by Solange Lopes | Oct 26, 2014 | Career
Photo credit: the cubiclechick.com
Happy Sunday!
Hope everyone is having a great week-end! The weather was gorgeous on this side of the blogosphere, there’s just something about Fall in New England that leaves you breathless. Hopefully, you also are enjoying the stillness of the morning, as you’re reading about the news that made me smile, raise my eyebrows or flat-out cringe this week:
- This week, iconic designed Oscar de la Renta bowed out, passing away at 82 and leaving us a precious legacy of style, along with, according to Entrepreneur, 5 lessons entrepreneurs can learn from Oscar de la Renta;
- Business Insider lists the 50 things you must stop saying at work (some of these will make you smile…);
- Speaking go things not to say or do, CNN seriously questions (and so do I) the decision of an Atlanta judge to reprimand an immigration attorney for bring her 4-week-old infant to court, because apparently maternity leave is not an excuse. Really though?
- And while we’re at it, did you hear about this Fox headline that “young women on juries are not a good idea” because they ” just don’t get it”…Ahem;
- Speaking of flexibility at work, last Tuesday was declared National Flex Day by Workingmother.com, and Take The Lead Women argues flextime is the #2 most important benefit for women at work, after quality child care, while the Washington Post reveals most men also want flexible work;
- The Washington Post is asking the very pertinent question: “Is your boss making you sick?”.
- We’ve all heard all the brouhaha around Facebook and Apple offering to pay for women freezing their eggs,yet Forbes is provocatively looks at the true impetus behind egg freezing;
- Inc looks about the most common mistakes women make at work;
- The Boston Globe questions why women CEOs get fired more than men CEOs (and coins a new term: the Glass Cliff), while Fortune magazine reveals the best company perk to retain female talent (and it’s not pregnancy parking);
- Last but not least, this week, I wrote about the lazy way of getting organized at work, how to tell your co-workers to keep their hands to themselves, and my week-end fashion pick, among other ramblings…
Happy Sunday, and happy reading!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 24, 2014 | Career |
keep your hands to yourself – Photo: keepcalmandposters.com
My daughter’s in kindergarten, and you’d be surprised, but personal distance is one of the first things taught to kindergartners. When she came back home the other day with a note from her teacher that she should try and “keep her hands to herself”, it made me smile inside. Not because she shouldn’t learn the valuable lesson, but because it also should be taught in offices as well, especially when dealing with co-workers or bosses who tend to be a bit on the touchy-feely side, even if innocently….
Granted, some things are not easy to flat-out say at work, whether when correcting the boss or telling a co-worker what’s on your mind. Yet it’s surprising to note how many women talk about needing more personal space at work, and not wanting to be touched in a certain way by co-workers.
My $0.05: I’m not the most outspoken out there (except on this blog), yet when it comes to personal space at work, I believe it’s important to draw the line sooner than later. Feeling awkward? Intimidated by the boss? Use gentle humor to convey your message. If it keeps happening, adopt a more stern tone and approach. If all else fails, contact Human Resources, but not before confronting the offender and giving them a chance to redeem themselves.
Has this happened to you? How did you deal with the situation?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 24, 2014 | Career |
Moto jacket – $128 – Photo: cusp.com
Moto jackets are great for the Fall, and I’m loving this Cusp by Neiman Marcus faux-leather combo moto jacket. The double-layered notched lapels are super stylish, and the asymmetric zip front adds a great touch of biker chic. The fitted silhouette is also very flattering, while the contrast between the olive color on the bodice and the dark sleeves adds some contemporary flair. This jacket is $128 at Cusp!
I’d pair it with these tall riding boots for a chic apple picking day, or this cheaper alternative, or even these funky combat boots for an edgy week-end look.
And if you like choices (who doesn’t right), here is another moto jacket option I was salivating on (a bit pricier), and this uniquely contemporary one, and ooooh look at this peplum one!
Seen a great fashion piece? Share by emailing corporate@thecorporatesister.com or leave a comment!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 24, 2014 | Career
How to correct the boss – Photo: leaderonomics.com
So the boss got the wrong report and is going on a tangent about a project that has nothing to do with the topic at hand…Even worse, his fly is down, and no one will utter a word during the meeting. How in the world do you muster the courage to correct your boss, and tell him what’s really going on?
Correcting the boss is nothing short of tricky. After all, we’ re talking about telling your manager his or her decisions are faulty, or flat-out they have no idea what they’re talking about. And it does happen more often than we think…
As employees, especially as women, we often like to err on the side of the “politically correct”. And that includes very often refraining from pointing out to the boss his toupet is sideways, or her lipstick is all over her teeth. Or that they pulled the wrong presentation for the monthly department’s meeting…
Yet, what that also means is we are letting them walk around with lipstick on their teeth and their fly wide open. Mistakes are human, and not pointing them out to the offender…not so much! As awkward as it may initially be, honesty is still the best policy:
1. Don’t remain silent! The last thing you’d want is for your boss to realize you were aware and did not say a thing! Depending on your manager’s personality, gage the best way to approach them and have them fix their faux-pas!
