by Solange Lopes | Oct 16, 2014 | Career |
Silk-blend blouse – $49.99 – hm.com
As I’m impatiently waiting to put my hands on the amazing Alexander Wang/H&M collab (which is not available until November 6, but you can peek here), I’m keeping my hands (along with the fashion side of my brain) on this silk-blend blouse from H&M. Loving the textured pattern and band-collar of this blouse, which take it from basic button-down to ooh-la-la wardrobe must-have.
I’d pair this blouse with easy black slacks or a fitted pencil skirt like this faux-leather beauty from Ann Taylor, and would jazz the whole thing up with this be-au-ti-ful pair of feet jewels from 6pm.com. And voila!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 16, 2014 | Career |
How to speak louder at work – Photo: http://pausingoutloud.wordpress.com
As women at work, our biggest sin is often that we don’t make ourselves heard. From speaking up to close the pay gap to simply sharing some of our best ideas, we just fail to make our voices heard.
According to a 2012 study conducted by partners at Flynn Heath Holt Leadership in North Carolina, it turns out while men argue women are not loud enough at work, women complained about “being outnumbered” and “uncomfortable with conflict”, as reported by Fast Company. Sounds familiar?
As a woman in general, and a minority woman in particular, I still struggle with speaking up, especially at work. Most of it, I have to admit, stems from fear. Fear to be singled out, fear to be wrong, fear to be perceived as being “too loud” or just loud. Yet, I’m the first advocate of making our voices heard at work. So how does one speak louder without raising their voices?
1. Prepare, prepare, prepare! Don’t get fooled, all those great remarks and observations shared during important meetings? They’ve all been prepared, rehearsed and polished before final delivery. I’ve learnt along the way that an un-prepared meeting is a failed meeting! Always reserve some time ahead of a meeting to prepare, jot down some notes and talking points, and watch your confidence soar!
2. Watch that delivery! Unfortunately, women tend to be perceived as emotional and irrational way more than men do. This is reflected at work especially where women’s delivery is scrutinized for dooming signs of emotional ineffectiveness. Prepare ahead of time, and strive to deliver your ideas in a concise, calm and composed manner!
3. It’s not personal, it’s business! Keep in mind meetings are one of the major success battlegrounds at work. Be prepared for the sting of harsh opposition and scrutiny as you speak up and defy stereotypes. Whatever you do, don’t take it personal, don’t give in, and stand your ground, calmly, with an even, steady tone of voice. It’s business!
As women, we can, and ought to, speak up at work. And while popular beliefs and stereotypes may have it a different way, we gain most by speaking louder without ever raising our voice…
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 15, 2014 | Career |
Sick-at-Work – Photo: burnettstaffing.com
‘Tis flu season, with its flurry of germs, sneezes an infections everywhere! Especially in the office where we’re often all on top of each other…And while you’d think most employees would take time off to heal and rest when sick, it turns out “20 percent of Americans never call out sick, no matter how ill they are, and 17 percent stay home only under doctor’s orders.” This 2013 Inc. article even reveals 90% of employees come to work when sick, and it’s the workplace culture’s fault.
Whether you’re in need of a mental health day, or your frantic sneezes are shaking your office desk, coming to work when sick is just unproductive (not to mention the fact that your charitable germ sharing is not exactly welcome).
My $0.05: I remember back in Public Accounting, in the middle of busy season, when calling in sick was not exactly an option. If you could hold a red pencil and tick-mark work-papers, you could work! Yes, we could certainly call in, but the workplace culture was one of intense work and dedication that discouraged some of us from taking time off.
Fast-forward a few years, I still struggle with calling in when sick, but I’m getting better at taking care of myself. Bottom line: when you’re sick, stay home!
What do you think? Would you go to work when sick?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 15, 2014 | Career
DVF Gemma Skirt – $328 – Photo: shopbop.com
I was pretty excited when I read on Corporette Shopbob is currently having its Friends and Family sale. Hence today’s pick of this Diane Von Furstenberg Gemma skirt, made with topstitched pleats and in my favorite red “power” color.
Loving the full, A-line silhouette of this skirt that is both playful and still professional enough. At $328 at Shopbop, this skirt is more on the splurge side ( pssttt…Shopbop is having a 25% discount on your entire purchase)!
I’d pair it with the same leopard hair calf pumps the model is wearing, or pick a more frugal alternative like these Jaclyn point pumps.
