a friend to grow your own confidence…
Stephanie Samuel is a reporter with over nine years of experience. She has written for various publications including the AFRO-American, the Prince George’s Sentinel, and The Christian Post. You can follow her on Twitter @stephlivinlive
by Solange Lopes | Apr 22, 2015 | Career
We’ve talked about not setting ineffective goals, and what your goals really say about you. However, in this whole goal-setting process at work, what happens when those who set the goals are off the mark. What if your boss wants you to finish this month’s closing, wrap up that project, start this other one, all the while being available for client lunches and idle watercooler talk about fantasy football?
I mean, there’s only so much waltzing a girl can do in her pumps (even kitten heels can only take you so far). So do you sternly stare the boss down while giving him a piece of your overwhelmed mind? Do you show up in semi-dreadlocks to clearly convey the “hair-pulling” nature of the situation (pun absolutely intended). Or do you just escape to St Thomas for the week until the whole crisis blows over (wait, you just took a loan from your 401K and maxed out your last credit card..)
My $0.05: Setting goals for yourself is one thing, having managers or entire organizations set them is a whole other thing. If you are part of the goal-setting process, speak up early and clearly about any expectations you may not be able to meet. If assessing these expectations turns out to be a challenge initially, politely but firmly ask for some time before accepting them.
If you’re not part of the goal-setting process, do not hesitate to voice your concerns. However, instead of just complaining, offer alternative solutions, or enlist the assistance of a team member to help you out.
How do you address unrealistic goals from your manager?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Apr 22, 2015 | Career |
Photo credit: piperlime.com
Florals are one of the big trends this Spring (aren’t they every Spring?), hence the reason why my Work It pick today is blooming all over…This Marc by Marc Jacobs Jerry Rose poplin skirt is not your grandma’s flowery skirt, what with its flattering A-line silhouette, pleating throughout and allover rose print.
I like that the playfulness of this piece mixes well with the ladylike A-line cut. Perfect for a Spring day at work, paired with a crisp white shirt and cute kitten heels, or on the week-end with preppy flats and a graphic tee! It’s on sale for $194.99 at Piperlime!
Pssst….Piperlime is unfortunately closing, and while parting with their unique fashion pieces leaves us sad, some of the slashed prices may provide some fashionable comfort…
The Corporate Sis.
Happy happy Sunday everyone! It’s Sunday morning, and I can actually for the first time in a long time apply this one adjective to my household: QUIET! Everyone is sleeping, or pretending to, and it feels like Christmas morning, except my gift is being able to sip on my cup of coffee and actually swallow uninterrupted, without any little person tapping me on my upper thigh asking for animal crackers, juice or Nick Jr…And before this all reverts back to Chaos Land, here is my weekly news update in a zen, calm and cool kinda way…Now Universe, work with me, here we go…