2. Keep it politically correct! Remember it’s still work, and you’re still reporting to that person! Keep your approach professional and politically correct! Offer to switch the presentation for them, quietly (and privately) mention a trip to the bathroom, but whatever you do, remain professional!
3. Now move on! People don’t like to be reminded of their mistakes, they can do that on their own! After you’ve (professionally) corrected your boss, move on and don’t bring it up again! Better yet, act as if it never happened…Back to business!
Have you ever had to correct your boss? How did you go about it?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 23, 2014 | Career |
Lazy apps for productivity freaks – Photo: dreamstime.com
So I wrote earlier about the lazy way of getting organized at work (and in life) for a reason…I like to get stuff done, fast, effectively, while saving as much time as possible. While I admit to using the cake mix in the box for my daughters’ bake sale events (if you ever read this, baby, Mommy tried, ok?), and my annoying “I bake cakes from scratch” neighbor thinks it’s the pinnacle of laziness, at least they’re done. And so it goes for the rest of my life, it’s definitely not perfect (and not even pretty at times), but stuff gets done, everybody moves on, and I can watch Scandal in peace…
And since most of us are not perfect, and just trying to get things done so we too can sit somewhere and think of nothing for a hot minute, here are 5 apps that will help you do just that:
- Zocdoc: Ever forgotten your kid’s doctor appointment? I have, just the other day. Well, Zocdoc helps you find doctors, book the appointments, stores your info so you can reschedule when you forget (bye cranky receptionist!)
- TaskRabbit: Last time my mom announced she’d be making us a surprise visit, I panicked. My house looked like a zoo, as she confirmed upon arrival. Well, Taskrabbit connects you with people who can help, from house cleaners to handymen, and frees your time (and whatever bit of self-esteem you had before your mom visits and confirms your house is indeed…a zoo!
- Slack: Now really, I found this one by googling something to the effect of slacking off and still being productive. This platform for team communication makes team work a breeze!
- Last Pass: Now I have a million passwords, and I ain’t got time to be thinking about which one of my kids’ names I used last.This award-winning password manager gathers all your passwords and sites in one place, stores your profiles, and saves important info so you can use your brain for actual work.
- Sunrise: This baby is not just a calendar, it integrates many unusual and extremely useful features like Evernote and Linked In, and is Mac-friendly.
What are your favorite low-effort but high-impact apps?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 23, 2014 | Career
Apres Ski sweater – $68 – Photo: piperlime.com
The raisin color of this Apres Ski sweater first attracted me. I do find sweaters a bit tricky to wear to work: too loose, they make you look frumpy, too fitted, and you’re bringing just too much sexy back…This sweater is fitted enough, and the stitching detailed enough to be flattering but not frumpy or overly tight. It’s $68 at Piperlime too!
I’d merchandise this crew-neck sweater with this wooded collar necklace from Baublebar, and keep everything else pretty neutral. Speaking of neutral, these Sam Edelman booties in not-so-neutral black would make a perfect addition to this sweater paired with easy slacks or a skirt.
Other alternatives to this great sweater, this great (and oh so priced right) fuzzy knit sweater from Forever 21, or even this cable-knit selection from H&M, both in the deep purple/raisin color.
Like to suggest a fashion piece? Please email me at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 23, 2014 | Career |
get-organized – Photo: http://www.wahadventures.com
Ok, I have to admit, when organizational skills were being distributed at birth, I was kinda running late. Like this morning (but I digress)…Don’t get me wrong, I love the whole organization concept, I’m just not a big fan of DOING the organizing. I’d much rather have someone (or something) else enjoy making pretty to-do lists and notifying me afterwards…
The thing is, you see, that delegating and third-party organizing stuff happens when you have assistants and the whole gamut. And when it comes to most things, I don’t. Like most people. Yet in the age of technology and uber-productivity, if there’s a will, there’s a way…And besides, there’s usually an app for that…
And in the midst of all this (mild) disorganization, interruptions keep coming! Despite all the to-do’s, not-to-do’s and should-have-been-done-by-now, there are ways to get organized, even if organization is not your forte, or you favorite thing to do. So although I can’t pass up on all the organizational tasks/chores, I’ve decided to ethically hack the system to minimize time spent organizing, and maximize time spent doing great work. It’s my own lazy way to get organized. Just like the good ol’ assembly line, just fancier…
Check out my easy infographic on it (please excuse the 5th grade drawing skills, work-in-progress):
How do you hack the system to get organized at work?
The Corporate Sis.