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 14, 2014 | Career
When do you ask for a raise – Photo: acute redhead.com
I wrote earlier about asking for raises, and how the recent controversy around Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadell‘s comments has literally raised the stakes on women’s raises at work. While Mr. Nadell argued women should trust karma for pay increases, and this despite his subsequent retraction, women, and the general public, are increasingly realizing the many layers of pay inequality at work.
Yet, Microsoft’s CEO remarks also served us as a reminder that closing the gender pay gap also means asking for it to be closed. In other words, we, as women at work, must ask to receive what we want. In reality though, how often do we, and how persistent are we, at asking for pay increases?
When do you muster up the courage to schedule some time with your manager and discuss your salary? Or, as Mr. Nadell’s incendiary comments suggested, do you just wait for Lady karma to bestow her financial favors upon you?
My $0.05: It took me years to even consider asking for a pay raise. I simply didn’t think it was done. I thought you work hard and wait your turn, and your efforts should be rewarded. And truth is, this probably set my career and finances back. It took a few years of professional stagnation to realize it was time. And when I finally went ahead and asked, it did not happen then. Yet it made me realize that not only should I have asked earlier, but I do have the choice and power to negotiate.
What motivates you to ask for a pay increase, if anything? Take my short poll and share with us…
[polldaddy poll=8374125]
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 14, 2014 | Career
Band-collar jacket – $199 – Photo: talbots.com
Loving this notched band-collar jacket in Italian flannel from Talbots! The no-close silhouette is perfect for the fresh yet not quite cold Fall days, and complements most bottoms for work. I especially like this cypress teal color, which is a nice change from darker “office” colors.
I’d pair this jacket with a simple yet elegant layering top, like this crepe de chine top also from Talbots, and would merchandise it all with this feather curb collar necklace from Baublebar, and…voila!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 14, 2014 | Career
How to ask for a raise – Photo credit: moneysaving tips.com
Last week, the trenches on the Gender Gap War trembled when Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella made one of the most criticized (and criticizable) gender gap gaffe. By telling women, at no less than a women’s press conference, that not asking for a raise is actually good karma, Mr. Nadella just turned karma into a pretty mad lady. Although he later disavowed the controversial comments, these remain in the media, and in women’s minds, still.
Other than the fact that Mrs. Karma, as alluring as she may be, does not exactly fill in the gender pay gap, and that Mr. Nadella, despite all the backlash against him, may just be a classic case of East-West misunderstanding, the fact remains, after all, that women are less likely to ask for a pay raise than men. So could it be after all that Microsoft’s CEO, despite all the media hoopla, was not that far from the truth?
Women effectively do tend to ask less for pay raises, if only for the simple fact that we were socialized to be more humble and avoid bragging on our accomplishments. So could it be that as professional women at work, this incident could actually serve to remind us that not only is it OK to ask for a raise, but it can actually be pretty good karma too (no pun intended here);
1. Research, research, research! As awkward as asking for a raise can be, coming prepared with accurate and compelling information certainly can make the whole process less awkward. Find out from reliable sources like Salary.com, Payscale, or Glassdoor, how much your peers in the same industry and location get paid. Also consider the entire package of pay and benefits, including health benefits, work from home options, etc.Take into account the cost of living as well as your own lifestyle budget to come up with an estimate that would make sense to you, but also to your manager and company.
2. Come prepared! As you research comparable and competitive salaries, keep in mind to also prepare a portfolio of your own achievements in this position and others. You have to be able to justify why you deserve a raise after all. From successful projects to positive statistics on the work you’ve done, gather your most important work laurels and get ready to give yourself a modest but compelling pat on the back!
3. Time it Right! Your manager’s ability to grant you a raise depends upon the availability of funds per the annual budget. As a result, you want to time your request appropriately, preferably three to four months before annual budgets are finalized and approved. If you also happen to be assigned an important project that stretches your current responsibilities, it may be time to ask for a raise.
4. Keep it diplomatic! This is probably the most important part of the raise negotiation. Keep it courteous and diplomatic at all times, whatever the direction or the outcome of the conversation. Keep in mind your potential raise is not at your manager’s sole discretion, so cut them some slack. Besides, burning bridges at work is never a good idea! Stay cool!
So yes, Mr. Nadella’s comments ignited some serious gender gap fire lately. Yet we owe it to ourselves to wonder if after all, he did not help in raising an important question for women at work. And while we may want to forget about karma when it comes to women proactively seeking raises and increases at work, we hope for Microsoft and its 30% female employees company-wide, karma turns out to be a smiling, forgiving lady…
Have you asked for raises at work? How did you go about it, and do you have any advice?
The Corporate Sis.
