by Solange Lopes | Oct 16, 2014 | Career
Tick Tick app – Photo credit: lifehacker.com
I’m a productivity freak, and an app freak, which makes me a productivity app freak. Hence today’s pick, the TickTick app. I have to say, the name “ticked” me to look into this to-do list app further, and I wasn’t disappointed.
The Brief: Tick Tick is a to-do app (check out prior to-dos app I’ve featured here, here, and here). What makes it different from other to-do apps, you can organize tasks by #hashtags, which is pretty cool. You can also sync it to the calendar of your choice, Google or other.
My $0.05: I like the fact that you can organize tasks into categories, and sync your to-do’s into a calendar of your choice. A great app if you’ve got a thousand different things to keep track of!
The Corporate Sis.
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.
